And have you settled in, Eccles?”

George Eccles sighed heavily, looking around the study. “No, I have not. But, then again, I have only taken up residence this week.”

“And I suppose I should start referring to you as Lord Warwick!” Major Ridding replied, with a hearty chuckle. “It is going to take some time for things to adjust, I suppose.”

George nodded fervently. “Indeed,” he mumbled, lifting his glass of port to his lips. “I cannot tell you how much of a struggle it was to leave my military uniform aside this morning.” He glanced down at himself, still not altogether comfortable with the attire he was wearing. It had been a few years since he had last worn such things and to no longer be in his uniform had brought him a very strange sensation. “I am not even used to being referred to as Lord Warwick!” Up until news of his brother’s death had reached him, he had been referred to as Mr Eccles, as his status befit him. However, now he was the Earl of Warwick and with that title came a great deal of responsibility. It was a weight he was not used to carrying.

Major Ridding shrugged. “You will become used to your new title, in time.”

“I am not even certain what my responsibilities are!” George exclaimed, aware of the anxiety bubbling up in his chest. “I am – I was – the second son. Being taught such things was never seen as important. My father was always with my brother. They would spend hours together in the study, going over accounts and ensuring that the land was producing a profit. I do not even know how many tenants I have, nor what the state of their homes is. There is so much to learn and I feel quite unprepared.”

“But now you hold the title and so you must learn how to live the life of an earl,” Major Ridding said, calmly. “And you will pick things up quickly. You always have been a fast learner.”

George frowned and shook his head, not feeling as assured as the Major appeared to be. Although he appreciated Ridding’s faith in him, he was not quite certain that everything would simply fall into place. This was, after all, meant to be his brother’s life. He had never intended to be the new Earl of Warwick. That had never been part of his life’s plan.

But, then again, falls from horses and broken necks had probably not been his brother’s plan either.

George closed his eyes tightly against the wave of grief that threatened to overwhelm him. He had been in Pomerania when news had come of his brother’s sudden death – as well as the information that he was, in fact, the new Earl of Warwick. His brother had never married, nor produced an heir and with no living parents to speak of, George had suddenly felt very alone in the world.

Thankfully, the letter had come at the same time as the regiment had been planning to return to England for a brief respite and so, with a heavy heart, George had decided to leave the army and take up his responsibilities as he ought. Major Ridding, of course, had tried to convince him otherwise, given that he – despite being titled – had chosen to remain in the army but the sense of responsibility would not leave George.

It was a little surprising that Major Ridding was now being as supportive as he was, given that he had disregarded his responsibilities with such ease. Apparently, a distant cousin and the Major’s steward ran things in his absence, and, at times, George had been tempted to follow a similar path – but he knew that being the only one left from his family meant that he had to push his own desires aside. That meant taking up residence at his estate and working as hard as he could to be both a responsible and hardworking earl.

However, now that he was finally living in the estate, George began to wonder if he had made the right decision. He knew nothing of being an earl, nor of how to care for his tenants, land, and property. His steward, at least, was being more than helpful but George felt like a fish thrown out of the water who was expected to live, quite happily, on land.

Then again, he had only been back at his estate a week. Perhaps that was too short a time to expect himself to be settled in. His thoughts drifted back towards Lady Jessica, recalling how much he had enjoyed dancing with her last evening. She had been a welcome relief from his otherwise difficult situation.

And, at some point, you will need to marry and produce an heir of your own, a small voice told him.

Stunned that he had thought of Lady Jessica at that very moment, George cleared his throat and rubbed one hand over his eyes. He did not need to think about matrimony so soon, surely? And certainly not consider a young lady with whom he had danced only once – even if her beautiful smile had captured his attention to the point that he could hardly get her from his mind.

“I did see you dance quite often last evening,” he began, hoping to change the subject and, mayhap, lighten his spirits. “Did your eye catch anyone of particular interest?”

Major Ridding chuckled, his eyes dancing with mischief. “There were a great many ladies, yes. Although I believe I missed one of those dances somehow.” His smile faded as he frowned. “I think I was caught up with…. a…. another matter.”

George rolled his eyes, well aware that Major Ridding liked to press his attentions on whatever pretty lady was open to receiving them.

“Yes, you missed dancing with Lady Jessica,” he said, with a grin. “Although I will say that it was a blessing to me!”

Major Ridding raised one eyebrow. “Oh?”

“I took your place,” George explained, his smile widening. “I have to say, she quite caught my attention. I was hoping to further my acquaintance with her, in fact.”

Much to his surprise, Major Ridding did not look altogether pleased. In fact, he looked downright frustrated. “I do not think Lady Jessica is a wise choice for your affections,” he said, gruffly. “I had heard that she is already spoken for.”

George felt his heart sink, the lightness immediately gone from spirits. “Oh? She did not say anything of the kind to me, although, I suppose she would have no reason to.”

“I spoke to her sisters as we danced,” Major Ridding explained, with a wave of his hand. “Said something about a suitor back in London. Apparently, they are very close to being engaged.”

“Oh.” Frowning to himself, George studied Major Ridding carefully. He could not be sure that Lady Jessica was already spoken for, surely? In addition, George was a little surprised that her sisters would be so indiscreet, for surely if there was no engagement as yet, they would not speak so freely about an attachment – especially to a man who was a brand-new acquaintance. Was there some other reason Major Ridding did not want to speak of her or the ball last evening?

“I think I might get to know the family a little better, regardless,” he continued, after a brief pause. “They seem to be a very interesting family and, given that I know Lord Northfell a little, it would be nice to further the acquaintance, especially since my estate borders his.”

“And you may have your pick of either Lady Jacintha or Lady Harmonia,” Major Ridding quipped, his smile already back in place. “For I did not hear that either of them had anyone of particular interest back in town.”

“Good, good,” George mumbled, getting out of his chair and moving to sit at his desk. The truth was, he did not think that he wanted to get to know either Lady Jacintha or Lady Harmonia, not when Lady Jessica would be present. “In fact, I think I may host a small soiree and invite the family.”

“A soiree, you say?” Major Ridding repeated, his eyes brightening. “And you will invite some of the regiment, will you not?”

“You are invited, of course,” George grinned, shaking his head. “It will not be a particularly large gathering. Some time next week, I think. That should give my staff enough time to organize things, as well as giving me something to look forward to!” The mountain of paperwork and accounts to his left caught his eye and he bit back a groan. Sometimes he longed for the wild outdoors of the army, especially when he saw just what he had to deal with here.

“A soiree, then,” Major Ridding murmured, his expression growing a little calculating. “Yes, I think that will be an excellent opportunity for both you and I to further our acquaintance with Lady Northfell’s sisters, wouldn’t you say?”

“Indeed,” Arthur replied, trying to think of whom else to invite – and ignoring the swirl of worry that began to make its way through his veins. He did not quite like the expression on Major Ridding’s face, not quite sure what it was he was planning to do when he met the sisters again.