Category: Leyla

If you missed Part 1 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ

If you missed Part 2 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ

If you missed Part 3 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ

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Leyla’s mind wandered back again to the almost kiss in the garden the night before as her mother introduced her to yet another smarmy gentleman eagerly bowing over her hand.

The man responsible for her utter distraction had yet to make an appearance. Several of the other young ladies in the stifling drawing room were eyeing the door in anticipation of his arrival. Leyla had reached the point several minutes ago when she had decided to avoid looking at the very door that everyone else was paying far too much attention. As a matter of principle. 

She was not going to be caught waiting for him.

“Miss Ristone, would you care for a breath of fresh air on the veranda?”

Leyla couldn’t quite remember the poor man’s name but she smiled at the man nonetheless. She did not have a chance to respond as her mother clamped onto her arm, flashing a smile of her own at the titled man in front of them. “She would love to, Lord Sleton.”

Within moments Leyla found herself at the veranda doors, mentally cursing Lord Cavendish for not appearing in time to whisk her away for this soon-to-be-very-tiresome walk with her new acquaintance. Not that he would.

Lord Sleton chuckled. “It appears I snared my choice of companion for a walk just in time.”

Unthinking, Leyla glanced back at the floor only to be ensnared by Lord Cavendish’s gaze.

“How fortuitous for us both.” She managed a light laugh. “Shall we?” Somehow she broke away from Lord Cavendish’s riveting stare to turn to the veranda. It was unfair how easily Dylan Cavendish had caught her attention. Even more surprising was that, despite the special regards he was garnering upon his entrance, he was still managing to draw closer to her.

Lord Sleton eyed her gleefully. “You did not wish to go try your hand at snaring the most eligible lordling?”

“I promised you a turn about the veranda.” Leyla couldn’t manage to force herself to not keep track of Lord Cavendish.

However, he was getting close enough to affect her steady breathing. Unfortunately, Lord Sleton did not seem in a hurry to go out as he lingered near the door. Instead he turned back to address the one man she was trying to escape, though she wasn’t entirely sure why she felt the need.

“A little late to the party, eh Cavendish? You eying the lovely on my arm? You’ll have to wait for a turn with her. We are about to head out on the veranda.”

Dylan’s jaw clenched. She could see it from where she stood.

“These things can get rather stuffy, can’t they?” Leyla’s voice was soft, almost docile. She squelched her inner cringe and continued to smile politely. 

“Don’t keep Miss Ristone out for too long, Sleton.” Dylan almost sounded irritated. 

Leyla glanced over at him in surprise at his tone only to discover he wasn’t even looking at her any longer. It seemed he was too busy glaring at Lord Sleton. Why would he invite someone he couldn’t stand to his own house party?

“I wouldn’t dream of keeping her away from you, Cavendish. I find I am merely pleased to be keeping this one out of your reach when you have made it so clear that you favor her.”

“He has not.” Leyla interceded. She refused to be talked about as if she weren’t there.

Lord Sleton shot her a patronizing nod and patted her hand. He proceeded to lead her out onto the veranda. Lord Cavendish was left to turn back to greet the rest of his guests, though he looked ready to follow after them.

“So, Miss Ristone, how have you managed to catch Lord Cavendish’s attention so thoroughly? I have never seen him make such a display.”

Leyla slowed. “How well do you know Lord Cavendish?”

“Well enough to know that his behavior is far from his usual indifference.”

Nodding as she walked about, she did not object when he came to a stop near the railing overlooking the gardens. “Perhaps he was intending to escape onto the veranda and it was you who waylaid him into conversation. He could have merely been looking for something to say.”

His gaze on her face sharpened. “How well do you know him?”

“I confess, I only met him yesterday though he and my father do business together often.” Leyla let her blush glow, aware of how it may look to the man before her. She didn’t mind the assumption he would make.

Immediately the sharpness disappeared from his eyes and softened into that of the suitor he had been playing in front of her mother. She found herself wondering what he was truly like when he wasn’t busy playing one part or another for whatever company he was keeping.” And how are you enjoying this grand estate?”

She gazed out at the gardens. “I haven’t seen much of it yet.”

“Shall I give you a tour of the grounds?” His hand moved to the small of her back to lightly guide her toward the garden steps.

She shook her head with a light laugh. “I have already been promised a tour by the owner. I would hate to disappoint him.”

“And yourself.” Lord Sleton chuckled. “I see that Lord Cavendish is not the only one enamored. Though I expect no less of you. Shall I escort you back?”

