“Did you see Lady Mary at the last ball? She gained so much weight that I almost did not recognize her. And that little Miss Harper that Lord Stark is going to marry – so poor and ugly. How can he even look at her?” she continued to criticize everyone and everything. “I don’t understand those ugly and poor people who try to become something more…”
James pretended to listen to her, looking ahead and dreaming about the times when his mother would stop directing his life and Lady Sarah would stop pretending that she liked him so that she could marry him.
“I want to say that I admire your way of viewing life,” James said. “My life, however, is a different one, and I see the world differently. I have friends who I love, and I want to see the good in people.”
“I cannot imagine that,” Sarah confessed. “For me, there are more important things in life.”
“That is what I want for myself and my family,” James added. “I want us to spend our days together in harmony.” While he was talking, James was looking ahead, away from Sarah. The lady saw him and followed the movement and then sharply looked up to meet his eyes. She wanted to look away, but there was something persuasive in his gaze, something that made her keep looking at him. “Sarah,” James tugged at her hand. “What do you think?”
“I, umm…” she stuttered at first. “I want the same,” she said, looking at him and noticing the worry in his gaze. “I want the same,” she repeated.
“I want that too,” James repeated her words while looking at her suggestively. “But sadly the one time I tried to talk about it with a girl, she laughed at me and I am afraid that you will do the same.”
“I am sorry to hear that you think that, but still, it is your choice to live your life the way you want,” Sarah said quickly, moving her eyes from his. “In my opinion, the biggest thing in life is to achieve your dreams, and the biggest failure is to stop dreaming.”
“Yes, but what do you do when the people around you have already established rules about what is right and what is wrong?”
“You fight for what you think is right in your eyes,” Sarah answered, looking at him for support.
“You are right, but we cannot ignore what others think. Man cannot survive alone,” James insisted. “Tell me, Sarah, do you think that you can be happy with me?”
Lady Sarah didn’t answer immediately, and he saw her thinking carefully about her answer. “Yes and no,” she finally said. “I respect you and like you, but I think that we are very different,” she quickly added, looking at James with an apologetic smile. “I realize that we like different things and see life in different ways.”
The conversation continued during their walk. Lady Sarah asked questions about James’ business and James told stories about his estate. For the first time, Lady Sarah talked very little and only when James addressed her directly, but she could tell that he noticed her interest in him. There were small things in her behavior, which were unusual for her. The conversation was both disturbing and exciting to the young woman, and she was unsure how to address those new feelings.
After dinner, James accompanied Lady Sarah to the stable where his small workshop was situated. The lady was not very interested in what the gentleman had to show her, and the two of them spent more than two hours going through different models and designs.
The day had been a complete disaster in James’ eyes, although, Lady Sarah had tried to play along and pretend that she liked his way of life.
Sherburn Estate
During her last visit to Roberts’ residence, Lady Charlotte had mentioned a small dinner party she and George intended to hold in their home. Because of all the difficulties around her, Jane had almost forgotten about it until her mother mentioned it again. She prepared for the dinner, but without much enthusiasm. The Baroness had once again insisted that she should think carefully about her behavior and Jane really couldn’t take it anymore.
So, when invitations for the dinner were sent to them, the Baroness was excited by the news. She couldn’t stop talking about it for days. She wrote back immediately to accept the invitation and to thank the Duke for his wonderful idea, making their whole lives turn around the dinner.
Jane, on the other hand, was still bothered by conflicting feelings and preferred just to look forward to the dinner, hoping that she would have a good evening, but without hopes for anything more. But all their plans were disturbed by the news that Marquesses Buntings was coming too. The very mentioning of her name changed the atmosphere in the dining room, and Jane was sorry to see everyone turn towards the newcomers.
The Marchioness and her son had arrived only a few minutes before. James approached Jane and welcomed her into his friend’s home. He had leaned down and kissed her mother’s hand, congratulating her on the beautiful gown she was wearing. Both of her parents were pleased with him, and Jane watched with horror as her mother started giggling like a child when he kissed her hand. Thankfully, her father stepped in quickly and soon all three of them were seated at one of the tables, filled with refreshments and food. Jane couldn’t help feeling ashamed of her mother, and the idea of becoming like her if she married became even more unpleasant to her. The Marquess remained by their side and probably would have stayed a little longer, if not for the arrival of his London guest – Lady Sarah.
She couldn’t help compare the lady’s elegant and fashionable gown with her old one and tried to hide behind her mother. The entire family of Baron Roberts arrived at their eldest daughter’s house together and was welcomed by the young Duke of Graystone and his beautiful wife, Charlotte.
“How happy I am to see you all,” Charlotte stepped forward and gave hugs to everyone. “You are the first to arrive.”
“I thought you said that it was going to be a small dinner party?” Baroness Roberts asked.
