Chapter Two

 

 

Colin, 9th Duke of Greystoke, dreamed of life far different from the one in which he lived. In it, people spoke to him honestly. One would think that a duke could demand it of them, but alas, it was as if it never occurred.

For as long as he could remember, it was as if every person he encountered went out of their way to lie to him. Oh, he had no mad notion that they were plotting any nefarious schemes to rid him of his wealth. Or searching for a way to manipulate his good character in order to receive gifts.

The fact was that he was a duke from perhaps one of the most powerful bloodlines England had ever known. Many could benefit from his position in one way or another, whether it be an invitation to an exclusive party or a whisper of a favor at the Royal Court. It was no different when it came to the women who craved his attention. They did not want him, they wanted the title that with marriage to him.

He had lost count of the number of times he had considered how different his life would have been if he were bred from common stock. Although he loved the many luxuries his title afforded him, he despised the cost with which it came.

He had been drinking tea and reading in the library early this morning, a routine he savored that allowed him time to escape his monotonous life. Whether it was a highwayman planning a robbery or a hunter facing a wild beast in the Savannas of Africa, the enjoyment of not being a duke for a full hour pleased him.

Yet his freedom had come to an abrupt end. With a sigh, he returned the tome to its place on the shelf amongst the others of green or brown leather binding. It was time to face his life once more.

And as if to remind him of this fact, the door opened and Pendleton entered the room.

The butler was older than England itself. Or so Colin had believed as a child. Even today, a full head of silver-white hair and a face so lined it could have mapped every river in every country in the world confirmed the man was ancient. The often cankerous man was a welcome delight who added a much-needed presence to Hemingford Home.

“Your Grace,” Pendleton said with his customary bow, which consisted of folding one arm across his stomach as the other remained rigid at his side. “Her Grace requests your presence to escort Lady Katherine Haskett through the rear garden before you leave.”

Colin had planned a short holiday to Wilkworth for ten days, where he would stay at an estate belonging to his cousin Markus Remington.

The term cousin was a bit of a stretch, really, for they did not have parents who were siblings. How far back they had to go to find the connection was several generations, but regardless, they all still used the familiar term whenever they saw one another.

Which meant that there were many “cousins” in the Remington family, all of who invested in each other’s various schemes. He was acquainted with most of them, or he had met them at least once, but he did not keep in touch with them all.

Nash and Albina Remington, Markus’s parents, had always been amongst his favorites, despite the fact they had held no title. Whenever he visited, he was treated like any other Remington, and that was his reason for choosing Redstone Estate for this particular escape from his usual life.

Colin had not been to Wilkworth in nearly six years. Markus and his wife, Tabitha, who were a part of the merchant side of the family, did not keep residence at Redstone Estate. Instead, it was left in the care of Markus’s yet-to-be married sisters, Evelyn and Caroline.

A month ago, Colin had sent word of his arrival and had received a prompt response that his visit would be most welcomed. It would be there at Redstone Estate that Colin would be free. At least as free as a duke could be for ten days.

Before he could enjoy himself, however, Colin had to deal with Lady Katherine, the daughter of the Earl of Haskett. Lovely in her own right, she was the woman his mother wished for him to marry. Although the choice of any potential bride was Colin’s decision, he had yet to do so, and his mother had grown frustrated with his bachelorhood.

Oh, but if only he could become a butler and thus unencumbered by such expectations!

“Pendleton,” Colin said as he leaned a shoulder on the bookcase, “you served my father for many years, did you not?” The old butler nodded. “And now you serve me.”

“Yes, Your Grace.”

“Tell me, in all those years, did you have any moments when you wished you had lived a different life? Perhaps you could have become a blacksmith? Or a soldier who fought for King and country?”

Pendleton reared his head back as if Colin had slapped him. His thick eyebrows pushed together, forming a single hedge even the expert gardeners in Colin’s employ could not have trimmed. “I’m one and seventy, Your Grace, and therefore far too old to begin a new trade. If you mean to dismiss me, then please say as much so I may leave with some semblance of dignity.”

Colin barked a laugh as he pushed away from the bookcase. Taking three long strides across the fine Aubusson rug, he stopped in front of the butler. “You’re not going anywhere unless you wish to. I’m simply curious as to whether you ever desired a different life.”

“No, Your Grace. I’m quite content where I am.”

“And if I told you that I wish my life had been undistinguished from the one I live now, how would you advise me?”

