“Oh, what stories did he have to tell?” she asked while leaning in, as if she couldn’t wait to hear the most titillating gossip.
“Oh, Rogue didn’t gossip about Caleb, Lady Lucinda,” Lady Priscilla offered. “He simply had a name, that he learned from Ethan, of course.”
“Is that so.” She straightened. “Do tell.”
“It’s not necessary.” He shot a warning glance to his great-aunts.
“It’s ‘Caleb the Clodpate’,” Lady Joanna announced and the maiden sisters dissolved into laughter once again, and Lucinda soon found herself laughing as well.
“I do believe that the parrot is my new favorite bird,” Lucinda laughed.
“What was it before, dear,” Lady Esther asked.
“The Mourning Dove, but they seem so boring in comparison to Rogue.” Again, she laughed, unable to help herself.
“Well, if you’ve had your fun,” he complained as he stood and for a moment, Lucinda feared that he was angry and was going to leave them. “Is there at least brandy in this room if I’m going to suffer embarrassing insults.”
Thank goodness he wasn’t leaving, and she was about to point him in the correct direction when he found the decanter himself.
“Do pour us a glass as well, darling,” Lady Joanna called.
He focused on Lucinda as if asking if she wished for some as well. “Yes, please.”
It warmed her, that he would ask, when not so many days ago, it was Lord E who had thought she’d been joking when she mentioned it before. As if ladies didn’t drink brandy.
Well, they weren’t supposed to, but Mr. Copeland let her decide. Just as he’d engaged her in conversation, even if he suffered from embarrassment. And, not once had he condescended to her, nor make decisions for her and as she watched him pour five snifters of brandy, her heart warmed.
“Do you plan on remaining in England?” Lucinda asked as he rejoined them.
“I thought to return to New Orleans in the spring.”
Blast! She’d hoped he’d remain.
“I’m restless in England, and it’s time that I carved a place for myself, perhaps purchase a plantation to grow cotton and grain.”
“I’ve not been beyond England,” she sighed. And it was unlikely she’d ever leave. It was a shame Mr. Copeland wished to be on the other side of the world. Except… “Have you considered purchasing land in England, perhaps farming,” she offered hopefully.
“I’m afraid my home is in America and I’ve been away too long already.”
Double blast! He was the only male visitor whom she liked, and he didn’t wish to remain. In fact, Mr. Copeland was the only man she’d ever enjoyed spending above a few moments with and he would disappear from her life in just a few short days.
* * *
Caleb woke the following morning,before the sun as was his habit. After dressing, he made his way to the dairy barn to help with the milking, then to the stables to assist with the horses, then hurriedly returned to his chambers to wash and prepare for the rest of the day, arriving in the breakfast room while others were still present.
His great-aunts, Her Grace and Lady Lucinda nodded a greeting. The lords, well, they scowled in his direction, which only improved his already pleasant disposition this morning.
He, Lady Lucinda and his great-aunts had talked long into the evening, laughing often, and he couldn’t remember the last time, if ever, that he’d spent such an enjoyable time with a woman that didn’t involve intimacy.
There was just something about Lady Lucinda that Caleb couldn’t define, that drew him to her and for the first time since he had arrived, he was looking forward to spending this afternoon with her, even if her leaping lords were present.
“After Lady Lucinda spends time with Lord A later this morning, we will all adjourn to the sitting room for games,” Her Grace announced.
Lord A straightened. “I look forward to furthering our acquaintance, Lady Lucinda,” the gentleman offered politely.
“I, as well,” Lady Lucinda offered with a tight smile.
“I’m certain you are anxious to learn how we will get on, and my expectations in a household.”
