George shifted a pile of papers to one side, before pulling his next lot of accounts in front of him. He let out a long sigh, rubbing his temples for a moment before trying to concentrate on all the numbers in front of him.

It was definitely a struggle.

So far, he had looked through all of his brother’s accounts from the previous five years, in order to try and understand his brother’s choices as well as what he had put out into the fields and into the tenant’s homes. Every penny had to be accounted for and George was determined to go through every calculation himself, just to ensure that everything was just as it ought to be. It wouldn’t be the first time that a steward had begun to take some money here and there, to boost his own income but, thus far, everything seemed to be quite in order.

It was unfortunate to have to question the loyalty and credibility of his brother’s staff, but the truth was, George knew very little about each of them. They had been his brother’s staff, his brother’s household, and George still often felt like a stranger treading in places he did not belong. It had taken him a good week just to walk into his brother’s study and even now, it still didn’t feel quite right.

“I can do this,” George muttered to himself, turning over the first page. “I have to do this.”

A vision of Lady Jessica floated into his mind, pushing away the numbers and calculations. Perhaps he might feel a little more settled if she was here or if, at the very least, things were a little more settled between them. He had not seen her since the tea party some three days ago, nor had he seen Major Ridding. That had been deliberate, at least on George’s part. He had thrown himself, headlong, into all that was required of him at the estate, hoping to take his mind off her for a while. He did not like the confusion and upset that came with every moment he thought of her – and yet, here she was, back in his thoughts yet again.

Ever since the tea party, George had been unable to get himself to stop questioning what it was he had seen: Major Ridding telling his stories and Lady Jessica in rapt attention as he spoke. If Major Ridding had not suggested that there might be more of a connection between himself and Lady Jessica, then mayhap it would not be so bothersome to George now, but the truth was George was beginning to question what it was Lady Jessica felt for him and whether or not it would be of long standing.

Groaning, George put his head down on top of the sheaf of papers, unable to even think clearly. The truth came to him at that very moment, the truth that his affections ran deeper than just fondness. The truth that he did, in fact, love Lady Jessica.

Drawing in a sharp breath, George sat bolt upright, the papers stirring uneasily on his desk.

“I love her,” he breathed, staring blankly straight ahead. “Good heavens, I love Lady Jessica!”

The words brought neither gladness nor pain to him, but rather a strange mixture of both emotions. He did not know whether or not Lady Jessica’s feelings ran to such a deep level, nor what he would do if they did not. Love was not something that went away with the turn of the season, he had been told and, aware of just how much he felt for her, George could well believe it. He had never considered himself in love before, although he had, of course, had a great many infatuations as a young man, but nothing this deep. Nothing this fervent. It almost took his breath away, realizing just how strongly he felt for her.

“Eccles!”

The door to his study flew open and none other than Major Ridding stepped inside, the butler flapping his hands behind him as he tried his best to announce the man’s arrival. Waving the butler away with orders to bring something to eat for them both, George got up to pour them both a brandy, trying not to let his emotions show in his expression.

“I should have referred to you as ‘Warwick’, I know,” Major Ridding chuckled, as George handed him his brandy. “It’s just taking a bit of getting used to, I suppose.”

George shook his head and gave his friend a wry smile. “Indeed, I quite agree.” He gestured to all the papers on his desk and sighed. “I am still not quite sure what to do with all this, although I believe I am getting there slowly. I understand now what my brother’s plans were for the estate and his tenants. He wished to develop the land a little further and to make significant repairs to his – my – tenant’s dwellings. I’ve already sent a man out to survey each home so he should bring me a report by the end of the week.”

“Very good, very good,” Major Ridding muttered, shifting a little uneasily in his chair. “Listen, old man, I’ve got something to tell you.”

“Oh?” George’s ears pricked up at once, surprised to see the slightly wary expression on Major Ridding’s face. “Nothing bad, I hope.”

Major Ridding cleared his throat, neither confirming nor denying George’s question. “You see, I’m throwing a ball next week. Obviously, I’ve not got an estate with a ballroom so I’m hiring the village hall.”

“Very good,” George exclaimed, a vision of himself dancing with Lady Jessica rising in his mind. “Do let me know if there is anything I can help you with, Ridding. I have got a little experience of such things now, given that I now have a title!” He chuckled, but Major Ridding did not join in.

