Chapter Thirty-Three
Gilbert was in high spirits as he and Dorothea rode to the next ball together—one of the last grand events of the season.
He had dressed with meticulous care, wearing the new waistcoat and jacket he had ordered.
Indeed, he and Dorothea would arrive a bit late, because of the time and care Gilbert took to prepare.
But he wished to look his best for this was the night he would make his offer to Diana.
He felt assured of her acceptance. The day following their carriage ride in Hyde Park, Gilbert had come to call on Diana and the two had sat together for nearly an hour, speaking so easily together.
She had even played the pianoforte and the two had sung a duet.
Two days later, he called again, but had been told Miss Wells was not feeling well and could not receive visitors.
Gilbert had immediately arranged for flowers to be sent.
A very gracious note of thanks from Diana was delivered by that afternoon—another good sign.
Such courtesies reinforced in his mind how well suited he and Diana were, and he was in a state of great anticipation to propose.
Once they were officially engaged, he would ask Dorothea to escort them all in the Gillingham carriage to Clayton House, where he would introduce Diana to his family.
They would immediately perceive that he was no longer going to be Frederick’s curate and would celebrate his good fortune.
After that visit, Gilbert anticipated they would go to meet her father at his Surrey estate—now his future home and that of his and Diana’s children.
He smiled, thinking how satisfactory it was going to be.
He would be a gentleman in every sense of the word with a fine estate to manage for future generations.
“You look very well, tonight, Gilbert,” Dorothea said, breaking into his daydreaming. “How is your shoulder feeling?”
“Thank you, sister, it is all but healed. I needed only a little assistance dressing tonight. I intend to dance a few of the more sedate sets, and, if all goes well, you and I shall have cause for celebration by the night’s end.”
Dorothea smiled knowingly, her eyes sparkling. “Ah, it is time then? You will make an offer to Miss Wells?”
“Yes. She has been so sweet and pleasant towards me this week. She has already promised me the third set tonight and surely there will be another to follow. Therefore, I feel quite confident that it is the right time. After all, the Season is nearly over, and she will want to conclude it with an engagement, do you not agree?”
Dorothea nodded. “Indeed, it is both sad and amusing to see the desperation in the eyes of some young ladies when they realize they are running out of time to make a match.” She sighed, remembering her own Season.
“When Reginald proposed to me, it caught me somewhat off guard, to tell you the truth. I knew there was none for me but him and felt that he enjoyed my company, yet, he had shown me no particular attentions that might lead me to believe he had chosen me as his life partner. When he finally made his offer, I recall my surprise was such that my knees gave out, and I had to grab a chair to keep from collapsing to the floor.” She gave a soft chuckle and smiled warmly at her brother.
“How lovely to know you will marry into such a good family with a rich estate, Gilbert. Second sons rarely do so well, you know.”
“Indeed, I am well aware. It is all as I hoped it would be. Truly, I see my future as one bright and happy day after another, Dorothea, and I particularly wish to thank you for your assistance in wooing Diana, not to mention keeping me from having to enter the church.”
“You would make a most dreadful pastor, Gilbert, of that I am certain,” Dorothea teased as the carriage stopped before the grand assembly hall where the ball was being held.
The two laughed and exited the carriage, eager for the night to begin.
As soon as Gilbert entered the ballroom, he sought out Diana.
Spying her, as usual, with her aunt, he headed over, barely offering greetings to friends and acquaintances he passed.
Halfway to reaching her, he noticed Kirkpatrick also approaching Diana.
He quickened his steps, but his former schoolmate reached her first. Gilbert then observed Diana take Kirkpatrick’s arm, smiling up at the future duke most affectionately.
Gilbert halted in his tracks as he witnessed Kirkpatrick plant a kiss on Diana’s cheek and watched as she lifted a gloved hand to stroke his cheek, as Mrs. Steele looked on, beaming.
Such intimacy! What on earth was happening?
He felt he could hardly breathe as he approached the three. He bowed and said in a voice he struggled to keep steady, “Good evening, Mrs. Steele, Miss Wells, Kirkpatrick.”
Diana turned a smiling face with shining eyes towards him. “Good evening, Mr. Kendall. Pray, allow me to share my happy news with you—Lord Kirkpatrick and I are engaged.”
“Engaged?” Gilbert croaked. “You are to wed?”
Kirkpatrick laughed, a smirk on his face.
“That is the usual order of things following an engagement, Kendall, is it not? Yes, Miss Wells has vouchsafed me the greatest of honors by accepting me. She will make a most beautiful and gracious duchess one day.” He lifted a hand of his fiancée and kissed it gently.
A thousand thoughts ran through Gilbert’s mind.
He wanted to expose Kirkpatrick’s earlier statement that Diana was not “good enough” to be his wife.
