The Earl's Regret_Brides and Gentlemen

by Joyce Alec

  “You both will be all right here without me?”

  Her father smiled. “Of course. Perhaps I will take this chance to invite Mr. Trent and his family for a visit. Give Lily some friends to play with.”

  “That sounds brilliant!” Lily said, hopping up and down excitedly, grasping the arm of Madelene’s chair.

  “And then you will come for Christmas?” Madelene asked.

  Her father considered her words. “Well, I would be far happier spending Christmas with both of my children, and I dearly love your mother’s sister. Yes, I think that Lily and I will come and join you there, and we can all have Christmas together.”

  Lily squealed with happiness, crossing to her father and throwing her arms around him.

  And they all laughed as Mrs. Fields brought in the first tray of breakfast.

  2

  A Start of Something New

  Less than a week later, Madelene found herself in their carriage on her way to her aunt and uncle’s manor. She was beside herself with excitement; it had been almost five years since she had been there. She hadn’t even been out in society yet, and had traveled there with her mother. What she loved most, and what she looked forward to most, was the view of the mountains and the lake from their home.

  Her aunt and uncle were a very prominent family in society; her uncle was a baron, and a personal friend of several dukes. Her aunt was the most personable person she knew, and as such, had made many friends with the women of the upper class. She also had quite a skill with painting, and many people admired and requested her work.

  Madelene looked out on the countryside, nervously playing with her gloves. She wore the very best thing that she owned, which was nothing more than a gown she wore to her mother’s funeral. She knew that it wasn’t nearly formal enough for some of the dinners and parties she was sure to attend while staying with them, but she hoped that she and her cousin Julia were about the same size and that she would be kind enough to share some of her dresses.

  She was so very fond of her aunt and uncle. They doted on her and spoiled her, but that wasn’t why. They were some of the kindest, most generous, most loving people she had ever had the pleasure of knowing, and they got along like milk and honey. She felt as if she could not arrive soon enough.

  Lily had asked to join her several times, and she and her father had to explain to her that she had not been invited this time, and while she had a hard time understanding why that was important, she did not cause too much trouble. Mr. Blackmore felt as if she needed to remain at home in order to continue working on her studies. Madelene agreed, and she also felt that she could do with some alone time and have a chance to reconnect with herself.

  While life was not always busy, she felt very responsible for her little sister much of the time, as her father was always working. She felt that young Lily needed as much care and concern as possible at her age and wanted to ensure that she grew up to be as much of a perfect young lady as possible. Mrs. Rose was a wonderful governess as well, and Madelene was glad for her constant attention to Lily.

  Many people had asked Madelene when she would be married and even more were surprised that she had not been yet.

  Her answer was always the same; life had been too full of sorrow as of late to even consider investing herself in someone else.

  It had been three years since her mother’s death, and she felt as if she had finally made peace with it. Knowing how strong her mother’s faith, and the promises in Scripture, she was able to understand as best as she could that her mother’s time to be with the Lord had come, and she was in a far better place than she would be on earth.

  “Miss?” She heard from the footman. “We are within a few miles of our destination.”

  “Wonderful, thank you!” Madelene replied, smiling as she gazed out the window, hoping for that first glimpse of the much-beloved place.

  She did not have to wait long; the manor appeared nestled among some dense trees on the hill before her, and she felt herself grinning. She recognized the home as if it were her own, and she felt a weight that she was unaware she was carrying lift off of her shoulders.

  The footman brought the carriage up the long stone drive and pulled it right in front of the manor, the large statue of a lion standing nearby, protecting the family and displaying the family’s strength.

  “There she is!”

  Madelene looked up as the footman helped her from the carriage, and saw her Aunt Edith, her arms wide open, walking from the doorway to where she was.

  “Aunt Edith!” Madelene said, opening her own arms and embracing her aunt.

  “Oh, my heavens, my dear! How lovely you look!” Her aunt said as she pulled back from her, gazing at her.

