The Earl That Overruled My Destiny

by Hanna Hamilton

  It just seemed to unlikely that there was no one who had the slightest thought of what may have occurred.

  “I suspect you are right,” Caspian replied.

  He was still not wholly convinced that Lady Florence was right.

  But perhaps, it is my own imagination getting the best of me. How long have I hoped for some grand adventure or for something of the kind? I have always wanted to see a mystery unfold before my eyes, and perhaps, my love of the mystery is affecting how I think of those around me.

  Maybe that was the true reason why Lady Gwendoline lingered so persistently in his mind’s eye. Even now, he imagined her dark, glittering eyes and the lovely, rose-like glow that came to her cheeks when she was embarrassed or angered.

  “It is a pity that she could not come tonight,” Lady Florence said. “I am certain that she would have enjoyed the merriment of the night.”

  “I’m quite sure she would have.”

  “Perhaps, the next time she will be able to come,” Lady Florence said.

  “I don’t know if it will be next time,” Caspian replied.

  But it was wonderful to fantasize about, to imagine that during the Season next year, their families could have all their damages repaired and bad feelings washed away.

  * * *

  The last guests left, and the Lockwood family stood together, watching as the remaining lords and ladies stepped into the waiting carriage, ready to vanish into the night.

  Lord Elderdale stood with his hands folded behind his back. As the carriage retreated, the horses’ hooves clomping against the stone. Lady Elderdale smiled and put her hand on her husband’s arm. “I believe we have achieved a pleasant evening,” she said. “Don’t you agree, my Lord?”

  “It was an adequate evening, My Lady. I heard no complaints.”

  It seemed like such small praise for the grand evening that had been hosted. The ball was far better than adequate in Caspian’s opinion.

  Caspian’s eyes didn’t miss the way his father subtly moved, shifting his arm away from his wife’s grasp. Lady Elderdale did not look even startled that he’d moved away from her delicate touch. But Caspian still thought he saw a flicker of hurt in her eyes.

  “The ton seemed pleased,” Caspian offered. “Which will only reflect well on us. And there was nothing terrible about the night—no scandal for anyone to linger on.”

  Lord Elderdale said nothing, instead turning away and heading back into the manor. Lady Elderdale watched his retreating back with a small, tight smile.

  Beside Caspian, Noah let a soft sigh seep from between his lips. “I enjoyed the evening,” he said.

  “As did I,” Caspian added quickly, hoping to assure his mother that her efforts were valued and appreciated. “Lady Florence looked very nice this evening, as did Lady Lydia. And I would say that both of the ladies, to my observation, enjoyed themselves immensely.”

  “Did you enjoy the occasion?” Lady Elderdale asked, glancing at him.

  “I found it very enjoyable,” Caspian said.

  The Lady nodded. “Then, I’m glad. Perhaps, it is a weakness in my character, but I derive such pleasure from having my efforts complimented.”

  “I don’t think it’s a weakness in your character, My Lady,” Caspian said. “I do not believe there is a soul on Earth who does not feel pleasure at having their efforts acknowledged. If anything, I would say that you are all the better for not being too proud to admit that hearing praise gives you pleasure.”

  Noah sighed. “I think I will retire,” he said. “Good night, My Lady. Caspian.”

  “Good night,” Lady Elderdale said.

  Noah left them, following the path of the Lord Elderdale, now long gone from view.

  With a warm smile, Caspian offered his arm. “Shall I escort you inside, My Lady? You are my beloved mother, after all. It seems a shame to have you make the journey inside all on your own.”

  “You are a good son,” Lady Elderdale said, placing her hand at the crook of his elbow. “Your future wife will be quite fortunate to have such a caring and proper husband.”

  Caspian did not say that his mother also deserved such a husband. He knew well enough that his beloved mother would be quick to defend Lord Elderdale, despite his coldness and distance. But perhaps, the Lady did so because there was nothing else she could do. Whether she regretted the marriage or not, she was married to Lord Elderdale for the rest of her days.

  “If I am a caring and proper husband, it will be only because my mother taught me so well,” Caspian replied. “I learned proper behavior while I was sitting by her knee and maiming myself on her sewing needles.”

  Lady Elderdale laughed quietly. “You still insist that it was a maiming? Will you say such if you find yourself threading your wife’s needles?”

  “I would have no occasion to thread her needles,” Caspian replied promptly. “Surely, her lady’s maid will be more than sufficient to complete the task, and if I plague the chore upon anyone else, it will be my own wayward son.”

  “And what lady do you imagine your son threading needles for?” Lady Elderdale asked.

  Caspian drew in a short breath and tried to give the query its deserved attention. Which lady did he imagine himself being wed to? It was not as though there was shortage of beautiful, eligible ladies. There was, firstly, Lady Florence. She was the daughter of one of Lord Elderdale’s wealthiest business partners and a family friend, one so valued that the Lockwoods even tolerated her steadfast allegiance with the Farradays.

