by Abby Ayles
* * *
It was worth it to Rowland to suffer through one unenjoyable night at the Hendrickson’s home if afterward, he was able to find the lady in green.
* * *
Rowland had never considered in one moment his life could change so much. Perhaps it was as Jasper said, and just the fact that the lady ran from him, that he was so obsessed with finding her. Deep down he knew that there was more to it than that.
* * *
There was something about that lady that was so familiar, almost a tangible memory of knowing her before that night. He was sure that his feelings for the lady was not just merely a manifestation of desiring something unknown. She was known to him on some level.
* * *
The warmth of summer was beginning to hit is high point, and Rowland feared if he didn’t find the lady in green by the end of the year she would slip from his grasp forever.
Chapter 26
Lady Louisa was rather reluctant to join the small dinner party this evening. Though there would be no proper excuse for her not to at lease show face when it was, after all, held in her own aunt's residence.
* * *
Along with the Lady and Lord Hartford, there was also their daughter Lady Julianna who was the same age and very good friends with Miss Elisabeth. Lady Louisa had made the acquaintance of Lady Julianna on a few occasions amid her many seasons with the ton.
* * *
She had no opinion of the lady good or bad but rather found her of the same opinion of Miss Elisabeth when in her presence. It was quite off-putting to have two Miss Elisabeth’s in the same room.
* * *
Lady Louisa was happy to hear that Mr. Henderson, the solicitor her brother employed, had also accepted an invitation to the dinner. It seemed that Lady Hendrickson husband had also used his services.
* * *
Lady Louisa’s biggest fear, and her aunt’s greatest satisfaction was that the Duke had also accepted the invitation to dine. He was, of course, the target of the party.
* * *
Lady Louisa was still filled with uncertainty over the encounter with the Duke at the ball. She was conflicted by the fact that her excitement that night had not yet left her as she had hoped it would.
* * *
In fact, quite the contrary dispute her mental desire not to be, she was rather nervous about seeing the Duke again. It was more than for the fact that he might recognize her for the lady in green. She had an even greater fear that he would and recoil at the notion in front of everyone.
* * *
But before she knew it the night in question was upon her and guests were beginning to arrive. Lady Louisa hoped that if she did her part to avoid the Duke, he was sure to do the same. In that way, she would preserve her secret.
* * *
She chose to spend the time in the drawing room before the meal in the company of Mr. Henderson. He happily told her tale after tale of his own time in Virginia and what her brother must be experiencing right at that moment.
* * *
Soon his fantastical tales were so wondrous it caught the attention of the majority of the group, including the Duke's small trio.
* * *
“You say this all happened in the Colonies?” Rowland asked entranced by the tales of adventure and dangerous savages.
* * *
“Yes, your grace. I was lucky enough to travel there several times on behalf of the Earl of Gilchrist,” Mr. Henderson informed him. “He has property in Virginia. I was just giving Lady Louisa a rendition of some of the adventures since her brother is currently there with his wife.”
* * *
“Yes, Lady Louisa did mention something about that to me once,” Rowland said looking over to Lady Louisa. “It did seem such a wonderful adventure.”
* * *
“I would say it is, Your Grace. Are you one for adventuring then?” Mr. Henderson responded.
* * *
“I have been in the past. I spent most of my youthful years in the West Indies and Asia.”
* * *
“Well, you must share some of your own tales then, Your Grace. Lady Louisa and I were just talking on her own hankering for an adventure,” Mr. Henderson said tipping a glass in Lady Louisa’s direction.
* * *
“Is that true?” The Duke asked skeptically of Lady Louisa. It was his understanding that up until recently she had never even left the city.
* * *
“Well,” Lady Louisa said shyly. “I don’t know if I will manage traveling the world as you have, Your Grace. I am sure you can imagine things are not quite as easy for the female sex when it comes to these things. I wouldn’t mind seeing more of the world if I could make that a possibly. Perhaps I will visit my brother in the Americas if they continue their stay in the land. Though Mr. Henderson has frightened me off some with talk of savages,” Lady Louisa added with a joking smile.
* * *
“You surprise me, Lady Louisa,” the Duke said. “I would have never considered you to do something as unconventional as crossing the Atlantic on your own.”
* * *
“Well, have no fear, I don’t think my mother would ever allow me to do so. It is just wishful thinking I suppose. I believe my time away from home, if nothing else, had encouraged more independence and bravery for me. Something I don’t think I ever would have found in myself otherwise.”
