by Abigail Agar
“I am here often, Mr. Potts. I have little doubt that we shall stumble upon one another again someday. I certainly hope so, at least,” she said.
“As do I. Are you certain that I may not escort you home?” he asked, trying to make the offer.
“Thank you, Mr. Potts, but I cannot accept your kind offer. I must go,” she said again, turning from him and running along the road.
Ellie did not wish to leave him, but she knew that she had no choice. Still, she was certain, she had just met a man whom she would remember for all time. And he had changed her for good.
Chapter 6
Jonathan was in a complete daze. He could hardly bear to pull himself from the dream he was in. Knowing that he had just met someone so lovely, so beautiful, so kind and sweet and honorable, Jonathan wondered if he would ever see her again.
He was busy, taking the saddle off his horse, while he continued in this state. Jonathan loved to take care of his horses, grooming them and cleaning them, ensuring they had enough hay. His mother detested this hobby of his, but he had never been happier about it than he was in that moment.
It was this hobby which had led him to being in an average appearance when he met Miss Windsor. If he had not been in casual clothing for his ride and his visit with Simon, she would have seen right away who he was and his own station. After all, the rest of his clothing was difficult to tame and they were so near to his estate that there was hardly a chance to deny it.
Jonathan wished that he didn’t have to deny a thing. He wished that he had just been honest with her. There had been reasons for him to lie, though. Certainly, he still had to remind himself what they were because he was so desperate to let her truly know him as he wanted to know her, but Jonathan continued to simply do his best and let her believe something which was false.
What if he had not taken the shortcut home that afternoon? What if he had not happened to stumble upon her? What would he have done if he later found out that such a woman existed just a short jaunt from his home?
It had certainly been difficult to hide his identity from her. The estate was so near to her cottage that he worried she would already know who he was and when he realized that she had no idea, he felt that it was some sort of victory already.
The victory had been short-lived. Miss Windsor had to go eventually and he wondered if it was genuine or if she was just terribly uncomfortable because of his awkward statements.
How had he been so unclear in everything he wanted to say? It was all gibberish and babble and he felt extremely foolish for having tried to say the things he said when they meant nothing at all. He may as well have just told her that he wanted to marry her then and there and then ask if she would agree to it.
For all he knew, she had rushed off because she could not bear to look at him anymore, with that pained expression of discomfort when he realized how utterly incomprehensible he had been.
Jonathan had never been like that before. He had never spoken to a woman and been so interested in her that he just went on and on about nonsensical things.
But she brought this out of him and she did so in a truly lovely way. Jonathan found that he liked her all the more because she had managed to force him into this place where he was unable to hold himself to such a serious and high standard as he was used to, the way in which his mother always wanted.
It had been hard to tell her the lies about his identity, but as he stood there, cleaning his horse, he realized that it may as well have been true. He did groom the horses as often as he was able. He was practically made for the position, even if his mother would never allow him to do it any more than he already did and they had someone employed for the role.
He cared for his horses more than anything and the groom who did work at the estate did not do so much for them as Jonathan did. There was no one in all of England, he thought, who knew horses so well as he did. That was one of his greatest prides. He knew how to ride, he knew how to care for them, and he knew how to get them to like him in return.
“Your Grace?” came a voice behind him.
Jonathan turned around and saw the actual groom standing there behind him.
“Oh, Mr. Fitz. Yes? What is it?” he asked. He was annoyed that Mr. Fitz had not made a bit of sound to alert Jonathan to the fact that he had been standing there. After all, why did Mr. Fitz need to wait around for Jonathan like this? Did he not have his own hobbies and interests with which he could entertain himself?
“Your mother requested that I come for you to tell you that she has a visitor and your presence is requested in the parlor,” Mr. Fitz said.
“All right. Thank you, Mr. Fitz. I shall go to her,” he said, sighing.
Jonathan made his way inside the house and reached the parlor. He stood outside of the closed door, dreading whatever he might find on the other side. At last, he went through the door and found his mother there with a friend of hers, Lady Markham, seated across from one another.
“Ah, there he is! Lady Markham, you recall my son, Lord Jonathan Cornwall, the Third Duke of Danby,” his mother introduced.
“Yes, indeed! Oh, it has been such a very long time since I have seen you. You were practically a boy back then,” Lady Markham said.
“I do believe it has only been a year or so, has it not, Lady Markham?” he asked.