“Yes, we invited only you and my friend Marquess Bunting,” George answered with a bow. “We wanted the dinner to be just among family and friends.”
“That sounds great,” the Baron answered.
Soon everyone had arrived and they were all seated around the table. Marquess James Bunting had arrived with his mother, Marchioness Eleanor Bunting and Lady Sarah Rochester. Jane immediately noticed the way Lady Sarah tried to stay close to James, occupying all his attention. She immediately recognized the behavior of a seductress and felt ashamed.
The dinner started in a comfortable atmosphere and Jane was glad to see how happy her sister looked. She and George were so much in love that their feelings were visible to everyone standing around them. The dinner was over when Charlotte asked Emma to play for them on the pianoforte while the rest of the party sat around and chatted.
“Dear Baroness,” Marchioness Bunting said loudly. “Your younger daughter is an excellent artist. I have always admired young ladies that are so accomplished. Just like Lady Sarah.”
“Oh, dear Lady Eleanor,” Sarah did not let the Baroness answer. “You are so kind towards me, but I am not a great artist.”
“You have many other accomplishments, my dear,” the Marchioness continued. “You also have great beauty and social standing. The young ladies who have less than you, should worry about such accomplishments.”
Jane noticed the discrepancy in what Lady Eleanor was saying, but no one had the courage to point it out to her. Lady Sarah and Marchioness Eleanor continued to dominate the conversation with idle gossip and unpleasant chatter. Jane felt sorry for James, who was a constant presence in their conversation. She looked at him.
Their eyes met across the distance, and they smiled sweetly to one another, finally united in their awkwardness. Jane was surprised by the sudden warmth that filled her heart at that moment and her mood immediately became better.
Jane’s family was just another traditional British family, who was living in a beautiful estate, surrounded by woods. Her father was a perfect gentleman, while her mother stayed at home and took care of the house and their daughters. Their life was a life dedicated to God and to family,
with very little else to worry about.
Their life at home was simple, with no complications like parties, too many visits, or too much money. They had a small estate, which provided for them and occupied most of Jane’s free time. The hard farm work was done by tenants, and for the house work, there were a few servants. It wasn’t an abundant life, but it was what made them all happy.
Jane could only laugh at Lady Sarah’s way of looking at life, but she kept her thoughts to herself. However, after more than an hour of listening to Lady Sarah’s gossip and criticism, she finally had enough and decided to find something to drink. Charlotte had a table prepared with drinks and finger food for her guests, so Jane easily excused herself and approached the table.
At the same time, James managed to escape his mother and went to the table. Jane smiled at his relieved expression and accepted the glass of punch he offered her.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“You smile at me, my Lady,” the Marquess commented. “Can I assume that you forgive me?”
“The more I think about it, the more I realize that there is nothing to forgive you for, my Lord,” Jane admitted. “I was just in an irritable mood.”
“I am glad to see that you are doing better now,” the gentleman smiled again. “Since I was a boy, I used to go to the lake every time I felt uneasy. These last few days I have been under a lot of pressure. That is why I go to the lake so often.”
Jane listened to him carefully, noticing how sincere he seemed. “We both were in search of a place to think and reflect on our problems.”
“It looks like that’s right,” James agreed, and Jane wondered at how easy it was for them to talk and laugh with each other. They resolved their issues so easily.
“I believe that in most cases, wealth is more important than love when it comes to marriage,” Lady Sarah said loud enough for them to hear her.
“This is so wrong,” Jane said before she could think about it twice. “Oh, I am sorry, my Lord. I don’t want to offend you.”
“You didn’t, Miss Jane,” James smiled without any humor. “Lady Sarah’s view of marriage is not mine. I believe that the happiness of a marriage depends on similar disposition and true attraction. My mother is also convinced that the most important thing is to find the perfect match for me, and she is looking for titles, education, and beauty, but, the truth is that none of that interests me.”
“How do you see the perfect lady for you, my Lord?” Jane asked. It was the first time in her life Jane had the courage to ask such a direct question. “If you don’t mind my question.”
“The perfect lady for me,” James repeated and leaned against the table, sipping slowly from his glass of punch. The lady in front of him looked interested in his answer, but not because she was expecting a compliment from him. On the contrary, Miss Jane was simply interested in what he had to say. “Let me think about it.”
“If the answer is so complicated, don’t trouble yourself…” Jane was already sorry for being so forward. Her question was so out of her character that it surprised even her. And yet, she had asked it. There was something in Lord James that made it easy for her to open up and speak what was on her mind.
“It is not any trouble. I just want to give you the right answer,” the Marquess said seriously. “I think that the perfect woman for me is the one I love. Yes, it is simple. The ideal woman is the one I love.”
Jane did not have the strength to answer him, as Marquess James Bunting was saying the same thing she was thinking. Nothing else mattered to her but to have someone to love and respect her by her side. Her mother was wrong to think that she needed to search for a husband that was going to provide for her. Jane needed to look for someone she could love and who would love her back.