* * *
“Funny, I would never consider independence and admirable quality for a lady,” Miss Elisabeth chimed into the conversation.
* * *
Up until this point she had been rather irritated to have been forced to listen to Mr. Henderson’s incessant chatter but now that the Duke found interest in it, she also did. Of course, she would never pass an opportunity to shine Lady Louisa negatively.
* * *
“On the contrary,” Colonel responded taking up Lady Louisa’s cause. “I rather wish we let women have more independence. To see the improvements that Lady Louisa has made in the lives of so many here as she has made her regular marches alone into town only testifies to that fact. If we were to consider it more acceptable, I believe a great many ladies would have more means to help and support so many more in need.”
* * *
Lady Louisa blushed and looked away at the Colonel’s compliment.
* * *
“I couldn’t agree more,” the Duke concurred. “I am sure the world would be a better place if we gave women a little more freedom to make it so.”
* * *
“Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Louisa said surprised at his honest remarks to her benefit.
* * *
He shrugged her off.
* * *
“It is only my personal opinion on the matter. I was once advised to do so, even if it was not the consensus. I believe the words were that it is better to be yourself than to be a falsehood to please others,” he countered with a playful grin.
* * *
Lady Louisa immediately recognized it as the same playful, flirtatious smile from the night at the masquerade. She did her best to hid this knowledge though she felt it was written on her face.
* * *
“It is a shame, that she will be leaving us soon,” Miss Elisabeth announced.
* * *
“Who is?” Colonel Jasper said confused.
* * *
“Why, Lady Louisa of course,” Miss Elisabeth said in an innocent tone that was genuinely unbecoming of her.
* * *
Lady Louisa felt all eyes of the group fall on her and she had nothing to say. Had her aunt not just insist that she stay. On top of this, she had also just promised to do so to Miss Mary. Now here was Miss Elisabeth announcing the contradiction to her decision.
* * *
“I was meant to stay the whole of the season,” Lady Louisa started, “but I feared my mother may have started to grow lonely in London with both my brother and me gone.”
* * *
“But you will not leave so soon? I feel as if you have only arrived,” Colonel Jasper said.
* * *
This conversation was not going at all as Miss Elisabeth had wanted. Instead, every everyone resolving in her departure and forgetting her altogether, they all seemed to calmer around Lady Louisa and insisted she stay.
* * *
Miss. Elisabeth reminded herself that this was the exact reason why she always tried to play out every move on the chessboard of life before playing it. This sporadic action had only hurt her own cause.
* * *
“My mother has assured me she is quite fine in my absence,” Lady Louisa said with a shy smile. "I had rather hoped to stay the whole seasons through to get a better understanding on how to tend the medicinal garden from Mrs. Vance. Mary and I have already learned so much from her, but there seems to be so much we don’t know yet,” Lady Louisa assured.
* * *
“Yes, Miss Mary constantly speaks of your time with
* * *
Mrs. Vance and in the medicinal garden,” Colonel Jasper said. “It sounds like the education is a great enjoyment to the both of you.”
* * *
He looked over at Miss Mary who was listening intently to something that Lord Hartford was saying. He had the soft glow in his eyes of someone greatly in love. It was the first time ever that Miss Elisabeth realized it. Her mouth visibly dropped at the sight.
* * *
For the rest of the conversation until dinner was announced Miss Elisabeth kept a steady glaring look at Colonel Jasper. Though the Colonel was either unaware or chose not to make notice of it, Lady Louisa was all too aware of the unhappy looks.
* * *
During the dinner Lady Louisa found herself seated between Lady Hartford and Lady Julianna. It wasn’t a terrible situation to be as they both kept up steady pleasantries of conversation.
* * *
In fact, Lady Louisa was rather surprised at how successful the night had gone thus far. Even her aunt seemed to be enjoying herself at the head of the table. She always could seem to find some bit of information to tell the Duke on behalf of her daughters who were seated down at the far in, as propriety necessitated.
* * *
Lady Louisa did have to admit that she did feel a little sorry for the Duke. She was sure she had judged him too harshly at the first. Though it was clear he had little interest in the abilities of Miss Elisabeth in painting fans, he did politely listen and even asked questioned when it was appropriate.
