Chapter Seven − An Echo of the Past

The morning after the ball, Lord Kenwood called on Jo, inviting her on an outing the next afternoon. Delighted, Jo agreed, finding herself quite eager to see the young man again. Still, her mother’s excitement seemed to exceed even her own.

“Marvellously done, my dear,” Lady Rawdon exclaimed the moment Lord Kenwood had left their home. “He is quite the catch, titled, wealthy and handsome. Many young ladies have tried to catch his attention.”

As well as their mothers, Jo added silently.

“Still, so far he seemed quite disinclined to take a wife,” her mother continued, completely unaware of her daughter’s amusement with the situation at large. “I’ve never understood why. With his father’s passing two years ago, it is his duty to provide an heir to continue his line. I cannot fathom why he would be so reluctant.” Sighing, Lady Rawdon shook her head. “Well, whatever the reason, I’m glad that you caught his attention. Now, let’s discuss what you should wear tomorrow.”

Jo groaned at the consequences of her mother’s enthusiasm and was forced to spend the better part of the afternoon trying on dresses, bonnets and shoes. The sun was already setting by the time her mother was finally satisfied and Jo managed to escape her clutches.

“You look exhausted,” Grandmamma Clarice commented when Jo sank onto the settee next to her with a loud sigh. “What does your mother have planned now?”

Leaning her head against the backrest, Jo closed her eyes. “I’m certain she’s already planning my wedding to Lord Kenwood.”

“Ah.” Shifting in her seat, Grandmamma Clarice placed a hand on Jo’s. “I assume he hasn’t proposed yet.”

Jo chuckled, “Of course not. I met the man yesterday.”

“I know,” her grandmother replied, the look in her eyes suggesting that there was more she wished to say.

Jo frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I saw you with him,” she whispered, wicked amusement lighting up her eyes. “In your hiding place.”

Drawing in a sharp breath, Jo clasped a hand over her mouth.

“Don’t worry, my dear. Your mother has no clue,” she assured her granddaughter, reassuringly patting her hand. “But I assume you know that if she did, you’d be married within days.”

Jo nodded.

“Good. Then the only question that remains is, what are your intentions?”

“I’ve only just met him. I…”

Again, her grandmother patted her hand. “All I’m saying is that you need to be careful or your decision will be made for you. From what I hear, his mother is almost as resourceful as yours when it comes to pushing her child into the direction of a potential spouse.”

“Yes, he said as much,” Jo replied with a chuckle. “I’ll consider myself warned.” That sentence echoed in her head as it had been the same Lord Kenwood had said to her the night before, and a soft smile came to her face.

“You like him,” her grandmother observed, her pale eyes slightly narrowed as she watched her granddaughter’s reaction.

Jo nodded, seeing no need to lie to her grandmother. “I do. He is sweet and funny and…daring.” She sighed, “He…he reminds me of…”

“Owen,” Grandmamma Clarice finished for her when Jo’s voice broke off.

Sniffling, Jo nodded. “Is that wrong? I do not want to replace him. But last night was the first time that I enjoyed remembering him without sadness or guilt.”

“No, it’s not wrong. It’s wonderful. I’m certain he would be proud of you.” Squeezing her hand, her grandmother smiled. “As am I.”

To her mother’s delight, Johanna spent almost every single day of the following fortnight in Lord Kenwood’s company. Still, Jo had to admit that it was not only her mother who beamed at the thought that Lord Kenwood would soon cross their threshold once again; Jo, too, found that his presence brightened her days.

With the temperature slowly climbing upward, they often promenaded through Hyde Park in the afternoon, freely sharing their respective mother’s delight with their courtship.

“Is this a courtship?” Jo asked one such afternoon as they were strolling past the Serpentine, its waters glistening in the bright sunlight.

Stopping, Lord Kenwood turned to look at her, a hint of mischief curling up his lips. Still, the look in his eyes held no humour, and Jo found herself drawing in a steadying breath. “As shocking as it might seem, I admit that I’ve come to care for you,” Lord Kenwood said, a teasing note in his voice. “Are you shocked? Offended? Appalled?”

