Fate Is A Stranger: Regency Romance (10 page)

"Well, certainly, always glad to help a lady out," said Lord Kelly. "What say you, my dear?" he asked Sadie. He did not like the look of Viscount Souten, but he could not appear inhospitable to a fellow peer and traveler.

"We would be glad to be of assistance to Lady de Compte," said Sadie. And where is she at present?"

Souten turned and walked back a few spaces. He then assisted Lady de Compte out of their carriage and walked back with her to Lord Kelly's carriage.

"Here she is, my lady. Come, Vera. What a happy occasion, that you already know these good people. They have generously offered to take you and your maid to the castle with them. Are you not lucky?"

"I am," agreed Lady de Compte with wide smile. "I am most lucky in having met my dear friend, Sadie, on the road, and her lovely daughter Violet. Lord Kelly," she said, turning to Lord Kelly, "A pleasure to see you again. Have you had a good journey so far?"

"Yes, we have, my lady. Ah—here is Lady Kelly and my daughter, Violet."

Lady de Compte greeted Violet.

"My dears," said Lady de Compte, "If one is to be stranded on the road, one cannot wish for better company than yours. I had become saddened by our accident but now I am all smiles."

Once Lady de Compte's maid had been settled in the other carriage and they had bid farewell to Souten, the travelers resumed their journey.

Violet noticed that Lady de Compte was the picture of discretion. She did not talk overmuch, only a bit of small talk and she appeared to realize that after the meal both the ladies and Lord Kelly were drowsy and desired rest. After she thanked them for their generosity in allowing her to invade their privacy, she took up her correspondence case and busied herself with her letters for a couple of hours.

But once she had seen that the ladies had taken their fill of sleep and were rested and desirous of talk, she spoke quietly and pleasingly and always flatteringly, especially toward Sadie.

Violet could see that Lady De Compte was anxious to secure her mother as a friend and she wondered why. It was not often that a lady of the nobility reached out to them.

* * *

Lady De Compte was glad that she was making great inroads toward securing Sadie as a friend. Arranging matters so that she would be making a stretch of the journey with Lord Kelly and his family had been her idea. Souten had expressed admiration at her clever idea when she related her plan to him. He even admitted that arranging to appear to be a lady in distress due to a carriage mishap and asking Lord Kelly if she could continue on to the castle in the Kelly carriage was a clever plan by half.

She realized though, that although Lady Kelly was easy to maneuver, Violet was an altogether different proposition. There seemed to be a wall around Violet that would be difficult of not impossible to overcome.

Vera wondered how a person so young could be so skilled in erecting such a sturdy fence where no one could even peek through. It was a challenge, but she had enough trust in herself to be able to overcome it. She
must
,
for a lot depended on her scaling that wall around Violet.

"My dear, you have the most astounding blue eyes," she said to Violet, because from experience she knew that flattery opened even the iciest of doors. "It's a wonder men don't just sit and stare at you," she added.

"How well do you know the Duke of Hawkinston, my lady?" asked Violet, ignoring the compliment, which took Vera De Compte aback. Well, thought Vera, The girl must be used to such compliments and become adept at evading any kind of remark in reference to her looks.

It became quite obvious to Vera from their discourse that Violet never answered any questions posed to her. She was adept at turning a phrase so that she did not reply to questions she did not feel like answering.

* * *

Violet turned away from Lady De Compte and gazed out the window again, glad that the lady had given up on complimenting her and spoke now with her mother.

Violet was convinced that beauty was fleeting and to grasp onto such things as the pleasing shape of eyes or lashes was as useless as grasping water in one's hands. It would all pass. Eyes that were smooth around the corners would grow wrinkles eventually and skin that was as smooth as the petal of a rose would keep such a bloom only for a few years. What was inside was what counted.

As a little girl, Violet loved to rub her face against the cool petal smooth skin of her mother's face. As she grew up she realized that although Sadie's skin was now lined with fine wrinkles, to her it was the same as it had always been because it was what was
behind
Sadie's face that counted, the love and warmth toward her that was always there.

Violet was brought back to the conversation with their traveling guest when her mother answered a question posed to her.

"The duke?" Well I met him last winter," replied Lady de Compte. "Quite an imposing man, do you not think so, my dear?" she asked Violet.

"Do you know him well?" asked Vera, directing her question to Sadie."

"Just what we saw of him at the musicale at our house. That was the only time we have come into contact with his grace.

They finally arrived at Castle Cynweir.

CHAPTER 10

"Part of the keep is inside that rocky hill, Miss Durbin. It was where my ancestors retreated when things got a bit hot."

"Your grace!" Violet was startled by the duke's voice behind her.

She and her family as well as Lady de Compte had arrived an hour before and been formally met at the castle by the duke and his sister and brother-in-law at the same time as a group of other travelers.

After being shown their rooms, Violet left her mother and the rest to their unpacking and slipped away to be alone.

She had found a stone stair after being directed there by a footman and she was gazing at the fortress walls of the back part of the castle where Hawkinston had found her.

"I imagine things got a bit hot very often," said Violet with a smile. This castle dates back to the 15
th
Century, does it not?"

