Winning The Indecisive Duke: The Fairbank Series Page 13

  “I did, indeed. He is a rare sort.”

  “So I have heard.”

  “He is eager to include me in discussions about his new inheritance south of Fairbanks.” Jonah could not help but show off to her, if just a little.

  Julia raised her pretty eyebrows and gave him an admiring look. “I say. That is very kind of him. It will give you excellent experience for when you come into your own inheritance.”

  “By the time my father passes on, I pray I will have a great deal of experience.” Jonah sighed.

  “I pray so,” Julia agreed.

  “He is going to be managing the estate until he is old and gray and wearing a wig to court!”

  Both of them laughed at that.

  “I would like to go for a walk with you, if you would like.”

  Julia lowered her eyes in a way that made Jonah want to grab her, pull her to him, and plant a firm kiss on her red lips. She was so beautiful it was hard to keep himself from her. Every muscle in his body was tense with desire.

  “I wish that were possible, Jonah,” she answered in a low voice. “But until you are not bound to Lady Elizabeth, it would not be seemly for me to go anywhere with you.”

  “I know,” Jonah said sadly. “I am grateful your parents allow you to dance with me,” he said quietly. “I am ever so grateful.”

  Julia looked back up at him sadly. He could see the desperate longing in her eyes, though she no longer smiled. Without it, though she was still beautiful, there was something missing that made Jonah’s heart hurt.

  “Oh, Jonah,” she whispered, daring to take a step closer to him. “Will it ever be possible? Will your father ever change his mind and allow you to follow what you wish for?”

  “I wish I knew, Julia,” Jonah whispered back. “I myself am desperate for the situation to change. I don’t know how much longer I can hold out. We may need to run away.”

  Julia shook her head vigorously. “That is not a possibility. I could never do that to my family. I know you cannot even think of such a thing, either.”

  Jonah’s breath caught in his throat. The urge to grab her into his arms was growing stronger by the minute. He forced himself to look up at her mother, where she stood not very far away, still talking with the Spurgeons. Julia’s sisters were watching as the two of them conversed – he could see it from their posture even in the dark. The entire family knew how Jonah and Julia felt. They never interfered, but never did anything to help either. It seemed they would not have objected if Jonah was free to court Julia.

  He looked back at Julia’s slender pale face, keeping himself in check. “I am determined to fix this situation as soon as I can, Julia. I don’t want to lose you to another, more available suitor. I want…” He stepped closer and leaned toward her. “I want you to be on my arm, next to me, wherever I go, whatever I do. Forever.” His voice was raw.

  “Well now, you can’t put me in your pocket, can you?” Julia smiled again and the look refreshed Jonah’s soul.

  “I would if I could.”

  She nodded. “I am glad to hear that,” she giggled. “I would enjoy it. However, since I am much too big to fit in your pocket, we will just have to live with the way things are for now. When you… are more available, perhaps we will see each other more often.” she said carefully.

  “I want to take you for a ride or a walk around the park,” Jonah said longingly.

  Julia shook her head. “I know, Jonah. And I long for that, too. It is not possible right now, Jonah, you know that. We have our reputations and those of our families to consider.” Her voice was gentle and sad.

  Jonah felt a sudden desperation. He absolutely had to do something to change this situation!

  “I will go and speak to my father again this evening, if he is still awake when I return,” he said at once. “Lately, he has been retiring to bed sooner than he was before.”

  Julia looked at him with wide eyes. “Perhaps he is feeling his age. We can hope that he will mellow, mayhap, with time, and will relent?”

  Jonah snorted. “It’s not likely. But I will have a talk with him tonight or tomorrow. I will keep talking to him until he changes his mind about all of this. And then, when he does change his mind,” Jonah dared to reach out and take her hand, “I will be on your doorstep moments later, asking you to go for a walk in the park with me. And we will talk about our future.” He lifted her hand to his lips, kissing it fervently. Julia sighed, a small sound that shot through him like fire. She relaxed, then tensed sharply. Jonah heard footsteps and released her hand, straightening up.

