It was beautiful.
As simple as that.
The high ceiling, the elegant, unpretentious furnishings that bespoke their owner's taste, the tall windows which provided such spectacular views over the gardens and beyond - Judith could have easily felt inclined to forget where she found herself and simply spend an hour or more in contemplation of what she had found upon her arrival.
And yet - she should not have come.
Having sought out her parent - and unearthing the same in his library, in the process of raising a pen so as to introduce it to a small pool of ink - she had, in what she had hoped to have been calm resolution, sought to convince Sir John that she should be excused from the projected sojourn at that noble seat, having had no notion until that moment that it should be taking place at all. And that, given the short duration between then and their proposed departure, she should hardly have been left the time to see to the necessary preparations and thus be unable to join her brother at the appointed day. Moreover, she had understood that they were to remain in Bath for Christmas, and, if her father's preferences should have lain with a more secluded location during the festivities, she should have been only too happy to return to Allington at his convenience.
Sir John had listened to his daughter's effusive ramblings with marked patience, only laying down his pen once he had established that her fountain of reasoning had come to an end.
"I must confess myself to be somewhat bewildered, my dear. Naturally it warms my heart to hear that you have not forgotten my abhorrence of the delights this season generally showers one with at this fashionable resort, however - " He had raised a speaking brow - "- I have always flattered myself with the knowledge that you take considerable less interest in the struggle that appears to be the consideration of which gowns may be suitable - or not, and whether one should bring the blue bonnet with the pink sash; or the purple confection with the orange ribbons." His brow had momentarily furrowed. "Do you own a purple bonnet?"
Judith had been pressed to confess that she did not.
"Thank goodness!" Sir John seemed to feel freed of a heavy burden on his existence. "Then I am convinced you shall find it no trouble at all to manage the remaining necessities. You may always apply to your brother. He appears to have an eye for such frivolities."
"Papa -"
There had been a note of entreat in her voice.
Sir John had looked up again, a crease appearing on his forehead at his daughter's obvious discomfiture. He was not one to mince his words.
"Is there anything in the invitation that makes you apprehensive, Judith?"
Judith had flushed a little at the directness of the enquiry. Oh, but what was she to have said to that - that her sole motivation had been based on the knowledge that she should be forced to appear indifferent to -
She had shaken her head, her tone somewhat calmer as she had answered her father.
"No, sir. I feel all the honour of having been included in it." She had sought refuge in absurdity. "His Grace does not take lightly to these particular ordeals, I think."
Sir John had slowly nodded his head, his gaze resting on his daughter for a moment longer. Then his brows had lifted.
"Then we may only hope that your brother's effusions shall not tempt him into further repugnance."
It had been with a mixture of dread and curiosity that Judith had looked out of the carriage window as they had turned into the drive that led up to the house.
It had almost taken her breath away.
That it should be of generous proportions had been an automatic conclusion, but - it was more than that.
That His Grace was in the possession of a great fortune and quite a number of estates, amongst other impressionable information, had, for a great many years hence, been circulating between the disinterested ears of many a hopeful mother - and Judith, though certainly not blind to his faults, had found herself in sympathy with him at the knowledge that his position in Society should have made him the automatic prey of the same, their slightly more practical spouses, and their aspiring daughters. She could not blame him for a certain aloofness in his general demeanour; having, from the moment she had made her debut - and the rumour of her own rather more than respectable fortune having reached the Ton's ears - felt herself exposed to a similarly ridiculous pattern.
She, at least, had the protection of her father and - Judith shook her head in silent amusement - an even more decidedly dedicated sibling. He had had to build up his own defences. Not that she had ever doubted for a moment that he was not apt to adopt the adequate measures upon provocation - and, indeed, had been witness to the precise execution of the same at one time - but to be merely, or to a very great extent, put on an imaginary pedestal by the automatic conclusion that one so smiled upon by fate should be all that was Perfection was as tiresome as it was offensive. And no matter the current circumstances - she knew him to be possessed of so much more.
It was to be hoped, she reflected, as the carriage drew up in the forecourt, that her ladyship knew how fortunate she had been to have gained his -
But it did not signify.
"Not here? What do you mean not here?"
Lady Harriet, much to her expectation - and silent misgiving at her odious cousin's correct anticipation - found herself under the displeased scrutiny of her maternal grandmother.
Fixing a charming smile on her face, she proceeded to kiss a wrinkled cheek.
"I am very happy to see you, too, ma´am."
The Dowager pursed her lips.
"You are, are you? We shall see about that -" She condescended to be guided inside by her subsidiary hostess. "Still unmarried?"
Lady Harriet simply flexed her shoulders in reply.
"I wonder at the Earl. One should assume that he would take the trouble to see that a suitable candidate will come up to scratch!"
"You must not blame Papa, madam", Lady Harriet replied, with a refreshingly unperturbed expression on her face. "He has done his best, I assure you. Only - and I am inclined to think, by this time, that it may run through the female line - I appear to be in the possession of such a trait of stubbornness so as to render him quite despaired on that head."
Her Grace favoured her granddaughter with a piercing glare.
"One, I hope, that will prove to be amendable!"
Lady Harriet sighed almost a little wistfully as they proceeded into the hall.
"Oh, I do hope so, too."
"As to that, my dear -" The Dowager tapped her aristocratic nose - "- I must remain silent. But -" She leaned back into her pillows, closing her eyes briefly - the subsequent promise, however, clearly stated in the military - and an impartial observer might be pardoned for considering them that - a little roguishly, sparkling eyes as they opened again -" we may abuse him at our leisure once he comes."
Judith shook her head with a smile and -
"Thank you, I have been forewarned. I trust Miss Heeley will have the sense to restrict you in your exertions!"
Judith had been conscious of two conflicting emotions in her breast the previous day.
A curious mixture of relief - and disappointment.
Much to the efforts - although, in as such, it was rather debatable whether the gentleman should have considered them that - of her brother, conversation at the dinner table had been onflowing despite the continuous absence of their host the previous evening.
Lady Harriet had apprised the Allingtons of his absence upon their arrival; unforeseen estate business had called him away, she had explained, and he had sent word that his return should be postponed even further, stating no specific time.
Not all of the guests had yet arrived and so those who found themselves descending the grand staircase for dinner were able to expect it to be a rather more intimate affair.
The Dowager, at first - or so it had appeared - in her element as a nominal hostess (Lady Harriet had willingly conceded that post to her grandmother; not that the old lady should have brooked any opposition), had taken to her room shortly after the gentlemen had returned from their ports, the exertion of the journey having taken its toll on her eventually.
Nevertheless, Judith, if a little surprised at the arrangement, had initially found herself seated to her right at the table, and thereby her attention focused on her own person during most of Her Grace's presence that night.
She had instantly recognised in her the lady who had inspected her with such scrutiny the evening of Lady Worthing's dinner party some weeks before. She had also sensed a certain curiosity in her person, but had quickly surmised, having learned of her connection to their absent host, that it must have been rooted in her unguarded response to the elaborations of My Lady Clifton that night.
And indeed -
"Miss Allington!" Judith had turned her head with a smile. "Have you anything to say on the matter of an afflicted grandmother's woes in connection with the gross negligence of her estimable person on her beloved grandson's part?"
Judith, though at first a little startled by the unexpected enquiry, had been quick to detect the twinkle in the still strikingly blue eyes.
