Chapter Seventeen

 

Several days had passed since Lord Linfield had been to dinner, and Rachel sat in the library alone, though she was not reading. Her attention had been drawn from the book on her lap to the ring on her finger, once attributed to the love of a father, but now a symbol of a woman spoken for, a sign of one soon to be wed.

Although no official announcement had been made as of yet of their engagement, Rachel had received more than one letter of congratulations. She knew the senders were merely curious of this woman the Earl would marry, for the nobility could be a gossipy bunch. She had not returned any of the letters, for Lord Linfield would have become angry if she had. At least that is what she told herself. In all reality, she had no interest in sharing the intimate details of her life with people she did not know. The fact the Earl, and the Dowager Countess for that matter, would look upon such actions with disappointment made the decision to not respond that much easier.

One reality struck her above all others concerning her upcoming nuptials. Once she was married, there would be no more freedom, no more chances to find work in a pub as she once had or to converse with people who were like her. Her heart felt a sting of sadness, albeit brief, as the thought of her previous life played out in her mind.

And yet, despite the pull based strictly on familiarity, she found her new life much more enjoyable. From learning how to sit and stand with perfect posture to proper dining skills, the tasks were both challenging and rewarding. In just a few short weeks, she had gone from mocking those of the upper class to enjoying becoming one of them. Leah had told her of the grand parties, balls, and dinners, of the gowns the ladies wore and the food and drink that were served, and it all appealed to Rachel in a surprising way.

Even with all of the promises of the grand life to come, it was the part of marrying Lord Linfield that made wanting those things less appealing. Rachel was unsure whether she should see him as a burr in her side or lace at her wrist. Warnings bells rang every time she thought of him, and his sudden change in demeanor, though pleasant on its face, was disconcerting when examined closely.

When Lord Linfield spoke of business, he was full of confidence and self-assuredness. However, when faced with familiar issues, most importantly his mother, his confidence lagged. It was not for Rachel to comment on how the Dowager Countess treated her son during their engagement; however, she worried that if his mother were to attack her again, which Rachel was certain would happen despite his promise, the man would say nothing in her defense, especially once they were wed and she had no way out.

Letting out a sigh, she sipped her tea and grimaced. She had been so lost in thought that her tea had grown cold. With all her hard work, and it had been difficult, much more so than she would have expected, she had found little time to reflect on her upcoming marriage except when she was alone. Thinking on something while alone could have adverse effects on one’s countenance. When kept busy with lessons meant for girls in finishing school or her dance instruction, she had no time to think of her life with Lord Linfield. One thing that returned to her moments of reverie time and time again was the woman who would soon be her mother-in-law. If the Dowager Countess spoke ill of her husband once he became her husband, Rachel could not, and would not, stand by in silence. Rachel was never one to back away from a difficult situation and she was not about to do so, Dowager Countess or no.

Why had she agreed to marry Lord Linfield? That question plagued her every night during her hours of deep thought. She certainly did not love him. Yet, despite the fact there were no deep feelings for him, she did feel a certain bond with him. Perhaps it was how he had rescued her that day in her parents’ pub when Jacob Down had tried to take her away. Or maybe it had to do with his willingness to apologize, as he had done at dinner that night earlier in the week. More than likely, however, it was the connection they shared through her father, Richard Templeton, that seemed to draw her to him. Whatever it was, she could not help but believe she should be on her guard until she was certain he truly was the man he presented to her the last time he had come calling.

“You find your ring more interesting than the book you are reading?” Rachel jumped at Lord Linfield’s voice. She had not even heard him arrive. However, she found herself smiling at him despite her earlier belief in guarding herself.

“I was just reflecting on…various topics,” she said as she stood. “It is good to see you, My Lord.”

“I said I would check on your progress,” he replied curtly as he walked over to one of the bookcases. Why he would sound cross, she did not know or understand. “And I am a man of my word.”

“Is all well with you?” she asked cautiously as she took a step toward him. “You seem a bit…annoyed.”

He turned away from the bookcase to look at her, and she was shocked by the heavy bags and redness of his eyes. It was clear he had not slept well. “I am well, thank you for asking,” he replied, that curtness still in his voice.

“Well, you certainly do not look it. When did you last sleep?”

“I said I’m fine!” he snapped, causing Rachel to take a step back in startlement. Then he reached out for her. “Miss Cooper, I am sorry. Please forgive my outburst. I was up late last night working with my ledgers, a task I have never enjoyed. But that is neither here nor there. I should not have spoken so harshly to you, regardless of my circumstances.”

Rachel thought for a moment. This could be a wonderful opportunity for her to get to know him better and help him at the same time. “As it is, I was not lying when I mentioned my ability to manage the recordkeeping for my father, though I left out that it was for the pub. I have kept the books for my parents for some years now. Or had. I would be happy to perform your bookkeeping tasks for you. I am quite adept at it, or so my father has said.”

He seemed to consider her proposal but then shook his head. “No. I appreciate you offering, but it would not be appropriate. My ledgers contain all of my financial information, and that is best left for my eyes only.”

“I see,” she said, though she found his response foolish. “It would not be suitable to the ton if they knew your soon-to-be wife was involved in your business affairs.” She had to squeeze her arm to keep her tone even.

Lord Linfield chuckled. “Your defiance is done with grace now, I see,” he said. “So, the lessons are helping.” He wore a wide smile that Rachel wished to slap off his face.

