Catherine cast Elizabeth a quick look and the Viscount’s daughter took it as a signal to escape with Frances. She seized the opportunity, slipping around the incensed Baron’s daughter and moving Frances away. The older Follett was already beginning to tremble, sensing the unrest around them.
“It is all right, Franny,” Elizabeth told her soothingly. “Come this way.”
“Who is that horrible, shrieking woman?” Frances demanded loudly enough for Priscilla to hear. Elizabeth tried to pull her away, worried that Priscilla might unleash a barrage of cruel words upon Frances. The lady did reply but not to speak ill of the slow sister.
“I am Miss Priscilla Arquette, daughter to the Baron of Argonshire,” she announced, her blue eyes boring into Elizabeth.
“You are no one of any great consequence,” Catherine jeered. “You cannot even capture a husband.”
She spun away, bored of the argument and moved to join Elizabeth and Frances.
“Come along, Miss Elizabeth. Miss Priscilla is clearly battling melancholy and losing terribly.”
Yet, suddenly, Elizabeth could not tear her eyes away from Priscilla’s face suddenly, her heart beginning to thud as she read the rage spilling from the lady’s expression.
“You may go now,” Priscilla yelled out after them. “But there will come a day of reckoning for all of you. Mark my words as gospel. You will pay!”
Shivers of apprehension slithered through Elizabeth but she was ushered around the corner and out of Priscilla’s view by Catherine.
“She is mad,” Catherine sighed. “I am sickened you had to observe such a display. Leonard will hear about this. Her father will be ashamed although it is his fault she is such a brat.”
Elizabeth barely heard Catherine’s exasperated but light assurances, the Duke’s sister apparently untroubled by what had happened.
I am troubled, Elizabeth thought, rushing ahead to catch up with Frances, who ran, terrified. There was something sinister in Priscilla’s words, something undeniably wicked. Elizabeth realized she believed the woman’s threat with every fiber of being.
Chapter 13
The hunt had gone much better than Leonard had expected. The Viscount proved to be good company with witty conversation. Leonard had expected father and son to pair off in the woods but to his surprise, Percival has asked to partner with the Duke when the four men had gotten into the thick. Young David had been displeased by the arrangement, citing his unfamiliarity with Herbert.
“It is an opportunity for you to know one another better,” Percival insisted. “You do not mind a bit, do you, Mr. Barlough?”
Leonard could see that the barrister was equally off-put by the arrangement but he did not contradict the Viscount.
“It would be my pleasure to hunt with Mr. Follett,” Herbert mumbled without an iota of conviction.
“It is settled, then,” Percival announced. “You should venture to the east. The Duke and I will go to the west. May the best men win.”
Leonard learned that the Viscount had not been merely boasting about his hunting abilities. The man had a keen nose for prey and soon, they had bagged themselves two foxes, five pheasants, and three hares, mostly taken down by Percival’s gun.
“You will keep my taxidermist occupied for half the season,” Leonard jested. “I daresay, he will not have the time for anyone else in the duchy!”
“You flatter me, Duke,” Percival replied slyly but Leonard could see his compliments were held in high esteem.
“Shall we head back to Brookside soon?” Leonard asked innocently but the Viscount saw directly through his companion’s transparent question with razor’s-edge acuteness.
“Do you long for her so much that you cannot bear an afternoon away?”
Leonard was becoming accustomed to Percival’s blunt manner of speaking but even so, he found himself slightly abashed by the query.
“I have been away from Miss Elizabeth for a number of afternoons,” he reminded the man.
Too many afternoons for my liking, Leonard added silently.
“Indeed,” Percival conceded. “I do not fault you. I am simply posing the question. I cannot say that I have ever seen a man become so smitten in such a short time. That is saying a great deal, Duke. I have met many men.”
“I have met many women,” Leonard answered. “And I have never before felt so drawn to one in all of my travels.”
Percival eyed him from horseback, the men riding silently side-by-side for a moment.
“I stand corrected about you, Duke,” Percival told him. “Forgive my doubts.”
“Your doubts? Whatever would those be, Lord Gordon?”
“I did not believe you would capture Elizabeth but it seems whatever you feel for her is mutual. She was aglow when you returned last evening.”
Leonard had not realized that Percival had been awake to see them. He and Elizabeth had stolen into the darkened manor well after the house was abed. He made no comment on the matter.
“I did hope she felt the same connection,” Leonard said instead. “But I daresay it is difficult to be one-sided on such an issue when the feeling is so strong.”
“I, for one, am elated to hear it. While I would never force the matter with Elizabeth, I had hoped she would soon find a match in a good house.”
“Well, Lord Gordon, I have not proposed marriage yet but it is good to know that I have your blessing for when the time comes.”
