“Was the Duke not close to his parents? Did they not spend much time at home?” Cecily asked, intrigued by this small window into his past.
“No, the former Duke and Duchess of Greyhaven liked to travel and to enjoy themselves. They were rarely at Greyhaven Park. I’m not saying they were bad people, but my mother thought they were selfish and lacking as parents. Until he went away to school, Nathaniel was largely left to play in the servants’ hall or gardens. He brought himself up in many ways, and Patrick too.”
“He probably thinks he is doing the right thing for Lilian by making her mistress of her own little castle with a dedicated governess, nursemaids, and servants to do her bidding.”
“Doubtless, he thinks it’s the right thing, but that child needs a family, not another pony for her stable. Did he tell you that he buys one every single year? What child needs seven ponies? He certainly hasn’t taken my advice about Lilian over the years, nor his housekeeper’s. A wife might have more influence.”
“I shall do my best for Lilian,” Cecily resolved. “But the Duke must step up. Right now, the child wants her father, not a stranger coming in to be her stepmother, although she will get used to me over time.”
“All will be well in time, I am sure,” Lady Jackson said, putting down her teacup and smiling toward the trio of archers, all of whom seemed to have hit their targets this time.
Standing, she laid a hand on Cecily’s shoulder and smiled again.
“I’m also sure that Nathaniel has chosen well in you, and I can promise that you have chosen well in him, however strange the circumstances of your engagement.”
As Lady Jackson walked down the garden to the group of archers, Cecily hoped that her judgment was right.
CHAPTER 15
“What wonderful weather for our garden party, Miss Holt!” Lady Jackson gushed, passing Cecily on the terrace on her way back to the house. “I must see the butler about the punch. It isn’t quite right. Would you please go out and speak to Colonel Lyons over there? He is our neighbor but has been overseas in recent years, so he does not know everyone.”
“Of course,” Cecily agreed, glad to do anything for her kindly hostess.
Initially, only the back of an officer’s blue coat was visible as he stood alone near the fountains. She somehow pictured him as an older man with a thick mustache and red cheeks from long campaigning. Maybe he had commanded his men against Napoleon and had some favorite war stories to share, just like these weathered old soldiers often did.
Cecily’s indulgent smile changed when she saw two familiar figures walking up the garden from the river, clearly among theguests who had arrived by boat. Both were tall and dark-haired, although one was older than the other, his face handsome with the roughness of experience rather than the smoothness of youth still possessed by his brother.
So, he has come at last!
The joy sparked by the sight of the Duke caught her by surprise. He appeared to be in deep conversation with Patrick, or rather lecturing him on something that the younger man did not want to hear.
While neither of the men looked in her direction, a cloud of butterflies rose in her stomach, and she felt the urge to run to the Duke and throw herself into his arms. That was certainly unseemly behavior at a polite garden party, regardless of any betrothal.
Unnerved by the urge and having a duty to look after Lady Jackson’s guest, Cecily turned away and marched over to the fountain instead.
“Good afternoon, Colonel Lyons,” she said pleasantly. “I trust you are enjoying the party. Lady Jackson thought that you might appreciate some company.”
When the officer turned around, Cecily was surprised to see that he was only in his late thirties and handsome in a rugged, sandy-haired way. At least he looked happy to be approached, and she guessed he might enjoy rambling on just as much as an older man, which suited her current distraction well.
“I am enjoying it all the more for meeting you, Miss…?” he trailed off, raising a questioning eyebrow.
The hairs on the back of Cecily’s neck stood up as she felt she was being watched. Maybe it was Mary, who had been told to stay at lawn games with Harry and Oliver and not mingle too much with the other guests.
“Miss Holt,” she supplied. “I am also Lady Jackson’s guest. She tells me that you have recently returned from overseas. Tell me, did you fight Napoleon?”
“Well, not personally, no.” He chuckled. “Although my regiment did see action in France, and I’ve brought back a few mementos, including a hole in my shoulder and the musket ball that caused it.”
“How gruesome!” Cecily gasped, the feeling of being watched growing ever stronger as she pursued this light conversation. “It seems that you had a lucky escape out there.”
Colonel Lyons produced a key chain from his pocket, weighted with a small metal ball. “I have had the musket ball made into a fob for my keys,” he told her. “I thought it might as well do me some good as well as ill.”
“That is most original,” Cecily laughed. “You must show Lady Jackson’s sons. Harry and Oliver will have many questions, especially Oliver. He is very interested in the war.”
“Ah, Lord Jackson’s younger son, I presume? Maybe he is destined for the army.”
“Second sons must find some profession,” Cecily stated with conviction. “The army is a very respectable option. If you allow me, I shall take you to meet them both.”
Lack of a profession had turned out to be one cause of the argument between Mary and Patrick during their failed elopement. Mary had sensibly inquired about her future husband’s plans, and he had casually said that he was sure his brother would provide them with a house and increase his allowance.
