Page 29 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)

Twenty-One

J ohnathan grossly underestimated the duration and frequency he would be allowed to be alone once in Town.

He spent the better part of his first day being measured and pinned by the tailor.

Women were not the only ones who took fashion seriously.

Gentlemen, especially those whose titles were not enough to impress, spent vast amounts of money and time preening and puffing themselves up like the peacocks that graced the royal lawns.

Not one single night since they arrived had been a quiet one. Unless he counted the nights when Lady Philippa and her husband came with various dear friends and acquaintances for a quiet meal and cards. Most often they brought the Duke of Aylton with them.

Tonight was no different. The Duke sat in the corner, not drinking the port that was poured for him.

He never did. Johnathan wondered at the reasoning behind offering his grace a drink night after night, only to have it left untouched.

Apparently it was “proper” so it was done.

Which of the servants ended up with the drink when they cleared the room later?

Johnathan took his glass and went to sit by the Duke who was not nearly as surly as he first appeared. “How was your day? Anything interesting in Parliament?”

“The Apothecary Bill. I never thought of the need for some sort of licensing for those giving medical care, but the more I hear the more I believe it makes sense. So much more interesting than the divorces that were on today’s docket. I am not sure if I pity or envy those involved.”

From what little he knew, the duke would not be opposed to his own divorce, granted only if it would not cause a scandal. Indiscretion was often a word heard in the same sentence as the duchess’s name. “It seems a sorry and complicated matter.”

“What of you? Have you found a woman of your choice? I’ve seen them swarming around you.”

“I have found a woman I wish to court. But her father is not as agreeable.”

“Tell me which is worse, a father who is not in favor of your match or one who is overzealous for it?”

“I do not know. I was tossed over for another last year. I thought my heart was broken, but I believe I found one with the power to completely shatter my heart if she wished me gone.”

“I have not noticed you showing particular interest in anyone.” The duke raised his full glass. “You see, I am a great watcher of people.”

“The woman of my choice is not in Town yet."

“One of Philippa’s sisters?”

Johnathan nodded.

“Miss Alexandra?”

“No, Miss Georgiana.”

“The one who likes to garden and work in the fields?”

“The same.”

“Does she return your regard?”

“I believe so.”

A rare smile broke the duke’s stern expression.

“I believe she is having her Season this spring. I shall watch with much interest and stand by to help interfere if necessary. Sir Lightwood is—what he is. I have a great love for Philippa as she has been the best person in my cousin’s life.

And I will do all in my power to help her and her sisters. ”

The other men stood in readiness to join the ladies. The Duke and Johnathan followed.

Lady Philippa, her husband Viscount Endelton, his sister, Mrs. Deborah Godderidge, who was also Lady Godderidge’s daughter-in-law, sat in the corner with Miss Isabel Godderidge.

It was the second time this week that he had been thrown together with Miss Isabel, and he was not sure what to make of it.

“Cards?” asked Lady Philippa as she moved them from the box on the shelf.

“Only if you do not cheat,” said her husband.

The room erupted in good natured laughter.

“I do not cheat, and you know it. You’ll give my new cousin the wrong idea.”

“She does not cheat. And you should stop saying so.” This grumble came from the duke. “She is as honest as the day is long. A rarity in some circles.”

“Richard, you know it is in jest. As it was a card game with one of those less than scrupulous ladies, one you put on my list if I recall, that first brought my dear Phil to my attention.”

The duke frowned. Yet there was something good natured about it. “I will never hear the end of that infernal list, and I was not even the one with that harebrained scheme.”

“Are you calling me harebrained? For that you shall have to be my partner, and I will play terribly ill. While we convince Mr. Whittaker that the only true advantage a duke has is his ability to be unsociable and still have the entire ton vie for him to attend their function.” Mrs. Godderidge sat across from the Duke. Forcing him into a hand of cards.

“If I must play, then Mr. Whittaker must be at my table. He is the only one of you that does not torture me.”

