AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Jackson Fisher and his wife, Patricia. He and Jackson had met during the war, fighting side by side in the heat and horror of the battlefield. Months of saving each other and commiserating over awful rations and guarding each other’s fitful sleep had made them firm friends.
Jackson had only returned home a few months prior, following an injury that had left a permanent scar on his face…and the illness that followed. He was still pale and far too thin, his tailored clothing slightly loose on his powerful frame, but the intervening time between his return and Daniel’s invitation to visit the estate, as well as his recent marriage, had brought some sparkle to his eye and some color to his cheeks.
Jackson chuckled and lifted a glass of the chilled wine they’d been enjoying with their leisurely lunch. “From a lowly lieutenant to a Marquess...you truly do have the best of luck, my Lord Salisbury.”
“Says the man who only recently took the title Duke Merriweather, Your Grace.” Daniel tipped his head in a teasing bow.
“At least I anticipated the title would come to me. But call me that again, and I shall have a quote for the society pages, from my good friend, the Lord Marquess of Salisbury, the next event I attend.”
“Do not dare.” Daniel shook his head. “Enough of that, Jackson, or we shall wind up having more heated words between us. In any case, I’ll not have my brother-in-arms use a title I never knew I was to inherit until a scant few months ago. A man ought not demand formalities of the fellow who half a year ago was wrapping his ribs after an ill-met encounter with a musket shot.”
“Says the man who dragged me through a half-mile of pouring rain in the dark after our horses were shot out from under us.”
“Enough of that sort of talk as well. Men and your war stories...I’ve no stomach for such talk,” Patricia scolded gently as she rose to refill their glasses, her movements quick and graceful as she poured out the wine. “You are both home now, and home you’ll stay. Leave such talk to other times, I beg you. The day is far too fine to spoil with words of war and wounds.”
“You have me there, Duchess.” Daniel dipped his head in a nod, conceding the point with good humor. “It is indeed a fine day, too fine to be darkened by these memories.”
He was preparing to ask Jackson how he found married life when a discreet knock at the door interrupted. Moments later his butler, Walter Danvers, stepped through the door with a low bow. “I beg your pardon for my intrusion, my lord, however…” The butler’s neatly trimmed mustache quivered with suppressed humor, well mixed with exasperation. “I’m afraid we have another...unexpected visitor.”
“Another? And how old is this one?” Daniel sighed and repressed the urge to slouch.
“I would estimate that she is perhaps of sixteen years. Apparently, her carriage has broken down, and she is quite beside herself and in dire need of Your Lordship’s assistance.” There was no mistaking the humor in Danvers’ carefully respectful tones.
“I suppose that is better than the thirteen-year-old.” Daniel sighed again. His gaze flickered over his two guests, both watching him with mildly inquiring glances.
Etiquette would demand that he excuse himself to see to his newest guest and attend to her comfort. Of course, given the situation…
A thought occurred to him, and he smirked. “Very well, Danvers. See the young lady into the front parlor. Have the staff bring out another place setting—no, best to make it two, I suppose. Since the young lady is in such dire straits, she is most certainly in need of a good meal to soothe her anxiety. It would be remiss of me to forbid her hospitality, since we have plenty of luncheon left to us and no pressing plans.” He turned to Jackson. “I trust you have no objections to a fourth, or fifth, at our table?”
“No. Of course not. It is only courteous, as you say.” Jackson inclined his head in answer. “Besides, a fourth will give us even numbers at the table.”
“Very good, my lord. I shall take care of the matter.” Danvers stepped back, shutting the door respectfully behind him.
Daniel huffed out a rueful laugh. “It appears we shall have unexpected company this afternoon.”
“It sounds as if you have become somewhat resigned tounexpected company.” Jackson’s eyes sparkled with mirth. “Are we to take it that these interruptions are somewhat frequent?”
“Near indecently so. This one will be the fourth this week.” Daniel twirled his glass between his fingers with a wry smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“The fourth! What the deuce…”
“I am England’s newest member of the peerage, which supposedly makes of me a most attractive target for young women whose families wish them to marry well.” He grimaced. “It is why I was set on avoiding the Season this year. I had hoped if I made myself less available, I might come to welcome fewer interruptions.”
“That seems not to be the case, if this is as frequent an occurrence as you say.”
“Oh, it is.” Daniel gestured to where the footmen were diligently laying out two place settings. “I’ll wager I can tell you exactly what is going to happen. The young lady will come in, distraught and ready to fling herself upon my person for comfort. Only to be placed at a loss because she did not anticipate your presence. And then, within the half-hour, her ‘brother’ will arrive, ready to defend her virtue and demand I make proper recompense for taking advantage of her distress, said proper recompense being an offer of matrimony to protect her honor.”
“You cannot be serious!” Jackson was clutching hard at the arm of his chair, nearly doubled over with laughter, while Patricia hid a gentle giggle behind her napkin. “It cannot be so bad as all that, surely?”
“A half-crown on the matter.” Daniel fished a coin from his trouser pocket and slapped it on the table.
“I’ll not bet coin. Rather one of your good wines,” Jackson fired back.
“Done then. A bottle of wine against some of those excellent cigars you carry.” Daniel pocketed the coin and sat back just as light footsteps sounded beyond the door.
The door opened, but no sooner had it been pulled back than a young woman dashed into the dining area, golden hair artfully tousled, dress hanging fetchingly off of one shoulder. “Oh, my lord, the most terrible…” She stopped short, her wide, brown eyes taking in not one, butthreefaces around the table.
Daniel rose smoothly from his seat. “My lady, you are welcome to join us in our repast. I dare say you have need of some refreshment.”
