The Last Duchess (The Lennox Series)(43)
Lucy’s smile faded and she said seriously, “I believe you’ve done outstandingly well, my lord. Thank you very much for your kind offer. Don’t be surprised if I have the temerity to take you up on it.”
Their eyes met and it seemed to Lucy an understanding passed betwixt them. Ah, yes, he did indeed know what it was like to raise the child of one loved dearly, but no longer there to provide support and encouragement. The many lonely nights, the worry of going about things all wrong, the uncertainty of childrearing made doubly difficult due to no help at all.
“I don’t offer merely as a courtesy, and you shouldn’t hesitate if the need arises.”
“I won’t hesitate, Sherbourne.”
Julian stood and said, “What we need is a bit of entertainment.” He went to the pianoforte and began to play a lively tune –a Scottish highland song, it appeared. His brothers stood and went to stand close and join in. It didn’t take long for her to surmise it was a rollicking song of love and marriage, something undoubtedly sung after highland weddings.
It was delightful, for they harmonized and Bram beat a staccato rhythm with his palms against the gleaming wood of the pianoforte. Lucy was delighted, and laughed when they sang a line about the boy finally winning the bonnie lass by gifting her with a pair of sheep, a ewe and a ram, who stood up with them as they exchanged their vows, and provided many sheep in the years that followed.
She caught Sherbourne’s eye again and noted he didn’t appear to enjoy the song quite so much. He looked a trifle sad, actually.
The last of the song came about and she understood why. The bonnie lass went out to see about the ewe and the ram and her lovely herd of sheep, but never returned, taken by the ice and wind of a sudden, highland storm. Julian slowed the tempo and the song took a decidedly somber turn, ending with a warning to all bonnie lasses to love their husbands regardless of gift or fortune, for love was all important and eternal, and the other merely fleeting.
When the last note faded away, Lucy looked down at her hands and wished it hadn’t been so very sad. Her eyes had welled with tears and she was embarrassed. She blinked quickly and thought of Blix and Jane, determined not to be a damper.
Thankfully, Julian began another tune, this one about a lady in a loch, who tempted young men to their deaths with her siren song. Much like the wedding song, this one proposed a lesson, though Lucy was a bit at a loss why any young man would dive into a frigidly cold loch after a watery woman.
Sherbourne said evenly, “I see your confusion, and agree. If a young man is fool enough to go after a woman who lives in a lake, he damn well deserves to die. Never did comprehend this song, though it was one of Connie’s favorites.”
“Perhaps it’s a warning to avoid dangerous women?”
He shrugged. “Can’t see how falling for a dangerous woman would lead to death. I’d far rather consort with a lady of mystery than one of strict propriety.” He smiled at her most charmingly. “But that’s no doubt my age speaking. One does reach a level of maturity that finds all the pomp and circumstance a bit tiring.” He was not merely looking at her, but actually staring at her curiously. “How old are you?”
It was a rude question, for which he did not apologize. Lucy decided not to mind, for she suspected she was going to become friends with Sherbourne. There was something of a similarity between them and she found she rather liked him. “I’m four and twenty.” She blinked. “And you, sir? How old are you?”
“Fifty, just a month ago. Close to doddering, I expect.”
It was so ludicrous, she laughed. “Doddering, indeed! You’re a jokester, I see.” She nodded toward the brotherly choir in the far corner. “What a grand time you must have had, raising them. They provide tremendous entertainment. Julian is very accomplished.”
“True enough, it’s been a jolly ride, all these years, and you’re correct about Julian. I daresay poor Jane didn’t inherit her mother’s musical talent, but instead, took after me. I’m unable to carry a tune, was, in fact, asked to lower my voice at services. Seemed there was some concern the good Lord would leave the building if he heard my abuse of sacred hymns.”
Once again, she laughed. “Not quite that bad, surely.”
His blue eyes twinkled with good humor. “I’d demonstrate, but you’d no doubt run away, and that would be a shame.” He continued to stare at her. “Why do I not remember you being so animated four years past, when you hosted that house party?”
“It was but a few months past a year since I lost Bonderant. I was out of mourning, but still mourned. The notion of a house party was not my favorite, but Blix needed a wife, and I thought to do him a kindness.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, dear, I’ve wandered into a most awkward subject, which I regret.” She glanced at the tea cart. “May I pour you some more tea?”