"Yes. Very accurate, Miss Durbin. Fourteen-eighty three, to be exact, and though parts of it have been added through the decades, it is still very much the style of the crusader tradition, at least the main building and the keep and fore building. Even the grounds around are the original bailey.

"Not much has changed in the ensuing centuries, except that most of the fortifications around the bailey are gone, except for the north wall that I am certain you saw from the road. It is there that we will hold a picnic in the next few days, Miss Durbin, if old castle fortifications interest you."

"England's history interests me, your grace, as does world history in general. It is endlessly fascinating."

"Then you must have been enthralled by our recent history with France. Although perhaps history so close to one and so bloody may not be to your liking."

"I was a child during the war, but I could well feel the effect of the war years on my mother and those close to us. Yes, it is a lot different to live during a war as it happens. You mentioned before that you participated in the events that involved our nation. Was your participation as an officer?"

"Yes, I fought in the war. I also participated in other ways such as policy and diplomacy. Thankfully, it is now behind us and Napoleon safely tucked away where he does no harm.

"But I have come out to inform you that afternoon tea is now waiting, Miss Durbin. I imagine your journey, however much it was done in a comfortable coach, must have left you tired and wanting your tea. Shall we?"

"You have beautiful gardens."

"In the ensuing days I hope you will allow me to show them to you."

"That would be nice," said Violet politely as she was led to a long and imposing drawing room where many people had gathered.

Immediately several people broke away from the groups they formed and came to greet the duke. Violet took advantage of the duke's distraction to slip away from him. She joined her mother and father who were sitting by themselves balancing cups of tea and cakes in small plates and chatting with Lady Bea.

"So many people," said Sadie. "And I thought this was to be a small gathering. Why, there must be at least two dozen people in this room alone and many continue to arrive."

"From what I gather the duke wants to have at least two balls," said Lord Kelly, "so that may be the reason for such a large house party."

"Oh, my dear," said Lady de Compte, as she reached them and pressed Sadie's arm, companionably. "I cannot begin to express my admiration at our rooms. Such luxury and such regal hospitality."

"Yes," said Lord Kelly, glancing briefly at Lady de Compte, "One cannot but observe that everything has been thought of for the guests' comfort."

"Who is that, my dear Lady Kelly?"

"Who is who?" asked Sadie, trying not to frown. She was beginning to resent Lady de Compte's intrusion into their privacy.

"That's Countess Maddington and her daughter, Lady Galena," answered Lord Kelly when Sadie looked puzzled. "They are from the north and have come to participate in the Season. I met the Earl of Maddington at White's yesterday. He has a sweet mare I want to buy for Violet."

"The girl is pretty, in a confection sort of way," observed Lady de Compte. "What a divine dress,” she added. “If she wears such a dream of a gown to a mere tea, I can’t wait to see what she will wear to the ball tomorrow."

"She will catch her death of a cold in that filmy dress," said Lady Bea, who was dressed to the nines in bottle green embroidered silk and a deep velvet overskirt that split on the middle with rows of buttons on the sides.

* * *

"What is so important that you should pull me away from the guests," asked Souten of Lady de Compte in the garden where she had asked to meet him.

"It is about Lady Galena."

"Lady Galena? I don’t know her."

"She will be of interest to you, I’m certain, Cade," expressed Vera excitedly, "for I believe she can be of use to us."

"In what way?"

"You will hardly believe this, Cade, the girl has set her cap on marrying Hawkinston. Can you fathom that? As though it were as easy as buying a length of silk."

"How did you come upon this knowledge, Vera?"

"Pure luck, I hazard to say. Well, rather," amended Lady de Compte, as she recalled that her remuneration from Souten would be directly tied to the information she obtained. "I believe my 'feelers' have begun to bear fruit. This girl, Lady Galena, has one aim in mind, and that is, to marry the duke. After finding this out, I observed her every action and so came upon this knowledge."

Vera had fallen on this information purely by chance when she overheard a conversation between Lady Galena and her mother in which Lady Galena reiterated her objective, which was to marry Hawkinston.

"I believe we might have an ally in Lady Galena, Cade, though she does not yet know it," Lady de Compte expressed with satisfaction.

"You might be right," agreed Souten. "To have a chit like Lady Galena working on our side will be of great help. She can get into places where we cannot."

Lady de Compte had rarely had such a thoroughly satisfying day as this one and she was basking in it, taking delicate sips of wine as she reveled in her triumph. Her mind was churning now, preparing ways to approach Lady Galena and convert her to their side. It could not be too difficult, she thought, for Lady Galena appeared to be a selfish, egotistical kind of girl, the kind that would succumb to flattery.

* * *

"Uncle Perry," said Jared to his guardian, bursting in on him in his private chambers as the duke was engaged in his toilette, "I have heard the most unnerving piece of gossip that surely must be countered by you."

"And that is?" asked the duke as his cravat was being tied by his valet.

"That you have made this house party purely to convince Violet into becoming your mistress!"

"And of course you believed it."

"I’m asking you to contradict it, sir. If you say it's not true, of course I shall believe you. I have not, in the course of the year, heard anything that can challenge such an outlandish piece of news!"

