Chapter 19

Jude arrived home desperate for a swim in the lake. Instead all he got was news of the preparations for the celestial ball, and Robert telling him that Lady Audrey Rowe's identity was a secret no more. However, the message to the household was that Lady Audrey was clearlyfrom the top drawer of the ton, and a true lady of quality.

Robert smiled, "They rather like her exotically dressed friend too. We now have a Mrs. Franny Weston in residence, and she seems to have been the leaky sieve where Lady Audrey Rowe's identity is concerned."

"I must tell Daniel about Mrs. Weston. That's the friend of Lady Audrey's he planned to contact. She visited the townhouse in London and is quite a formidablecharacter. I thought she might know something about the Earl of Cheshire, and his personality. She may also know any rumors surrounding him."

"He sounds devoid of any emotional connection to his sister," commented Robert.

"That's true," said Jude, reaching for his hessians, glad to change out of travel clothes. "The one thing which doesn't make sense to me in this story is the role of the Duke of Batton. I knew the name rang a bell and I've met the fellow. He's top drawer of the ton, a genuine gentleman of courtesy and consideration, not one I'd suspect of a wicked scheme to coerce a young lady into marriage."

"Did we meet him in Bath, Your Grace? I believe I remember him now."

"We did. He joined us for several card games. He talked about his estate, and liked shooting and fishing. I believe he's been widowed for many years."

"Is it possible he's been hoodwinked by the brother too?" suggested Robert. "I told you he had a mean streak as a child." Robert shuddered, "A true villain and Lady Audrey had a lucky escape there."

"You might be onto something there Robert. I'm generally right about people's characters and Batton seemed a genuinely nice, elderly man. Maybe Lord Cheshire planned to fleece him into giving a sizeable marriage settlement for his sister? He might be clueless about Lady Audrey's reluctance to marry."

Robert helped His Grace into his dark brown leather jacket and simple cravat, the clothes his master preferred to wear at Clairville. Somehow the ritual of arriving home, and changing into a different style of clothing had grown to signify a transition from fashionable Corinthian, a gentleman of society, to a relaxed country landowner.

"There are many lonely people. I don't remember the Duke of Batton being handsome or attending many social events. I'm sure we'll find out more from Mr. Daniel's enquiries," said Robert. "There, hold still Your Grace, while I finish your cravat. Sometimes the simpler knots are trickier than a complicated design. There, that's got it. Voila!"

Jude glanced at the cravat in the glass mirror. "Perfect as always Robert. Now, where's Daniel got to? I don't believe there is anything urgent which needs attending to with the estate. I need to see Mama and little Sasha, of course."

"And Lady Audrey?" enquired Robert, raising an eyebrow as he spoke.

Jude stopped what he was doing and looked down at his boots. "Robert. I've been trying to put Lady Audrey out of my mind for the last week. I'd offer for her in an instant, but for some reason I've offended her. She stormed off after our last conversation, telling me she would leave as soon as there were arrangements for a replacement. It seemed final. I can't for the life of me think what I said or did to provoke such a reaction."

"What did you actually say, Your Grace?" enquired Robert.

"That's the deuced problem, Robert. I was so cut up at seeing her face and hearing how she planned to leave, that I can't remember what I said to her."

"What did she say to you?" Robert continued his questioning.

"Something about not being controlled by a man again. She needed time and space to think and make choices. It made no sense at the time. All I did was ask her to stay. I'll be honest with you Robert, with six sisters and Mama, not to mention Nurse, in my life I doubt I'd be able to force any of them to do anything, even if I chose to act like the Earl of Cheshire. I just don't have it in me … and I'm glad of that."

"We've been away for a few days. It may be different now, she may have reconsidered," said Robert, with sympathy.

"I hope so, Robert, I truly hope so. Now, should I seek Mama out or wait until later?"

"All the ladies are with the seamstress, and her assistants, for a final fitting before the ball. Your mother suggested you might wish to take a swim," Robert informed Jude with a grin.

"My mother knows me very well Robert. Let's take her up on that suggestion. A shame that elegant cravat will be untied for a swim within the hour."

There was a knock on the door and Robert broke off to answer it. He returned with a gold embossed envelope addressed to Jude. "For you," he said, handing it to Jude.

For a moment Jude thought it might be a note from Lady Audrey, but knew instantly it was a child's careful writing. Opening it carefully, he pulled out the parchment to read an invitation, written in the same careful hand.

