Music Monday: Single Man (High Valley)

PUBLISHED TO YOUTUBE BY HIGH VALLEY ON APRIL 29, 2019

I love this song, and I love this group’s music. Before you press play, you might want to know that the video, in my opinion, tells a lovely, but sad, story.

Now on to the reason I am sharing this song today. Every time I hear this play on the radio or my Spotify playlist, it always brings to mind the stories I have written where the “bad boy” finds his life of chasing a good time is just not as fulling as it once was.

And do you know which bad boy pops to mind first? Charles Edwards, the hero of Charles: To Discover His Purpose. That’s probably because he’s the most unapologetic about his roguish behaviour when the story starts. In fact, his whole purpose of hanging around the heroine, Evelyn, when the story begins is so that he can steal a kiss from her. Of course, this being a romance, you know he’s going to figure out that he wants a whole lot more than a kiss.

In the chapter I am sharing from that story today, Charles is still just that single man looking for a good time.

Charles: To Discover His Purpose, Ch. 3

Charles breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the saloon on his way to the Lintons’ box. It had been a challenge to squeeze past people without being noticed too much.

“Edwards.” His long-time friend, Trefor Linton, drew up beside him. “You are not invisible no matter how you turn your collar or duck your head.” There was a hint of a laugh in his friend’s voice. “I have heard three young ladies tittering as you passed them.”

“I imagine I look a fright to them.”

“No,” said Constance, making her presence behind Charles known. “They seem to be in awe of your noble deed.”

Charles stopped and turned. “Are you certain?”

“It seems,” said Henry, “that you have become more popular, not less, due to your current bruised façade.”

“Indeed?” Charles’s brows rose. Had he known that he would be so welcomed in society, he might never have hidden himself away. There might be ladies who wished to admire him at a closer distance. He would have to take a short stroll later to test his theory. He nodded to two young ladies who were just entering a box but had stopped to look in his direction. His lips curled into a smile as they ducked their heads and giggled. “I shall have to thank you, Linton. It seems you have done me a service by attempting to end my life for no reason.”

“You were in an alcove with my sister. That is reason enough and a good one at that.”

“But I was not there for any nefarious reason,” Charles protested. “And it was not my idea to be there.”

“Must we speak of it?” Constance asked.

Linton nodded to his sister and then, clapping Charles on the shoulder, said, “You do realize if you wish to have those young ladies colouring with pleasure just at the sight of you, you will have to continue behaving nobly. What good deeds do you intend to do? Shall we seek out some scheme and put an end to it?”

Charles rolled his eyes. “I do not need to be noble to make young ladies blush.”

“Which is why you have bruises.”

If there was one thing one could always count on from Trefor Linton, it was honesty – brutal, say it like it is, honesty. It was as if the gentleman had no ability to shroud the truth in softness, at least, he did not when it came to Charles and Henry. For years, Trefor had been lecturing them in various ways about their behaviour. However, it was not possible for every gentleman to be as honourable and upright as Trefor Linton.

Most young gents made a few errors along the way. He smirked. Of course, he and Henry had done more than stumble a few times. In fact, their errors were not errors at all but planned meanders into debauchery – as Linton tended to call all improper behaviour, no matter how improper it was. A stolen kiss, singing bawdy songs as one stumbled home, losing more than one could afford to on a bet in the books at White’s, or finding more pleasure than a kiss in some secluded corner were all debauchery to Linton.

And yet, Charles would not be parted from such a friend for his life. Despite the lectures, Trefor Linton accepted Charles as he was. Indeed, he was one of the few people who had ever seen Charles as more than he was. There were not many who had ever attempted to push him to be more, to do more, to find his purpose and grasp it. It was comforting to know that someone had such faith in him, even if that faith was currently misplaced since Charles had no present wish to be more than he was. He was quite happy carousing for another year or two. When he was closer to thirty, then he could consider becoming more…he shuddered…responsible.

“You could become honourable and have your pick of the ladies,” Linton continued.

“I nearly do as it is,” Charles returned.

Linton shook his head. “Not in a satisfying fashion. Look at Henry. He’s completely happy now that he has put his reprobate self behind him.”

“And you?” Charles queried. “You have never been reprobate a day in your life. Are you happy?”

“Not so happy as I am,” Henry inserted.

“I dare say he is not so happy as I am either,” said Charles.

“I am as happy as I wish to be,” Linton inserted.

“But not so happy as I would wish for him to be.” Aunt Gwladys had entered the box behind her nephew and with her friend Mrs. Barrett. “However, one day soon, he might follow his sister’s example and get married.”

Charles chuckled as Trefor rolled his eyes but said nothing.

