by Ayles, Abby
She most delighted in bothering Lord Mannis. Her teasing only served to make him smile and kiss her cheek. It was far more affection than Regina had seen between any other couple. Save, perhaps, for Lord and Lady Morrison. But then the Morrisons were a little unconventional, just like these people.
It amazed her that someone could tease their lover in such a manner and get away with it. Miss Eliza was constantly bantering—there was no other word for it—with Lord Mannis. Yet he indulged it. He even delighted in it.
Regina had only ever seen women acting demurely towards their suitors. In the marriages she’d seen, there had been nothing but respect from the wife to the husband. At least, out in public. Whatever discord there might be was kept private.
This wasn’t discord. This was harmony, but light and teasing. Miss Eliza and Lord Mannis treated one another like equals.
It did give Regina some hope for Mr. Denny in regards to Elizabeth. If he truly cared about her and would meet her witticisms with the same good humor and love that Lord Mannis did for Miss Eliza, perhaps they would make a good match after all.
However, it also made Regina think upon Bridget’s words. Her sister had asked her to think of what she wanted in a suitor. For when the time came.
She wanted this, Regina realized. She wanted someone that she could banter with. She doubted that she would ever gain the confidence to banter with someone in such a fashion. Still, it was something to hope for, wasn’t it?
Regina realized she wasn’t thinking about the game. She focused back in.
Miss Eliza was an erratic player which meant she couldn’t be predicted. However, it also meant she wasn’t a threat. She was more interested in throwing people off their game than actually winning.
If Regina were to play her, all she would have to do would be to ignore her. Miss Eliza would fluster other players for Regina, but she wouldn’t win much. She wasn’t a true threat.
On the other hand, Lord Quentin was a methodical player. He had a way of doing things and he stuck to it. Admirable and logical, Regina thought. It also made him predictable.
He must have won the way he had because his method worked. Or perhaps he’d been more flexible before and was now less so because he was among friends. None of them were playing for real money, after all.
Still, Regina thought having a method put him in a corner. Once she figured out his plan, she’d know what he was going to do every hand. And once she knew that, she could depend upon it. She could play against it and piggyback off him to win.
Lady Cora was a more enigmatic player. Regina thought that fitting since she seemed an enigmatic woman.
The people at the table were all good friends. So much so, they acted more like family. Regina could see why, now: they were all, in their way, outcasts.
Lord Quentin was tolerated for now, but being born out of wedlock and his skin color would cast him out the moment his father died. His father’s protection afforded him a pretense of acceptance but it wasn’t real.
Miss Eliza and Lord Mannis had to make an unconventional decision because of Lord Mannis’s illness. That decision might be the most pragmatic one, but it also put a damper on their love. To have both, they had to exclude themselves from society.
And, Regina thought, could any man as sickly as Lord Mannis truly belong with his peers? So many activities required exertion. Riding, shooting, dancing at balls, these all tired even Regina out. Meanwhile, Lord Mannis was having a coughing fit every twenty minutes, just from talking while playing cards.
He would always be left behind, she thought. Poor man. He couldn’t dance, or join the men on their hunting expeditions. In a way, removing himself from society to spend time with Miss Eliza must be the best thing for him.
It amazed her that Miss Eliza should be so willing to abandon society for him. Not that Lord Mannis was not worthy of her affection. He was more cutting in his words than anyone Regina had met besides Elizabeth. But he was also witty, and appeared well-learned, and filled with obvious affection for Miss Eliza.
No, it wasn’t his worthiness that surprised her. It was simply that Miss Eliza was giving up a year or so of her life for him. It might seem not overlong, in the grand scheme of one’s life, but Miss Eliza wouldn’t be at a marriageable age for long.
Regina didn’t know how old Miss Eliza was. She appeared to be about one and twenty. But seven and twenty was already considered an old maid. Taking a year off could harm her chances of finding another suiter after Lord Mannis died.
