Page 60 of The Scarred Duchess
“Carry on, Sergeant.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
After breaking their fast together, Lambrook requested John to ride out with him. A day in the saddle with his beloved Anubis and his son’s attention could only be upstaged by a curricle outing with Lady Lambrook. Alas, she had yet to rise.
They rode at a hard canter across the fields towards Haye-Park before reining their mounts to a slow walk. He glanced at John and said, “I understand the Miss Bennets shall go to town for a Season.”
“Lady Matlock shall sponsor Miss Bennet,” John confirmed.
“The Bennets have very satisfactory connexions,” agreed Lambrook.
John smiled. “I shall pursue her hand in town.”
“I cannot permit that.”
John frowned. “Whyever not?”
Lambrook remained silent. Spending these past few years watching his son pine for his broken betrothal to Jane Bennet, and then hearing the news of her recovery and wish to have a London Season had been bittersweet. He was reluctant tohurt his son any further by constraining his wish to go to town.
“Tell me all, Father.” John’s tone brooked no dissent.
Lambrook hesitated but a moment, then told him of the Somerset Seymours. Their profligacy. Their amoral activities. Their desire to have the Lambrook estates to satisfy their creditors.
“My cousin is a wastrel, and a dangerous one at that. Once you were born, I feared he would resort to drastic measures.”
“Thus, our lives here in the country, rather than our proper estate,” replied John.
“Protecting you and your mother has been my most important responsibility. Cambridge was a safe oasis. You were always with company.” Lambrook’s brow furrowed. “We never wished to deprive you of anything. Your mother and I are proud of your accomplishments, and even more so for the honourable way you have achieved them.”
“Thank you.” John looked off at the distance. “I have always preferred the country, even on my travels abroad.” He looked back at his father. “Let us speak of this later, and put aside our noxious relations and enjoy the day. Shall we take a fence?”
“Call the mark,” replied Lambrook.
Both faced up and turned their mounts. Knees tight, Lambrook nodded. “Mark!” shouted John, and they were off.
Ishtar and Anubis were neck and neck as father and son raced back to the stable. At the stump, they both cut hard left and continued. The final fence loomed ahead; the winner only had to clear it.
Both horses vaulted simultaneously. The victorious mount landed and turned about; the other snapped a foreleg upon landing, and both horse and rider fell in defeat.
Hertfordshire Crier, May 1810
Died on Thursday the 11th, Mr Charles John Smyth of Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire County. He was a loving husband and doting father and died a humble Christian.
Jane walked the grounds at Netherfield Park between Kitty and Elizabeth. Across the lawn, she spied John with Miss Harrington and Miss Long. Moments later, two trios met face-to-face on a narrow garden path.
“Good afternoon, ladies,” he said.
“Good afternoon,” answered Jane, noting his weariness. Her heart ached for his loss.
“Have you called with your parents?” he asked.
“Yes, they are with your mother?—”
“For heaven’s sake, is she to receive every Bennet in the country?” interrupted Miss Harrington with a dramatic sigh.
“It has always been our pleasure to do so, madam.” John turned away from her and looked at Jane. “You are looking very well.”
“I am pleased to see you in good health, too,” she replied. “I am so sorry about your father. He was a kind man.”
