Chapter 13

Mr. Jenkinson, the butler, brought Jude a handwritten note from his mother, requesting he join her for breakfast. He'd intended to go out riding with Robert, but they could delay that for an hour.

"Jenkinson, tell my mother I'll be down directly," he said, pulling on a Hessian boot and regretting sending Robert away when he'd offered to help him dress.

One advantage of the quarantine was that he'd gotten very self-sufficient at these things. He could tie a fairly decent knot in his cravat too, without looking in a mirror.

However, meeting his mother required him to double-check his appearance. It was almost like being on parade.

His mother was alone in the breakfast room, buttering bread and looking out of the window. He greeted her with a bow, and she gestured for him to sit with her at the table. She rang the bell and a parlor maid appeared almost immediately.

"Bring His Grace tea please," she requested, and the maid bobbed a curtsey and disappeared.

"There's deviled kidneys, chops, eggs, and mushrooms. There's a honey cake, but I know you'd prefer the hot food," his mother informed him.

"You look well today, Mama," Jude observed.

"Thank you, Jude. Though I admit to feeling a trifle fatigued. If only you would marry, then I would not need to host house parties. I could retreat to the Dower House and live a quiet life."

Jude almost choked on a piece of bread roll. "You, Mama? Retire and hold no more parties? I don't believe that will ever happen, nor should it. You know you have the reputation for being the best hostess in the county."

She smiled, knowing this to be true, before commenting, "I'd be less fatigued if you chose a bride. It's time, Jude. Well past time."

‘Mother, you know I disagree. I will marry when I am ready, but Clairville will never be short of heirs, now my sisters have had children. My nephew could be duke."

She looked at him with exasperation. "Total tosh. You have a duty to marry, and you are missing so much in the way of companionship and, if I dare use the word, love."

"I know you and Papa had a love match and were happy. It isn"t the same for me. I haven't yet met anyone I would marry." This wasn't strictly true, but he wasn't about to admit he had considered marrying the governess before he knew she was in fact a Lady.

"Now, you need to give Lady Caroline a chance. The Ridlingtons are an excellent family. I haven't met a young lady with more fashion style or better manners. You won't do better than Lady Caroline."

"I just don't warm to her mother. I've spent time with her. The other evening when she played the piano and sang, it was pleasant, but that's all it was. I don't believe I am about to fall in love with Lady Caroline."

"You don't need to fall in love. I'm sure enough that love would follow, companionship…"

"Stop there, Mama. You have always told me I should seek a love match. I'm telling you politely and calmly that I have no feelings for Lady Caroline."

"Oh, Jude, please give her another chance. I'm convinced if you do that …"

"Very well. I shall continue to seek out her company to please you. Now there's an end to it," Jude declared.

The maid arrived with tea for Jude and hot chocolate for his mother. They waited while the silver teapot was placed on the table and china cups put in place.

"Now, about little Sasha," his mother said, changing the subject.

"What about little Sasha?" Jude asked suspiciously.

"She is such a dear child. We all love her so much. I know there is a faint possibility her family will be traced, but the state France is in at the moment, that seems highly unlikely."

Jude nodded in agreement.

"You need to make arrangements for her to stay here, legally, as your ward. I believe she should call me grandmama."

Jude was relieved. He hadn't been sure what his mother was going to say. "I agree, I've got Daniel making arrangements. He's planning to visit Clairville in the next few days."

"Excellent news. He can stay for the May event," his mother suggested. "Hopefully the weather will be good, and we can be outside in the park for the soirée. I'm glad you brought back Mrs. Driscoll as she is doing most of the planning."

She then continued by saying, "I've asked the Ridlingtons to stay on for the party."

Oh great, they were supposed to leave in two days. Now I have this pressure to spend time with Lady Caroline for another week, Jude thought to himself.

"Who else will you invite?" he asked.

"Oh, just our friends from town and the local families. It will be a lovely, romantic place for you to spend time with Lady Caroline," his mother answered.

"Mother, you're incorrigible!" Jude replied. After a pause, he added, "Now Mama, what do you think of Lady Audrey Rowe?"

"She's a nice enough girl. She has done a great job looking after little Sasha. No taste in clothes, though. Why do you ask?"

"No reason," muttered Jude, taking another helping of eggs.