To say how Kirkpatrick had sworn to Gilbert he had no interest in wooing the young lady.
He felt like shouting to Diana that, no, she was making a horrible mistake, it was he who was the better match for her, not that pompous Kirkpatrick.
He said none of those things. Realizing everyone was staring at him, he forced a smile on his face and croaked, “Such wonderful news—I am certain you will both be very happy.”
“Thank you, Mr. Kendall,” Diana said. “Now, I know I promised you the third set and am happy to still dance it with you, unless you wish to relinquish it back to my future husband?” She gave a musical laugh.
“Husband! Gracious, how I adore saying that.” She gazed at Gilbert with an expression he could not quite figure out—was it triumph, somehow mixed with pity?
Or was it only happiness and she was oblivious to his heartache?
Well, he would certainly inform her of his disappointment.
“I should be honored to still escort you onto the dance floor for the third,” he said, stiffly. He bowed. “Until then.” He spun around and walked as rapidly as possible away. He went straight to the refreshment room where he proceeded to drink as much wine as he could bear.
Dorothea observed the peculiar scene playing out across the room, becoming more and more puzzled by the moment.
Why was Miss Wells clinging so to that odious Kirkpatrick?
What was the cause of the shocked countenance she spied on her brother’s face as he strode away?
He did not look happy, that was certain.
She was about to go after Gilbert when a hand touched her arm.
“Ah, me. Sad news for Mr. Kendall,” a soft voice said. “I did warn you, Lady Gillingham, that the affections of Miss Wells were not to be depended upon.”
Dorothea turned to see Mrs. Landry, gazing at her with a sympathetic expression. “What is your meaning, Mrs. Landry? What is happening?”
The woman gestured with her fan towards Miss Wells and Kirkpatrick, who were now moving together to the dance floor. “Those two are engaged. It was just announced by the Master of Ceremonies, moments before you arrived. I do hope your brother’s heart is not too wounded by this.”
Dorothea failed to keep her composure at the shocking news. “I am all astonishment, Mrs. Landry. It appears you were correct when you said you knew Miss Wells was not to be trusted. How did you know? You may as well reveal it now.”
Mrs. Landry heaved a sigh. “You may be aware that my daughter, Mary, is a close friend with Miss Wells. Not long after it became clear how much your brother admired Miss Wells, Mary told me that Diana had confided to her that she planned to use your brother to entice the desires of that future duke. So, she led your poor Gilbert on, fawning over him whenever Kirkpatrick was about, not because she truly cared for your brother, but in order to make her true desire jealous enough to propose. And, as you see, she has succeeded. I am sorry for your brother—he is a good sort of person who did not deserve to be so ill-used.”
Dorothea nodded in understanding. “It was Kirkpatrick, then, whom you referenced in the park—the one you said Miss Wells wished to be seen by when she was with Gilbert. For Kirkpatrick was in the park that day. I saw him.”
“Indeed. And it likely did the trick, for Kirkpatrick made his offer soon after. And, you will recall, the countess had just rejected him. Rumor has it that the Kirkpatrick estate is in dire need of a large infusion of cash. I suppose he decided a pretty face and fifteen thousand pounds was a fine consolation prize to losing the countess and her even larger fortune. Not only was he taken in by Miss Wells’s devious behavior, but your sweet brother, as well.
I fear Gilbert was an unwitting pawn in this most unsavory game.
” She made a sympathetic sound as she continued to look at Miss Wells, dancing with Kirkpatrick. “Such a shame.”
Dorothea turned a hard face to Mrs. Landry. “It might all have been avoided, had you broken your confidence from your daughter. If you had told me in a straight-forward manner of the girl’s intentions. I might have warned Gilbert.”
“It pains me that I could not, but my daughter begged me not to speak of Miss Wells’s intentions.
Indeed, Mary broke her promise to her friend not to reveal the plan when she told me of it.
I could not share it with you. Have heart, however.
Your brother is still young and well-favored.
He will find another love, no doubt.” She nodded her head and excused herself, leaving Dorothea standing alone, in shock and dismay.
After a moment, Dorothea went in search of Gilbert, finding him in the refreshment room.
“Oh, Gilbert—I just heard the news. I am so very sorry for you,” she said in a low voice. “Do you wish to leave?”
He gave a bark of a laugh before saying, “Leave? Why, no, dear sister. I have the third set with Miss Wells. I must not disappoint her.”
“I have just been told of the particulars behind the engagement. It seems that—”
Gilbert held up a hand to stop her. “Say nothing more, Dorothea. I shall have it from the lady’s own lips. Now, please leave me.” He poured himself another cup of wine.
Dorothea, seeing he was resolute in his mood, merely nodded and left the room.