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“And as to your other question, I did find a copy. I began reading last evening, but I fear I only made it a few pages before I was tired enough to get a bit of sleep,” Mary told him.
“I understand,” he said with a nod. “I have not yet begun it, actually. I am hoping to this evening. The past week was rather eventful and there was little chance to sit and indulge in reading, although that is most often the first thing I wish to do.”
“Of course. Life for men tends to be a good deal busier, as far as I can see,” Mary said.
“Oh? I think quite the contrary. From what I so often see of young ladies, it appears as though your duties never cease. You are made to do everything all day to look your best, to stay educated enough to impress a man without being cleverer than he is, to have talents and skills beyond measure. I am shocked that you are able to do so much,” he said.
Mary smiled, having never thought of it that way. The tasks of a woman were always seen as inferior to those tasks of gentlemen, but the way Lord Hanbrooke described it was perfectly accurate. She was always busy, trying to do something or other to impress a man or woman.
She always had to be on display for the sake of her family, proving that she was every bit as exceptional as every other young lady. It was truly exhausting, and it felt utterly meaningless.
Mary wanted to have the opportunity to do something that she could truly see benefitting others, but she was stuck in these positions of having to show herself for whatever her father and Lady Rachel wanted. Society had rules and she had to live within the confines of those rules. To hear from Lord Hanbrooke that he could see the demand these things put on young ladies was quite a marvel.
She was happy to know that he felt this way.
“Thank you for understanding that we are not simply sitting around all day to be doted upon. I honestly believe that most men think women are resigned to sitting in chairs until the next ball where we are to be chosen and married off,” she said.
“And I expect that there are many men who might prefer it if that were so. They should all be astonished when they meet their wives after the wedding only to see that they are expected not only to sit there, stitching doilies, but that they are mercilessly practicing how to make better doilies than Lady Whomsoever up the road,” Lord Hanbrooke said with a chuckle.
Mary laughed as well, noting how maniacal his eyes grew when he did his impression of a young lady frantically stitching. His humour surprised her, and she could tell by the burning of his cheeks that even he had not expected to make her laugh.
“You truly do seem to understand much more about what is expected of us,” she remarked.
“I have a cousin who lives in Brighton outside of the season and I visited her family last year, just months before the season began. I must tell you that watching her prepare every aspect of her life in the hopes of finding a husband appeared more brutal and exhausting than I believe even the regiments have endured,” he said.
Once more, Mary laughed, enjoying his jokes. She could see that Lord Hanbrooke was rather proud of himself for bringing forth mirth. For a moment, their eyes locked.
They enjoyed riding together for a little while longer before Miss Anne cleared her throat. Mary looked over to see her governess wince.
“I expect we ought to be returning home soon,” Mary said.
“Oh, yes, indeed. It was too much to hope that I might get to ride with you any longer than this. But I am grateful for our chance to see one another, and I do wish you all the best, Lady Mary. I hope we shall see one another again soon and we may finally discuss the first few chapters of the book,” he said.
“Most certainly, Lord Hanbrooke. Until we meet again.” She bowed her head slightly.
He grinned at her a final time before turning and riding ahead with his groom. Miss Anne came alongside Mary and reached out to place a hand upon Mary’s shoulder.
Mary turned to her and couldn’t help feeling overwhelmed. She had enjoyed the ride so much. The conversation with Lord Hanbrooke had come easily and he was so charming—certainly more than he realised.
It was lovely to see him this happy and Mary just wanted to have a chance to spend more time with him, to get to know him better. She knew that it was unlikely, that she would never have the opportunity to have tea with him or speak with him freely; she would always have to be cautious about Charlotte and Lady Rachel.
But it had been wonderful to have neither of those women present while she was able to enjoy the ride and simply hearing his thoughts regarding young ladies and all they were made to do.
As Mary and Miss Anne began riding towards the estate, Miss Anne launched into all of her questions about Lord Hanbrooke.
“He is a very handsome gentleman. How is it that you know him?” she asked.
“We met at the ball on Saturday. He was a very kind man. To be honest, he is rather shy, but it appears that he has grown more comfortable in speaking than he was at first,” Mary said.
“And he is quite attractive. He has kind eyes. And he sounded rather intelligent, if I may say so. He clearly enjoys the same books that you do, which is quite good as well,” Miss Anne continued.
“Indeed. He is very handsome and charming. I enjoyed speaking with him.”
“These qualities are not easy to find in a young gentleman, particularly one who is single and titled. He is a duke, correct? I believe I have heard of him,” she said.
“Yes, he is. And I had not heard of him until the ball, but it would seem that he is known as a quiet, shy man. He does not do much in society,” Mary said, thinking back to what little information she had managed to unearth about him since the ball.
“Yes, I think my friend’s sister is a maid in his household. That is where I have heard of him. I know very little, but he sounds reasonable,” Miss Anne said. “And, as I said, he sounds like a man who is very unique.”