“Yes, but you know how quick time is to change things. I was in the north for such a long time that I feel as if I have not seen London in years,” she said.
“Well, it is good for you to be back,” Jonathan said.
“Thank you, Lord Cornwall, you are so kind. Your mother and I were just discussing some of the adventures which I had whilst on my travels,” she said.
“Oh? Did you enjoy yourself a great deal?” he asked, still thinking back to his own adventure and wishing that he could leave the room at once and go find Miss Windsor again.
“I truly did. I spent quite a great deal of time with my niece. Oh, she is such a grand young lady. You know, I think your mother would even approve of her, if you can believe it!” Lady Markham said, as if it was some scandalous accusation.
“Are you quite sure of that? You must know that I have a very high standard for the sort of young lady my son must end up with. I trust that this niece of yours is a good, virtuous young woman if you wish for them to be matched to one another?” his mother asked.
The entire conversation dripped of being rehearsed and staged purely for his benefit. Jonathan knew quite well that his mother and Lady Markham were trying to cause him intrigue when, in reality, all he could think about was the act that he had met a young woman that day who had captivated him entirely. He could not imagine wanting to spend his time with anyone else.
Still, he had to give them credit. They were trying very hard and it was amusing to watch the two of them work so hard to convince him that this was an idea which had only just occurred to them.
“I see. So, you have a niece who is wonderful? That is quite an exciting bit of news,” he said. He said the words with so little enthusiasm that he was surprised when Lady Markham did not at once accuse him of mocking her. She seemed to be willing to give him a chance to prove that he was being serious and was actually trying to compliment her on the grand news of her excellent niece.
“You think so?” Lady Markham asked, her interest piqued at his statement.
“Oh, yes! It is exciting because I am certain that there must be a young man out there who is looking precisely for a young lady like your niece. I am sure that his mother is making every effort to arrange for them to have some sort of a union,” he said.
His mother glared at him in warning, understanding exactly what Jonathan was trying to do. He was not finished just yet.
“It is such a shame that young men have a mind and hopes of their own, is it not? It certainly does cause problems for the concerned mothers and aunts who so desperately want to see their sons and nieces married off,” he said.
Lady Markham’s smile faltered. Her
eyes held a hint of glare. He had offended her. It was not going to bode well for him and his mother would tear him apart later for the remarks he had made.
Jonathan could not help himself, though. He needed these women to understand that his life was not a game for them to play. They could choose to continue trying to control him and also Lady Markham’s niece. Or they could accept that they did not get to make these decisions in there entirely on behalf of Jonathan and her niece and others.
“Lady Markham, you must forgive my son. He is a cynic. He does not believe that love may be arranged, but that it is something which he shall simply happen upon when the time is right,” his mother said, mockingly, pursing her lips.
“I understand, Prudence. I know that these young men and women these days have it in their minds that they must determine their own fates. It is a remarkable display of independence, so long as they are able to understand their own limitations. I fear that this next generation has grown rather fanciful. I would not be surprised if my dear niece does the same,” Lady Markham said.
“And if she does?” Jonathan asked. He was not going to pretend to be cowed by these statements which he found so deeply offensive and rude to the very nature of humanity.
For what reason were a young man and a young woman meant to follow the whims of their elders? What if they had something else, something better, in their hearts to follow?
“Lady Markham?” he asked, once she did not answer. Then, repeating his question, Jonathan asked, “And if she does?”
His mother shot him another glare of warning, but Lady Markham narrowed her eyes over a vicious smile.
“If she does,” she began, “I shall be sure to right her, to remind her that she has no say in her life so long as her elders and betters are still around. We are the ones who know what is best and we are the ones who shall take care of you all. For the time being, we must be obeyed, whether you like it or not.”
Jonathan swallowed, detesting every syllable which had been said. He could hardly bear to think about a world in which his life was controlled simply because he was a young man and everyone around him thought they knew better.
He was a duke! How was it that even in his position, he was subject to his mother and Lady Markham? Jonathan wondered if other dukes faced these same restrictions. He had never heard of such a thing, but that did not mean that it never happened. Perhaps this was quite normal and he ought to have been prepared for it or expected it somehow.
But none of that mattered. He just wanted to be free. If he could not find his freedom, he might never be happy again. That was the tragedy that he was faced with.
He thought again about Miss Windsor and how free she was. She did not go on to explain much to him, but he thought it must be a grand relief to not have to live by such rules of society as he did. She would never be imprisoned like this, with gossiping women decided whom he must marry and how he must behave. Even with a title and a fortune, he had no say in his own life.