“One day,” Constance assured her aunt.

Linton glared at his sister and shook his head.

Charles tucked himself into a chair near the column furthest from the stage. From here he could see everything he wished to see without having to be seen by too many.

“I am pleased to see you this evening,” said Miss Barrett as she took a seat next to Constance and directly behind him.

“I believe it was the very thing to help me enter society again,” he said with a small bow of his head. “I thank you for the service you have provided.”

There was a clucking from somewhere behind them, and turning, Charles saw Mrs. Barrett scowling at him.

“Since she has done you this good deed, Mr. Edwards, you might return the favour by never mentioning it. Ever.”

How Miss Barrett was as sweet as she was with a mother who was as frightening as Mrs. Barrett could be was one of the unexplained wonders of the world. “Of course. No dark corners and no mention of your daughter’s assistance.”

“I am happy to know you remember my words from our meeting at Linton’s.”

One would think that a statement about being happy would soften a person’s expression and perhaps even cause her to smile, but not so with Mrs. Barrett. Her brow rose, and her stern expression did not shift at all. Charles supposed that it was such sternness that had imparted itself to Miss Barrett as demonstrated by the young lady’s reply to his plight on the street. At least, Evelyn, he smiled as he thought her name, had had the decency to smile while refusing to care for the shame his bruises had at that time made him feel. Now, he did not view them as so bad, but earlier he had.

He tipped his head as he turned to face the stage. If he could engage the heart of the daughter, that would be one thing, but if he could at the same time earn the acceptance of the mother, that would be a feat worth something. He tapped his finger on the side of his leg as he pondered how much he might be able to win for such a thing if he were to place the wager on the books at White’s.

“Whatever you are pondering, stop,” said Linton as he took the seat next to Charles.

“Who said I was pondering anything beyond the delightful acting I shall experience this evening?”

“You are wearing a very calculating grin for one contemplating actors prancing about the stage.” Linton was wearing a disapproving scowl, which was not an unusual expression for him to wear when conversing with Charles.

“Very well, I shall attempt to school my features into something more serious and fitting for a comedic play.” He kept his tone light and teasing in reply and earned a deepening of Linton’s scowl for his efforts, just as he knew he would. It was surprising how tolerant Trefor Linton could be of his foolishness.

“You should just stop planning whatever it is you are planning.”

“Shhh,” Constance scolded from behind them. “It is about to start.”

With a roll of his eyes and a shake of his head, Linton took heed of his sister’s words, which caused Charles to follow suit and fall silent.

Moments after the play began, Charles completely forgot to think about how he could sway the Barrett ladies to his favour as he became engrossed in the tangled web of deceit playing out on the stage below him. As the curtain dropped at the end of the first act, he stretched his legs out as much as the space would allow him and tilted his head from side to side as he brought his sensibilities back to the present.

“Are you enjoying the diversion?” Evelyn asked, leaning forward.

He turned his head and smiled. “Immensely.”

“I am glad. Mrs. Malaprop is horrid to Lydia, is she not? And her misuse of words!” Her beautiful pink lips slid into an amused smile. “It is rather funny, is it not?”

“Indeed, she is horrid, and it is humorous.” He leaned toward her. “We are fortunate that there is a chandelier here to keep this corner of the box so well lit, for if it were not there, I would not be allowed to speak to you. As it is, your mother is glaring at me as much as Mrs. Malaprop might glare at Ensign Beverley despite the light the candles provide.”

“She is not pleased with me,” Evelyn admitted.

“Then, we have that in common,” Charles replied with a laugh, “for I dare say she is not pleased with me either.” Not that it was an unusual thing for guardians of young ladies to be displeased with Charles. He was nearly immune to their censure. However, in this instance, he was going to have to be concerned with Mrs. Barrett’s disapproving looks, for he needed to change them. He would, before the end of the month, see her welcoming him with something less like a scowl. He would strive for a smile, but he was not certain a lady so severe as Mrs. Barrett ever welcomed anyone with a smile. He would have to watch her. It was the only way to learn of what she approved and disapproved. Speaking to her daughter was on the disapproved list, but that really was not an action he could avoid. He must speak to Miss Barrett if he ever hoped to sway her heart toward caring for him.

“She does not approve of you.”

“Not many mothers do.”

“Why?”

Charles smiled. “My reputation is not completely the work of fancy, my dear.”

Miss Barrett’s scowl was much more becoming than that of her mother. Charles found he did not mind such a look from Evelyn. She would likely look charming wielding a broom and shouting her displeasure. Her features were just so well-proportioned. Her eyes were such a lovely shade of green and her lips, ah, her lips. Was there ever a set of lips more perfectly shaped into a bow of pink?

