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James glanced down at the book resting in his hands and his brow furrowed deeply. He’d spent the better part of the morning and afternoon in the library reading about horses, and how to properly ride them to refresh his memory.
He wanted to improve his chances of winning the race he had arranged with Kitty, but he soon became aware that he didn’t stand a chance of victory. Kitty had been riding most of her life, and she even recognized the signs of an ill horse, which meant he was doomed.
In a sudden explosion of sounds that cut through the silence in which he’d immersed himself, the doors of the library burst open and William entered. James glanced up from his book.
“Our sister has lost her mind,” William announced with great theatrics and exaggerated arm movements.
James simply stared at him for a moment and rolled his eyes. “This is not exactly anything new, William.”
“You don’t understand, James. This is rather serious.”
“It always is,” James said, and turned his attention back to his book.
“What on earth are you reading?” William asked as he approached. “Equestrian Etiquette? You are as crazy as Elizabeth.”
“I do not appreciate those words, William,” Lizzie said with disgust as she entered through the doors as well.
“I speak only the truth,” William countered.
Lizzie rolled her eyes. “You wouldn’t know the truth if it landed a facer on you.”
“You are a fine one to speak, sister!”
“Oh, go ring a peal over someone else. I am not in the mood,” Lizzie said.
James, who realized his solitude was now gone, closed the book and placed it on the table beside the window to his left. “What are you two arguing about?”
“I saw Elizabeth engage in a rather intimate conversation with Lord Dorset,” William answered.
James glanced at Lizzie, who rolled her eyes and crossed her arms.
“It was not an intimate conversation,” Lizzie insisted.
“He was standing rather close to you, sister, and his hand coincidentally brushed your arm and shoulder on more than one occasion,” William scoffed.
“Purely unintentional, I assure you,” Lizzie said and glanced at James, where he saw more than a little guilt.
It was time to step in.
“Lord Dorset is known for being a rake, sister. I wouldn’t want you to be associated with a man like him,” James pointed out.
“Precisely what I told her,” William scoffed once more. “She certainly does not listen when I speak.”
Lizzie sighed in annoyance and shook her head. “James, William is blowing this entirely out of proportion. Lord Dorset is a charming man who—”
“Who will ruin you without a moment’s hesitation, and then we will be stuck looking after you when you become a social outcast,” William exclaimed.
“That is quite enough, William. You do not speak to our sister in such a disrespectful manner,” James said.
“Thank you, dearest James,” Lizzie pouted.
“But,” James continued and turned to Lizzie. “William does indeed carry a valid point. Lord Dorset is notorious for being a rake and has ruined many young women—”
“Presumably,” Lizzie interrupted. “James, you and I are aware of how rumours can rage out of control. Need I remind you of the rumour of you and Lady Whitmore—”
“There is no need to bring that up,” James interjected.
“Precisely. The rumour mill churns out all kinds of untruths. Perhaps Lord Dorset is not as infamous as he is said to be,” Lizzie pointed out.
“Are you willing to take such a chance?” James inquired.
A few moments of silence filled the library, but the atmosphere was not as calm as it was prior to his siblings’ arrival. Lizzie inhaled deeply and approached James. She cocked her head briefly but did not mention the book, or its subject.
She sighed and turned to both her brothers. “I understand you both feel the need to protect me, and I am flattered that you would go to such extremes, but I am a grown woman. I can make my own decisions, especially ones related to men.”
“You see, that is where you are wrong, sister.” William shook his head and glanced at James. “Tell her, James.”
If there was one thing James despised more than anything, it was being thrown in the middle of his siblings’ arguments as the mediator. As the eldest, he was often forced to choose sides between the two, and he’d had enough.
James wished for his brother and sister to have the best in life, and to make sound decisions, but he could not force them to choose differently, nor negate their opinions as invalid, or unimportant. At most times, his sister was not the rebellious one, but this time he had to admit that she was not making sound decisions.
Lord Dorset was indeed a rake, and the tales that had spread through the county were not mere rumours. James had heard stories first-hand, from the marquess himself.
