Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
“My goodness, I doubt any other lady in London will be as busy as you’ll be for the next week,” Miss Parson told Marie as the two walked in Hyde Park late the next morning.
Marie was so tired that she could only offer her lady’s maid a nod.
The previous evening at the ball had run late into the night, and then her father had insisted they go to Lord Cadwalader’s home for something to eat and drink.
Marie had never been to the Cadwaladers’ residence before.
While Lord Cadwalader seemed amiable, Lady Cadwalader was intimidating.
Thankfully, they spent most of the time talking about who had been at the ball and what they thought of them.
They paid Marie very little mind. However, when they did, they complimented Marie on attracting more suitors than any other lady, adding that it really hadn’t been surprising since Marie’s mother had been exceptionally charming and beautiful as well.
Marie had taken the opportunity to ask about the lady who was her mother in this life.
They only described her as an asset to the Cadwalader family and said that the Duke of Carlisle had been very fortunate to have married her.
That was it. Marie had no real insight into who this lady had been.
Surely, the lady had more to offer than beauty, charm, an impressive family line, and a sizable dowry.
But if she did, no one—not even the Duke of Carlisle—told her about it.
Marie was beginning to suspect that Tove had only created this lady in order to give Marie a mother in this life.
Her real father had shared many stories about her real mother.
He’d given her accounts on little things about her, like how timid she’d been about the dark, how much she loved to sew pretty patterns into tablecloths so they wouldn’t be so drab, and how excited she’d been to have a baby.
“You never have to doubt that your mother would be proud of you if she were still alive,” her father would add with a regretful tear that her mother hadn’t lived long enough to watch Marie reach adulthood.
“Let’s have a seat, my lady,” Miss Parson urged.
Marie forced her attention back to the park and sat next to her lady’s maid on a bench.
Miss Parson pulled out a list from her pocket. “I need to make sure I have your social engagements in the correct order. I’ll be your chaperone at a couple of them.”
Marie forced back the reply that was begging to be said.
The Duke of Carlisle did not actually care about her.
He only wanted to be around her when it benefited him.
Being at the ball had benefited him because he had a chance to meet with influential people and to help steer her toward a good husband.
He had wanted to go with her to the market the other day for the same reason.
She let out a sigh. If she continued on with this new life, she would never see her real father again. Was a guaranteed love match worth that?
“Of course, you’ll want to attend Lady Diane’s tea party on Wednesday,” Miss Parson commented in a matter-of-fact tone.
Marie turned to her in surprise. She had assumed all of these social events would involve suitors. “Lady Diane is having a tea party?”
Miss Parson nodded. “I received word this morning about it. Other ladies will be in attendance as well. This will be an opportunity to make new friends.”
“Do you know if Miss McCord will be there?”
“Except for you, I don’t know which ladies have been invited.”
Brooke would probably not be in attendance. Diane didn’t seem to like her. Yes, she had been cordial to her at the dinner party, but she’d made no move to talk to her at the ball last evening.
Miss Parson let out a gasp as the wind blew her list away. She jumped off the bench and chased after it. Marie hurried after her.
The paper ended up landing on a gentleman’s shoe. He stopped talking to the three people he was with and bent down to pick it up. It was Edward!
Despite the chill in the air, Marie’s face grew hot. How embarrassing! Now he was going to see everything she was doing for the next week, and he was going to see who she was doing those things with. Was he going to look at all of her suitors and think he was better off pursuing another lady?
That particular question came at her so fast that it startled her. Why would she think something like that?
“My apologies,” Miss Parson told Edward. “I lost my grip on the list.”
Edward smiled as he handed it to her. “It’s all right. The wind can get strong sometimes.” He glanced Marie’s way then told the people he was with, “This is Lady Marie. She’s the Duke of Carlisle’s daughter.” His gaze went to Miss Parson. “How may I introduce you?”
Miss Parson looked expectantly at Marie.
“She’s my lady’s maid,” Marie stammered when she realized Miss Parson wanted her to do the talking.
“Miss Parson.” She cleared her throat. “She acts as my chaperone when my father isn’t able to do so.
