As the carriage rolled away, Allan looked up at the front of the manor. In one of the windows, he caught a figure. He focused in and saw that it was Emiline, staring out at him. She did not have a pleasant look on her face. He turned away from the window and stared at the carriage wall in front of him, remembering the night before.
He shook his head, mumbling to himself, “Don’t think about the unpleasant things. Think about the bright future ahead.”
He filled his mind with thoughts of Janelle. Her body close to his while they danced, her eyes sparkling at him in the light of the lamps around them. The fabric of her beautiful gown swaying back and forth as she walked and danced with him. He pulled in a deep breath. She took his breath away. And it seemed she felt the same way about him.
He wondered if he should be worried about Lord Miner. It seemed to him that Janelle was less interested in the lord than she was in him. She didn’t look at him the same way. He hoped he wasn’t fooling himself by seeing something he wanted to see rather than what was truly there. He’d always been sharp when it came to reading women that way.
The carriage rumbled along the dirt road slowly. Charles was taking his time, allowing Allan to see the land around him fully. It was truly beautiful. Long hills of green, houses dotting the landscape, a bright blue sky above. Allan felt a cool breeze blow through the carriage and breathed in deep. It was a beautiful day.
After twenty minutes of riding, Charles lifted the door on the top of the carriage so that he could speak to Allan.
“Sir, we are approaching Duck’s Row. Would you like to get out and walk some? There are several buildings along the side of the road but this land is all ready for purchase, so the Duke has said.”
“You will remain here?”
“Yes, my lord. It is a good day for a walk. I believe you would enjoy it.”
“Thank you for the recommendation, Charles. I will take a walk around the land.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The carriage came to a stop. Charles climbed down from his seat and opened the door for Allan. He stepped out into the bright sunlight, looking around him. He’d brought an umbrella, as was his custom. Once he had stepped foot in England, he’d purchased and kept an umbrella with him always. There were often sudden rainstorms that would last anywhere from ten minutes to three hours. He didn’t want to be caught unprepared. He didn’t think he would need it today but if he was going for a walk, he wasn’t going to take any chances.
He walked away from the carriage, down the small pathway on the side of the road. In the short distance, he could see a tall building jutting up into the sky. It almost looked like a castle. It was surrounded by a wooden fence. Trees, bushes and shrubs dotted the yard around it and were covered with clothes, sheets and towels that were being dried after washing.
As he approached, he focused in on the drying clothes, noticing that many of them were child-sized. Clothes were also spread out on the grass to dry. He got closer and noticed the large garden on the other side of the building. He was struck immediately by the fact that children had populated the garden and were working diligently pulling up weeds and inspecting the food growing there.
He stopped and stared. The children were not fighting with each other, nor were they playing. They were concentrating on their duties in a somber fashion. Allan pulled the hat from his head and held it in front of him, watching them.
The sound of their young voices traveled to him over the short distance. His eyes moved to the building when the main door opened and a short, plump woman came out, carrying a flat tray filled with small cups and a bowl. She saw him and stopped short. He smiled at her.
Her eyes grew wide but she gave him a weak returning smile. She turned away from him and headed toward the children. He saw that her face softened when she spoke to them. She nodded and seemed to be praising their hard work. They were smiling at her.
Allan took a few steps closer to the building. His mind was racing. His father had promised him a gift if he was successful at making business deals with men in other countries, expanding their business reach. The gift was a sizable amount of money to be donated to any charity of his choosing. What better place to donate large amounts of money than an orphanage?
He moved even closer. The woman was giving the children little treats. He couldn’t quite see what the treats were. The children wiped their hands on their shirts and pants before taking the treat from the woman. She moved away from the garden to a spot in front of the house where a large blanket was spread out on the ground. The children followed her and sat in a circle on the blanket. She handed them each a cup and sat down herself, completing the circle.
Allan wanted to approach and listen to what she was saying. It appeared she was telling them a story because they were focused on her and looked very interested in what she was saying. She lifted her hands and made wild gestures in the air.
Deciding it would not be a good idea to interfere, Allan turned away to go back to the carriage. He had seen enough of this land to know that he was interested in it. He would have to discuss it further with Shawn.
When he reached the carriage, Charles was standing in front of the door, waiting to pull it open for him. “Did you enjoy your walk, my lord?” The young man asked.
“I did, thank you, Charles. Tell me, if you know, how much land comes with this parcel?”
“I do not know the exact measurements, my lord. But I do know that the orphanage and the two farmhouses beyond it are included. So, it must be a sizable lot.”
“Several acres, you would assume?”
“Oh yes, my lord. I’m quite sure it is more than ten acres of land, at the least. I have brought the Duke here with other possible buyers and overheard their discussions…not on purpose, you understand.”
“No, of course not.”
“You would do well purchasing this land, my lord. The farmhouses are productive; the orphanage is taken care of by the mistresses and the land is fertile.”
