by Elaine Hart
“Or perhaps you only thought of yourself,” Lady Hudson pointed out.
“I do not see what the fuss is about. Nothing happened to her,” Lady Lucy said with a frown.
“It is not only that, Lucy. Your father thinks that you need a bit of guidance. Direction in your life.”
“I have direction,” she answered.
“Which is?”
Lady Lucy hesitated and shook her head. “Mother taught me to never compromise who I was for anyone else.”
“To a certain extent, of course, but your behaviour is not that of a young woman as titled as you are,” Lady Hudson answered.
“I have nothing to offer if I behave differently. Caroline is academic, Rebecca is artistic, Diana is beautiful. What do I have? What sets me apart? Nothing,” Lady Lucy said and shook her head. “I sometimes feel that I do not belong in that family.”
“That is nonsense. I am fairly certain that if you apply yourself to something, you will succeed,” Lady Hudson said. “My students are a perfect example. They practice each and every day, and they show significant improvement.”
“I heard the music from the library,” Lady Lucy pointed out. “It was beautiful.”
“When was this?”
“A short while ago. I apologise, I did not mean to eavesdrop, but it was beautiful,” Lady Lucy answered.
“It was rather,” Lady Hudson smiled slightly.
Lady Lucy had hoped that Lady Hudson would provide her with the young man’s name, or anything about him, but she did not. They sat quietly on the terrace, not exchanging any words or glances.
Lady Lucy felt rather uncomfortable not saying a word, or being spoken to, but she respected her grandmother’s need for silence. Lady Lucy recalled many times when her grandmother would visit Powderham Hall, and they were requested to either play outside, or to keep their voices low.
At dinner that evening, conversation was kept to an absolute minimum, and Lady Lucy could not help but wonder whether her grandmother was purposely attempting to drive her mad. Still, she did not utter a word or show any sign of defiance. She was well aware that her grandmother did not tolerate it in any form or fashion.
June 1814
Winhope Manor
Raignton
Devonshire
England
Lord Stanley glanced at his mother and father, the Earl and Countess of Winhope, as they sat opposite him at the breakfast table. His mother, a beautiful woman with light brown hair and bright green eyes, avoided her husband’s gaze as if her life had depended on it. Lord Winhope, an arrogant and stern man with raven hair and dark brown eyes, seemed unaffected by her mood, and glanced at Lord Stanley.
“I trust you slept well,” Lord Winhope said to his son.
“Indeed, thank you, Father,” Lord Stanley answered and glanced briefly at his mother. “I did hear a bit of a ruckus, though.”
“It must have been the wind,” the Earl fobbed him off.
Lord Stanley raised an unconvinced and unimpressed brow but did not say a word. It was no secret that Lord Winhope and his wife were encountering a bit of marital tension, as Lady Winhope would diplomatically say to Lord Stanley, but he certainly knew the truth.
His father was a man who expressed himself in an incorrect manner. He was strong-willed and arrogant. He also believed that any kind of defiance required physical violence to correct. On more than one occasion, Lord Stanley had found his mother hiding bruises from him, or even blaming her clumsy nature. Lord Winhope was a bully, a tyrant, but all his wrongdoings were swept under the rug. Lady Winhope pretended it did not bother her, but Lord Stanley knew his mother well enough to know that this was not the case.
Lord Stanley desperately wished to stand up to his father, allowing his mother to be treated as she deserved, but he had neither the brawn nor the courage to do so.
One day, he would constantly remind himself, but he was well aware it would all be in vain. He was not a fighter, and did not even know how to punch someone, not to mention stand up to his father in the only way Lord Winhope knew how to behave.
Savagely.
“It is such a lovely day outside, Stanley. Perhaps you would care to take a stroll in the garden, or read a book under the old oak tree,” Lady Winhope suggested.
“I was meaning to practice a new piece that Lady Hudson had taught me yesterday. It is rather tricky,” Lord Stanley answered.
“Surely you could spend some time away from that piano,” his father muttered, his toned loaded with discontent.
Lord Stanley glanced at his father in a perplexed manner and averted his gaze. “I suppose I can.”
“Wonderful,” Lord Winhope said and stood from the table. “Pardon me.”
The room was quiet for a moment and Lord Stanley glanced at his mother. “Does Father disapprove of my piano lessons?” he asked.
“Not at all,” Lady Winhope answered.
“Then why was his tone filled with such disdain?”
Lady Winhope sighed and glanced at her son. “Your father and I had an argument this morning and he wishes to continue with it. I only agreed if you were not inside to listen to it.”
“It is unfair of him to expect you to tolerate his moods as long as you have, Mother,” Lord Stanley answered.
“It is my cross to bear, my son,” Lady Winhope said.
Lord Stanley narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not feel sorry for his mother. His anger towards his father overshadowed any empathy he may have had for his mother.
They quietly finished breakfast, then Lord Stanley retrieved a book from his bedchambers and reluctantly left for the garden. His mother was indeed correct—it was a beautiful day. The sky was clear and blue, and there was not a breath of wind. He made his way to the old oak tree that stood majestically among the other trees, its branches thick and lush, providing ample shade from the warm and somewhat merciless sun. A wooden bench awaited him upon his arrival and Lord Stanley made himself comfortable on it, opening his book, ready to dive into the content of it. Unfortunately he could not focus properly, as he knew his mother was yet again falling victim to his father’s temper.
