The Storm of the Season – A Regency Romance
Chapter 1
“Ernest, thank heavens. You're back. I can't find Charlotte anywhere, and I can't find Mary either, Lady Melbourne shouted, as her husband climbed the steps to their mansion, Eaton Hall. I've been waiting an age for you to return. Why do those regimental dinners go on for so long? You're just a bunch of old soldiers, what on earth do you have to talk about until deep into the night?
Deep in the night? It's only ten-fifteen. We talk about old times and have the odd glass.
And the way you climbed those steps, it looks as though you've had a few too many. Really, Ernest, you are a shambles. Now go and find Charlotte. I really do not want to have to tell the Duke, that his beloved Charlotte has disappeared.
When did you last see her? Lord Melbourne asked, slightly unsteady on his feet. He'd spent the evening at the monthly dinner of his old regiment, the Hussars. In his day, Lord Melbourne had been a dashing officer, who'd led his men into battle. Now he was a henpecked, fifty-three year old, with little to do all day, but remember past campaigns.
Before you left. I think around four o'clock. She had tea in the drawing room. I haven't seen her since.
And where do you suggest I look at this time in the evening? It's pitch black outside. And by the feel of it, it's about to pour down.
Ernest, please don't talk to me like that. We have a household of fifty servants, half of them male. Take them, and find the blessed girl.
Lord Melbourne took four footmen, three stable hands, two gardeners and Lewis, the butler. He knew their search would prove fruitless, but if he didn't appease his wife, he wouldn't hear the last of it. After twenty-five years of marriage, he knew that incurring the wrath of his wife was not a good idea. Listen, men, it's started to pour down. My daughter won't be out on the estate in this weather. I suggest we go down to the village and have a brandy.
The men nodded in agreement. They were grateful they would be able to sit in front of the warm fire at the Ship Inn, and drink.
****
And, did you find her? Lady Melbourne shouted as the men walked back up the drive, some hours later.
No dear, we've searched every inch of this three hundred hectare estate. She's nowhere to be seen, her husband slurred.
Ernest get inside now. And as for you men, you should be ashamed of yourselves. Do you think I was born yesterday? By the look of you, you haven't been searching for my daughter at all, you've been getting drunk in the Ship. None of you have mud on your boots. There will be consequences for all of you. Now be off to with you.” Lady Melbourne sighed. “And sit down Ernest, before you fall down. You're a disgrace to the family name. I have no idea why I married you. You've always been a drunk and a scoundrel. How many wenches were there in the Ship this evening? You're a Lord. You should behave like one.
My dear, calm yourself, and please don't start mentioning the fact that this estate belongs to you. I am perfectly aware of it. You remind me almost daily. However, I am Lord Melbourne, not you.
You're drunk. You only had the name Lord, when I married you, nothing else. You were penniless. Without me, you would be living in a tiny house, on your paltry army pension. Now get to bed. When I wake up in the morning, I'll inform the Duke.
****
Miss, it's raining so hard, we'll have to put into the next Inn. It looks like it may thunder and I don't want the horses frightened.
Of course. That would be very dangerous indeed, Charlotte said to the coachman. Oh Mary, did you hear that? We're going to have to stop. We've only been traveling for five hours. It's much too close to home. Somebody will surely discover us.
Calm yourself, Miss Charlotte. I think, we have come a long way. It won't be easy for anyone from Eaton Hall to find us.
I'm not worried about anybody from Eaton Hall. But I am worried the Duke will send some of his henchmen to find me.
Miss Charlotte, I hate to see you so upset. Please try to calm yourself. If you continue to worry, you'll make yourself ill.
Oh Mary, you're so kind. I really don't know what I would do without you. I am so thankful to you for accompanying me.
Not at all. I am your faithful servant. I will always do as you ask. It has pained me greatly to see you so unhappy since your betrothal to the Duke.
Forced betrothal, I may add. I hate that man, and my mother, for doing this to me. My mother just wanted me to marry him because he is a Duke. He's old, unpleasant and cruel. I'm afraid to say, my mother is so engulfed in status, that she knows nothing of love. She only married my father because he had a title. I don't believe she loved him. She just wanted to be Lady Melbourne. She bought my father with her vast wealth.
Mary was concerned about Charlotte's welfare. Mary had come to Eaton Hall some five years earlier, when Charlotte had just celebrated her sixteenth birthday. She was Charlotte's first lady's maid. The two young women got on famously, from the very first day. On some occasions, they'd filled Eaton Hall with so much laughter and gaiety, even the servants began to smile again. That hadn't happened for many a year. Charlotte's mother had tried to dampen their spirits by telling her daughter, that Mary was just a servant and should be treated as one. Charlotte hadn't listened, and their relationship was more that of two friends, than mistress and servant.