Chapter 2

Chapter 2

The first light of dawn barely peeked through the heavy curtains of Daniel's room when he woke, his head pounding with the remnants of last night's escapades. Groaning, he rolled over, squinting against the faint sliver of light that managed to intrude on his sanctuary. His bachelor pad in the heart of the city, usually a place of order and calm, now felt like a battlefield littered with the debris of his reckless evening.

Thank goodness this was not Harrington Hall. That would have been much more problematic.

Daniel had needed the night out. His mind had been a restless storm, and the walls of his house felt like they were closing in. Henry and Barrett, his closest friends, had insisted on a night on the town, and Daniel had agreed. It was not like him to indulge in such excess, but sometimes, the weight of everything became too much, and last night had been one of those times.

He managed to sit up, the room spinning slightly as he did. The dark wood paneling of his bedroom blurred and refocused, and he rubbed his temples, trying to massage away the headache. Memories of the previous night flashed in his mind. The laughter, the loud music, the clinking of glasses, and the series of pubs they had visited.

Normally, Daniel was a creature of habit. One tavern, a few drinks, and then home. But last night had been different. He needed to drown out the noise in his head, to forget, even if just for a few hours. He let Henry and Barrett drag him from one spot to the next, each drink going down easier than the last.

"Why did I let them talk me into this?" Daniel muttered to himself, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The floor was cold under his bare feet, a harsh contrast to the warmth of his bed. He stood up, his body protesting every movement, and made his way to the bathroom. "Urgh, this feeling is just too much. Although, it certainly beats the formal events we all have upcoming…"

The reflection in the mirror was not a pretty sight. Bloodshot eyes, hair disheveled, and a face that spoke of exhaustion. He splashed cold water on his face, the shock helping to wake him up a bit more.

As the cold water dripped down his cheeks, he thought about the ladies he had met this Season so far. He had been trying to find a wife, but it was not going well. As an earl, he had been swamped with ladies and their mothers vying for his attention, all of them acting how they thought he wanted them to instead of how they really were. Despite all the colorful gowns, all he saw were spoiled ladies.

Ladies who he could not get along with however hard he tried.

The conversations were exhausting and the ladies hard to connect with in any real way.

"Daniel, old chap, you look dreadful," Barrett's voice echoed from the doorway, reminding him that all his friends had stayed the night with him.

Daniel turned to see his friend leaning casually against the doorframe, a sympathetic smile on his face. The Lord of Umber was always looking for a good time, and he often dragged Daniel and the lord of Newton along with him. Not that Daniel minded too much. He had very much needed his friends around him when his parents passed away.

"Good morning to you too, Barrett," Daniel replied dryly, grabbing a towel to dry his face. "What a night!"

"I know, which was why I thought I should check in on you. You seemed a bit out of sorts last night," Barrett said, stepping in to the room. "Me and Henry were worried about you."

Daniel sighed and sat down on the edge of his bed. "I appreciate the concern, truly. I just...I do not know how much more of this I can take."

Barrett sat down beside him, his expression serious. "What's really bothering you, Daniel? Is it just the pressure of finding a wife? You were speaking a lot about that last night…"

Daniel ran a hand through his disheveled hair. "It is more than that. What I truly want is a love match, just like my parents had. They were so in love, so happy. I want that, too, but I am beginning to worry it will not happen for me. The more time that goes by, the harder it becomes."

Barrett nodded, understanding. "It is hard to find someone genuine when everyone is putting on an act. But you cannot give up hope. If your parents found it, there is a good chance you will too. You never know…perhaps we all will someday." Barrett stood up. "Now, how about some breakfast? Henry is downstairs, probably eating everything in sight."

Daniel chuckled. "Sounds like a good idea. Let me get dressed, and I will be down in a minute."

As Barrett left the room, Daniel felt a flicker of hope. Maybe his dream of finding true love was not so far-fetched after all. He just needed to be patient and keep searching, even if it meant enduring a few more disappointing encounters.

He quickly dressed and made his way downstairs to the dining room, where Henry was indeed making quick work of a hearty breakfast.

"Ah, the man of the hour!" Henry greeted him with a grin. "Feeling better?"

"A little," Daniel admitted, taking a seat. "I am starting to think maybe I just need to look harder. Somewhere out there, there has to be someone who wants me for me, and not just for my title and wealth."

"That's the spirit," Henry said, raising his coffee cup in a toast. "To finding true love."

"To finding true love," Daniel echoed, clinking his cup against Henry's.

But today was not going to be about love.

Today, duty called on Daniel.

Despite his headache, Daniel had an appointment today at one of the London orphanages. It was in his parents' will that he continue their patronage, and this would be his yearly visit. As much as he cherished the idea of helping the children, the timing could not be worse.