Not to mention that she could not attend balls or hunting parties. She probably couldn’t see many of her friends. Regina wouldn’t mind such a thing for she had no friends. And gatherings of people, of course, were not her cup of tea. But Miss Eliza was full of energy. She seemed the type to love social gatherings.
The fact that she was willing to give up being social, and risking her chances of marriage, said quite a lot. Regina was oddly proud of her. Lord Mannis was going to die either way. He wasn’t missing out on much.
In fact this way he won. He got the woman he loved, and then after his death he knew his brother would be taken care of. He would leave behind no sickly heirs. And he would die safe in the knowledge that Miss Eliza, with her breeding and character, would find another husband.
But Miss Eliza was risking much. What if no man wanted her after she was gone for such a time? What if people asked too many questions about where she had been?
Miss Eliza said something at one point about putting forth the rumor that she was traveling about the continent. This was met with much teasing as the others asked her where she supposedly was now. Miss Eliza said, why Italy of course. Where else this time of year?
Regina thought it still a risk. Not everyone would buy into the fabrication. She applauded Miss Eliza in her head for taking such a risk for love.
In a way it made them similar. Although romantic love and familial love were different, Regina liked to think that her love was no less strong, and her risk no less great.
But then, she knew she’d always have her family. Her sisters would be there whether she got along with them or not. Risking all for someone who had no obligation to you… who might reject and leave you… who might change their mind…
The idea scared her. Perhaps Miss Eliza was taking the greater risk after all.
So it made sense why Lord Quentin, Miss Eliza, and Lord Mannis were all banding together. But what about Lady Cora?
She came from wealth, going by her dress and her jewelry. She carried herself with breeding. She was as pale as Regina. And she seemed to be in quite good health. What set her apart? Why would she choose to spend time with the others? If they were all set to be judged by society, what was her supposed crime?
Finally, there was Lord Harrison.
Regina could understand why he spent time with the others. Lord Harrison had nearly lost everything. He’d had to avoid society, and he had probably been judged by them as a child for his father’s losses. He had also professed to know Lord Quentin since childhood.
It was perfectly understandable that he would end up finding friends among people such as these. Choosing to stay associated with them spoke of their closeness.
As for his playing, Regina was at a loss.
Lady Cora was a good player. Regina could not quite make out her style yet. But she knew she would in time. Lord Harrison? She had no idea if she’d ever land upon it.
He played subtly. He was not erratic like Miss Eliza but rather seemed to adjust based upon the mood of the hand. He would tip towards recklessness, baiting Lord Mannis. Then he would withdraw and become cautious, countering Miss Eliza’s wild moves. When Miss Eliza became cautious, Lord Harrison grew bold.
Oh, Regina thought. Lord Harrison didn’t have his own style of playing. That was it! He based his style of playing off of the others, rather than relying upon himself alone.
All of the others played how they wanted to. Or, rather, in the way that they thought was best. But Lord Ha
rrison was watching the players around him. He was acting based upon their actions. He let them make their move, and then went cautious or playful or aggressive to play off or counter or benefit from what they did.
Lord Harrison lay down a card, and then gently nudged Regina with his elbow. She turned to look directly into his face. The corner of his mouth turned upward just the littlest bit. He didn’t wink, but his eyes gleamed.
“Very good,” he murmured, softly. Regina doubted anyone else could hear. The warm, intimate tone of his voice sent a shiver up her spine.
He had noticed that she had caught onto how he played. Regina raised an eyebrow at him. Challenging him. Was this how he wanted her to play?
Lord Harrison flicked his gaze over to Lady Cora. Then he looked back at Regina. His message was obvious: watch her.
Regina went back to paying attention to Lady Cora.
“I don’t see why you have to be so hung up on it,” Lord Quentin was saying.
He was speaking to Lady Cora. Regina had completely lost track of the conversation. She had no idea what they were discussing.
“I do not see why you are so hung up on staying here,” Lady Cora replied. Her voice was smooth, like velvet. But Regina thought she heard a hard core underneath it.
Something about what they were discussing upset Lady Cora.
