Regency Romance: The Earl’s Unexpected Journey Of Love (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Romance Fiction)

by Jessie Bennett

  Lying in the dark, she smiled at the remembered conversation, and at the memory of Joshua's look of concern when he had heard she would be traveling to Africa. That sudden expression of fear made her think he had not been as disinterested as he pretended. Perhaps he liked me, too.

  She wondered, idly, if he would be the man who escorted her to Muambo. She wondered what it would be like. They would be a month on the ship together, and then a few months in Africa – a land she could not even imagine. She hoped their trip would not be as terrifying as the one the duke of Ascott had described, and prayed for peace and security.

  And I shall come to know Joshua Hershey better, she thought to herself, and grinned. She was being silly, she knew, but she could not help it. He intrigued her, and she could not stop thinking of him.

  It felt strange. In her twenty years, she had not yet met or danced with any man that caught her attention the way he had.

  She wanted to discover all she could about him.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  DILEMMA

  DILEMMA

  The carriage rumbled over the rocks in the road, jostling its passengers from side to side. Joshua frowned and gripped the side window to keep himself from sliding to the side. “Must we go so fast, Uncle?” he asked.

  “I don’t think the speed of the carriage is responsible for this, Joshua,” Cain responded. “The roads are poorly taken care of in this area of Fairbanks.” He grimaced as they went over a particularly large bump in the road.

  “That surprises me very much,” Joshua replied. “I would not expect Duke Worthington to accept anything less than the best for his own dukedom.”

  “It is not entirely his fault,” Cain said reasonably. “He is simply part of the governing body for the area, consulting with the Prince Regent. I am sure he does the best he can.”

  They were quiet for a time, jostled about by the uneven road.

  Joshua stared out of the window, thinking about the young woman he had met three nights before. It was strange, but he felt as though he missed seeing her face. She was the first woman he’d met who had had such an effect on him. Now that he had met her, she would not leave his mind.

  “Do you suppose Duke Worthington will find an escort for Lady Ellingham for the trip to Africa?” he asked, hoping it sounded like a casual question. His voice had a slight tremor, which belied his disinterest.

  “I am sure that he will,” his uncle said carefully. “If he does not, her father will find someone suitable. I am surprised to hear your interest. We have just returned from Africa, and it was not the most delightful of visits. Surely you don’t want to go back so soon?”

  Joshua squinted at his uncle, trying to discern if he were teasing him. Did he know of his interest in the young lady? He hoped he did not.

  “I am concerned for the young lady’s safety,” he said stoutly.

  Cain shook his head. “If that is the case, you should have spoken up earlier. I am sure they would appreciate the offer. You know the land well, you have a little knowledge of the peoples of Guinea. You would be a good escort for her.”

  “I do not think she liked me very much.”

  Cain snorted. “What could possibly make you say that? Did you not see how she was looking at you?”

  “I did not notice anything , Uncle. She did not seem to me to look at me any differently to anyone else.”

  Cain shook his head and snorted again. “You young men. You just don’t see the signs, do you? And here you are trying to find a bride! Speaking of which, you will have to, and very soon.”

  Joshua sighed, gazing out of the window again. “I do realize this, Uncle.” His voice was taut.

  “Have you taken any steps to rectifying that situation?”

  “I have been on a mission in Africa for six months, Uncle!”

  “True,” his uncle conceded. “But here you have a beautiful young woman to consider courting. I am sure her father would be proud to have you as a son-in-law.”

  Joshua frowned. “You have us already married after we have known each other for three days! I’ve only spoken to her once, and it was not in a lengthy conversation,” he said archly.

  “You were very quiet that night.”

  “I was disinclined to speak.”

  “You are lucky our hosts did not think you rude.”

  Joshua’s frown deepened. “I do hope they did not think I was being disrespectful. I am not a very talkative person at the best of times.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yes, Uncle.”

  Cain nodded. “Yes,” he sighed. “That is who you are, isn’t it?”

  Joshua didn’t respond. He stared out the window for a few silent moments. “Uncle, I would you not mind escorting the Lady Juliette to her destination. Perhaps…” He dared not finish.

  “If you do not find a bride by the end of the year, you will face a great financial loss,” his uncle pointed out.

  “You tell me nothing I do not already know.” Joshua pressed his lips together in frustration. “It seems a cruel punishment laid upon me by my father.”

  Cain thought about his words carefully before he replied. It was true that his brother, Allan, had placed a clause in his will stating that Joshua would face the loss of his inheritance if he was not married by the age of twenty-five. Joshua had until his birthday, which fell on November the seventeenth, to achieve that. That means, baldly, that I have six months to find a woman, fall in love and get married, Joshua thought wryly. Before his trip to Africa with his uncle, he had been looking steadily for someone he would like to court. He had attended all the balls of the season, danced with as many eligible ladies as possible. Not one had shown him much interest, which was no bad thing to his mind, because he had not met anyone in which he felt much interest either. He found he could not converse with any of them. They spoke of balls or parties, or other members of society. Their interests seemed limited to what someone had said the previous night, croquet or what the gazette reported.

