Page 52 of The Colonist’s Petition (Heirs & Heroes #2)
Forty-One
G eorgiana ignored the knock on the door as she had since Grandfather returned home Monday last with Johnathan and shared the discoveries of the genealogist. The days evolved into the most shocking routine.
Gentlemen of various ranks arrived on the doorstep far earlier than courtesy allowed and continued in a steady flow until grandfather left for his club or Parliament.
Other than Lady Banbridge, only the oldest of Aunt Healand’s friends came during at home hours and Johnathan had not come round at all. He sent a note the morning after the meeting, which George read a dozen times a day.
…Owing to my present suspended status, I think it best to allow the earl to meet with those whose advice could clarify the matters. I see little choice for my future, but to arrange passage home…
The letter contained several sentiments that she kept close to her heart, but no further plans for marriage or hope that he would ask her to accompany him to America.
The butler opened the parlor door and announced the Duke of Aylton and his cousin Viscount Endelton.
Jane dropped her needle work and she stood to greet the guests.
Aunt Healand being much more composed addressed them. “Your Grace, Lord Endelton, welcome. The earl is in his study if you would like to speak with him.”
The duke indicated they could continue on as they were before sitting in the chair Aunt Healand offered which, save her own, was the finest in the room.
“I have already spoken to Whitstone. I told him that by unanimous vote he is to keep his title. An envoy, including myself and Whitstone will leave tomorrow morning to inform the new Lord Ryeland as to his new status. The lad is being awarded the courtesy title of Viscount Ryeland by order of the king.”
“We thank you for the swift handling of this matter and your kindness in coming to inform us.” Aunt Healand offered tea.
“My purpose is not to tell you that which you will surely learn, but to see if I may help with other wrongs that have been committed. You no doubt know that besides bearing the title of your brother, Michael is my cousin, and he is consumed with concern as to his wife’s condition and is spending far too much time fretting. ”
Michael opened his mouth to protest but the duke silenced him with a look. Michael fretting over Phil, this was not news to the family. Michael came nearly every day for reassurances. Jane offered multiple times to go to her sister.
“As you may know, once Michael starts discussing a subject, it is difficult to turn his mind elsewhere. And not only is he talking incessantly of his wife—which I find to be somewhat charming—his only other subject upon which he ruminates is, and I quote, ‘poor George.’ This brings me to the next problem. According to the Duchess who is at the center of all that happens in the ton, the two of you managed what took your sisters twice the time in being snubbed by the ton. This of course was not of your doing, but with your place in society being in question, most followed my wife’s lead and snubbed you.
That is my fault as I showed partiality toward your family.
Which I do not regret. I only regret that my wife chose to show her disapproval of you only to spite me.
Which would have been settled quietly if only your father had not appeared at Almack’s this past evening. ”
“What?” George covered her mouth. She had not meant to interrupt his Grace.
“I was not there, but the duchess was.” Odd how the duke never called her his wife.
“It is unclear how Lightwood entered the establishment, as he has no voucher. Nevertheless, he put out quite a spectacle inviting all the men to come wed his daughters by any means they could in the most vulgar terms. In particular, he challenged them to capture you in marriage, Miss Georgiana, so you could not marry the, and I quote, ‘upstart colonist.’”
Father likely used other terms to refer to Johnathan and the Duke was editing his comments. Just as shocking as Father’s escapade, was the fact that the formerly reticent Duke continued to speak.
“After Lightwood’s actions last summer with your sister, I thought I put things to rest. I hold Lady Philippa and Miss Alexandra in the highest esteem.
Although we are barely acquainted, Michael tells me that you are of the same fine cloth as your sisters.
So I propose that I intervene to spare both of you possible ruination, as I feel that at least part of you being in such a position is my fault for not checking the duchess. ”
Aunt Healand gasped. Jane, who kept her eyes on the fallen needlework the entire conversation, moved closer to George.
“I have already been much more indelicate than I wish to be. However, due to the challenge your father issued last night, this house is being watched closely by those unscrupulous enough whom would try to catch either of you alone. Far too many servants, even on this square can be bought. Therefore, we have a plan.” The duke turned to Michael to explain.