“But why do you insist upon behaving in such a fashion?” Her eyes grew wide, and she looked over her shoulder at her mother. “Do not answer that. Pretend it was never spoken. I have already lost one day of callers; I do not wish to lose a full week.”

“Lost a day of callers?” Charles questioned in surprise.

“Shhh.” Evelyn’s reply was quick and accompanied by another hasty look toward her mother.

“I should not have said that,” she whispered. “I promise you I do not speak so freely around everyone.” Her head shook slightly from side to side in self-reproach.

“See, it is as I said. I am special,” he quipped.

One of her lovely brows rose. “Or you are as annoying as my brother, and I believe that is the more accurate conclusion.”

“Whatever you must tell yourself.”

She gasped, folded her arms, and leaned back in her seat.

“Take care,” Linton murmured beside him.

Charles inclined his head in acceptance of the warning before glancing over his shoulder again at those behind him. Mrs. Barrett was still looking at him in a wary fashion. Constance had leaned toward her friend and was discussing something in a whispered tone behind her fan while Henry caught his eye and raised a brow. It seemed that the only one not questioning his intent in talking with Miss Barrett was Mrs. Kendrick, who actually smiled at him. However, that might have been the most startling response of all since she often greeted him with less civility than Mrs. Barrett was currently displaying.

He would have to tread carefully and for the remainder of the play he did. In fact, the rest of the evening was rather uneventful. There were no arguments or raised brows. There were no pretty scowls or exasperated huffs. Conversation between acts turned to the mundane. Mrs. Barrett relaxed, Linton appeared to be enjoying himself if his smile was any indication, and Charles grew restless.

“How do you keep yourself?” Evelyn asked when they were finally rising to leave.

“I am not certain I understand your meaning,” Charles replied.

“What do you do for entertainment during the day?” Her eyes narrowed, and she shook her head as he smiled slowly in answer. “Sleep.”

He chuckled for it was not a question but rather an answer – one that she was making for him.

“You should consider doing something with your time other than sleeping,” she said. Then, as her mother’s eyes narrowed at her, Evelyn dipped a curtsey. “I am delighted that you were able to have a night of entertainment rather than sitting alone at home, Mr. Edwards.” She moved to leave but then turned back. “There are many things you could do, you know? There are a variety of good causes which could use your support, and it is much more fulfilling than sleeping your life away.” She dipped one more curtsey, gave Constance a hug, thanked Trefor for the opportunity to attend the theatre, and scooted after her mother.

He paused, and his brows furrowed. It seemed that there was another person besides Trefor Linton who thought he could be more than he currently was. A strange feeling very akin to satisfaction crept over him.

“Whatever you are thinking, stop,” Linton said.

“Must you always assume that my mind is constantly engaged in plotting the scandalous?”

“Is it not usually so engaged?”

Charles shrugged. He did spend an excessive amount of time plotting pleasure, but not this time. Well, not directly. Kissing Miss Barrett would be pleasurable, and that was his aim, was it not? However, there was no need to shatter Linton’s vision of him. So, he affected an easy smile and said, “I was merely pondering Miss Barrett’s advice. It is similar to what you told me earlier about continuing to behave nobly, and I find I must consider discovering a charity in need of a handsome benefactor.”

“An action is only noble if it is performed for the right reason,” said Mrs. Kendrick.

Ah, there was the disapproval he was more familiar with from her.

“Your helping Henry was noble because you did it out of the goodness of your heart for a friend.”

Her brow rose, both challenging him to refute her if he dared and letting him know that she did not believe his actions in helping Henry had been altogether pure.

“Continue down that vein, and you will do well.” Mrs. Kendrick’s head tipped to the side. “Serving only yourself by behaving nobly will lead to naught more than heartache.” Her lips curled into a small smirk, and her eyes twinkled. “Ask Mr. Crawford. It was only after he learned to care for someone more than himself that he found himself satisfied.”

Mr. Crawford was too busy kissing his lady’s fingers to be bothered with such a question, which, Charles supposed, was the answer Mrs. Kendrick wished him to receive.

“Duly noted,” he replied.

Mrs. Kendrick tipped her head and studied him. Then with a small sigh, as if she could read his thoughts regarding his intentions and knew that they were less than honourable, she instructed Trefor to give her his arm.

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If you want to hear the interesting story behind the black eye Charles is sporting, you can find it in Henry: To Prove Himself Worthy, and if you want to read about that one day when Trefor decides to finally get married, you can read that in A Scandal in Springtime (Darcy Family Holidays, book 3).

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