To England, With Love

Chapter VIII: Ire and Desire

Nottinghamshire, England ~ September 1818

"Your Grace, it really was a pleasure. Greet the Duchess for me and little Caroline?"

Duke Lennox smiled stiffly at the Earl's overt amiability, especially since the man was renowned to abhor being trifled with.

"Mr. Thomas." He agreed with a courteous tilt of the head, "I look forward to the manifestations of the arrangements made today. My ambassador will have the armistice to you in no later than a fortnight. I bid you a farewell."

"Are you quite sure you do not desire a sit in for tea? Ginny lamented her starve for company when she heard you were to visit, though I suspect her interest in seeing you has more to do specifically with your upcoming nuptials..." A broad smile stretched across the face of the baron as he spoke fondly of his inquisitive wife.

"Women, eh?" Lennox waved dismissively, "I would have no greater joy than to fall prey to My Lady's grand inquiry, though my reluctance to tarry is naught any fault of your own. I simply have a desire to get back to my manor considering recent events."

As both men left the study, escorted by the Earl's men, Lennox recognised the impending conversation bound to occur and wished he had phrased his desire to leave a tad bit more differently.

"Ah, yes. The Lady of the Wilton Shipping Company and Estates as well as the Undaunted, is your charge. God be praised, for the great country of Britain, if the Crown had even to the half of her wealth. How does she fare? Is she as beautiful as they say?"

Lennox stifled a sigh, Ginny may have had an affinity for the grapevine, but she had to have gotten it from someone.

"She fairs well, sir. She continues a rigorous curriculum in her studies and is acquainting herself nicely with my sister. Thank you for your concern." Her beauty will absolutely not be discussed and the resignation in the Duke voice commanded that the Earl naught breach the matter. "Again, thank you for your hospitality, and do encourage Mrs. Thomas to await my house call for another time."

The narrow hallways arched into the open sitting room where five members of the Devonshire militia stood at attention.

"This is where I leave you, sir."

The Earl tilted his head with a gratuitous bow. With a wave, Lennox left the study while his militia escorted him off the property to his crested barouche awaiting him outside.

The clearing to the contraption taking him home was nothing short of marvellous. The sprawling grounds of greenery and fertility in the warm spring noon, beckoned for a man to ride fast. The Earl surely spared no expense for the beautification of his manor's road, and no one honoured manicured landscaping more than the 6th Duke of Devonshire.

"Your Grace." The footman bowed deep as the bevy of men and the Duke drew nigh.

"I wish to ride by my own horse, Mr. Renley."

The footman was hardly surprised. His Duke was a renowned equestrian, only using his barouche or chaise whenever propriety deemed it necessary.

"Very good, your Grace. We have brought along Barton for your pleasure." A beautiful, black Norfolk Trotter was harnessed and brought under the waiting arm of the Duke. The horse neighed softly as he was saddled by another footman, while a third gave the Lennox three slices of apples to feed the horse for familiarity purposes.

Lennox gently fed the horse while caressing his mane, then subsequently stretched astride it in a graceful moment. He began a tentative trot waiting on his barouche to ready for departure and his militia to align his path and then cried.