It was not something to boast about, but Lord Dorset possessed not even an inkling of remorse for what he had done to those women. There had been several occasions where James was forced to hold his tongue while listening to Lord Dorset boast, as James did not wish to cause a scene, but he would most certainly have much to say when it involved his sister.
“I will not try to persuade you in your decision, as I see in your eyes, sister, you have already made up your mind,” James finally answered, speaking slowly to allow Lizzie to fully grasp his words. “But I am still your brother, and it is only natural for William and me to caution you with regards to Lord Dorset. He is a notorious rake—”
“Allegedly.”
James paused as Lizzie interrupted and exhaled slowly and wearily. “And I would not wish any harm upon you from his hand, or anyone else’s for that matter.”
Lizzie’s eyes softened and she approached James, taking his hands in hers. “I value your opinion most in this world, James, and I love you with all my heart. I understand that you are concerned about my well-being, and I cannot express how appreciative I am. But my choice is still mine, and I am mature enough to deal with the consequences. Knowing you are there for me when I need you is enough. More than enough.”
William stepped forward and warned, “If he touches a single hair—”
“He will, William,” Lizzie said as she turned towards him, releasing James’s hand. “And I will more than likely allow him to do many more things to me, but that is for me to control, not you. Is that clear?”
James exchanged a worried glance with William, but instead of uttering anything that might lead to another rift, or even cause Lizzie to rebel, he turned to his sister. “As clear as the sky was the day you were born, sister.”
A satisfied smile formed momentarily on her lips and she nodded at James. “Now, why on earth were you reading a book on equestrian etiquette?”
James gazed briefly at the book and shrugged his shoulders. “A bit of light reading.”
“I hardly find that believable,” Lizzie scoffed. “Why the sudden interest?”
“Perhaps it has something to do with his new wife,” William suggested.
A twinkle of intrigue appeared in Lizzie’s eyes and she smiled happily. “Of course. Tell us everything.”
“There is not much to say, Elizabeth.”
“Nonsense, James. You have clearly gone to great lengths to read about what she is interested in. Is that usually a good sign, William?” Lizzie inquired.
“Either that or James simply wishes to sharpen his equestrian knowledge,” William answered as he scanned the shelves of books, not particularly focused on a single one.
James turned his attention from the book to Lizzie and pursed his lips briefly. He was well aware that resistance was futile and his siblings—especially Lizzie—would not leave him be until he answered her honestly. “Lady Kitty adores horses, and her father taught her everything about them. How to care for them, how to ride them—everything. I offered to take her for a ride in the meadow at dawn, and I thought it would be prudent for me to read through the books here in the library in order for me to not seem...”
“Inadequate?” William shot at him.
Lizzie cocked her head at him. “Your knowledge of horses is rather questionable, James. You do not even like them.”
James couldn’t stop the sigh that emerged. “I am aware, Elizabeth.”
“But clearly it does not matter,” William pointed out with a grin. “Look at him. He is practically changing himself for this woman.”
Lizzie smiled sweetly and glanced at James. “Is this true, James? Did you fall in love with her the instant you met her?”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” James scoffed.
“Tell me, truthfully, James. Is she beautiful?” Lizzie inquired.
Another sigh escaped him and he couldn’t lie. Not to his sister. “More beautiful than I ever imagined she would be,” James answered. “But Kitty is unlike any other woman I’ve ever met. She is not afraid to be herself. She speaks her mind, and even though she tries very hard to please her mother and father, she is still true to herself. Also, she is witty and kind. Elizabeth, you should have seen the manner in which she spoke to the horses. Soft and kind—maternal even.”
Lizzie and William exchanged intrigued glances and Lizzie chuckled. “It seems as though our brother might be marrying for love after all, William.”
James glanced at Lizzie, her words resonating in his mind, and despite knowing Kitty would not reciprocate his feelings of intensity, he remained hopeful. At least Kitty would know what life would be like being married to a man who loved her.