Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

Before she had wed, Lavinia had attended many assemblies when in residence at Clarington Abbey. Once widowed, she attended none that first year because she was in mourning. However, this past summer she had accompanied her younger siblings to a few and took her place with the other matrons watching over the younger guests to make certain they behaved properly.

It was odd attending as a guest with no responsibilities. Further, given she was a widow, she did not need to fear her reputation if she and Demetrius decided to take a stroll in the cool air beneath the moonlight. Not that she expected him to ask, but she would accept if he did.

Goodness, they had only entered the assembly little over an hour ago and her mind had already turned to a quiet interlude, something that she had never considered previously.

They had also shared one country dance and Lavinia couldn't help but notice that there were many females envious of her position. She should tell Demetrius that he did not need to stay with her and that he could ask others to dance, but she also did not want to share him with anyone else.

Several of the residents had come over to introduce themselves and the older ones recalled her parents and when the family had visited. It was nice to share those fond memories. The residents then showed an interest in Demetrius, especially after they learned that he was the new owner of Hartshorn and a solicitor. They were quite excited to have him in Seaford because the former solicitor had died and they had nobody to perform those duties.

Lavinia had waited for Demetrius to say that he was truly a barrister and that he was only in Seaford on holiday, but he never did, which bothered her for more than one reason.

"I think they want me to live here permanently," he whispered in her ear when they had been given a moment of peace.

"They are in need of a solicitor."

"But not a barrister," he reminded her.

"Yet, you spend more time as a solicitor, why is that?"

He chuckled and shook his head. "It grows warm. Would you like to take a stroll outside?"

She took his arm and nodded, perplexed as to why he did not answer her question.

Once outside, the voices and music faded behind them.

"Did you not want to answer my question?"

"I had once believed that I wanted to be a barrister. I studied, attended dinners and lectures until I was finally noticed by a senior member of the Inns of Court and called to the bar. I thought that having a higher precedence would be beneficial, especially financially, which it is."

"Yet you have not fully embraced such a position or you would not still be my brother's solicitor."

"It is because I do not like waiting," he answered. "I wait for a solicitor to come to me and offer a brief or a case. I cannot seek clients myself, nor can I charge fees, but a clerk of the chambers tells a solicitor the amount and it comes to me through another person." He leaned in. "Many are the sons of lords and it is unbecoming to be paid directly," he whispered. "It is the solicitor who deals with the client."

Lavinia frowned. "Certainly, you knew this before you became a barrister."

"Yes, of course," he answered. "I was often that solicitor taking a case to a barrister. I simply did not fully appreciate the need of having to wait on others." He kicked a stone on the path. "I missed coming to know a client and their legal needs. Only with such knowledge am I able to offer the best advice. Further, I do not like being under the control of the rules of the Inns of Court."

"Are solicitors not bound by those very rules?"

"Yes, they are," he answered with a sigh. "Those who govern decide who can practice law and who must be disciplined," he added. "I fear there have been suggestions that I be disciplined."

Lavinia stopped and turned to face him. "Why?"

"Because I never stopped being a solicitor. It is considered beneath me after being promoted to a position I had worked hard to achieve."

"Once gained, you realized that you no longer wanted such a position?" she confirmed.

He nodded.

"What do you intend to do?" Lavinia asked.

Had she not suffered through an unpleasant marriage because it was what had been expected of her, she might have insisted that he set aside being a solicitor and be the barrister as it was a much more impressive position. Or what Society would judge to be important.

It was one of the reasons she had come to Seaford, the inner battle between duty and happiness and wondering why the two could not coexist, and why one must be more cognizant of opinions of others instead of what a person truly wants.

"I believe that is one of the reasons I am here," he said quietly. "To decide what I want."

Much like herself. They were both at a juncture in their life where they were not happy with their situations but not certain what to do.

"I know that my brother would hate to lose your counsel. And, given he is a duke, he may be effective if he prevails upon the judges to grant you latitude in what you choose to do without punishment."

"Once I make my decision, I might ask him to do just that." Demetrius blew out another sigh. "I believe the reason that I am reluctant to set aside the role of barrister is because I spent years studying to reach that very goal. If I turned my back on it now, was that not wasted years?"

"No!" Lavinia insisted. "Despite what you decide, you still learned much and that can never be taken away. Knowledge is always important no matter a position."

He tilted his head then stared at her. The side of his mouth quirked. "In that you are correct."

"Such knowledge can only benefit you further as a solicitor, if that is how you decide to proceed. It is still the law, is it not?"

Demetrius chuckled. "That it is."

He placed his hand over hers that rested on his sleeve. She warmed beneath his touch even though she wore gloves.

"Thank you for that, Lavinia. The knowledge gained for the simple purpose of having it was not something that I had considered."

"Further, if I might offer a suggestion."

He stared down into her eyes.

