"Expectations" (Book 2), by Gratiana Lovelace (2018-2019), (Completed)

Ch. 8: Welcoming the Lindsays of York to Sussex Hall

"Expectations" (Book 2)-- Ch. 8: Welcoming the Lindsays of York to Sussex Hall 

January 27, 2019 by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1208)(an original Regency romance copyrighted by Gratiana Lovelace, 2018 - 2019; all rights reserved);  [(1) story cover art, above left]

[As is my custom, from time to time I will illustrate my story with my ideal cast consisting of (in order of appearance/mention in this chapter): Richard Armitage as Lord Christian Blount Earl of Sussex; Crispin Bonham Carter as Lord Harold Blount the younger brother of Lord Christian Blount the Earl of Sussex portrayed by Richard Armitage, and older brother to their younger sister Lady Elizabeth Blount portrayed by Jessica Brown Findlay; Emma Thompson as Lady Gwendolyn "Gwen" Lindsay of York, the sister to Lord Duncan the Viscount Lindsay portrayed by Rupert Penry-Jones, and their late older brother Lord Alfred portrayed by David Oakes; Margaret Clunie portrays the Late Lord Alfred's betrothed Lady Constance Knightsbridge; Lily Travers portrays Lady Penelope Lindquist, Lord Harold's great love; and Hugh Grant as Lord Robert Knightsbridge the Marquess of Wyre and heir to the Duke of Lancashire as Lady Constance Knightsbridge's brother.]

Author's story content and serializing scheduling notes: For the most part, my ratings for the chapters will be PG-13—for romantic interludes and dramatic moments. If you are unable or unwilling to attend a movie with these ratings, then please do not read that chapter. This is my disclaimer. And I always put the previous chapter's brief recap at the top of the next chapter. Also, I hope to post new chapters weekly on Sundays.

"Expectations" (Book 2)-- Ch. 8: Welcoming the Lindsays of York to Sussex Hall

Duncan the Viscount Lindsay ruminates about his family removing from their ancestral castle while it is under repair, and moving into Sussex Hall for the Summer of 1816 as he and his horse trot alongside with the reserved and silent Lord Robert Knightsbridge the Marquess of Wyre. So with little conversation to be had, Lord Duncan lets his mind roam.

Naturally, Lord Duncan expects that he and his family to run into Lord Christian and his family quite regularly while they are staying at Sussex Hall manor. That expectation of familiarity and nearness was one of the reasons that prompted Lord Duncan to lease Lord Christian's Summer estate. Well, that and the prospect of seeing Lord Christian's younger sister Lady Elizabeth in her home environment, where she is sure to be comfortable.

Lord Duncan thinks that Lady Elizabeth is such a jolly little slip of a thing. And I find her charming—despite, or perhaps because of, her plump and rosie cheeks. She is like a little sister to me, though one who is blossoming into a lovely young woman. I only hope that she will find love and be married happily—unlike my younger sister Lady Gwendolyn whose beau Lord Stephen Trottworth was killed by Napolean's troops, with our elder brother Alfred ten years ago. Gwennie has pined these ten years for her beau and had fervently wished that Papa had allowed her to marry before Lord Stephen went away to war. But she was only fifteen then and she had not yet been presented. Our parents believed then—in my view—that Gwennie needed a larger society before she decided on whom to marry.

Then with our eldest brother Lord Alfred who was Papa's heir dying as well, our family was crushed into the deepest sorrow imaginable. It was made worse because Lord Alfred's and Stephen's bodies were never recovered. Only my brother's signet ring was returned to us, as I look down upon it on my own finger these past ten years. It is a sorrow that never goes away. And by default, I became the reluctant heir to our father's Dukedom. It was not supposed to be my future—to be the Duke. And with it looming before me whenever our father dies, I feel the strictures of what that life will bring me, closing in around me.

And I despair of my sister Gwennie ever getting past losing her Stephen and finding love again. At six and twenty, many might think her on the shelf. But to me, Gwennie is a rare and beautiful gift yet to be cherished by the right man—a man who will celebrate her strength of will and also honor her tender heart. As I also hope that Lady Elizabeth will one day be cherished—though that man will not be me. I think forlornly.