"Only that she may likely seek consolation in the conviction that it cannot have been of her own instigation, ma´am."
The Dowager's lips twitched, before she responded in a regal tone.
"Indeed. I shall venture to put it before him. When he comes. If -" The thin brows had furrowed in mild disapprobation. "- he should deign to return. One never knows with him."
Judith was not able to resist to -
"I understand that His Grace has been detained by business, madam?"
"Business! Well, if that is what you wish to call it -"Judith's heart had sunk a little. "I, Miss Allington -", the old lady went on in a more resigned tone, "- should have called it", she heaved a speaking sigh - "- obstinacy."
It was impossible not to laugh.
"I hear your flatterer of a brother there -" The Dowager, apparently pleased with her success, had let her gaze travel to where Mr Allington appeared to be deep in conversation with her ladyship - or rather, attempting to induce the lady to show herself a little more responsive to his charm; and, judging by the mounting crease on his forehead, the success thus far had been, in itself, rather debatable -" - is a friend of Aldworth´s?"
Judith replied in the affirmative.
"I see." The frown lifted. "Well -" She had adopted a more prosaic approach once more. "It need not concern us, after all." Then - "How do you like my grandson?"
Judith could only thank the happy coincidence that she had just been raising her glass to her lips so as to enable her to strive for an appearance of composure at this unexpected query. That her cheeks might, perhaps, have adopted a little rosier hue could just as easily have been attributed to the heat in the room, she reflected in a somewhat hopeful attempt at reason.
It had, however, escaped her notice that a pair of appraising blue eyes had fixed themselves on her face during that moment of contemplation.
"No, I pray you will not tell me -", the Dowager suddenly continued, in a despairing voice, "- I can see how it is!"
Judith's eyes flew to the lined face.
"Your Grace, I -"
The old lady patted her hand appeasingly.
"I have endured it for more than thirty years."
Momentarily taken aback - a bubble of laughter had eventually risen within Judith at the resigned expression on the old lady's face, the thin brows raised to exaggerated heights.
Her Grace then straightened in her seat, adjusting her cap.
"Yes. Now - dessert!" A speaking glance at a by standing footman, then - "Well, at least he did remember -"
The old lady, unashamedly, helped herself to a larger quantity of a decidedly chocolaty tart....
The newcomer had walked up to where Hr Grace had been holding court in adequate style, by no acquiescence of her own, as she was later to vehemently stress, an ungloved hand uncompromisingly positioning itself on the wrinkled forehead. The frown that had appeared with him deepened.
The old lady eyed her grandson disparagingly.
"So! You finally deigned to return. If I had only known one need merely lie at death's door in order for you to show yourself so condescending so as to pay one a visit, why, almost I might have been tempted to consider adopting this happy state some twenty years back!"
"At which time you should have found yourself at the mercy of my tutors", came the unmoved reply. The Duke had possessed himself of her hand. "How are you feeling?"
The Dowager had worked herself into a mild rage.
"How do you think I should be feeling? Next they shall cocoon me and lie me up for preservation! Only Miss Allington here -" She smiled somewhat conciliatory towards where Judith had been sitting - "- has had the sense not to attempt to suffocate me with -" The agitation came back at the recollection of her ordeal - "- advice!"
The Duke had turned his head quickly at this communication, surprise clearly written on his face at finding Judith before an armchair, a book half-opened in one hand; in a simple white muslin dress, adorned with a blue sash that matched her eyes.
If her presence in his grandmother's chamber had momentarily startled him, and she had no doubt that he had not expected to find her within its walls - it had been largely the same for Judith.
That he was to be expected back at his own home was, naturally, well, only natural - especially as he was acting as their host for some weeks - but to have him stride in so unceremoniously; clearly having only just arrived, his greatcoat swaying in his stride, his dark hair slightly dishevelled, the high cheekbones a little red from the cold - well, it would have taken a stronger woman than her not to be shaken in her preconceptions.
If she had thought him handsome before -
It was a good thing, she reflected in a mild panic, that he had not lost any of his overbearance. She could always cling to that.
Judith curtseyed.
"Your Grace."
"Do not spoil him with your pretty manners, my dear", the Dowager advised her young companion from between her pillows, as merely a curt bow was forthcoming at her greeting "- he had much better beg your pardon - and mine! - for disrupting our cosy respite so unashamedly! We should have done very well without you a little while longer, Aldworth -", she informed her grandson, reaching up to attach her fetching cap a little more firmly, "- but since you are here now, I beg you will relieve Miss Allington of her tedious duty. She must have been long wishing herself at Jericho." The old lady tugged at the bell and - "Ah. Heeley, you may extract yourself from your huffiness - my grandson has remembered his duty!" Favouring Judith with a kinder smile, she lowered her voice once more, sinking back into the aforementioned objects. "Aldworth will escort you to your room, my dear. You are much too young to be wasting your time and leisure with an old invalid such as myself."
In horrible confusion, Judith strove to assure the elder woman that she should be happy to remain at her post for as long as her presence was needed.
"Nonsense, you had much better go and have a little rest yourself. Or I shall have your father to contend with, and I do not think I am feeling quite up to the task." The Dowager mercilessly ignored the narrowing of her grandson's eyes at this wonderful display of well-timed fragility. "I do believe I shall be well enough to come down for dinner tonight. Heeley will attend me."
There was nothing but for Judith to pass through the door, which the Duke held open for her, murmuring her thanks in passing, not daring to raise her eyes to his.
The silence between them was unbearable.
That he should not feel inclined to shower her with pleasantries, given their last parting, did not surprise Judith, but - they must speak. At one point. Or else it should be a long, long array of weeks. Endeavouring to unearth a simple, nondescript topic, however, seemed quite an impossible task. Lest she should be tempted to -
"I trust you had an agreeable journey, madam?"
Judith resisted the urge to give in to hysterics. And not only because she had no high opinion of those who had made them their chief pastime.
Next they would be talking of the weather. On second thought, it seemed to be the only subject suited to her current frame of mind.
"Oh - yes. Thank you."
They walked on in silence.
She had been given a short tour of the house by his housekeeper, but realised it had only provided her with a small inkling of how great its proportions were. And she really could not ask to stop and admire some of the paintings that might otherwise have caught her fancy, and thereby seek refuge in numbers. Or rather - ancestry.
He had not even offered his arm.
Judith gave an inward sigh. Perhaps it was for the best. She could not avoid it forever - not when they were to be in each other's company for a good many days yet.
Striving to sound her usual calm self, she eventually raised her face to his.
"Please accept my sincere congratulations, sir."
The dark head turned, the expression unreadable.
"I must beg for your indulgence, madam. Gratified as I must consider myself for the sentiment -", the Duke went on,"- what am I held to have done to deserve the implication?"
"Oh, I beg your pardon. I meant your marriage, of course", she offered with what she hoped to be a creditable smile, quite belying her agitated state of mind. "We understood that Lady Mary had returned to London to prepare for the festivities."
The expression had not changed.
"And what, Miss Allington, do you imagine this occurrence to have to do with me?"
The dispassionate tone somewhat bewildered Judith. She knitted her brow.
"Everything - I should think!"
She found the intense gaze fixed on her face, causing her cheeks to flush a little. Perhaps she had been too forward. After all, it really was not any of her business. Almost she felt like one of the horrible Bath -
"Let us understand one another, madam." The low voice shook her from her jumbled train of thoughts. "I apprehend that you have put it into your head that an understanding exists between myself and Lady Mary Trevellyan?"
