Page 10

F or two days, Dru had done nothing but think of that kiss.

Even in her inexperience, she understood it had not been one full of ardor.

Why, Lord Martindale had barely touched his lips to hers.

Yet the kiss had stirred emotions within her that she was curious about.

At the same time, she was afraid to explore those feelings.

She had no wish for a husband and knew the earl would have to wed in order to provide an heir to his title.

Should she ask him why he had kissed her?

Did men and women even talk about such things?

The longer Dru thought about it, the more she came to believe that the kiss was one of friendship, one which supported her.

Lord Martindale had encouraged her to follow her heart and hold steadfast to her beliefs.

It surprised her that she had even shared with him her reluctance to make her come-out and be paraded about on the Marriage Mart.

After all, they barely knew one another.

Yet she liked him a great deal. He was different from most men.

Quiet. Reflective. She wondered if that had been his nature before he had gone to war or if the war had changed the man he had been.

Dru decided that she would not bring up the kiss when she saw him today.

Best to ignore it and simply try to be his friend.

She suspected he did not have many of them and hoped, once she left the neighborhood, that Judson and Julian would reach out to Lord Martindale.

She would see if any friendship developed between the three while she was here.

If she did not witness it, she would ask Judson to look after Lord Martindale when she was gone.

She rang for Annie and changed from her breeches into a gown, not wanting to shock Lord Tilsbury or Lord Martindale. Going down to Lucy’s parlor, she found her sister knitting, her needles moving swiftly. Surprisingly, Toby sat in a chair, keeping Lucy company.

Joining Lucy on the settee, Dru asked, “What are you making?”

“A blanket for the babe.” Her sister smiled.

“Sometimes, it does not seem real to me yet, knowing I carry life within me. I have talked with Ariadne about it, and she felt the same. She said once my body shows more changes, I will feel differently. And when I can feel the babe kick, that will certainly change things.”

“You can feel that? I had no idea. Of course, I was the youngest, so I was never around when Mama was increasing.”

Lucy set aside her knitting. “Mama never spoke to us about much of anything. Thank goodness, I have Ariadne—and you have the two of us. We will be able to share with you all you need to know.”

She assumed her sister meant what occurred in the marriage bed.

She did not want to fight with Lucy now, though, and remind her that she was still reluctant about making her come-out.

While she knew she had her sister’s support and Lucy had even offered to speak to Mama on her behalf, Dru knew with Lucy expecting a babe and basking in Judson’s love, Lucy would think every woman should wed and have children.

“I have noticed my breasts growing larger. Naturally, my belly will begin to extend. I still have not been ill, though.”

“Babes make you ill?” Dru asked, fascinated. “Why?”

Lucy shrugged. “I do not understand why, but Ariadne says some women suffer nausea when they are increasing. She did. She would awaken each morning and retch for several minutes. That feeling passed, however, after a few months, and Ariadne said she felt healthy as a horse after that. I suppose I am fortunate I have not been ill. Then again, with the next babe, it could be different.”

“You want more than one? I assume you must try again if this one is not a boy.”

“Yes, I will need to give Judson an heir. He and I do want several children. I see how good he is with Penelope when we visit Ariadne and Julian, and he even told me he does not care if this first child is a son or daughter.”

“I think your husband is unusual in that aspect, Lucy. Most men would only want boys.” She sniffed. “Even most women, based upon how Mama treated you and me.”

Her sister nodded. “Mama definitely favored Con. It is the way of Polite Society. Sons are far more important than daughters. Sons carry on the family name and legacy. Daughters must be provided with dowries and then sent to other families, and their loyalties then lie with their new husbands and their families.” Lucy paused.

“I think Judson and I will value all our children. Ariadne and Julian are the same. It is Ariadne who has decided our families should change things.”

“What do you mean?”

“She brought Penelope with her to town for the Season this past spring. You know from experience that we were always left at home in the country each year. Ariadne has chosen to bring her children to town each year. She asked Con, Val, and me to do the same. That way, not only do we get more time with our own children, but these cousins can also grow up together and form strong bonds.”

“Con shared some of this with me when we were traveling to Huntsworth. I think it a wonderful idea,” Dru said. “I cherished the brief time we were with our cousins in town. It would have been lovely to have seen them each year. I commend Ariadne for her idea.”

“She also said it would give our generation of cousins time together, as well. As each cousin weds, she will approach them and share her idea, hoping they will agree. I already look forward to many happy times ahead with our cousins, as well as you and Con. When Con weds and eventually takes on Papa’s title, he will be far away in the west country, while I will be here in Surrey.

Coming to town for the Season each year will allow me to spend time with him and his wife. ”

Lucy patted Dru’s hand. “The same with you. Your husband might live far away, so the only time I would see you would be during the Season.” She paused.

“That is, if you choose to make your come-out and wed. Remember, Judson and I will support you, no matter what you decide. You have options, Dru. You could delay your come-out until you are more comfortable with the idea. Or if you choose not to wed, we will stand firm with you. I know Mama will be angry, though, if you do not.”

She couldn’t begin to imagine what their mother would say.

“I appreciate your support of me, Lucy. Judson’s, as well.”

“Judson has said you will always have a home with us if you choose not to marry.”

“Your husband is very kind. I am not certain I could do that, Lucy. Always having me underfoot? You might grow tired of me.”

“You see how large Huntsworth is. And you would be beloved by not only us, but your nieces and nephews.” Lucy squeezed Dru’s hand.

“No decision needs to be made now. You have months to think about what you wish to do. And Judson will help protect you from Mama’s wrath. He can be quite convincing, you know.”