"It is an invitation; I am invited to a recital. Apparently, Sasha will play the spinet for us this afternoon." Jude informed Robert. He moved to sit at his desk, "I must reply immediately and accept."

A musical recital in the drawing room would be an opportunity to see Lady Audrey again. He had wondered when their paths would cross again. A swim, followed by a musical recital would provide a diverting afternoon, with a ball to look forward to the next day.

Perhaps he would get another chance to talk to Lady Audrey again and to find out what he had done to offend her!

***

Entering the drawing room, Jude felt it was an oasis of calm. Everyone had taken time away from the preparations for the ball to attend the recital. He smiled to himself, liking the fact that servants and family joined together to listen to little Sasha. She'd even invited Barton the coachman, the footmen, and there was Cook sitting next to Mrs. Driscoll on the front row.

Once everyone had taken their seat, there was a hush, and his mother stood up at the front, next to the spinet. "Welcome everyone, on this special day before the celestial ball. We are beginning our celebrations with a recital by Miss Sasha, who has been practicing hard with her governess."

The door opened and a tiny figure, dressed in a sunshine yellow dress, hair in ringlets with matching ribbons marched confidently to the front of the room. She bowed to her audience, smiling brightly, and took her seat at the spinet. There was Lady Audrey, standing next to her, ready to turn the pages of the music.

His heartbeat raced faster than usual. Time stopped in that moment. He had carried her face with him in his thoughts throughout his time away. He had tried to distract himself, to push her away, but she was always close to him, connected by an invisible thread as soft and unbreakable as pure silk.

Sasha raised her hands and began to play. He took a breath of relief at the way her fingers raced up and down the spinet. Lady Audrey moved each page swiftly as Sasha played Mozart's Ronda a la Turque, and as the music drew to a crescendo Jude noticed the breath of relief taken by Lady Audrey.

She had been nervous too. How could such a tiny child play so proficiently? Surely everything could go wrong. But it hadn't. The little girl had been determined to play for an audience and she thrived on performing. He knew she had learned it from her mother, and it was important she kept that memory alive. He needed to buy a piano and a harp for Clairville.

The applause continued around him, and he emerged from his musings to look up directly into Lady Audrey's blue eyes. Their gaze met and her eyes melted into his.

A look of shared, intense happiness that Sasha had succeeded, that nothing had gone wrong with her performance. He nodded briefly to acknowledge the connection, and she smiled gently, before looking back at Sasha.

He felt a flood of relief flowing through his body as he knew in that instant the connection between them was still there. It had not been cut with the harsh words spoken. Whatever had been said he knew there was hope of a reconciliation.

After an encore of a Scottish Reel, which had the audience's feet tapping away, his mother took the stage again. Thanking everyone for their hard work in preparing for the ball, she thanked them for making this such a special day and lifted Sasha high into the air so she could wave and smile at everyone—a bright ray of sunshine in her yellow gown.

***

The next day the household continued in a flurry of activity, all the staff working together, to decorate the ballroom and reception areas at Clairville.

The weather was good; a warm sunny day, promising clear skies with a canopy of stars for the celestial ball. His mother had told Jude how excited Elspeth had been at her final dress fitting. She had been unable to stand still, and the seamstress needed to work hard to avoid sticking her with pins.

Just before nine o'clock the first carriages rolled up the driveway with guests for the ball. It started in the dark, with a clear, moonlit sky and would finish six hours later. A dinner would be served at midnight, with light dishes which could be taken and eaten under the stars.

Once his mother was sure the weather was warm, the terrace had been set up with chairs and tables for those who chose to dine al fresco. His mother had exceeded herself. He found her overseeing final floral preparations in the great hall and pulled her to one side. "Mama, you've done enough. It's perfect. Elspeth will always remember her special ball. Now, it's time for us to line up to greet our guests."

"You're right," she said smiling, "you know how I like to keep busy on these days."

"Come with me," he said, offering her his arm. "You look beautiful tonight, Mama. You need to be proud of all you've achieved. Everyone loved that recital yesterday afternoon. It gave everyone a welcome break from the preparations."

"I loved every minute," she replied, patting his arm. "Sasha is bringing us great joy. She is a gifted musician for a tiny child."

"I ordered a harp and pianoforte for the school room this morning," he told her, hoping she would approve of his actions.

"Perfect. I believe we will need one of those grand pianos in the drawing room eventually. It was lovely to hear my old spinet played so skillfully."