  Madelene laughed. “Dear Aunt, it has only been a few months since I have seen you!”

  “And yet I think you have grown taller and even more beautiful than when I saw you then!”

  Madelene smiled.

  “Come in, come in, and get inside where it is warmer!”

  She bid the footman goodbye, and she proceeded indoors with her aunt.

  “Madelene!” She heard, and she saw a tall, slender, dark-haired girl on the other side of the room.

  “Julia!” Madelene replied, and the girls embraced.

  “I hoped you would arrive soon,” Julia said.

  “I did as well,” Madelene replied, laughing.

  After some brief conversations about general family matters, Julia and Aunt Edith lead Madelene to her room where she would be staying.

  “Here you are, just as you left it last!” said her aunt.

  And she was correct. A large oak four poster bed stood against one wall with the most pleasing quilt and overstuffed pillows. A dresser with the washing basin and a large mirror sat against the opposite wall, and two large windows flanked the sides of the room, open and drawing in a fresh breeze.

  “It’s just so lovely in here,” Madelene said.

  “Much more space than your room back home,” said Julia, smiling.

  “I do like that room, for it is my own,” said Madelene, “But the view from this room…oh, I miss this view when I am not here.”

  “Well, we hope that you will stay for as long as you would like,” said her aunt.

  “And you must stay long enough to go with us to the ball that we are having for my birthday!” said Julia, clasping her hands together excitedly. “Please, please, please!”

  “Julia, dear,” her aunt said, not unkindly.

  “A ball?” said Madelene, her face lighting up. “You mean before Christmas?”

  “December twenty-third, to be exact!”

  Madelene smiled widely. “Well, only if you will allow me to stay until then. Perhaps you will be entirely tired of me and will wish for me to be gone.”

  “Nonsense, you have already agreed to stay for Christmas!” said her aunt. “There would never come a time where we would wish for you to leave. In fact, you won’t visit often enough.”

  “And I’m sorry about that,” Madelene said. “Poor Lily is so young still, and –”

  “We understand, my dear. We just cherish you so and wish the distance wasn’t so great.”

  Madelene smiled.

  “Now,” said her aunt, clapping her hands together. “I have a gift for you.”

  “Oh, Aunt Edith,” Madelene said as she watched her aunt cross to the dresser in her room. “You don’t ever have to get me anything.”

  “Nonsense,” said Julia, sitting on the bench at the front of the bed. “You’ll like this. I picked it out!”

  Aunt Edith shot Julia a look. She pulled a beautiful evening dress out from the drawers, a dark red color with white lace cuffs and neckline. “We missed your birthday this year, so we wished to give you something nice like this to be able to wear for dinner this evening.”

  “Oh, are you having company this evening?”

  Aunt Edith smiled and nodded her head. “A man who your uncle has known for quite some time. He was dear
friends with his father, and he and Julia knew each other as children.”

  “Have I ever met the man?” Madelene asked as she gazed at the dress. She felt torn; it was a beautiful dress, more beautiful than any she had owned in quite a long time, but she felt as if it might be too nice for her to wear. She didn’t quite feel worthy enough to wear it.

  “I do not believe so,” said Aunt Edith. She looked at the dress and passed it to Madelene. “He’s quite the gentleman, an earl in fact.”

  “An earl?” she said, surprised. “My, your connections never cease to amaze me.”

  Her aunt shrugged her shoulders. “My dear, it is not the social status that matters to us! You know that.”

  “I do,” said Madelene. “But it is certainly impressive.”

  Her aunt smiled. “We are all equals in the eyes of the Lord, my dear,” she said, “God has blessed us greatly with many wonderful friends. Perhaps that is not how most people view it, but we do not see the difference.”

  “I admire your ability to perceive people so clearly,” Madelene said. “I wish my father was that way.”

  “Your father means well,” said her aunt. “He simply wishes for you and your sister to be well taken care of after, for he knows that he won’t be able to do the job forever.”