* * *
He was ever the proper Duke, and for once Lady Louisa didn’t see this to his detriment. After all, he had not chosen this role in life anymore than a blacksmith’s son might. He had taken on his responsibility, however, and was doing it with the respect that the titled deserved.
* * *
Lady Louisa had to admit that she did owe him an apology for her cross words at their first few meetings. Though she could admit to herself that it probably was just as much his fault for their quarrelling as hers, she knew she was the one who would owe him the recompense for her words.
* * *
For this reason, once the meal was finished, Lady Louisa hoped to seek the Duke out for a private conversation. A very private conversation would not be possible, but she looked for a moment when she could perhaps speak with him with no one else near.
* * *
Until the moment came, she instead waited patiently by her youngest cousin’s side. The Colonel had in fact been aware of Miss Elisabeth’s acknowledgment of his feelings for her younger sister. He had shared the concerns with Miss Mary, who in turn had told them to Lady Louisa upon entering the drawing room after dinner.
* * *
Miss Mary did fear her sister so. She was sure that Miss Elisabeth would tell their mother right away and moreover ensure her mother was turned against the man.
* * *
“Don’t worry, Mary. We will find a way to sort it all out in the end,” Lady Louisa assured her cousin.
* * *
“I do hope so. You see, Colonel Jasper has already asked me to marry him, and I have accepted,” Miss Mary whispered.
* * *
Lady Louisa’s mouth opened for just a moment in shock.
* * *
“It happened at the ball. We both agreed to keep our engagement a secret for now. That is until he can sell his commission and procure work nearby. Only then do I feel my mother will be willing to accept him.”
* * *
“Oh, Mary,” Lady Louisa did her best to hide her excited squeal. “I am so happy for the both of you! I am at a loss for words!”
* * *
“You will keep it a secret, won't you? Only you and the Duke know of this secret.”
* * *
“Of course, it goes without saying,” Lady Louisa assured her.
* * *
“But what of my sister? If she tells Mother she suspects something, we will be found out prematurely, and all plans could be ruined.”
* * *
“I am sure we will find a way to ensure that doesn’t happen,” Lady Louisa said with as much of a convincing tone as she could muster.
Chapter 27
Lady Louisa wasn’t very skilled in the art of keeping count on a gentleman through the whole of a night. It was something she was sure either Lady Hendrickson or Miss Elisabeth could give her pointers on as they seemed to have perfected that talent.
* * *
Finally, however, she saw a chance when the Duke was finally relieved from Lady Hendrickson and came to sit down next to the unused fire. Lady Louisa quickly excused herself from the party she was with and made straight to speak with him while there was still a chance.
* * *
“Your Grace,” Lady Louisa said when she saw him take a seat close to the fire to inspect a fireplace screen as Lady Hendrickson had insisted.
* * *
He looked up, and Lady Louisa thought he was rather relieved it was her and not her aunt.
* * *
“Lady Louisa, have you come to inspect the delicate hyacinths that your cousin has painted so perfectly on this screen?” He said in a low voice with words dripping in sarcasm.
* * *
“No,” Lady Louisa said taking the seat across from him contradictory to her words. “I can assure you I have been required to look at it many times already and know her painted floral arrangements well,” she countered with the same attitude.
* * *
“I actually wanted a moment to speak with you for two reasons, Your Grace,” Lady Louisa said in a soft whisper.
* * *
“And what might that be,” the Duke asked leaning back in his own chair away from the screen and looking at her with a question in his emerald eyes.
* * *
“Well, first, I suppose I owe you an apology,” Lady Louisa said with her eyes on the carpet.
* * *
“An apology?” The Duke responded with a stern tone.
* * *
“Yes, I believe I might have judged you too harshly our first few times of meeting. It was wrong of me to claim that you presented a facade to others. In honesty, I think I was a bit offended you thought so little of my sex to think we could be easily duped by a title and an agreeable disposition. I see now that you are a good man who takes his position in life very seriously.”
* * *
“I appreciate the compliment and apology,” Rowland said never excepting that speech to be what came out of Lady Louisa’s mouth. “I must admit, however, that though your words might have seemed taxing at the time, there was some truth in them.”
* * *
“I have done quite a bit of soul searching these last few weeks, and in part, I have grown and changed because of the things you said to me. I don’t need to wear a mask a put on a front to please another. It is much more worthwhile to find a companion who will accept me as I am.”
