The Earl That Overruled My Destiny

by Hanna Hamilton

“It would be a fine match,” Caspian said absentmindedly.

  Outside, a dark shape moved closer. Caspian squinted, straining to see through the heavy rain. Soon, it became apparent that a carriage approached. “I wonder who that is,” Caspian muttered, “And on such a dreary day.”

  “Well, there’s one way to find out,” Noah replied.

  Caspian turned away from the window, Noah following.

  * * *

  The letter was on fine paper and the words were written upon with dark ink and in a gentle, lady-like hand. Caspian arched an eyebrow when he read over the name of the sender. Lady Florence.

  Why would she send me a letter?

  Lady Florence was a friend of the Farraday family, primarily because of the long-standing business relationships between their two families. But she was still more Lady Gwendoline’s friend than his, and Caspian couldn’t recall any prior instance where Lady Florence had written him.

  “Well, what does she want?” Noah asked.

  The two of them had returned to the east parlor upon receiving the letter and sat across from one another. Ordinarily, a letter would hardly cause such a stir. And perhaps, even on such a dreary day, it might not have. But this was Lady Florence, and Caspian felt his curiosity stirred.

  Lady Elderdale drifted by the room, pausing when she saw them. Her hand was curled around a thin, leather-bound volume of poetry. “Look at the two of you,” she said, “lying about on this fine day.”

  “Fine day?” Noah asked.

  “I think there’s a beauty to it,” their mother replied. “But I have always found the rain pleasant. I enjoy the sound of the raindrops beating against the windows and the way the world smells after it has rained.”

  “And it’s your favorite day to sit beside the fireplace and to read your poetry,” Caspian replied. “What is it today? Nature poetry or love sonnets?”

  “Both.”

  “I’m still surprised that you have never tried writing poetry yourself,” Caspian replied. “As much as you have read, I’m certain you know more about poetry than anyone.”

  “I wouldn’t say that.”

  The Lady crossed the room and lowered herself onto the brocade cushions of an elegant chair made of polished rosewood. She looked very picturesque that day. Her pale, blue silk dress rippled like water when she moved.

  She looked old, and Caspian felt a strange mingling of fondness and guilt. He loved his mother dearly. But how many of those white hairs and wrinkles was he responsible for? She was still so lovely and serene. Caspian remembered vaguely what she’d been like when he was a child. She’d doted over him and chased him around the gardens, and when he was very young, barely able to remember, he’d seldom left her side.

  And his father was always away. He was either in some foreign country doing business or locked in his office. Either way, he was not a nurturing man, and at this point, he likely never would be.

  “We were about to read this letter Lady Florence sent,” Caspian replied.

  “Lady Florence?” Lady Elderdale asked, pressing the corner of her book against her lips. “How interesting.”

  Caspian opened the letter and unfolded the cream-colored paper. Then, he began to read.

  Dear Lords Caspian and Noah,

  As I’m sure you have noticed, the weather has been quite tempestuous of late. It’s so dreary that I’m terribly desperate for any little diversion. And because the season has only just begun, I have had the idea that we ought to have a picnic come the first day we are free from rain.

  I have resolved to invite my dearest, closest friends to this occasion, and as such, I cordially request the presence of you two noble Lords. After much consideration, I have decided upon Hyde Newhost as the perfect place to host such a gathering. The grounds are both spacious and beautiful, and it seems a shame to leave them so abandoned during the season. I think the occasion would be much to your liking as well as to mine. I await your reply with bated breath.

  Your Dearest Friend,

  Lady Florence

  Caspian folded the letter back into the envelope and tapped it against his knee. It wasn’t terribly strange for Lady Florence to request a picnic. The idea sounded like a pleasant one, indeed.

  “It’s kind of Lady Florence to consider our family in her gatherings,” Lady Elderdale said.

  Caspian nodded. “It is. Father will be pleased to hear it.”

  Assuming the man even joined his family before the picnic occurred. Caspian privately wondered if his father didn’t consider them all a burden.

  “Hyde Newhost, though?” Noah asked, his voice thick with confusion.

  Hyde Newhost was a property owned by the Lockwood family, and Lady Florence knew well of the rivalry between the two of them. That meant she’d clearly chosen the property on purpose instead of many others, which would have been equally suitable for a pleasant picnic.

  Lady Florence has surely invited Lady Gwendoline to this, Caspian thought. It is her family’s property, after all. What is it that Lady Florence is thinking with this scheme?

  “It is a nice property,” Lady Elderdale said, her brow furrowing, “But to invite you to Lord Newhost’s property is…unwise of her.”

  Or perhaps, this scheme isn’t Lady Florence’s. Perhaps, Lady Gwendoline is responsible. But what could she want?

  Caspian thought about his apology. It was possible, perhaps, that the Lady wished to speak with him about what he’d said. This would be a way for the two of them to meet without it being scandalous, if Lady Florence had arranged the outing.