Leyla pulled back from the door just enough to stop him. “I do not want to cut our walk short because you believe I am after Lord Cavendish’s money. I promised you a walk.”

“Indeed?” He bowed as he laughed. “You are a marvel, Miss Ristone. I will be the gentleman and end this now. Your mother was quick to accept my offer for you. I did not miss that. You never promised me anything, though I appreciate your efforts to follow through. Now, allow me to show you inside before Cavendish decides I have taken too long in returning you to his side. Though I may have to remind him that it is his own fault since he took so long to show up.”

“Please do.” Leyla laughed. “Remind him.”

As soon as they returned indoors, Leyla found herself wishing for the cool air of the veranda. Perhaps it did not help that Dylan was standing amongst a bevy of heart struck admirers.

“There doesn’t appear to be any room. You may take me to my mother instead.”

“You shy away?” Lord Sleton peered over at her. “You surprise me once again.”

Leyla inclined her head and smiled. “Lord Sleton, I will not fight for his attention. He must fight for mine.”

If you missed Part 1 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ

If you haven’t read Part 2 of Leyla’s Story CLICK HERE TO READ

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Dinner had been an enjoyable affair, though it hadn’t fully engaged Leyla’s mind, as it was fully absorbed in trying to understand what was going on with her chaotic feelings about the surprisingly honorable and charismatic Lord Cavendish. 

When she had first learned of her pending engagement as part of one of her father’s business arrangements she had loathed the man instantly even though she didn’t actually know him. After all, how else should one feel when bartered and discussed alongside wheat prices and water rights?

Her initial bold impulse to write a letter to the arrogant man who thought to obtain a wife in such a manner led to a very heated missive meant to inform him in no uncertain terms that she would not be accepting any proposals and that it would be in his best interest to help her devise a plan to write that part out of the arrangement. His response had led to an almost year-long correspondence. And a new friend she hadn’t considered a friend at all until he had pointed it out in person. Yet in the very same breath he easily declared his intention to follow through with proposing. And she could not figure out how it all had happened.

Though now that she was thinking on the matter of avoiding this particular entanglement, they had not brought up the subject of not proposing for months now.

Now, instead of friendship-like feelings, Leyla was battling to keep jealousy at bay. She was still surprised at the intensity of that jealousy as well. It had been hours since she had been introduced to the presumptuous Miss Traymore. The sameMiss Traymore who had managed to stay clinging to Dylan for the better part of an hour until he had excused himself to take care of matters of the estate.

Dinner had been no better. Leyla had had to watch from the far end of the table as the four young ladies seated closest to the rakish Lord vied from his attentions. And how happily he bestowed attention and profuse compliments on each of them. Their blushes were clear, even from the distance she sat. Somehow she managed to maintain polite conversation when her own dinner companions remembered her.

Escaping to the garden instead of joining the ladies in the drawing room was for her sanity. She could bear to listen to every unmarried lady and their mother’s compare their experiences regarding his Lordship. For, even at the end of the table, it was the popular choice of conversation. 

In the back of her mind, Leyla wondered if he would truly honor their appointment and meet. Or perhaps he would be too busy choosing a new lady to shower with his smiles and attention. She shuddered at the thought, while at the same instant wondering why she should shudder. Hadn’t her entire objective in coming to the house party to have him break the agreement involving her?

She was so lost in her thoughts and inner debating, she did not hear his approach. 

“There’s a rumor among the other ladies that you are ill and have taken to your bed.” His voice was soft, seeming to blend with the waning light. “Yet I find you out in the garden.”

She turned her face toward him. “I claimed no such thing.”

“Why did you leave?” He sat down next to her without asking.

Shifting away in order to satisfy her sense of propriety, Leyla straightened her back. “I could not stand the company any longer.”

“Your father was looking for you. In fact, he was rather pushy about when we were going to announce our engagement.”

“Maybe he has heard the same rumors as the ones Miss Traymore implied.”

Dylan flinched. “I have been unable to dissuade that girl of her supposed attachment. She is as persistent as a leech and remarkably more difficult to be rid of.”

“Your business interactions with her father may have something to do with that. After all, it’s not unheard of for marriage to be involved in such negotiations.” Leyla gave an oddly gratified chuckle. “You will be pleased to hear that your Miss Traymore was so kind as to inform me herself of the rumors between the two of you.”

He groaned. “The cheek of her.”

“”I don’t want to talk of Miss Traymore or any of the other young ladies you so blithely entertained this evening.” 

He caught her tone and smiled. “What other young ladies, Leyla?”