  “Lord Macefield, it is a pleasure to see you, young sir.” Jacob Young, Earl of Hargrave, approached them.

  Jonah released Julia’s hand immediately and gave the older man a slight bow from the waist. “Lord Hargrave, it is a pleasure to see you, as well. Thank you for allowing me to speak with your daughter.”

  “I hear from my lady wife that you have been speaking with the Duke of Athlone. How is he faring?” the earl asked conversationally.

  “Very well,” Jonah replied warmly. “Have you made the acquaintance of the duke?”

  “We have corresponded a few times, yes,” the earl replied. “Though I do not know him personally.”

  “He is a good man,” Jonah said. “And I was just telling Julia that he was asking my opinions about his new inheritances south of Fairbanks.” He hoped to impress Julia's father, and felt his heart thump with nervousness as he waited to hear how the earl would respond to this confidence.

  “Oh? Has he spoken to your father about it as well?”

  Jonah was quiet for a moment. He hadn’t even asked Daniel if he’d spoken to his father about the land. He felt a little embarrassed and decided the truth was his best and only ally. “I truthfully do not know if he’s spoken to father about this,” he admitted. “I know that he seems to trust my experience. Father has allowed me to play a part in the management of his own estates since I was twelve years of age.”

  “That is impressive. Though I am not surprised your father has such confidence in you. You seem a very sensible young man.”

  Jonah blushed to the roots of his hair, feeling his heart thudding with pride. “Thank you, my lord.”

  The earl smiled. “It is time to get home. Julia, your mother is waiting in the carriage. I have enjoyed chatting with you, Lord Macefield. Should you ever have an opportunity to stop by the mansion for whatever reason,” he glanced at Julia and then back at Jonah, “do not hesitate to visit with us. I know that you have a situation to deal with. If I am ever able to help in any way, I will be happy to.”

  Jonah felt a twitch in his chest. Julia’s father was offering to help him break his contract with the Huntington family. He wondered if the older man would be willing to speak to his father about it. He wanted to ask but couldn’t bring himself to do so.

  “Th… thank you, my lord. I… I will have to take you up on that offer.” He tried not to stutter but the proposal took him by surprise.

  “I may have to stop by your home at some point and have a talk with your father.” Jacob’s eyes never left Jonah’s. Jonah could only blink. “Do you think that a wise suggestion?”

  Jonah swallowed before answering. “Y… yes, my lord. I think it would be very helpful.”

  “Then it is settled. I will stop by in the next week. We shall see if any changes can be made to your dilemma.”

  Julia was unable to hide the delighted grin that spread across her face. Jonah let his eyes settle on her as they turned away to go to the carriage.

  “I hope to see you soon, Lady Julia,” he said softly.

  She looked at him over shoulder with passionate eyes. “And I you, my lord.”

  Jonah did not stop smiling from that moment until, returning home, he collapsed, weary and elated, into bed and fell asleep quickly for the first time in the months since his worries began.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  SEEKS AN ANSWER

  SEEKS AN ANSWER

  The
day was bright and beautiful, after a long rainy week. Daniel, riding out across the countryside for the first time all week was heading toward Huntington Park, the home of Alexandra and Elizabeth. He was surprised to find himself riding as fast as he could.

  I did not know I was so eager for their company. He shook his head and grinned at his own sweet folly.

  It was early afternoon, the sun warm and a soft breeze blowing over the fields to cool his perspiration. He had not announced his visit or sent his card, but he was fairly certain the earl and his family would be at home that afternoon. As he rode, he thought about the news he had heard from Lord Ashdown, a friend he had met in town the day before. His friend reported that Lord Hargrave had spoken to Lord Westering about the situation with their children. Unfortunately, those rumors did not include a change of heart. Until that matter was settled, Daniel felt torn. He had resigned himself to joining the Huntington family, whether it be in marriage to Alexandra or to Elizabeth. He was confident he would have the blessing of both the Huntingtons, whichever daughter he chose. He simply had to make up his mind. And he had no idea how he would do that.

