It was summer and there was no great need for a fire, but Edward felt the chill in the house, all the same and shook off the cold as he looked around at upholstery that needed repairs. “Fallen on hard times, have they?”
Jules had moved to the window overlooking roses in full bloom. “Indeed…they have.”
“You mean to set things right by marrying this chit?”
“Well, I…well… we don’t know one another well enough. I haven’t thought that far…not yet,” Jules hemmed.
Sir Edward snorted a laugh. “I see.”
“No, you don’t see. It would be presumptuous of me. She is a rare flower. She needs delicate courtship and understanding. I don’t want to charge in on her. You must see that?”
“What I see is…”
The sound of rustling skirts stopped any further discussion as both men turned to find a beauty with short flaxen hair brushed into a glorious windswept style. She wore a cool blue muslin gown with a high waist line and an A frame that hugged her as she walked. She was of good height, quite graceful and incredibly enchanting. Sir Edward’s jaw dropped as he felt his heartbeat quicken. Gone was the hoyden and in her place was an exquisite beauty.
Chapter Five
MADISON LANDS WERE extensive, richly irrigated and wisely cultivated. Its tenants prospered because its landlord’s interests had always centered on his estates. Not for Thomas Madison the lures of London, the temptation of the gaming tables, or the promise of speculation in industry.
Rumors had always flown that Mr. Madison’s roots were less than noble, that in fact, his great-grandfather had been a mill owner in the North and his original money had come from this source. It was certainly possible, for the Madison family had only been installed at the manor for some forty years.
More than once, the late Lord Francis Berkley had gazed at his neighbor’s lands and sighed. Madison prospered, while Berkley fell into ruin. The late Lord Berkley wasn’t the sort to look inward, find the fault and repair. He took his troubles to the gaming tables, to the races when the tables were cruel, and finally into investment schemes that quickly ate up what he had left and then what he had borrowed.
Now both Thomas Madison and Frances of Berkley were gone.
Both had left all that they owned to their immediate heirs. In Madison’s case, he had only his wife and his only child, a daughter, Georgina.
Georgina was not quite a raving beauty, but she had an air about her that made a man take note. She was of good height, good figure and her auburn hair was long and luxurious. She had a lively mind and was quite ahead of her times in her way of thinking. In fact, it was what had frightened off any would be suitors to date. She was ever ready to go on about matters that dealt with women’s rights and she did so with vigor.
Her closest and dearest friend, Star, was forever telling her that she was like no other female and was caught up in quite the wrong times. Georgina refused to use a ladies’ saddle, not because she was a ‘neck or nothing’ equestrian, but because she saw no sense in it.
These thoughts and others crashed in her active mind as she rode her steed across the fields on her way to Berkley to visit with Star.
Wayward locks blew in her face. She grabbed them and shoved them away from her eyes and thought with a grimace that she should have braided her hair earlier, for it was getting windier by the moment.
Anxious, she hurried her horse onward for Star had sent round a note asking her to visit her. She wondered and worried, for Star would not have been so cryptic unless there was a problem.
She knew that Vern was ill and hoped he had not taken a turn for the worse.
Thinking of Vern made her sigh. Star’s brother was showing a marked interest in her and it made her feel quite uncomfortable. She had known him most of her life and had always thought of him in brotherly terms. She knew he was in dangerous financial straits. Could it be he was interested in making a match of it to gain control of her wealth? She hoped not.
She understood that this was the way of aristocratic life. Marriages of convenience were common, even sought after, but that was not what she wanted.
She also knew that a union between them was smiled upon by her sickly mother, for it would serve to have her only child married to a Lord of the Realm and installed nearby. Georgie understood a marriage to Vern would help him set Berkley to rights. She couldn’t marry a man she didn’t love, even to help him and her dearest friend.
In spite of her modern, practical and radical views, which encompassed some very intriguing opinions about romance and sex, she still withheld the hope that when she married it would be to someone who loved and respected her.