“I said I did not want to talk about them.” She glared, even as her stomach churned with a sudden fit of butterflies.

Dylan took up both her hands in his. “Jealousy becomes you admirably, Miss Ristone.”

She tried to hide her flush but couldn’t turn away as he was still holding her hands.

“Leyla, you have been dear to me for months now. How can you not see how well we are together?”

“We haven’t been together.” She objected. “We have only been writing letters.”

“I do not write to any other young lady of my acquaintance. Nor do I wish to. Besides, you are here now. Give us a chance. See how well we can be together, in person. Allow me to convince you, without any attempts to sabotage us.”

Leyla tried to pull away but it must not have been a very strong effort for she did not succeed in the slightest. “How would you manage to convince me of feelings deeper than passing acquaintance or friendship when this entire event is filled with young ladies and their parents striving to win you?”

“And yet, the one I wish would fight for me is trying to run away.” His eyes held hers. “Leyla, I will not force you into a marriage with me. No matter what the contract with your father says. However, do not be mistaken. I am going to prove to you that we belong together.”

“How?” She whispered.

Slowly he leaned closer and she could scarcely breathe as she glanced behind him up toward the house. He stopped, just inches from giving her her first kiss and whispered, “You will see.”

With that he straightened and stood, pulling her up with him by the hands he still held. 

“Miss Ristone. Would you do me the honor of going on a walk with me tomorrow afternoon?”

She blinked, still stunned by her almost first kiss, as well as the lack of an actual kiss. His nearness caused her senses to wobble as she swayed toward him. “Yes.”

His triumphant smile was little but a small sunburst ignited in her chest. “Allow me to accompany you back to the house.”

At her small nod he tucked her hand into the crook of his arm, drawing her close to his side, and slowly began to walk her back toward the lights of the house.

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CLICK HERE to read Part 4 of Leyla’s story!

If you missed Part 1 of Leyla’s story, CLICK HERE.

Leyla blinked. “Must I repeat what I just told your friend?”

“No.” Dylan leaned in closer. “For, while my friend was joking about proposing to you, I am not. Though I don’t believe I will be asking you tonight. In fact, I hope and plan on winning you over during this next week. After all, you are stuck here until the house party is over. I know your parents would not allow you to leave early. Not with them hoping for the same thing that I find myself hoping to convince you of. By the end of this week, you will be eager and anxious to accept me.”

She shook her head. “You don’t know me.”

“Don’t know you? We have been in communication for months. I have been open and honest in everything I have written to you and I believe you reciprocated. Have I not been your close confidant all these months? When you wrote about that argument with your sister, I helped. Did I not? You said I did.”

Leyla touched his hand, momentarily forgetting where they were. “You have indeed been the one I have turned to.”

“I have begun to anticipate the arrival of your letters.” Dylan daringly took firm hold of her hand. “Even postponing engagements and meetings, knowing they would be arriving.”

“You have?” She whispered.

He gave the slightest of nods. “You are a very punctual correspondent.”

“My Lord.” A petite, ringletted young miss eagerly approached where they were sitting. Leyla hastily withdrew her hand, instantly aware of how they may have been perceived by the rest of the guests milling about the sitting room. Dylan stood and gave a bow. “Miss Traymore, what a delight that you and your parents were able to attend.”

The girl tapped his arm followed by a flirty giggle. “Oh, Mama fairly swooned upon receiving your invitation. Though I do not know who of us was more flattered, Papa or I. For I have often recalled our stroll through the garden at the Grey’s picnic.”

Dylan bowed again as he turned to motion to Leyla, who had also reluctantly risen. “Miss Ristone, allow me to introduce Miss Traymore. Miss Traymore, Miss Ristone.”

Leyla gave her a nod. “A pleasure, Miss Traymore.”

“Oh, likewise. I love meeting any friend of Lord Cavendish. You have all become so dear to me, as if we will all be close forever.” Miss Traymore simpered, hooking her hand in Dylan’s arm.

Leyla merely raised an eyebrow at him. However, he remained a complete gentleman, not shrugging the nuisancy girl off.

“Lord Cavendish, I see my mother waving us over. Do say you will come welcome her.”

It was only then that Leyla caught his hesitancy. Yet he did not decline Miss Traymore. Instead he speared Leyla with a sharp look. “We will finish this later. Perhaps at our original appointment time?”

Drawing up her best composed smile, she inclined her head. “Of course. We wouldn’t want your reputation to be marred by mere business.”

Once again Miss Traymore interrupted. “Oh. Your family does business with the Cavendish family as well? How delightful.”

