by Elaine Hart
“Violence does not solve problems, Lucy.”
“It creates it,” she countered and cocked her head at him.
Lord Stanley sighed, and although he was well aware she was right, he did not say it out loud. “I cannot do that.”
“Do not think of it as fighting. Consider it defending your mother. She is a lovely woman and she certainly does not deserve to be struck and belittled by her husband,” Lady Lucy pointed out.
“Even if I wanted to, I cannot.”
“Why not?”
“I literally cannot.”
She narrowed her eyes at him and asked, “You have never drawn someone’s cork?”
“Does that surprise you?” he asked.
“Somewhat.”
“Have you?”
“I was defending myself,” she shrugged.
“Against who?”
“A terrible boy at church. He teased me incessantly despite my protests. I even told my father, and he suggested that I fight my own battles.”
“And you did,” Lord Stanley answered.
“Indeed, only according to my father, that was not the correct thing to do,” Lady Lucy scowled. “But the boy never bothered me again after that.”
Lord Stanley smiled at Lady Lucy. “I have the biggest admiration for you.”
“Why is that?” she asked.
“You are not afraid,” he answered simply.
“That is not true.”
“You climb trees, and defend yourself. That sounds rather brave in my opinion,” he answered.
“Thank you, but I am afraid of many things.”
“Such as?”
Lady Lucy sighed and glanced at him. “Perhaps we can speak of something else?”
“Or you can show me how to draw someone’s cork,” he suggested.
“You want me to show you how to fight?” she asked incredulously.
“You already emasculated me in so many other areas, perhaps you could help me be a man,” he answered.
“That was not my intention,” she uttered apologetically.
“I know,” he answered and they sat on the grass eyeing one another.
Lady Lucy smiled and bit her lower lip. She chuckled and stood from the grass. “Very well, my lord. I shall show you,” she said and Lord Stanley stood as well. “But I must say this first. I am not an expert.”
“I never expected you were,” he said with a smile.
She smiled back and said, “First, you must tightly ball your fists, like this, but be careful with your thumb. If it is tucked over, you might break it. Always keep it tucked lower.”
Lord Stanley balled his fists and asked, “Like this?”
“That is perfect,” she answered. “Next, hold it up, one closer to your face, and the other defending your chest.”
Lord Stanley did as he was told and glanced at her.
“Now punch straight ahead of you with your stronger arm,” she said and gave him a nod of assurance.
The force with which Lord Stanley punched into the air was rather impressive and Lady Lucy simply smiled at him.
“How was that?” he asked.
“That was perfect.”
“You seem to use that word frequently,” he pointed out.
“I give credit when credit is due, my lord,” she said.
“Please, call me Stanley. It feels strange when you address me so formally,” he said.
“Very well,” she shrugged her shoulders.
“May I ask you a question?” he asked.
“I believe you already have,” she chuckled.
“Indeed. Then I ask permission to ask you several questions.”
“Permission granted,” she answered.
“How long do you intend on living with Lady Hudson?” he asked.
“Why do you ask that?” she asked.
“You cannot answer a question with another question, Lucy.”
Shivers of delight ran down her spine as Lord Stanley said her name and she glanced at his handsome face. His eyes focused solely on hers and he stepped towards her.
“I am not certain. My grandmother will keep me here until I have calmed down, according to her and my father,” Lady Lucy answered.
“Perhaps you should get yourself in a spot of trouble again, before she thinks you have changed your ways,” he said as he still approached her.
“And why on earth would I do that?” she asked, feeling rather breathless as Lord Stanley came nearer to her.
“Because I cannot bear the thought of you going back home, and not being able to see you every day,” he whispered and reached out his hand, caressing her cheek.
“What did you have in mind?” she whispered before he leaned in and kissed her.