"And what will you do if I contradict it, take it as a license to pursue Violet during this house party?"

"Well…and what if I do, Uncle Perry?"

"Then perhaps it is better not to contradict the general belief," His uncle smiled broadly. "As you well know, I don’t approve of you chasing that girl. You had best court young debutantes from good families, for I will never agree to an alliance between you and Violet and that surely is where your ardor toward her is headed."

"It’s true, then," said Jared, his face falling. "The gossip was the truth."

"Do you always take gossip as truth?"

"No—" A ray of hope lit Jared's eyes. "It's only gossip then, Uncle?"

"You should concentrate on the hunt and ball tomorrow and leave off singling out young ladies that are inadequate for you, as I have pointed out to you several times," said the duke, evading Jared's question. "In fact, I have invited several girls who have my complete approval.

"But you're very young and shouldn't yet saddle yourself to a wife and nursery. There will be time enough for that."

"I will certainly take your advice if it’s Lady Galena you have lined up as a matrimonial prospect for me, Uncle Perry, for I ran into her carriage on the way here and a more devious piece of work I have yet to see. She looks over my head and straight at you, in case you haven't noticed. I believe she considers my title a pittance compared to yours."

"I hope you are not becoming a cynic at so young an age, Jared," said his uncle with a rare laugh. "And as for Lady Galena, she is a comely young girl and I don't believe what you say, that she cannot look below a duke."

"Not any duke, Uncle Perry,
you.
"

"I shall take that as a compliment, then," said Hawk, "and now be off to your own toilette, Jared, for you look scruffy."

* * *

"You have never looked lovelier, my sweet." Sadie gazed dreamily at Violet's sea foam ball gown that Violet was trying on for the ball and her eyes filled with tears of love. Sadie again wondered at the startling blue eyes that were always a surprise, no matter that she had gazed at them since the day Violet was born.

"I’m not looking forward to this night, Mama," said Violet. "I love the dance part of it, but I believe it will be made uncomfortable by the duke's pursuit of me."

"Has he asked for any of the dances?"

"Four. That alone gives him away. He would never dare ask for more than two dances of any other girl. It is because he considers me damaged goods."

"Four dances go by, they only last a few minutes each, Vi," said Sadie wisely. "Go through them and come out of them and that's that. It is silly to get yourself in a froth over it. Besides, you can enjoy your dances, as they are in a huge crowd of people, are they not?"

"Yes, you are right. I'm getting upset over nothing."

"Oh, by the way, Lady de Compte has asked to meet us in the garden, Vi. She wants you to meet with Lord Souten for a few minutes. You remember that we met him on the road?"

Violet frowned. "I met him before that, in London, Jessie introduced us. And have seen him at various functions."

Violet recalled that day at Hyde Park when she and Lady Jessica had encountered Lord Souten.

They had seen Lord Souten a few more times in London. As the meetings increased in number, Violet was certain none of those times had been by chance. She could tell Souten was becoming obsessed with her and it scared her.

"I believe he, too, is planning to request a few dances from you, in advance of the ball tonight," said Sadie.

"Lord Souten is not a man I look forward to dancing with, Mama."

"You seem uneasy about him, dear. How well do you know him?"

"I have run into him on several occasions since Jessie introduced us. He makes me extremely uncomfortable and seems always on the verge of declaring his love to me. He is a strange man and I wish you had asked me before you agreed to meet with him and Lady de Compte, Mama.

"And why is a meeting necessary to ask me for a dance?"

"Lady de Compte says her friend is afraid you might reject his request if it is made in a more secluded atmosphere," said Sadie, and added with a worried frown, "I'm sorry, Vi, had I known how you felt about Lord Souten I would have made our excuses. But now we cannot decline, it is almost eleven."

"It's all right, Mama, don’t fret over it."

"But Vi, if he makes you so uncomfortable, how are you going to agree to dance with him?"

"He stares at me, Mama. I often see him looking fixedly at me at the few dances I have gone to. I shall agree to one dance, only. That dance will seem very long, compared to a dance with Jared that just flits by."

"Now that I recall, Lord Souten is strange," said Sadie, "Yet Lady de Compte assures me he is a warm, tender man who only looks unusual."

"Where did Lady de Compte want us to meet her in the garden, Mama?" Violet wanted the meeting done with as soon as possible.

"By the second fountain. It is nearing the hour, so perhaps it is better if you don your bottle green Levantine. And take your wool shawl too, for it will still be chilly in the garden, even though the sun seems to be peeping out behind the clouds."

"Yes, that green dress will be warm enough, and my half boots. What think you, Mama? I cannot wait to have an occasion to wear my new acquisition."

"A perfect choice, my dear," agreed Sadie, "That way your feet will also be warm. Perhaps your pelisse would be warmer, "for the dress is thick and warm."

Sadie bundled up in not only her heavy broadcloth cloak but also warm woolen clothing beneath. She wasn't taking any chances with her cold.

The ladies exclaimed at the sun coming out in full view as they strolled in the scented garden. They admired the artfully arranged beds of gladiolas and daffodils and walked between banks of daisies and colorful primroses, lilac and tulips.