  Madelene looked down at the dress in her hands. She knew that her aunt was right; her father made no intent to hide his motives, the ones that hoped his daughters would marry far above their status. He had done much to mold and shape his daughters with the best governesses he could find, ones that would help them to develop the proper manners and skills to be the most desirable matches that they could be.

  She knew that he hoped against all hope that his eldest daughter would marry as soon as she was out in society, and that was two years ago.

  “So, do you like it?” Aunt Edith asked, and Julia smiled up at her from the bed.

  “What?” Madelene asked, looking up from the soft fabric of the dress.

  “The dress, dear child!” Aunt Edith replied, laughing.

  “Oh!” Madelene replied. “Aunt Edith, Julia, it’s just beautiful. I just…”

  “I do hope that you aren’t about to tell us that you won’t accept it,” Julia said, a wry smile on her face, brushing a fold in her own dress.

  Madelene blinked at the women. “I…well…”

  “Please, dear, do not think that we are trying to force anything on you. We just simply love you and wish to show it in any way we can. You are here for some rest and relaxation. Do allow us to take care of you while you are staying with us.”

  Madelene felt her eyes swell with tears. What wonderful and powerful words her aunt said. She felt so unworthy. Unable to say anything, she crossed the space between her and her aunt and threw her arms around her shoulders, holding her close.

  She squeezed her, and her aunt held her in return.

  “Thank you,” Madelene said.

  “You are quite welcome, dear.”

  3

  dinner and Delicacies

  “Good evening, Lord Langley,” Uncle Matthew said as he bowed his head to the tall gentleman that had walked through the doors.

  “Good evening, Lord Barrington,” the man replied.

  Madelene watched him from the other side of the foyer as she stood beside Julia. He wore a tall hat and a coat of deep forest green. He had dark hair like a raven, a straight, pointed nose, and narrow, sharp eyes of brightest green. She assumed the jacket only accentuated them.

  “He’s quite handsome, is he not?” Julia whispered to Madelene, gently touching the elbow of her dress.

  Madelene shifted in the dress; it was a lovely material, yet she felt out of place wearing it. She had never worn something so nice, and she felt as if she stood out from the rest of her family.

  “Is something the matter?” Julia asked, noticing her cousin continually pulling at her sleeves.

  “Oh, no, I’m quite fine,” Madelene said.

  “Here,” said Julia, and she deftly straightened some fabric on the back of her dress. Immediately, the fabric loosened and fit her form as if it was made for her.

  “Thank you,” Madelene breathed. “I am not sure what you just did, but –”

  “A piece of the ribbon in the back was twisted and taut. It happens to me all the time.”

  Madelene grinned at her.

  “And how is my friend doing this evening?”

  Madelene and Julia looked up to see Lord Langley standing before them.

  Julia smiled a languid smile at him, dipping her head. “Lord Langley, what a pleasure it is to have you in our home this evening.”

  “Ah, the pleasure is all mine, dear friend,” he replied, a small smile on his face.

  Now that he was so close, Madelene was able to study his features. He had a strong, pointed chin and high cheekbones. His brow was wide, and as he stood before them, she saw a twinkle of something she could not identify in his eyes.

  “Lord Langley, may I introduce Miss Madelene Blackmore, my dear niece, daughter of my wife’s sister.”

  “Blackmore, you say? Mr. Blackmore the doctor?”

  “The very same!” Madelene replied.

  Lord Langley looked at her in the face, and she found her heart pounding in her chest. She was unsure the last time she had ever been in the presence of someone in such high social standing, and she knew that he was aware of her status simply by her Uncle’s introduction. He searched her face, his eyes narrow.

  “Well, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Lord Langley said, bowing his head to her.

  “Oh, it is a pleasure to meet you as well, Lord Langley.” She hesitated for a moment, and then wished to disappear into the walls from shame before she bowed to him in return.

