by Ayles, Abby
Not since meeting Noelle. Something about her had ignited within him the idea that he was worthy, just as worthy as his cousin or the marquess or the Viscount of Kent.
Oh, it meant a great deal to him to be able to recall the way that the lady had looked at him. For a brief moment in his existence, he felt like he was her equal. And it had thrilled him greatly.
He’d never expected to feel like that at one of those stuffy balls, surrounded by dukes and lords who were full of port and pomposity. And Rodrick was crazy enough to dare dream that he might feel that way again, soon enough.
When his cousin had gone and he was left alone with his thoughts in his study, he could think of no one else but Lady Noelle. Wars are fought, lands are explored and conquered for ladies less lovely than she. No one ever in all of existence has been worthy of her.
Only when he was alone did he allow himself to think such thoughts. He knew that he was infected with a poison most strong and oftentimes deadly, but he didn’t care. If Lady Noelle could stir such thoughts and emotions within him, then he knew that it couldn’t possibly be wrong.
“I am determined,” he said softly, to no one. “I am determined, Noelle, to love you most passionately until my last breath.”
He knew that there would be other balls and other women, and eventually a wife would surely come into his life, but still he was determined and he meant what he said. No one else need ever know. No one else would ever understand.
Rodrick went to bed in quite a rapturous state, and he dreamt fitfully but happily. When he awoke and dressed the following morning, he had a singular goal. He knew that he had his cousin’s blessing, which made it all the better.
“You seem in a good mood,” his mother greeted him at the dining table for breakfast. She smiled as he stooped down and planted a kiss upon her cheek. “Sleep well, did you?”
“Oh, the best sleep I’ve had in ages,” Rodrick replied, smiling back at her. He sat at the head of the short table and his plate was swiftly filled with porridge and biscuits by his cook, but he didn’t imagine he’d have need of any of it.
“Has something happened?” his mother asked him curiously.
He looked at her and shook his head a little. “Not yet,” he told her.
This enigmatic response caused her to giggle slightly, but there was some nervousness to it. She knew her son well enough to know that when he had an idea in his head, then there was going to be no end to it until he’d seen things completely through.
Despite not wishing to eat very much, Rodrick still ate his fill of the offered breakfast. Then, as soon as he was finished, he was back off into his study.
His mother was not content to simply let that be it, however. She followed him into the room and sat on the divan chair near his desk. “Really, Rodrick, what is this about?”
He gathered some pieces of paper and a pen and was about to hastily write a letter when she intercepted him. “Oh, nothing, Mother,” he replied aloofly. “James simply gave me an idea yesterday and I wish to see it come to fruition.”
Eleanor blinked a bit. “Does this have anything to do with that Fletcher lady?” she asked him. “Darling, you know that it’s best that you let Lord Drake have his say with that. It isn’t proper to press the issue yourself.”
Oh, but you misunderstand, he thought good-naturedly He didn’t presume to press the issue. He merely wished to be friendly. Especially as James was interested in courting Lady Catherine.
“James has decided that he wishes for a reunion between us and the Ladies Noelle and Catherine,” he replied to his mother. “And who am I to object to that? So, I thought I had best write to them at once and invite them here to Wildhill.”
This explanation quickly changed his mother’s expression entirely from one of doubt to one of sheer delight. “Oh!” she cried out, smiling at once. “That is a capital idea indeed. How smart your cousin is.”
Rodrick laughed. “Yes, I told him that he was quite clever to come up with this plan.”
Right as he was about to bring his pen to the page, however, there was a knock upon the front door. Smyth, the butler, went to answer it right away. After but a moment, the man came into the room, bowed, and handed Rodrick a note addressed to him in a most lovely hand.
Rodrick smiled as soon as he touched the paper. There was only one person from whom a letter such as this could come. Could it really be?!
Carefully but swiftly, he tore the seal open and read the letter. It was indeed from his lovely partner from the recent ball – Lady Noelle! “Oh! It seems that I’ve been beaten to the punch.”
“What is it?” his mother asked, rising from her seat and peering over his arms at the letter on the desk before him. “Who is it from?”
“Upon my word, it’s from Lady Noelle,” he replied with a grin. “She and her sister wish to see myself and James as soon as we’re available!”
He looked at his mother then, realizing that he indeed must ask for her help if this plan was to work. “I wonder, Mother, if you would be willing to act as chaperone and keep the ladies company in their activities?”
She smiled at him as if it was a silly question. “Of course, I shall,” she replied at once. “What did you think I should do? Lock myself in my room for the duration?”
He let out a laugh and then nodded his head happily. He gently set the lady’s letter aside and began to feverishly write back to her in the most exalting tones that he could manage whilst still being proper.
Dear Lady Noelle Fletcher,
Receipt of your letter could not have occurred at a more opportune moment. My cousin – Lord Edwards – and I had only just finished making plans to write and invite you to come to my home at Wildhill.
I do so hope that you and your sister, Lady Catherine, will be able to part from your family for a few days. I think that it will be a splendid respite from the city.
My gracious mother shall be a chaperone and confidante for you both during your stay.