"Do what makes you happy. Few are given the luxury of choice. Do not squander yours."

"What makes me happy." He nearly echoed her words in a whisper as his eyes darkened and gaze shifted to her lips.

Breath lodged in her chest and then he blinked and looked away.

"Seaford is in need of a solicitor. Perhaps I will let my rooms in London go and return here given I do now own a house."

The stab to her heart was quick and sharp. When he had not corrected the residents that he was only here on holiday, she had feared that he was considering staying. She did not want him to move from London nor did she want Demetrius to cease being Leopold's solicitor. If he did, she might not see him again.

Oh, why had she told him to do what would make him happy?

It had been unexpected but Lavinia's simple advice had been exactly what he needed to hear. Now to decide what would make him the happiest.

He had also nearly kissed her, which should not happen in such a public venue. No doubt the good residents of Seaford were already wondering about their relationship, especially since each had traveled here alone and resided separately in neighboring cottages set away from the other residents. Had he kissed her and they had been seen, it is likely they would be gossiped about and neither he nor Lavinia wanted to draw unwanted attention.

"We should return inside," she said.

As much as he was reluctant to do so, Demetrius did have to agree. Being out here too long was no different than if he had been seen kissing her.

"You should ask the other women to dance," she suggested. "There are more misses in attendance than bachelors."

He did not want to dance with anyone else.

Did she?

"And maybe if I am not next to you all the time, another man might ask you to dance."

"I enjoyed our country dance but I would prefer not to dance with a stranger."

That he was glad to hear, unless she was being polite.

Except, Lavinia was not someone who said what she thought others wished to hear.

As they returned inside, the small orchestra in the corner struck the chords to a waltz. It was the music he had been waiting for and without asking, escorted Lavinia to the center of the floor as others gathered.

She did not shy away either, but curtseyed to his bow, then placed her hand on his shoulder as he took her other hand and then they stepped.

Waltzing was not something Demetrius had done often, but he knew how. Before his sisters had come to London last spring, his aunt had insisted they learn every dance and had summoned Demetrius to teach them. Except, he hadn't known how, which led to Rosalind and her husband instructing their sisters and him. His aunt and uncle had wrongly assumed that it would be Demetrius who would watch over his sisters at any entertainment. That was only because since Rosalind had married the Marquess of Felding the entire family would be included on any invitation. Demetrius had known better and advised them of such. However, as his sisters would be living with Rosalind and her husband, many more doors would be open to them.

Still, Demetrius had learned the proper dances and was confident when he and Lavinia stepped and swept down the room from one end of the hall to the other, not once faltering, their steps matching perfectly.

In fact, the perfection of how they moved, a complement to the other, made him wonder how perfect they would be in a more intimate setting.

Desire simmered just below the surface after the dance had concluded and for the rest of the evening. And even though Lavinia encouraged him to ask others to dance and even pointed out a few of the misses who had glanced his way, he did not want to leave her side and had no desire to become acquainted with any other woman in Seaford.

As the night ended and a closing waltz began to play, Demetrius and Lavinia took their leave. As much as he may have wished to waltz with Lavinia a second time, they had already shared two dances this evening and a third would confirm a courtship that did not exist.

"Thank you for the invitation, Demetrius," she offered as the carriage drove down the long drive they shared.

"It was my pleasure," he returned.

"I had forgotten what it was like to not have to worry about what a younger sister might be up to or be on constant alert to any danger in order to protect her reputation."

"Your sisters also have three older brothers, one of them being their guardian," Demetrius reminded her as the carriage came to a stop before the cottage.

"Leopold goes into Society only by force. Crispin was on his wedding trip and therefore not about. As for Augustus, he was too easily distracted by a pretty face to remember that he had sisters to protect."

Demetrius opened the door of the carriage, then set the step and helped her down.

"You may take the carriage," Demetrius said to the driver. "I will escort Lady Teviot to the door."

The driver nodded then clicked the reins.

"It is not so far that I cannot walk it myself," she informed him.

"I will see you do the door," he insisted and offered his arm.

It was but a few steps but Demetrius would not leave until she was safely inside.

When she placed her hand on the door, she turned to him. "I have arrived."

"Thank you for an enjoyable evening," he offered quietly, staring into her cool blue eyes and then to her full, coral lips.

He was done fighting his attraction and leaned forward and placed his lips against hers. It was gentle and sweet and when he pulled away, Demetrius waited for Lavinia to slap him.

Except she simply stared at him with parted lips, and that was all it took for him to pull her close and delve again.

Lavinia returned his kiss but was more hesitant, as if she was not certain what to do, nor did she return the embrace but stood there.

Demetrius pulled back and looked at her again. Had he made a significant error in judgement in kissing her?

"Yes...Well…goodnight, Demetrius."

Lavinia opened her front door, stepped inside then closed it without another word.