by Joyce Alec
"Thank you, Your Grace, you are very kind," Ginny stepped away as the duke motioned for the dowager countess to approach.
"Your Grace, we met many years ago. Before my marriage. I was Lady Sophia Firth."
Ginny watched as her usually calm and collected mother blushed in the presence of the duke. Was there some secret assignation? Ginny saw the way Jane was watching them.
"Did you have a love affair, Aunt Sophia?"
Ginny gasped at her cousin’s forward question, but the duke just laughed.
"Lady Jane, that is no way to speak to your aunt. Besides, I am old enough to be her father. We were all young once; you young people tend to forget that. Now go and tell Lennox to bring tea for Lady Deyonne and me. We have much catching up to do. You young girls run along now."
As soon as they were alone, the two young girls began to laugh.
"I didn't know Aunt Sophia knew the duke. No wonder he was so keen to see her. Apparently, he doesn't really like visitors. Let me show you to your room."
They ran up the ornate stairs and kept giggling as they ran along the landing. Ginny's shoe slipped off, and as she put her shoe on, she kept trying to run to catch up with Jane but found herself bumping into a man who had seemed to come from nowhere.
"Goodness gracious, what the devil are you playing? This is not some common play yard," the man said as Ginny stopped in her tracks. He was very tall, and she felt like such a young girl looking up at him.
"It was an accident," she said tersely.
He had no manners, not even asking if she was all right.
"Perhaps you shouldn't be running about and act more like a lady. What if the duke had been up here? He's an elderly man, you know." He was so haughty.
"The duke is in his study, and while I've only just met him, I think he'd have at least asked me if I was in any way injured. He is a gentleman."
"James, stop being so ghastly to my cousin. You two are supposed to become best friends seeing as you are standing for the bride and groom. Jane, please meet James Pelham, Earl of Collingford. James, this is my dearest cousin, Lady Virginia Croft or Ginny to her nearest and dearest."
"Apologies, Lady Virginia, I didn't know who you were."
"And if you did, you wouldn't have called me childish while it was what you were thinking?" Ginny turned to Jane, "I need to rest if I may."
Jane led her away, and Ginny looked back to see James standing there, watching them. She couldn't read the expression on his face, but there was something about him that annoyed her. Why did she react so harshly to the earl? Ginny felt her mouth go dry as her heart raced. What strange feelings the thought of him had given her.
When they were in the comfort of Ginny’s room, Jane asked, "Gin, what do you think of James?"
"I think he's the rudest man I have ever met. Imagine behaving like that to a guest. I cannot believe he is related to the duke."
"Don't be angry, Gin. He is quite amiable. William says he gets so tired of the mothers throwing their daughters at him. I don't think any woman has reacted to him quite the way you have. You are very flushed. I hope you are not coming down with some fever. I don't want you to miss out on the activities here. Your lady's maid should be here by now, if not, I'll send in Taylor. Goodness, you are a strange mix of colors, Gin, you've gone very pale now…" And just as she spoke, Ginny collapsed to the floor.
"Help me! James, are you still there?" Jane shouted out as James came running in, hotly followed by the under butler. James swooped Ginny up in his arms and lay her on her bed.
"I hope it wasn't anything I said," he turned to Jane.
"No, dear James. She hasn't been feeling very well. Thank you for your assistance. Here is her maid now. Dawson, Lady Virginia just collapsed. Is she prone…" Jane continued as James left.
In his shock of her banging into him, he hadn't taken in her delicate features and the way her golden blonde hair framed her face. She had glided away from him, and it was a strange sensation for a woman not to swoon before him. He knew he was considered handsome and this, coupled with the fact that he would one day inherit the richest dukedom, made him a prey to all the young, unmarried women.
He had tired of the young woman batting their eyelids at him, but Lady Virginia was different. Perhaps it was her illness that precluded her from his charms, but he had to admit, he didn't like not being found attractive. He had tried not to be condescending, but it wasn't a natural state for him.
