Lady Louisa wasn’t very skilled in the art of keeping count on a gentleman through the whole of a night. It was something she was sure either Lady Hendrickson or Miss Elisabeth could enlighten her about as they seemed to have perfected that talent.
Finally, however, she saw a chance when the Duke was finally relieved from Lady Hendrickson and came to sit down next to the unlit fireplace. Lady Louisa quickly excused herself from the group she was with and walked straight to him to speak with him while there was still a chance.
“Your Grace,” Lady Louisa said.
He looked up, and Lady Louisa thought he was rather relieved it was her and not her aunt.
“Lady Louisa, have you come to inspect the delicate hyacinths that your cousin has painted so perfectly on this fireplace screen?” he said in a low voice, his words dripping with sarcasm.
“No,” Lady Louisa said, taking the seat across from him. “I can assure you I have been required to look at it many times already and know her painted floral arrangements well,” she answered in the same tone.
“I actually wanted a moment to speak with you for two reasons, Your Grace,” Lady Louisa said in a soft whisper.
“And what might those be,” the Duke asked, leaning back in his own chair away from the screen and looking at her with a question in his emerald eyes.
“Well, first, I suppose I owe you an apology,” Lady Louisa said with her eyes on the carpet.
“An apology?” the Duke responded sternly.
“Yes, I believe I might have judged you too harshly the first few times we met. It was wrong of me to claim that you presented a facade to others. In all honesty, I think I was a bit offended you thought so little of my gender to think we could be easily deceived by a title and an agreeable disposition. I see now that you are a good man who takes his position in life very seriously.”
“I appreciate the compliment and apology,” Rowland said, never having expected that speech to be what came out of Lady Louisa’s mouth. “I must admit, however, that though your words might have seemed taxing at the time, there was some truth in them.”
“I have done quite a bit of soul searching these last few weeks, and in part, I have grown and changed because of the things you said to me. I don’t need to wear a mask to please another. It is much more worthwhile to find a companion who will accept me as I am.”
Lady Louisa sat back in her own chair and blinked a few times in wonderment. She was surprised to hear such words come from his mouth.
“I am sure I had very little part in any growth you may have done in your life, Your Grace,” Lady Louisa finally said modestly. “You seem to surround yourself with very fine friends and family members who are great supports in life.”
“This is true,” the Duke said looking over at his uncle, “Though I wouldn’t have agreed a month ago. My uncle had actually put me in quite a precarious position, and I was not very happy about it. You see,” he continued when Lady Louisa was clearly interested in what he meant, “the only reason for me to come here and hunt for a wife, as it were, was because my uncle had quite literally threatened to remove all my funding. Though I am the Duke in title, he is still the holder of my parents’ estates until he deems me fit or I reach the age of thirty.”
“Mr. Vaughan is so kind, I can’t imagine him doing such a thing,” Lady Louisa said a little surprised.
“Oh,” the Duke said, “I don’t think he would have ever actually gone through with it. Well, now I can safely say that, I wasn't so sure at the start of the year when he first told me. I believe he was just looking for a little incentive to get me to grow from my youthful years as a pup to the man I should become. He also felt that included not just a change in my priorities, but also the necessity of a companion.”
“And you believe now his methods have worked?” Lady Louisa asked, actually enjoying the time they spent together in conversation.
“Ironically, it was only after he assured me that he would cause me no ill will if I was unable to complete his requirements that I found the inspiration to change. You see,” he continued. “I wanted to accomplish his tasks and then go back to the way I once was. But I now see that is impossible. One can never go back to the person they were before. You, yourself, must agree with this statement. Did you not say that after your time here in the country you feel more bravery and a willingness to try new things?”
“Yes, I believe before my time here, I would not have understood what you are trying to tell me, but now having also experienced it myself, I do,” Lady Louisa agreed.
“It really became obvious to me the other day,” the Duke continued. “I was reading a book of poetry by Percy Bysshe Shelley. Do you know him?”
Lady Louisa smiled inwardly knowing where he had received the inspiration to read from this poet.
“I believe I have heard of him,” she said trying to show indifference to a writer she deeply admired and respected.
“In one of his poems, he says ‘Man’s yesterday may ne’er be like his morrow; Naught may endure but Mutability.’”
“It is a beautiful line,” Lady Louisa agreed, knowing the verses of that particular poem well.
Not only was it in Shelley’s book of poems, but it was also quoted by his wife in her rather controversial book The Modern Prometheus.
“It just spoke so greatly to me. I refuse to try and keep my way still. I feel as if I was trying to stagnate when in reality I was in a rushing river,” Rowland continued passionately about his new awakening.
“I don’t mean to chatter on about things that most likely seem quite dramatic to the listener,” the Duke said, a little embarrassed that he opened up so suddenly and freely.
“I feel there is a distinction between being dramatic and having great passion and excitement. I see you expressing the latter, Your Grace,” Lady Louisa reassured him.
He gave her a soft, lopsided smile.
“But you did say there were two things you wished to speak to me about. I pray you tell me the second, for surely we will be interrupted any moment by your aunt's desire to hear my opinion on the screen,” he teased.
Lady Louisa let her eyes drift over to where Lady Hendrickson was speaking with Lady Hartford. She too was certain any moment she would find an excuse to come over. Lady Hendrickson was giving Lady Louisa a particular look that meant she was treading on thin ice.
“I was made aware of a secret agreement between two parties and was also told that you had foreknowledge of it,” Lady Louisa said quickly and as vaguely as possible. The Duke smiled at her.
“You don’t have to worry, I also know about Jasper and Miss Mary’s secret engagement,” he said in a whisper.