“It does seem like a good investment.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“There are other areas you can take me to, is that right? I have several hours before I need to be back at the Manor. I will be using the carriage this afternoon to spend some time with the Lady Dowling.”
“Yes, my lord, the Duke did inform me that you would be going on a ride with Miss Dowling.”
Allan pulled himself up into the carriage, thinking about the children and the plump woman. Before Charles could climb back up into the driver’s seat, Allan leaned out the window.
“Charles, that orphanage. Is the woman working there…what is her name?”
“Her name is Sophia, my lord. Sophia Beauregard Bell.”
“Is she a nice woman? Does she take good care of the children?”
“Yes, my lord. She is a very nice woman.”
Satisfied, Allan nodded and sat back. His interest in the land was peaked. He thought about it for the rest of the afternoon. Charles took him to three other plots of land that were up for purchase.
But he could not get his mind away from Duck’s Row.
It had captured his heart.
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER EIGHT
JANELLE AND THE ORPHANS
JANELLE AND THE ORPHANS
She was nervous. It had been a long time since Janelle felt anxious about meeting a man or going on a carriage ride. She had never been affected by a man the way she was Viscount Allan Gray. Just thinking about him made her heart race.
She looked in the mirror, holding in her breath as Nancy tied the corset behind her.
“I wonder where we will go today?” She wondered aloud.
“Excuse me, my lady?” Nancy asked, glancing around Janelle to look at her in the mirror.
Janelle smiled. “I was just wondering where Viscount Gray will take me on the ride today. He is here looking for land to purchase. And I was just wondering if he will combine business with pleasure and take me to look at land-purchase opportunities.”
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“I’ve no idea, miss.” Nancy replied. “But I must say by the look on your face, it won’t matter where he takes you, if you are near him. He has made your color return, my lady. You look very happy.”
“We have no relationship yet, Nancy.”
“But you are hoping, my lady. I can tell.”
“You’re too young to be so intuitive.” Janelle teased. “What do you know of life and relationships and husbands?”
Nancy laughed. “I am probably not as young as you might believe.”
Janelle shook her head. “I am hoping to draw his attention, Nancy. You are right.”
Nancy began to help her into her dress. “Shall we put your hair up, miss?”
“I want it to be braided. You know the style I like so much, will you do it for me? No need to call Clara. You fix my hair as though you were born to do so.”
“Thank you for the compliment, my lady. I would be glad to do it for you.”
Nancy moved around to Janelle’s back to fasten the hooks and buttons. “You look beautiful, my lady. He will be very impressed.”
“Thank you, Nancy. I hope so.”
Before he left Worthington Manor to ride to the Dowling Estate, Allan went to the room his sister had been given and knocked on the door.
“Emiline, are you in there?”
“I’m here, Allan, come in.” He heard her voice from the other side. He turned the knob and poked the upper half of his body through the door.
“I’m getting ready to leave, Em. I…” He stopped in the middle of his sentence and stared at her. She was dressed in a gown he had not seen before. One of the girls who helped Elizabeth was brushing and styling her hair. “Where are you off to?”
“I’m going to a gathering with the Duchess. A luncheon!”
Allan was a bit surprised but tried not to show it. “Are you?” There was little chance she would know anyone there. He wondered how she would handle being in a room filled with strangers without him around to support her.
“Yes.”
“Do you think you will be all right?”
Emiline lifted one hand to stop the girl from brushing her hair. She turned in her seat and gave Allan a narrow look. “Do you think I will be too anxious? Do you think I should stay home and sit inside or take a walk around Worthington Manor?”
“No, I’m not saying that. You are free to do whatever you wish, sister. I worry that you will become nervous around many people you don’t know when I…”
“When you aren’t there…” She finished the sentence for him. “Don’t fret, brother. I can handle myself.”
“It has been my experience that you were not able in the past.”
“Not able?”
“Yes. You have trouble enjoying yourself. Relaxing. Feeling comfortable.”
Emiline turned back around and nodded so that the girl would finish with her hair. “Don’t fret. I will be fine. Elizabeth will introduce me to everyone, I’m quite sure. There is a big difference between going somewhere you don’t know anyone alone and going with someone who knows every person in the place.”
“I suppose you are right, Em. I worry about you. You know that.”
“I do know it, brother.”
“Well, I am going on a carriage ride with Miss Dowling. I will return for dinner later.”
“You aren’t taking her to dinner?”
“I am quite sure she will be willing to come here.”
Emiline nodded slightly. “I suppose you are right.”
“Have a wonderful time, sister. Make some friends. Perhaps we will stay here, purchase some land and start a new life. What do you think?”
“I do not know right now, Allan. We shall see.”
“All right. Have a good time.”
“I will.” He was nearly out the door before he heard her say. “You, too.”
He turned back and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She settled her eyes on him and they gave each other a long look. He went through the door, wondering what she was thinking.
Too hard to tell with that woman, he thought. She could be doing somersaults in her mind and he would never know it. She had an excellent poker face. His mind moved to Janelle, whose open expressive face let everyone around her know exactly what thoughts she was having and what kind of mood she was in.