He waited for Jane to make an appearance but then changed his mind. He didn't want to seem as if he was fishing for information. Instead, he returned to his room to do some accounts. Usually, he was fastidious in his work, but he couldn't concentrate at all. How strange. No woman had captured his attention like this before, not even Cecilia, to whom he was engaged. He didn't like being vulnerable. He needed to clear his head, and the only way was to go for a ride.
4
"Are you feeling much better, dear cousin?" Lady Jane was sitting by Ginny's bed, doing her needlepoint when she noticed Ginny's eyes opening.
"I think so. What happened?"
"Daring, you collapsed, right there by the door, and I had to call upon James to assist us. Your mama was a little put out that a gentleman had been in your room, but I did explain how I need someone tout de suite, and as soon as the under butler had arrived, James left the room. He did not linger at all. He is a gentleman after all." Jane paused and leaned in towards Ginny, "He has been asking if you are quite well. You have made an impression on him." Jane giggled as she saw a look of horror on Ginny's face.
"Oh Jane, how dreadful. I have no wish to ever set eyes upon that disagreeable man again, save for at your wedding, of course," Ginny didn't want to disappoint Jane by being discourteous.
"But Jane, you know the duke is throwing the most lavish ball tonight in my honor, well mine and William’s. It's said to be the first ball in many years. You must promise me you will enjoy yourself. You have to do it for me. We will look divine, Jane. Taylor is teaching Dawson some hairstyles that may suit you."
A gentle knock on the door interrupted Jane's train of thought as Dawson arrived with a breakfast tray for Ginny.
"Yes, Gin, you eat up. I must go and check on the preparations for this evening. William should be here any time now. And Aunt Sophia wishes to see you, but I wanted to be with you when you woke up. Bon appetit, dear Gin. It is an exciting day."
"Lady Jane is very energetic this morning," Dawson remarked.
"I know, Dawson, I'm not quite sure I'm up to it. Tell me what have you heard about this ball," Ginny asked as she buttered her toast.
"There is so much excitement and how you say, frénésie…"
"Frenzy, Dawson, we say, frenzy. It's been so long since I've attended anything so grand. I am feeling a little anxious. Do you think my absence would be noticed?"
Dawson's expression told her the answer.
"Lady Jane would be so disappointed. Let me get you dressed, and perhaps you will take a walk in the beautiful gardens. You like being in nature. The calm before the storm perhaps," Dawson said as she began to sort through Lady Virginia's clothes to choose an appropriate day dress for Ginny.
Dawson was longing for the chance to dress Lady Virginia in a dress suited for someone of her status. It had been so exciting when she first came to work for Lady Virginia, all the galas and exquisite balls. It was her duty to keep up with the latest hairstyles and fashion so that her mistress would be the envy of all.
However, the last six months had proved to be quite boring, and Dawson's plan was to look for other employment. She wanted a vibrant mistress, one like Lady Jane, who would one day be a Marchioness. And for that, she needed Lady Virginia on display so that her skills would be sought after. She felt a little guilty because Lady Virginia was very polite to her and never condescending, as had been her experience in other positions.
With her mistress dressed, Dawson escorted Lady Virginia to the garden. The landscaping was beautiful, and Ginny immedia
tely felt at ease. Dawson was right; spending some time alone in the garden would do her constitution the world of good. While the sun shone brightly, Lady Virginia shivered as she stepped outside.
"Dawson, fetch my shawl and a book. I think I'll do some reading."
Hearing her mother's voice, Ginny kept walking. She just wanted to be alone. It sounded like a silly request, especially as she had spent the last few months effectively a prisoner in her own home, totally self-imposed, she admitted.
Her need to escape her mother's eye took her around the back of the grand house to where the stables were. She had missed the smell of horses, but it was too upsetting to be near them. It had crushed her soul not to ride.
A sound caught her attention. It was the sound of a horse in distress, a low guttural sound that Ginny knew required attention. There didn't seem to be anyone around, which she found surprising given the size of the estate. Even in their modest holding, there would be at least one stable boy in view.
She chose her steps wisely as she made her way closer to where the horse's distress was coming from. Her delicate slippers were getting dirty despite her best efforts.