“For when the time comes?” Percival sounded stunned. “You have contemplated marriage after one day?”
Leonard chuckled but he did realize he had spoken without much thought. He could not speak of marriage so quickly after breaking off his engagement to Priscilla yet Leonard knew that Elizabeth was the lady he desired. There was no doubt in his mind.
“There is little I do not contemplate, Lord Gordon, as I consider myself a thorough man. You must not accept that as hastiness on my part. I realize that your daughter is a lady who will not be pressed into anything and that we have only begun to know one another. When the time is right, I will present the idea of a union to you and to her. There is no rush, after all. We are both young enough and her childbearing years are many.”
“Indeed.” Leonard could not be sure but he thought he heard a note of disappointment in the Viscount’s single word.
Is he upset that I am interested in marrying Elizabeth or is there another matter on his mind?
Leonard decided not to pursue it, unsure if he had imagined the pitch of Percival’s voice.
“The only question which remains is if Mr. Follett will accept the union.”
The Viscount’s back stiffened and he tightened the reins in his hands. At his feet, one of the hounds yapped, indicating he sensed something in the trees beyond but for the first time since the hunt started, Percival was disinterested in another kill.
“I fear that without a mother, my brood has lacked in certain areas of discipline and etiquette. My demands have oft taken me away from Gordon on business and with Frances being…”
He trailed off, not wanting to admit to his oldest daughter’s affliction.
“With Frances being how she is,” Percival continued. “Elizabeth has inadvertently taken over the role of mistress of the house. She did not ask for the title and she does her duties without complaint but she is not David’s mother, nor is she a governess. I believe that David forgets this on occasion and sees her as someone to be put upon a pedestal. Sometimes I fear about the healthiness of such a relationship.”
“She deserves to be upon a pedestal,” Leonard interjected. “A lady who can do all that and keep her wits without a frown? I understand why the boy is protective of her. I do not fault him and I hope I can convince him that I only wish the best for her—and for your family.”
“You are a kind soul, Duke. Not many dukes have the tenderness of heart you portray. It shows in every aspect of your life. Your house staff is well cared for, your peasants in order. You are wealthy and yet unhated. You are han
dsome and yet not arrogant. Your humility humbles me.”
“And your flattery causes me to chuckle, Lord Gordon. There is no need to tout my attributes. I assure you I am well aware of them all.”
Percival laughed and shook his head.
“I am merely commenting on what I see. If you perceive that as flattery, forgive me but it is not intended as such. My Elizabeth is truly blessed to have you in her good graces.”
“I have you to thank for that, I believe. If you had not accepted my invitation, I would have had a much more difficult time of convincing Miss Elizabeth of my affections and intentions.”
“I am certain you would have found a way. Mr. Barlough managed.”
“Is that not something?” Leonard commented, raising an eyebrow in awe. “I have known Herbert Barlough my entire lifetime and never has he courted a soul. He took one look at Miss Follett and was instantly in love. I daresay, Lord Gordon, you daughters have the ability to bewitch the most stoic of men.”
“My daughters are special,” Percival agreed proudly. “If only David could display some of those qualities, I would be the happiest man to walk the earth.”
It was disappointing to hear the Viscount speak of his son in such a manner. Leonard had been so close to his father, it boggled the mind to imagine Aylmer speaking in such a way about himself.
“Mr. Follett is young,” Leonard offered, uncertain of how to answer. “All young men do offend their fathers in some way.”
“You did not.”
Leonard stared at the older man.
“I am certain I did,” he replied although he could not be sure that was true. “I may not have heard about it but surely there are matters I know my father would not have happily seen me through.”
“Indeed,” Percival commented slowly, a light sparking in his eyes as he recalled a memory regarding Leonard’s rebellious youth. The Viscount’s eyes rested on Leonard again.
“I do wish now that I had spent more time in Pembroke, speaking with your father. He truly was a great man. May God rest his soul.”
They fell into silence. The trees gave away to produce the lea between the woods and the manor house beyond. In the distance, Leonard could make out the other hunting party, already back at the estate.
“They have already returned,” Leonard commented.
“I am unsurprised. David has never seen anything through.”
“It is my own fault. I know how Herbert despises to hunt. He was undoubtedly in a hurry to return to Frances.”
“Perhaps, going forward, we should bring Lord Follett along with us and leave Herbert to entertain the women,” Leonard suggested. “I imagine Mr. Follett would enjoy spending the day learning from you.”
“Perhaps we will do that,” Percival replied but Leonard was left with impression that he did not wish to do that.
It is a small wonder that David is sullen and mistrustful of men. His father does not give him the time of day.
Leonard decided in that moment that he would ensure he spent time with Elizabeth’s brother.
