Chapter Two #2
Harriet put her fork down and sat up. “It’s really up to you and Arthur. Don’t host a ball on my behalf.”
“It wouldn’t be specifically for you and is something we need to do. Members of Parliament would be invited as well as the usual crowd. Arthur thinks we’re past due as far as his colleagues in Parliament go.”
“If you put it like that, I suppose it would be fine,” Harriet replied.
“We’ll make sure eligible young men are there as well. I think I remember Arthur saying there were a couple MPs who were unmarried.”
Harriet put her hands to her cheeks. She was sure her face had turned beet red. This wasn’t something that was easy for her to talk about. A sudden loud burst of thunder exploded, this time seeming closer. “He doesn’t need to go to any trouble on my account.”
“It’s not, I can assure you. Arthur believes your shyness is going to ease without your mother hovering nearby.”
“He may be right,” Harriet replied.
“I think so. Now why don’t we have this boxed up and head home. I have the feeling the storm is going to be a bad one. We can come back on a better day and have ices.”
“I agree.”
A short time later they were on their way home.
The rain had begun to come down hard, making it more difficult to get through the traffic.
Harriet rubbed her hands against her upper arms. The storm dropped the temperature significantly and made it feel even more damp and cold.
By the time the carriage pulled up in front of Jameson House, they were met by two footmen with rather large umbrellas.
They made it inside where it was dry just as the next clap of thunder hit.
Daphne was in charge of everything, from informing the butler where the packages went to ordering tea for the two of them. Harriet followed her into the drawing room where they found Sam walking around on the floor.
“Sam, what are you doing?” Daphne asked the parrot.
“Sammy no like. Sammy no like.”
“What doesn’t he like? The storm?” Harriet inquired.
“Yes. He hates thunder or other loud noises,” Daphne replied. She bent over and extended her arm for Sam to jump on to. The bird immediately jumped onto her hand. Once she righted herself, she smoothed the parrot’s feathers.
“I would think they had thunderstorms in the jungle,” Harriet said.
“This environment is different than a jungle. No canopy of trees to protect you.”
“True.”
The door opened and a footman with their tea advanced into the room. “Would you mind pouring for us. I’m going to put Sam in his cage and cover it. He’ll feel safe once I do,” Daphne said.
Harriet walked over to the tray that held a pot of tea and cups.
She remembered Daphne took hers with sugar, so she added two cubes before pouring the hot liquid.
She did the same for herself, only this time added a splash of milk.
Stirring both she picked both cups up and took them to a nearby table in front of two cream-colored damask chairs.
Another clap of thunder, this time immediately followed by strong lightning. Harriet startled at the lightning and thunder. It was so loud she was sure it hit close by. As she sat down another bolt of lightning lit up the drawing room.
“Is Sammy all right?” Harriet asked.
Daphne nodded. “Yes. I put him in his cage and covered it so he can’t see the lightning. He’ll settle and he has treats so he’ll soon forget what the weather’s doing.”
“Food speaks louder than thunder?”
“Oh yes. Sam’s quite food oriented, especially snacks like apples,” Daphne replied.
Picking up her teacup, Harriet blew gently on the hot liquid. “The storm has startled even me. It must be either huge or it’s stuck over London.”
“You are possibly right. I’m just thankful we got home before the streets got worse.”
Nothing was said between the two of them for a couple of minutes. “I’ve noticed you’re speaking a lot more. Is it because you’re comfortable here?” Daphne asked.
Harriet could feel her cheeks grow hot. “I suppose so. My mother is so commanding. She treats me like I don’t have a brain. I need to get over my fear of her.”
“We’ll work on that,” Daphne replied, adding, “What do you like in a man?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“What sort of characteristics do you like? Tall, short, dark hair, light hair. Kind and gentle or more a rake type.”
“I’m not sure. Mother always told me to take whoever takes an interest in me,” Harriet replied.
“Your mother’s not here, so why don’t you think about what I just asked.”
“Well, I’ve never been around too many socially. Men, that is. They were usually sons of friends of my parents, and they were just being polite. They never spoke more than necessary.”
“Good. That’s a start,” Daphne replied.
“Kind. He would have to be kind. I abhor men who are loud and are braggarts. I prefer a gentleman.”
Harriet watched as Daphne took a thoughtful sip of tea. “What are you thinking?”
Another lightning bolt lit up the sky and thunder made its mark before Daphne could answer. “I asked Arthur to discreetly make some inquiries on what men are putting themselves on the marriage mart this coming season.”
“Is that a good idea?”
Daphne nodded while putting her tea on the table. “I think it is. It’ll be interesting to see who he comes up with.”
“Yes, it will be.”
“The only man who comes to mind is the son of the Marquess of Birmingham. I know he was engaged to a young woman who left him at the altar.”
“She never showed up? That’s horrible.”
“It was. No one had a clue what she was plotting,” Daphne replied.
“Were you and Arthur there?”
“Yes, we had been invited. I swear that man stood there for an hour waiting before he told the guests there was going to be no wedding. He then invited everyone to the wedding breakfast at the request of the bride’s father.”
“So where was she?”
“Evidently, she fancied a young footman. No one in the family even had an inkling this had been developing,” Daphne replied.
Harriet shook her head. “I’m going to guess they ran off together and married somewhere along the way?”
“Yes, Gretna Green. What they’re doing now is unknown. Her father has all but disowned her. I understand through Arthur that her father did not give her dowry to the young man she married.”
Harriet giggled. “Can’t say I blame him. If he was in it for the money, he got a rude awakening.”
“Indeed.”
“So that’s why he’s on the marriage mart, though I can imagine it’s going to be tough for him. I’m sure he’s got a trust issue when it comes to women.”
