The gentlemen stared at her, mouths agape, shocked to their Hessians, which she found quite delightful. Only Lord I smiled and offered a slight nod, almost as if he approved.
“He is but a mister,” Lord A blustered.
“An American,” Lord G added with disgust.
“His uncle is a duke, and his brother will be one day,” Lucinda reminded them, not that she cared.
“He has no wealth, and no estate, what could he possibly offer that we cannot?” Lord C demanded, clearly affronted that he’d not been her first choice.
“I don’t seek riches, or an estate.” She turned to the gentlemen so that they understood. “Mr. Copeland can provide well enough, I suppose.”
“You suppose?” Lord H choked. “You need better care than possibilities.”
Lucinda chuckled. “What I do know, in my heart, is that Mr. Copeland will care for and protect me. I will not starve, as he’ll be able to hunt, skin and prepare a meal. I will not grow cold as he will chop wood, haul coal and keep a fire burning. I will not go thirsty as he doesn’t mind hauling water or milking a cow and if pressed, no doubt he could shear sheep and teach me how to weave if I need clothing.”
“It is not necessary that a husband do any of those things. We have estates, riches, and servants.”
Lucinda snorted. “As do we, though it did little good when our servants were prevented from serving.” She took her focus from Mr. Copeland. “If I were to become the wife of one of you, and similar circumstances occurred, most likely I’d freeze, if I didn’t build the fire myself, since not one of you rose to stir the embers that first night.”
“That was a test?” Lord B demanded.
“No, it was not. And we certainly did not plan for the circumstances in which we found ourselves. However, it did offer further insight into each one of you.” She looked back at Mr. Copeland, still unsure of what his answer would be to her pronouncement. “He could have enjoyed the same comforts as each of you, yet, he realized that we were severely understaffed and helped where he saw a need. Meanwhile, the six of you slept late while he was milking cows and tending to the horses. While you were drinking and playing billiards into the night, he slept because he needed to rise early to be of assistance again.”
“If you had but asked us, Lady Lucinda,” Lord C began.
“We did not ask him. He took it upon himself,” she clarified. “In fact, we told him his assistance was not necessary, yet he continued because he saw the need. A need the rest of you did not even acknowledge or perhaps even realize as you probably have no idea what it takes to keep an estate running smoothly so that your comforts are not disturbed.”
She turned back to Caleb. “This man has won not only my affection, but my heart and one day, I hope to hold his as well.”
At that, Caleb placed a hand on his chest. “My dear, Lady Lucinda, you already do.”
* * *
Caleb couldn’t believeshe had chosen him. She wasn’t supposed to choose him, yet he was happy it had been him.
Happy didn’t begin to describe the emotion that rushed through him. Elation, perhaps.
Instead of rushing to the parlor to join her, as he wished to do, Caleb remained above as the others took their leave, admiring not only her beauty, but convictions.
She was to be his.
He glanced to His Grace. But only if her father allowed it, which might very well be a rejection, and he must prepare himself for being denied the only thing he ever wanted in England.
“Please, join us, Mr. Copeland,” Her Grace called as the last of the leaping lords left the parlor.
Now was the time of reckoning, and as Caleb took the stairs, he prepared himself to hear the words that the match was not possible.
“Are you certain, Lucinda,” her father was asking as Caleb entered the parlor.
“If he shall have me.”
“I knew it!” Aunt Priscilla clapped her hands.
“Didn’t we tell you, Hester?” Aunt Esther added.
“Yes, you did, and I’m so very glad you were correct.” Her Grace laughed.
He knew his great-aunts had been up to something when they insisted he accompany them, but even they should have known it was impossible for him to compete with lords who would inherit titles, wealth and estates.
