For the Heart of a Roguish Duke by Harriet Caves

Chapter Six

Daisy fanned her face vigorously as she sat in the drawing room with her mother and her sister, Elizabeth, who had come to stay for a few days. They just had their tea.

It was quite a horrendous, humid afternoon. All the windows were open and still there was no air. It was making Lady Spencer feel quite fatigued. No amount of tea or sherbet made her feel cooler.

“I do wish autumn would arrive. I do not like this heat at all. I believe I need a fan. Daisy, where did you find one?” Lady Spencer asked.

“Mama, your fan is beside you,” Daisy said disdainfully.

A footman was quick to hand the Viscountess her fan, which she took gratefully.

“What is the matter, Sister? You seem upset.” Elizabeth worked on some needlework, making a pretty picture of a house.

“I will only tell you if you will listen and not judge,” said Daisy. “Will you promise?”

“All right.” Elizabeth paused her sewing. “Pray, do tell.”

“I believe I am in love with the Duke of Bentley. We met him and a friend of his when Mama, Scarlet and I were at the park today,” said Daisy.

“Love is a strong emotion, dear Sister. You only just met him, are you certain it is not just a liking?” Elizabeth continued with her sewing.

“I don’t believe so. Didn’t Romeo and Juliet fall in love quickly?” Daisy felt defensive. Her sister never supported her.

“That is a play by Shakespeare. It is not what happens really,” Elizabeth remarked.

“Well, anyway, while we were all in conversation at the park, I noticed the Duke was staring at Scarlet the whole time. I tried to speak to him and get his attention, but it was no good.” Daisy sighed dramatically. She stood up and began to pace the floor.

“Why would he want her? She is only a Ward.” Daisy crossed her arms across her chest. “Doesn’t he know she has no title?”

“Of course he would. She is his Ward now, do not forget,” Elizabeth smiled as she threaded her needle with a blue thread. “Why are you so concerned about titles anyway? Do you believe a title makes one a good person?”

“I do not have a title so that does make me unworthy? And besides don’t you think it is a little too premature to say you are in love?” Elizabeth carried on quizzing. “After all, you only met him once.”

“Well, of course all titles are important,” Daisy said, shocked at her sister’s statement. “Don’t you agree? How would one man such as a Duke distinguish himself from earls, viscounts, and barons? Ranking and hierarchy is what wealth is all about. If Scarlet does not marry a man with a title, she will not be given any value in society.

“You mean you will not give her any value,” Elizabeth teased.

Daisy ignored her. “Everyone knows Scarlet has nothing to her name or to her status, so she must marry well or stay a spinster. I shudder to think of that being a good choice.”

“It’s a good thing Miss Snow is not here to listen to your terrible words against her, Sister,” said Elizabeth.

“You wouldn’t understand, Sister. You are married now and therefore you won’t remember new love. You did not marry for money that was certain,” Daisy scoffed. “You see if I can get the Duke alone with me, perhaps he will take a liking to me. I am looking for a husband like him and I am certain he wants a wife like me. We are compatible, aren’t we, Mama?”

Lady Spencer had fallen asleep with the fan laid on her chest. She was snoring. “Mama? Mama, wake up,” Daisy shook Lady Spencer.

“What’s happened? Has there been bad news?” Lady Spencer woke up startled. She asked looking wildly about her.

“No, Mama,” Elizabeth said gently. “You fell asleep. You do seem very tired. Do you want to retire to bed for a short while? I will be certain to wake you up in time for dinner.”

“No, I believe I will be all right now. That nap has helped me. What are you two talking about?”

“Daisy is being trivial. She claims she is in love with the Duke of Bentley,” Elizabeth informed their mother.

“Am I not allowed to find love, Mama?” Daisy said crossly. “Is only Elizabeth destined to find her true love?”

“Of course you will find love, Daisy. I am not denying you such happiness. I am only making a point that meeting a man the first time does not mean love. Yes, you may like him, and I encourage you to continue to engage with the Duke if that is what you want.”