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“That if your sisters are not willing to understand you and to accept your feelings, then you are better off without them.”
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CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
THE HARD TRUTH
“The enthusiasm of a woman's love is even beyond the biographer's.”
Jane Austen, Mansfield Park
Moreland House
The next few days, Emma grew closer to Captain Green after her arguments with the Viscount and her sisters. She never again went for a walk alone with him, but she accepted his compliments and the officer become a regular visitor to the Moreland House. The Baron and his wife received the young man well, completely unaware of what was going on between their daughter and the young Viscount.
The two of them kept talking, and Emma started to like him more and more with each passing day. The Captain presented himself in a very agreeable way, talking, acting and looking at Emma in such a way that she simply could not see him in any other way but as a very nice man.
Jonathan Green knew very well how to make a woman feel desirable and extraordinary. There was nothing in what he said or did that could be considered out of line or displeasing to a lady. She loved watching him ride on his beautiful white horse, dressed in his red uniform, with his head held high. Emma liked the fact that all women around her wanted him too, and did everything in their power to steal him from her. The gentleman clearly enjoyed the attention, but he had eyes only for Emma.
He even gave her advice about her problems with her sisters. “I believe,” the Captain said, while they were walking in the garden under the watchful eye of Emma’s mother, “That if your sisters are not willing to understand you and to accept your feelings, then you are better off without them.”
“You really think that?” Emma asked him hopefully.
“My firm belief is that our family members are suppose to support us no matter what, especially in situations when we need them the most, and if they cannot grant us that, then they really don’t deserve us.” His explanation sounded so logical that Emma did not even question it.
Back in town, Viscount Francis Turner was discussing his recent investments with the bank manager when he heard the name of Jonathan Green mentioned. Mr. Shepherd, an elderly gentleman who was famous for his knowledge of everything that happened in the area, was talking to another local gentleman.
“I heard a rumor from one of my best friends,” Mr. Shepherd was telling to the other gentleman. “Captain Jonathan Green has been intercepting letters, opening them and searching for some wealthy young women to prey on. My friend told me that the officer has excessive debts to settle and instead of doing it the honest way, he prefers to take the money from innocent ladies.”
The two elderly gentlemen continued to discuss the matter, and Francis listened to all the horrible things the Captain had done to other young ladies in the town where his regiment stayed. According to Mr. Shepherd, the young Captain’s reputation preceded him whatever he went, but he got by because of his charm and ability to convince people of what he wanted them to believe.
Francis saw Emma in his mind, leaning against Captain Green’s hand in the woods, looking up at him as if he was the center of the world. If what Mr. Shepherd was saying was the truth, and Francis believed that it was, then Emma Roberts was in great trouble.
The Viscount listened a little longer and then exited the bank after making another appointment with the bank manager. Emma and her well-being were all that mattered to him at that moment. He was so concerned that on the way to her house, Francis started questioning his own feelings towards her.
He had to admit that he had always loved her, probably since the first time he saw her. Emma’s gentle smile and her open nature had always been special to him, and he had compared every other woman to her. Until a few months ago nothing seemed to be able to come between the two of them. Francis had almost reached the point of thinking of Emma as his future wife.
And then everything had changed – his uncle had died, and he had become a Viscount, but instead of power and a significant income, the title had come with debts and more responsibi
lities. Because of all the worries and his aging father, Francis did not have time to spend with his old friends and rarely attended the balls and parties they organized. In the process, he had lost contact with Emma and although it hurt, he did not have a choice but to think first about his property and his father.
The situation was not different right now; Francis still had the same problems and his father’s health was not looking good at all, but he could not ignore the fact that Emma was suffering because of his indifference. With a heavy heart, Francis prayed that nothing really bad had already happened.
The Moreland House appeared in the distance, and Francis tried to prepare mentally for the conversation he was going to have with Emma. He remembered only too well how difficult that same conversation had been the last time they saw each other, and there was nothing to make him believe that this time would be very different.
Francis rang the bell, and the butler came to open the door for him, informing him right away that the master of the house and his wife were out.
“Is Miss Emma in?” Francis asked, grateful that he would not have to face the Baron and the Baroness.
“Yes, my Lord,” the butler smiled. “Miss Emma is in the sitting room. Please, come this way.”
Francis followed him into the small sitting room, where Emma was sitting beside the small, round table, working on a piece of embroidery. The Viscount saw her look up when the butler knocked on the door. She looked charming in her almost white dress with small lavender flowers scattered all over the skirt.
“Miss Emma,” the butler announced, “Viscount Francis Turner is here to see you.”
“Emma,” he stepped in and bowed.
“Francis,” she curtsied in return.
Regency Romance: To Love A Viscount (CLEAN Historical Romance) Page 13