Oh, must he make it so difficult -
"Of course. I -" A horrible notion suddenly grew within her. No. Surely she could not have been so - but then -. She shook her head, almost fearful to proceed. "She, that is - you are not - ?"
They had paused at her door, merely inches from each other.
The Duke seemed to study her in great deliberation, causing her cheeks to flush even further. Then -
"No, Miss Allington - I am not."
The Duke stood before a mirror, his hands firmly fixed on the table at both its sides, the expression on his face one of mingled wrath.
Having - to that gentleman's mild, if by that time, almost apprehended, consternation - dispensed with the services of his valet, His Grace of Aldworth had unceremoniously extracted himself from his travelling gear - and any living proof of the state of the roads on route to his ancestral seat, which he had had the unspeakable misfortune of being forced to undertake his journey on, in such abominable conditions so as to inspire in him the very pressing need to consign their tremendously retarded accumulation of architects to the devil.
That she should dare -
If Miss Allington saw fit to reject his offer, she was to be mistaken if she had hoped that he should retire from the field in abject dejection.
His proposal had been all that was honourable - and more than one might have been permitted to expect from a person of his station; stemming from the knowledge that, in a moment of the supremest folly imaginable, he had forgotten himself so far so as to act no more decorously than a half-baked schoolboy.
To have it thus flung back into his face, however, had been as unexpected as it had been unprecedented, and the Duke had experienced a rare moment of pure astonishment in which he had found himself obliged to strongly exert himself so as to control the predominating impulse that was to induce Miss Allington to regret her decision by a repetition of the event that had been the root of all his evil.
His wrath had known no bounds when he had found, some weeks after that forgettable incident, that not only had his pride apparently taken leave of its senses when the mere appearance of a golden head within his line of vision should cause him to be almost so entirely lost to his self-respect so as to enforce in his person the increasing desire to establish its owner - but that any girl - no matter how beautiful - should have the power to almost reduce him to such pathetic endeavours had only fuelled his rage.
And this - this girl - wanted nothing of him.
And now she was under his roof.
God knew what had possessed him to succumb to even greater foolishness than he had previously considered possible -
And then she had the audacity to not only calmly furnish him with the knowledge that he should, by general consent, soon be marching down the altar, no; she had also had the amazing impertinence to inform him of the laudable intentions of his affianced bride!
Never had he experienced a greater wish to wring her neck than -
The Duke looked up again, a twisted expression on his face.
Shrugging himself into his coat with perfected ease; His Grace subsequently strode out of the room.
"Allington."
"Go to the devil", the gentleman, thus addressed, murmured - not relinquishing his hold on his prey - or rather, not at all inspired to yet put an adequate distance between himself and the same. Who, strangely, seemed similarly disinclined - but chancing to glance at her cousin's set face, decided to show herself, for the moment at least, slightly more cooperative.
"James -"
Mr Allington sighed, and then adopted a more manly posture once more, favouring the intruder with a withering glare.
"First you excel in the role of absent host, then you must descend upon one at the most importune of times! What have you to say for yourself?"
"James!"
Lady Harriet did not know whether to laugh or shrink at her betrothed's bravado.
"I hesitate to put an end to such a touching attempt at effrontery -", His Grace returned in his customary cool voice, "- but this charming display it has been my misfortune to witness almost induces me to presume that you can, upon reflection, not have anticipated my arrival strongly enough."
The Duke held open the door to an adjoining room.
"Ah. Now that you put me in mind of it -" James, rolling his eyes with a smile, possessed himself of her ladyship's hand, dropping a fleeting kiss on its back, and then made to walk into the room, the door firmly closing behind him.
"Must you look at me so?", Mr Allington enquired in a slightly goaded voice.
"I should prefer not to be obliged to look at you at all," the Duke replied coolly, "- I infer, however, that I am expected to exert myself in the role of Head of the Family." One dark brow lifted in mild enquiry. "Or is it too much to hope that you may have had the circumspection to make your applications elsewhere?"
"I have written to the Earl", the younger man smiled unperturbedly, "- Harriet, however -"
"But of course."
The Duke's tone left nothing open to deliberation.
James, momentarily stunned, threw back his head with a laugh.
"Confound you, Aldworth!" He rose from his seat, his hand held out. "I take it you shall not have me thrown to the dogs, and your cousin's heart torn into shreds respectively?"
"My dogs should hardly thank me for it", His Grace returned unmovedly, his own hand fastening around the same, the grip on it tightening briefly. "Strive for a little restraint."
Judith had collapsed onto her bed.
What must he be thinking of her!
Not only had she had the effrontery to pry into his personal affairs - no, she had practically also demanded to be apprised of the exact state of them!
She buried her face into a cushion.
How stupid of her to -
She sat up, pulling her knees to her chest, resting her chin on them.
He was not getting married.
A crease appeared on her forehead.
But -
Perhaps she had been a little too hasty in drawing her conclusions - and from the mouth of one of the most dedicated gossip mongers in Bath, too (here she felt great temptation to reach for the restorative cushion again) - but reconsidering all that had happened, could she really be blamed for believing there to have been a foundation in them, however little, it would now appear? After all, all those months ago - it had been his brother who had first openly divulged the information to those who had been within hearing. Which she had happened to be. And she should be forgiven to have presumed that there may have been an inkling of truth in it, considering this source. But then -
Her temples began to throb -
The fact was - and he, of all people, should have first knowledge of the same - that there was to be no marriage to Lady Mary Trevellyan. It must have been a different Duke, as much was the logical conclusion. And that need not trouble her any further.
She was conscious of an underlying feeling of relief, but strove to put it aside.
Nothing had changed.
He would be married at one point - and whether or not he should experience any regret as regarded that particular lady was beside the same.
It had only been one of her reasons.
She shook her head, a hand at her cheek.
She needed to apologise.
"Good Lord!"
His lordship eyed his friend distastefully.
Lord Stanton, his eyes slightly apologetic, briefly looked down at his boots.
"But Eve, it - don't you think - ?"
"It's just a house."
If Lord Stanton might feel pressed to take a more particular view of the matter, he showed the presence of mind to not give further voice to his rapture. He merely permitted himself a small sigh.
"If you will be nonsensical, Stanton -", came the wrathful exclamation at his side -
"Me? No! Only a house, after all." His lordship waved a suspiciously dismissive hand. "Nothing to get into a fidget over, dear boy!"
The young Earl leaned back into his seat, his hand leisurely at his cane, one beautifully dressed leg crossed over the other.
"He has not even a grotto, you know."
This, if perhaps not perfectly rapidly, seemed to subdue his friend in his enthusiasm.
"No, that shall not be necessary." The Duke set his seal on a note. "Anything else?"
"Miss Allington requested an audience with Your Grace."
"Miss Allington."
Judith turned to see the Duke coming into the hall, the expression on his face unreadable.
She braved a curtsey.
"I trust everything is to your satisfaction?"
He had not forgiven her.
"Thank you, yes. I -" She looked up at him with more calm than she felt. "I hoped to speak to you on a private matter, sir."
Aldworth moved so as to indicate that he should be at her disposal.
"Oh." She half-turned towards the door, the request clearly evident in her face. "May we -"
"I shall join you shortly."
