The Unwilling Earl

by Audrey Harrison

  Chapter 2

  “An Earl? You? Ha ha ha! That is the funniest thing I have ever heard!” Fred laughed loudly, which increased the scowl on his friend’s face.

  “Oh shut-up, I don’t intend keeping the bloody title,” Daniel responded, wanting to thump his friend for reacting in the exact way he would have done if their roles had been reversed.

  “Not keep the title? Can you do that? You are mad if you don’t use it,” Fred exclaimed at Daniel’s statement.

  “You are more stupid than you look if you think I am going to try and join the aristocracy again. Remember the last time my family attempted it? I ended in hospital, barely alive.” Daniel sneered.

  “But you are richer than most of them now. And I don’t appreciate the slur on my looks, although it was said like a true aristocrat.”

  Daniel laughed at his friend. Fred had blonde hair, blue eyes and a heart shaped face that fooled all the ladies into thinking Fred was an angel, which he was anything but. Daniel was made up of more angles than his friend, square jaw, slim nose, brows that quirked in either amusement or anger. His brown hair had golden highlights in the summer, but did not resemble the Fred’s blonde hair that the ladies found so irresistible. His eyes were a deep green, which flashed the deepest emerald when experiencing strong emotions.

  Theirs was a comfortable partnering of different characters. Since the day that Fred had dragged Daniel to the Infirmary after his beating at school, a friendship had developed that nothing could sever. Fred was by far the lighter hearted of the pair, Daniel having to rescue him from many scrapes with the ladies, but they kept each other amused. Fred also benefited financially from Daniel’s business sense and was the only aristocrat in Daniel’s circle of friends.

  “It doesn’t matter how rich I am, in fact that is worse in most cases, but I suppose I will need to go to the estate and see what needs to be done. I’ll probably do the same as the others, put a manager in and see how it goes.”

  Both gentlemen were fully aware of what Daniel had done with his other estates. He had built a huge fortune from the Gerrard family business. He had lived in Norwich all his life, apart from the short period he spent at school. After that experience his tutoring had taken place at home. He had a natural aptitude for business. He could look at a situation and within a short time work out how to get the most profit with the best result. Every venture he had gone into had performed beyond expectations.

  He had become one of the most important figures in Norwich society. The gentry looked on the new wealth with suspicion, but it had no impact on Daniel, in fact he found the situation amusing. He had more money than he could ever spend which had helped him to achieve some of his goals. Some of the aristocracy were foolish with their privilege; he had followed carefully the fortunes of the five boys that had surrounded him on that fateful morning in school. One of the boys had succumbed to fever and had not survived into adulthood, another had gone into the Clergy somewhere, being a second son, but the other three boys had been heirs to their estates. Each one for various reasons had fallen into financial difficulties and each time Daniel had been ready. Nothing illegal had taken place, but he had struck when the family were desperate and then driven a very hard bargain. Only when the deal had been signed did he acknowledge exactly who he was and took pleasure in pointing out that they still had their title, but he had their heritage. None of the three had taken it well.

  Daniel now owned estates in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridge. Each place had been ill run for many years, but once Daniel took over, he managed them closely with men that he trusted and within a very short period of time each estate began to make a profit. This all added to his wealth and now it appeared that because of a freak accident, he had another set of responsibilities. The timing of the inheritance was poor, he was an only son and had begun to think about settling down, marrying and continuing the Gerrard line. Until now, his focus had been business related, but all thoughts of romancing one of the Norwich ladies had to be put to one side until he had assessed the new estate.

  Daniel sighed, “I’ve never been to Cheshire, I suppose I should consider it as a possible expansion area.”

  “Well, if you fancy a bit of company, I am happy to live off you for a while,” Fred offered helpfully.

  “I would be happy of your company, I have no idea what the natives will be like,” Daniel replied with a grimace.

  “I’m sure we will find some entertainment Danny boy,” Fred responded, rubbing his hands together.