Harriet was about to ask a question when Arthur strolled into the drawing room. “Ladies, my apologies. I’ve been in my study and only now was informed of your return.” He walked over to Daphne and planted a kiss on her cheek.
“Yes, we made it back before things got worse,” Daphne replied.
“Luckily, my afternoon meetings were postponed until tomorrow. I came home to work on some matters.”
“Harriet had a successful meeting with my modiste. She’s going to look amazing during this season.”
“There was never any doubt in my mind,” Arthur replied.
Harriet knew she was blushing; her cheeks felt hot.
She wasn’t used to being complimented by anyone, let alone a man.
Her father always left that to her mother, who seemed to belittle her every chance she had.
In her mother’s eyes she could do nothing right.
She silently couldn’t wait for her mother to see the new look, because she knew her mother and father would attend a few of the balls if only to get a glimpse of her.
To see if Arthur and Daphne failed like they had, which wasn’t going to happen.
*
The following morning Harriet was taking a walk in the gardens while Daphne was tending to household affairs when she heard two male voices discussing horses.
She had no idea where they were, but knew they weren’t far off.
One man was Arthur, the other unknown. Hearing a horse snorting, Harriet deducted they were on horseback.
She inched closer to the laurel hedge that ran the perimeter of the back of the house.
Jameson House occupied a larger lot than most of the houses, something to do with Arthur’s family securing enough land to build the house on and be able to enjoy their stays in London without being like a school of fish and packed together.
Her parents kept a large townhome in London.
The original house had burned to the ground in a fire during her great-grandfather’s day and rather than rebuild he bought a new newly constructed townhouse.
There wasn’t as much room, but the three of them managed nicely.
That’s how the family came to live where they were.
Her mother, of course, wanted bigger, but since it was entailed, they couldn’t just sell it.
It was one topic her father had the upper hand on.
It wasn’t as though they spent an enormous amount of time in London.
Walking over to a bed of roses, Harriet stayed just close enough to where her cousin and his guest were.
She didn’t have to wait long before the pair walked into the garden.
From the direction they came, Harriet deduced they’d been near the mews.
She pretended to act startled so they wouldn’t know what she’d been up to moments earlier.
Eavesdropping. She glanced their way and saw them walking her way.
“Harriet, enjoying the lovely weather?” Arthur asked as the two men neared.
“Oh yes, such a change from yesterday.”
He turned to the man standing next to him. “Martin, may I introduce my cousin Lady Harriet. She is our guest during the upcoming season.”
The dark-blond man took her hand in his and kissed the back. “Lady Harriet, it is nice to meet you.”
“Lord Martin,” she replied. There it was. His arrogance.
“Lord Martin came to look at one of my geldings that was brought down from Kent.”
“Do you ride, Lady Harriet?” Lord Martin asked with a smirk on his lips. A smirk she’d love to slap off. He was just like every other man she’d been introduced to through her parents.
She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction. “Yes, I ride.”
Arthur arched a brow. He knew the truth. Her mother would barely let her ride sidesaddle and once her mother convinced her father that proper young ladies shouldn’t ride, Harriet never did again.
Her cousin cleared his throat. “We’ll leave you to your walk, Harriet. Lord Martin and I have some things to discuss about the gelding I just showed him.”
“It was very nice to meet you, Lord Martin,” she said.
The obnoxious man did an exaggerated bow, the smirk back on his face. Arthur smiled and winked at her. “Cousin, enjoy your time in the gardens.”
She nodded but said nothing, turning her attention back to a lovely dark-red rose bush.
Once their footfalls faded, Harriet turned back towards the house and saw the pair on the terrace sitting at a table.
Drats, she was going to have to pass them on her way unless they continued on to Arthur’s study.
By the time she’d had enough of her walk, she headed back to the house, noting neither of the men were still at the table.
She had just set foot in the drawing room when Daphne appeared out of nowhere.
She was wearing a sage-green day dress with darker green piping on the edges.
On her the color looked magnificent. Harriet doubted she could do the same.
“Did you get a chance to meet Lord Martin?” she giggled as she indicated they sit down.
“What’s his deal? He thinks highly of himself, doesn’t he?”
“That’s just Martin. By the way, he’s married, but a shameless flirt,” Daphne replied.
“That’s putting it mildly. I hope he doesn’t do it when his wife is with him.”
Daphne shook her head. “He’s hopelessly in love with Vicki as is she with him.”
“In other words, he’s the doting husband.”
“Yes. I suppose we should discuss some of the men you’ll be meeting.”
“Can you give me an idea of their personalities. Who I should avoid, that sort of thing?” Harriet inquired.
“That’s exactly what I had in mind.” Daphne dug around one of the pockets of her dress and pulled out a folded piece of paper. She unfolded it, as her eyes scanned it quickly. “This is a short list of men to keep away from and another list of who might be a potential match.”
Harriet clapped her hands together enthusiastically, her face beaming. “You are a goddess! That’s exactly what I need. You can of course tell me about each of them.”
“Of course, I can and will be pleased to discuss all of them.”
Feeling a rush of relief, Harriet sat back against the chair. This was exactly what she needed. Especially the ones who were on the no list. Probably all rakes or married but liked to try and ruin young virgins.
“Thank you.”
“I forgot to mention, the Earl and Countess of Bath give a ball a week before the season starts. The countess feels by doing this it will help the young ladies to prepare for the start of the season. It is well attended, and most men who attend are worthy of a glance at the actual first ball.”
“Did you accept?”
“Yes, I think it’ll be beneficial for you to attend,” Daphne replied.
Harriet nodded but said nothing. There wasn’t much time, and she certainly hadn’t been expecting it either.
Daphne was right, it would be beneficial for her to attend.
She usually hated being thrown in with her peers, but this time she was not hit with a wave of panic.
Perhaps it would come later, or maybe not all.