Some moments later she had given her horse to the head (and at the moment only) groom at Berkley, Jeffries. She marched up to the house where she made her way to the kitchen door and was met by Dilly, the Berkley’s day servant.
The woman’s mop cap was askew and Georgina smiled and set it in place for her saying, “There, Dilly, much better.”
Dilly bobbed her head, “Thankee miss.”
It was then that Georgina realized that Dilly was covered in flour and laughed, “Look at you, whatever has happened?”
“Yikes, miss, Oi went and did it this time, Oi did. Spilled a tin of flour…and we jest can’t at such a time… Cook will ‘ave m’head, she will.”
Georgie laughed, “Never you mind. Cook is all bark and very little bite. I’ll have my people send over two tins. How is that?”
“Why, miss, grand ye are.”
Georgina smiled, “Where is Miss Star?”
Dilly perked up proudly, “Entertaining she is, as she should be. Poor thing, stuck here all the time when she should be going to balls and sech.” She shook her head, “Ye know she has been working the stables, mucking out and sech. It isn’t right. Ye both should be in London…dancing and laughing.”
Georgina sighed, “With Mama so ill, tis impossible. Star and I go on nicely just as we are.” However, she had a moment of weakness as she imagined Star and herself waltzing around a ballroom floor. She frowned at herself and said, “Entertaining, you say?”
“Aye, two gentlemen,” Dilly dimpled. “One for each of ye.” This sent the young woman off onto a peal of giggles.
“Who are they?” Georgina found she was intrigued in spite of herself.
“That very pleasant Mr. Stamford and a stranger…a Sir Edward and coo…is he ever a looker! Dashing he is.”
“Where are they?”
“In the library,” Dilly said and nodded with her chin. “And that happy, Miss Star will be for your company…so go on, then.”
Georgina made her way down the hallway giving herself a silent lecture regarding Jules Stamford. She must not, would not, think about him. It just wouldn’t do.
In her usual forthright manner she walked into the library and pulled up short when she saw him. As always whenever she saw Jules, he completely took her breath away.
“Georgie!” Star declared as she crossed the room in a rush and took her friend’s hands. “How wonderful…”
Georgie was pulled along and was thankful for Star’s low combustion personality as it allowed her to recoup after looking at Jules Stamford which had made her brain turn into gruel.
Star pulled at the strings of her friends’ hat and flipped the straw bonnet over to a chair as she said, “Look at you, all windblown and lovely.” She stood back, “Oh, I don’t ordinarily like brown, but you look beautiful in this shade.”
“I hope I am not intruding,” Georgina said glancing once more at Jules. What was wrong with her? Why did he make her feel like a silly school girl? She was not. She was a twenty year old woman with a mind of her own and he was not the sort she had imagined might take her fancy. He was fashionable, he was a pink of the ton and she thought probably not very bookish. She was not fashionable, though Star was forever telling her she knew how to put clothes together. She was certainly not one of the haute ton and had no wish to be and she was most certainly b
ookish!
Jules stepped toward her, obvious pleasure written on his face as he said, “Miss Madison. What an unexpected delight,” he turned to Sir Edward. “I should like to introduce my very good friend to you, Sir Edward Danton.”
She nodded at Sir Edward as Jules went through the introductions, but Star was yanking on her sleeve, “Where have you been these past few days?”
“Buried in a new author’s work. It was written anonymously, but I have heard that a young woman by the name of Jane Austin wrote it.”
“Yes, yes, Pride & Prejudice, or some such title. I wondered who it was who wrote it. She is very daring, isn’t she? It is quite a naughty and delightful book. Vern brought it home for me last week and I devoured it!” Star said as she tugged her friend along with her to the sofa, plopped down and pulled Georgina beside her.
Out of the corner of her eye Georgina noticed Sir Edward looking at Star with what appeared to be undisguised fascination. She didn’t look away in time and Sir Edward’s gaze found her own and they exchanged quizzical smiles.
