The Earl That Overruled My Destiny

by Hanna Hamilton

  “That’s right!” Noah declared cheerfully. “Our family breeds strong men and always has.”

  “That they do,” one of the ladies replied.

  That might be Lady Emma, the Baron of Sherrifield’s daughter. If so, it was likely Lady Jane who sat beside her. Caspian knew that those two ladies were nearly inseparable, but it was so hard to focus upon them. His mind kept drifting.

  Caspian frowned, as another thought cut through the fog swirling in his mind. “How…is my horse?”

  He couldn’t recall if he’d asked yet after the animal. That mare had carried him well for so many years, and despite the accident, he’d have been terribly distraught if she’d been irreparably injured.

  “She’s fine,” Noah replied. “It took me a while to find her. She was spooked and fled into the forest. After I retrieved help for you, I brought some men with me, and we both searched for her. It took us a couple of hours, but she was fine. Flawless, even.”

  Caspian sighed in relief. The horse was fine. That was fortunate.

  “Would you like your pillow better arranged, My Lord?” Lady Florence asked.

  Lady Florence’s hands fluttered near his head, and Caspian frowned, considering. His head hurt so badly that he doubted anything would make it better, but he also didn’t think there was much which could make the situation worse.

  “No. I think the pillow is fine, but I do thank you for your concern, Lady Florence. It is much appreciated,” Caspian replied.

  A soft sigh drifted through the room. Caspian now realized that it must be Lady Emma. She sighed often to fill silences. The lady could not tolerate a lapse in any conversation, and they all knew it.

  “Thank you all for your kind concern,” Caspian said. “I know I am not especially exciting at the moment.”

  His thoughts went to Lady Gwendoline’s soft, lovely face. She was not here, which he’d naturally anticipated. She could not be. But he hoped she was well. Caspian frowned and tried to think of some way that he might ask after her. His heart ached when he thought of here also lying in bed as he was.

  He cleared his throat. “I’m certain you all have so much you’d rather be doing besides watching over me.”

  “It’s no hardship to look after you,” Lady Jane said.

  The pillow seemed to move beneath his head, and Caspian winced. Was it Lady Florence, or was it his own mind which seemed to perceive the movement?

  Noah cleared his throat and abruptly stood. “However, I do think it’s time we all take our leave. I’m sure that my brother greatly desires rest, and he’ll get that more if we aren’t hovering over him like a bunch of mothering hens.”

  Caspian smiled. Some silence really might do him good, but he needed to know if Lady Gwendoline was well. He opened his mouth to ask, but he faltered. He couldn’t risk all these people knowing and also being put in harm’s way.

  And worse, he realized suddenly that he had no idea, not even a fleeting notion, of who might have engineered his fall. Which meant he couldn’t tell anyone what had happened, not without risking it getting back to the person who’d tried to kill him.

  Chapter 25

  The afternoon tea was prepared in the west parlor. It was Gwendoline’s favorite room in the house, one with pale pink walls and white trim. The drapes were open, filling the room with brilliant sunlight. Outside the window, robins and cardinals flitted among the red and pink rose bushes.

  Smoothing her lilac skirts, Gwendoline clasped her hands in her lap and waited, trying to hide her growing sense of excitement. While it was only afternoon tea, it was afternoon tea with Florence, who should arrive with news of Caspian.

  And I hope it’s good news.

  Gwendoline feared it would not be, and when she considered the possibility that Lord Caspian was injured terribly, her heart beat so rapidly that she could scarcely stand it. For someone to hurt a man so kind and so thoughtful made Gwendoline nearly tremble from the injustice of it.

  She fidgeted with her dress, caught herself, and ceased all movement. Surely, it would be good news. Florence would not have waited if it was not. Gwendoline glanced at Sarah, the parlor maid, dutifully dusting the furniture in preparation for guests.

  Everything will be fine. And I’m sure once Lord Caspian read my letter, he was very charmed.

  Heat flooded Gwendoline’s face. She knew that she ought not think about charming Lord Caspian, but when she considered the possibility that she might have, her heart fluttered with a sort of unseemly, rapturous joy.

  He was a very dashing man and one who understood her thirst for adventure, and the more Gwendoline thought about him, the more acutely she felt his absence. The thought that Lord Caspian might be more injured than anyone thought, that he might die, made her eyes burn with tears.

  I really do love him.

  But how could they possibly pursue a relationship? Already, the Lockwood and Farraday families hated one another, and if Lord Caspian’s fall proved anything, it was that the route of reconciliation was a perilous one.

  Perhaps, he wasn’t happy to see I worry for him. Instead, he might have perceived my concern as being the cause of his problems.

  Gwendoline forced herself to remain poised as the parlor maid, Sarah, moved closer, the young woman’s thoughts elsewhere. For an instant, Gwendoline envied her that. Once, she’d been like Sarah, with no great concerns and certainly no matters of life and death to fret over.