  She was elegant and beautiful, and she was probably a woman who Caspian could learn to love. Lady Florence would be a good partner, but Caspian also knew that James was besotted with her.

  And I could never upset my friend by pursuing a lady he desired.

  “I have not given it as much thought as I should have,” Caspian conceded. “But I feel as though I have ample enough time to make that choice. The matter must be carefully considered, after all, and I’m sure my father must have some ideas about who I should wed.”

  In truth, Caspian suspected his father had barely considered who he ought to wed—if he’d considered that matter at all.

  “I’m sure he does,” Lady Elderdale said, although she sounded uncertain.

  It was strange the way that Caspian and his mother both, sometimes, seemed to recognize his father’s distance, and yet they both insisted upon acting as though it did not exist.

  “But I’ll keep thinking upon it during this Season,” Caspian insisted. “I do realize that I’ll need to give serious thought to the decision. And the sooner, the better. Once I’m wed, we can begin considering potential marriages for Noah.”

  “Yes,” Lady Elderdale said, smiling fondly. “Then, I’ll have both my sons gone away. It’ll be only My Lord and me.”

  “You will always be welcome to spend some time with my wife and me,” Caspian said. “Whoever she is, I’ll be certain to marry a kind, welcoming woman.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” Lady Elderdale said. “Perhaps, I ought to mention the matter to My Lord. It might have escaped him during everything he has presently occupying his attention.”

  It very well may have.

  Caspian nodded, but his thoughts drifted elsewhere. Instead, he tried to imagine which lady he could most imagine himself wed to. Lady Sophia and Lady Lydia would both be wise choices.

  But Lady Gwendoline would be a good choice, too.

  Caspian blinked and barely refrained from visible starting at the absurd thought. Lady Gwendoline was a beautiful, clever lady, and her family was one of the wealthiest in London and had a sterling reputation, aside from their feud with Caspian’s own family.

  And besides that, she was amicable and determined with a romantic streak and a desire for adventure that spoke to Caspian as strongly as a siren’s call. Perhaps, such a marriage might also end the feud between their families. Perhaps, their lots might improve.

  But it’s impossible. My father would never agree to that arrangement.
Even if he’s given no thought to the matter of my marriage, he would not possibly agree to that.

  And yet the image was so alluring, so appealing that Caspian, despite not entirely understanding it, could not help but think Lady Gwendoline would make an excellent wife.

  Chapter 19

  When night fell, Gwendoline could not sleep. An anxious energy burst through her, as brilliant as the sun. It was a powerful force which seemed to possess her. She had never had difficulty in finding sleep before, but now, it seemed as though rest had truly and fully abandoned her.

  But Lord Caspian may come.

  She did not know for certain that he would make an appearance. After all, Lord Caspian had not said when or if he would arrive, and Gwendoline knew that the Lockwood family had just hosted a grandiose ball. It was likely that the lord would be tired, probably too tired to spend his time visiting her.

  And yet she felt as though he might come.

  Gwendoline pulled aside the curtains before her window. For a moment, she considered going to him rather than waiting for him to come to her. She could easily slip into the stables, retrieve her mare, and make her way to Lord Caspian’s estate. But she did not know where his bedroom was, and there was too great of a chance that she would be caught.

  I just feel as though he will come.

  The grounds were quiet and dark. Gwendoline narrowed her eyes, trying to see better, searching to the slightest hint of movement, but there was none. With a sigh, she returned to her bed. For a moment, she sat there, trying to gather her thoughts and steer them away from nighttime adventures.

  But was it so foolish of her to hope for one? Lord Caspian had seemed very enthusiastic about them.

  And I do enjoy myself on them. His company is pleasant enough, too.

  A flush spread across her face. In truth, Lord Caspian’s company was more than pleasant enough. Despite the years of animosity, she had to admit that the Lord was witty, charming even, and very handsome. They shared a love for adventure that she had not yet found in any other lord.

  And sure, there were some lords who enjoyed adventure. Lord Alexander, one of Lord Caspian’s cohorts, was known for his love of travel and discovery. But Lord Alexander had no desire to bring a lady with him. He preferred to travel with men and his servants, and Gwendoline could not imagine him doing something as romantic and lovely as inviting a lady to join him on his travels.

  I wish that I could have gone to the ball.

  It was probably splendid. Because of the shared disdain of their families, Gwendoline had never seen a Lockwood ball. Indeed, she had never even set foot on any of their properties, but she had often heard of how wonderfully Lady Elderdale planned events.

  I’m sure Florence will tell me how beautiful and grand the occasion was.

  And Lord Caspian always looked so handsome on such occasions. Not that Gwendoline had noticed his dashing clothes or his fine appearance. At least, she would not admit that she had. Especially of late. The more she saw Lord Caspian, the more she desired to look upon his fair face and his nice clothes.