Lady Louisa gave a sigh of relief. She wasn’t sure if she would have been able to keep speaking vaguely. She was happy to see the Duke not doing so.
“Well, I am sure you are aware why they must keep it a secret for now.”
“Actually I am not,” the Duke replied in honesty.
“Oh,” Lady Louisa said, not receiving the response she had expected. “I certainly don’t agree with my aunt on this matter, but I believe she has two major concerns. One, Mary has assured me she and the Colonel are working on remedying and the other…” Lady Louisa wasn’t sure how to explain the second.
“What is the first?” Rowland asked skeptically.
“Well, Lady Hendrickson isn’t very happy that Colonel Jasper is a member of the militia. Though I know it to be an honorable career, I believe she thinks it is less than ideal for her own daughter’s living.”
“And Jasper is already in the process of selling his commission and acquiring a different employment.”
“Yes, and I fear until this matter is settled Lady Hendrickson will not feel comfortable with the marriage.”
“Well, then I will just have to see to it that I help Jasper find something that her ladyship would consider suitable. Though I would think his good character, his affection for Miss Mary, as well as his exquisite military career should be enough.”
“I do agree with you on this matter, and of course Mary does too. My aunt is just very adamant in her opinion, and I fear that she will not allow Mary to make a match unless she is satisfied with the conditions she has set.”
“And what is this second condition you speak of? The one that you don’t see a solution for?”
“Well, I believe it stems from my aunt's own choices in life. You see, my aunt was meant to marry an Earl, my father, in fact. But she chose Mr. Hendrickson instead, because she had great affection for him and barely knew my father at all. Of course, her parents would not allow such a thing, so the two eloped. In the end, my mother found companionship in the Earl intended for her older sister. My Aunt has never made her peace with this.”
“What does any of that have to do with Miss Mary and Jasper?” Rowland asked, not seeing the line of logic.
“I believe it is my aunt’s opinion that any gentleman not of the peerage is not a viable candidate for her daughters. She fears that they will feel the same unhappiness that she felt due to her life choices.”
“That is preposterous! Jasper is just as worthy - if not more so - than any gent of the ton!”
“I know,” Lady Louisa cooed trying to soothe his raising voice. “I agree wholeheartedly with you, as does Mary. Unfortunately, it is her mother that must be convinced.”
Rowland took a moment to calm himself down. Jasper was like a brother to him and to have someone consider him less than worthy merely because he was born without a title, was infuriating.
His uncle's words circled his mind again. If he were to create a connection to Miss Elisabeth, then things would certainly be a lot easier for Jasper. The lady in green invaded his thoughts again, and as much as he cared for his friend, he couldn’t subject himself to a lifetime with Miss Elisabeth.
Certainly, there was another way that he could use his influence as a Duke to change Lady Hendrickson’s opinion.
“I have just the thing,” Rowland said suddenly. “Mrs. Vance’s late father used to oversee the whole of Bassen Property in my absence. When he passed, Mrs. Vance did what she could to keep up with things. Of course, since my return and the increasing need for help, I have been looking to assign one person to overseeing the property again. Jasper would have a cottage on the property and a gentleman’s salary. Lady Hendrickson would have to accept him with such prospects,” Rowland was sure of it.
Rowland didn’t wait for Lady Louisa’s answer but instead, in his excitement, searched the room for Colonel Jasper and called him over.
Again, Rowland told his friend of the plan he had concocted. Jasper hesitated for a moment as he thought the prospect over. It was a generous offer on Rowland’s behalf. In fact, he hesitated because it was too generous. He didn’t like the idea of taking charity. “Come on, chap. What do you think?” Rowland asked when his friend didn’t answer.
Miss Mary had joined their group also at Lady Louisa’s urging, and she now stood silently looking at the Colonel. She rather thought it was a wonderful prospect for them. She was sure that her mother would have no objections to her living in Bassen Park and continuing the lifestyle she now had - if not a better one, between the Colonel’s sold commission and the generous salary suggested by the Duke.
It was not her decision to make, however. None the less, the Colonel looked to his secret future bride for her opinion on the matter. They shared a long look where no words were spoken, but the communication between them was clear.
Lady Louisa looked over at the Duke at that moment and couldn’t help but feel a fluttering in her own stomach when their eyes met. She quickly looked away.
“I believe I would be a fool to pass up such a wonderful offer,” Jasper said with a smile after silently confirming as much with Miss Mary.
The two shook hands on the agreement. Lady Louisa wasn’t sure who in their small party was more excited about the prospect of such an agreement.
“We will establish the details upon our return to Bassen Park,” the Duke announced, beaming.
“Return,” Lady Hendrickson asked as she walked over to the group. “Do you have plans to leave, Your Grace?” she asked rather calmly, though it was apparent she didn’t find the prospect a soothing thing at all.
“Yes, I will be visiting with friends for a short time. First, we will go to Lord and Lady Filtons and then spend some time with the Baron of Chesterland and his family.”
Again, Miss Mary’s eyes met the Colonel’s as it seemed it was also news to her that he would be leaving the area for a time. He would have rather explained himself at that moment but was unable to find a reason to do so in Lady Hendrickson’s presence without causing more suspicion.
Lady Louisa had heard these two family names enough over the last several weeks to guess why the Duke was making calls on these families. He was still in the hunt for the lady in green. Though she was glad that he hadn’t found her out yet, she also felt a little guilt that he was going to such great lengths to search when the lady he sought was in fact right in front of him. Her only hope was that perhaps he would find a companion in one of these ladies that he was considering as his mystery woman. Though a stab of jealousy pierced her at the thought of it, it would be better for him to find love and give up the chase, and it would be better for her relationship with the Hendricksons if he never discovered her identity as the lady.