“You could go to the continent and be quite content there,” Lady Cora went on. “Yet you insist on staying here where they will not accept you.”
“You know such a thing would break my father’s heart,” Lord Quentin replied. “I must stay here as long as he is alive.”
“He would not be nearly so fond of you if his wife had managed to give him heirs,” Lady Cora replied. The hardness in her voice was more evident now. “A dark-skinned bastard son is better than no son at all, I suppose.”
“That was out of line,” Lord Harrison said. His tone was quiet but Regina felt a chill nevertheless. This was the dark side she’d glimpsed the night they had met. Lord Harrison using that tone was not to be disobeyed for the world.
Lady Cora felt it as well. She seemed to shrink a little. “I apologize,” she said. “I did not mean to offend. I only wish to point out that Quentin cannot chastise me for my sins when his are similar.”
“How on earth is fulfilling my father’s wishes the same thing as loving a woman you haven’t seen for ten years?” Lord Quentin replied.
“Love makes fools of us all,” Miss Eliza pointed out. “Some would say I’m throwing away my chances.”
“I do believe I’ve said that,” Lord Mannis commented.
“Darling, if you try and be self-sacrificing again and tell me to leave you, I shall have to throw a very dramatic fit,” Miss Eliza said primly. She smiled sweetly at Lord Mannis.
Regina could hardly keep up with the conversation. “I’m sorry?” She said. “Did you say a woman?”
Everyone at the table turned and looked at her. Regina swallowed. She’d been rude again.
“Yes,” Lady Cora said slowly. She turned back to look at her cards. “What’s the term they use for people like me?”
“Deviant was a fun one,” Lord Mannis said.
Lady Cora acknowledged it with a hum. “Where you admire a man, Miss Regina,” she told her, “I admire a woman. Society doesn’t like that.”
Regina didn’t know what to think. Lady Cora seemed to embody everything a woman should be. She was elegant and poised. She was beautiful. She seemed quite educated.
Lady Cora sighed. “If you’re going to start babbling about my going to Hell, child, I hope you will start sooner rather than later. I’m close to winning this hand.”
“That’s what you think,” Lord Mannis grumbled, looking at his cards.
“I don’t plan on lecturing you,” Regina replied. She didn’t think she was in a position to lecture anybody, about anything. She was hardly an expert on theology.
“Lovely. Mannis, prepare to lose,” Lady Cora said. She laid down a card that made Mannis call her quite a few awful names.
“I don’t understand,” Regina said. “You’ve been in love with one woman for ten years?”
Lady Cora groaned. Miss Eliza giggled. “See, Cora, even she thinks you should move on.”
“There is a lovely Frenchwoman,” Lord Quentin said, “Who’s acquaintance I have been fortunate enough to make. I’ve heard rumor she shares your inclinations. Lovely woman, hair like gold…”
“You know full well I prefer redheads,” Lady Cora snapped. “And I shall not be set up.”
“I’d offer up Miss Regina here but she’s too young for you,” Lord Harrison said.
“And not interested,” Regina added. “I mean no offense, Lady Cora.”
“Just Cora will do,” Cora said. “And none taken.”
“You speak as though you haven’t already claimed her for yourself,” Lord Mannis said to Lord Harrison. He indicated Regina.
Regina felt her face flushing. She looked at Lord Harrison. He looked as though someone had dumped cold water on his head.
“Miss Regina is my cousin,” he reminded Lord Mannis.
“And I’m going to live to be a hundred,” Lord Mannis countered. “Good lord, you think we can’t tell when you’re lying?”
“You can tell us who you really are,” Miss Eliza said gently. “We won’t tell anyone. We’re hardly in a position to judge.”
“She’s not here because of me,” Lord Harrison said. For the first time since Regina had met him, he sounded wrong-footed.
“Lying is unbecoming,” Cora said. She was still looking at her cards. “You two make a perfectly lovely couple, Harrison. I don’t see why you flounder so.”