  Although he hadn’t spoken much to Juliette, he could tell that she was not like the others. She had a sharp look about her. Her eyes were intelligent and when she spoke, it was obvious that she was far from stupid. She seemed astute, wise and observant. He found her intriguing, but had no idea how to show it.

  Joshua had never had a relationship with a woman other than his mother, who had died shortly before his father, three years previous. His mother had doted on him, it was true, but she was a strong woman until her dying breath and she had tried hard to instill that same strength in her son.

  Joshua often wished he had the same charisma of his mother. A quiet, still person, he was known for watching and listening rather than talking or taking action. When it was necessary, he could be counted on to do the right thing, but despite his reliable nature he found it difficult to make true friends, unable to confide in anyone himself.

  “You must learn to open up, Joshua.” His uncle interrupted, seemingly reading his mind. “You have many good years ahead of you, many friends, and a title that will not be taken from you. All you need to do is find a decent woman to marry. You should consider Lady Juliette. She is of fine breeding. And you seemed to impress the duke of Worcester, her father. That has to count for something.”

  Joshua nodded slightly, gazing out of the window at the horizon as they passed long fields of green. They were approaching the city and he looked forward to the bustle of people walking up and down alongside the streets, visiting the various shops in town. He and his uncle would not stop for anything: all of their frugal needs were amply provided for by their hosts.

  “Do you think you would enjoy going back to Africa? We faced such terrible travail there.” The question surprised Joshua, who stared at his uncle.

  “Why would that keep me from going there? Do you think I am afraid?” he asked bluntly.

  Cain blinked, clearly surprised by the abruptness of the reply. He shook his head. “I do not think you are afraid, no. But I would be surprised if y
ou were not concerned about the safety of the young lady.”

  “The safety of the young lady is precisely why I would go, Uncle,” he reasoned. “Someone must take care of her there – this I know only too well.”

  “Do you have feelings for her already?” his uncle asked gently.

  Joshua shook his head. “I cannot say, Uncle. She is a beautiful woman who is obviously intelligent and clearly gently born. But those characteristics do not make up an entire person. I have no idea of her inner nature. Also, there is no saying whether or not she would even find me attractive.” He looked at his hands, embarrassed; voice gruff.

  “As I said, she was looking at you with interest the other night,” his uncle said gently.

  “You have said that, yes. But I did not notice it. And besides,” he said sadly, “she might be like the other young ladies to whom you have introduced me. They were interested, yes: but only in my land and titles.”

  Cain let out a sharp breath and shook his head. “She is not interested in you because of those things, I assure you. She is not that manner of woman.”

  “Do you know her?” Joshua asked, clearly interested. “How?”

  “I do not know her well,” his uncle demurred, “but I have heard of her, and she has a fine reputation. She is known as a gentlewoman, with simple tastes and a refined manner. As you said yourself, she is intelligent. She is...most presentable. My concerns are not on her account. I simply worry that you will return to Africa with fear, anxiety, or anger in your heart. That would be no way to start a voyage.”

  Joshua raised one eyebrow. “I have no fear or anxiety in my heart, Uncle. And with whom would I…with whom could I be angry, for the situation in which we found ourselves?”

  Cain let out a breath, deciding to let that part of his conversation drop. “Did you hear where they are going?” he asked instead.

  “Yes, Lord Ellingham mentioned Muambo. I do not believe we were there?”

  Cain shook his head. “No, we were not.”

  “That is in the middle of the country, correct? Whereas you and I were in the upper regions.”

  “Yes, that is correct.”

  “Well, then!” Joshua said eagerly, “you must see this is an opportunity for me to see a new portion of the country. It is beautiful country, you must admit. I would be happy to return, especially to make sure that the Lady Ellingham is safe. But, uncle? You will not have need of me for another mission?” Joshua suddenly felt a sense of panic. He wanted very much to take on the duty of caring for this enchanting young lady. He did not think he could bear it were his uncle to require him.

  “There was another trip planned,” Cain nodded. “But that does not mean you are obligated to go with me. You have the freedom of going wherever you see fit to go.”

  “Thank you, Uncle.”

  The two men fell silent as the carriage pulled onto the main street of the city of Fairbanks. Joshua bit his lip, finding the rolling, juddering ride suddenly exhausting. He felt a need to escape the confines of the carriage, to feel free to move. They passed several inns before Joshua alerted the attention of the driver and told him to halt awhile.

  “Would you stop at an inn a while, Uncle?” Joshua said, a smile lifting the corners of his lips. “It is cold and dreary in here, and I could use something to warm up my insides.” Knowing that his uncle was abstemious, he was not certain how he would receive the request.

  “Are you cold, Joshua?” Cain sounded surprised.

  Joshua shrugged. “I am a little cold. The weather is pleasant, but a bit on the chilly side.”

  “I expect it will rain later today. That will help warm the air a bit, I should think.”

  Joshua chuckled, a rare sound that meant he truly found something amusing. “This is not Africa. I doubt the rain will help warm the air. I think it would cool everything down.”

  Cain grinned. “Well, then I pray for clear skies! If it became cooler, it might snow.”

  Joshua laughed teasingly. “It would have to cool down rather a lot for snow to happen. It is the middle of March, after all!”

