Chapter Thirty-Seven
When Gilbert woke the next morning, he felt a sharp pang of regret and anger as the humiliating refusal by Miss Wells resurfaced in his mind.
Then, he recalled his new plan to woo Miss Mary Landry, and his mood improved.
As he went through his morning ablutions, he considered the best tactic for him to approach the young lady.
With the Season’s festivities set to soon end, he knew he must act with some haste.
However, she was exceedingly clever and might be highly suspicious if he made her an offer too soon.
After all, he had paid her no particular attentions during the past months, aside from a solitary dance now and then.
Would she be desperate enough to accept him on so slight an acquaintance to avoid having a “failure” of a Season?
She might well be, and if he showed her any inclination, it might all work out as he hoped.
After breakfast, which he ate alone, as Dorothea was sleeping late, Gilbert scratched out a quick note to let his sister know that he was going out and would be home later. There was no assembly tonight and they had no invitations to home parties, so he anticipated a quiet evening.
Unless I can wrangle an invitation to the Landrys.
Well, first things first. I must call upon her and make it seem as if it were by chance.
I shall stay as long as half an hour, pay her a great deal of attention, and ply her with compliments, in order to open her heart to me as a prospective suitor.
He hailed a cab and asked to be dropped off in the neighborhood a block or so from the Landrys’ home.
Then, he walked around a bit before presenting himself at the front door and ringing the bell.
When he was shown into the morning sitting room, which was filled with bright light from the east-facing windows, he saw his intended and Mrs. Landry seated, both doing needlework.
He noted a look of surprise upon their faces as he entered.
“Gracious me,” Mrs. Landry said. “What a surprise, Mr. Kendall. Why, we in no way anticipated a visit from you this morning. How… delightful. Do sit down.” She gestured to the settee placed across from Mary.
“Thank you, Mrs. Landry. Yes, I went for a very long walk this morning and, I confess, was rambling without much idea of where I was headed. When I found myself in your neighborhood, I thought I would enjoy a visit. You have both been so kind to me during this Season, and I am fond of your lively conversation.”
He saw the two exchange a glance he could not quite decipher.
“Well,” Mrs. Landry said, setting her needlework aside. “You are always most welcome here, Mr. Kendall, to be sure.” She rose and went to the bell pull. “I shall order some refreshments for us.” When the butler responded to the summons, she sent him for tea and cakes, then returned to her chair.
There was a pause. Both ladies sat with smiles on their faces.
Gilbert thought perhaps the mother and daughter appeared somewhat uncomfortable, though he could not fathom a reason for it.
It could not be that he was not welcome—they had always been kind and generous with invitations to dinners and parties.
He was about to make some innocuous comment about what a beautiful day it was, when Mrs. Landry cleared her throat and spoke.
“Can you believe the end of the festivities is nearly upon us, Mr. Kendall? What a Season it has been, eh? So many lovely parties and balls. I confess, I am glad it is all coming to an end, for I am not as young as I once was, and so many late nights are taking a toll upon me, I believe.” She chuckled.
“I declare, I scarce can bear to look in a mirror just now. I long to go to our estate and rest and recover.”
“I do not see that you look any different from when we first met—when you allowed Carter—uh, Mr. Milbourn—to bring me to that first dinner here, all those weeks ago. But, I can easily comprehend how you must be eager to return to your new home and begin your life there.”
“Yes, it will be good to go to the country. Fresh air is so… good for one’s health…” Mrs. Landry’s eyes cut to a mantel clock as it struck eleven and her voice trailed off. Then, she and Mary exchanged another look.
Gilbert could not understand their awkward behavior. As the footmen entered with trays for tea, he tried again, turning his attention to Mary.
“Do tell me, Miss Landry, will you miss the hectic pace of the past months? Or will you be happy to put it all behind you and retire to your estate? How do you think you will enjoy living in the country? What will you do to fill your long days there, for you likely do not know many of your neighbors in Cheshire, am I correct?”
Her lips twitched a bit at the edge of her mouth as she accepted a cup of tea and replied, “You expect me, no doubt, to spend my days embroidering screens and taking invigorating walks in the nearby woods. What else will there be for me to do, after all, an unmarried woman marooned in the countryside?” Her eyes showed her amusement.
Gilbert felt his face burn. “No—not at all. I did not mean to imply anything of the sort. As you know, I live in the country and I appreciate the peacefulness of it, but there is so much more to do in London, after all. I merely wondered about your preference, is all.”
“Mary is the sort to be content wherever she is,” Mrs. Landry broke in. “She has always had an agreeable nature. But tell us, Mr. Kendall, are you not eager to return to your home? I was led to believe from Mr. Milbourn that you would soon take your orders and begin your career in the church.”
“Oh, yes, that is always a possibility. Things could change, of course. I—”
The door opening interrupted his speech and the butler announced, “Mr. Milbourn, ma’am.”