However, despite her annoyance of him, she could not help but marvel at the handsomeness of his face when he smiled. Again, that uneasiness made an attempt to leap into her consciousness, but she pushed it aside. Granted, a moment ago he was annoyed, but now his smile warmed her heart once again.

“I am pleased that you are pleased,” she said and then lifted her skirts to perform a perfect curtsy. “Now, will you be asking me to walk around the gardens or shall we remain here trading staring daggers at one another?”

His smile widened and he offered her his arm. “To the gardens it is, then.”

***

A soft breeze blew, cooling the air from the hot rays of the sun shining down upon Rachel and Lord Linfield as they strolled through the gardens. The only sounds were those of the birds singing in the trees and the light pad of their slippers on the stone path.

“Tell me about your father,” Rachel said. She had debated for several minutes as they had walked whether to broach the subject, but finally decided that, if she was to spend the rest of her life with this man, she should find out what she could about how he had become the person he was today.

“My father…” he paused as if unsure whether he wished to discuss the man or not. Apparently he decided the subject could be broached. “My father was a man dedicated to his work. I saw little of him while I was growing up, and when I did spend any amount of time with him, he used it to comment about ways to gain more wealth. I remember once, when I was but a young man of perhaps twelve years of age, when he took me aside after dinner and said, ‘My son, love your money first, and then you can love someone after you have wealth’.”

Rachel wondered at how a man could use what little time he had with his child in such a way. Yet, she wondered even more how it had affected the son. “And what do you think of his wisdom?”

Lord Linfield pursed his lips in thought for a moment. “I would say that I can see the wisdom of his words.” Not the words Rachel had hoped to hear. “However, at the same time, if you pursue wealth only, it leaves no room to find…love.” The word did not seem to come easy to the Earl, and Rachel felt pity for the man. What would it have been like to not know the love of your parents? For certainly, from what she had learned from Leah and what she had seen with her own eyes, the Dowager Countess had not shown him any form of affection. Now she had learned that his father may not have been much better.

“Your father sounds like he was an astute businessman,” she said, those being the only words she could think of to describe the man.

“Astute,” Lord Linfield said with a chuckle. “I do not believe anyone would have seen him as astute.” He seemed to wish to say more, but instead said, “For all the ‘training’ my father had tried to instill in me, if it had not been for Richard, I do not believe I would have learned much at all.”

“My father sounds like a lovely man,” Rachel said with a sigh. She had not heard a bad word against him, and she wished she had been able to meet him before he died. George would always be a father to her, but to know the man who had conceived her, who had thought of her even when she was not with him, would have been satisfying.

“That he was; one of the best men I ever knew,” Lord Linfield said. Then he added, almost to himself, “I wish he had been my father.” Rachel doubted he had meant for her to hear, so she made no comment.

“What is it that my father saw in you, do you think?” She asked the question carefully, for it could be taken in offense, and she did not wish to offend him. She was simply curious. “Why do you believe he took you on and taught you as a father would teach a son?”

Lord Linfield took on a pensive look, as if he had not considered this question. “I do not know,” he replied finally. “He was a close acquaintance of my father, so perhaps he did it out of obligation.”

“Or perhaps it was because he saw how special you are, that you were becoming a man who would one day be successful.”

The Earl’s laugh had little mirth. “Perhaps. However, I am not yet successful.”

“Oh, now that is pure rubbish and you know it,” she said in a chastising tone. “You are a successful man with a title and you have accumulated enough wealth, I’m sure, to turn a few heads in the nobility. Richard Templeton certainly believed so if he left you to control all of his business interests.” She stopped and turned toward him. “Now, you tell me, and be careful with your words. Was my father a fool?”

The man stared down at her as if taken offense. “Of course not,” he said firmly. “Why would you ask such a question?”

“Because you believe you are not successful, and yet my father would not have left you in control of his business holdings if he believed you incapable of maintaining them.”

The Earl tilted his head at her as his face lost its severity. “You are a very intelligent and perceptive woman, Miss Cooper,” he said finally. “I will take your words into consideration.”

Rachel felt her heart warm. Although she knew men to be typically stubborn, and nowhere nearly as intelligent as women on the whole, she felt hope for the man beside her. “Well, my offer still stands,” she said firmly. “If you would like me to maintain your ledgers, you need only ask.”

“Again, another thing I will consider,” he said, and they both laughed. It was a joyous laugh, and looking over at the Earl, Rachel felt a new emotion wash over her, one she could not recognize. However, whatever it was, it was quite satisfying.

“Since we are on the subject of consideration,” Rachel said, “I have another request I would like you to consider.”

They were approaching the veranda and Lord Linfield stopped at the bottom of the steps. “And what would that be?” he asked cautiously.

“I believe I am doing well enough with my training to accompany you to town. Although it is beautiful here, I have grown bored and would like an opportunity to explore.”

Lord Linfield led her up the stairs and to the door. “In that matter, there is nothing to consider,” he said.

Rachel felt her heart fall. Had she somehow displeased him? She tried to remember what all they had spoken of during their stroll, but nothing came to mind. Perhaps he still considered her mannerisms too uncultured to be seen with him in public as of yet.

However, even as she considered his reasons, he said, “I will be here tomorrow at noon to collect you. Please do not be late.”

“I would never consider it,” she replied, giving him a wide grin as she walked through the door.