A nod, and he was gone.
„I wished to apologise, sir. I realise it was very improper of me to speak to you as I did - your personal affairs can be no concern of mine, and - ", she hastened to proceed, before he should interrupt her, "- the sad truth is, my imagination was a little too apt at constructing what I felt to be a valid fact. Please believe me when I say that I did not mean to offend."
The Duke had listened to her speech in marked silence. Eventually, he spoke, his tone all that was measured.
"If I am certain of one fact surrounding your character, Miss Allington, it is that you do not lean towards absurdity." Seeing her start - he continued coolly. "Oblige me and let me hear the source of your information."
Her cheeks flushed a little.
"I have very little to offer on that account, sir. It first came to my attention last summer -" She saw the dark brows momentarily knit - "- and I overheard a conversation in Milsom Street recently which -", she shook her head in an apologetic gesture. "I am ashamed to say I drew my own conclusions from there." Judith raised her eyes to his once more. "I am very sorry if my behaviour must have seemed obnoxious to you."
"I find you many things, Miss Allington", the Duke replied after a brief pause, causing Judith to fidget with her glove, "- but obnoxiousness is not among them."
They had entered the forecourt on the northern side of the house at this, and just as Judith had found her voice again, having recovered from this latest remark -
"Miss Allington!"
Judith looked up and smiled at the unexpected visitor, who had just been about to mount his horse.
"Captain Warren!"
The Captain tipped his hat to her in greeting. "I had been told you were out, so, quite dejectedly, of course, I resigned myself to fulfilling my orders without chancing the smallest glimpse of you."
Judith, ignoring this frivolity, was prompt to make the necessary introductions, the smile still in her eyes.
"Your Grace."
The Captain accorded the Duke a respectful, if only that, bow - his brows having momentarily lifted in a moment of recognition, a glance at Judith confirming him in his notion.
"I must offer my apologies for my unannounced visit - I was charged with a message for Miss Allington from her father, as my destination is only a little out of the way." His cool tone changed when he addressed himself to Judith again, the mischief returning to his eyes. "Miss Allington - you will find, when you have unravelled the mystery that is my abominable scrawl, that Sir John is still detained in the King´s Circus, by business, but hopes to join you as soon as he should be able to steal himself away."
"Has my father mentioned when he means to arrive", Judith enquired with a puckered brow. It was not like him to be so evasive.
"Ah -" The Captain's brows rose to speaking proportions, followed by a lowering of his voice, "- I understand that he hopes to delay his journey until the Warmouths have safely left for Town."
Judith's eyes danced. Of course.
"Oh dear." She shook her head. "What must His Grace think of us -"
She turned to face her host with a smile - only to find that he had left her side.
Surprised - Judith looked up at the Captain, an apologetic expression in her eyes.
Captain Warren shook his head as he readjusted his saddle.
"I was surprised to hear that you had acquiesced to the visit, Judith." He pulled at the resistant leather. "Allington I make no excuses for, he is far too besotted to be able to think with something even remotely akin to reasonability. But I did not think you should persist with the notion."
Judith's brow furrowed at the unmistaken misgiving in the normally cheerful voice.
"I do not know -"
"Aldworth." The task had been accomplished. "But I may be mistaken. Only do be careful what you are about."
Disliking his tone, and the implication behind it, Judith was quick to respond in kind.
"I thank you for your concern, but I do not consider my staying at Aldworth in any way endangering to my person. You do not know His Grace."
"True." The Captain smiled as he swung himself onto his saddle once more. "But I have eyes."
"Tom -", Judith began in measured accents -
"Warren! What's this? Already running off again! You will make me think that you only came to see my unfortunate sister", the jovial voice of James Allington called out from behind them. He rolled his eyes at his sibling. "I met Aldworth in the hall - he informed me that that heroic gentleman had arrived. Well, he need not have taken the trouble - your prattling can be heard well beyond it!", he informed his friend cheerfully.
"I do not prattle, my very dear James -" The Captain sat high on his horse, in more than the original definition, "- I make conversation."
James threw back his head and laughed.
"First I ever heard of it. Well -" He took his sister's hand and drew it within the crook of his arm - "- if you will only play the messenger, I shall see you in Town. Come inside, Ju - you are freezing!"
With a scowl at his friend - and a swift smile for Judith, the Captain took himself off.
"Ah, Aidan - there you are", the Duchess had accosted her grandson in the hall, taking possession of his arm. "Lady Stafford has been on the look-out for you. I felt compelled - by my fortunately erratic grandmotherly instincts! - to warn you."
The Duke raised a satirical brow.
"Yes, and you should be thanking me for it!" The Dowager glared at him as they walked into one of the smaller drawing rooms. "She has, it might interest you to know, recalled that she has a niece. Of the unmarried kind. Not that the blame can be laid solely at her door, I suppose, however -", the old lady took to a comfortable seat, "- I had rather you remained on your high horse."
"You find me in an accommodating mood, madam."
"I do, do I?" Her eyes narrowed again. "Then oblige me and add to my education! What can have possessed you to invite that boy to plague me out of my senses? And he brought a friend, too!"
"Dear me."
Her Grace took a decidedly different view of the matter.
"Has he put himself into a scrape again?"
As no reply was forthcoming -
"Aldworth!", the Dowager expostulated. "If you must try yourself in the role of knight in shining armour - can you not have the prudence to at least restrict yourself to the more commonly applied understanding of the tradition? And -", she continued at the hint of smiling incredulity before her, her exasperation visibly mounting, "- I do not refer to Lady Stafford's hopeful relation. Nor to the one with the insensibly high accumulation of siblings! That should be an even greater folly than -"
A sudden attack of a heavy cough interrupted her tirade.
"I - Aidan!"
"Heeley!"
Her Grace, having just retrieved her wrathful dignity in the face of finding herself ruthlessly transported into her chambers - and deposited between her pillows, the covers having been drawn back in one resolute motion, found consolation in the discovery that at least her wits had not quite gone begging yet. She eyed her grandson with acute loathing from her enforced imprisonment.
"No - get me Miss Allington! She, at least, does not want for sense!"
The next morning, Judith had found herself in the company of the newly affianced couple at breakfast. She had briefly lifted her brows at the sight of her brother at a time of the day which, generally, could have only been described as relatively foreign to him.
It had merely earned her an audacious wink, prompting her to take a seat at a farer end of the table; in the silent hope to escape the more jovial moments of her brother's all too exhilarated mood.
That he should be wishful to let the world - or, at the very least, the somewhat unfortunate individuals who had happened to present themselves in the breakfast parlour at a rather early hour that morning - share in his felicity was to be expected. He was not of a disposition to seek quiet reverence in view of his prospective happiness; and she was not generally disinclined to be just as happy for him and to listen to his effusions on the all too many wonderful qualities of his new fiancée - having borne the first assault of the same with great composure for a greater part of the previous night, when her uncompromising sibling had sought her out for a private conference with regards to the same. But to find that his exhilaration had not even been damped by the simple occurrence of a lack of rest had almost induced her to shake her head at him - and to hope, with a smile, as she looked across at the couple, that her ladyship was in the possession of a strong sense of forbearance.
And indeed, Lady Harriet appeared to be quite serene in the face of her betrothed's high spirits, helping herself to another cup of tea - whilst being gazed at adoringly, taking a bite of a generously buttered muffin - when assured - for a second time - that she looked remarkably beautiful in her chosen gown.
