Chapter Fifteen
Gilbert was all eager anticipation for the assembly and a second opportunity to meet the lovely Miss Wells.
Now that he and Carter had secured invitations, he felt certain he would be able to make a most favorable and lasting impression upon Miss Wells.
She had seemed very open to his discourse at the Landrys’ dinner party, had she not?
While he might meet other young ladies who had a sizable dowry, he had already singled her out as the heart to win.
For his plan to work, all he need do was dance with her, charm her, and continue in that manner until he felt the time was right to call upon her at her home to begin the formal wooing process.
Soon after, he would make her an offer. However, he worried that the first, critical step—gaining a dance might be difficult to achieve, considering her beauty, wealth, and status.
As he and Carter entered the hall the night of the assembly, their moods were buoyant.
They quickly moved into the ballroom, which was brightly lit with candles and filled with people chatting, laughing, waiting for the music to begin.
The two exchanged a glance and a nervous smile.
Each was thinking the same thing—that they knew very few people present.
They had dressed with considerable care, knowing this would be their first major introduction to the ton, and they both very much wished to make the best impression possible.
Gilbert had a fleeting thought that he should have spent some of his precious allowance on a new waistcoat, but it was too late now.
He fussed with his cravat and tried to assure himself that he was more than presentable.
Gilbert tried not to be too obvious as he searched for a glimpse of Miss Wells, while Carter simply took in the entire scene, a look of delight on his face.
Carter elbowed his friend. “What a sight, eh? I declare I never have seen so many pretty women together in one place in the whole of my life. All we need do is ask Mr. Benedict to introduce us to the ladies of our choice and we shall never have to leave the dance floor.”
Gilbert nodded, his mind still on locating Miss Wells—or Diana, as she already was to him in his mind.
A cluster of guests across the room broke apart and suddenly he saw her, speaking to an older woman—her mother?
No, that could not be. Didn’t Mrs. Landry mention over dinner that Diana had only a father now?
He remembered Diana mentioning an aunt—that must be her chaperone for the Season.
He had somehow not met her at Mrs. Landry’s party, but he did not need to know the other lady to approach them, as he was already an acquaintance of Diana’s.
He muttered, “You look for Mr. Benedict, Carter. I shall return in a moment.” Without waiting for a reply, he strode with deliberation towards his object of desire.
“Mr. Kendall—here you are!” a voice called, when Gilbert was halfway towards his goal.
He turned to see Mrs. Landry approaching, her considerable bosom leading the way like the prow of a sailing ship.
A tall, thin young lady followed close behind.
He paused, cursing inwardly for the delay, and greeted her politely.
“Good evening, Mrs. Landry, I hope you are well.”
“More than well, Mr. Kendall, more than well, I assure you. For my dear daughter, Mary, has, at last, returned to town. I spoke of her to you at dinner the other night, you remember. Pray, allow me to introduce you at once.” She turned around and made an impatient gesture to the young lady who stood several paces back.
“Come, come, Mary, step closer, my dear. This is Mr. Gilbert Kendall, of Clayton House in Kent. I informed you of what a charming guest he was at my recent dinner, remember?”
Gilbert bowed and Miss Landry curtsied politely.
He quickly appraised this young lady, recalling that Mrs. Landry had referred to her as “handsome.” Not by half, Gilbert thought.
She was tall—nearly as tall as he, with as small a bosom as her mother’s was abundant.
Her nose, in a long, oval face that had a slight receding chin, seemed a trifle large, and her lips were thin and pale.
Her one good feature, he thought, was her thick, lustrous, brunette hair.
Her light-gray eyes, while not unattractive, could hardly be called fine.
He noted them now appraising him coolly, with no hint of demure bashfulness.
“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Mr. Kendall,” she said in a voice pleasant to the ear.
At least it was not nasal or strident as her mother’s was, Gilbert thought, one point in her favor.
“Mama has had so many lovely things to say about you, and I can see none of the praise was exaggerated. You are indeed tall and well favored.”
Her bold statement caught Gilbert off guard. Ought he not be the one to extend compliments? “Well… uh, indeed, your mother is too kind. Not only for her praise of me, but for allowing me to accompany my friend Mr. Milbourn to dinner at your lovely home. We had a most enjoyable evening.”
“During which, my dear,” Mrs. Landry broke in, “Mr. Kendall expressed a sincere desire to dance a set with you. Well, no time like the present, eh, sir? The first set is just about to begin, and since you know next to no one here, I am certain you have it free, as does my dear Mary.” When neither Gilbert nor Mary made a move, she impatiently shook her hands at them. “Now, now, off you go.”
Gilbert took a breath and turned to Mary, trying his best to hide his annoyance. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw a handsome soldier take Diana onto the floor. “Shall we?” he muttered to Mary, who took his arm.
As they moved to take their places, the young lady gave a small laugh.
