Chapter 12
Chapter Twelve
The next afternoon, Marie stepped into Diane’s dining room, surprised by all of the food the servants had set out. While this wasn’t a full-course meal, there were more treats and drinks than Marie could count on the table.
Diane waved for all of the ladies who’d been invited toward the six chairs. “I took the time to pick out seats for you. Just sit where your name is. Father spared no expense for this occasion. We have delicacies that even the Italians and French enjoy.”
“You are fortunate he spoils you so much,” Maxine said as she found her chair.
Marie scanned the names and found hers. The butler pulled out her chair and gently pressed it in after she sat down.
Next to her, Miss Carter sat. On Miss Carter’s other side was Maxine.
Across the table from Maxine, Diane took her seat.
That left two ladies Marie wasn’t familiar with who sat across from Miss Carter and her.
Marie glanced over at Diane. Diane had chosen a spot that was as far from her as possible.
That was suspicious, wasn’t it? Diane had seemed excited to be around her when she first stepped into this life.
Now, it seemed that Diane was trying to avoid her.
If such was the case, why even invite her?
The Duke of Carlisle.
Of course. Diane didn’t dare upset her own father by not inviting the Duke of Carlisle’s daughter.
Marie bet that was why they were in the same social circle.
If Marie had done or said something differently, Diane might welcome the acquaintance.
What had she said or done to upset Diane? She thought she’d been pleasant.
“Fancy meeting you again,” Miss Carter told Marie with a chuckle. “I worried that I wasn’t going to know anyone when I accepted the invitation. I’m relieved you’re here.”
Marie’s gaze flickered to Diane who was telling Maxine about her time in the market yesterday. Diane didn’t bother glancing in her direction.
Forcing her attention back to Miss Carter, she asked, “You must know Lady Diane since she invited you.”
“Actually, I don’t,” Miss Carter confided in a low voice. “My brother-in-law knows her father. I think he asked Lady Diane to extend the invitation because my sister wants me to make friends.” She grimaced. “I’m afraid Lady Diane had no choice but to invite me.”
“I think I’m here for the same reason,” Marie softly confided.
Diane tapped the edge of her glass with a fork then began to make introductions around the table.
“In addition to Miss Carter,” Diane continued at one point, “we have Miss Turner and Lady Janet. I have it on good authority these new ladies know how to shop.”
Lady Janet seemed amused by Diane’s words. “Not only do I know how to shop, but I know where to shop. Only the best of the best for me. That’s what my father always tells me, and I let him prove it by lavishing me with the gifts I give myself.”
“Wouldn’t it be more fun if your father gave you those gifts?” Maxine asked.
Lady Janet looked appalled by the suggestion. “Given his poor taste, I should say not. He has no sense of fashion. I’d be the laughingstock of the Ton if I wore the things he’d buy me. I do it all myself, and he pays the merchants. It’s a happy exchange.”
“All sensible decisions are happy ones,” Diane agreed. “It’s best to think with your head instead of your heart.”
Marie bit her lower lip as the others around her seemed to be in agreement.
Or, at least, they pretended to be. Diane could be a bit intimidating.
It was difficult not to want to be agreeable around her.
Marie wondered how Richard could openly disagree with her without feeling like the wrath of God would fall upon him.
“The first things we’re going to try are a piece of cake from Spain, a slice of pie from Italy, and a couple of slices of apple covered in some caramel.
I promised Father I’d add some fruit to the menu, and an apple suffices.
Plus, there are so many of them, what else are you going to do with them? ” Diane laughed.
Marie watched as one of the maids put the treats on the plate in front of her.
She had to admit, they looked delicious.
She had no idea there could be such a variety of foods.
Her father, in both this life and the other one, tended to eat the same things.
There was very little variety in their menus.
She took a bite of the Spanish cake. It was light and fluffy with a sweet taste to it.
“This is marvelous,” Miss Carter said. With a look in Marie’s direction, she asked, “Don’t you think so?”
“I do,” Marie replied. “Have you had this before?”
“No, I can’t say I have.”
Marie thought over what she’d learned of Miss Carter the day they’d been introduced at Hyde Park. “You live in Greece, correct?”
“Yes, I do.” Miss Carter inspected her. “Oh, wait. You’re the daughter of a prominent duke, aren’t you?”