Lady Harriet, Judith reflected in mild amusement, should manage to handle her brother tolerably well.
At the third reassurance with regards to her ladyship's appearance, their host had walked into the parlour.
One swift glance across the room - and Judith had to stifle a laugh at the knowledge that the notion of foregoing his repast had certainly crossed his noble mind. Her brother, exchanging a cordial greeting with His Grace at the coffee table, seemed less apt at reading the warning signs - inducing Judith to briefly contemplate whether to send him a silent warning as to his -
"What the -"
Mr Allington, halted in the process of returning to his seat at his betrothed's side by a firm hand on his shoulder, which clearly suggested to him that he had reached his designated destination, was momentarily speechless. When he found his voice again -
"I will thank you, My Lord Duke -" James was unusually high on his dignity, "- not to be insulting!"
"You will thank me even more should I be forced to endure any more of your lyricism," his host informed him coolly. "Sit down."
His cheeks flushed, James sank into the chair to the Duke's side.
"If this is how it shall be -", he began ominously -
"It is."
"Well upon my word -", the younger man expostulated, increasing wrath in his normally good humoured eyes -
"James -", Mr Allington directed his smouldering gaze towards his betrothed - "- whilst we may perhaps not care for my cousin's appetite," her ladyship continued tranquilly, pouring a few drops of milk into her tea,"- I do think we should consider your sister's. Poor Judith must be wishing she had ordered her breakfast to be brought to her bed."
"Harriet!"
James was aghast at such treacherous behaviour on his beloved's part.
His sister, meanwhile, strove hard to keep her hands from shaking as she hid her face behind a most elegant cup.
"Well -" A napkin was tossed onto the table. "In that case, you will excuse me."
Mr Allington marched out of the room.
Lady Harriet took an unhurried sip of her tea. Then - with a speaking sigh -
"Pray excuse me."
The door closing on her designated sister-in-law, Judith could not restrain herself any longer.
A bubble of laughter escaped her; her shoulders shaking helplessly with mirth. When she had composed herself somewhat again, she looked up to find the Duke regarding her with a quizzical smile.
"I perceive it is you who I should be making my apologies to, Miss Allington. Had I known to what disastrous consequences my momentary lapse into compliance should lead, I should have refused my consent."
Judith shook her head, her eyes still smiling.
"Poor James! I believe it came as a great shock to him to find Lady Harriet so unmoved by his afflictions. But I am convinced they will be very happy together", she added in an afterthought, her tone somewhat calmer again.
"I must trust in your intuition. If I may advise you, Miss Allington -" She looked up at the graveness in his tone -" - you would do well to adopt a firm line from the start."
The amusement crept back into her eyes.
"Thank you. I shall bear it in mind and will endeavour to practise when we ride out together."
The dark brows lifted.
"You have my sympathy."
Judith laughed.
"I am, or so I have been given to understand by my brother, to lend them countenance, you see."
The Duke's expression became slightly incredulous. Her ire rising, Judith raised a speaking brow of her own.
"Pray, sir, can there be any objection to my accompanying them?"
"Most emphatically, Miss Allington - there can."
She pursed her lips.
"Next you will say that my sole motivation is to try and ascertain whether I can eclipse her ladyship."
"You need not trouble yourself."
"Oh! I am not so vain so as to -"
The Duke regarded her pensively. Then -
"I meant my cousin."
The colour rushed into Judith's face as she took in the meaning behind the cool remark. Entirely flustered, she rose from her chair.
"Excuse me. I promised Her Grace to visit her this morning."
A curtsey, and she was gone.
"You will not be joining us then, Ju?"
James Allington, already atop his stallion, smiled down at his sister.
Judith shook her head.
"No, I beg you will excuse me. The Duchess is not very well this morning - and I promised that I should read to her. But -" She twinkled up at her brother - "- I hope you will not be very desolate without me."
"The impudence!"
Mr Allington lifted his brows to exaggerated heights, turning to his betrothed, who looked quite charmingly - if a little more subdued - in her blue riding dress and matching hat. He frowned.
"What?"
Lady Harriet permitted herself a small sigh.
"Well, Judith, if we cannot persuade you -" She arched a brow at her companion - "I believe I may resign myself to the inevitable. Much as it must go against my tender sensibilities, of course."
A slow, roguish smile appeared on the handsome face.
"I assure you, my lady, they shall be accorded the utmost consideration."
"Oh dear! I suppose I shall have to hope for the best." She favoured Judith with a speaking roll of her eyes, a strangely rosy hue having appeared on her cheeks. It was the cold; her ladyship should have primly pointed out to those so insolent so as to allude to it.
The two riders subsequently led their horses out of the courtyard.
Judith, shaking her head in silent amusement, then proceeded to make her way to the Duke's library - where she found, when the initial surprise at its sheer dimension had worn off (upon entering the same, one first found oneself in a practically - and quite cosily, or so Judith had been inclined to think it - proportioned room, with an adequate number of books and respective possessions presented within one's easy reach. There even was a fire. Then she noticed a door to one side, which had been left half-open, and - well, what she found behind it could easily have served as another ballroom. At Carlton House. Only, it was full of shelves and paintings and books, of course. How one was supposed to not lose one's way in the face of such expansion was a little beyond her. Fortunately, someone had had the foresight to arrange matters so so as to enable the unsuspecting trespasser to meet with prompt success when in search of both the more educational - and trivial offerings.), a collection of such literary diversity so as to be hopeful that some or other should meet with the Duchess's approval.
Her Grace had not been very precise in her directions.
"Only strive to make sure it shall not have me fall into a decline, if you please!"
As she made her way out of the library, she was startled by a small crash that came from a room some steps down the corridor. It was followed by a muffled exclamation. Shaking her head, she walked on - only to be stopped in her stride by another - at this time resounding - crash, and the subsequent inspired, rather more feeling, exclamation within the enclosing walls.
There was no servant about to whom a possibly arisen calamity could have been signalled, so, with a small sigh of irritation, she placed her stock on a table at one side to her, and endeavoured to establish whether someone might be in need of assistance.
"Will that be all, Your Grace?"
The Duke rid himself of his gloves, handing his overcoat to the attendant footman.
"I do not expect that my presence shall be further necessary at this point. Have some provisions prepared for them and be taken there before nightfall."
"Very good, Your Grace."
The secretary bowed his retreat.
Aldworth then turned - when a sudden quickening of step alerted him to a maid who was rushing across the hall; two servants, carrying an enormous bundle of linen between them, hard on her heels.
His brows lifted.
"Aidan! Thank God you are returned!"
The Duke visibly started at the white countenance of his grandmother's face, who was hurrying down the hall, both her thin hands stretched out to him.
He walked up to meet her, a sharp reproof on his lips.
"For God's sake, madam -"
"There has been an accident -", the Dowager ruthlessly interrupted him, her voice quivering slightly. "Miss Allington -"
The riders had returned in high spirits - despite the fact that their hands and cheeks and, quite possibly - feet; clearly suggested that they were in dire need of a sustaining, decidedly hot, beverage.
"Aldworth! There you are -", the jovial voice of James Allington called out to their host. "I was wondering what -"
The Duke had already taken the stairs two steps at a time.
James's brows lifted, a smile rising halfway on his face.