  “Maybe Lady Florence expressed a wish to have a picnic with her friends, and Lord Newhost offered the property for the occasion,” Noah offered. “It would be impolite of her to refuse such a generous offer.”

  “I worry only about there being…disagreements,” Lady Elderdale said. “That’s all.”

  Although Caspian glanced away, he felt the heat of his mother’s gaze upon him. Between Noah and himself, Caspian was admittedly the most likely of the two to sew discord between the Farraday and Lockwood families.

  “I’ll be a perfect gentleman,” Caspian said. “I promise. I have even made efforts to reconcile with Lady Gwendoline after my ill behavior. I apologized at Lady Emma’s ball.”

  Caspian remembered the look on Lady Gwendoline’s face that night. She’d looked as lovely as always, but her eyes had narrowed, sparkling with calculation and intelligence. There was something glorious about her fire, about how wonderfully honest she was.

  His mother’s face softened. “I’m glad,” she said, her finger tracing along the spine of her book. “But I do feel as though…you nevertheless ought to be cautious. People will gossip if you’re seen too often with Lady Gwendoline, and My Lord will be quite unsettled.”

  She was right, of course. If Caspian’s father knew, he’d be furious. But it was always a gamble whether or not the man would notice. Lord Elderdale was an unpredictable man with strong, harsh moods. It was as if he often forgot that he had a family and when he did remember, he became angry for being reminded.

  “I don’t see any harm in it, though,” Noah said. “I’m sure Lady Florence will invite her other friends. Lady Gwendoline might be in attendance, but Lady Sophia and Lady Lydia will likely be there, also. Perhaps, Lady Eleanor and Lady Canterfoss, too.”

  Save for Lady Canterfoss, who’d recently wed, they were all young, unmarried women. An outing with them would be agreeable, indeed. And it would be pleasant to see the young ladies somewhere besides a ball or party. Although Caspian adored such occasions, he did also long sometimes for a more natural, wilder setting.

  “We could always ask James and Alexander to accompany us,” Caspian added. “I’m sure they’d both agree, and the more people we have in attendance, the less likely we are to experience an offense from Lady Gwendoline.”

  Especially considering how obvious James is with his affections for Lady Florence.

  “I think we ought to go, Mother,” Noah said, smiling
at their mother. “It might be enjoyable, and if we don’t go, we surely risk offending Lady Florence and her family.”

  “Yes,” Caspian said, rubbing his jaw. “We wouldn’t want Lady Florence to think that we’re going to allow a feud to interfere with our business ventures.”

  “You should go, then,” Lady Elderdale said. “I don’t mean to imply that you shouldn’t. I mean only that you ought to be cautious with this arrangement. At best, Lady Florence has been careless with her planning. It would have been better for her to suggest her own estate as the location for this outing.”

  “Perhaps, but Hyde Newhost is just outside of London,” Caspian replied. “And it does have the most excellent view of the Thames.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Well, then,” Noah said, “I think it sounds very agreeable.”

  “I’ll ensure that the kitchens cook something agreeable for you to take when you go,” Lady Elderdale said.

  “Thank you,” Caspian replied, shooting his mother a fond smile.

  As Caspian stood, he waved Lady Florence’s letter. “And I’ll answer this directly, so the good Lady knows how many guests she ought to anticipate.”

  Caspian went to his desk, leaving his mother and brother in the parlor. He sat and unfolded Lady Florence’s letter once again.

  Do I really want to do this? I’m sure that Lady Gwendoline is attempting some mischief with this, but I haven’t the faintest idea what the nature of that mischief may be. What does she desire of me?

  If he didn’t go, he might never know, and not knowing would probably drive him to madness. Or to the brink of it.

  “Well, then,” Caspian muttered. “I suppose we’re going to meet again, aren’t we, Lady Gwendoline?”

  He retrieved a pen from the drawer of his desk and pulled it out.

  Dear Lady Florence, he wrote.

  You’re quite correct. London is very dreary at present, and the promise of a picnic sounds quite agreeable. As such, my brother and I quite happily accept your invitation. And if it is not too bold of me to ask, I’d like to request the honor of bringing both Lord Alexander and Lord James to join us for this pleasant outing.

  I look forward to the occasion and eagerly await further information regarding our plans.

  Caspian paused. His thoughts went to Lady Gwendoline rather than to Lady Florence.

  Why can’t I keep my thoughts away from her?

  Perhaps, it was because she was so beautiful. Had any man ever been given such a lovely, fair-faced nemesis? Perhaps, other men had, but Caspian could not imagine that most did. Caspian shook his head, as if he could move his thoughts of Lady Gwendoline away through the sheer force of his will. He continued to write.

  I am eager to see Hyde Newhost and to determine if the estate is as lovely of a place as I have been told, although I have no doubt of your good taste.

  That might be enough for Lady Florence to realize that Caspian suspected there was something mischievous afoot. The young Lord signed the letter with a flourish, his signature needlessly large and dramatic. Then, he folded the letter into an envelope and sealed it.