Regina wanted to say that they were certainly not a couple. But the words were stuck in her throat. She was so shocked she couldn’t speak. They thought she and Lord Harrison were—like Lord Mannis and Miss Eliza?
“Now that we’ve all got that out in the open,” Lord Quentin said, “Where are you from, Miss Regina?”
Regina looked at Lord Harrison. She still couldn’t manage to form words so she hoped he would notice her soundless plea for guidance.
Lord Harrison looked at her. His gaze was dark and surprisingly protective. “Rather bad luck here, Puck.” The nickname made her feel warm inside. Like it was his way of telling her she was safe.
“Her father is Lord Hartfield,” he said. His eyes didn’t leave Regina’s as he spoke. “She’s the youngest of his five daughters.”
Cora finally looked up from her cards. “I do know you,” she said. There was an odd note in her voice. “Oh, but you were just a child. You were seven when I last saw you. Or perhaps eight.”
“You knew my family?” Regina had never heard of the Dunhills.
“This was before your mother passed away,” Cora said. “I should have known. You have her eyes.”
Cora gave a little sigh. “She was a most remarkable woman, you know. I was the little spitfire as a child, let me tell you. I admired your mother to distraction. My own mother was a rather stern woman.”
“Still is,” Lord Mannis quipped. “I’m certain that last time we met she tried to set me on fire with her gaze alone.”
“Your mother was so close to her daughters. They all worshipped her.” Cora sounded unbearably happy and sad all at once. “I was envious. I wanted a mother like her.”
Then she laughed. “Oh you should have heard me when the rumors started. Saying your mother was having an affair. I defended her. Quite loudly and rudely, in fact. I offended a great many people.”
“How is it that I have never heard of you?” Regina asked. Bridget had never mentioned them knowing a Lord or Lady Dunhill or their child.
“My parents had already thought your family a bit below our standing,” Cora explained. “Once I started making a nuisance of myself over your mother, they found it the perfect excuse to end our acquaintance.
“And I’m not at all surprised you’ve never heard of us. I fear your sisters quite
forgot about the skinny little girl they used to know. Your mother’s death threw your household into quite the tizzy. I know Bridget had a time of it. She’d become the lady of the household. And at such a young age.”
“What was she like?” Regina asked. “Bridget, I mean.”
Cora cleared her throat. “She was—well. I’m sure I don’t need to tell you of her virtues. From what I hear she’s quite the belle of the ball. She was rather the same as a child.
“I was always getting her into trouble. Poor thing was a saint to put up with me. My greatest joy in life was disobeying my parents. I often dragged Bridget along with me in my schemes. She was too sweet a girl to say no.”
“You ought to come and visit her,” Regina said. “We are in sore need of friends right now. I am certain she would welcome your presence.”
To her surprise, Cora went a little pale. “Oh, no. I’m sure I am not wanted. Your sister has forgotten me, I am certain.”
Regina was surprised. Bridget would never forget so dear a friend as it seemed Cora had been. And she knew of no one who wouldn’t want to spent time with Bridget.
Before she could say anything, Lord Harrison spoke up. “I thought we’d come to play cards, hmm? I plan to clean you all out by the end.”
“You always clean us all out,” Miss Eliza replied. “Would it do you injury to let someone else win for once?”
“Come now, you know that would injure his pride,” Lord Mannis said. “And in front of his lady, as well.”
“She’s not my lady,” Lord Harrison said. His jaw, Regina noticed, was firmly clenched.
“I’m sure that’s why he organized this game,” Cora said. “To show off for her.”
Regina wanted to protest that this was not why Lord Harrison had organized this game. But then, they would inquire as to why she was there. If she wasn’t his cousin or his betrothed, why was she with them?
She couldn’t tell them the truth. If more people knew, then the more likely the secret of her plan would get out. She couldn’t risk Lord Pettifer knowing about it.
If Lord Harrison hadn’t told them the true reason for their visit, then he obviously thought the same thing. They couldn’t risk it. Not even such close friends as these could know.