“Good heavens,” Pendleton gasped as he took a step back. “You must be jesting, Your Grace. I cannot entertain such a thought.” He had grown so pale, Colin worried the poor man would faint.

“Indulge me,” Colin said. “What advice would you give me?”

The butler glanced around as if hoping someone else would intervene. When he returned his gaze to Colin, he replied in a shaky voice, “You’re a duke, Your Grace. Whatever you decide is best.”

“But pretend I am not a duke,” Colin said, forcing calm into his tone. “Say I was… a servant, perhaps.”

Pendleton placed a hand over his heart and closed his eyes. Was the man praying? Colin swore he heard a plea of divine intervention.

This did not stop Colin from continuing with his line of questioning. “Would you advise me to become a tradesman? And if so, what sort? A cobbler, perhaps? Or better yet, a tailor?”

“Wh-whatever you wish to be, Y-Your Grace,” Pendleton stammered. “You’re a duke, Your Grace, and your wisdom’s unparalleled to mine, just a lowly butler. In fact, there’s none who can compare to you in wisdom or character in all the land.”

As the man went on praising his name, Colin’s thoughts drifted. He, Colin, was human, yet his peers, his servants, and even those who had yet to meet him treated him as if he were some sort of deity. Was there not one person in all of England who was willing to be truthful?

“In fact, Your Grace, many should want nothing more than to be in your presence.”

Colin had heard enough. “Thank you, Pendleton,” he said as he placed a hand on the butler’s shoulder. “Your advice has been most helpful.”

Color returned to Pendleton’s face as he offered up another prayer, this one of thanksgiving. “I’m pleased to have been of help, Your Grace,” he said with a diffident bow.

Grateful that the butler had not fainted, Colin exited the library and made his way to the foyer. Massive paintings hung from the walls, some depicting hunting scenes and others ships at sea. Between them hung rich tapestries of purple and gold. The chandelier held dozens of tapered candles. Blue and green porcelain vases filled with freshly cut flowers sat on highly-polished side tables. It certainly was not the home of a tradesman.

The sound of his low-heeled Hessian boots echoed in the room as he walked down the long corridor that led to the back gardens.

He drew in a steadying breath before stepping out onto the veranda where his mother and Lady Katherine sat at a round table enjoying a glass of lemon water. Beside Lady Katherine sat another young lady, likely her companion.

“Ah, my son,” his mother cooed, “Lady Katherine rose while the moon still shone in the sky to prepare herself so she could be here to see you off this morning.” She waved a hand at Lady Katherine. “Please, stand so he may inspect you.”

This treatment by his mother of a potential daughter-in-law was not unusual. She often acted as if she were a merchant considering the purchase of a horse. His future wife, whoever she may be, was nothing more than an object to be measured in every possible way. Was he to count how many hands high she stood? Perhaps he should ask her to open her mouth so he could inspect her teeth!

Two months earlier, he had overheard his mother and two of her friends discussing how many children Lady Katherine would bear for him. Upon hearing them discussing the woman’s “childbearing hips”, he had decided it was best to leave them to their conversation and hurried away.

Lady Katherine dropped into a curtsy that nearly had her nose touching the veranda floor. She wore a white day dress of fine linen, the stitching likely done by the most skillful hands in London. It fit perfectly with a rather generous neckline that showed what his cousin Evan would have described as a “bountiful bosom.” With red hair in tight curls and eyes greener than any he had ever seen, there was no doubt that even a blind man could see she was attractive.

Yet after four months of sharing tea and conversation, Colin felt nothing for her.

“Is she not beautiful, my son?” his mother whispered in his ear. “She awaits the engagement announcement with bated breath as much as I. Surely there is none more deserving. Go, take her on a stroll and I shall chaperone. If you wish to ask her anything, feel free to do so. I promise to give you some semblance of privacy.”

Collin knew exactly what question she hoped he would ask, but he would not do so. Not today.

“Please, rise,” he said to the young woman who had remained in the midst of her curtsy. “May I have the honor of escorting you around the gardens?” He offered Lady Katherine his arm, which she took without so much as a word.

They began the tedious journey over the cobbled path. Neatly arranged flowerbeds filled with colorful rows of blue, yellow and red flowers lay on either side.

“Lady Katherine,” Collin said, “I have a question that has been on my mind as of late, and it requires an answer only you can give.”

“Of course, Your Grace,” Lady Katherine replied with a smile. “I am ready to give you such an answer.”

