A Storm Breaks Out

Frederick was delighted with the invitation to Hartfestol, for the hunting there was far superior there to his own, and moreover he thought that perhaps Henrietta would find some company and cheer up. Much to his delight, he was right on both accounts, and he soon found himself able to enjoy himself immensely without a worry at all.
About a month into their stay, they woke up to the sound of rain on the outside gutters. Frederick was sure it would cease before noon and they could go fishing, but the rain began to pound harder as they went down to breakfast, and at last he forced to admit there seemed little chance of abatement until at least after tea.
"We won't let the rain dampen our spirits along with everything else!" cried the Earl after breakfast had concluded. "Perhaps you can think of something to do, Miss Farrier?"

Edward Farrier was a freind of the Earl's when they went to school, and Elinor was his sister. Frederick thought it was rather funny, for though Edward was the scholar in title, it was Miss Farrier who was forever rattling of facts and figures to explain the simplest occurences. Henrietta said she was a very accomplished woman, and Frederick did not deny it, but he wished that such a wealth of knowledge did not feel the need to be so charitable all the time.
Miss Farrier replied that perhaps they could spend the morning reading from her latest instuctional novel, but the Earl laughed and assured her that she had no need of such instruction, and ought not to waste it on them.
"Perhaps Lady Arnold has a suggestion," he said.
"Me? I--well, in the nursery, we would always play charades," Henrietta said.

"An excellent idea. Let us begin. Why don't we put the Arnolds on one team, and Edward and myself on another? Elinor with her immense vocabulary can supply the words."
"I'll fetch a dictionary," offered Elinor.

Frederick found himself to be not too fond of Charades, at least not when Miss Farrier managed to find words like "perspicious" to be presented. He began to wish that perhaps they had read from the novel, for at least then he could take a nap.
A ferw rounds in, the butler entered and told the the Earl in a hushed voice that a Mrs. Davina Wells had come to call.

The Earl turned quite pale and after a moment said to Drake that he was not at home for Mrs. Wells. Then he left the room.
The Farriers were arguing about whether or not suspicious rhymed with perspicious, but Henrietta noticed that the Earl was gone and sent him a look.

What? he mouthed.

She sent him another glance in the direction of the doorway and he realized she wanted him to discover the cause of the Earl's unrest. So Frederick, somewhat reluctantly, went to look for the Earl.

The Earl was in his study, looking out the window. He turned around suddenly when Frederick came in.
"Ah!"

"Sorry, my Lord, I just wondered..."
"What? Damn it, Frederick, she's just a silly old widow searching to snag a richer husband than the last. You know how such women can be."
"I do," said Frederick, who didn't.

"Very determined, though. Good lord."
"Ahm..."
"What is it? What are you trying to say!? Listen--I'm just not--not willing to do it again!"

"Do what?"
"Goddamn it, to get married! It's too much to go through all over again! Marriage never really suited me in the first place."

"Of course," said Frederick, in an attempt to be soothing.
"I'm just not--not ready! Goddamn it!"

Frederick had some idea of what to do when the Earl had tantrums such as these, although this was one of a different kind.

After a moment he came over to the Earl and said, in the most earnest voice he could find,
"You don't have to be, Alexander."