"What a fellow your cousin is, Harriet", he observed to his betrothed in mild amusement. "Almost he makes one think that one's good opinion is of the supremest indifference to him!"
"Mr Allington! I beg pardon - I - your sister, that is - Miss Allington -"
James turned sharply at the urgency in the unknown gentleman's voice, who had materialised at his side.
"Yes?" His eyes narrowed in enquiry. "What of her?" As no reply was forthcoming - "Speak, man!"
There was a certain edge to his voice, the good humour quite diminished from his handsome face.
"I beg your pardon, but -" The younger man gulped visibly at the growing tension on the other man's face. "There was an accident -"
James instantly followed his host's suit, his hat and whip tossed to the floor.
The Duke took in the scene before him in one quick assessment.
Servants were rushing about, two maids on the brink of tears as they went about their duties - almost tripping over the hems of their skirts, and the room one great concentration of -
"Out!"
The bustle stopped in its tracks, its members rooted on the spot in mute shock at the unexpected vehemence in their midst.
Those who were inspired to respond with alacrity found themselves partially restricted in that happy notion by the appearance of such a congregation of nobility at the door that they hardly knew where to bow their way out first; some restricting themselves to a mild attack of a panic in its stead.
"Judith -!"
"James, wait -"
Lady Harriet attempted her best to restrain the gentleman from hurling himself forward by taking siege of his right arm, holding onto it as firmly as she could.
"Let go, Harriet! My - Aldworth!" The sudden rage in Mr Allington´s voice knew no bounds. "Don't you dare - !"
The Duke, his shirtsleeves done up, was bent over the figure on the bed, his hands unfastening the top buttons of the gown, quite heedless to the outraged gentleman's protestations.
"You -"
"James!"
"Mr Allington -" The Dowager, who had joined the couple at the door, had pulled herself up to her full height, confronting the younger man with all her consequence. "Compose yourself! You will do your sister more harm than -"
James ignored the interpolation, his wrath and helplessness in the face of his sister's state rendering him quite senseless.
"I said -"
"Harriet!"
The ducal command left no room as to its interpretation.
Lady Harriet gently pulled at her betrothed's arm.
"James, please - we cannot help! Let us wait for the doctor -"
The soft, reasoning voice eventually shook him out of his rage. Lady Harriet's heart went out at the mixture of fear and defiance in the much loved blue eyes. She raised a hand to his cheek, her own eyes pleading with him.
Eventually, the fight went out of the gentleman, his shoulders slacking in defeat.
"My father -", he began in a constricted voice -
"We must write to him." She linked her arm with his. "Come. My cousin will take care of your sister."
Casting one last, anxious look at the bed, he let himself be led out of the room.
Judith woke, her shoulder searing in pain.
She flinched at the touch of a cool hand, tossing her head to the side, barely able to open her eyes due to the throbbing ache that seemed to spread all over her person.
"No -"
"Don't talk", a low voice ordered her brusquely.
She opened her eyelids in an immense effort, dimly aware that she should not find it so demanding on her strength.
Her eyes slowly made out a familiar form.
"He did not mean to -", she breathed as a new wave of pain rendered her insensible once more....
The expression on the Duke's face was set.
The red stain that tore through the white fabric and shone against the exposed, delicate skin induced Mr Johnson, who had - without once addressing his employer - provided assistance during the diligent process, to almost adopt profanity.
Instead, he went about his self-appointed business that was the procurement of hot water, linen and brandy, turning towards one or the other when a firm hand ruthlessly tore at a resistant fabric, softly brushed away some persistent strands of hair and a low voice issued commands in an uncompromising manner. Furthermore, he gently betook himself of any discarded items of clothing and laid them out on a settee with meticulous care.
Turning towards the bed once more - Johnson observed the grim expression on his master's dimly illuminated face.
"Send for Henry."
"What can be taking them so cursed long!"
Lady Harriet closed the book which had not managed to engage her attention, try as she might, and walked over to her betrothed - who had been staring out of one of the tall windows for a good part of an hour, as if something in the grey distance had firmly caught his attention - leaning her cheek against his back, her arms around his waist in a gesture of silent comfort.
In truth, Lady Harriet felt little calmness herself - she was very fond of her soon-to-be sister-in-law, and it broke her heart to not only think of her pain; and the danger she might be in - but to also see her normally imperturbable love so helplessly dejected, the fear in his eyes shining whenever they should rest on her person.
The Duchess and she had made it their mission to shower the anxious sibling with as much reason and firmness as they dared to offer without rekindling his immediate wrath, or adding to his anxieties - but as the minutes passed by, even her ladyship began to feel her optimism wane and wished for the door to finally open and to thus be apprised of news.
An express had been sent to Sir John, with the hope that it should reach him before he embarked on his journey to Town, where unforeseen business had demanded his presence and thus postponed his arrival at Aldworth for another day or two.
Neither of them had yet dared to speculate as to the exact circumstances of Miss Allington´s current state - lest her brother should be reminded that there had to be an event that had effectively led to the same and inspire in him the overpressing need to avenge his sister before they were in possession of the facts. That it had been an accident seemed to have spread all over the house by then and -
The door to the drawing room opened.
James quickly turned on his heels, his expression one of unmistakable tension.
They were to be disappointed.
"Weston!" The expression had turned into one of exasperation mingled with wrath. "If you think this is a good time to -"
"No, I -" The young lord, a little white in his face, though his posture perfectly straight, had walked into the room. "I came to -"
James waved an impatient hand, turning back to his window.
"Not now."
"Yes, but you do not know -"
"I said -"
Mr Allington clenched his fists at his sides, his voice strained almost beyond endurance. Lady Harriet, recognising the signs, quickly put an appeasing hand on his arm.
"Dammit -", the young lord expostulated. Having gained his audience's attention at last, ignoring the look of great disapproval on the Dowager's face, he raked a hand through his slightly dishevelled hair. A horrible silence crept over the room as a heavy realisation -
Lord Weston held his head high, not flinching at the sight of the pair of blue eyes that narrowed at him. Then -
"It was me."
„Well?"
The physician deposited his bag on a table, returning some of its resident objects into the same.
"I should be interested to know - provided Your Grace should feel so inclined so as to furnish me with the information -" There was a sense of graveness in the polished voice -"- where you may have found your enterprising tiger." Two brows lifted in mild incredulity. "He appears to possess more than a little expertise in what I had previously indulged myself to hope to be a most inimitable skill!"
As no reply was forthcoming -
"Miss Allington is resting now. The bullet did not go in too deeply and provided she should not develop a fever, she should make a full recovery soon. Which -", the physician continued, a touch of humour in his voice - "- I dare not foresee for your estimable brother. Unless he should be so fortunate as to be able to make his good escape before young Allington has had the opportunity to seize him by his collar."
The Duke, who had not looked up upon the entrance of the gentleman, one arm resting on the mantelpiece as he had, rather brusquely, addressed the same; eventually turned and crossed the room in a few strides.
"Thank you, Charles."
The physician accepted the hand held out to him.
"I have given her some laudanum and will return in the morning. Have someone sit with her during the night." With a nod, he proceeded to take his leave. Then, pausing at the doorway - "I dare say it is of no concern to you, but I think you should know that your disinterested actions following Miss Allington´s unfortunate accident inspired some disbelieving conjectures amongst some more particular members of your esteemed guests. I ventured to inform them that it was due to Your Grace's level-headedness that my patient may have been saved from more permanent repercussions." Sir Charles busied himself with the handle on his bag, his voice at his most neutral. "No doubt these ludicrous assumptions must have been the result of a severe shock to their tender sensibilities."