“How is Vern?” Georgina asked and was rewarded with a warning look from Star, which set her mind busily trying to figure out what that could mean.
“Coming along,” Star said vaguely, again giving her friend a meaningful look that clearly said drop the subject.
Sir Edward turned to listen to Jules who was saying something about the family crest hanging just to the left of him.
Georgina glanced at Sir Edward and politely inquired, “What brings you to Rye, sir?” When Sir Edward had not answered, she repeated the question.
He turned to her, “What? Oh yes! Jules of course,” he managed glibly.
“Doing it rather too brown, ain’t you?” Jules bantered devilishly. He turned to the ladies and inclined his head. “The truth is… our Edward is here recovering from a broken heart.”
*
Star looked at Sir Edward, surprised and intrigued and saw the look that came over him as his eyes turned into glinting steel pointed in his friend’s direction. She nearly broke out giggling as she thought everyone was casting one another ‘meaningful looks’. Sir Edward looked as though he could easily strangle his very good friend and Star did in fact, release a short laugh.
“Oh, I am not joking,” Jules continued unaffected by glaring glances. “He really is suffering the woes of unrequited love.”
“I can’t imagine anything much sadder than that,” Georgina said sympathetically.
As no one said anything to this, Jules slapped his friend on the back and said, “Now don’t look at me like that. I am certain the ladies will award you their sympathy and I can’t think of anything better for a broken heart.”
Sir Edward was moved to refute this in fine form, but he controlled himself. “It isn’t their sympathy I seek, ‘ole friend,” he glared at Jules, “but their interest.” He inclined his head toward Georgina.
“Oh, well done,” Star said. “I for one cannot imagine you of all people suffering a ragged and torn heart. Even if it were true, tell me why would it heal any better in the wilds of Rye, than in London?”
Georgina coughed back a laugh, “An interesting point.”
Jules laughed and wagged a finger at Sir Edward, “Indeed, Miss Berkley already has your measure.”
“Does she?” Sir Edward said sweetly. He turned to Star, “As it happens, I was not far from here when…when two things occurred to stall me. I was made aware my suit was ill advised, and my hired coach broke down.”
“Well how horrid for you,” Georgina said.
“Indeed, a broken heart and a broken coach…” Star could not help but giggle.
“He only thinks he has a broken heart,” Jules put in.
“Broken heart, indeed! What utter nonsense,” Sir Edward said languidly. “I have relinquished such romantic notions to those younger and less experienced. If I have suffered anything, it has been an irritation of nerves because I am used to getting my own way and have recently been balked. The feeling…shall pass.”
“I applaud you, sir,” Georgina said with genuine approval.
“Georgie!” Star laughed. “You cannot mean that? It is no such thing. He sounds very much like one of Byron’s poetic heroes. I think Rye will enjoy him, don’t you?”
“I am nothing like Byron or his Child Harold, or any of his poetry!” Sir Edward objected.
“Now hold on a moment. Here you are a London beau…” Jules offered.
“Up to every rig,” Star interrupted to add.
“Yes, and dressed to the nines,” Georgina concurred.
“Definitely, Byronic in demeanor!” Star stuck in on a laugh. “Won’t the women of Rye swoon?”
“Yes, indeed. If he has a fortune and our Rye society discovers this? Oh my,” put in Georgina.
Both ladies began to giggle and when Jules exclaimed, “Right you are!” Sir Edward made an unintelligible sound.
“I hope you are all enjoying yourselves at my expense,” Sir Edward said as he pulled a face at the assembled company. A slow smile forced its way onto his countenance, however, and Georgie dimpled at him.
“You are a jolly good sport,” Georgina said.
“Yes, and I hope you will continue to be, when the mamas of marriageable chits have at you,” Star added.
“And the widows… let us not forget the widows!” added Georgina.
“Ah, do tell me about the widows.” Sir Edward could not resist saying and a devilish glint lit his hazel eyes as he looked directly at Star.
