Page 4 of The Earl's Reluctant Bride
“Do not get ahead of yourself Barlow for I am here, after all,” Conrad teased.
Alexander had received a high-quality education at the prestigious Harrow boarding school. Discipline was strict and he received severe punishment, ranging from a rap on the knuckles or palm with a ruler, or a swat across the backside with a birch cane. He was ripped from the comfort of his home and cast into the depths of loneliness and isolation. He would return home for the holidays and this was the height of his existence. Fortunately, he had parents to return to for the holidays. Alexander discovered that many of the boys in the lower-class boarding schools were not so fortunate.
The lower-class boarding schools were places of even harsher discipline than those of the elite. These children had an inadequate diet and received a lower standard of education. Alexander knew he could not change the world although he often wanted to. Nonetheless, he strived for his life to have meaning and purpose and just maybe he could have a small impact on a young boy’s life. He was educated and wealthy beyond what he needed to survive in his lifetime. He managed his estates well and his wealth multiplied. He decided to use what he had learned as a means of being of service to others so he had set up a small charity. He had come together with his mates from Cambridge and they were the benefactors of a boarding school for the lower class. Alexander was passionate about this undertaking and he visited the boarding school to check on the progress of the students from time to time.
He was driven, focused, committed, and his charity work warmed him inside. He was unable to be deterred or distracted from his goal. For all he knew this was the reason that he was put on this earth.
His sense of meaning and purpose gave him an inexhaustible drive and he always contemplated how he could make things better. Alexander would never be satisfied with what is and he would always strive for what could be. The ‘what is’ agitated and disturbed him. He wanted to know more, to get to the root of the challenge, discover and understand the contributing factors, and arrive at new solutions. He saw the errors in thinking and behavior, and he trusted his belief when it was time to push the boundaries of what society expected. He was convinced that change would bring a better way to live.
Alexander did not flaunt or misuse his honor and responsibility. Rather, he used his power and influence as a force for good cultivating important relationships and connections, and engaging openly with society. He valued his mates. These positive, supportive, and authentic relationships were the foundation for building anything and everything that he wanted to achieve. He could not do it alone and when he reached out to his mates they answered his call with grace, compassion, and care. Alexander smiled, pleased they were a part of his life.
They ordered another bottle of claret in which they indulged, before having dinner in the dining room. After the meal, they enjoyed a game of billiards, and Alexander was pleased that he won. At their last meeting, he had taken a sound thrashing from Barlow. As he gazed at Conrad, he chuckled for Conrad was such a poor loser. Although it was late in the evening Alexander felt refreshed. He always found spending time with mates restored him and made him feel quite invigorated.
He decided then that he would spend the night at Brook’s and return to Thornton Manor the following morning. The corners of his mouth lifted into a smile. Tonight, he would drink and carouse. Whatever business or duty awaited him at Thornton Manor would be present upon his return. However, there was one bit of business that he knew he should not delay any further, and that was seeking a wife.
An enchanting smile flashed in his thoughts and his heart jerked.Lady Elizabeth. He resolved to attend to this matter of finding his bride as soon as he returned to the estate.
CHAPTER3
Several days after that encounter with Lord Thorton, which befuddling lingered in her thoughts, Elizabeth met with her friends. Ladies Amelia Osborn and Eleanor Porter had been friends of Elizabeth’s forever. If there was anyone she could encourage to take part in her shenanigans, it would be Amelia and Eleanor. Quickly, and before she lost courage, she told them of her thoughts.
“You want to do what?” Lady Amelia’s eyes bulged when she asked Elizabeth in disbelief, “Have you taken leave of your senses?”
Elizabeth watched as Amelia placed a hand on her chest and flopped down on a seat in the gazebo. Eleanor was aghast and she continued to gaze at Elizabeth as if she had grown horns. Elizabeth would not give up now. She knew that she could persuade her best friends to go on this adventure with her, it would just take some doing. From their shocked expressions, one would think that she suggested pistols at dawn when all she really wanted to do was to attend a freak show.
“A freak show, Lizzy? You very well know that ladies of our station do not partake in this type of entertainment, not unless it is an exclusive private showing, and even that is rare. Your parents would certainly not agree. They would say such entertainment is for commoners,” Eleanor said.
Amelia lifted a hand to her forehead before she massaged her temple. It appeared that she was still trying to calm herself, and Elizabeth wondered if she would faint. Amelia had such delicate sensibilities.
“Now, hear me out. This may be my only chance to see these freaks of nature as Mama and Papa are determined to see me wed this season. Can you picture my husband conceding to this request? I certainly do not, but with your assistance … think of it. This is our chance, for we need not travel a great distance. The show will be coming to the music hall in St. Albans. We would disguise ourselves so we would not attend as ladies of society, but rather one of the working classes.”
Elizabeth’s eyes did not leave her friends and her breath came in short bursts as she rushed to complete her pitch. She must convince them.
“You may have thought this through, Lizzy, but have you considered what would happen if we were to be discovered? The scandal! I cannot bear the thought.” There was a bead of perspiration on Amelia’s forehead as she produced her fan and started fanning herself.
Oh drat! Amelia was taking it a bit harder than she expected.
It was a lovely day in early spring, but it was uncharacteristically warm for this time of the year. Elizabeth knew that she needed space to encourage her friends, so she suggested a walk in the garden for she did not wish their conversation to be overheard. They hoped for a cool breeze that failed to blow.
Eleanor’s brow knitted in concentration. “You are right, Lizzy, we cannot be disguised as women for our faces would be exposed, and we do not know who we may encounter on our journey.”
Elizabeth’s heart beat faster in anticipation. If she could win Eleanor over then she knew Amelia would follow. She should press her advantage.
“Eleanor! Do not encourage Elizabeth. Do you not see that you should be dissuading her?” Amelia sighed with exasperation as she glared at Eleanor.
Elizabeth’s eyes moved from Amelia to Eleanor and back again. She gave both of her friends a beguiling smile.
Amelia arched a brow. “Your smile will not work on me, Lizzy.”
Elizabeth smiled more widely at Amelia as she reached out and held her hand. She decided to move in for the kill. “I have procured all the garments we will need from Robert and Papa. Your husband is attending to business in London, Amelia, so we can dress in the summer cottage without fear of being exposed.”
Elizabeth felt as if she was gaining the upper hand and she was determined to persevere. Eleanor cocked her head to one side as if listening for a fading sound. Elizabeth could envision the wheels turning in Eleanor’s head, and she was pleased for this meant that Eleanor was giving her plan the due consideration it deserved.
Elizabeth thought this may be the final opportunity to make a compelling argument to show that her plan was well thought out. “I will say that I am going riding on your estate so that I can study unique landscapes for drawing and painting,”
Eleanor perked up and uttered conspiratorially, “That is a brilliant idea, Lizzy, if I may say so myself. You must complete enough drawings so as not to raise suspicion on your return.”
Elizabeth nodded. “You are right, Eleanor. I could spend a few days as Amelia’s guest at Codicote Manor, after all, drawing and painting takes a great deal of time.”