“Lord and Lady Banbridge are to be willing accomplices. They will leave in the morning for their estate under the guise of needing to see to something or another. They have invited Johnathan to travel with them. The two of you will leave here in my coach, with or without Lady Healand, as she wishes, to attend to my sweet Phil. At Luton, both parties will stay at the same inn. In the morning, Lady Banbridge’s maid and George will switch places.
My coach will continue on to Terrace Hall where Phil shall have the solace of Jane.
George will continue northward passing Lord Banbridge’s estate and on to Gretna Green, where his lordship will witness your nuptials with Johnathan.
Meanwhile, Whitstone and the Duke will be on their way to meet the future Earl of Whitstone and thus Grandfather remains blissfully unaware of his granddaughter’s nuptial plans so he can honestly claim he knew nothing about the elopement. ”
“Considering my father was the first to propose such a plan, that will hardly be believable.” Aunt Healand took a biscuit from the tray. “I am not fond of the position you have put me in your Grace, I am either to be an accomplice to a marriage I fully approve of or pretend to be surprised.”
“My sincere apologies Lady Healand. I would have asked you to leave the room…” the Duke’s smile lacked all sincerity. Obviously, Lady Healand’s help was necessary to carry off the deceptions as trunks must be packed.
“Oh fiddle-diddle. You knew full well what you were doing. I think it best that I go to Philippa as well.”
“Has Johna— I mean, Mr. Whittaker agreed to this plan?” asked George.
The duke sighed and picked up his teacup. “There is the rub. The man has a willful independence, which in most circumstances I admire. I gave him a living, which is mine to grant and he refused. He is at least pondering a place managing one of my estates.”
“If he will not marry me, then why such an elaborate plan?”
The Duke grinned like a cat who caught the mouse that vexed the cook. “Because he wants to marry you and is more downcast than my cousin. I am sure you can dissolve his reluctance at the theater tonight.”
“Theater?” Aunt Healand looked from Michael to the Duke.
“No Season is complete without a visit to the theater. Of course, you, Lady Healand and Whitstone are invited. The Duchess will not be in attendance.”
Aunt Healand tipped her head. “I assume that is your way of telling the blaggards that my nieces are not available at any cost.”
“I knew you understood me.” His Grace raised his teacup as he would for a toast. “I shall see you this evening. The Earl has already agreed to come as a celebration so you have no need to convince him.”
The Duke of Aylton and Michael took their leave.
George hardly knew what to say as the men quit the room. Jane clasped her hand. “Did I just imagine that conversation?”
Aunt Healand sighed a bone deep sound. “I am not entirely sure. I thought his Grace was known for his foul temper.”
“Alex always claimed he was kind. We must believe her now,” said Jane.
Must she? It seemed the Duke of Aylton enjoyed meddling in other’s lives simply because he was not happy with his own. However, George was not entirely opposed to the plan.
Only after arriving at Drury Lane, which Johnathan still was not sure if it was a street or a building, did he discover that like Lord Banbridge he was also a guest of the most ill-tempered duke of his acquaintance.
Also, the only duke he knew. The selfsame duke who only that morning offered Johnathan what the man called a ‘living’.
One could not simply give another person the position of preaching.
Being a preacher was something a man must have in his heart.
Father’s friend Gideon Frost told him so.
And Mr. Frost should know, since he had been a minister of God’s word for some years before leaving his denomination over differences.
Despite what the Duke of Aylton offered, Johnathan could not become the preacher at a church he did not belong to nor agree with some of the fundamental theological elements.
Johnathan followed Lord and Lady Banbridge up the stairway.
Leaving would be beyond rude. The Duke of Aylton met them at the door to his box.
“Lady Banbridge, Lord Banbridge, and Whittaker. I am expecting a somewhat full box tonight. The front four seats are reserved. Banbridge if you and your lovely wife would sit in these center seats. Sorry Whittaker, I’m afraid you shall have to take that one in the corner. ”
His Grace may claim to be trying to help, however even Johnathan knew that being relegated to the darkest corner like an errant schoolboy, was not a good thing.
It would have been more fitting for Lord and Lady Banbridge, as Georgiana’s recently wed aunt was constantly touching her new husband who was not above sneaking a kiss whenever he thought he was not watched.