“Yes. The Duke of Carlisle.”
“That’s right. That means you’re related to the two most influential people in London, Lord and Lady Cadwalader.”
Marie offered a tentative nod. One would swear there were no other notable families in London with the way people lauded the Cadwaladers, especially in this life.
She didn’t recall hearing so much about them before.
But then, she hadn’t been related to them.
People didn’t have a reason to speak about them around her.
“I’m related to them on my mother’s side,” Marie finally said since she couldn’t think of anything else that would continue the conversation.
She noticed that the other ladies were already talking to those around them.
The only person she had to speak to was Miss Carter, and she didn’t want to lose Miss Carter’s interest. The last thing she wanted was to be left out of this social gathering.
The gentlemen might be falling all over themselves to talk to her, but the ladies weren’t that way.
“Are you still having a good time in London?” Marie continued.
Miss Carter swallowed the last bite of her Spanish cake. “Oh, yes. It’s been wonderful! Everyone has been so nice. My sister said I’d enjoy my visit, and I am.” She let out a giggle then added, “She is even determined to match me up with a gentleman so I’ll move here.”
“She is?”
“Yes. You can’t fault her. Growing up, we were as close as twins. Life apart has been difficult.”
“I suppose it would be since you’re that close to her.”
“We are a year apart. Actually, we’re eleven months apart, to be exact.
We used to do everything together. It was a bittersweet day when she married.
I was happy for her, of course, but I missed her.
Our parents love Greece. They will not leave.
I am undecided about where I want to live.
Would I like to be near my sister? Yes. But I also like being with our parents. ”
Marie twirled the fork between her fingers.
Miss Carter had been walking with Edward at the park.
It was apparent Lady Campbell had been trying to play matchmaker with the two.
“Have you found anyone who might convince you to stay in London?” She hated asking the question, but the knot in her stomach demanded she confront Miss Carter about the matter.
“There have been a couple of gentlemen who’ve been very sweet.”
While not an overt yes, it did imply she was tempted to stay in London because of marriage. As much as she feared the answer, she found herself asking, “Who are the gentlemen who’ve caught your attention?”
“One is Lord Monheim.”
“Lord Monheim?” Marie interrupted before the lady could say more. She wasn’t aware he was courting ladies other than her. Not that it bothered her. He had every right to do so. But it still came as a surprise.
Miss Carter blushed. “It’s absurd to think I even have a chance with him. He could have any lady he wants. He’s so dashing. I tried to speak while we danced at the ball the other evening, but my mouth wouldn’t cooperate with me. I kept stammering out my words. He probably thinks I’m a dolt.”
“I’m certain that’s not true.”
“There were other ladies at the ball far more engaging than I was. I watched him as he danced with them, and he seemed much happier.”
Did that include Marie? Marie was tempted to ask but thought better of it. If Miss Carter had noticed him dancing with her, then Marie would rather not know. “He might have been enchanted with you.”
“I would be relieved if it were so, but I’m too afraid to be that optimistic.” Miss Carter cleared her throat and reached for her drink. “I don’t wish to bore you. We can discuss something else.”
“You aren’t boring me.” Marie glanced at the fork she was still twirling around her fingers. “I am wondering what other gentleman you fancy.” She thought over what to say next. “I noticed that Mr. Glover was in the group you were walking with at Hyde Park.”
Miss Carter’s eyes widened. “Mr. Glover? My brother-in-law’s cousin?”
Marie forced herself to nod.
“No, I don’t fancy him,” Miss Carter said. “I know my sister would wish it so, but I only feel something akin to friendship with him.”
Marie relaxed her grip on the fork. She had no claim to him, not in this life. She told herself this several times, and yet, there was that resounding question that kept repeating itself back to her: what if she wanted to have a claim to him?
“Miss Carter and Lady Marie,” Diane called out. “We have all finished the first round of desserts, and I notice you two aren’t done yet. I hate to impose, but could you hurry it along so we can move to the next three desserts?”
Marie’s face warmed as she scooped up a sample of the pie onto her fork.
Once Marie and Miss Carter were done eating the treats on their plates, Diane asked the group what they thought. “Give me a reason for your response,” Diane said. “Saying you like or don’t like something isn’t fun. I want to know why you like it or don’t like it.”
“And remember, there are no wrong answers,” Maxine added.