She met his glance and almost caught her breath. He was of course, being outrageous, but they had goaded him after all.
“And the lovely Rye debutantes,” she said softly. “Will no doubt, frighten you to death and send you flying back to London.”
“Not,” said the victim of these jibes, “if they are in any way like you, Miss Berkley,” he returned gallantly.
Star laughed and got up to move in his direction, her hands reaching for his, “Oh, that was sweet and here we have been anything but. Do not be angry, sir. We really mean no harm.” His hands had clasped hers and a shudder of sensation swept through her.
Their eyes met.
Did the world suddenly stop all around her? Had everyone ceased to exist? Was she alone in a room filled with stardust? Why, oh why did her knees feel as though they were about to crumble into dust? What, was happening?
Sir Edward released her hands so sharply that she was momentarily dumbfounded. His touch had sent rivulets of sensation scurrying through her to all nerve endings, but before she was even able to wonder about this, he had dropped her fingers as though stung by them. Devoid of the capability of logic she watched him step back with a look of confusion.
“I am very pleased to have been the one to entertain you,” he said, breaking through the moment. She looked into his warm hazel eyes and composed herself.
“One day, sir, you will find yourself in the position to do the same to me and I shall be happy to pay the bill. It is only fair after all,” Star came back to a sense of self and managed to answer him softly.
“Fair-minded, are we?” he inclined his head. “We shall see if that is so, when the time comes.”
She laughed and the conversation moved on to other things. All this while Star was all too conscious of everything he said and everything he did. It was as though no other person in the room existed—only him. With his prominent masculinity and that particular look that came into his eyes when he happened to glance her way, with…oh gracious, she thought, what was happening to her?
At some point Star and Georgina fell into feminine conversation. With all of Georgina’s modern and controversial opinions, she actually enjoyed clothing and fashion. They put their heads together as Lady Sefton’s Ball was coming up and they had to plan their wardrobe.
The gentlemen obviously took this as their cue to leave. The ladies watched them exit and waited for the sound of the front door closing, before grabbing one another’s hands and squealing.
>
Star was the first to actually speak, “What do you think of them?”
“What I thought when you first introduced me to Jules Stamford,” Georgina replied with a soft sigh that sounded wistful to Star. “He is a dear man and quite an exceptional gentleman.” She eyed Star, “He seems quite taken with you.”
“Does he? I can’t agree with you there. I am not at all his type. Perhaps he is momentarily diverted because I am so different than what he is used to. I would never be able to make him happy. Never mind Jules, what of Sir Edward? What do you think of him?”
“Ah, now there is a very dashing, handsome man, but I don’t have his measure yet.”
“He is intriguing though…isn’t he? And all that stuff about having his heart broken is interesting, isn’t it? I would have thought he would be the heartbreaker.”
“Hmmm, I do agree with you on that, but it doesn’t matter. Does it?” She touched her friend’s hand, “Star, don’t be making him out to be some knight in shining armor, because I am fairly certain, he is not that.”
“Oh Georgie, when did I ever give you the impression that I was holding out for a knight in shining armor, for I am not. I am holding out for love…wherever that might take me.”
“Widgeon,” pronounced her friend with a musical laugh.
While the ladies went on about beaus, clothing, the waltz and the cotillion, the gentlemen made their way to the stables.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Jules turned to Sir Edward and asked, “Was she not the most beautiful creature you have ever seen? So lively, so easy at conversation.”
“Jules, how can you come out of your blue devils for a woman you claimed to be in love with and jump right into the fire for a chip of a girl?”
“Oh well,” Jules shrugged. “I wasn’t in love, was I? Stands to reason I wasn’t for I didn’t pine overly long, did I? And Miss Berkley is not a chip of a girl. She is…” he frowned and stared at his friend.
“Yes, I know, the most beautiful creature in the world,” Sir Edward said with resignation.
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