Chapter Sixteen

"There he is."

James nodded in Lord Barlington's direction, just as Lord Thurston turned his head to see.

"Ah, yes. I see him."

"He is talking to Lady Temperance."

Lord Thurston glanced at him. "Yes, but I believe given that we are all down at the shore, he is permitted to speak to whomever he wishes. Though her aunt is with her, so I do not think that you need to be too concerned."

James scowled but said nothing. He and Lord Thurston had taken a walk to the shore and upon approaching the top of the cliffs, had spied the very gentleman they had been speaking of hurrying down the path. James had very little doubt that he had been informed – no doubt by Lady Temperance's parents – that this was where she was to be found.

"It seems that he will not be stopped," Lord Thurston murmured, as both James and himself continued to make their way down the path to the shore, though it took all of James' restraint not to rush down and then hurry towards Lady Temperance. "You did speak to the lady about the situation, did you not?"

James nodded.

"And she is in agreement?"

"Yes, she is. It was a wise suggestion for me to go to speak to her about what was happening. She did understand and was grateful to both of us for what we are attempting to do."

Lord Thurston glanced at him. "That is good."

"And now we must pretend to be delighted with his company," James muttered, rubbing one hand over his eyes. "I do not want to even look at the fellow and yet now I must pretend as though I am glad to be speaking with him again."

His friend chuckled. "We can do this. You shall have to remove that seriousness from your expression, however, and attempt to look more jovial!"

There was no time for James to reply for by the time they had reached Lady Temperance, Lady Hartford and Lord Barlington, all three turned to face them at once. The relief which flickered in Lady Temperance's eyes was unmistakable.

"Good afternoon, Lord Calverton, Lord Thurston!" Lord Barlington's enthusiasm made James frown, though he hid this with a bow instead.

"Good afternoon to you all." James looked to Lady Temperance and offered her a smile. "It is not a bad afternoon for a walk by the shore, though a little windy."

"Which is why I am eagerly discussing my plans for a ball!" Lord Barlington exclaimed, looking back at Lady Temperance as though he wanted to grasp her attention over James. "A ball! What say you to that, then? It would be marvelous, would it not? I think I shall have it in a sennight, for – "

"Not in a sennight, no." Lord Thurston chortled and Lord Barlington immediately frowned. "You cannot do such a thing in a sennight. This is not London! You will have to send for a good many things and it will take many days before they arrive."

"Oh. I had not thought of such a thing." Lord Barlington rubbed one hand over his chin and looked away. "A fortnight then? Mayhap three weeks?" His eyes went back to Lady Temperance. "And what would you say to that, Lady Temperance? Might I hope that you would be agreeable to such a thing?"

Lady Temperance was not looking directly at Lord Barlington, James noticed. Instead, her eyes were somewhere around his shoulder.

"I am not certain if a ball would be a good occasion to have here," she said, crisply. "There are not that many gentry and – "

"I am sure that everyone will come if they are invited!" Lord Barlington interrupted, making James frown and Lady Temperance roll her eyes – albeit without the gentleman seeing her. "No-one else has thrown a ball here as yet, I have discovered, so there is no reason that they should not have one now. There are more gentry here than you might think, Lady Temperance, though not all of them fine or high society. I think it is an excellent idea and I fully intend to pursue it." He looked again to Lady Temperance and the glint in his eye made James frown, hard. Without hesitating, he looked to Lady Temperance himself.

"If this ball goes as Lord Barlington plans, might you be willing to attend with me, Lady Temperance? "

Lord Barlington cleared his throat, his brows furrowing. "Forgive me, Lord Calverton, but I – "

"How very kind of you, Lord Calverton. Of course, I should be glad to accept." There came a flash of relief into Lady Temperance's eyes, followed by a quick smile. Lord Barlington, on the other hand, frowned hard.

"You are aware the invitations have not gone out as yet," he muttered, making James' eyebrows lift. Would this gentleman truly refuse to invite him to this ball?

