"Encouragement" (Book 1), by Gratiana Lovelace, 2016 (Completed)

Ch. 18 (PG): Lady Elizabeth's turn to be wooed

The other gentleman cough to cover their laughter and Lord Duncan silences them with a quelling glare. Then he turns a bemused smile [(3) right] to Lady Elizabeth.

Lord Duncan: "Home is always delightful, Lady Elizabeth." He addresses her formally while in company here, but it also reminds him that they are not likely to become intimates.

Lady Elizabeth: "Yet, you do not boast about it?"

Lord Duncan: "No." He smiles. "Our estate is multifaceted with farming and animals—much as your own is, with woodlands, a lake, rivers, gardens, and hills in abundant splendor. And our estate is a major employer for the area. And the quaint little village of Yorkton advantageously and prosperously lies but five miles to the East on the post road—but only because it is the only respite for twenty miles before heading on to the county seat of York."

Lady Lizzie: "You make the estate sound so lovely.   I should dearly like to see it one day." She states rather boldly.

Lord Duncan: "Of course, My Lady. I have been thinking of asking Lord Christian and his bride for a visit after they marry—after some renovations to the hall are made in the Spring and Summer. The roof needs replacing, I am afraid—due to a Winter rain storm that devastated the top floors of one wing."

Lady Elizabeth: "Oh dear! That must be such an expense!" She looks at him wondering if lack of funds is what is delaying the repairs.

Lord Duncan: "Indeed. Just as soon as the Winter weather breaks, repairs will begin. We shall be a house under siege by carpenters and day laborers and such." He smiles sheepishly. Then he leans in and whispers. "After you have dispensed with the lot of us before luncheon today, might I beg to return and take you for a ride in the park in my chaise and four?" He knows that he does wrong in encouraging Lady Elizabeth to think that he is one of her suitors, when he is pledged elsewhere. But he tells himself that he cannot help it. And perhaps he will be able to make his own choice of bride someday. Lady Elizabeth nods slightly with a small smile forming—indicating her delight. "Excellent!" He continues in a whisper. "Then I will collect you at two o'clock, Lady Elizabeth."

And fuming quietly in the corner, the other three gentlemen watch with perturbation how the ease and friendliness of Lord Duncan has served to unlock Lady Elizabeth's shyness in conversation. She has blossomed before their eyes—and not due to any of them.

Since Lord Christian is out at appointments this day, he is not aware of Lord Duncan's scheme to escort his younger sister Lady Lizzie on a carriage ride in the park—or he would have declined it, due to Lord Duncan being already betrothed. Lord Christian does not want his sister lead down the garden path, as it were—literally or figuratively.

So with the Dowager Countess of Sussex's blessing—the Dowager not knowing that Lord Duncan is already technically betrothed to another--Lord Duncan collects Lady Elizabeth and her Ladies Maid Hildy for their ride in Hyde Park. An outing in the biting cold of February is, perhaps, an odd choice. But then, the ample rugs and several hot bricks at their feet serve to keep them warmish, if not warm.

***

And on this carriage ride in the park outing—with several thick rugs and hot bricks to keep them warm in their enclosed carriage--Lord Duncan further regales Lady Lizzie with tales of his family estate in York. And she speaks about their family's rural estate retreat as well. Lord Duncan had visited there many years ago, when he and her brother Lord Christian were on a school break. Though Lady Lizzie was but a child in leading strings then and does not remember it. She quite blushes at being told that she toddled after them one day and landed in a heap of hay with questionable freshness—only to be hauled home for cleanup by her Nanny. But to her protestations, he merely touches his gloved finger to her lips.

Duncan Viscount Lindsay: "Hush! You were adorable and you will not make me think otherwise."

Lady Elizabeth: "You are kind to say so. But you must have thought me tiresome at times."

Duncan Viscount Lindsay: "Not at all. You remember that I have a younger sister, Lady Gwendolyn. So I am well aware of the antics of sisters."

Lady Elizabeth: "Antics?" She pouts. "You make me sound like an urchin with no sense but to run and play." She flails her hand in frustration.

Duncan Viscount Lindsay: "Perhaps then, I did." He raises a mischievous eyebrow.

Lady Elizabeth: "Then?" She smiles. "And now?"

Duncan Viscount Lindsay: Choosing his words carefully, Lord Duncan compliments her. "You are charming!" He sighs.

Lady Elizabeth: "Are you in earnest, Lord Lindsay?" She asks pleadingly. With his messy blond hair and clear blue eyes, now she is the one mesmerized by him.

Now Lord Duncan the Viscount Lindsay must decide what to do—with regard to his dealings with and his feelings for Lady Elizabeth Blount. But what he wants to do and what he should do, are two different things. But do they have to be? So before he takes Lady Elizabeth back home, he answers her questions.

And it remains to be seen how her family will react to his and Lady Elizabeth's conversation—especially her brother Lord Christian.

To be continued with Chapter 19

"Encouragement", Ch. 18 References by Gratiana Lovelace, November 23, 2016 (Post #1004)

1) The "Encouragement" story cover is an image representing our young heroine Lady Madeline Sinclair, is the young Emma Hart in a straw hat at 17 years old in painted by George Romney in 1782; she was later to marry Sir William Hamilton in 1791 and become Emma Lady Hamilton, was found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma,_Lady_Hamilton#/media/File:George_Romney_-_Emma_Hart_in_a_Straw_Hat.jpg ; For more about Emma Lady Hamilton, nee Emma Hart/Amy Lyon please visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma,_Lady_Hamilton

2) Lady Elizabeth Blount in purple day dress is that of Jessica Brown Findlay as Lady Sybil in Downton Abby found at http://media.tumblr.com/d0a41882cb1002e0e9604665f32b77ee/tumblr_inline_mono4y4CRK1qz4rgp.jpg

3) Lord Duncan the Viscount Lindsay smiling is an image of Rupert Penry Jones in Persuasion (2007) found at University in words blogspot at http://s3.media.squarespace.com/production/1268594/14933071/.a/6a010534fda1c2970b0120a8e9e6a8970b-800wi

Blog Ch. 18 Story Link, with embedded illustrations:

https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2016/11/23/encouragement-ch-18-pg-lady-elizabeths-turn-to-be-wooed-november-23-2016-gratiana-lovelace-post-1004/