By God, it seemed he was going to have to take advantage of his time here after all.
Garrett stared out at the lake, not really seeing it but, instead, remembering the moment Lady Natalie had smiled at him in the corridor outside his bedchamber. In the past, he’d watched her smile or laugh from across a crowded room, but he’d never experienced the full force of her charm directed at him. When she did just that earlier this afternoon, he’d found himself momentarily—and nauseatingly—smitten.
Lady Natalie was perhaps the most beautiful of all the debutantes to grace thetonfor the past two seasons. She was tall, but not too tall, with long, elegant limbs. Classically beautiful, delicate, and symmetrical features graced her flawless complexion. Her blue eyes sparkled behind long, lusheyelashes. Her hair was like golden sunshine. She was perfect in every way.
Perhaps that was why, in the past, he’d done his best to irritate her. She was untouchable by the likes of him, but he’d wanted her notice, nonetheless. Hell, he’ddemandedit that day in the park.
And yet today, she’d taken his arm and allowed him to walk with her. And she championed him when they entered the dining room. She must have known he would not be comfortable wading in by himself. Or perhaps…
Perhaps she had simply wanted to save them all from the embarrassment of his turning around and leaving.
Under the warmth of the sun, he ought to have enjoyed the rarity of doing nothing but wait for a fish to take his bait, but he was ill at ease. Trusting such a quick change in regard and attitude from these people was difficult. More so, from Lady Natalie.
Her words continued to prod him.This is an opportunity for you to impress upon these people that you are not your father.Should he take it? Even if he did not completely trust it, he would be a stubborn fool to not take full advantage of the goodwill these people were extending.
So, it seemed, he would not have a fortnight of relaxation and escape. Instead, he had work to do. The type of work he’d avoided for years. Ah well…It was time.
The very enthusiasticmanservant waiting in Garrett’s room later that evening should not have surprised him.
A quick look around told him the servant had already unpacked and brushed out the few items of clothing Garrett thought would suffice. He did not recognize, however, the evening dress laid out for a formal dinner.
“Lady Ravensdale instructed me to valet for you, my lord.” The young man bowed. “I am Marcus. She also instructed me to utilize any of Mr. Joseph’s wardrobe left behind, since you were unaware of the house party.” Perhaps sensing Garrett’s disposition, his new valet hesitantly gestured to the ensemble laid out upon the bed. “I hope these will be acceptable, sir…my lord,” he corrected himself.
Garrett closed his eyes and took a deep breath.This is an opportunity for you to impress upon these people that you are not your father.The time had come.
“Marcus, eh? Let us hope young Joseph has grown since the last time the two of us met. He must have been no older than twelve or so at the time—a skinny lad, a full foot and a half shorter than myself.”
Marcus smiled in relief. “Oh, he has, my lord. I believe even your size of shoes is similar. It is fortuitous, is it not? I have taken the liberty of preparing a bath. It is behind the privacy screen, sir, and when you are ready, I can take care of your beard if you please.”
Rubbing the whiskers on his chin, Garrett laughed. “And have you any experience with this sort of thing, Marcus? Shaving and whatnot?” His valet could not have practiced upon himself. The young man had not yet graduated from soft peach fuzz to actual whiskers.
“Oh, yes, sir. My father is the earl’s valet. I’ve been training for this sort of thing my whole life!” In his earnestness, the servant looked to be barely seventeen. Ah, so acting as a valet was a promotion of sorts.
Garrett stepped behind the screen and began undressing, tossing his discarded clothing onto the divider. Marcus, showing a mindfulness of Garrett’s privacy, carefully removed the items so he could tend to them. “And who have you been practicing on, Marcus?” Garrett asked once he’d relaxed into the tub.
“To be frank, my lord, anybody I can get my hands on. My pa, of course, and Mr. Winston, the butler. On occasion, I get a hold of some of the footmen. More and more of them let me shave them now that Pa and Mr. Winston are sporting fewer nicks.” The young man’s voice rose and fell as he entered and exited the adjacent closet.
“But that’s nothing, my lord.” Garrett was startled as the young man peeked around the screen to address him in the tub. “Wait until you see how I can tie a cravat!”
LADY RAVENSDALE
Lady Ravensdale did not forgo elegance and expense when she hosted a summer house party, and this evening’s dinner was no exception.
Gathering promptly in the drawing room for drinks and conversation, the aristocratic guests mingled while waiting for supper to be announced. A conservative group of lords, the men wore formal attire, mostly black and white. The ladies were much more colorful, donning bright gowns along with feathers and plumes in their elegantly styled coiffures. The more ripened the lady, the more embellished the plumes.
Lady Natalie, the youngest person present, wore a simple sky-blue gown with puffed sleeves, a high waist, and embroidered flowers which complemented the lace along her modest décolletage. It draped neatly to the floor, hiding her satin slippers. Her hair, which held a loose natural curl on its own, was drawn up with one silver clip. A few golden tendrils framed her face perfectly. Her scowl, however, ruined the entire effect.
Her mother had visited her chamber earlier and informed her that the Duke of Monfort would escort her into the dining hall for supper. Being a duke, Monfort would be seated to theright of her father, and Natalie was to be seated on his other side. The earl had apparently not relinquished his hopes of Natalie becoming a duchess. Blast and botheration! When she’d broken her engagement to Cortland, Papa had promised he would allow her to find her own husband and marry for love. Or so she had thought…
Not that Monfort was an unattractive man. He wasn’t. In fact, some women might find him appealing, undeterred by his cold manner. Along with his elegant looks, hewasa duke. That’s all it took to attract some women.
But not her!
She wanted somebody whose heart she could touch.
Unbidden, Garrett Castleton came to mind. He was as much an opposite of the duke as there could possibly be. His black eyes burned with a fiery intensity, whereas Monfort’s silver ones could freeze a person’s very soul. Both men boasted black hair, but Hawthorne’s was unruly, while Monfort’s hair was without flaw—controlled, like the man.
Looking around the drawing room, she wondered if Hawthorne would be in attendance tonight. He’d been furious with her for advising him on how to conduct himself while in the company of her mother’s guests. In addition, he’d further shown his disdain by ignoring her throughout the entirety of the afternoon meal. This, in spite of the fact she’d taken her own seat next to his. And yet…