"Hello, girl. What's the matter?" she asked this beautiful mare whose eyes were wild and scraped at the ground. Ginny watched as the mare then lay down and got up again. She was in pain.
Ginny opened her stall door.
"Girl, where's your pain, old thing? Can I make it better?" Ginny extended her arm for the horse to smell her. But the horse went to bite her.
"Poor old thing, you don't know me and here I am in your space. Let me get you some help," Ginny stepped backward and, almost slipping, she called for help.
"Beggin' yer pardon, miss, you shouldn't be 'ere," a stable boy came running and, judging from the cigarette smelling breath, had been otherwise occupied.
"Get the head groom, this horse has colic and we need to keep her from lying down. Don't just stand there, go…"
She didn't know why the boy has hesitated, but Ginny had seen these signs before where it didn't end well, as her father had to shoot the horse to put it out of its misery.
"Lady Virginia, you really shouldn't be here. We'll take it from here. Boy, take Her Ladyship back inside." The voice was sullen and a little put out at Lady Virginia's presence.
"I am not going anywhere until I see she is okay. Have you seen this before, what is your name?"
"My name's Jones, your Ladyship, and indeed, I 'ave seen this fret afor. If she doesn't walk it off soon, we'll put her out of her misery. Don't you fret none about her. Everyone has their time."
"Jones, I have no intention of letting her die. We need to keep her hydrated, even if she doesn't want it. We must keep her on her feet. The twisting will do more harm than good. See if you can make up some concoction that we can flush her system."
Ginny looked around. No one was moving.
"Goodness gracious me, have you men ever seen a woman before?" Ginny was exacerbated by their hesitation.
She was trying to get the horse out of the stall, and while she called out her requests, the stable boy and grooms just looked at Jones, seemingly for his approval. He nodded, and the boy and young men disappeared.
"Jones, what's in the mixture your boys will make up?" Ginny's father had been a keen horseman, and she was riding before she could walk, her mother used to tell her. She had a natural affinity for horses, and this interest included how to remedy their maladies. Jones' head was still reeling from seeing such a young woman, a visitor to the estate, not caring one jot for her appearance.
"A little bit of everything, we have laudanum, sulphuric ether, a little bit of belladonna. Lord Collingford will go mad if anything happens to her, she's 'is favorite horse." Jones rubbed the horse’s neck, "Poor Athena."
Ginny smiled. They would make her better; they just had to do it.
Athena didn't like the liquid being forced into her and with a swish of her head, knocked poor Ginny down. Some of the men left Athena to tend to the young lady.
"Thank you, but I can manage on my own. You must get the mixture in, and we'll keep walking her." She took one of the men's hands to help her to her feet.
"Lady Virginia Croft, what the devil is going on here?" It was James. He was with William Travers, the Marquess of Lynlithglow. But when James saw his horse being harnessed and the men around her, he knew something was wrong. His initial thought was the horse had broken free and knocked Lady Virginia to the ground.
"Your Lordship, it's Athena, she has the fret, and Her Ladyship was helping us," Jones said hoping his master wasn't about to go ballistic on him.
"Lynlithglow, help me escort Lady Virginia inside. This is no place for a young lady," James said.
"No, I'm not going anywhere until I know Athena is over this colic. Please take your hands off me," Ginny glared at James.
Why was he trying to send her away? Couldn't he see that without her, the horse would be suffering so much more without anyone noticing?
James, stepped back, alarmed at Lady Virginia's reaction to him. He just wanted to remove her from harm's way. Why was she so stubborn?
"Lynlithglow, this is Lady Virginia Croft, Jane's cousin," James said.
"Lady Virginia, I have heard so much about you, and I am delighted to make your acquaintance, whatever the circumstances," William smiled as he looked Ginny up and down. Her dress was covered in mud and dirt.
William had sandy hair and a cheeky smile. Ginny knew that he was a good match for Jane. He had a glint in his eye, and while she knew he was teasing her, she didn't mind it one bit. James, on the other hand, just riled her up.