Jo heard the mockery in his voice, and yet, the way he seemed to hold his breath as he waited for her answer told her everything she needed to know. “I assure you it is neither one of those, my lord. Perhaps surprised is a good word.”

Grinning, Lord Kenwood blew out a relieved breath. “Surprised I can live with. Surprised will not shatter my poor heart.”

Laughing, Jo shook her head. “You are quite dramatic, my lord. Sometimes I find myself wondering what it is you truly wish to say.”

Nodding, Lord Kenwood drew in a slow breath, his gaze earnest when it returned to hers. “You’re right, Miss Grey. I tend to use humour as a way of deflecting unpleasant thoughts.”

Holding his gaze, Jo asked, “Am I an unpleasant thought?”

His eyes widened in shock. “Oh, no, not at all. Quite on the contrary.” When he saw the slight blush that came to her cheeks, a smile grew on his face that revealed more than words ever could. “Perhaps I can try to speak plainly.”

“Do try,” Jo said, wondering if she truly wished to encourage him. “And I shall listen.”

Inhaling a shuddering breath, Lord Kenwood nodded. “Well, then. To be frank, I’ve come to care for you, Miss Grey, and by now, it is not only my mother who is hoping for a happy outcome of our courtship. I’ve enjoyed your company immensely this past fortnight, and I’m hoping you’ll grant me the pleasure of your presence for many days to come.”

“I’ve enjoyed your company as well,” Jo said honestly, realising that the thought of him absent from her life pained her greatly. As strange as it was, Lord Kenwood had become her sole reason for rising each morning with a smile on her face. Who would she be if he ever left?

“It would be an honour,” he whispered, his dark brown eyes holding hers, “if you would call me Brendan.”

Smiling, Jo nodded. “But then you must call me Johanna.”

“I shall,” Brendan beamed, his gaze momentarily shifting over their surroundings, and before Jo knew what was happening, he leaned in and gave her a quick kiss on the mouth. It felt warm and soft and safe. “I hope this was not too untoward.” A slight frown rested on his face as he watched her, all but holding his breath.

Jo smiled, pleasantly surprised by her first kiss. “Not at all.”

Pulling her hand once more through the crook of his arm, Brendan guided her farther down the path, his gaze often veering to meet hers as Jo contemplated the future that was now offered to her. Would she truly be able to marry for love?

Certainly, there was little doubt in her mind that before long Brendan would ask for her hand. That, he had made quite clear. But what would she say? Did she dare seek out happiness and marry a man she cared for?

Jo knew exactly what her friends from school would say, and a deep smile claimed her face.

 

***

 

Back on English soil, Colin felt as though now he was the foreigner setting foot into an unknown land. Although he was all too familiar with English society−thanks to his relentless tutor following his every step−Colin knew very little about what to expect from those he had left behind.

Thanks to Grandmamma Clarice’s letter, he could rest assured that there would be at least one welcoming face upon his return to London. Still, Colin could not help but wonder if his father would even recognise him. Would Owen’s parents curse his name should their paths cross by happenstance? Although Colin had no intention of seeking them out, he could not help but wonder if fate would throw them in his path, nonetheless. As they had made it quite clear what they thought of him when they had sent him from their home after Owen’s death, Colin did not expect politeness in any form. Not that he blamed them.

And then there was Johanna.

Jo.

Ever since receiving her grandmother’s letter, Colin had been unable to keep the memories of their shared youth at bay. Every night, he had dreamed of her and Owen, and every morning when he had awakened, he had longed for nothing more but to return to that point in his life when all had been well.

With each mile that he had ventured closer to England, the need to see her had grown. Would he recognise the young girl in the woman she had become? Would their eyes meet, and the old familiarity with one another return? Would she still be able to see into his heart? Or would they meet as strangers?

That thought plagued Colin the most. Ultimately, he could accept the hatred of Owen’s parents or his father’s indifference as they were already-known facts. They would not take his heart by surprise for it had already suffered for them.

But Jo, she still held sway over him, and he burnt to know how it would feel to lay eyes on her again, to be in the same room with her, to see her smile.

If only the horses could move with greater speed!