“Miss Ristone.” Dylan’s voice was deeper, less playful than it had been when she had first stormed in. Miss Traymore must have missed the scene.

“My Lord.” Miss Traymore insistently tugged on his arm. “My mother is waiting.”

“Yes.”

Leyla slowly sank back down onto the couch to try to sift through the sharp jealousy toward the blonde beauty now on Dylan’s arm. She had come to the house party expecting to find an arrogant Lord ready and willing to help her break any hopes her parents had at a union between the two families. Instead, she was faced with him and she was intrigued.

She must have been lost in her musings for longer than she expected, for she was surprised when Miss Traymore daintily plopped down next to her with the brightest smile she had ever encountered.

“Miss Ristone. I must declare how excited I am to meet and become bosom friends with one of Dylan’s female friends. He has so many male friends. It is so difficult to keep track of them all. I just know the two of us will become the greatest of friends, given how close I am to be to the Cavendish family.”

“Indeed?” Leyla could not keep the surprise from her tone. “Do you meet many of Lord Cavendish’s female friends in circumstances such as this?”

“At intimate gatherings? Of course, how else?” The girl simpered, batting her eyes and keeping the delighted smile firmly fixed on Leyla.

Leyla shook her head. “You misunderstand. I meant, do you often accost guest’s of your host as soon as he has left them. Forgive me, if I was unclear.” 

It was clear that the girl was floundering in uncertainty as she tried to assess Leyla’s exuberant grin. “Surely you have heard the rumors of our understanding.” Miss Traymore leaned in and giggled, as if she were bestoying Leyla with a secret. 

“No.” Leyla gave a kindly smile. “Nor do I give any credence to rumors. Far too many stray from any truth whatsoever. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Miss Traymore appeared nonplussed for a moment until she gave a short nod. “A true pleasure talking with you. Now I find that I must return before he misses me too much.”

“Indeed. We wouldn’t want that.”

Again Leyla watched the girl walk away, studying Dylan’s reception of Miss Traymore’s hand once again snaring his arm. As she was taking in her observations, Dylan’s eye caught hers and his eyebrow subtly rose in question.

Instead of taking him up on the challenge she saw in his eyes she made her way over to Lord Ellington, who delightedly turned her way when he noticed her approaching.

“Miss Ristone. A delight! I was just telling my companions of your stunning and rapturous beauty. Please allow me to introduce them to you.”

In seconds, as she was curtsying and nodding to the group of men, Dylan appeared opposite her.

She smiled at him as he greeted them all, ignoring her for the moment. 

It was a tall, gangly young man who spoke first. “Saw you were cornered again by the lovely Traymore girl. How did you manage to escape her so quickly?”

Another chimed in. “Why did you invite her at all?”

“Oh come now, gentlemen.” Leyla chided softly. “Surely you see the advantages of inviting the daughter of a prospective business partner.”

Several of the men in the circle shifted their feet and glanced between Leyla and Dylan.

After allowing for several seconds of drawn silence, she added with a light breezy laugh, “After all, you wouldn’t have the pleasure of my company either if not for my father’s business endeavors.”

Most of the men, including Lord Ellington, were quick to tell her how wonderful her company was. However, Leyla found she could not move her gaze away from the brightly amused eyes of Dylan Cavendish.

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CLICK HERE to read Part 3 of Leyla’s story!

Leyla stormed into the room with as much flair as she could muster. She had learned that in order to command the room she entered, she had to be noticed from the second she stepped foot in it.

“Dylan Cavendish.” She called in a stern, forcefully cheerful voice. “Are you hiding from your guests? Or from me?”

There he was, lounging on the sofa in full view of the door she had so recently thrown open. “Just you, Miss Ristone.” He didn’t rise as she moved his way. Everyone else in the room pointedly looked away, conversations restarting in a flurry of noise. No one wanted to be caught blatantly eavesdropping.

She only stopped her forward march when her toes were touching his. And still he lounged on his fancy blue velvet sofa.

“Explain yourself.” She pressed.

He gestured around the room at all the people. “It would seem self explanatory. Everyone else here could find me and see me here, yet you are the only one who had any trouble, my dear.”

Hands on hips she kicked his couch to avoid kicking him. “You know that is not what I meant.”

“Do sit and tell me exactly what you meant.” He patted the empty spot next to him as if he had reserved it just for her. “I know everyone here is now dying to know what you mean, so I am sure you would enjoy the privacy involved with sitting down.”

Glancing around, she sucked in a breath and gave a curtsey. “Forgive me for disturbing your party. I had not meant to pull them into our drama. Perhaps we should reschedule our meeting for another time.”