June 1814
Compton Castle
Paignton
Devonshire
England
Lady Lucy sat in her bedchambers, writing a letter to her mother and father with the same smile on her lips that she wore when she arrived back home. The afternoon had been pleasantly wonderful, especially when Lord Stanley had told her that he enjoyed her company, and then kissed her. She desperately wanted to include this news in her letter to her mother, but she was not certain whether it was a good idea to do so. Lady Lucy placed the quill in the inkwell and studied the words she had written on the pages, while waiting for the ink to dry.
There was a knock on her door and she turned in her chair. “Come in.”
The door opened and her grandmother stepped into the room with a pensive expression on her face.
“Am I disturbing you, Lucy?”
“Not at all. I had finished my letter to Mother and Father. I am simply waiting for the ink to dry,” Lady Lucy answered. “Is something the matter, Grandmother?”
“Not at all. I received a letter from your mother. Lady Caroline is with child,” Lady Hudson said.
“That is wonderful news,” Lady Lucy said with a smile.
“Indeed,” Lady Hudson answered. “Are you alright?”
“Indeed. Why do you ask, Grandmother?”
“You have been rather quiet since you came from Winhope Manor,” Lady Hudson said.
Lady Lucy shrugged wordlessly.
“You have been visiting with Lord Stanley often,” Lady Hudson pointed out. “It feels as though I never see you.”
“I thought you could not stand the sight of me,” Lady Lucy muttered.
“What on earth makes you think that?” her grandmother asked.
“It is true, is it not?”
“No, of course not. You are my granddaughter, and I love you very much,” Lady Hudson answered. “I only want what is best for you, as your parents do as well.”
“The first week that I was here, you barely spoke to me. We ate dinner in silence. Why is that?”
“Because I wanted to teach you the importance of silence. Words are not always necessary, Lucy. Empty words do not fill rooms quite the way meaningful silences do,” Lady Hudson explained. “I wanted to teach you that when you are in a place of peace, your inner peace shines through.”
“So you were not angry or disappointed in me?” Lady Lucy asked.
“Not at all.”
Lady Lucy smiled through the tears which had instantly formed in her eyes and she nodded. “May I tell you something, Grandmother?”
“You can tell me anything, Lucy.”
Lady Lucy inhaled deeply and said, “I like Stanley, I mean Lord Stanley.”
Her grandmother’s brows shot up in surprise and she cocked her head. “You do?”
“Indeed. He is wonderful. He might not be able to climb trees or throw rocks at beehives, but perhaps that is why I like him,” Lady Lucy explained. “He brings out a part of me that I never knew existed. He is my inner peace.”
Lady Hudson smiled and nodded slowly. You have changed since you met him, since you started to spend more time with him. You even speak differently.”
“Is he changing me, Grandmother?” she asked.
> “No, you are changing yourself, and that is the most wonderful thing that could ever happen. You are changing because you wish to, and not because you are forced to,” Lady Hudson said.
“He asked me when you were sending me back home, and that the mere thought of not being able to see me every day is unbearable to him. That is most certainly the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me, grandmother.”
“He is such a darling,” Lady Hudson said.
“I wish to do something for him, something special and meaningful, but I have not a clue what,” Lady Lucy said with a frown.
“Perhaps write him a letter, or a poem.”
“That is not something I am skilled at,” she sighed. “What does he like?”
“You spend much more time with him than I do. I only see him twice a week,” Lady Hudson answered.
Lady Lucy’s eyes widened and she grinned at her grandmother. “That is it!”
“What is?”
“Grandmother, you must teach me to play the piano,” Lady Lucy said.
“Lucy, the piano is not an easy thing to play,” Lady Hudson contended.
“But if there is one person who would be able to do so, it is you,” Lady Lucy said and clasped her hands together. “I am begging you, Grandmother.”
“Does Lord Stanley mean this much to you?” Lady Hudson asked.
“Even more than that.”
Lady Hudson studied her face for a short while, noticing the sincerity in her eyes. “Very well,” she answered.
