Samuel

"Samuel, can we talk?" Lord Leopold Denyer studied his nephew's back, as he stood peering out of the window. He was worried about the boy. Though Samuel had always had a quiet dark side, and he appeared to be his normal self, it was moments like this, catching him in a trance of sorts, which worried him.

"Yes, Uncle Leo." Sam turned to take a seat in one of the winged backed chairs.

Leopold Denyer watched the man move. He could only describe his carriage as being like that of a Jaguar, lithe and predatory. His lengthy black hair hung lose, strands covered his face. He ran his large hand over his skull pushing the tresses back. The scar under his left eye only enhanced his good looks. Leopold had always wanted to ask how he came to get it, but Samuel had never talked about his time as a slave. Carson, had accidently let slip, that there were more scars and marks on Samuel's body. This thought had him glancing at his nephew's constant companion. Leopold nodded his head saying, "Omar. How are you?"

The man tilted his head in return. "My Lord. Very well thank you."

Looking back at his nephew, Leopold paced the wooden floor with his hands behind his back, not knowing how to begin. He stopped midway across the room, and turned to face Samuel, who was lounged back in his chair, waiting. His fingers linked together on his lap; his long legs stretched out in front of him with his feet crossed at the ankles. Leopold wished the boy wasn't so good looking, because he felt his task would have been much easier, had he been blessed with ill matching features.

"I don't know how to say this, Samuel, other than to just say it. It's time you took a wife." Leo gasped in a breath, there, he'd said it. "Your father has been dead almost four years. When he was alive and you were in London sowing..." He cleared his throat. "Your wild oats, he voiced concerns to me that he didn't think you were the sort of man to marry. At the time this didn't matter, as Frederick was the oldest son and heir. That is no longer the case. I feel it is my duty, as your uncle, to lead you in this direction."

Samuel sighed, drew his feet towards him and leaned forward. His hair fell over his face as he rested his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands together. It didn't surprise him that this was the subject of the conversation. Before he could speak, his uncle began again.

"Look, Samuel, I know you've had." Leopold cleared his throat again. "Many challenges, and you have never liked the priorities that go with your birth. If Frederick hadn't died, this would not be a matter I would be discussing with you." Lord Denyer paused. "However, since his death, and you becoming the sole heir of your father's title and fortune, I feel the time has come for you to realise how imperative it is, for the sake of the family, that you marry and produce an heir of your own. It would do no good, if you should also die, before this is achieved."

Samuel leaned back once more, folded his arms across his broad chest and chuckled. "Uncle Leo, you do go on. If I should die the title and fortune will pass to Mathew. The family shall survive, so have no fear."

Lord Leopold Denyer frowned. "Samuel, the direct line has never been broken in two hundred years. Always, it has passed from eldest son to eldest son. Frederick is dead and though you were not the first born, the line remains intact, so far as you being the next son in the direct line. It must not pass from eldest son to whatever nephew is in the fray, at least not while it is preventable."

Leopold watched his nephew bring his hands to his face and rub his eyes with his long fingers. Because no reply appeared to be forthcoming, he continued, "Being the Duke of Irvine has not been the burden I thought it may have been to you. With your past history for the fairer sex and racer life style, I am exceedingly pleased and surprised to see that the 'House of Irvine' and all it encompasses, is looking to be, very soon, in better shape than it was in your father's time. I commend you for being an excellent manager of your affairs. If you don't mind my saying, and with no offence intended, you have surprised me greatly."

"Why thank you, Uncle." Samuel tilted his head and tried to hide his smirk at Leopold's comment about his past history. His uncle obviously hadn't a clue that the past was left in the past, and that Samuel had no idea how he would now handle the touch of a woman. Farah was the last girl he had been with. Now she was a faded image. Urges still came upon him, but he had never followed through. To have a woman see his back and markings was not something he desired. He did have thoughts of rekindling his dalliance with Erin, but on investigation he had discovered she was no longer with Mrs. McGilliget's Gem House. She had apparently married a French wine maker. Samuel was pleased when the runner had given him this news.

He raised his eyebrows and with a hint of sarcasm said, "I am so please to discover you had such faith in me, Uncle."

"No need to treat me with mockery." Leopold fluffed his hand in the air. "The truth is, the estate suffered terribly at the hands of that scoundrel Somersby. The family was shattered. You, Samuel, have brought it back to rights and have improved things in such a short period of time. You must continue to move forward and leave more of the past behind."

"So, you think marriage is a step forward, Uncle."

"Most definitely."

Samuel knew his own mind and, on his return, had decided to listen, with good grace, to what his peers had to say in regards to the estate. He had learned not to argue unless it was entirely necessary, because to create bad feelings in relations, never got him anywhere, but this was his personal life. He stood, poured himself a glass of port and decided to deal with this advice the same as any concerning 'The House of Irvine'. He said, "So what do you have in mind, Uncle Leo? Knowing you as I do, I'm sure you've given this a lot of thought before approaching me?"