  *

  Penelope lay against the tree trunk and looked up at the late summer sun shimmering through the leaves. It had been two months since Richard had died. It had taken her a few weeks before she returned to wander through the estate on her usual morning walk. She missed her friend. It was only after he had gone that the reality of her situation was brought home to her, she existed in a very small circle. There were not many in the village who were of the same age as her and who were approved by her father. She was friendly with Emily, the Vicar’s wife, but she was a married woman with responsibilities. With Richard gone, Penelope realised how much she had relied on him for entertainment and support. With the realisation she had questioned if, after all, she had loved him. After much soul searching, the conclusion she reached was that he had been a dear friend, but nothing more.

  The forays onto his land became more precious, the escape would stop once the new Earl arrived, but until then, she would make use of it as much as possible. As she mulled over this potential change in her circumstances, she was disturbed by the sound of hooves and breaking twigs as a horse plunged through the woodland. Penelope stood quickly and moved around the tree at the same moment as the horse reached her location.

  The beast reared up at the sudden sight of her. Penelope stepped back, startled as another rider reached her. It took a few moments before the first horseman got his animal under control. As soon as he had, he turned in blazing fury to Penelope.

  “What in blazes did you think you were doing jumping out like that? Did you want to kill me woman?”

  Penelope had taken a further step back when she had looked into the face of the first horseman. It was a handsome face, but the eyes! They seemed to be glowing, they were such an intense green. It took her a moment to get her breath, but she soon pulled herself together when his words had time to register.

  “As I do not know you, I can think of no good reason that I should want you dead. And what in the blazes are you doing riding through the woodland at such breakneck speed, when there could have been any number of hidden obstacles?” Penelope hoped to goodness her father would never get to hear of her cursing, but she refused to be spoken to in such a manner.

  The first rider seemed startled at her retort, but the second rider started to laugh. “She has you there on both counts Danny boy.”

  Penelope noticed for the first time the second horseman. She would not describe him as handsome, but beautiful. Although he could be described as such, the first man was the one that she was compelled to gaze at again. She had never been looked at in such an intense way and it intrigued and set her pulse racing at the same time.

  “Well Danny boy, I shall leave you to continue your madcap ride,” Penelope said, impropriety out of the window completely. If her father heard even half of what she had said today, she would be cast off forever. She curtsied in an attempt to hide the twinkle of amusement in her eye, caused by the look of astonishment on the first horseman’s face and turned to leave.

  “May I ask what is your purpose here today?” Came the deep voice of the first horseman. He sounded calmer than he had at his outburst and his voice held a smooth confident tone.

  “I walk here every day usually,” Penelope replied.

  “Do you trespass on all the private land in the area, or just this land?”

  Penelope raised her chin a little in indignation. “I had permission from the last Earl to use this land for walks. Until the new Earl arrives I decided to continue t
he practice.”

  Fred was thoroughly enjoying the entertainment between the sparring pair, at Penelope’s words he decided to increase his enjoyment even further. “May I take this opportunity, my dear, to introduce the new Earl of Rivington?” He said with a roguish grin and a slight bow to Daniel.

  Penelope felt herself flush a little at the introduction, but was determined to brazen it out. “Welcome to the area my Lord, I shall cease to invade your privacy immediately.” She turned and walked quickly away. The calls from Fred failing to make her turn back, if she looked back the pair would see how flaming red her cheeks were. What a way to meet the new Earl!

  The two men watched her retreating figure until she was out of sight. “My friend, life has already begun to be more interesting in Cheshire,” Fred said grinning at Daniel.

  “Easy Fred, she is obviously a lady of quality, not one of your usual conquests,” Daniel warned. For some reason he did not want his friend to start chasing the dark haired, fiery woman who had just burst into his life.

