“As nobody has chosen Lady Lucinda’s bird and only Mr. Copeland is left, can you guess which bird belongs to Lady Lucinda?”
With confidence, Mr. Copeland stood. “The parrot, unfortunately.”
Lucinda couldn’t help but laugh and was thrilled that he, and only he, knelt before her.
Oh, if only he truly wished to pledge his heart to her then she’d be the happiest lady in the room.
* * *
Caleb madeno friends among the gentlemen who remained at Forester Hall, save Lord I, nor was he bothered by the fact, as he much preferred Lord I when he was not in the presence of Lady Lucinda. However, he still couldn’t decide who would win in the end, not that any of them were worthy of her.
Further, he gained no additional information, at least nothing His Grace had hoped Caleb would learn by being a part of the gatherings and joining the gentlemen in the billiards room. In fact, they went out of their way not to include him.
In the days that remained, Caleb continued to help in the dairy and in the stables before breaking his fast, then he found a reason to be within the manor in hopes of seeing Lady Lucinda, or to position himself near the parlor in the event she felt the need to stomp out after meeting with a suitor. Unfortunately, he only saw her during the group gatherings and at meals and found he missed the times she’d sought him out.
Of course, it was to be expected. They’d shared a few stolen moments, a kiss and an evening of laughter, but he always knew that he’d not be the one chosen even though when he had pledged his heart during that silly game, it had been the truth. He knew she’d only chosen the mourning dove simply because she didn’t wish to pledge to any other gentleman in the room.
And now, their time at Forester Hall was at an end. Caleb was packed and once the announcement was made, he’d seen that the carriage was readied so that he could escort his great-aunts home. It was best that they leave immediately because he didn’t want to linger and be forced to watch Lady Lucinda with her chosen leaping lord.
As the hour drew near when she would choose, Caleb stood in the same place he had that first day, in the gallery that looked down into the parlor below. Lined in a row were Lord A, Lord B, Lord C, Lord G, Lord H and Lord I. Her Grace and Caleb’s three great-aunts were seated and waiting. Lady Lucinda had not yet joined them.
It was fitting that he should end where he began, looking down on the gentlemen and the lady who would never be his, but Caleb couldn’t regret these ten days and he’d never forget Lady Lucinda and the bit of joy she brought. There was nobody else like her, and not one of the gentlemen would ever appreciate her humor, joy and forthrightness, among the many personality traits he’d come to adore.
Fifteen
Lucinda had made her choice.However, she wasn’t certain of his response. If he declined, then she supposed her father would then ask the next ten gentlemen on the list, who would come to be known as Lords M through V, and so on until there was finally someone she truly wanted, the way she wanted the only man she could ever choose.
Her father waited at the entry. It was the first time he’d willingly walked into a room where the lords gathered. To her knowledge, not one of them had been successful in meeting him for a private audience, though many had tried, in an attempt to get his agreement without Lucinda having any opinion on the matter.
It had come to the point that the butler had assigned a footman to stand guard outside of the library so that nobody could interrupt Father.
“I’ll be glad to move freely about my home again.” He winked at her.
“As will I,” she admitted. When not required to be with the others, she’d found places where she’d least likely be discovered. At the beginning, she’d found Mr. Copeland, but as he remained within Forester Hall after that first night that he dined with them, she’d been unable to be alone with him, which had her wondering exactly what he thought of her.
She and her father paused before the six remaining gentlemen.
“Which shall it be?” her father demanded.
She looked them over before her eyes sought out Mr. Copeland, standing in the very place that they’d first met. Was he there because he didn’t think he should be with the others or because he didn’t wish to be considered?
Oh, she wished she knew, but after knowing him, how could she ever consider anyone else.
“Grandmother,” she turned to Her Grace. “Do you remember when you said ‘what use does a gentleman need to be besides being a husband and provider of security’?”
“Yes.”
“After great consideration, I’ve decided that so much more should be considered before entering into a marriage, or even a courtship, and I do believe I’ve found the one who could provide everything my heart desires.”
“Who is it, Lucinda?” her grandmother asked slowly. It was possible that neither her grandmother nor Father would approve of a mister from Louisiana, but that didn’t matter to her. She wished to be happy and could only hope that Mr. Copeland wanted her as much as she wanted him.
“Well?” Her father prompted.
Lucinda looked at her remaining lords, then up. “I choose him.” Lucinda raised her hand and pointed. “I choose Mr. Copeland.”
He, in turn, winked, then bowed. “I am your humble servant.”
At that she snorted. “I must disagree Mr. Copeland, for there is nothing humble about you.”