Lady Lucy jumped off the chair and ran to her grandmother, embracing her tightly. “Thank you, Grandmother.”
“Do not thank me yet, my dearest Lucy. It is hard work, you must know this.”
“I do.”
“Come along, then,” Lady Hudson said to her.
“Now?”
“The earlier we begin, the earlier you can impress Lord Stanley with your skills,” Lady Hudson pointed out.
Lady Lucy shrieked once more and followed her grandmother to the music room.
For the next few weeks, Lady Lucy and Lord Stanley continued to spend more time together during the day, and during the evenings, Lady Hudson taught Lady Lucy all she knew about perfecting her technique on the piano. Lady Hudson was astounded at Lady Lucy’s natural ability to ease into the transition of playing piano. Most nights, Lady Hudson would be awoken by the sweet melodies coming from the music room, as Lady Lucy practised until her fingers hurt. Although Lady Hudson admired Lady Lucy’s dedication, she urged her not to exert herself.
Lady Hudson watched in awe, nearly a fortnight later, as Lady Lucy’s fingers effortlessly moved along the keys, expelling the most wonderful piece of music. As the music faded into the night, Lady Lucy placed her hands on her lap and looked at Lady Hudson.
“How was that, Grandmother?” she asked.
Lady Hudson had no words to accurately express how beautifully Lady Lucy had played, so she simply applauded her granddaughter. Lady Lucy smiled happily, quite relieved, for that matter, and rubbed her hands together.
“You were wonderful,” Lady Hudson said after a short while and Lady Lucy stood from the piano stool. As she approached her grandmother, she noticed the shallow tears in her eyes and she frowned.
“What is the matter?” Lady Lucy asked.
“In all my life I had never been moved the way I was when you played that piece. It was astounding, Lucy,” Lady Hudson said with a proud and overwhelmed smile.
“You are exaggerating, surely,” Lady Lucy fobbed her off.
“I am quite serious. You are truly talented. Not as talented as when climbing trees, but talented nonetheless,” Lady Hudson said.
Lady Lucy chuckled and shook her head. “I apologise for never understanding the quiet of which you spoke. I feel it now, the peace in my heart.”
Lady Hudson placed her hand on her granddaughter’s shoulder and smiled. “That is all I ever wanted for you, but if you revert back to your old ways knowing what you now know, I will accept it, for I allowed the peace to enter your heart. Whatever you choose to do, and whichever path you decide to take, I will love you no matter what.”
“That means the world to me,” Lady Lucy smiled.
“Would you care to have a cup of tea on the terrace with me?” Lady Hudson asked.
“It is nearly midnight,” Lady Lucy pointed out as she glanced at the grandfather clock in the corner of the room.
“And?”
Lady Lucy chuckled at her grandmother’s nonchalance and nodded. “I would enjoy that very much.”
A short while later, Lady Lucy and Lady Hudson sat out on the terrace with their tea, exchanging nostalgic tales.
“It was Caroline and Rebecca who told me of the spirit who would drag me under the bed. I was terrified.”
“Was that why you refused to sleep in your chambers?” Lady Hudson asked.
“Indeed, and it certainly did not help that Grandfather snored like a wolf with a stuffy nose,” Lady Lucy said.
Lady Hudson laughed and shook her head. “Your sisters were terrible.”
“They were, but I miss them very much.”
“I believe you do. I miss you all.”
“Grandmother?”
“Yes, my dear?”
“Would it be a rather outlandish idea if we hosted a ball here? We could invite Rebecca and Caroline, and everyone would be here and have a lovely evening. Could we do that?” Lady Lucy asked.
“I managed to convince the staff to serve us tea at midnight. Arranging a ball would be no trouble at all,” Lady Hudson answered with a wave of her hand. “It would be lovely opening the doors again.”
“Why did you close them?” Lady Lucy asked.