The Duke, his face an expressionless mask, held open the door for his friend.
"No doubt."
The clock had just struck two in the morning.
The young man, stretching his legs, stifled a yawn.
"Go to bed, Allington. You will do your sister no good when she wakes up to see you in this state."
James, who had kept a vigil at his sister's side from the moment Sir Charles had left his patient, looked up from the chair at her bed - his eyes a little blood-shot, his coat and neck cloth having been discarded long ago, and his thick mane in a state of unaccustomed disarray - to see that the Duke, dressed in only his breeches, shirt and dressing gown, had entered the chamber. The blue eyes narrowed.
"Thank you, but I had rather she sees me in all my glory than have her faced with a complete stranger. If -", he added somewhat disdainfully, "- Your Grace should not object."
"I object to adding to her anxiety by the notion of her brother having neglected himself on her account. Go. I will stay with her."
James sprang from his seat, his teeth set.
"May I remind Your Grace of the impropriety of that suggestion?"
"Do not let it disturb you." The Duke appeared to be little concerned with this interpolation. "Miss Allington is my guest. As such, I must consider myself responsible for her welfare."
"I wonder you should not have recalled it sooner," James stated bitterly, as he let himself be guided into his coat.
"You need not remind me of my blame", the Duke replied with a twisted smile. "Now go. You have my word that you shall be informed as soon as there should be any change."
James, taking one last, grudging look at his host; and a longer, softening one at his sleeping sister, eventually left the room.
Judith awoke; her eyelids heavy, her throat unusually dry. She turned her head - and winced in pain.
A figure at her bed suddenly leaned forward, a cool hand reaching out to gently touch her brow.
"James -"
"He is asleep. Do not distress yourself."
With an effort, she opened her eyes again, focusing on the dark face that was so close to her own. She frowned slightly.
"Oh. It is you."
"It is I. Go back to sleep", a low voice commanded her.
Judith kept staring at the familiar face for a moment. Then -
"I am glad."
At that, she turned her head once more - and fell asleep.
The Duke was left to look down at the slender hand that had taken possession of his own.
"Has Sir John arrived?"
The servant bowed his confirmation.
The Duke glanced up the grand staircase for a brief moment. Then - handing over his hat and gloves -
"I shall be in my study."
"Very good, Your Grace."
Judith opened her eyes to a momentary brightness that induced her to subsequently close them again, a small sigh escaping her. Lifting her arm a little -
Oh.
She had forgotten.
But the persistent throbbing in her head had given way. If she could now only remember -
"My little one -", a mild, if a little reproving voice addressed Judith from her right, "- if your desire to see me should have been so overwhelming, could not you have adopted a more placid means to induce me to comply with your wish?"
She opened her eyes again, turning her head.
A soft smile appeared on her pale face.
"Papa -"
"From what my daughter has been able to tell me, it was the combined foolishness of two somewhat imbalanced -" the older man's voice had adopted a prosaic tone -"- sprigs of nobility that has led to her present confinement." A pair of speaking brows lifted. "I believe I may have met with one of these most exemplary individuals on the landing - or so the sudden shrinking at the sight of my person did suggest to me. As for -"
There was a knock at the door, followed by the entrance of an impeccably dressed young man.
"Ah. And this, I indulge myself to hope -" Sir John had turned towards the newcomer - "- must be the other." The appraising eyes momentarily rested on an interesting deformation of the purple completion in the nearer vicinity of the younger gentleman's left eye. The greying brows lifted in mild enquiry. "My son?"
Lord Weston flushed a little.
"Yes."
"Indeed!" There was a note of pleasantry in the placid voice. "I never knew him to be possessed of such circumspection." Then - "Well?"
The younger man flinched a little at the directness of the gaze accorded his person. Nevertheless, he had come with a purpose.
He bowed, if a little stiffly.
"I have come to offer you satisfaction, sir."
The brows lifted once more.
"Have you? And what, my boy, do you propose I do with it?"
That his lordship had not expected to meet with such placidity was clearly discernable from the taken-aback expression on his face. He cast an apprehensive look around the room - as if hoping for guidance of some - any - sort. As none put itself forward -
"Miss Allington -"
"You will leave my daughter out of this conversation, my dear sir. In fact - I strongly advise you not to attempt to seek a conference with her at this point." There was no mistaking the warning in the well-modulated voice. "If - and I find myself strangely convinced that it shall be your most pressing desire - you should wish to grovel at her feet once she has been safely restored to her own home, you shall be given leave to avail yourself of the opportunity to your heart's fullest content. And make no mistake, my boy -" Sir John's eyes narrowed in marked finality - "- grovelling is what you shall be doing."
The colour rushed to the younger man's cheeks. Muttering a quick jumble which could be mistaken for an apologetic retreat, he bowed - and took himself out of the room.
The Baronet subsequently turned towards the Duke, accepting the glass of wine held out to him.
"Your Grace will understand that I intend to have my daughter removed as soon as the surgeon has declared her capable of the journey. Meanwhile, I shall have to rely on your complaisance."
"Miss Allington shall be accorded all the attention necessary to assure her full recovery."
The older man nodded, partaking of a sip of the invigorating fluid.
"With all the to be expected propriety, I am persuaded", he added momentarily, his tone as modulated as ever.
The Duke filled up his own glass.
"Certainly."
"I hope I need not tell you, Aldworth --" The Dowager, having walked into her grandson's suite without so much as an announcement a few days later, sank into an armchair in front of a contentedly sizzling fire, and addressed herself to the only part of the former that was available to her - his well-defined back -- "- that that boy deserves more than a little scold. But then --", she continued almost prosaically, after a moment's reflection, "I dare say a prolonged uncertainty as to his eventual punishment will do very well for a while. Only do not be too phlegmatic in your eventual execution."
The Duke did not turn, his left arm resting against the frame.
"You need have no anxiety."
Her Grace appeared satisfied with this. Suddenly, a crease appeared on the lined face.
"And that reminds me -" She sat up, her cap slipping slightly to the right of her face at the sudden, vehement movement - "- That Woman was here!" Her tone left no doubt as to what she felt as to the alluded visit.
"She had the impertinence to not only descend on Miss Allington as she had just passed the worst; any sensible person should have seen that a prolonged visit should only take a strain on her! - and in such a cloud of perfume that I would not have been surprised had the poor girl suffered an immediate relapse -", she grasped at one arm of the aforementioned piece of furniture at the recollection - "- but to also shower her with every bit of motherly effusion with regards to the innocence of her dearest boy, and the gross neglect of the same on your unfeeling, undutiful part, which; or so I gather, must be seen as all the root of the lamentable, if forgettable, incident." The cloud that had appeared on her face darkened momentarily - "That the apple of her eye not only broke into your study, but attempted to steal your pistols for a little entertainment with his equally bacon-brained friend appears to quite have escaped her maternal notice!"
"No - you need not trouble yourself, she is gone now", the old lady called after her grandson, who had seemed bent on offering the adequate courtesy to this esteemed guest, one way or the other - and Her Grace, fortunately, had reason enough to believe that it should have been largely of the other. "Regrettably - not through my own doing! No - it was Miss Allington who sent her about her business!"
