Chapter 15
The next morning Clairville Hall was filled with laughter and chattering voices, as a late breakfast—a nuncheon—was being offered. Sunlight burst into the morning room as footmen served the guests. Those guests, who had stayed overnight, would leave during the day, but Jude's mother had arranged croquet and archery, along with a picnic lunch in the park.
Jude looked out of the lead-mullioned window across the park to the lake. What a perfect day for a picnic. His mother always proved the perfect hostess for events at the house. He smiled, watching the guests heaping praise on her for the spectacular success of the May Day celebration.
"Jude," she called, seeing him in the doorway. "Come and join us. Lady Caroline was telling me about her plans for travelling to Florence in September."
Jude suddenly thought back to breakfast in the townhouse, with Lady Audrey. How had he made such a mistake about her character? He'd trusted his instincts and believed her. Hell, he'd wanted to believe her. Somehow, she had got under his skin, made her way into his heart. The evidence was all there, the false name, the brother who was so angry with her.
He thought she cared, but how could she abandon little Sasha this way? He felt that tug of affection towards the tiny child every day. She would stay and grow up at Clairville as his ward. He had thought Audrey felt the same way about Sasha. Sometimes he'd imagined them as a family, playing together in the park, Sasha growing older with two parents who loved her. Dreams, all dreams. She never cared for Sasha.
I can't imagine wanting to spend another minute with a woman with such a cold heart.
"Jude, dear boy, I don't believe you're heard a word I've said." His mother scolded him.
Jude, startled back to reality, and forced a smile to his face. He needed to put Lady Audrey out of his mind. He looked towards his mother, perhaps she had been right all along. Could Lady Caroline be the new Duchess of Clairville? His mother was convinced and wished there could be a match between them.
Today he would put Lady Audrey out of his mind and focus his attention on Lady Caroline instead.
"I'm sorry Mama, you're quite right. I was distracted by Estate business. I've had a letter from Daniel as well. He is planning to visit to talk about plans for the summer crop and some repairs to the cottages in the village." He paused, smiling widely at his mother and Lady Caroline. "However, as your visit is drawing to a close soon, I thought I'd spend time with you today, Lady Caroline."
His mother beamed, warmth filling her face, and Jude realized that she was relieved that he was making the effort to get to know Lady Caroline.
If he could spend time with her, he might find many things that they had in common. He had to admit that there were few ladies in their acquaintance who would make such an elegant duchess as Lady Caroline.
His mother smiled indulgently as he asked Jake to refill Lady Caroline's plate with some freshly smoked kippers, which he thought she would particularly enjoy.
This was easier than he had expected. He felt no affinity, not even a slight connection, with Lady Caroline. However, it was probably that enough affection would follow a marriage to make life tolerably happy. Surely that was all anyone could hope for in a match. Lady Caroline was perfectly amiable and perhaps it would be easier to settle on her than spend the inevitable season in London, trying to find a new duchess.
"I suggest we walk down to the park and play a game of croquet. Mama has had a croquet court set up for our entertainment today."
"How delightful," replied Lady Caroline, her voice deep and sultry, and he recognized the invitation in her tone.
"Very well, croquet and a walk along the lake. Just what we need on this bright, May morning. I believe Mama has organized an archery tournament this afternoon. I wonder, do you ride Lady Caroline? We have an excellent stable at Clairville."
She shook her head. "Only a little, Your Grace, I much prefer a carriage."
Jude looked towards his Mama. "Can you ask Miss Banks to forego lessons with Sasha today? I think it would be excellent for Sasha to spend some time with myself and Lady Caroline."
"Of course Jude. I'll arrange that directly. I'm sure Miss Banks will value a rest after all her exertions in the last weeks. She is still convalescing from that fever."
"I'd put her to work in the kitchen if I were you, Ma'am," intervened Lady Caroline. "My mother always says these girls get away with too much and need to be made to work."
Jude noticed the surprise on his mother's face at these harsh words. Wincing inwardly, he decided he'd misunderstood Lady Caroline, and she'd meant it kindly, thinking Lady Audrey would be happiest occupied.
His mother smiled, ignoring the suggestion, and talking instead about the weather and remembering to check with cook about the picnic lunch. It seemed it was a complicated meal with hot food to be taken down to the park, insulated by straw in wooden boxes. Another exciting first for Clairville.
Lady Caroline threw herself into all the games and activities. Her shapely physique resembled an ancient Amazon as she drew back the bow and scored a bull's eye in the archery. She showed little Sasha how to load an arrow, and pull back the bow, helping her with the weight of the wooden bow. Her attention though appeared to wane in the croquet, and she suggested Sasha returned to the nursery when she accidentally hit Lady Caroline's ankle with her mallet.
Jude's sister, Grace, stepped in immediately and suggested a race around the lake and Grace, Jane and Sasha set off together to search for a mermaid in the lake. Jude remembered his father telling them that this might be the lake where King Arthur had hidden his sword Excalibur. They had all believed him and he overheard Grace telling little Sasha about Arthur and Merlin.
"Such a sweet child," said Lady Caroline. "Your mother tells me you are considering adapting her as your ward. Let me advise you against that. No good will come of it. There are, I believe, schools which cater for the needs of these motherless children."
He stared open mouthed at this lady of quality, who would consider sending such a tiny child to a school for orphan girls, rather than give her a home with the warmth of a family and love. He'd thought she enjoyed spending time with Sasha, but it seems it was a sham, just for appearances.
Try as he might, he could not banish thoughts of Lady Audrey. He could see her, running alongside Sasha outside, introducing her to the ponies, encouraging her to play the spinet, and holding her as she cried with the pain of losing her Mama. Images of Lady Audrey, and the love and care she gave Sasha, flooded his thoughts.
As he reached the house he called for Robert. "Tell Barton to saddle the horses. You and I going for a ride across the heath and then a swim in the lake."
"Very good, Your Grace," said Robert.