“I must apologize for Mama, Mr. Kendall. I believe she has cleverly maneuvered our dance together this evening that I may not appear the proverbial wallflower at my first public ball since our family was raised to its lofty new status in society. Do not fret, I beg you. While I am not the handsomest woman here with whom you may dance this evening, I assure you I know the steps and will not tread on your fine shoes. Therefore, it should not be too onerous an ordeal. Then, you may release me, having done your duty to my mother and we need never speak again.”
Once more, Gilbert was struck nearly dumb by her bold speech. He made an effort to smile genuinely. “Ah, mothers—their sole purpose is to find a good match for their daughters. It is the way of the world, and I am well aware of it. I take no offense, I assure you. Let us enjoy this first dance.”
And the only dance, if I have my way of it, he thought to himself, as he took his position in line and the music started up.
As soon as the set was finished, Gilbert brought Mary back to her mother, who gushed at what a lovely couple they made. Gilbert could see it caused her daughter distress for her mother to be so forward, but Mary said nothing other than, “Thank you kindly for the dance, Mr. Kendall.”
“My pleasure, Miss Landry,” Gilbert said and, with a bow, he departed, on the hunt again for Diana. He must secure a dance with her before it was too late. A lady as stunning as she might never be off the floor the entire evening.
Seeing her standing again with the older woman, he quickened his steps and soon was standing before her. He bowed and greeted her.
“Good evening, Miss Wells. You are looking quite lovely this evening. That gown is exquisite, and the blue color favors your eyes exceedingly.”
She curtsied and smiled. “Thank you, Mr. Kendall. You are looking quite well, yourself. May I present my aunt? This is Mrs. Steele. She is sister to my father and will be my chaperone for the Season. Auntie, this is Mr. Kendall, whom I met at the Landrys. I believe I mentioned him to you?”
The ruddy complexioned, somewhat horse-faced woman turned her attention to Gilbert.
“Indeed, she did mention you, Mr. Kendall,” she said in a booming voice.
She smiled broadly, her prominent front teeth adding to her horse-like features.
“I understand you come from Kent. Lovely bit of the country, that.”
“It is, ma’am, and I am all eagerness to return to it, but for now, the diversions of town are very enjoyable. I was hoping to ask your niece for a set. Please tell me I am not too late and all your dances are taken, Miss Wells? I fear I could not brook the disappointment.”
“You see, Auntie? I told you he was one who loved to flatter and exaggerate.” Diana gave a little laugh, while her aunt emitted a more braying sound. “As it happens, I have one remaining set open, sir—the fifth, if you would care to have it.”
Gilbert exhaled with relief. He was not too late.
“Nothing would give me more pleasure, I assure you. Until the fifth. Miss Wells, Mrs. Steele.” He bowed and turned to depart, colliding with a tall gentleman who had come up behind him.
He gave a perfunctory apology, then widened his eyes as he recognized the man.
Charles Kirkpatrick! A former schoolmate at Oxford, though not of the same level as he.
As a future duke, Kirkpatrick was part of the Nobleman Commoner class, and at school had worn his gold thread-trimmed silk robe and mortarboard with gold tassel with haughty pride.
He had been somewhat friendly to Gilbert, but rather sneering in his attitude towards Carter, who was, of course, part of the Commoner class, and far beneath him.
Because of his snobbery, Gilbert had never cared for Kirkpatrick. As the same, he greeted him politely.
“Kirkpatrick, I say, what a surprise to see you here. I would have thought you were happily situated back at your family’s estate in Staffordshire.”
Charles smiled and nodded his head in greeting.
“I am here for the same reason as you, I warrant, Kendall—to enjoy the pleasures of the Season and meet pretty ladies. We must catch up, but just now, I have the pleasure of this next set with Miss Wells.” He extended his arm to Diana, who took it.
“Shall we?” Gilbert could see the open admiration in Diana’s eyes towards Kirkpatrick. The couple moved away.
Gilbert felt his happy mood deflate.
He might be competition for me. After all, he is far wealthier than I and will one day be a duke. I had best keep my eye on him. Although, perhaps, like Carter, Kirkpatrick only wishes for fun and is not seeking an attachment. I certainly hope that is the case.
He stood, watching for a time as the two moved across the floor.
Was he imagining how much Diana appeared to enjoy herself?
While, on the other hand, Kirkpatrick seemed a bit aloof.
Good. Gilbert focused on the other couples.
Carter was dancing with Miss Landry and his friend seemed to be enjoying himself.
Carter’s earlier comment of how it likely “would be a punishment to stand up” with Miss Landry came to his mind.
Well, in truth, Gilbert had to admit it had not been a punishment for him, for she was a fine dancer, despite her height and almost gawky thinness.
He had truly expected her to be completely lacking in grace.
He could even tolerate a second dance with her, but that might lead to expectations—especially from Mrs. Landry.
Best to leave it, he thought, and find another, prettier girl.
Where is Mr. Benedict? Until the fifth set with Miss Wells, I must ask his assistance in finding partners.
I do not wish to just stand about in a stupid manner; I wish to dance.
He can introduce me to many young ladies.
They need not be rich or beautiful, as I do not intend to become too acquainted with them.
None can compare to the beauty of Diana.