“Only because he does not know you. By the time he is the next earl he shall bother you as much as the rest of us do.” Michael’s comment set the jovial tone for the rest of the evening. Which Johnathan found quite enjoyable.

Near the end, or what brought the evening to an end was Philippa rushing from the room, her hand covering her mouth.

What happened next everyone in the room heard and politely pretended not to notice.

Johnathan took advantage of the disruption to their party to retire to his room and read the letter that was delivered earlier in the afternoon from Yorkshire.

Johnathan,

I fear there is little news to write. One grey day blends into another. And to be honest, I have used all of my cheerfulness on letters to my sisters. I am afraid I will never quite be warmed through again. The days continue to be grey and even those without rain are damp.

There has been one interesting development which I could not write lest it get back to my father.

I believe my aunt to be in love with a neighbor and widower.

She will not speak of him without becoming flustered.

We are to have luncheon there tomorrow. I am looking forward to seeing them interact.

Of course by the time you receive this Lord Banbridge will be in Town as he leaves two days hence.

I will write tomorrow night. I misjudged the amount of light I had, it is far too dim to continue.

——

I believe it is as I hoped. Lord Banbridge seems to be much taken by my aunt.

Yet she is very hesitant to acknowledge him.

They have been acquainted since childhood, as Lord Banbridge is some years older than my aunt but younger than my father.

I hope for aunt’s sake that something comes of this attraction.

It has occurred to me that if your petition is successful, father will have to return to his holdings here in Yorkshire.

Which will likely be a great burden to my aunt.

While she endures the imposed poverty well, she and Timothy are happy.

I cannot imagine that it will be so once my father is in residence.

Yet another person who the petition would inconvenience.

Mrs. Hale did not deserve to wait on her own brother, for although Georgiana did not write such in her letter, he read enough to know how it would be.

Was there a way he could prevent the pain his earldom would cause Mrs. Hale?

But what pain would he cause Georgiana and her sisters, not to mention the earl’s tenants, if he did not go through with this plan to become the heir?

Do you like London? I imagine you have met so many people.

I hope you are enjoying all the sights. Have you met the Duke of Aylton yet?

Both Phil and Alex speak highly of him. His cousin is Phil’s husband so you should be able to make the Duke’s acquaintance.

I hope you have much to tell me in your next letter.

As always,

George

George not Georgiana. At least if their correspondence was discovered, only someone close to the family could immediately discover the impropriety of their written relationship.

Not that their letters held enough depth of feeling that if read they would appear improper.

Oh how he wished her by his side. She was a more pleasant card companion than Miss Isabel.

It was so difficult to speak with Miss Godderidge.

As he did not want his words or actions to be perceived as flirting.

It would be much more fun to tease Georgiana.

But he could hardly do that in a letter.

It could be mistaken as something else entirely.

If only he could write how much he missed her wit, banter, and mostly her warm smile.

“Eat up! Eat up, boy! We’ve got lots to do ahead. My solicitor is expecting us.”

Johnathan moved the eggs from one side of his plate to the other.

Was he really doing this? If he could save Georgiana and her sisters from their father, it would be worth it.

He knew that. But why did he still feel such reluctance?

The King... Having to pledge allegiance to a King.

.. A man, by all accounts—or rumor—was mad.

His son, the Prince Regent, was by no account a man of high moral standards.

The power of these men is what his father fought for independence from. What would Father?—

The earl interrupted Johnathan’s thoughts. “After the solicitor, we’ll stop by my club this afternoon. I have a friend or two who have agreed to help sponsor you until we have this all sorted and you can have your own membership to White’s.”

The earl bubbled with excitement, his enthusiasm grew each passing day.

Several men they met commented on how he seemed much improved with health.

Perhaps the earl could live to a hundred like Johnathan’s grandfather.

Time could solve the problem if he outlived his son-in-law.

And in twenty years, all of Georgiana’s sisters should be safe.