  Once the shock of her appearance, almost beneath his horse’s hooves had eased, Daniel had hardly been able to take his eyes off the young woman. She had carried her bonnet, so he had been able to see her thick, glossy black hair. Her eyes were a deep brown that had danced with suppressed laughter when she had called him Danny boy. Her composure had faltered slightly when Fred had made his introduction, but the slight blush on her cheeks had been endearing. He had wanted to jump down from his horse and reassure her until her eyes twinkled again, but luckily he had managed to keep himself seated. The old Earl obviously had good taste if he chased ladies such as her. For the first time in his life, Daniel felt the first stirrings of jealousy at the thought of his distant relative and the young woman having a relationship.

  Chapter 3

  Penelope was able to find out more about the new arrival when her father joined them for afternoon tea the following day. He did not usually join Penelope and her mother, but as he had news he was willing to take part in the activity. He had called to pay his visit to the newcomer as was proper and wanted to report his findings to the family.

  “He is open about his beginnings and the fact that he is a businessman,” Mr. Hall reported with disbelief. “He will not make many friends by being so candid.”

  “Surely honesty is the best policy?” Penelope queried.

  “It shows a distinct lack of breeding, but I suppose it is only to be expected because of his background,” Mr. Hall shuddered. “A businessman Earl, whatever next?”

  “Everyone knows he was not born to the title and never expected to receive it. Surely we should admire a man who is able to make his own way in the world?” Penelope continued to defend the Earl. She was compelled to do so, those green eyes had haunted her dreams last night.

  “I suppose his rank will open doors for him, but if he persists in being so open about his business concerns I shall have to speak to him and guide him,” Mr. Hall said, his chest puffing up with his own sense of importance.

  Penelope inwardly groaned. This did not bode well for any relationship her father could potentially have with the Earl. Even on such a short meeting, it had been obvious that the new Earl was extremely confident in his own ability.

  “There is one piece of good news though,” Mr. Hall interrupted Penelope’s thoughts. “He is accompanied by a friend who will one day be a Baron. That is fortunate don’t you think?”

  Penelope’s heart sank, feeling she knew where this conversation was heading. “How so?” She asked, not really wishing to know the answer.

  “Well I am sure he is considered handsome by young ladies and he is unmarried, perhaps you two will get along,” Mr. Hall said, very pleased with himself.

  “But father an Earl ranks higher than a Baron,” Penelope said innocently.

  “Yes, but this Earl is no longer suitable, one so focused on business will never do, you had best look to the Baron, a Baron is better than no title,” came the response.

  Penelope smiled through gritted teeth, she had always known her father to be shallow, but these last few months had really emphasised the point. How he could place so much importance on a title she would never understand, but also to dismiss a person because of his background was an embarrassment to his daughter. She hoped that there would be no embarrassing scenes because of him, she had already been impertinent to the Earl, perhaps she should have minded her tongue more. The thought of him being dismissed in society because of his trade unaccountably annoyed Penelope, she would come down harshly on anyone she heard criticising the newcomer.

  The Hall family met the two men during the following evening when they attended the vicarage. The Vicar had been quick to offer his services to the Earl and was keen to befriend him. An absent Earl would ensure increased standing in the village for a Vicar and the rumour was that the new Earl would only manage the estate at a distance. He was determined Mr. Hall would not take precedence with the new guest if he could help it.

  Only ten people sat down to dinner, the Vicar being keen to keep the group exclusive. The table was made up of the Earl and his friend, the three members of the Hall family, the Vicar’s sister-in-law a spinster of thirty, the apothecary and his wife. The final two being the Vicar and his good lady. He was confident that the group would show him in a favourable light.