Colin cringed. He was not speaking of their possible engagement. “Would you prefer addressing me as Greystoke like my friends and family do?”

“If that is your wish, Your Grace, I shall abide by it.”

Sighing heavily, Colin stopped beneath a large tree and took hold of her gloved hands. “No, I’m not asking if you wish to adhere to my request but rather if you would prefer to address me in a less formal manner.”

She drew in a quick breath and glanced toward his mother, who had stopped some ten or so paces away.

“You may tell me the truth,” he said, offering her a smile to ease her obvious discomfort. “And look at me, not her.”

“When we… forgive me. If you have decided that I am worthy to become your wife, I shall address you less formally.”

Colin whispered a prayer of thanksgiving, but the words tumbled away as Lady Katherine added, “If that is what you desire, Your Grace.”

“What I desire is someone willing to speak to me with honesty,” he snapped, doing everything he could to control his frustration. When he did finally marry, he refused to settle with a wife wanting nothing more than to placate him. Seeing Lady Katherine drop her gaze, he sighed. “Ignore what I said—”

“I shall, Your Grace,” Lady Katherine replied. “Shall I ignore the entire conversation or simply the last words?”

All Colin could do was shake his head. Could this woman truly ignore and forget everything he had just asked? He doubted it was possible, but her face said she would do all she could to do so until her dying breath.

“It was not an order,” he murmured before releasing her hands. “I must go. It was a pleasure to see you again.” He searched his mind for a compliment that would please her. “Your dress is lovely.” He turned and marched away.

“I am sorry for offending you, Your Grace!” she called after him.

Colin ignored her and stopped before his mother, whose eyes narrowed at him. Although her hair was dark like his, silver had invaded it over the last few years. His mother was considered a great beauty. It was unfortunate that her words never matched her outward loveliness.

“I still don’t understand why you must go to your cousin’s estate,” his mother said with a frown. “And what compounds my worry is that you refuse to take any staff with you. What duke goes anywhere without at least the benefit of his valet?”

Colin smiled. He would never be a blacksmith, but the idea of going without staff for nearly a fortnight intrigued him. “I’m sure that Newbold has plenty to keep him occupied here, Mother. And I’m not an invalid. I’m quite capable of dressing myself.”

His mother sniffed. “Just because you can does not mean you should.”

He gave her a smile and kissed her cheek. “I must go.”

“When you return, it is my hope you make clear your intentions towards Lady Katherine. Once you’ve done that, we’ll begin the preparations for a lavish party to make the announcement. In fact, I see us hosting several parties in the coming months.”

Colin understood his mother meant well, but too often she had to be reminded of her place. “It’s my hope that you remember that I’m the duke. Whom and when I marry will occur when I decide and not a moment sooner.”

The truth was, Colin had no desire to marry Lady Katherine— or any other woman he had met thus far. Yet even he could not escape one simple fact. He was a duke. At four and twenty, his years of bachelorhood were numbered. Many of his peers were already married, and of those, most already had children. Yet he had no illusions that the inevitable marriage would take place. He just did not wish to see it happen today.

As he moved to step past his mother, she grasped hold of his arm. “This girl has been training all her life to marry into a noble family. I’ve no doubt that she will serve you well.”

“I’ve no doubt she will,” Colin said as he glanced at Lady Katherine, who waited beneath the tree, likely awaiting her next order. “Yet she has not been trained to think for herself. Nor to serve Colin Remington, the man behind the title.”

His mother let out a small laugh. “You must learn that there is no difference between the two. Lady Katherine is virtuous, beautiful, and will bear you many children. Don’t forget what is important in your life. What is expected of you!”

“And what of what I want?” he asked, although he knew her reply long before the question was asked.

“I speak of what is needed to see that the dukedom remains strong. I’ve no doubt you’ll succeed. Especially if you follow my advice and marry the young lady I’ve brought to you.”

“I’ll succeed,” he said with a smile. “Jut as I have all along. Your worry for me is appreciated but unnecessary. Now, I must go.”

His mother sighed. “I suppose I do worry far too much, but is that not what mothers do? I’ll speak to you soon.”

Once in the waiting carriage, he released a heavy sigh. He would have ten days of leisure away from here, but he was certain of one thing. Whether it be his fiancée or the butler, no one he encountered had been honest with him. Nor sought to know the man behind the title.

As the carriage pulled away, he closed his eyes and considered that it would always be that way.