Lord Denyer exhaled in relief, having decided that Samuel would not wish to talk about the subject of marriage, and was pleased his nephew was prepared to listen to what he had to say. "Well, you are now not far off being twenty-four. Family tradition dictates that you should be wed by the time you are twenty-four. I have not broached this subject with you sooner, though it has been in my mind since your return. I'm sure you will agree with me, Samuel, that surely you have sown plenty of wild oats in the past. Perhaps not recently, but still..." He paused. "Not that having a wife should prevent a gentleman from having a mistress, if he so desires, and if one selects a well-bred lady, she should not be put out by this at all."

Samuel lifted his glass to his mouth and studied his uncle over its rim. "How do you wish me to go about this, Uncle?" He took a mouthful, swallowed, and then smiled. "Or do you have an assortment of top quality already chosen, that we can line up so I might inspect their flanks, teeth, hind quarters and child bearing ability."

Lord Denyer scowled, "Now you are being unbearably sarcastic." He sighed and continued, "If you want the truth, there are a few, which I would like you to consider." He held up his hand to stop any protest as he watched Samuel's mouth drop opened. "Before you say anything, I think you should let me tell you who they are, and know that I consider them to be well raised and would make the perfect wife for a duke."

Samuel shrugged and sat down. "Go ahead," he said uncertainly before taking another gulp of port. He glanced at Omar who was trying to hide his grin by covering his mouth with the cowl of his turban.

"Well, the first, and I think by far the most suitable, is the Lady Pricilla Bell she has..."

Before he could go on Samuel had expelled his port and stood abruptly wiping the spilled liquid from his shirt with his hand. "Oh please. Don't put that on me!"

Lord Denyer was taken aback by his nephew's reaction. "She is very charming and obedient."

"Obedient." Samuel shook his head. "If I wanted obedience, Uncle Leo, I should be considering one of Florrie's puppies." He held up his hand to stop his uncle's reply. "I am prepared to listen to your selection. You however, must be prepared to listen to my objections if I have any. The last time I was in Lady Pricilla's company, I found her as interesting as watching a snail move across the floor." He held up his hand to stop Leo's protests. "I know it was a few years ago, but I can't imagine she has changed from dowdy mute to high-spirited chatterer in the time since I last saw her. Samuel sat back down, cocked his head and grinned before saying, "Please go on."

Leo swallowed. "Well... there is Lady Harriet Puttock."

Samuel chortled. "She may be well raised uncle, and certainly has more to say than Lady Pricilla, but I'm afraid the last time I saw her I was fifteen. She was doing things to a stable hand that a young lady of her age shouldn't have been doing. Certainly not what I desire in a wife."

Lord Denyer pulled his head back in shock, and then started to pace again. This wasn't going as he planned. He stood in front of Samuel. "What of Lady Amanda Neilson? No doubt you have an objection?"

"Uncle Leo." Samuel grinned. He was enjoying his uncle's discomfort. He stood up, refilled his glass and poured another. "You know very well that my passion is with horses. I don't wish for a wife who looks like one."

Leopold sat down with a dejected look on his face, and took the glass of port his nephew held out towards him.

"Don't look so defeated, My Lord." Sam chuckled. "All is not lost. You have planted the seed. I shall endeavour to find a wife."

"How, Samuel? You have not accepted any of the invitations that have been thrown at you from the ton. Unless you meet a young lady, who rolls around in horse dung or pig swill, I'm afraid you shall never meet anyone."

Sitting on the chair opposite his uncle, Samuel said, "I will make you a deal, sir. If you allow me to make the choice, I will attend every, ah several, no, perhaps a few, of the events I am invited to, in the up-and-coming season."

Lord Denyer looked at him doubtfully and watched the smile, which charmed everyone who ever witnessed it, spread across Samuel's face as his nephew added, "I promise to attend six events. Surely that will be enough for me to get an idea of the available ladies out there."

"Eight," Leopold replied. "Four balls, two garden parties and two Derbies."

Samuel blew out his breath. "Three balls, because there is always a ball connected to the race meets, plus two garden parties, or perhaps one party and one breakfast. Seven events." He paused and held up his hand. "Not all of these events will be in London. I get to choose."

"Samuel, the best events are in London." Leopold felt he was losing this battle.

"Uncle. There is an auction and race meet in Ludgershall, which I wish to attend. A very good friend, who I haven't seen since leaving school, lives in Tidworth which is very close. The Ludgershall ball and meet will be counted into the seven I have agreed on, so five London events."

"Oh, Samuel. You win. I feel I have lost this battle. I doubt very much that you will meet a suitable lady in only five London events."

"Well, Uncle." Samuel stood, patted Leo's back, and with a big grin on his face, said, "There is always next year, or the one after." 

I wonder if Samuel will find a wife at one of these events.  What do you think?

Photo taken from OpenArt.