He hurried to the carriage, which was waiting for him outside.
“Good afternoon, my lord.” Charles lifted his hat as Allan stepped out into the bright sunlight. Allan nodded at him.
“Good afternoon, Charles. I suppose you know where the Dowling Estate is.”
“Of course, my lord.”
“I thought so. Take me there, please. Lady Janelle awaits.”
Charles smiled. When he did so, his face relaxed into a pile of happiness. “She is a good woman, my lord. I do think the two of you will make a fine match. Do you know where you would like to go?”
“I think back to Duck’s Row, if you don’t mind. I would like to see the land and the orphanage again.”
“Yes, my lord. Good choice.” Allan felt as though he could see something hidden behind the smile on the young man’s face. Something that Charles might know about Duck’s Row that Allan didn’t. He didn’t press the matter, figuring that when or if Charles wanted to fill him in on additional information, he would.
He climbed into the back of the carriage and pulled the door closed while Charles got up into the driver’s seat. The carriage rumbled down the street, away from Worthington Manor.
The Dowling Estate was only a short distance away. Allan was pleased to see Lady Janelle sitting on the porch with her mother, waiting for him. She saw the carriage approaching and stood up, giving her mother a smile. Lady Dowling smiled back. They exchanged a few words and Janelle walked down the steps to the pathway just as Charles pulled the carriage up alongside her.
Allan got out of the carriage and bowed to Janelle.
“My lady, you are looking quite stunning this afternoon.”
“Thank you, Lord Gray. You are looking dashing yourself.”
Allan had taken only a few minutes to get ready, dusting himself off from the early part of the day, washing his hands and face, scrubbing his teeth with a cloth. He hoped that he was presentable for the lady, who looked like she had spent a little more time preparing than he had. Her blond hair hung down her back in an elegant braid. Her dress was not as fancy as the one she’d been wearing at the ball and he was sure she was glad of that. It looked like a lighter material, a kind that would be more compatible with the autumn weather. The light blue color looked like it had been taken directly from the sky. It was lined with white lace and fit her form perfectly.
He held the door open and offered her a hand up into the carriage. She stepped into it and he followed behind her, closing the door after he was inside. He leaned out of the window.
“We are ready, Charles.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The carriage pulled away. Allan and Janelle smiled at each other.
“How have you been today, Miss?”
“I’m feeling very well. And you?”
“It’s been a good day. I have seen several of the properties that the Duke was talking about at the ball.”
“You seemed to get along well with him. He’s a wonderful man, is he not?”
“Yes, he is. I am happy to have met him. It also lent to meeting you, Miss Janelle. And I am very pleased about that.”
“You flatter me, sir.”
“It was intended.”
“Do you have a destination for us?”
“I would like to revisit one of the properties for purchase. I’d like to get your opinion on it.”
“I don’t know what I could tell you about land ownership, Viscount. I know nothing about soil or fertility if you plan to have crops. I don’t know what makes a good buy and what does not.”
He shook his head. “That will not matter to me. I simply want your opinion of the emotional value.”
“The emotional value?”
Allan smiled. “Yes. You see, I have always felt that when a piece of land, an atmosphere or a place that you visit, when it gives one a specific feeling – of goodness or one of negativity – one should explore that feeling, go with it. Trust it.”
Janelle nodded. “I understand. A feeling of emotional wellness associated with land and property can make someone feel quite at home. Building a home on that land will ensure that you maintain that good feeling.”
He grinned wide. “You have hit the nail on the head, my dear.”
“I am impressed, Lord Gray. You have given this a lot of thought.”
“I certainly have.”
“I was also going to request your presence at dinner tonight.”
“Are you staying with the Duke and Duchess for a spell?”
“Yes.”
“How long will you be staying?”
“I’m not sure at the moment. It will be for a few weeks, at the least.”
“Truly? That is good news.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. You know that I would like to spend some time with you. I’d like to get to know you more.”
“And I you, miss.”
Janelle scanned his handsome face. She could listen to him speak for hours and never get tired of it. She wondered what he was thinking that very moment, his eyes settled on her so gently, his lips set in a soft smile.
She had no way of knowing he was pondering the same thing as her. He couldn’t get over how beautiful she looked. She was not covered in make-up and her hair was styled very conservatively. He was glad she did not have a big feathery hat on to take away from the beauty of her face. He enjoyed looking at her. They had just been talking about how land made someone feel at home. When he looked at her, it was she who made him feel at home. Her beauty was not just on the surface. He could tell it ran much deeper than that.
“We don’t know each other very well yet, sir. What if you are a terrible scoundrel?”
“I’m not.” He shook his head. “I swear it to you.”
She grinned. “I didn’t think you were.”
Regency Romance: Loving The Reluctant Viscount (The Fairbanks Series - Love & Hearts) (Historical Regency Romance & Mystery) Page 6