“I went to Northfell to invite Lord and Lady Northfell, as well as Lady Jessica, Lady Harmonia and Lady Jacintha,” he continued, his eyes darting away. “They have accepted, of course.”

A wide grin spread across George’s face. Finally, he would be able to dance and speak to Lady Jessica, since Major Ridding would be busy enough trying to keep his guests happy.

“Lady Jessica accepted but pulled me aside to talk to me in private,” the Major said, quietly. “I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, old boy, but she specifically asked me whether or not you would be invited.”

George frowned, a little confused. “Why would you hurt my feelings? She asked if I was attending and that can only be a good thing.”

“No, no, that is not what I meant,” Major Ridding continued, his eyes darting everywhere but George’s face. “What I mean to say is that Lady Jessica asked if you would be in attendance because she specifically wished not to see you.”

It was as though George’s heart stopped beating at that very moment. He stared at Major Ridding, his face paling as he took in what had just been said.

“I’m afraid she doesn’t wish to see you, old man,” Major Ridding finished, finally looking George in the eye. “I’m terribly sorry. I know you had some affection for her.”

“Why?” George asked, hoarsely. “Did she say why? I don’t understand.”

Major Ridding’s expression grew sympathetic. “Did you not see how she deliberately avoided you at the tea party?” he asked, quietly. “She disclosed to me – carefully, I might add – that your feelings are moving faster than her own. I believe she finds you a little too much, Warwick.”

George felt his blood run cold, hardly able to believe what the Major had disclosed.

“I am sorry,” Major Ridding said, getting up to pour them both another brandy. “But you are young and titled, so I am quite sure there shall be another lady along more suited to you.”

Shaking his head, George stared down at the papers on his desk, his eyes unseeing. He could not believe what Major Ridding had revealed to him but had no reason to disbelieve the man. After all, Lady Jessica had been in deep conversation with Major Ridding at the tea party and had made no effort to come and seek him out. In addition, Major Ridding had been a close friend for many years, so there was no reason for him to lie. One looked after one’s friends in the army and this was exactly what Major Ridding was doing. George could not fault him for that.

“When is your ball?” he asked, slowly lifting his head back towards Major Ridding.

“Next week, in the village,” Major Ridding replied, a rather curious look on his face. “Why? You are not thinking of coming, are you? Not when she has specifically asked….?”

“Am I invited?” George asked, suddenly filled with a burst of anger that heated his cooled blood. “Are you giving me an invitation or not?”

Major Ridding looked startled as if he had not expected such a reaction from George. “Well, yes, I should not like to prohibit you from attending if you wish,” he replied, slowly. “I just thought you would not be willing to even consider it after what Lady Jessica has revealed.”

“You were incorrect in that assumption,” George stated, firmly. “I may or may not attend but, either way, I can assure you that I will not cause any trouble with Lady Jessica. If she does not wish to see me then I shall respect that.” Getting to his feet, he cleared his throat and sent a hard look towards the door. “Now, if you will excuse me, I have a great deal of work to do.”

Major Ridding mumbled something, his eyes averted from George’s face as he set his glass down.

“Thank you for being honest with me,” George said, a touch more quietly as Major Ridding walked to the door. “I appreciate your friendship, Major.”

Major Ridding gave a small salute. “Of course, Warwick,” he replied, emphasizing George’s title. “I do hope I have not brought you too much sorrow. Good day.”

George was left quite alone, the air in the study growing so thick that he felt as though he could hardly breathe. Lady Jessica did not want to see him? George felt sick at the thought of her confessing as much to the Major, instead of being honest with him. Had what they shared truly been a lie? When he had spoken to her of his feelings, had she honestly thought him much too forward, much too insistent? It was quite clear to him now that her feelings certainly did not match his own, which devastated George further. His heart had been so full, only to be broken into a million tiny pieces only a few minutes later.

The butler scratched at the door, sending in the maids with a tray of food and pot of coffee, which George instructed them to put on the table by the window. He was barely hungry but knew he must eat, especially if he was to concentrate on what his estate and tenants needed.

He was quite alone now, in all of this. Lady Jessica could not be the help and support he had once thought she might be. No, it now appeared as though he would have to face this new world alone, bereft of the lady he knew he loved.

“I shall speak to her one last time,” he resolved, walking over to the window and looking down at the gardens below. “I shall make it quite clear to her that I will not bother her again. And then, I shall put her from my mind and my heart, for good.”