In walked Carter, smiling at Mrs. and Miss Landry. Then, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw his friend. “Gilbert! What a surprise—what are you doing here?”
“I was… that is…” Gilbert stammered.
Mary spoke up. “Mr. Kendall was on a long walk and found himself in our neighborhood, so he did us the courtesy of paying us a visit. And now you are here, as well. Gracious—we have an abundance of pleasant company to enjoy today, do we not, Mama?”
Mrs. Landry gave a nervous titter. “Indeed, we do, my dear, how very fortunate. I shall pour you some tea, Mr. Milbourn. You prefer it with milk, I believe?” She deftly served up the cup and handed it to him. “Do sit there next to Mr. Kendall.”
For a time, everyone drank their tea, the sound of teacups being set back in their saucers between sips the only sound in the room. Finally, Gilbert said, “It is a fine day. Would anyone care to go for a walk?”
Once more, the two ladies exchanged a glance before looking at Carter. He cleared his throat and said, “Well, in truth, Gilbert, Miss Landry and I already had an engagement to go for a ride in my curricle. And, as you well know, there is only room for two—comfortably, that is.”
Gilbert chuckled and said in a teasing voice to Mrs. Landry. “You will permit this reprobate to drive alone with your daughter, ma’am? It might be best if I went along as chaperone. You know how rumors can spread.”
Another nervous titter. “Oh, indeed, but I can have no fear of your friend, Mr. Kendall. You see—”
“Miss Landry has given me the greatest of honors and consented to be my wife, Gilbert,” Carter said. He rose and went to sit beside Mary, taking her hand and smiling with clear admiration, while she gazed at him with pure pleasure.
Gilbert felt his mouth fall open. “You… you are engaged?” he asked in a strangled voice.
At their happy nods, he forced a smile. “Well. Such… happy news. Yes, indeed, very happy news. And so unexpected, for I distinctly recall you saying, Carter, that you had no intentions of seeking a match this Season.” When Carter made no reply, Gilbert continued, “Well. My congratulations to you both.” He stood.
“You must be eager to go on your ride, so I will detain you no longer. Thank you for the tea and conversation, Mrs. Landry, Miss Landry. I shall see you again soon, I have no doubt.” He gave a curt bow and swiftly exited the room.
He was halfway across the entry hall when he heard steps behind him and Carter caught up to him.
“Gilbert, I am sorry this came as such a surprise.”
Gilbert wheeled around. “Surprise?” he asked in a low voice.
“It is a complete and utter shock, Carter. You stated more than once that you had no intention of making an offer to any lady. And all the while, you were scheming to ingratiate yourself with the Landrys that you might inherit a fine estate one day. I thought your dances with Miss Landry only done out of pity for her, but, clearly, you had a plan all along. My heartiest congratulations at your success.” He turned to go, but a firm hand on his arm spun him around. Carter was glaring at him.
“How dare you! It is true I had no intention of finding love, unlike you, who were hell-bent on landing an heiress to escape becoming a curate. While you were trying to woo Miss Wells for her fifteen thousand pounds, I did ask Miss Landry for a dance every ball and assembly, and it was out of courtesy, at first.” His face softened.
“But, Gilbert, her riches are nothing to me, for I have more than enough, thanks to my father’s success.
Can you not see why I adore her? Mary is so delightful—her charm and wit are unsurpassed by even the greatest beauty of the Season.
I found myself falling in love, much to my surprise.
When I dared broach my feelings to her, I was thrilled to learn she felt the same.
As the Season was coming to an end and she would soon be going to Cheshire, I knew I must ask for her hand soon, and so I did. ”
“And you did not tell me?”
Carter shook his head, sadly. “Mary and I had intended to share the news with you at last night’s ball, but when Kirkpatrick and Miss Wells announced their engagement, we both knew you had suffered quite a shock.
We thought it best to keep the news of our match to ourselves until you had regained your equanimity somewhat.
” He studied his friend. “I certainly did not expect to find you calling on her this morning. What is behind that, eh? Were you now thinking of trying to claim her and her estate for yourself?”
Gilbert lowered his head. “I am a fool above all fools, Carter. I assumed there would be no offer for her, although she is, as you say, witty and charming. I did think perhaps if I got to know her better, my feelings might grow and she might be a fine choice for me.” He sighed and lifted a rueful face to his friend.
“But you recognized her fine qualities sooner than I and, truly, Carter, I could not be happier for you both. I wish you all the best.” He saw a face full of doubt on his friend’s face, which slowly changed into one of kindness.
“Thank you, Gilbert. I believe we shall be very happy. Tell me, what will you do now?”
Gilbert could only shrug and mutter, “I have no idea.” Then, he patted his friend’s shoulder, turned, and exited the house.