  Something thudded against her window, and Gwendoline was up in an instant. She raced to the window and drew aside the curtains, her heart racing. The Lady saw the movement of the willow fronds sweeping across the ground, and when she squinted, she could just barely discern the figure who stood beneath the slender branches. It was Lord Caspian, just as she had hoped.

  Gwendoline pressed her hand against the cool glass of the window and gave him a winning smile. Then she slipped away and donned the riding habit she’d left out—just in case Lord Caspian chose to grace her with a visit. Her hair was still lovely. She’d feigned tiredness when her maid wanted to undo the curls and pins and insisted that she herself would undo it.

  So for once, my hair looks appropriate for greeting my guest.

  And perhaps, she ought not to care so much about her appearance when Lord Caspian arrived, but Gwendoline told herself that she cared only for being a proper young woman. It was not—she told herself—because she would be especially receptive to any of the Lord’s opinions.

  Once properly dressed, she hurried from her room. Now, she scarcely thought about the risks of being caught, of having her small sounds overheard. Her feet moved quickly over the steps, and it seemed only seconds later that she emerged outside the manor.

  Another beautiful and calm night!

  It seemed almost like an omen, an approval from the divine, that they continued to have so many lovely and rainless nights. Lord Caspian grinned at her. “Good night, My Lady.”

  “Good night,” Gwendoline replied. “I am happy to see you, My Lord.”

  Lord Caspian arched a fine eyebrow. “Are you, My Lady? I am delighted to hear that my presence is welcome.”

  “Did you anticipate that it wouldn’t be?”

  He grinned mischievously. The corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement. “If I’m being honest, I’ll confess that I anticipated that my presence would be welcome.”

  “You anticipated correctly. How was your evening? I know you hosted a ball.”

  “It was quite grand, if I may say so without sounding arrogant.”

  He beckoned for her, and together, they began their journey across the grass and toward where Gwendoline knew the Lord’s horse waited.

  “It is hardly arrogance to recognize the accomplishments of one’s family,” Gwendoline replied. “Were it my family who hosted a ball tonight, I am certain that I would tell you of how grand the occasion was.”

  “I shall assume it would be. I have never seen one of your family’s balls, but my friend Lord James speaks well of them.”

  Gwendoline felt a pinch of guilt. Although she was all too aware of the grievances between their families, she now wondered if it might be plausible for the two of them to ever attend one another’s family functions.

  “Perhaps, someday,” she said, “You may attend one of my family’s balls, and I may attend one of yours.”

  “Perhaps? I’m sure the day will come eventually.” Lord Caspian paused. “I would venture even to say that it will come sooner rather than later. You and I seem to get along quite well, so I do not see why our families cannot likewise find friendship among themselves. It may take some time, but surely, it would not be overly long.”

  “I admire your optimism and the faith you have in our families,” Gwendoline replied.

  Gwendoline’s thoughts drifted to her father and how great his expectations were and how stringently he expected her to follow them.

  “Do you not likewise have faith in our families?” Lord Caspian asked.

  “I do,” she replied, “But I know that people can be slow to change their courses sometimes.”

  “Do you speak from experience?”

  Gwendoline pursed her lips together. “I don’t know if I do, but it does seem as if that is my philosophy.”

  “Then, I must confess I find it a very bleak philosophy, Lady Gwendoline. And it is sad that a lady such as yourself would ever fret about how quickly or slowly your family would accept mine. Lord and Lady Newhost may surprise you yet.”

  “So they may.”

  There was an easy confidence in Lord Caspian’s words, and Gwendoline considered him covertly, gazing at him from beneath her eyelashes. Despite the impropriety of the moment, he looked so at ease. He looked as though he had no fear of being caught, and perhaps, he really did have none. After all, this was the third time that Lord Caspian had come to the Newhost property.

  “What plans do you have for us tonight?” Gwendoline asked. “What wonderful place do you intend to show me?”

  “Did you anticipate that I would have a plan?”

  “I thought you might, but if not, I’m certain one of us may think of some pleasant adventure for that night.”

  Lord Caspian chuckled. “As it happens, I do have a plan for the night. I thought we might visit my little lake.”

  “Oh!”

  The lake had seemed pleasant enough to Gwend
oline, and she had no qualms in seeing it again.

  Once they reached Lord Caspian’s horse, he extended his hand to Gwendoline. Her fingers tingled as they curled around his palm. Steadying herself, she mounted the horse, and Lord Caspian took the reins, walking the fine animal. Gwendoline felt like a princess being led on a white stallion by a dashing knight. It was like something in a painting, and it seemed almost a pity that there was no one about to see them.

  “I have planned a picnic for us,” Lord Caspian continued. “Assuming that no one has stolen my basket.”