  Cain sighed. “It is, too. Traveling can make one lose track of time.”

  Joshua nodded. He looked out of the carriage, watching the people walking back and forth. There were gentlemen in top-hats and ladies walking beside them; hawkers and carters and traders and beggars. He tried not to look at the beggars – seeing the suffering and poverty made him feel awkward, riding in a carriage in such splendid ease.

  “Here we are, Lord Hershey,” the carriage driver called down to him, as they drew up outside a long stone building with a thatched roof.

  “Thank you, Drayton,” he called up lightly, and climbed out outside the Ramsgate Inn. As he walked in, Joshua's mind was a turmoil of African jungles, high seas and Lady Juliette's beautiful face. He hoped he could find some tranquility over a glass of ale and a plate of stew.

  CHAPTER SIX

  UPCOMING TRAVELS

  UPCOMING TRAVELS

  “They could use a few less stairs, could they not?” Cain puffed, hauling himself up the staircase that led to the inn's main room. Contrary to most designs, the proprietors of this particular house had elected to place the stable on the ground floor, with the taproom and accommodation above. The narrow, sloping flight of stairs put strain on Cain's flagging heart, and he was red in the face when they reached the top.

  “I am sorry, uncle,” Joshua said gently, stepping aside for Cain, who huffed his thanks as he followed him inside.

  No sooner had Cain and Joshua walked into the main room, than they spotted Neville Ellingham at one of the tables, chatting with two other men. Cain, puffing after he walks up the flight of steps outside, wondered at the other man’s presence. It seemed like a lesser miracle.

  “Shall we interrupt his lordship or sit at another table, Uncle?” Joshua asked. He had evidently seen him too.

  “We should certainly try,” Cain agreed. “We shall greet him and see if he invites us to join him. If he does not, we will take another table.”

  The two men walked toward Neville, who glanced up just in time to see them before they could say anything. He stood, grinning warmly. “Your grace! Lord Hershey. How are you two gentlemen today?”

  “We are well, your grace,” Cain agreed, shaking his hand. “I trust you are the same?”

  “Yes, yes! I am also well,” Neville said happily. “Please do join me and my cousins for some mulled ale.”

  “That sounds like a sound plan,” Cain smiled at him before turning to the other two men, holding out his hand to shake theirs.

  “These are my two cousins, Lord David Thornberry of Westingham, and Lord Daniel Overstreet of Berkenshire. This is Cain Hershey, the duke of Ascott, and his nephew, Joshua Hershey, Earl of Swansea. They are visiting with the Worthingtons for a few weeks.”

  “Pleased to meet you.” The men greeted each other. Joshua pulled a chair over from another table and took his place with the other four.

  “I did not know you knew the Worthingtons?” David asked, directing the question toward Cain. The older man laughed.

  “How does anyone not know the Worthingtons? The Duke is one of the most well-known individuals I know personally.”

  “Living in Fairbanks, it’s hard not to know the duke and duchess. They are the most sociable people I have ever met! Always putting on events, balls, dances...I do not know how they make such immense effort!” David laughed.

  “Well, they are well worth the effort to attend,” Cain chuckled. All the men agreed.

  “How is your daughter, my lord?” Cain asked, looking at Neville.

  “She is well. Currently preparing her luggage for the mission to Africa,” Neville said proudly.

  “When will you leave?”

  “As I mentioned, she will have to leave before I, due to unforeseen circumstances that demand my attention here. She will leave at the end of April – I have acquired a passage for her with a captain who is a trusted friend. There is still some
planning to be done,” he added, sighing. “But she is awfully good at that – she assists me as much as I do her nowadays.” he sighed.

  “You have traveled with this captain frequently?”

  “I have. In fact, almost all my voyages to the equator were under his captaincy. I am certain that the ship will be safe transport for my daughter.”

  “Lady Juliette is leaving? Where are you sending her?” David interrupted them, eyes wide with surprise as he heard the tail-end of their conversation.

  Joshua was surprised that Neville’s own cousins did not know Juliette was leaving. If he were the duke of Worcester and she his daughter, he imagined it would be all he thought about and spoke about.

  “She is accompanying me to my mission in Muambo, in Guinea,” Neville replied quietly.

  “She is so young for such great peril, is she not?” David asked, his face a picture of horror.

  Neville shook his head. “I wish I could consider that, but I need her assistance. And besides, she has always wished to accompany me. It is best that she does so now, before she meets a husband and settles down in marriage. She may not ever have the opportunity to leave the country after that.”

  “You never know,” Cain spoke up at that moment. “She could always meet a young man who is also interested in missionary work.”

  Both Cain and Neville turned their eyes to Joshua, who immediately looked uncomfortable. “I assume you are both considering me?” he said in a low voice.

  “Not necessarily,” Neville said lightly. “But you must consider that you would be a good candidate. I am certain Shawn Worthington will have some other men in mind, but there’s no reason you cannot throw your name in with theirs, eh?”

  “It has been talked about,” Cain admitted, glancing at Neville, but returning his eyes to Joshua to see how the young man responded. “I do believe Joshua is considering it, as well. But there is still time to decide, is there not?”