I also have it on good authority that there’s a chance of Lord Drake stopping in while you are here. He is rather fond of doing that. He is a most dear friend of mine and he is welcome whenever the occasion arises.
Please write to me and tell me that you shall stay here with us. I feel that we have only just begun to get to know one another, and my cousin James can speak of no one else but your dear sister.
Sincerely,
Mr. Rodrick Edwards
He would have kissed the letter before it was sent off with the postman were it not for his mother’s continued presence there in the room. Soon he would see the lovely Lady Noelle again! And, even better than that, she wished to see him just as readily!
Chapter 11
Noelle was elated upon receiving the letter from Mr. Edwards. She quickly rushed into Catherine’s room to inform her that they were invited – by his mother as well as Rodrick himself – to stay at their home for a few days.
After some considerable squealing, Kitty took her by the hand and took on a most serious expression. “But do you think that Mother will agree to it?”
This was something that Noelle was a bit concerned about as well. Their mother was usually the first one to say that her girls must go out and get acquainted with gentlemen but staying with Mr. Edwards was another matter. Not least of all because of his lack of proper status.
“I don’t think that Mother would want to turn down an invitation from a gentleman like Lord Edwards,” she replied. “And since Mr. Edwards is cousin to the viscount, I see no reason that the lord wouldn’t be included in this visit.”
“He did mention him in his letter,” Kitty said with a hopeful smile. “And he mentioned the marquess as well!”
Yes, Noelle thought. That’s the only part of this invitation that I’m not looking forward to. I know that Mr. Edwards is just trying to be a help to me, but I don’t think that the marquess’s presence will be quite as enjoyable as the presence of our hosts.
She knew that everyone in h
er family hoped that she would be a dutiful daughter and marry Lord Drake, but Noelle didn’t think that she really had to. There were a great many other titled men in England, after all.
And some great untitled men, too.
Bringing the gentleman’s letter downstairs, she went in search of her mother and father. It was true that she and Catherine were going to need their approval before they could even respond in acceptance of the invitation. She hoped that her mother would accept, knowing that Lord Drake and Lord Edwards would be there to keep the young ladies properly entertained.
Noelle found her mother in the sitting room, on the large couch, deeply focused on her needlework. Without looking up, however, the duchess knew that her daughter was there in the doorway. “You have something you wish to speak to me about?” she asked, pulling the thread taut through the fabric.
She had this way about her that made her seem regal and somewhat perturbed. Noelle hadn’t even said anything to her about it yet, and already she was beginning to have doubts that her mother would approve…
She took a deep breath. “Catherine and I have been invited by the Viscount of Easton, his cousin Mr. Rodrick Edwards, and his aunt Mrs. Eleanor Edwards to stay at his home for a few days. They wish to get to know us better.”
Noelle couldn’t stop herself from smiling as she said this, even though she feared that her mother would bristle at the mention of Mr. Edwards. Dancing with the man at one ball had been quite a grievous offense, it seemed.
The duchess arched one perfect brow. She lowered her needlework to her lap as she gazed at her daughter thoughtfully. “Will you be staying at the viscount’s Westwood estate?”
Noelle shook her head. “No, we will stay at Wildhill, the home of the Edwardses. But we’re assured that both the viscount and the Marquess of Fairfax will be in attendance as well.”
Her mother continued to appear thoughtful. She hasn’t said ‘no’ yet, Noelle told herself. If she was really against it, she would’ve already said ‘no.’
“Your father will want to hear of this,” her mother replied. “But I see it as a particular sort of compliment that they wish to have you both there with them. And his mother will be there with you?”
Noelle nodded her head. “Yes, to ensure that things remain proper, of course. And we would do well to have a feminine companion who lives there.”
“Yes,” her mother said thoughtfully. “Very well. I approve but do go and inform your father so that he may also give his approval and blessing.”
At first, Noelle was almost too overjoyed to move. Then she smiled and gave a nod to her mother before turning on her heel and vacating the sitting room doorway.
She found her father in his study. He was nearly always occupying his study for one reason or another. The family was grateful to have him working at home if he must work.
“Good afternoon, Papa,” she greeted him, stepping to where he was seated behind his great oak desk. She pecked his cheek.
The Duke of Salisbury smiled at his eldest daughter. Though her mother found quite a lot to complain about in regard to Noelle, her father clearly had nothing but pride and affection for her.
This shouldn’t be so very difficult, she thought, heartening herself. “I’ve just received an invitation from Mr. Edwards and his cousin Lord Edwards. They, along with Mrs. Edwards, would like Kitty and me to spend a few days with them at Wildhill.”
Noelle found that she had a much easier time wording things when she spoke with her father.
He regarded her with a smile and nodded his head without giving it much further consideration. “That sounds like a marvelous idea,” he replied. “You shouldn’t have to wait for the advent of another ball before you two may see the men again.”
Truer words had never been spoken. Noelle was delighted that at least she and her father could see eye-to-eye on the subject. Even if he hoped for her to marry the Marquess of Fairfax, he was good-natured enough to allow her some friends.