“How did you fare?” Leonard called as they approached the house. David had already disappeared inside but Herbert paced about the front of the house. He was apparently waiting for something.
“We did not have any luck,” Herbert replied quickly. “Two pheasants.”
Leonard smothered a laugh, knowing that they could not have been trying in the least, to collect so little.
“That is shameful!” Leonard said, a commiserating noise escaping his lips in place of the chortle. “Fear not. There will be more tomorrow.”
Herbert’s head jerked up and he stared at the Duke balefully.
“Your Grace? Tomorrow, you say?”
“Indeed. We have an entire week of hunting planned, Herbert. Did I not tell you?”
He heard the Viscount choke back a laugh of his own and Herbert began to fumble for excuses.
“Forgive me, Your Grace, I have matters to attend in court…urgent matters…important matters…”
“Oh, do relax, Herbert. I jest. You do not need accompany us again. You may entertain Miss Follett, if you so desire.”
Relief covered the barrister’s face and he exhaled happily.
“Thank you, Your Grace.”
“Are the ladies inside?”
“No, Your Grace. They have not returned from town. I, I was waiting.” The gentle clop of horses’ hooves followed the end of his sentence and Leonard turned from where he still sat upon his horse, to watch a carriage arrive on the property.
“Ah, here they are!” Leonard announced happily. He dismounted his horse, handed the beast over to the waiting stable hand and waited at Herbert’s side for the ladies to stop.
The coachman hurried to open the door and Leonard watched as Elizabeth stepped out first. Instantly he noticed the pinched expression of unhappiness on her face and he moved toward her as Frances flew from the inside of the carriage. She brushed past Herbert, who stood by expectantly, and threw herself into her father’s arms.
“Father, I want to go home!” she wailed. “There are bad people here!”
Confusion filled Leonard and he whirled to look back at Catherine who stood, shaking her head, her mouth pulled into a firm line.
“What happened?” Leonard demanded, looking from Elizabeth to his sister. Beside him, Percival echoed his question.
“What is the matter?”
“Bad women!” Frances declared. “BAD!”
Again, Leonard demanded an answer.
“Catherine, what occurred? Why are you all so upset?”
He noticed Catherine and Elizabeth exchanged a glance. Leonard almost did not see the slight shake of the head which Elizabeth gave her but Catherine ignored whatever signal the Viscount’s daughter was trying to send.
“I will tell you what the matter is,” Catherine snapped angrily. “Her name is Miss Priscilla Arquette.”
Chapter 14
Elizabeth had not wanted Catherine to tell her brother about the encounter in town. She wished for nothing more than to forget it had happened but she had not anticipated Frances being upset when they returned to Brookside.
When Leonard first learned about the incident, Elizabeth had seen a fire flame in his eyes but he was surprisingly calm when he spoke. And when he did speak, it was to calm Frances.
“Miss Follett, I understand why you are so distraught,” he told her, calmly escorting Frances through the manor and into the sitting room. He then requested that Beatrice fetch her warm milk. The rest of the household followed the pair inside, watching silently, as Frances continued to protest. Elizabeth felt a wave of pity for Herbert who stood by watching uncomfortably. She sensed he wanted to throw his arms around her panicked sister but dared not.
“She had terrible eyes and a shrill, high voice!” Frances wailed. “She told us we were going to pay! I haven’t any money!”
“There there,” the Duke told her soothingly and sat her on an elegant wing chair. “I know precisely who she is and I concur, she does sound quite frightful when she is upset. But you must know that you are under my protection in the duchy, Miss Follett. Do you understand what that means?”
Elizabeth was unsure Frances would be easily placated but to her amazement, France relaxed slightly and peered at the duke questioningly.
“That you will keep me safe?” she sniffled.
“Precisely!” Leonard agreed, smiling his charismatic grin. “I will not permit anything to happen to you or your family while you are here. Moreover, if you leave here, I will be insurmountably sad. You have only just arrived, after all.”
Frances regarded him uncertainly.
“But-- but what if she comes here?” she breathed. “What if she comes to follow through on her threat?”
“I would like to see her venture,” Catherine growled. Leonard shot her a reproving look.
“I promise you, Miss Follett, on my honor as a duke, you have nothing to fear from Miss Priscilla. Do you believe my word?”
Frances nodded slowly and looked to her father. His face was grim but he managed a small smile of comfort for her.
“Father, what say you?”
“I say we must trust a man when he gives us his word,” Percival offered smoothly and Elizabeth exhaled. She had not realized she had forgotten to breathe but she saw just how nervous she had been that her father might decide to return home. Frances’ well-being was paramount, after all and if she was in a state of frenzy, she would be impossible to comfort.
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