” She stopped herself before she said anything else.
What she’d already said was probably more than any of the four people watching her wanted to know.
“It’s a pleasure to make both of your acquaintances,” the gentleman with Edward spoke up. “I am Lord Campbell. I’m Mr. Glover’s cousin.” He motioned to the lady next to him. “This is my wife, Lady Campbell, and that is Miss Carter, my wife’s sister.”
Marie felt a strange twist in her gut. Was Edward interested in Miss Carter?
Marie didn’t recall a Miss Carter in her other life.
Then again, she didn’t recall ever hearing about Lord and Lady Campbell, either.
Was Lord Campbell really Edward’s cousin, and was that cousin married to someone whose sister was Miss Carter?
Miss Carter had a very pleasing face and soft wavy hair that was like spun gold.
If Marie noticed the lady’s beauty, Edward must notice it, too.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to meet you at Mr. Anderson’s dinner party,” Marie said, hoping to gauge the nature of Edward’s attraction to Miss Carter.
“I only recently arrived in London,” Miss Carter told Marie. “I’m staying with my sister and her husband. This is the first time I’m meeting Edward.”
The tension eased a little—but only a little—in Marie’s gut.
Edward hadn’t had time to develop an attachment to this lady.
Marie reprimanded herself for thinking such a thing.
She had no right to care. She had taken this new life with the idea of finding someone else to marry. She owed Edward the same right.
“My family lives in Greece,” Lady Campbell informed Marie. “This is my sister’s first time in London. My dear husband,” she shot Lord Campbell an adoring gaze, “was on a trip to Greece when we met. It was love at first sight.”
He returned her smile. “It certainly was.”
Lady Campbell let her gaze rest on him for a moment before turning her attention back to Marie. “We are doing our best to make sure my sister doesn’t get bored.”
“You must stop worrying,” Miss Carter argued with a laugh.
“All you’ve done since I arrived is fret about me.
I am having a splendid time. We have been to the menagerie.
We have taken a hot air balloon ride. Now we’re at Hyde Park, which is just as lovely as people claim. It’s been a wonderful adventure.”
“Don’t forget we’ll be going to the market later so you can pick up a keepsake,” Lord Campbell added. “Then you’ll always have a part of London with you.”
So that meant Miss Carter was going back to Greece? Marie tried not to notice the surge of relief that rose up within her.
“Oh, I don’t know,” Lady Campbell protested with a teasing grin. “My sister might find a reason to stay in London.”
The panic returned, and Marie had to struggle to contain it.
Edward’s face grew red as he picked up on Lady Campbell’s meaning.
Whether he didn’t want to be with Miss Carter or he didn’t want to reveal his feelings in public, he said, “I think we should get to the market. It was nice seeing you again, Lady Marie.” He nodded toward her lady’s maid.
“And it was nice meeting you, Miss Parson.”
The others in the group followed suit in saying goodbye, and Marie forced herself to give a calm reply.
This should not bother her. It wasn’t her place to interfere in Edward’s life.
If he could secure a love match, then wasn’t that for the best?
There was no point in him being stuck with her if he would be better off with someone else.
Miss Parson turned her attention back to the list as the four headed down the path.
Marie fidgeted. Her feet wanted to run after Edward and ask if he really, truly, did not remember her from his other life.
How could Tove make her memory as sharp as a blade while others didn’t even have the faintest memory of what used to be?
“Wasn’t that nice of Mr. Glover?” Miss Parson asked. “Other people would have let this list fly right on past them. Well, we have much to do. I’m afraid this morning’s stroll is the only time you’ll have to relax for the next seven days. Being a socialite certainly takes up a lot of one’s time.”
Marie forced her gaze off of the group. Or rather, she had to force her gaze off the way Edward laughed at something Miss Carter said.
“The Duchess of Ashbourne will be at the townhouse in an hour for your monthly lesson on etiquette,” Miss Parson told her. “Come. We’ve dawdled at this park long enough.”
With a nod, Marie joined Miss Parson and headed home.