Second Chances; A Regency Story (For Anna)

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle had to try hard to mask her disappointment at the end of the conversation. Their attention would now be too divided to have any substantial dialog as the ran the gauntlet of faces waiting for any small morsel of gossip they might whisper in the nearest ear. The magnitude of her actions suddenly hit her. Years ago she'd been on the other side of the coin; sitting beside her mother along the curb, greeting others as they passed, and waiting to see who the newest matches of the season might be. She'd never actually gone for a ride with a male through the park although she had always wished to.

This wasn't what she'd had in mind when she'd dreamed of this moment all those years ago. A gentleman driving a woman through the park wasn't always a declaration of intentions, but it had been with most of the gentlemen she'd associated herself with back then. It obviously was no such thing with the man next to her, but what would they think? Would they even recognize her? Would they know who he was?

As they rode alongside the first carriage Annabelle nodded to Mrs. Sainsbury, a widow who had been friends with her mother, and her companion. She realized the answers to those questions didn't matter. She'd caused more than enough gossip over her absence and now over her return. The ton was already talking about her return, she knew even without hearing it confirmed. She impulsively turned and smiled at Alasdair as though they were sharing a secret and said low enough to not be overheard, "I do hope you realize what a stir being seen as my escort will cause. I apologize for bringing you into the gossipmonger's interest." Her words were light, showing that she wasn't overly concerned over the topic, but wanting to know his take on it.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair gave a low chuckle, allowing it to curve his lips into an urbane smile. Mrs. Sainsbury received a bold nod of recognition before he turned his head slightly to see the petite female at his side. "My dear Miss Hennessy," he murmured, "I am no stranger to being the subject of gossip. I was about to give you the same warning.

It was true that not all would recognize him by sight. He was an artist, after all. He had gone about the ton on Michael's coattails, and rarely at that. He was known well by reputation and perhaps he'd been discussed in drawing rooms, described in detail for those curious about the Duke's odd tastes, but for the most part he had hidden away to avoid the inevitable difficulties inherent in the lifestyle he'd led.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle let a light laugh cross her lips, liking the way he'd added a My dear in front of her name as if they were close friends, or more. She couldn't remember the last time she'd enjoyed someone else's company so much. She performed her duty to acknowledge a few more people before continuing their conversation. "Elizabeth will appreciate it, the invitations will be flowing even more so by the week's end. Naturally, I'll be sure to paint you as my dashing knight to all that will eagerly be curious as to how we are acquainted."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair bit his tongue on his natural reply; Do as you wish, Miss Hennessy. They'll never believe you. The ton knew nothing of his life before he'd met Michael, the Duke of Hardt. For all that they were concerned, he had materialized simply to lure the man into disgrace. Had his lovely companion forgotten his reputation? He certainly did not wish to be the one to remind her. He enjoyed her company and would not sabotage himself so.

"I am glad to be of service," he said instead, his eyes softening a bit, perhaps distancing with the fading of his excitement. The look he gave said most definitely that his words were genuine, however. He was glad to help her and her sister. He was pulling her into his scandal with this drive for his own selfish enjoyment. It was the least he could do.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Again, any attempts at conversation were foiled. They had approached another carriage, and though Annabelle was momentarily struck dumb, she quickly recovered herself. She had heard that the Duke of Firebrand had married some exotic beauty, but hearing and seeing were quite different. The introductions, though civil on the surface, were nerve-wracking.

The Duke of Firebrand showed not a hint of the personality she'd once seen in him. His introduction of his duchess was everything that was expected of his rank and not an ounce more. Annabelle greeted the duchess, who her mother had previously provided all the details on. She had been Lady Carolynn Singh before marriage and surprisingly hadn't lost her attractive looks with the hoard of children she had produced.

As expected among society, Annabelle introduced Mr. Alasdair Blackwood with all the grace she had learned during her seasons. It might have been a long time since she'd been in such company, but she still remembered how to act. Knowing that Mr. Blackwood resided at the Duke of Hardt's residence, she wasn't sure if her introduction was even necessary.

The Duke was suddenly more interested in his horses than the conversation and his Duchess only just held back a little laugh. Her looks of pitying superiority aggravated Annabelle. She couldn't believe how shallow society could be and was thanking the stars that she hadn't ended up sitting in the seat next to the Duke in the duchess seat as she could have.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

There was no love lost between Alasdair and the couple before him. They had met only briefly at a society function, but the Duchess's poorly-veiled comments about his and Michael's relationship had been worse even than the Duke of Firebrand's cold, disapproving stare. He felt similarly inspected and looked-down upon today and it took all the self-control he could muster to field the impertinent questions that the Duchess was excused for only because of rank.

Yes, he was in London for the Season. No, he didn't think it strange to be out again after so long. Yes, he still wore a band of mourning around his left bicep and he was terribly sorry, but the line was moving again, and wasn't the Duchess being hailed by Mrs. Sainsbury? He would hate to interrupt. He prodded his horses to eat up the slight space between them and the carriage ahead of them.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Anna held her tongue during the exchange as she was not personally addressed and Mr. Blackwood seemed to handle the situation just fine. Only years of training allowed her to sit quiet and not tell the title-hunter what she could do with her ridiculous line of questioning. When they were far enough away to be out of earshot, Annabelle couldn't resist the temptation to comment on the conversation she'd just witnessed. "And yet you still believe that society is a necessary evil?"