  Both women would look fine on his arm when attending parties and other events. Both would be strong and assertive in their role as Duchess of Athlone. Both were respectable and genteel, the perfect ladies. But when it came down to it, he knew the only true happiness he would find would be with Elizabeth. Alexandra would most likely rule his household with an iron fist. He didn’t want to see the servants treated like slaves. And her negative outlook and her bitterness would drag at him, he was sure.

  Just like Taming of the Shrew. He would never have thought to be caught up in such a drama in his own life.

  He reached the gate of the park and slowed to a walk. He rode up the gravel drive, the sandstone building a gracious and weathered edifice. To his dismay, the first person he saw as he went up the imposing marble staircase of the house was Alexandra.

  Seated in a white iron chair next to a small round table on the terrace, she seemed engaged in sewing a tapestry. The chair opposite her on the other side of the table was empty. With a heavy heart, he knew he would be seated in that chair in the next few moments. He wished there was a way to keep out of sight at least until he had a more solid idea of his own thoughts, but the path to the front doors was open and straight. There was no way around it.

  Alexandra looked up and smiled brightly. He couldn’t help thinking what a beautiful woman she was. When she stood up to greet him, he could not help but notice her willowy figure. She was breathtaking and if he had to make his decision based on appearances alone, he was sure he would choose this dark alluring woman with her secrets and her passion. How much of what was doubtless once a magnificent soul was corrupted by her jealous insecurities? He didn’t know. It was the one question he needed to answer, and he had no way of finding out.

  “Your grace! What a delight to see you!” Alexandra greeted him. She dropped her sewing to the chair and dropped a curtsey to him, looking up under her lashes at him. “It has been nearly a week, has it not?”

  “Slightly more, I would say,” Daniel replied.

  “We have missed you tremendously here! You must have been very busy to keep yourself from us.”

  He could tell she wanted to say “me” and had to hide his smile.

  “Yes, it has been a very busy week,” he conceded. “With the constant rain and storms, I have been obligated to stay inside and work from the small office I have set up at the inn.” He sighed. “It is far from peaceful there and I find myself distracted by carters and millers, the shouts in the street, squalling babies in the rooms above...” He shook his head.

  “Why have you not asked Papa if you can take one of the rooms here?” she asked. “We have plenty.”

  “That is a kind offer, my lady, but I cannot impose.”

  “I can make a suggestion of it.”

  “If you were to do that, my dear, it would look suspicious, would it not?”

  “Why would it look suspicious?” Alexandra tilted her head to the side. Daniel lifted his eyebrows, causing a look of understanding to cross the young woman’s face. “Oh! You believe Papa would think you were trying to get closer to me, I suppose. Well, would it be so very bad if he assumed that?”

  “I don’t want to impose,” Daniel reiterated, feeling awkward. Until his mind was made up, he did not wish to lead Alexandra to any conclusions about how he felt about her.

  “I will be happy to mention it if you would like.”

  Daniel shook his head. “I am not too uncomfortable where I am – the ride back to my accommodations from here each day would take hours. I would have to stay, and that would impose too much on your father. I do not like to force myself on others.”

  “I will keep that in mind, my lord.” Alexandra gestured to the open chair next to her. “Would you care to join me, my lord? I can promise you do not force your company on me.” She smiled engagingly.

  He suppressed a sigh. He couldn’t let her know that his main goal for coming over that day was to speak with Elizabeth. He wanted to get to know her better, the better to make up his mind “Is your father home?” he asked lightly, beginning conversation.

  “Yes, he is home. But he is involved in business right now and never likes to be disturbed until after at least two o’clock. That give us almost an hour to catch up after this long week of separation.”