She knew that her father did not bow to the whims of the ton for no reason. He felt it necessary for his daughters to marry well – especially Noelle – so that they may secure their futures for when he was gone… He didn’t wish for her to be unhappy, but he also knew that she’d be unhappy indeed to be left poor and desperate.
Such a life was simply not befitting for the daughter of a duke. This was why even Emily must eventually make a good match for herself. But fortunately for her, there was still time.
With their plans thusly approved, Noelle made her way back up the staircase so that she could inform her sister and prepare a suitcase for herself, with the help of Edith, of course.
“Oh, how exciting!” Kitty cried in joy and amazement. “Even Mother approved?”
Noelle nodded her head. “She certainly did. I think it pleased her most to know that Lord Drake would likely be joining us at Wildhill there for a spell.”
Catherine smirked at her sister. “The same thing that pleases her is what most vexes you, isn’t it? We should be able to avoid him as much as we like, because she won’t be there to boss us!”
Noelle was grateful indeed that she was going to be going to Wildhill with her sister and not their mother. She didn’t know what she would do if she was forced to spend all of her time with the marquess just because their mother saw Mr. Edwards as less-than.
“It’s sure to be a lot of fun,” she said with a grin. She sat down at her desk and swiftly wrote a letter to Mr. Edwards so that he would know ahead of time that they were coming as he requested.
Once this note was sent off in the hands of a servant, Noelle and Edith got to work packing her things. Catherine and her lady’s maid did likewise in her room. “You don’t suppose that it will be rainy during this time, do you?” Noelle asked her maid.
“I’m not sure,” Edith replied. “One never can tell what the weather may be like. But I think that if you and Lady Catherine stay indoors as much as possible, it shouldn’t matter if it is raining or sunny.”
Noelle nodded her head. “I think I should like to bring along my green velour spencer jacket just in case it’s a bit chilly when I go out of doors,” she said. It is very nearly the same color as Mr. Edwards’s eyes.
She wondered if he would even notice such a thing. Still, it made her happy just for her to know it herself.
Mr. Edwards had made no mention of how long he wished for the ladies to stay at his manor house, so Noelle instructed Edith to pack for a two-night stay. That would be a respectable amount of time that would make sure their parents didn’t miss them.
Their father ordered a carriage to be readied so as soon as the trunks were packed and the ladies were dressed for their journey, Noelle and Kitty were able to just walk out and be helped into the carriage out in front of their townhouse.
“Write to us if anything should go wrong,” their mother bade Noelle. She could tell that the duchess was nervous for them now, because she clung to her handkerchief and fidgeted with it a bit in her fingers.
“Fear not, Mother,” Noelle said to her before stepping up into the carriage. She leaned out of the open window and gave her mother a beautiful, confident smile. “After all, there is a rather high chance that I or Catherine shall come back as someone’s fiancée!”
Their mother laughed a little at this. She knew that it was mostly all talk from her eldest daughter. “I should be so lucky.”
“We’re at least well on the way,” Kitty added from her seat in the carriage. “Ladies don’t get invited to gentlemen’s homes for no reason!”
Together, their parents stood there on the front porch, arm in arm, and watched as the hackney carriage rolled their daughters away from them.
Chapter 12
“Message for you, my lord,” Smyth informed Rodrick. “From Lady Noelle Fletcher.”
Rodrick’s eyes lit up at once and he quickly rose to retrieve the parchment from his butler. “Thank you, Smyth.”
The butler bowed out of the room. Rodrick’s mother l
ooked up curiously from her sewing.
Carefully opening the letter, Rodrick read it and then reread it, his smile only growing on his face. “Lady Noelle writes that they have been granted permission to stay with us and they are on their way!”
His mother set aside her sewing, beaming excitedly at him. “Oh, how wonderful!” She stood up from the couch and headed out of the room at once so she could prepare the guest room for the sisters’ arrival.
Mr. Edwards and his mother did not have other servants besides Smyth and the cook. Occasionally, they were able to borrow Lord Edwards’s maids – and indeed they would be needing their assistance once the ladies were there with them – but for the most part, other servants weren’t required.
Rodrick held onto his hope that the next few days would be enjoyable and full of promise. He couldn’t wait to spend time getting to know Lady Noelle better. He knew that her mother meant for her to marry Alphonse, but he dared to dream that the lady might prefer him instead.
He let his mother take care of preparing the room – she enjoyed such things and always got a bit agitated if he got in the way while she tidied and organized things – while he went off to find James at the estate house, Westwood. It had been a while since he’d last visited his cousin and uncle there anyway, so it was the perfect opportunity.
The estate house was quite a bit larger and grander than his own manor house, made of columns of white marble russet bricks. Though Rodrick was a little jealous of his cousin’s title at times, he was never envious of the mansion in which James dwelt. After all, a bigger house was bound to swallow a fellow up.
Bachelors like us don’t need such grand palaces, Rodrick thought as he walked onto the massive front porch and knocked upon the door. The men who once lived here had great big families to share it with them.
If his mother had her way, James would have such a thing soon enough. And Rodrick would fill up his manor with a family as well. Eleanor was at a stage in life where all she dreamt of was young love and plenty of grandbabies.