“My, my,” Lady Spencer shuffled around to sit better. “What a lot of discussion about nothing. When I married your father, we did not dwell on love. It was a business exchange between both your grandfathers. We fell in love eventually.”

“Times have changed, Mama. It was very different then,” Daisy pointed out.

“Well, let’s forget about it now, I don’t like to argue with you, Daisy,” Elizabeth tried to make peace. “I know, let’s look forward to a night full of entertainment.”

“What do you have in mind, Elizabeth?” asked Lady Spencer.

“The Theatre Royal is performing the play, The Tempest. Wouldn’t it be lovely to go? Mama, what do you think?”

“Oh, I don’t believe that is for me anymore. I don’t particularly enjoy Shakespeare. I won’t stop the two of you though,” Lady Spencer smiled. She yawned. “Who else will be going?”

“James and my mother-in-law,” said Elizabeth.

“That’s nice.” Lady Spencer yawned again. “I don’t understand why I am so fatigued. I think I will go up to retire. Elizabeth, Daisy, please do not argue now, and I will see you at dinner.”

Daisy stared at Elizabeth after their mother had gone upstairs. “Why are you looking at me like that?” Elizabeth stopped her needlework and put it down. “Have I vexed you?”

“Answer me sincerely, Elizabeth. Why do you like Scarlet? Why do you defend her when I speak ill of her? She is supposed to be my friend, not yours.”

“If she is your friend, why do you speak ill of her?” Elizabeth turned the question back onto Daisy. “Friends do not belittle each other as I am aware.”

“You refrained from answering me.”

“All right, the answer is that I am not certain. At the ball, you clearly criticized her for being a Ward and might I add, you ridiculed her in front of your friends who had titles. Scarlet was dreadfully upset and so I followed her. I found her in the library crying, and I consoled her. You are aware I don’t like this.”

“I will not apologize for my behavior,” Daisy said defensively. “I see nothing I have done wrong by her.”

“I thought you already had apologized, Dear?” Elizabeth raised her eyebrows. “I do not want to belittle your opinions and judgments, but perhaps you could be a little more considerate to Scarlet. Anyway, let’s not bicker. James and I are going to the play with my mother-in-law. I will be inviting Scarlet, and you are welcome to join us.”

“But Scarlet is not family, why should she be invited at all?” Daisy whined.

“I believe I am a friend to her now and I feel like inviting her. There doesn’t have to be a reason every time, Daisy. It is just as it is.”

Elizabeth stood up. “Where are you going?” Daisy asked. “I do not believe we have finished our discussion.”

“I believe we have, Daisy, and it is my personal business to go where I please. Now, please do excuse me.” Daisy watched her sister walk out of the room, becoming crosser.

* * *

Scarlet held a wooden box tightly as the carriage took her to the orphanage. The orphanage was located just a little way from town on a hillside. On the opposite side there was a church where the orphaned children attended.

As the carriage came to a shaded part of the lane, she remembered the boy and the nun she met two years ago. It was a blustery and wet day. Scarlet, nine-and-ten then, was traveling home in the carriage when she saw them. She told the driver to stop.

“Do you want some help?” she asked the nun. “Is the boy injured?”

“He has fallen and is in a bad way, dear child,” said the nun.

“Where do you want to go? I will take you in my carriage,” Scarlet offered.

“Our orphanage in up on the hill, we are very grateful for your kindness,” the nun said.

The wind was high, and the rain was relentless. The poor boy was indeed hurt. His arm was bloody, and he was crying. Scarlet picked him up and took him into the carriage and urged the nun to go inside too. When they were all safe, Scarlet told the driver to take them to the orphanage.

Scarlet took off her shawl and wrapped it around the boy. “What happened to him?” she asked as the carriage rolled toward the orphanage.