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair's jaw tensed at the question, and for a moment he was silent, weighing his words. "There are exceptions," he said at last, and looked aside at Miss Hennessy with lightly laughing eyes. In his humble opinion, the Duke and Duchess of Firebrand were entirely unnecessary, but he had still been polite, despite the obvious questions which would have come next regarding the reason he wore mourning for the Duke of Hardt. The Duchess seemed to delight in making people squirm and he refused to submit willingly to such torment.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"She's a few years younger then me, so we never ran in the same circles. By the time she had her coming out, I was fleeing the madness of town and declaring myself firmly on the shelf. I definitely do not regret that decision." Annabelle wasn't sure if her statement referred more to never having to endure Duchess Firebrand's company until today, or that of the Duke for an endless amount of years. She decided it worked as well for both.

The traffic had started moving again and their conversation was cut short by the eagerly attentive ears in close proximity. She couldn't help but miss the open country roads where the horses could be given some slack and the breeze would whip at her hair until tendrils framed her face.

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair felt similarly caged, but he was determined to do everything correctly, and that meant the torment of a ride in the park. It seemed that no one attributed any intentions on his part, and so he was unsure whether it had been necessary after all. More than one curious matron had simply looked past him to speak to Miss Hennessy, as though he were no more than her driver. He found he far preferred that to the prodding he'd suffered at the hands of the Duchess.

"We are nearing the end at last," he murmured. He might have been relieved at that, except that they would then be turning and making their way back.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle just barely overheard the words. She flashed him a smile of reassurance. "I really do appreciate this. I'd feared you might disappear and I'd never cross paths with you again." She'd had many thoughts of him since he'd left her care. She was glad that at least one of them might come true, no matter how platonic it was on his end. "Your company is so refreshing."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Alasdair, surprised and somehow heartened by this, looked aside at his companion, the nearly imperceptible curve of his lips echoed in his eyes. "I find yours much the same, Miss Hennessy," he confessed. He was saved from further comment by the concentration of turning his horses on the crowded path. His mind was truly only half there, however. It had been so long since he'd been in female company that he hardly recalled what to do.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

Annabelle sat quietly as they made their turn and began navigating back down the row of carriages. She spotted the familiar ladies in enough time to turn to Mr. Blackwood. Out of instinct she sat up a little straighter and prepared for the interrogation that was always expected when dealing with any of the elite society matrons. "Would you mind pulling up next to Lady Osbaldestone's carriage? The dowager duchess is with her and she is close to my parents."

[Dare Blackwood-Hardt]

Lady Osbaldestone? "Is that old tartar still alive?" he asked, the words carelessly spoken when he had meant them as thought. He cleared his throat and begged forgiveness for his bluntness, but the apology had only just passed his lips when it was replaced with greetings. He had met Lady O some few times in his youth, before even Michael. She had always seemed to see far into one and he'd once impulsively asked her to sit for a portrait, to which she'd thumped her cane and declared herself far too old for such nonsense. He had yet to meet the Dowager Duchess and within moments she had dominated his attention with her smooth French accent and pleasant conversation.

[Annabelle Hennessy]

"Ah, gel. About time you come around and take your rightful place among us." Lady Osbaldestone remarked before Annabelle could join the conversation between Mr. Blackwood and the Dowager Duchess. Anna hated to lie to anyone so she found herself forced to correct Lady O's misconception. "I'm afraid I disappoint. I'm only here for the season, to see Elizabeth has a proper come-out and makes a respectable match."

Anna could feel Lady Osbaldestone's sharp black eyes piercing her as if she knew more about Annabelle then Anna knew about herself. She leaned on the top of her cane as she spoke. "Nonsense. If that were your only motive you'd be strolling the lawns with her on your arm. No, I'm quite pleased that you both decided to return, and as a couple no less."

Anna's eyes were wide with shock that Lady Osbaldestone of all people would think so much of her association with Mr. Blackwood. She glanced over at the man in question and saw that his attention was fully consumed. "I'm afraid you're mistaken. Mr. Blackwood has acted very noble to me, but, unfortunately that is not to be. He's been kind to befriend me, but that is as far as his feelings go."

"Is that so?" Lady Osbaldestone asked with a look of mild curiosity. The question must have been rhetorical, because without waiting for an answer Lady Osbaldestone began lecturing Annabelle. "You would be wise to follow your own heart and stop listening so much to the gossip surrounding your catch. I've known the young man for many years, long before whispers of any scandals. He was a quite wild youth, courting several ladies that I remember. He would have made a decent match if he hadn't declared himself a painter. After that, the matchmaking mamma's wouldn't let their daughters near him, afraid that he might ask them to pose for him. Or worse yet in their eyes, marry him."

Annabelle was surprised at Lady Osbaldestone's insight into Mr. Blackwood's past. She nodded her thanks to the woman, speechless for the moment. She looked up at him, uncertain now about everything she thought she knew of him. As their carriage moved away with the traffic, she could have sworn she heard the faint sounds of Lady Osbaldestone's voice say something about wedding invitations.