  “I will sit for a spell then,” he agreed. “It would be most pleasant.” He sat down gracefully in the seat beside her, crossing his long legs at the ankle. He wished Elizabeth would pop around the corner or come out of the house. If she showed up coincidentally, it was surely fate telling him to pursue that option further. There could be no harm in getting to know her better, after all.

  He found himself glancing round the garden as Alexandra talked of a ball at Sutner House, plying her needle in her tapestry while talking. He found himself looking up at the side of the mansion, wondering which room belonged to Elizabeth.

  The movement of curtains drew his attention and he spotted her. He blinked but composed himself quickly, knowing Alexandra was watching him. He looked away and then back up at her. She was peeking through the curtains at him. He would have sworn he saw one small hand wave at him and then press itself against the glass as if to say, “I am here.”

  He stared up at the window. He didn’t care if Alexandra saw him or not. He lifted one hand halfway up and then lowered it. He hoped she saw that gesture and knew it was for her. Her pretty face had disappeared once again. He knew he was destined to spend the next forty-five minutes hoping she would come down and join him and her sister as they sat and talked. He would give up his chair immediately if she sought to join them. Now, he could only sit and wait.

  Upstairs, Elizabeth felt her heart thudding. She sat down heavily on the chair by her bed and ran a hand across her face. She was surprised that she was trembling. She had not known how deeply the sight of the Duke of Athlone affected her.

  What shall I do now?

  She sighed, laughing at herself and the depth of her attraction. Her plan had been, that morning, to take a ride on her horse and clear her mind of her troubles. Normally, she would go to the pond oasis but today she did not wish to go there. She might see Jonah, and she did not want to see Jonah or talk to him today. Every time they had met each other for the last week, they only spoke about the marriage contract. It was as if everything else they had ever done together had fallen by the wayside, never to be spoken of again. The good times with Jonah were gone. The fun they had as children was a distant memory. Now the only thing they ever conversed about was the possibility that they would be forced to marry. It was distressing and she wished matters were different.

  She wanted to talk to him about fun things, hear his sense of humor and receive his wise guidance for other issues in her life, such as how to get Alexandra to stop bullying her.

  But all they ever talked about nowadays was marriage. And Lady Julia. While sh
e had no quarrel with the woman, and would have tolerated his high praises of her with only delight in his happiness, the conversation inevitably led back to the one thing she wished not to even think of: their arranged marriage. The last time she had seen him there, he had told her that Lord Hargrave offered to speak with Jonah’s father about their situation.

  It had been nearly a week since then. She had not had a single message from Jonah, nor had he visited the manor. Her father told her that Jonah was seen in the city at his father’s offices, and she assumed he was engaged in some business of the estate. She sighed. Not having conversed with him for a few days was no bad thing.

  She had been thinking about Jonah when she stood up and approached the window, pushing back the curtains to look out at the bright sky. She had longed to be there, where the sun was shining and the gentle breeze would lift her hair and let cool air blow over her neck. It was later now, the sun just past noon. She glanced at the clock. She should ride now, if she wished to be back for dinner. She looked back out of the window, trying to decide whether to take her thick cloak.

  The first thing she saw was the Duke of Athlone on his horse, headed their way. Her heart skipped a beat and then started to pound like a drum. She put a hand on her chest and breathed in deeply, striving for composure. He was talking to Alexandra, sitting across from Alexandra as she plied her needle in her neat tapestry sampler. While he sat, Elizabeth saw him glance up at the window as if he knew exactly where she was standing.

  Her heart leaped into her throat. She pressed one hand against the glass. When he lifted his hand and gave her a smile, she could barely believe it. The look on his face, even from afar, was one of intense longing. She dropped the curtains again and retreated from the window. She hurried to dress, reaching for her riding habit. I should avoid them. He is not here to see me. I do not wish to torture myself. He had already seen her though, she reasoned, and it would be prudent that she go and join them for a moment. What kind of hostess would she be if she did not at least say hello to the visitor before going on her ride?