  But surely, he is fine.

  When the tea arrived, Florence still had not, which was expected. Gwendoline had posed the idea of meeting for tea because she knew that—even though she and Florence were friends—it would draw suspicion if they continued to have unannounced visits where Gwendoline pulled her friend away immediately when she entered the manor.

  But after sending Florence away with her letter to Caspian the day before, Gwendoline had sent another letter to Florence after she left and invited her to tea. Because Florence had a prior occasion that day, going to meet Lord Caspian, delays were anticipated.

  What if I put her in harm’s way, too, with my need to solve this mystery?

  Gwendoline knew that she was not at fault for everything that happened. It was by chance that she’d uncovered her uncle Lord Charles’s secret, and ending the feud between her family and Lord’s Caspian’s was still a worthwhile endeavor. Noble, even.

  And Lord Caspian had willingly joined her. There was no feasible way that either of them could have anticipated some mysterious person taking such atrocious measures to keep that mystery hidden, and Gwendoline had not made the lord fall from his horse.

  But I cannot help as feel though I am to blame. And worse, if I could do it all again, I am not sure that I would do anything differently.

  It felt like a wretched thought, but if Lady Gwendoline had not made the decisions she had, she knew that she and Caspian would never have become friends. Or even acquaintances.

  When Florence arrived, smiling broadly, Gwendoline felt as though a great weight lifted from her shoulders. “Florrie,” she said, standing to great her friend.

  “Gwendoline. Thank you for inviting me.”

  Gwendoline’s sharp eyes darted to Florence’s lady’s maid and to Sarah. They would not be alone for this occasion, unless they asked for privacy, but Gwendoline did not want to draw undue attention to their meeting.

  The ladies kissed one another’s cheeks in greeting and sat near one another on the sofa.

  “How was your day?” Gwendoline asked, taking a cup of tea and saucer in hand.

  “Enjoyable.”

  Florence took a small muffin and nibbled on the edge of it. Her eyes were bright with mischief.

  “I visited a family friend who has been in an accident, Lord Caspian.”

  “Oh, how dreadful!” Gwendoline exclaimed, trying to sound as if she hadn’t already known this news.

  “Indeed, it’s a matter so dreadful that I’m sure you’d rather not speak of it. Besides, your family quite loathes his,” Florence
replied.

  Gwendoline caught the teasing in her friend’s voice, and she grinned shamelessly. It was true that Lord Caspian was not the man who Gwendoline would have ever imagined herself having an interest in, but he was a good man. And it felt natural to be teased about her affection for him.

  If only I was in a time and place where I could let everyone know the breadth of my feelings for him!

  It was such a sublime, beautiful thought.

  Florence reached for her cup of tea. “He is in good hands and surrounded by people who care for him, and I daresay he may soon have a sweetheart. I was approached by a young lady, who was terribly distraught upon hearing the news, and she asked me to deliver a letter to him.”

  Gwendoline’s heart thundered. “Did she?”

  Florence nodded. “I did not read the letter, so of course, I have not the faintest idea as to what its contents might have been. But nevertheless, I delivered it and received one in return.”

  Florence had a letter for her! Gwendoline’s face warmed. She was nearly jubilant with the joy of the moment. Lord Caspian had written a reply.

  “It appears as though the match will work,” Florence continued, “For Lord Caspian also advised me to tell this young lady that he has been thinking frequently of her. She nearly haunts his thoughts.”

  Gwendoline felt her whole body become light with relief from the revelation. Lord Caspian was thinking of her!

  Florence dropped her eyes. There was something odd in her friend’s expression, which gave Gwendoline pause.

  “Is something the matter, Florrie?” Gwendoline asked.

  Florence blinked a few times and shook her head, forcing a smile. “Nothing. I fear I am just a little tired.”

  The lady placed her hand onto the cushion, and Gwendoline saw the creamy white edge of paper. Gwendoline reached out and took the letter, covertly hiding it beneath the edge of her skirts.

  “You aren’t feeling well, and I have made you join me for tea,” Gwendoline said. “I’m sorry, Florrie.”

  Her friend waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t worry over it, Gwendoline. You couldn’t have known, and I fear this came over me quite suddenly anyway. I must depart. I’m dreadfully sorry for such a brief visit.”

  “Don’t be,” Gwendoline replied.

  Keeping the letter hidden between the folds of her skirt, Gwendoline rose when her friend did and pulled Florence into a warm embrace. “Take care of yourself,” Florence murmured against her friend’s ear.

  Gwendoline caught the meaning beneath the words. Florence was right. If Gwendoline was wise, she would take greater care, but it was difficult to fear anything when her heart raced, and her blood rushed hot through her veins. She had a letter from Lord Caspian, and he was thinking of her.