“This is Simon, he is one of our children. He ran away you see, and I ran after him. He slipped in the mud and hurt his arm. It looks bad but it is not so. I cannot thank you enough to come and rescue us, My Lady.”

“I am Miss Scarlet Snow,” Scarlet said, “and this is no trouble. I believe the Lord sent me.”

“I believe that too,” said the nun. The carriage stopped at the orphanage. Scarlet helped the boy inside.

“Will you stay for some tea? It is rather miserable outside. This is to show my gratitude,” the nun looked hopeful.

“I shall come again, I promise,” Scarlet said. “I must leave now as it is getting late.” The nun agreed. The next day Scarlet did go back, and the weather was much better.

Scarlet smiled now as the orphanage came into view. Her joy was escalated when a few of the children came to greet her. “How are you Simon, Janet, Amy, and Nelly?” she asked.

“We were waiting for you, Miss Snow. Sister Maria told us you were going to come today,” said Simon, who was now two years older.

“It is a delight to see you. I do apologize for not coming sooner,” Scarlet said. Little Amy looked quite forlorn.

“What is the matter, Dear?” Scarlet crouched to her level. “Why are you so sad?”

“I lost my dolly, Miss Snow. I can’t find her anywhere,” she said in her tiny voice. She was six.

“Well, we must find her then. I will help you look, is that better?”

Amy nodded her head and cheered up rapidly. “Miss Snow, what do you have in the box?” asked Nelly.

“It is a surprise,” Scarlet winked.

“Children, let Miss Snow come in first,” Sister Maria came out. “We are pleased you came, Miss Snow.”

“As always, it is my pleasure. I regret not coming any sooner,” Scarlet walked with Sister Maria inside, with the children following behind.

As they all sat in the hall, Scarlet opened up her ‘treasure chest’ of envelopes. “Now children, there is one for all of you. It is not a letter but a story for you to keep. I know some of you cannot read yet, so I have drawn pictures instead,” Scarlet said.

The children were delighted with their presents. They were immediately immersed in the stories which took the most part of the month for Scarlet to write and draw. The nun invited Scarlet into the study.

“It has been a while since we last saw you, Miss Snow, isn’t it Sister Jean?” Sister Maria and Sister Jean ran the orphanage of eleven children together. Scarlet met Sister Jean on the second day of the visit.

“I meant to come quicker but I had bad news, I’m afraid,” Scarlet explained. She told them about the Duke.

“God have mercy on his soul,” said Sister Maria crossing her chest. “How are you dealing with the grief?”

“Not very well,” Scarlet admitted. “But coming here has made it easier. I feel peaceful. But enough about my woes, do tell, how is the orphanage progressing?”

“As you know, the children admitted here has risen to eleven. The building is becoming too small, and we require more space. We fear if we don’t obtain a bigger building, we would not be able to take any more children.”

“That is devastating news. I will do what I am able to, let’s hope the young Duke is generous as his father was,” Scarlet said. “What about donations?”

“Since the war ended, donations have not been so charitable. It is a struggle, and I won’t lie about it,” Sister Jean added.

“That is problematic,” Scarlet said. She held Sister Mary and Sister Jean’s hand. “I shall speak to the Duke and my friends in society. Together, I am certain we can add few more rooms to the orphanage.”

Scarlet stayed a little longer, and then left for home, all the while thinking about the orphanage. For some hours, she was able to forget her loneliness, her grief, and the young Duke as she conversed with the children and the nuns.

* * *

“Mrs. Brown,” the butler announced.

“Thank you, Mr. Dalton.” The butler gave Scarlet a head bow and walked away to continue with his duties.

“Mrs. Brown, what a lovely surprise.” Scarlet stood up from her chair as Elizabeth came forward. She was sitting in the garden.

“My Dearest, it is so lovely to see you,” Elizabeth smiled.

“It is a surprise to see you and I am glad you came. Do come and sit with me.”