But duty called, and he would not let a hangover prevent him from fulfilling his responsibilities.

He was never going to let his parents down like that.

Henry smirked as Daniel took a cautious sip of his coffee. "So, Daniel, how many of those ladies last night were after your heart, and how many after your fortune?"

Daniel rolled his eyes, "If I had a shilling for every time I was asked about my estate…"

"You would be even richer!" Barrett interjected, laughing.

"Yes, thank you, Barrett," Daniel said with a dry chuckle. "Remind me again why I associate with you two?"

"Because we are the only ones who tolerate your grumpiness before breakfast," Henry teased, biting into a piece of toast.

"Exactly," Barrett agreed, waving a sausage on his fork. "No one else would dare."

Daniel could not help but smile at their banter. "Well, I suppose you have a point."

Barrett and Henry's playful jibes were a welcome distraction from Daniel's more serious thoughts.

Barrett leaned back in his chair, looking thoughtful. "You know, Daniel, perhaps you should consider looking for love outside the usual social circles. Maybe someone who is not already preoccupied with your title."

"That is easier said than done, Barrett," Daniel replied, but he knew there was truth in his friend's words. "It is not like I can just walk into a random shop and find the love of my life."

"Why not?" Henry said with a mischievous glint in his eye. "You might be surprised where you find her. Maybe she's out there right now, tending to her flower shop or working as a governess, completely unaware of who you are."

Daniel chuckled. "Are you suggesting I disguise myself?"

"Not a bad idea," Barrett said, grinning. "Imagine the surprise when she finds out you are an earl. Just be sure to reveal it before the wedding."

"You two are impossible," Daniel said, shaking his head. "Can you imagine the scandal that would come from marrying someone who is not a member of the ton ?"

Henry laughed. "Oh, the scandal sheets would have a field day! ‘Earl Marries Commoner in Shocking Twist!' They would eat it up."

Daniel winced at the thought. "I would prefer to avoid being the topic of gossip, thank you."

After breakfast, and once his friends had gone, Daniel prepared himself for the visit.

He dressed in his finest but most practical clothes, knowing that the children would be excited to see him and might be a bit rambunctious.

He packed a few gifts—toys, books, and sweets—and made sure his carriage was ready.

As the carriage rolled through the busy streets of London, Daniel gazed out the window, trying to push aside his weariness. His thoughts wandered to his parents, their love, and the legacy they had left him. They had always been generous benefactors of the orphanages, and Daniel was determined to continue their good work, even if it meant pushing through his own struggles.

The orphanage was a modest building tucked away in a quieter part of the city. As his carriage pulled up, Daniel could see the children already gathering, their faces lighting up with excitement at his arrival. He forced a smile, feeling a genuine warmth spread through him despite his fatigue.

Stepping out of the carriage, Daniel was immediately surrounded by a chorus of cheerful greetings. The children, ranging from toddlers to young teens, crowded around him, their eyes wide with anticipation. Daniel handed out the gifts, his heart lifting at the sight of their joy.

For a moment, he forgot about his own troubles, focusing instead on the happiness he could bring to these young lives.

The headmistress of the orphanage, Mrs. Eileen Monroe, approached him with a kind smile.

"Lord Duncaster, it is always a pleasure to have you here. The children look forward to your visit all year."

Daniel stood up, brushing off his knees. "The pleasure is mine, Mrs. Monroe. Seeing their smiles is worth more than anything."

She nodded, her eyes twinkling with gratitude. "Your generosity makes a world of difference to these children. We appreciate it very much."

Daniel hesitated for a moment, then reached into his coat pocket and pulled out an envelope.

"I wanted to do something more this year," he said, handing it to her. "Inside, you will find a healthy donation that I hope will help improve the facilities and provide for the children."

Mrs. Monroe took the envelope, her eyes widening in surprise. "This is...incredibly generous, my lord. I do not know how to thank you."

"No thanks are necessary," Daniel replied softly. "Just promise me it will be used to give these children the best possible start in life."

Tears glistened in Mrs. Monroe's eyes as she nodded. "I promise, Lord Duncaster. This will make a tremendous difference."

As Daniel continued to interact with the children, he felt a genuine sense of fulfillment that had been missing in his life lately.

That was why he wanted to continue on with what his parents had left for him to do. They always knew what was best for him, even if he did not immediately recognize that. They were still shaping his mind and his life, even if they were not here anymore.

After spending a few hours playing games, reading stories, and listening to the children's aspirations, Daniel felt a renewed sense of purpose. He knew his parents would be proud of the work he was continuing in their name, and that made it all worth it.

He only wished that he would find it easier to make them proud in other ways as well. They yearned to see him in love and happy, and this year he truly felt like he had to make it happen.