Jonathan envied her in that moment, envied her opportunities to be free and do as she pleased. No one was tracking her movements and telling her what to do or whom to marry. She was simply running around town, barefoot, with her hair loose and wild. It was remarkable and Jonathan craved that sort of life. He craved the opportunity to live with that level of ease.
The afternoon went just how Jonathan had anticipated. After Lady Markham left, his mother scolded him for being so rude, telling him that he might have ruined everything if she had not managed to salvage his opportunity to meet Lady Markham’s niece.
“I have no desire to meet her, Mother,” he said.
“And if I cared about that, I might listen. But you still have not made any effort to find a wife. We have had this conversation more than enough times now, Jonathan. I am finished,” she said.
He realized that she was being serious. His mother was not going to allow him any more say in these matters. If he would not find a wife, she would find one for him.
Thinking that he would have to do something and act quickly, Jonathan decided he would go near the cottage every day that he was able so that he could see Miss Windsor again. And, if they continued to grow closer, he would try to learn whether or not she could ever be a duchess.
Chapter 7
“My goodness, Ellie, what has happened to you now? Why is it that you are always wearing dresses covered in a mess of stains and dirt?” Aunt Glenda asked. She was frustrated as ever and brushing dust from Ellie’s dress with a sort of furry that Ellie had seen reserved only for the drapes.
Ellie looked down in shame. It wasn’t that she did not care for her belongings. It was just that she would far rather be allowed to go outside than to have to stay stuck indoors where her dresses would be free from getting dirty at all. Certainly, she would have liked to look nice and clean all the time, but it was hardly possible when she needed this little bit of freedom.
“I am sorry, Aunt Glenda. I was out and I did not realize that I had made a mess of myself,” she said, apologetically.
“Well, you have. And I am embarrassed that you should be seen that way. Honestly, Ellie it is time for a change. A true change. You need to start taking better care of your things or you shall be the one to wash them. If you do not care for your clothing better, I will not have the maid clean them for you anymore,” her aunt said.
Ellie decided not to mention the fact that she already did the vast majority of her own chores and it would not have added too much for her to have to clean her clothing as well. Her aunt would have found her in contempt to try and speak about how much she was doing. She would say that Ellie was ungrateful and was complaining.
“Yes, Aunt Glenda. I shall make a true effort to be better and to dress better. I did not mean to bring shame upon you,” Ellie said. She still did not understand how her actions had done that, but her aunt was angry enough that she knew she simply had to accept responsibility for having done something wrong and offer her deepest apology. That was how it worked at the house. She suspected that it would never change and would continue to work in that same way.
“Whether you meant for it to happen or not, you really have embarrassed me. And has anyone seen you like this today? You went out, that much is clear, but I cannot abide you being seen when you are so lackadaisical about your appearance,” her aunt said.
“I am sorry, really,” she said again. “I shall do my best to be better in the future.”
“I cannot believe that or you would have already. Anyway, enough of the scolding. You are running late,” her aunt said.
“Late? Late for what?” Ellie asked.
“I have a very grand surprise for you. Oh, truly, you shall be stunned. And I know that you are going to be happy about it, because any young woman would be,” her aunt said.
Ellie was filled with foreboding. She knew that this could not be good.
“What is it? What is the surprise?” she asked, cautiously.
“You have been invited by Mrs. Carruthers to go into town together!” her aunt announced.
Ellie stared, blinking, for a moment. She couldn’t understand how this was some grand surprise or what she was meant to do with this information. Was she supposed to be as excited as her aunt was? Why? What bearing did this have on her? Ellie could not have cared at all about going into town with Miss Carruthers.
“Did you hear me, Ellie?” her aunt asked.
“I did, but I am not sure why you are so excited about it. What am I meant to do in town with Mrs. Carruthers?” she asked. It didn’t make any sense. Her aunt never took her into town for any reason, and yet now she was supposed to go with Mrs. Carruthers and—shop?
Aunt Glenda scoffed and shook her head.
“You are impossible, Ellie. Do you really not understand? Good heavens. There will come a day when you shall be very fortunate indeed to know that I am here, looking out for you. I know that you are a simple young woman with simple tastes, but do you really not understand the world around you? Have
you so failed to grasp what is right before your eyes?” her aunt asked.