“Please send out some tea, cake and sherbet,” Scarlet asked the footman. “I know it is not time for tea just yet, Mrs. Brown, but I wouldn’t mind something. It does get lonely eating alone. You are my perfect excuse.”

“All by yourself? Do you not have anyone else in the Manor to dine with? Perhaps the Duke can give you company?”

Scarlet smiled sadly. “We are not on good terms, I’m afraid. I shouldn’t speak ill of him, not really, as I am still here by his grace. I used to dine with his father, the late Duke of Bentley. He never made me feel alone. I believe that is why I miss him so much.”

“It is regretful to hear this. I would like to ask you to come and have dinner with my husband and I whenever you want. James is kind and he loves to dine with my friends,” Elizabeth said.

“How thoughtful. I will accept and will write to you.”

“There is one other thing I would like to invite you to. My husband and I are going to the Theatre Royal to watch the play, The Tempest. His mother will be attending, and perhaps Daisy also. She hasn’t confirmed yet. I would really love you to come along. Please do agree.”

“When you ask me like that, I can hardly refuse,” Scarlet laughed.

The footman arrived with the tea and set it down on the table. “This looks quite delicious. I feel rather hungry now,” Elizabeth complimented.

The two women spent a lovely late afternoon together. Scarlet learned she was nothing like Daisy. Perhaps because Elizabeth was older than Daisy by ten years.

Elizabeth had met her husband at a military parade. He told her his friend was an officer and he was there to support him. He was a principal at St. Nicholas School molding young minds and hopefully teaching them valuable lessons of life, literature, and culture.

“Your husband seems like an intelligent man and quite learned. I would be delighted to meet him, Mrs. Brown,” said Scarlet.

“You must call me Elizabeth, Dear. Mrs. Brown sounds very formal.”

“All right, Elizabeth then. And you must call me Scarlet as we are on such good terms and I hope, friends.”

“Oh, what a wonderful relationship we shall have.”

“Pray do tell me, how did you marry? Did Lady and Lord Spencer approve of the unique alliance? Do forgive me for saying but your husband is a member of the gentry, and you rank higher than him.”

“There is no need to apologize, My Dear. It is all right for you to be curious. Mama and Papa were not happy at all with my decision. They threatened to cut my allowance and if I married, I would not be a part of the family anymore.”

“My decision was made. I would marry James or no one at all. I was not frightened to be a spinster, you see. Although Mama was afraid to lose her eldest daughter, she wanted to see me happy. Papa came around soon enough. The wedding was a small affair because James was not the son of a Lord, and because James would not let Papa pay for the wedding. Scarlet, my husband is a simple man at best, which is why he didn’t attend the ball.”

“I must agree, I do admire such a man,” said Scarlet.

“Do tell me about you now, My Dear. What is your story?” Scarlet thought for a moment what her story was. It was not as exciting as Elizabeth’s.

“I was a baby when I was given to the Duke. I don’t know anything about my parentage as my Guardian chose to not disclose it. He treated me as his own daughter, for which I am truly grateful.”

“That is a wonderful tale. I am glad to know you so much better.”

“I do wish Daisy were as nice as you. I don’t understand why she is angry with me all the time. She has apologized to me, but she is not sincere,” Scarlet put down her sherbet.

The air was still warm, but the drink gave her refreshment. She felt so much at ease in Elizabeth’s company than she ever did in Daisy’s. “You must give Daisy some time, she can be difficult, I agree. I worry for her as a sister should, and I keep an eye on her. Who knows when she might get into mischief? But let’s not spoil this afternoon with woes of my sister.”

The time was moving forward quite rapidly, and Scarlet was sorry to say goodbye. Elizabeth placed the personally written envelope in Scarlet’s hand. “I look forward to the evening,” said Scarlet.

“As do I,” smiled Elizabeth.

Scarlet walked with her new friend to her carriage and watched her leave. She was quite excited to see the play but more so because it would be the first one she would go to.

Going back into the Manor, she hummed in happiness.