33. Young men ... everywhere.

The last few days before Christmas were busy, with people coming and going to and from the Hall. Now that I was recognised as the duke, and people could put a face to the name, there were a number of issues with people wanting decisions, people petitioning me for things, and of course, rents and leases that needed attention. Henry the footman, now turned Clerk for the Estate, was present at most of these meetings and I was impressed.

Henry appeared to have metamorphosed. Where before he was a very good footman, invisible when needed, discreet and good at anticipating my needs, he brought many of those same skills to the role of clerk. He had obviously sat down and familiarised himself with the books and papers we had brought from Dodgson's. I could ask him something about a tenant and if he didn't already know it, he would have the information to hand very quickly. He was clear in his manner, and when he spoke, there was an admirable authority about him, as if he had been the steward for a while and was used to dealing with tenants as an equal, despite his relative youth.

The afternoons were clear and I would use them to spend time with my mare Naiad or Cumberland the old hunter. One afternoon Helena and I escaped the visitors - the place was being besieged by hordes of young men - the Ball had been successful in that respect, and she walked with me to the stables.

Though the day was cold, the sun was bright, and it was still, with little or no breeze. Naiad was in the paddock as I had asked, and when she saw me she trotted over to greet me. Her coat shone, the red gold bright in the sunshine and as she moved across the sunlight it seemed like the mare was bathed in a golden light, like a halo.

"She is everything you told me, William." Helena exclaimed. "A very fine young lady indeed."

Naiad moved towards my mother, looking to see whether she had any treats as well. Whisps of Helena's hair had escaped from under her bonnet. I had never realised how much red there is in her hair, but like the golden-red coat of the mare, the sun shining through it brought the colour out. I was stunned, it shone like fire, and I stood there gaping in wonder at the beauty of it.

"William?" I heard my mother ask, and came to my senses, to see both Helena and the mare regarding me as if I was a simpleton. "Is there something wrong."

"Wrong, mother?" I gathered my thoughts. "Nothing at all, except that I am rendered speechless by two of the most beautiful creatures upon the Lord's earth." Naiad shook her head loudly; my impression was that it was in disbelief.

"If I had not met this beautiful creature first, I might be offended at being compared to your horse," Helena laughed. "But it so happens that I am happy for the comparison, and look forwards to seeing my son ride this handsome girl on Rotten Row, and watch the people of the Ton marvel at the grace of the pair of you."

When we first moved to Rogeringham Hall, the peace and the quiet had been quite pleasant, a reaction I suppose to the hurly-burly of army life, it was a period of re-adjustment and I needed it.

Now I understood what the old ducal households were like. In the days of the Tudors and the Stuarts, dukes had courts with advisers, courtiers and all manner of hangers-on.

Now we seemed have platoons of young men about the place. There probably weren't that many really, but they did appear to be all over the house. It was as if wherever I went in the hall, I would find one of my sisters with several young men trying to impress her.

Charlotte, despite her misgivings, was being followed by four or five bookish looking young men. Each time I happened to encounter them they were engaged in deep discussions - sometimes it was poetry, sometimes art, and another time they were discussing the work of M. Voltaire (but never Catullus, which I found strange).

The twins had a larger court following them, eight or nine at least, though I believe that the faces actually changed from time to time, which indicates that there may have been more.

These young men were having a more difficult time of it than those following Charlotte. The twins were demanding, exercising their suitors in as many ways as they could imagine. They were having their young men sketch them, challenging them to write sonnets about them, even having them compose pieces on the piano in their name. This meant that at any time one could encounter a young man going through all sorts of mental anguish as they sought to find an adequate rhyme or define a theme or a phrase of music, or just to draw the best line.

James Barthomley was there, lurking with Hermione, as he avoided confronting me. He and my sister had exempted themselves from the circus of suitors, they moved through it all totally absorbed in each other.

I even observed Emily Dodgson walking in the garden, in conversation with a gentleman. It was all very proper, my mother was acting as a chaperone, but I hoped that it would be a pleasant new chapter for her.

The only one of my sisters not besieged by suitors was Caroline. Alone of all of them, she avoided the crowds, preferring instead to be involved in my plans to distribute a Christmas goose to each of the estate tenants, and my planned Christmas party for the villagers and estate workers.

I found her in the library, writing out a list of names, in her neat handwriting.

"I know I said I would not press you, but I am genuinely curious. There are young men a-plenty spread about the house. They are everywhere!" I laughed. "Except here."

Caroline stood up from her chair, her hands clasped in front of her. "Please William, do not ask me for his name."

"No. No, sweet girl, don't worry." I said gently, "I will not." Her relief was obvious, I gestured for her to sit down again - feeling very formal as I did so.

"This young man is very special to you." I suggested, Caroline nodded.

"He is, but he does not know that. And I wish to keep it that way, for a while at least, if you would please?"

I nodded my agreement, "You will need to say something eventually."

She nodded.

"Caroline, I meant what I said, you know? Whatever you choose, I will support you. My only aim is for your happiness."

I turned to go, "I hope he is worthy of you, sister." Caroline nodded and I left her to her list.