Page 29 of A Bluestocking for the Wicked Duke

The Earl was a short man with a full mustache that was almost completely grey. William could see rays of the dying sun bouncing off the shiny skin on his head.. There was a scowl on his face when William greeted but the instant he turned to answer him, there was a big smile in place.

“Is there a problem with the carriage my Lord?” William asked.

“Yes, there is,” the Earl answered, scratching his head as he spoke.

“The axel seems to have removed from the left wheel of the carriage. It would have been a simple problem but I and unable to aid my driver to lift it, the axel is too heavy for him alone.”

William looked at the axel resting on the ground. The carriage tilted to the side of the removed wheel, the wheel was lying flat beside the carriage. William looked up to catch the gaze of the Earl’s daughter. She quickly averted her gaze once he met hers.

“My lady,” William said, bowing.

Lord James had alighted from the curricle too. He greeted the Duke and looked to be observing the problem at hand.

“Is that the driver under the carriage?” Lord James asked William.

“It must be.” William answered.

He bent under the carriage and saw the man.

“Sir, why don’t you come out? I and my friend will lift the carriage; you will fix the wheel and tighten it. At least you should be able to drive home with that before fixing permanently,” William said to the man.

The man wiggled out of the other side of the carriage. His back was brown with dirt.

He must have been there for long. What did he hope to achieve?

William tapped Lord James who joined him in lifting the heavy axel. It was heavier than William thought and he was struggling to keep it up when the driver finally placed in the wheel and fastened it from falling off.

The Earl was elated. His smile was wide causing wrinkles to fold the sides of his cheek.

“Thank you very much William, your mother did say you are a nice chap.” he said.

William almost cursed as he said that. His mother had gone ahead of him to spread news about him.

Mother strikes again.

“No problems, my Lord. You should be able to get home without any more fuss now,” William said.

He walked closer to Esther who on his approach kept her gaze on her toes.

She’s so shy.

“I missed you during the ball, my Lady. Did you attend?” William asked.

“Yes, I did. We left quickly though, father was in a rush,” she answered.

Her voice was small and faint as if she could barely speak. William wondered what his mother had seen in her that made her feel she was the right bride for him. He was seeing nothing of the sort.

“Oh, in that case it is unfortunate that my eyes did not serve me well. I was hoping to keep your company,” William replied.

The Earl and driver had gotten into the carriage and were awaiting her. William could see that she was uncomfortable just speaking to him.

“I suggest that you get in to meet your father. There will be other avenues for me to make your acquaintance,” William said, gesturing for her to get into the carriage.

She curtseyed and walked so fast it was almost a run. William watched the carriage ride away and shook his head. Lord James stood beside him and asked him.

“So, what do you think?”

William turned to his friend.