A rustle of leaves came from the forested area on the boundary of their estate and he glanced up from his book. He placed his book on the bench and stood slowly. Not quite understanding why he felt as brave as he did, he walked in the direction the sound came from. It was quiet here and he glanced around, not seeing anyone.
“Is someone there?” he called out and glanced around once more.
He noticed a young woman sauntering along, and he narrowed his eyes. “Pardon me, but I do believe you are trespassing,” he said.
The young woman came into full view and stopped abruptly. “You!”
Lord Stanley frowned and he glanced at her. She was a beautiful young woman who had long, golden hair that tumbled wildly down her shoulders. Her narrow frame and petite figure made him believe she was still rather young, but the way she carried herself was certainly questionable. She wore a light blue day dress with golden trim along the sleeve and bodice and the expression on her face made him stare at her with intrigue.
“Do I know you?” he asked.
“No, but I have seen you before,” she answered with a lovely smile, and Lord Stanley could not help but reciprocate the gesture.
“Where?” he asked.
“In my grandmother’s music room,” she answered and stopped in front of him.
Lord Stanley gazed into her bright blue eyes and he asked, “Your grandmother is Lady Hudson?”
“Indeed,” she answered and held her hand out to him. “Lady Lucy, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Glastonbury.”
Lord Stanley frowned and said stiffly, “Lord Stanley. Son of the Countess and Earl of Winhope.”
“A pleasure to meet you, my lord,” she said with a smile.
“What are you doing on my father’s estate?” Lord Stanley asked.
“Possibly trespassing?” she cringed.
“Most d
efinitely,” he insisted. “What are you doing here?”
“I managed to escape the walls of my prison,” she answered theatrically and Lord Stanley glanced at her in confusion. She chuckled with amusement and shook her head. “I am merely teasing. I saw the forested area from my window last evening, and I wished to see if there were any monsters living in it.”
“Are you teasing me again?”
“I wish I was.”
“I do not understand,” Lord Stanley stated.
“I have two older sisters, and when I was younger, they would tell tales of a spirit who haunted Compton Castle and would drag me under my bed at night.”
“That is rather ridiculous,” he scoffed.
“It was not at the time. I was terrified.”
“It is rather irrational to be terrified of something which does not exist,” Lord Stanley pointed out.
Lady Lucy crossed her arms and glanced at him. “You have no imagination, do you?”
“Imagination is not real. I prefer facts and evidence.”
“That sounds rather tiresome,” Lady Lucy shrugged. “You sound like my oldest sister.”
“Why are you living with your grandmother?” he asked.
“It is a rather long story,” she answered and cocked her head. “Perhaps I shall share it with you on another occasion.”
“Why not now?” he asked.
“I must go back inside. I do not wish to upset the old hag. Her heart might fail her, and then there truly will be a spirit roaming these halls,” Lady Lucy chuckled and glanced at him. “I hope to see you again soon, my lord.”
Lord Stanley nodded and watched as she ran back in the direction she came, her hair shimmering in the sunlight that cracked through the shadows. A small smile on his lips took him by surprise and he turned away, perplexed by the odd encounter with the young woman.
“Stanley?”
He heard his mother call out his name and he suddenly whirled around. He made his way back to the wooden bench and found his mother standing beside it.
“Mother,” he said with a concerned expression on his face.
“Where have you been, and why do you have such a strange expression on your face?” Lady Winhope asked, placing her hand against his cheek.
“I took a walk in the forest,” he answered with a frown and glanced back over his shoulder.
“What is it?” Lady Winhope asked.
“I had the strangest encounter with the granddaughter of Lady Hudson,” he spoke slowly.
“Lady Hudson’s granddaughter is visiting? I was not aware. Which one of the four?” Lady Winhope asked.
“You are aware of them?” he asked and his mother nodded. “How?”
“I have visited her many times, Stanley. She speaks of her daughter often, as well as of her granddaughters. Which granddaughter?” she asked.
“Lady Lucy.”
“And why is she staying here?”
“I do not know. She did not stay long enough to tell me.”
“You seem perplexed.”
“As I mentioned before. It was a strange encounter. She sauntered through the forest and simply came up to me. She saw me playing the piano with Lady Hudson. She spoke of ghost stories and monsters in the woods. Rather ridiculous.”
“Perhaps she was lonely,” Lady Winhope said. “You are most welcome to visit with her.”
“I would rather not,” Lord Stanley reached for his book and clutched it tightly against his chest. “Are you and Father on speaking terms?”
“It was simply a minor disagreement.”
“Where is he now?” Lord Stanley asked.
“He had business to tend to in town.”
“I bet he did,” he muttered.
“Stanley, please do not make this any worse than it already is,” Lady Winhope begged. “Let it be.”
“How can you ask such a thing of me, Mother? Father has no right to do the things he does to you,” Lord Stanley said angrily.