"Well, I am certain that you will want as many gentry as possible at the ball," Lord Thurston interjected, an easy smile on his lips though James caught the steel in his friend's eyes. "Though you should be careful with what you say, Lord Barlington. Invitations might not have been given out as yet, but neither, therefore, have there been any acceptances. It could be that those you presumed would accept might find themselves unfortunately already occupied on that evening."

James shot his friend a small smile, though Lord Thurston did not so much as glance at him. Lord Barlington, after a moment, let out a small, choked laugh and then shook his head.

"And now I know that you must be jesting," he stated, waggling one finger at Lord Thurston. "Just as I am, of course. Everyone here shall receive an invitation!"

"Good." Lord Thurston clicked his heels smartly, then smiled and stepped forward. "My dear wife will be most displeased that she chose to remain at home, given that we have found you here. Should you like to take a short walk along the shoreline with me?"

Lady Temperance nodded. "Yes, of course, Lord Thurston." She offered them all a small smile. "Do excuse me."

Seeing what it was that Lord Thurston had done in taking Lady Temperance away, James looked back to Lord Barlington. Grateful that Lady Hartford was still present but knowing that he was to do something to make Lord Barlington feel as though James was interested in his company, James forced a smile.

"I should be very interested to hear if you have made any recent improvements to your estate, Lord Barlington?" he began, not knowing one thing about the gentleman's situation. "I did hear the Duke of Danfield state that you have the very finest of homes."

Lord Barlington looked back at him for a moment before he began, as though he were wondering whether or not James spoke the truth or if this was some ploy or other. It did not take long, however, for Lord Barlington to begin to speak about his estate and, with that, to go into great detail about the many fine things about it. James forced that smile to linger on his face even though he did not have any real interest in what was being said. He nodded and murmured and did all the things which made it sound as though he were truly intrigued while, inwardly, felt his heart twisting with frustration. This gentleman seemed to think that he was somehow the very greatest of fellows in all of England! He spoke highly of everything he owned, everything he did and everything that brought him pleasure, and did not once ask either James or Lady Hartford anything about their own situations.

"How very interesting," Lady Hartford murmured, casting a quick look towards James who returned her look with a small, slightly wry smile. "You seem to have been very fortunate in a good many things, Lord Barlington."

"Ah yes, very fortunate indeed." Lord Barlington sighed, smiled and then looked to where Lady Temperance and Lord Thurston were walking. James followed his eyes and found himself scowling. How dare this gentleman look to Lady Temperance in such a way? He had been the one to remove himself from her, he had been the one who had told her that they could no longer wed. Why, now, was he gazing at her with such longing? He had caused her so much difficulty, pain and sorrow and now he was the one seeking her out?

"I think that it may well be time to take our leave." Lady Hartford threw a smile to Lord Barlington, then turned to James. "Might you be willing to walk with me, Lord Calverton? I do find the sand a little hard to walk in at some points." She looked to Lord Barlington. "Good afternoon, Lord Barlington."

"Good afternoon." Lord Barlington bowed, making as though he wished to say something more, only for James to step forward, taking Lady Hartford's arm and begin to walk away. He threw a quick farewell over his shoulder and then continued on his way towards Lord Thurston and Lady Temperance, filled with relief when Lord Barlington did not follow.

"You are very good to keep Lord Barlington talking so that my dear niece does not have to be near him," Lady Hartford murmured, as they walked across the sand. "I think she was already struggling with his presence when you joined us and hearing him speak about this ball… well, if you had not asked her if she would accompany you, then I do not know what we would have done!"

"That is quite all right." James offered Lady Hartford a small smile, then shook his head. "Lord Barlington's intentions are something I do not understand. Why he must pursue Lady Temperance when she is the one who has been so severely injured by him, I cannot tell."

"Nor can I," Lady Hartford sighed. "But one way or another, I am certain that Lord Barlington will make himself clear… and to the detriment of Lady Temperance."

James scowled. "I will do my level best to do whatever I can to help that," he said, earning himself another grateful smile from the lady. "And if there is to be a ball, then I certainly shall take Lady Temperance along with me and protect her from him in any way I can." He looked to Lady Hartford, taking in her small smile. "I will promise you that."