  The meal went well. Penelope was sat next to the friend of the Earl, a gentleman who had been introduced as the Honourable Frederick Wiseman. He insisted that he was happy to be known as Mr. Wiseman, much to Penelope’s fathers’ disgust. On her opposite side, sat Mr. Jones, the apothecary, so she was entertained throughout the meal by two pleasant gentlemen. Mr. Wiseman was the perfect dinner companion, he was amusing, complimentary and attentive. Penelope was no expert with men, even at twenty, her sheltered life not affording her the opportunity to learn much about their ways. She did have one advantage in her favour though and that was quick intelligence. She enjoyed Mr. Wiseman’s company, but she realised that he was one that would conquer and then move on, so although she was friendly towards him, there was never any danger of losing her head or her heart by believing any deep meaning in his words.

  Daniel watched the interaction between Penelope and Fred with increasing annoyance. He was sat between the Vicar’s wife and her sister. Although Mrs. Clark was a perfectly pleasant woman, her sister was the type to condemn anyone enjoying themselves. She therefore spent most of the meal criticising Penelope and Fred, when all Daniel wanted to do was to swap places with Fred and enjoy Penelope’s smiles.

  When the gentlemen rejoined the ladies in the Drawing Room, Daniel made his way over to the Vicar, who stood next to Penelope.

  “Ah, my Lord, I was just requesting that Miss Hall play a tune or two on the piano. Would that be to your liking?” Mr. Clark asked with a slight bow.

  “As long as Miss Hall plays well,” Daniel replied drily. He was rewarded with a twitch of lips from the lady in question, but she managed to maintain her demeanour.

  “I believe I am considered passable, my Lord,” she replied gravely.

  “Miss Hall is not the best musician you will hear in these parts, my Lord. She is more interested in the outdoors than the application of practice. Her father laments her lack of commitment regularly.”

  Daniel stiffened at the insult. His comment had been teasing and been received as such, but he noticed a slight flush of either anger or embarrassment on Penelope’s face. He did not know the lady well enough to tell which emotion she was feeling, but his feeling was definitely one of anger.

  “A lady after my own heart then,” he replied stiffly. “I don’t see the point of tying oneself to a pianoforte if there are more profitable things to be done.” His words were delivered with a tight smile, but neither of the other two was in any doubt that the Earl considered the Vicar had overstepped the mark. He wisely took the opportunity to retreat to the side of his wife and seek solace from her calm words.

  Penelope smiled at the Vicar’s re
treating back. “Thank you for your defence, but you must forgive him, he thinks I am a bad influence on his wife.”

  Daniel’s anger calmed at Penelope’s words, glad that she was not too affected by the insult. “”And are you?” he teased.

  “You shall have to be the judge of that yourself. I have a liking of walking out alone, hence our unplanned meeting the other day.”

  “Do you walk everywhere alone?” Daniel was surprised that a gentleman who was as particular as Mr. Hall appeared to be, would let his daughter wander around the countryside alone.

  Penelope sighed. “No, almost everywhere I am accompanied. The last Earl was a good friend of the family and kindly allowed me to wander his estate alone. I was in no danger there.”

  From that one sigh Daniel understood the constraints she felt in such a small village. He wanted to help her and offered the only thing at his disposal. “You are more than welcome to continue using the land as you wish.”

  Penelope met his gaze, her eyes glowing with mischief. “Thank you, but have you considered your own safety, with me liable to step out on you at any given moment?”

  Daniel laughed, a genuine deep rumble. “I shall take greater care in the future now I know there is danger in the woods.”

  *

  Penelope resumed her walks the very next morning. Even though she had only stopped them for a few days, she had missed the freedom that they provided. When deep enough in the woods, she ran, letting out some of her pent up energy. Walking for longer than she normally would, she left the woods behind and continued across the fields. This time when she saw the lone horseman approaching, she made sure she was in full sight.

  Daniel had tried to stay indoors, not wanting to appear as if he was purposely seeking Penelope out, even though he was. The draw of those brown eyes was too much of a pull. He had intended to stay away from the woods, but after riding across fields, he had given in to the impulse and turned towards the trees. He had seen Penelope at a distance and rode over to her at a leisurely pace, enjoying the view of her striding across his land.