“There is nothing either of us can do about it.”
Lord Stanley shook his head in disapproval and pursed his lips. “It is not fair.”
Lady Winhope placed her hand reassuringly on his shoulder and embraced him with her other arm. “Luckily I have you.”
Lord Stanley glanced at his mother and nodded. “Indeed.”
Chapter Three
June 1814
Compton Castle
Raignton
Devonshire
England
Lady Lucy sat in the parlour and listened to the sweet melodies which echoed down the hallway and she smiled. It was rather difficult to believe that someone as intelligent and rational could possess a love of music. Lady Lucy had never imagined that the sweet piano notes would have such an impact on her, but she imagined that Lord Stanley had much to do about that.
In fact, she was certain of it.
She waited until his lesson was over and as soon as she heard him walking towards the front hall, she stood from the comfortable sofa in the parlour and hastily made her way towards him.
“You play well,” she blurted out as soon as she saw him.
He stopped abruptly and turned to her, his bright green eyes penetrating into her soul, the same way his music had.
“Thank you, although Lady Hudson feels it lacks something,” he said curtly. He did not seem to be in a very pleasant or talkative mood this afternoon, but Lady Lucy was certainly not aborting her efforts.
“And what might that be?” she asked.
Lord Stanley glanced at her and shrugged. “I am not certain.”
“I thought it was the most beautiful thing I had ever heard,” she said.
“Thank you, but I fear she is right. There is something missing, I simply have to figure out what it is.”
“Perhaps I can assist you,” she offered.
“And how will you do that?” he asked.
“Come along, I will show you.”
“Where?”
“You ask too many questions, Lord Stanley,” Lady Lucy said and rolled her eyes.
“Indeed I do. It is required if—”
“Please,” Lady Lucy said and glanced at him with doe eyes.
His shoulders slumped slightly and he sighed. “Very well.”
“Come along then,” she said with excitement in her voice.
Lord Stanley followed her to the forested area and he looked at her as she came to a stop in front of a tree. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled at him.
“Have you wondered what it felt like to be as tall as a tree?” she asked.
“I can say in all honesty that I have not,” he answered.
“Are you wondering it now?”
“Not at all.”
Her shoulders slumped slightly, but she was not discouraged. “I have, many times.”
“You would wonder, you are not tall at all. Not even a bit.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and shook her head. “Are you always this tedious?”
“I have been known to be, yes.”
She sighed and shook her head once again. “Have you ever climbed a tree, my lord?”
“No, I cannot say that I have,” he answered and was rather shocked when Lady Lucy reached for a thick branch and hoisted herself up. “What on earth are you doing?”
“I am climbing a tree. What does it look like I am doing?” she answered, reaching for a higher branch.
“You are going to hurt yourself.”
“I will not,” she contended.
“Yes, you are.”
“Perhaps you should climb up as well and ensure that I do not hurt myself,” she suggested.
“I do not know how to climb a tree,” he admitted.
Lady Lucy stopped and glanced down at him. “That is ridiculous. Every person in this world knows how to.”
“I do not.”
“You simply reach for a branch and pull yourself up. Keep your balance and climb to the top,” Lady Lucy explained.
Lord Stanley
frowned at her and she sighed once again.
“Come on, I will wait for you here,” she said.
“Very well.”
Lord Stanley reluctantly reached for the same branch Lady Lucy had and hoisted himself up.
“Well done,” Lady Lucy said with a smile and watched as he managed to climb up to where she was. She noticed the slight terror in his eyes and chuckled. “I am impressed.”
“Please, spare me the sympathy,” he said as he clutched onto the branch which separated them.
“I am serious. For your first time, you are doing rather well. You have not fallen, which is impressive in itself,” she pointed out.
His shoulders eased and he glanced at her. “It is highly unconventional for a young woman such as yourself to climb trees.”
“Not the first time that I have heard that,” she shrugged and rested her arms on the branch. “My father thinks I am too wayward and need to calm down, but it is not who I am.”
“Seems as though our fathers are quite similar in that regard,” Lord Stanley muttered. “Wishing us to be someone we are not.”
“It is rather annoying,” Lady Lucy sighed.
“Is that why you live with Lady Hudson now?”
Lady Lucy nodded wordlessly and pursed her lips briefly. “My father is fed up with my antics.”
“Like climbing trees?” he asked.
She nodded again and cocked her head. “I cannot be who he wishes me to be, my lord. It is disconcerting to think that my father does not accept me as I am.”
“I understand entirely,” Lord Stanley said quietly and gazed at Lady Lucy.
She sighed miserably and glanced down at the ground. “Perhaps we should climb down now. I do not wish to get you into trouble.”
Lord Stanley nodded, and they started to climb down. Lady Lucy’s foot slipped as she stepped onto a lower branch, but luckily Lord Stanley’s reflexes were fast enough to grab her waist. Unfortunately, Lord Stanley lost his balance and they both plummeted to the ground, falling onto the grass.
“Are you hurt, my lady?” Lord Stanley asked and immediately turned her onto her side.
To his surprise, she started to laugh and she looked up at him. “No, I am fine.”