  “Well, Lady Florence,” Caspian muttered. “I look forward to joining you on this pleasant outing.”

  And maybe Lady Gwendoline would be in attendance. Caspian knew that the Lady’s presence ought to be more of a deterrent than an encouragement, but he could not find himself dissuaded.

  But if this was Lady Gwendoline’s doing, as he thought, what did she want?

  Chapter 7

  Two days after Lady Florence sent the invitation, she, Sophia, and Lydia arrived at Hyde Newhost, the Lockwood property just outside of London. Gwendoline had already arrived. This whole outing was, after all, her idea. Upon learning that Lady Helena was her uncle’s lover, she had to speak with Lord Caspian, so she’d asked Florence to arrange an inconspicuous meeting during which she might speak to him.

  And hopefully, Lord Caspian will be willing to help me discover what truly happened between Lord Charles and Lady Helena.

  Gwendoline smiled and continued up the path to greet her friends. Hyde Newhost was one of her favorite places, far enough from London to have the atmosphere of a country estate but near enough to make travel convenient. Florence’s soft smile and a few kind words were all it took for Richard Lockwood to agree to allow Florence to have her picnic on the property. Florence had just failed to mention that Lord Caspian would be in attendance.

  Father would certainly have refused otherwise. And he may still be unhappy to learn that Lord Caspian and his cohort were allowed on the grounds of Hyde Newhost.

  It was an uncommonly beautiful day with blue skies and brilliant sun. With a basket looped over her arm, Gwendoline waited alongside Florence as the next carriage arrived. Behind the two women, their lady’s maids stood, ready to chaperone the affair.

  Lord Caspian and his cohorts—his brother, Lord Noah, and Lord James, and Lord Alexander—emerged from the carriage. They carried themselves with an affected regality and inscrutable expressions.

  Gwendoline’s heart rose in her throat. She smoothed down the lilac silk of her dress. It was one of her best gowns, embroidered with pearls and pink ribbon. And perhaps, she shouldn’t have considered her appearance so much for the outing. She told herself it was only the excitement of the new season which caused her so much concern.

  And perhaps, if I tell myself that enough, I’ll be able to make myself believe it. Maybe I can pretend that it’s not Lord Caspian, although I don’t know why I ought to feel the need to impress him.

  She felt the heat of Florence’s gaze on her and the silent pleading in the other woman’s eyes.

  Please, don’t do anything foolish, Florence was saying. Please, after I have arranged all this, be nice.

  But Florence need not have worried. Gwendoline had no intention of unladylike outbursts or doing anything untoward. She’d glimpsed an adventure in the mysterious letters between Lord Charles and Lady Helena, and she’d do nothing to jeopardize it.

  Lord Noah grinned and approached first. He carried a wicker basket with him, likely containing the three men’s contributions to the engagement. “Good afternoon.”

  A mumbled greeting answered him. Gwendoline said nothing but she tried on her best smile. It was easier to believe this wasn’t terribly awkward and uncomfortable if she thought of her expressions as articles of clothing to be put on. Just a costume, like an actor on the stage might wear.

  “Welcome to Hyde Newhost,” Florence said. “I hope you find this an agreeable place to meet. I invited all my dearest friends and all those who are closest to my family.”

  That was Florence trying to justify herself, trying to make this seem like it was a coincidence rather than a carefully coordinated engagement.

  “So I see,” Lord Noah said. “Well, I’m happy to attend any occasion with such luminous ladies present.”

  Florence smiled. “And Lord Caspian, a pleasure.”

  He nodded cordially.

  “Lord Alexander. Lord James.”

  Alexander grinned roguishly, but Lord James looked at Florence as if she was the only lady present at the gathering. Gwendoline wondered if her friend noticed the man’s interest and if she might return his affections. But whether she did or didn’t, Florence smiled, her face betraying nothing.

  “Shall we?” Florence asked.

  Gwendoline linked arms with her friend, and together, they led the procession through the gardens. There was a place already prepared for their picnic, just by the riverbank and shaded by a thick canopy of weeping willows, whose long leaves swayed and danced upon the surface of the water. A more perfect spot couldn’t have been chosen.

  Already, the staff had ferried the supplies to the proposed spot. A richly embroidered cloth was spread over the table, already covered with dishes. And gentle, swooping layers of linens were draped over the nearby trees, creating a vast covering that would protect the guests from the harsh sunlight above them.

  The fe
w servants who’d accompanied them to the picnic arranged the china and relieved the ladies and Lord Noah of their baskets. A soft breeze blew through Gwendoline’s hair as she sat at the table

  And so it begins.

  Florence sat next, followed by Sophia and Lydia. Then, the men. Gwendoline could see quite clearly where the silent lines were drawn. The men were on one side, the women on the left, and poor Florence stood in the center of them, the tentative link binding them together.

  “You have picked a lovely day for this sort of engagement,” Lord Noah said.

  “So I did. We’re quite fortunate,” Florence replied.