  “Right this way, Lord Langley, we have tea in the drawing room waiting for you.”

  He paused for a moment before following her uncle, watching Madelene’s face. It appeared he was looking for something. When he did not find it, he simply removed his hat and turned away from her without another word.

  Julia and Madelene exchanged glances when he stepped away from them.

  “How very strange,” Julia said rather quietly.

  “What is strange?” Madelene asked, looking over at her cousin.

  “Lord Langley is always quite a pleasant gentleman. I have never seen him quite so…curt before. It was just strange.”

  “Is it something I said?” Madelene asked nervously. The absolute last thing she wished to do was do anything to offend her aunt and uncle’s friend.

  “I highly doubt that,” she said.

  Madelene swallowed nervously.

  “Come,” said Julia. “Let’s not keep them waiting.”

  Madelene spent the next hour or so catching glances from the tall Lord Langley. He didn’t direct any of the conversation in her direction, and Madelene didn’t engage in any of it. She simply sat and listened, and continually noticed his looks in her direction.

  She wished to question the man. Perhaps there was something on her face? Was her dress ill-fitting? Was her silence offending him?

  “Lord Langley, you must tell me how your mother is,” Aunt Edith said as they sat down to dinner.

  Lord Langley dabbed his mouth with his napkin before smiling at her. “Quite well, Lady Barrington. She has suffered with a cold for the last week or so, but she has valiantly fought through it. She hopes to be better by Christmas.”

  “That is wonderful to hear,” Aunt Edith said, a wide smile on her face.

  “And your brother?” Uncle Matthew asked.

  “Fine as well. His wife is due with their first child within the next three months.”

  “Oh, she must be delighted,” Aunt Edith said.

  “Indeed. My mother is continually asking me why I have not yet had the same joy as my brother, being married and with child.”

  “Well, why is that?” Uncle Matthew said. “You are such an amiable gentleman, and quite handsome. Surely some lady has caught your eye.
”

  Lord Langley glanced down the table at Madelene, and quickly moved his eyes across Julia and Aunt Edith and Uncle Matthew, but Madelene had the sneaking suspicion that he didn’t want to be seen looking so plainly at her.

  “Not yet, Lord Barrington, not yet. Much to my mother’s dismay. I have yet to find a lady of the caliber that I expect in a wife. My brother was quite fortunate to find such a woman.” He took a draw from his wine glass before looking back down the table. “I do not intend to offend the present company, of course. I am certain that you ladies have all of the adequate skills to please a man.”

  Julia smiled at him.

  “Quite right they do,” said Uncle Matthew, though he was clearly not troubled by Lord Langley’s words. “Our Julia learned the piano forte at an age far younger than most young ladies. And she speaks fluent French, Italian, and even some German.”

  “Vast accomplishments, I am aware,” Lord Langley said. “I remember she was far more accomplished than I in many ways when we were but children.”

  Julia grinned at him in a way that Madelene assumed she had done many times as a child.

  “And not only her, but Miss Madelene is also quite accomplished. Her father has seen to it that she had one of the most prestigious governesses teaching her from a very young age. There are few ladies in society who would be her equal in terms of education and elegance.”

  “Indeed?” Lord Langley said, dropping his gaze to his glass.

  “Oh, yes,” said Aunt Edith, smiling down the table at Madelene. “She is quite adept at sewing, as well as riding a horse.”

  “Truly?” Lord Langley replied, yet his gaze would not meet hers.

  How very strange, she thought, that he spent so much time in the drawing room watching her, and now as he was doing everything he could to avoid looking at her.

  “And, her biggest accomplishment, but perhaps not in her mind, is that she writes beautiful poetry.”

  Madelene felt her face flush. How long had it been since she had shared her writing with her aunt and uncle?

  She noticed Julia’s smile out of the corner of her eye, and turned to look at her. It became apparent; all of the poems she had shared with her cousin had apparently been shared with the entire family.