“I appreciate that,” she said, happy to have her brother-in-law champion her. Then she decided to ask her sister a question. “Why do you like kissing, Lucy?”

“What an odd question.” Lucy paused. “Did the baron’s son kiss you at one of the village assemblies? I have thought he had a tendre for you for the last couple of years.”

Her cheeks burned. “No, he has not kissed me. I was merely curious, seeing as how I have come across you and Judson kissing numerous times. Sometimes, you haven’t even been aware I am present, so I have quietly exited the room.”

It was her sister’s turn to blush. “Well, I will say that with the right man, kissing is one of the most wonderful things in the world. Perhaps we should talk about it.”

Embarrassed, she said, “No. That is not necessary. I have no plans to kiss any man anytime soon.”

“I think it is necessary to discuss,” Lucy insisted. “I would rather have you prepared than not. My first kiss was unpleasant. It is something I have meant to share with you. Something that I did not want to confide in a letter, but rather speak to you about in person.”

Lucy then told Dru of the evil Lord Eaton and how he had tried to ruin her last spring when Lucy made her come-out. Judson had come to her defense, ousting Eaton. He had also kissed Lucy, knowing the experience of kissing Lord Eaton had been distasteful.

“I was already attracted to Judson,” Lucy admitted. “And his kiss was so very different from Lord Eaton’s forced ones. In fact, it was divine.”

Her sister then elaborated on kissing, shocking Dru when she explained how tongues were involved. She could feel her face growing hot.

Because she pictured doing that very thing with Lord Martindale.

“I wrote to you how we were caught kissing by a notorious gossip in the ton . That led to our rapid marriage,” Lucy shared.

“Neither Judson nor I wanted to be forced into marriage, but he did the honorable thing by offering for me and purchasing a special license. I almost did not go through with it, however. Minutes before the ceremony, I felt terrible, feeling I was trapping him in marriage.” She paused. “Just as Mama did to Papa.”

Shock ran through Dru. “What?”

“Mama admitted to me that she made certain there were witnesses to Papa kissing her. It meant she was compromised. Papa did the honorable thing and offered for her. It has made me wonder, however, about their marriage.”

“Well, there is no love lost between them,” she noted. “At least things worked out well for you and Judson. If I did not know any of this, I would assume you were a love match from the start.”

“I am very satisfied with my marriage,” Lucy said. “We quickly learned that we had feelings for one another, and we are not afraid to show our affection for each other. It is rare for a ton marriage since many of them are arranged. In fact, most marriages are ones of convenience.”

A fierce look crossed her sister’s face. “A love match is the only kind of marriage I would wish for you, Dru. I cannot imagine my beloved sister in an arrangement which is meaningless. If you choose to wed—and I hope you will—only marry for love.”

“You and Ariadne have chosen two of the finest men in Polite Society to wed. I am not certain how many more men of such character are left. They may have run out,” she said lightly.

A light knock sounded at the door, and the butler entered the room.

“Lord Martindale’s carriage is approaching, my lady,” Brown informed them.

“Thank you, Brown,” Lucy said. Turning to Dru, she added, “I hope you enjoy a lovely tea with Lord Tilsbury. We have only spoken to him briefly at church, but he seems to be a very nice man. See if he would accept an invitation from us for tea. Or even dinner.”

“He is a widower and has no children. He seemed lonely to me. That is why I volunteered to go and visit him. Lord Tilsbury mentioned that Lord Martindale has been as a son to him and suggested the two of us come to tea today.”

“Let me say this, Dru. Things are different in the country. In town, you would not be allowed to be alone in a carriage with Lord Martindale, nor even in a room with him. Etiquette in Polite Society demands an unmarried woman be chaperoned at all times. Those rules are more relaxed in the country, however. I will still make a point of speaking to Lord Martindale about this. Come, let us go outside and greet the earl.”

She wondered what Lucy might say to Lord Martindale. She definitely had not shared with her sister that the earl had kissed her. Again, she had felt no passion in the kiss and did not believe he was interested in her.

They went out the front door, Annie handing Dru her reticule as they did so. Lord Martindale drove a barouche up the lane. He brought it to a stop, exiting the vehicle and coming to greet them.

“Lady Huntsworth, Lady Dru. It is a lovely day.”

“Thank you for escorting my sister to tea at Lord Tilsbury’s, my lord,” Lucy said. “I merely want to remind you that my sister is not even out yet, and that I expect you to be a perfect gentleman in every aspect.”

Dru could feel her face burning as Lord Martindale said, “I understand how precious your sister is to you, my lady. I will take the utmost care of her. If you would like to send a maid with us to watch over her, I would be agreeable to that.”

Lucy studied him a moment. “No, I do not believe that to be necessary, my lord. My impression of you has been favorable, and I do believe you are a man of honor.”

“I will return Lady Dru straight after tea,” the earl promised. Glancing to her, he said, “My lady?”

She took Lord Martindale’s offered arm. “Goodbye, Lucy.”

He led her to the barouche and handed her up.

It surprised her he did not arrive in a carriage.

Then again, a barouche was more of a summer vehicle, and the day was a pleasant one.

She took a seat, worried they would once again be sitting directly beside one another.

After being in close quarters at church, Dru wished their bodies did not have to be so close to one another.

That one time had filled her with wicked thoughts, thoughts she did not care to have about the earl or any other man.

She determined to keep her thoughts pure.

Looking to Lucy, she waved goodbye to her sister. Martindale took up the reins, and they began moving down the lane.

Before she could thank him for conveying her to Lord Tilsbury’s, however, he said, “I think we need to address the kiss between us, Lady Dru.”