"Collingford, I need to meet my beloved. I will leave you here with…" William glanced at Ginny, who was back walking the horse. James rolled his eyes. Lady Virginia vexed him, and he didn't know why.
James wouldn't leave and wrestled the reins from Ginny as he took his turn in pacing up and down the stable yard with his horse. Although she wanted to protest, she realized that Athena was his horse, and Ginny needed the rest. She was feeling very fatigued.
James began to shout questions at Jones about what had they done, and how long she was in pain. Jones told him exactly what had happened and James looked at Virginia who couldn't hear their conversation.
It seemed for a while their efforts were coming to nothing. Ginny had an opportunity to watch James interact with his horse. She knew horses were a good judge of character, and even she had to admit that when he spoke to Athena, she did seem a little calmer, although this was very short-lived.
"Lady Virginia, the ball is in a few hours; it is time for you to prepare for it. I'll stay for a while as there is nothing else we can do but wait. I promise to keep you informed of Athena's progress," James said without looking at her.
Ginny knew he was right. Nothing more could be done. She'd either catch her death if she stayed out much longer or catch an earful from her mother for being so unladylike. With a heavy heart, she stood up to leave, but not before going up to Athena's long face.
"Be brave, girl. I will see you later." Ginny then turned to James, "You promise to keep me informed?"
James nodded. He watched Ginny walk away, and his heart was doing somersaults. What a woman, he thought to himself. So caring and such devotion to a horse she doesn't even know. If Athena survived the night, it would be due to Ginny. James knew he was in trouble. Lady Virginia Croft had stolen his heart.
5
Ginny had missed out on the excitement of the guests arriving. This meant that neither Jane, nor her mother, were aware of her disappearance to the stables, although she knew William would tell Jane. Her bedroom commanded a full view of those arriving at the ball, and she saw ornate carriages arrive one after the other. Dawson, meanwhile, had scolded her for ruining her dress and shoes. There was no way they could be cleaned properly.
"But Dawson, the horse would have died without me," she said as Dawson did her hair.
"It was good then for you to be outside, Lady Virginia.
I saw you talking with the handsome earl," Dawson watched as Ginny's cheeks flushed.
"I would have done the same for any horse, and to be honest with you, I find the man deplorable. Although, Athena did like him." Ginny's thoughts drifted to when she said goodbye to Athena. She had been so close to James. His presence enveloped her, and she had to admit she had an inkling to feign a faint so he could catch her again. Dawson was prattling on, but something she said caught Ginny's attention.
"What did you say?"
"Apparently, Lady Victoria de Vere is telling everyone they are to be married. Although I've heard from one of the other lady's maids that her mistress says Lady Victoria hopes if she says it enough times, the poor earl will be duty bound to ask for her hand in marriage."
"So he is promised to Lady Victoria? Is she here tonight?"
"Mais oui, m'lady. She arrived late in the morning. She is quite plain looking, I've heard."
"Dawson, we mustn't be unkind." Ginny couldn't help smiling.
A knock at the door signaled Jane's arrival.
"Gin, William tells me he found you in a very sorry state in the stables. What on earth were you doing out there? Apparently, James told William you probably saved the horse's life. Gin, you really are a strange one. And I have more to tell you, but I promised I wouldn't say." Jane was in an excitable mood.
"Then you must keep your counsel, dear cousin.” Ginny turned around so her Jane could see her dress. “Will I do? It has been a long time since I dressed up.”
Ginny was going to be mixing with the upper echelons of society that night, which was a forerunner to the wedding in a few days’ time.
"Lady Virginia Croft, if I didn't love you so much, I would hate you. I am sure you will upstage me, and I am the guest of honor. Let's make our entrance," Jane said as she and Ginny left to join the ball.
Ginny's senses were immediately overwhelmed by the music playing in the background, and from the top of the stairway, she saw masses of people. She knew she would have met some of them before during her first Season, but she wasn’t ready to meet potential suitors quite yet. Her heart was beating so fast; she was sure she would fall away in a faint. So many people in such a confined space, and soon her fears increased as Jane introduced her to some people. She seemed to have forgotten the art of small talk.