  * * *

  My Dearest Lady Gwendoline,

  Although I would never wish to cause you any distress, I am deeply honored and flattered to learn that you are thinking of me. You need not to worry yourself overly, though. I’m well enough to be out of bed, and I would like to meet you tonight. I shall leave a horse for you at the edge of Hyde Newhost. And I dearly hope, My Lady, that you’ll consent to join me at my favorite lake. You know well by now where it is.

  And if you will indulge me, do you think you could manage to slip away for more than a few hours? I have something in mind which I think you’ll enjoy immensely, but it requires some time.

  Sincerely,

  Lord Caspian

  Gwendoline sighed and held the letter clasped to her chest. Already, she’d read the letter dozens of times, unfolding and folding it, memorizing every line and detail of Lord Caspian’s handwriting.

  He would meet her! And it sounded so romantic, another meeting by moonlight. Gwendoline felt as though her heart might burst with joy. She’d planned it all, too. All it had taken was a feigned illness and a desire to sleep, which would ensure that she remained undisturbed for some time.

  And now, it is night!

  At the time when she and Lord Caspian usually met, Gwendoline donned her most comfortable dress and carefully arranged her hair beneath her cloak. She slowly opened the door of her room, wincing at how the door squeaked. Then, she carefully descended the stairs.

  She had snuck out countless times already, but her heart pounded with exhilaration. Caspian was well. Not only well but waiting for her!

  When Gwendoline pushed open the grand doors and stepped into the gardens, her heart soared. It felt like being free for the first time in her life. It felt like achieving some grand accomplishment that she’d never even dared hope for before.

  With joy blooming in her breast, Gwendoline lifted her skirts and broke into a run, swiftly darting through the gardens overflowing with blooms and across the stepping-stone trail that swerved into the nearby woods.

  In the darkness, she found a shape near the cluster of trees where Lord Caspian usually kept his horse during his visits.

  It’s for me!

  Gwendoline approached the fine, black mare and patted it flank. “You’re beautiful.”

  The horse blinked a large, dark eye at her, and Lady Gwendoline smiled, her fingers gently running over her horse’s neck. When she could scarcely contain her excitement any longer, Gwendoline placed her foot into the stirrup and lifted herself onto the horse’s back. She coaxed the animal into a trot, and the horse slowly turned toward the nearby road.

  I have never been on the road unaccompanied before.

  It had always been with Lord Caspian before, and now, everything seemed darker somehow. Less certain. Gwendoline straightened her spine, a shiver shooting down her back as a couple passed. Their eyes drifted fleetingly toward her.

  But Lord Caspian awaited her, and surely, he would not have told her to make any journey that was unsafe.

  And besides, I do not have far to go.

  Gwendoline began to wonder, though, why he’d thought to have them meet this way. Certainly, he might have something romantic in mind, and that would be a pleasant surprise. But still, Gwendoline shivered and urged the horse to walk a little more quickly to their destination. This situation felt wrong, and though she wanted dearly to see Lord Caspian, it seemed untoward of him to let her journey for him without the benefit of an escort.

  If anything, this proves how much I dearly desire him. I never felt fear for an instant when I was with him. It is only his absence that inspires such feelings of terror. I do not feel as though I would dare brave these streets on my own if Lord Caspian was not at my side.

  And yet Gwendoline was determined to be brave, to be even a little like those wonderful heroines whom she had always read about in novels. She rode on around the familiar bends in the road, and with a sigh of relief, she reached the familiar trees which surrounded Caspian’s favorite lake.

  The wind whistled around her, rustling the leaves and the grasses. With a soft, muted thud, the horse’s hooves stopped. Gwendoline patted its neck. “Well done,” she murmured.

  She dismounted and took a moment to arrange her dress and cloak, so she looked presentable when she met the lord. Then, Gwendoline took the horse’s reins in her hand and slowly guided the animal to the usual place where Lord Caspian tied his horse during visits.

  There was no horse there, though. Gwendoline frowned, staring blankly at the space as she tried to discern the significance of that. Had Lord Caspian not ridden his horse to meet her? His usual mare might be injured, but surely, the Lockwood family had more than two horses among them.

  Perhaps, Lord Caspian thought it would be too difficult to take two horses without being noticed. He would have had to take them a long way, after all.

  But why hadn’t he simply met her the way he usually did? No matter how romantic his intentions, Gwendoline did not want Lord Caspian to be inconvenienced because of her, especially whilst still recovering from a grievous injury.

  That meant he’d walked the rest of the way, or else it indicated that the lord had not yet arrived.

  Surely, he would ha
ve arrived by now, though, if he was expecting me. Would he not?

  Gwendoline’s heart wavered, but she was uncertain whether it was only her fear at being alone in the dark, which she never had before.

  Perhaps, he is simply not here yet. I’m certain he will arrive, though. Lord Caspian would never keep me waiting.

  The trees rustled, and a shadow moved across the ground. Gwendoline cleared her throat. “My Lord, are you there?” she asked.