"What?"
A mild frown of disapproval appeared on the Dowager's face at the thunderous tone.
"Yes, well." Her Grace gave the distinct appearance of enjoying the increasing impatience, which she was apt to detect in the intense, dark eyes, the full attention of which she had gained at last. "She did it most beautifully, too." The Dowager fiddled with her cap. "Miss Allington, my dear Aldworth, ventured to suggest to your much afflicted parent that all her ladyship's present sufferings might have easily been avoided had her ladyship adopted her overflowing maternal instincts at a time when Your Grace must still have been considered of an impressionable age." The Dowager's shoulders began to shake a little at the reminiscence. "The look on her face! Needless to say -", she continued, after a moment's composure - "- your mother instantly recalled a pressing engagement and took herself off, without so much as a greeting - in a cloud of heavily scented huff."
"Do you know, Aidan -" Her Grace began anew, after a momentary silence had descended upon the room, her grandson having turned towards the window once more "- I am inclined to believe that Miss Allington´s directness may have been the result of a little vexation? Indeed -", the Dowager continued presently, in a tone of pointed markedness, "- I dare say she may perhaps be a little cross at the continuous adjournment of an anticipated visit."
The Duke's shoulders tensed.
"And what does Your Grace propose for me to do about it?"
"You -" The Dowager permitted herself a sharp intake of breath. "Heaven help me in the face of such a simpleton! What do you think you are to do about it?", she demanded, in a voice of heavily felt exasperation.
Aldworth had spun round, a muscle straining on the set face.
Without any further communication, the Duke walked out of the room.
"Harriet."
Lady Harriet turned at the sound of her cousin's voice - a worrying crease appearing on her forehead.
"All is well."
Her features relaxed into a smile at the instant assurance. She walked up meet the Duke, possessing herself of his arm as she reached his side, arching a brow in expectant enquiry.
"Has Warren been apprised?"
The unexpected question resulted in a puzzled frown. Who -
"Oh! You mean the Captain -", she confirmed in eventual recollection, as they took the few steps to the grand terrace, which offered a breathtaking view onto the formal gardens, the gentle roll of the hills easily discernable in the distance that clear afternoon. "Yes, James wrote to him." A comical expression appeared on her face. "He now naturally has to put any notion of a double-wedding out of his head. Which - and I beg you will not mention it to him -", her ladyship continued in a low, mournful voice, "- makes me a little glad, for you know what Papa is." She rolled her eyes in speaking volumes. "Almost it makes me think that he must be very glad to get me off his hands at last - so generously was he speaking of my character, the settlement - and even the procuration of the dress. Mama must be quite beside herself at the knowledge that he takes such an active interest in the affair!"
She peeped up at her cousin, her eyes twinkling merrily.
"Poor James! It shall take another six months at least to draw up the papers at this rate. As for the trousseau - " Lady Harriet shook her head. "Well, it would, of course, mean that they should be back from their honeymoon by the time we were to present ourselves in front of the altar, so - the Captain could, upon reflection, still be appointed best man."
"He is a fool."
If her ladyship should have been surprised at this statement, she had no time to ponder it - and perhaps not very much inclination to do so at that precise moment - as she perceived her betrothed walking up towards her, his brows lifting in mild amusement as he passed his unresponsive host on the terrace.
Mr Allington, having left his convalescing sister in the care of their father; after some pointed enquiry, had established that her ladyship was thought to be walking out in the park - and thus had set off to steal her away for an hour or two, under the pretence of wishing to ascertain that she should not have suffered any ill-effects in view of the recent traumatic events.
Lady Harriet held out her hands to him as he approached - and found herself duly enfolded by a pair of strong arms.
"Leave? Now?"
The dumbstruck Lord Stanton stood erect before his chair, an expression of a mild, increasing panic on his aghast face.
"Yes. Now." Lord Weston waved an offhanded arm, shutting a trunk with a decided kick at the incitation of an elegant boot.
"But - Eve, can't have thought it through fully - surely not the thing -"
His lordship firmly clammed his mouth shut at the warning glare from his friend.
"If you mean to stay and make yourself ridiculous by squirming in your boots every time a door should open on you, by all means -", a pair off gloves was tossed onto the aforementioned object - "- you may be quite at your leisure. I have better things to do with my time!" The latter was uttered with a twisted expression.
Lord Stanton appeared to be most ready to adopt this happy suggestion, as he fidgeted from foot to foot, his eye glancing toward the heavy mahogany barrier that was, at present, and much to his lordship's relief, firmly closed behind them.
"But the Duke, I mean -" A gulp. "- His Grace -"
"For God's sake, Stanton - if you are worried he will shoot you down with one of them, you need not lose your sleep over it! His Grace -" The twisted expression had returned onto the aristocratic face, coupled with a growing sense of irritation in the haughty voice, "- would not take the trouble to demean himself so thoroughly."
"What a touching amount of confidence you appear to be entertaining in my steadfastness."
Lord Stanton looked ready to faint at the unexpected, cool voice behind his noble, if a little disorientated, person. Really, what purpose did the addition of what should inspire any person wishful of an audience to adhere to - namely the time-honoured tradition of subjecting it to a knock - serve if it should always be so ruthlessly ignored!
His lordship immediately stood to attention, his neck cloth almost as straight as his posture.
"Sir!"
The Duke's disdainful eye rested on the young gentleman for a brief moment. At a hint of a barely perceptible lift of an elegant eyebrow -
"Oh. Of course. I - that is -" Lord Stanton appeared to be a little doubtful; his apprehensive gaze flickering momentarily to the stonily set face of his friend. Then - "Should I - ?"
"You should."
His lordship was only too prompt to act upon the ducal suggestion.
Lord Weston, his chin a little high, made a feeble attempt at truculence.
"If you mean to lecture me -"
"Sit down."
Turning a little white at the unmistakable fury in the hard voice, his lordship subsequently took to a seat.
"Aidan! I can´t! Besides -- Mama! She will never stand for it!"
The dark brows rose.
"I would appear to have been ambiguous in my communication. You are not offered a choice in the matter."
Lord Weston opened his mouth in further protestation - but was instantly moved to forgo the same at the unmoved expression in the cold eyes. Instead, he strove to reason with his unrelenting brother.
"It was an accident - I swear!"
The Duke rose from the desk, his tone dangerously soft as he spoke.
"Make no mistake, Everad. This small, if rather irrelevant detail is what has thus far restrained my person from running you through. Do not try my resolution any further."
The ashen-faced young Earl, with shaking fingers, reached for the small sheet of paper that had been tossed towards him as his brother had walked out of the room.
General Sir Henry Payton
6 Berkeley Square
Mayfair
London
Drying his hands on a white piece of cloth, the Duke proceeded to unbutton his shirt - leaving it half-open as he walked over to the bed.
He raked a hand through his hair, which, even though the dampness had been subsiding, gleamed in an even darker shade than it was generally wont to do.
Catching sight of his reflection in the mirror, he momentarily halted. There was nothing to suggest in the aristocratic setting of his features; the cool, appraising eyes; the firm setting of the well-formed mouth, that His Grace may have been struggling with his inner demons.
And yet -
The memory of the incessant fear - that if he should have lost -
The shirt was unceremoniously discarded.
He was the even greater fool.
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