They formed a welcome line with Elspeth and Beatrice, ready to greet the guests arriving by carriage. Lady Caroline was resplendent in a golden gown with crystals shimmering throughout her hair. His mother greeted her warmly, and he nodded a greeting.

It was not her fault that he felt no connection to her, and he wished her well. She would make a spectacular countess or duchess, and he hoped she succeeded in her quest to find a titled husband. They agreed to dance a reel together, and he told her he looked forward to seeing her later.

As the last guests arrived Jude wished Lady Audrey was at the ball. Only now did he realize that either she had not been invited, or she had refused to come. He had assumed that his mother would have invited her, and persuaded her to attend. He ought to have asked his mother before the ball, but it was too late now.

Jude imagined Lady Audrey sitting upstairs in her room, seeing the carriages arrive, hearing the orchestra, and knowing she either could not, or chose not to, be a part of it. How could he have been so thoughtless? He remembered the warmth of her glance the previous afternoon, their shared joy at Sasha's accomplishment, and something more… a promise of closeness in the future.

Turning to offer his mother an arm, to guide her into the ballroom, he suddenly stopped and simply stared at the vision descending the staircase. Lady Audrey Rowe, accompanied by her friend, Mrs. Weston, shimmered like a silver haze on a meadow in springtime.

He heard his mother's voice, close to his ear. "I see what you have been trying to tell me Jude. You are going to make the perfect couple. If your father were here, he would say the same. I hope you have the perfect evening. I suspect you have found your perfect duchess."

He smiled, knowing his mother had always wanted his happiness. Miss Lettie Banks, transformed into Lady Audrey Rowe, looked away from her friend and met his gaze as she had the previous day. She smiled, a gentle, encouraging smile and his heart melted.

Her silvery gown floated around her body, a cloud of starlight, tiny crystals shone through her hair which had a silvery gloss from the reflection of gossamer, embroidered with silver thread. Mesmerized he could only stare as she walked towards him.

Realizing they hadn't spoken since the incident at the maypole, he made the difficult choice to leave it for her to choose to acknowledge and speak to him, if she chose to.

The voice of Mrs. Weston broke the spell, "Your Grace, this is such a delightful occasion. Thank you again for inviting me to stay," she said to his mother.

He felt a light touch on his arm and his mother's voice like a calm, soothing balm. "My dear Mrs. Weston, the pleasure is all ours. Come, join me in taking a glass of champagne. Let's leave Lady Audrey and Jude to decide on dances," she said, and with that their voices receded into the distance.

He was alone with Audrey. She stood before him, watching, and waiting for him to speak. All he could say was her name "Lettie… Audrey, you are a vision of loveliness. You outshine everyone here tonight in kindness of character and beauty."

He heard her gasp, an expression of surprise on her face. "Your Grace," she said faintly. He took her hand in his, the hall empty for a moment as everyone now gathered to dance in the ballroom.

Jude looked at her and said, "Jude. Please call me Jude. I can only ask your forgiveness for whatever I said to hurt you the other day. I know you are a free spirit and would never put pressure on you to be otherwise. I asked you to stay, only because I cannot bear to think of a life without you. You hold my heart. You are the star which guides me and which I hope will guide me for the rest of my life."

He drew her into his arms, feeling the comfort of home, along with the rising of passion. He pressed a gentle kiss on her forehead, and he felt her body closely enfolded against his chest. Breathing in the rose fragrance she wore was intoxicating. He drew back, held her arms and looked at her, drinking in the sight of her face and body, and knowing that he needed her to stay in his life.

"Unfortunately, I have to act the host for Mama and Elspeth," Jude told her apologetically. "Save me a special dance. Let's waltz. I'll instruct the orchestra to play a waltz, and then I can hold you close in my arms while the stars spin around us. You are like starlight, and my eyes want to gaze at you forever."

A tear fell down Audrey's cheek as she nodded, seemingly unable to speak. His gentle finger stroked her face, to wipe away the tear, before he continued. "There's no need for tears. We've found each other. I'll say goodbye until our dance. Tomorrow we can talk and plan the future."

He saw Mrs. Weston and his mother returning across the hall and called to them. "Mama, Mrs. Weston, can I entrust you to keep Lady Audrey company until I've danced with Elspeth, and several other young ladies who will be devastated if I fail to keep my promise of a dance with them."

Turning to Audrey he said, "I must go, or I shall be late for Elspeth's first dance," before hurrying into the ballroom to find his sister. His spirits light as a feather, joyful, knowing his path to a future with Audrey was clear, lit by the brightest stars.