His gaze hardened slightly. “Sit down.”

Eyes darting about, she acquiesced with a brief glare thrown his way for good measure.

Once they were sitting, Leyla blushed. They were sitting incredibly close to one another and people might have the wrong impression of their relationship. Dylan leaned close. “Now, why would you accuse me of hiding from such a beautiful woman like yourself? From my reputation, people know that to not be the case.” His smile raked over her entire face, as if drinking in every detail.

She fought not to give him any of the reaction he was expecting of her. She would not swoon all over him because he was more handsome than she had imagined him to be. Snatching the letter out of her small purse she held it up to him.

“We had an agreement. I thought we were going to meet in the garden after dinner to discuss what our parents have been trying to arrange between us so that we might come up with a plan to successfully thwart it.”

Immediately he snatched the letter out of the air and hid it within his jacket. “Don’t be so obvious. People will think we are exchanging love letters in public. There would be a scandal.”

“Indeed.” She arched her eyebrow. “And are you not the one I have been communicating with over the past year?”

He glared at her and whispered. “Of course I am he. Why would you think otherwise?”

“I believe I already stated my reason for questioning you.” She gave a proper smile, determined to not inspire more gossip as she pulled her shoulders back with a jerk.

Rising out of his indolent pose he leaned toward her with a keen concentration on her mouth. It startled her.

“Miss Ristone.” And even softer he added, “Leyla.” His focus did not waver as he continued to speak. “Over this past year, as we have agonized and brainstormed our way through many different potential situations that would relieve us of the expectation of an engagement and subsequent marriage, I have discovered that I now look forward to your letters in a way that I have not experienced with any other young lady of my acquaintance. In fact, I don’t write letters to anyone else. Then, when I heard you would be coming here for this week’s activities I was eager to suggest we meet and talk. I never said we would finalize plans because I am not so sure I want to anymore. However, when you automatically assumed that’s why I wanted to meet. I didn’t correct your assumption for fear you wouldn’t show.”

Leyla struggled to draw breath at his enlightening words. In truth, she was stunned. He looked about to say more when they were interrupted by a young man similar to Dylan’s age.

“I say, Cavendish. You must introduce me to your lady friend here. I do not believe I’ve had the pleasure of her company and find myself in raptures over being in her mere presence.” The man bowed and Leyla fought down the silly smile his words inspired.

Dylan, however, looked entirely unamused. “Daxton Ellington, allow me to introduce Miss Ristone to you. Miss Ristone, this is Lord Daxton Ellington.”

Leyla gracefully rose and executed a perfect curtsey.

“A pleasure to meet you.” Leyla was as appropriately demure as her mother expected her to be.

“Miss Ristone. Shall we finish our conversation?” Dylan, who had risen when she had, motioned to the couch.

Again, Lord Ellington interrupted. “What a marvelous idea. Let us all sit. You can tell me how you two know each other. I’ve heard a few whisperings upon my entrance that the two of you are secret lovers or some such nonsense.”

Somehow Leyla found herself sandwiched quite closely between the two men on the sofa.

“They think what?” Dylan laughed.

Ellington shrugged. “Just don’t go getting in any compromising situation and it will all go away.”

Leyla looked around again at all the people chattering and whispering. Maybe her situation was more hopeless than she thought. Especially if Dylan wasn’t going to be helping her.

“Miss Ristone.” Ellington snatched her hand up and gave it a soft kiss, but then he didn’t let go as he lowered their clasped hands to his knee. “If there was a gentleman who was smitten by you, would you say yes to their proposal of marriage or would he have to jump through hoops to win your affection and approval?”

She couldn’t help but glance over at Dylan and his set jaw. “Are you proposing, sir?”

“No indeed.” He laughed.

“Then kindly do not bring marriage into a conversation where it has no place.” Her smile may have softened her words but his mouth snapped shut.

It was only then that he noticed his friend’s silence as well as the angry set of his jaw. “Forgive me, dear lady. I believe my friend has long been beseeching my absence.” And with that he rose and was gone.

Leyla turned to Dylan with a small smile. “I hope he was not offended by my remark.”

“He often says things he does not think about. It is good for him to be so kindly put in his place.”

“And you?”

“I…” He laid his hand on hers. “I am still hoping that you will take my declaration of my feelings with a serious intent.”

“Intent toward what?” She could scarcely breathe.

His eyes smoldered, searing her soul with fire. “Marriage.”

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Come back next week to read Part 2 of Leyla’s story!