“After your grandfather passed away, my entire world felt lonely and cold. I did not wish for anyone to see me in such a state. I had been strong for long enough, and I grew weary of it. Your grandfather was my pillar of strength. My everything. My entire world revolved around him, and when he passed, he took it all away,” Lady Hudson answered.
“I never knew that. I thought you were this horrible old woman who loved making everyone around her miserable, but it turns out that you were the one who lived in misery,” Lady Lucy said remorsefully and placed her hand over her grandmother’s. “I am truly sorry for all the terrible things I did and said to you. I did not understand you or the situation. I tried to blame everyone but myself, and it was wrong. I was wrong. Could you ever forgive me?”
“There is nothing to forgive, my dear,” Lady Hudson answered with a smile, “but if it makes you feel better, I forgive you.”
A tear ran down Lady Lucy’s cheek and she smiled. For the first time in her young life, she understood the pain her grandmother had endured, and how foolish she had been not understanding what her grandmother’s heart had been through since the death of her husband.
Chapter Five
July 1814
Compton Castle
Raignton
Devonshire
England
Lady Lucy had never seen the ballroom look so magnificent and exquisite in her entire life. The walls were decorated in hues of gold and purple, her grandmother’s favoured colours. Large vases of white roses graced the tables and soft silk draping cascaded down the pillars.
“Beautiful, is it not?” Lady Lucy heard her grandmother whisper in her ear and she glanced at her over her shoulder.
“It is. You have truly outdone yourself, Grandmother,” Lady Lucy smiled.
“I am not solely responsible for this grandiose evening. You did your part.”
“All I did was—”
“Could you simply accept my compliment?”
“I will gracefully accept your compliment,” Lady Lucy answered and rolled her eyes. “And since when do you interrupt people?”
“Now we are even,” Lady Hudson whispered with a wink and made her way across the ballroom.
Lady Lucy smiled happily and watched as their guests started to enter the ballroom. She w
as most excited to see her two sisters, Lady Caroline and Lady Rebecca, but most of all, she was excited to introduce her family to Lord Stanley.
“I wonder who that beautiful young woman is in the green gown,” she heard a familiar voice say.
Lady Lucy smiled brightly as she turned around and saw Lady Caroline and Lady Rebecca walking towards her in the ballroom.
“My dearest sisters!” she exclaimed and embraced them happily. “Oh, how I have missed you.”
“You missed us that much?” Lady Rebecca asked with a chuckle.
“I do. I think of you every day,” Lady Lucy said with a smile and turned to Lady Caroline. “I heard the wonderful news. Congratulations.”
“Thank you. Erasmus and I are thrilled as well,” Lady Caroline beamed.
“How are you, Lucy?” Lady Rebecca asked
“I am wonderful, and I am truly happy that you are here. I wish to introduce you to someone I met,” Lady Lucy smiled.
“And who might that be?”
“A wonderful young man who has inspired me and allowed me to find myself,” Lady Lucy answered with a dreamy smile as she thought of Lord Stanley.
“And where is this mystery man?” Lady Rebecca asked.
“He will be here shortly with his family,” Lady Lucy answered.
“By family, you mean his parents, yes?”
“Yes, Rebecca. I am certainly not a lover of married men,” she answered and narrowed her eyes at Lady Rebecca.
“That was a misunderstanding,” Lady Rebecca defended herself.
Lady Lucy and Lady Caroline chuckled and shook their heads.
“What does this wonderful muse of a man look like, Lucy?” Lady Caroline asked.
“He is tall and handsome—”
“They all are.”
“He is academic and very smart,” Lucy said, feeling slightly annoyed.
“Or so they believe.”
“Could you please not interrupt me?” Lady Lucy asked.
Her two sisters were stunned to silence and Lady Caroline motioned to her to continue.
“He has light brown hair, beautiful green eyes—”
“And a cleft in his chin?” Lady Rebecca asked.
“How did you know that?” Lady Lucy asked.
“I believe your dream man has entered the ballroom,” Lady Caroline said and glanced at the entrance.
