Page 84 of Wicked Is the Duke
"Knowing Lady Carlisle as I do, I'm sure she'll come out of this mess just fine. Being away from Carlisle will give her time to think things through."
Anna smiled. "Not that it will do her much good. Without her father's support, she has few choices. She is a woman, Lord Taylor, which means she has little say in her life."
"Lady Carlisle is not most women. Neither are you, Your Grace."
"I'll take that as a compliment," she replied.
He arched a brow and sat back to let a footman serve him. "I see you have your hands full with Blackmont's two sisters. Isn't Lady Alice about to debut?"
Anna nodded. "Yes, this upcoming season. Lady Daisy will follow in two years."
"Very good of you to take them under your wing. I understand from my wife that you've allowed them to participate in planning this soiree."
"Thank you. It's been an excellent learning experience for them."
"You are to be commended."
"Thank you again, my lord."
Anna turned her attention on the perch smothered in cream sauce the footman had just put on her plate. Lord Taylor was a decent dinner companion, never overstepping his boundaries. He was a good twenty years older than Anna, his hair now salt and pepper and thinning. From what Henry had told her, the marquis was still an active horseman and hunter. He also had two sons he was trying to get wed.
She glanced at her husband seated at the head of the table. Nothing had been lost on him. He had been watching the marquis closely. Anna knew Henry well enough to know that he wasn't going to agree to courtship or marriage to either of his sisters easily.
They locked eyes for a moment as Blackmont's dinner companion engaged him in conversation.
The vicar, who was seated to her left, began speaking to her, and her gaze left Henry's. He wanted her opinion on gathering winter clothing for those less fortunate. It had been one of Blackmont's mother's favorite things to involve herself in. Winter would come before they knew it. Blackmont and his estate manager would spend time checking out the tenants’ cottages while she and a few of the other nearby neighbors, including Jane, would gather and sort through clothing. Shoes, coats, sweaters—anything to pass out to the children and adults. She and Jane would carry on the tradition.
With dinner winding down, Anna caught Alice's attention. She would assist her with leading the ladies to the drawing room and would pour tea for everyone. This had been an excellent learning experience for Alice and Daisy. Once Alice had gotten her resentment toward Anna out of her system, the two of them seemed to be establishing a closer bond. One that Anna hoped would last.
The one thing that had, over time, brought them together was the fact they were all without a mother. Anna and Jane had emphasized to Alice and Daisy the importance of them relying on each other whenever one of them needed support. It appeared to finally make sense to the stubborn and headstrong Alice.
Anna only hoped that her young sister-in-law's headstrong personality wouldn't get her into trouble as she began to discover young men.
***
Henry sat back in hischair, swirled his glass of port, and listened to the conversation going on around him. He wondered if men ever thought of anything but business. For once, he'd like nothing more than to talk of less intrusive matters like horses. A lot of them did raise their own lines, and for once, it would be a welcome change from politics and who was purchasing this, that, or another. Men, however, weren't hardwired that way.
Norwood was one of the few men he could converse with about anything and who knew when to drop politics and business.
However, Marcus Walker, Earl of Midway, was a serious horseman who had in the past few years begun to expand his own line. He'd been after Henry for a mare, and thus far, Henry had had to refuse. He wanted another generation, perhaps two before he began to sell any. Even to a friend such as Marcus.
"How do you feel about adding Arabians to your line, Blackmont?" the earl inquired.
"I have two, and I've bred the mare to my stallion. I'm looking forward to seeing what comes of it. I'm breeding for the endurance Arabians are known for."
"Isn't that black beast of yours a cross?" Walker asked.
"He is. He's thoroughbred and an Irish draught cross."
Norwood laughed. "Don't even ask to purchase the beast. I tried and got an unequivocal no."
"Might we discuss a breeding contract?" Walker asked.
Henry took a drink of port and thoughtfully pondered the earl's suggestion. "We can discuss the matter another time."
"Thank you. I've wanted to get some fresh bloodlines. My father let his breeding efforts go once he got sick." Walker's father, the late earl had spent the last five years of his life quite ill and bedbound more than out and about. His onetime passion for horses waned the sicker he got, leading him to make decisions he normally wouldn't have.
"It's time you right that," Henry added.
