Chapter One #4
Unlike the others, Lady Gwendolyn, a member of Lady Eleanor’s bluestocking circle, was well-read and engaging.
He had spent many an evening at her side occupied in stimulating conversation.
She was beautiful, well-dowered, and strongly committed to her charities, not to mention she had got on with both Anna and Georgiana when they were introduced.
For some time he thought they would do well together, but in the end his aspirations proved fruitless.
At one point Lady Gwendolyn candidly told William that as much as she respected him, she was not inclined to leave her charitable commitments in Town to become the wife of a gentleman farmer in the north.
It was for that simple reason that they had never entered into a courtship but continued to remain good friends.
Frustrated by so many dark thoughts, William let out a huff and abruptly snapped shut the book he had been holding, thrusting it back on the shelf. Turning to leave, he was startled when he nearly collided with his cousin, Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam.
“Richard, what the deuce are you doing here?!”
“And hello to you, too, Cousin.” He chuckled, taking William’s protest in stride while holding up a copy of the latest War Journal. “As you can see, I happen to be here at Hatchards doing my father’s bidding and noticed you standing in the poetry section.”
William did not return his greeting, but instead gave him a pointed scowl.
“My, we are rather unpleasant today, are we not?”
“Richard, I am in no mood for your humour. I actually came here this afternoon with the intention of keeping my own counsel for a few hours. If you would be kind enough to oblige me, I would greatly appreciate it.”
“Ah, let me guess. Your mind is back in Kent and you are not as eager as you should be to resume your pursuit of beautiful young ladies who are yet available this season.”
“I would rather not discuss it,” William replied with annoyance.
“Cheer up. From what Mother says, there is still plenty of new blood for you to discover. From all reports next week’s charity ball is the talk of every gathering and there will be many eligible young ladies in attendance.
Why, it is probably only second in popularity to the Prince Regent’s Grand Fête later this month. ”
“So I have surmised.”
Smirking, he said, “According to Mother, some of her favourites will be in attendance.”
“Dare I ask who you are referring to?” William said impassively.
“Why, Mother’s god-daughter, Eleanor Deming and her younger sister Eliza, of course.
No doubt there are countless others to consider, including the beautiful and talented Lady Clarissa Ashbourne, whose forty thousand pounds is not to be discounted.
I hear she has not yet entered into a courtship.
” Richard wiggled his eyebrows, attempting to make light of William’s doldrums. “Lady Clarissa was at Matlock House last week for dinner. Too bad you were unavailable; she is absolutely delightful.”
“I grant you she is very pleasant to look at, and plays divinely, but if truth be told, her conversation is lacking.”
“Conversation?!” Richard looked at William as though he had taken leave of his senses. “Darcy, the woman is perfectly amiable. Perhaps I should accompany you on your next outing and lend my expertise when it comes to beautiful, eligible women.”
“Richard, you may keep your counsel. I do well enough on my own.”
“If you say so,” he shrugged. “Nevertheless, I must admit I am curious to see the Deming sisters. With my commitment to the Crown, I have missed them on several occasions. Why, I do not believe I have seen them since my mother’s house party the summer before I left for Portugal.
At that time they were quite lively, as I recall.
” He chuckled. “Well, at least the younger sister was.”
“For my part I found them barely tolerable. The elder sister simpered and mooned about while the younger was incorrigible with her teasing and silly pranks. I mean no offense to your mother, but I hardly look forward to renewing the acquaintance.
“Cousin, the Deming sisters were but schoolgirls at the time. Miss Deming was quite lovely, and I found nothing objectionable in her demeanour.”
“She smiled too much.”
Richard laughed out loud at William’s feeble objection.
“You are hopeless. As far as I am concerned, no woman ever smiles too much. Heavens! That is what they were made for, why, to please! I suppose Miss Eliza was a bit insolent, but I never took offense. Mother and Lady Deming have been friends for years, and with Lord Deming’s death the sisters have not been in society for some time.
By the way, Mother is expecting us to step forward at her charity ball and has already placed our names on the sisters’ dance cards, not to mention several others. ”
“Hrumph.”
“Mother also says Lady Deming’s relations from Hertfordshire will be coming to Town next week and will be in attendance. Apparently, two of her nieces are quite lovely and have been here since the end of April. For your information, rumour has it that both women have very sizeable dowries.”
Standing on the other side of the bookshelf, Elizabeth nearly choked when she heard this proclamation with regard to herself and Jane.
Sizeable dowries, indeed! This must be Eliza’s doing with her not so subtle effort to find us husbands.
Just wait until I confront her. That girl is positively worse than Lydia when it comes to spreading falsehoods. ”
“I doubt if you are aware, but I have heard that your friend Bingley has become enamoured with the elder cousin, a Miss Jane Benton or something of the sort.” He chuckled in amusement. “I hear that bets are being taken at Whites as to when he will propose to his newest angel.”
William’s frown was telling. “Richard, her name is Bennet and tying himself to that woman does not bode well for Bingley, not in the least.”
“How so?”
“While I have yet to meet the women, as I understand it, the Bennet sisters are the eldest of five and have come from an estate that is entailed away from the female line. Contrary to what you heard, I have it on good authority that their portion is very small. Their father has been ill for some time and apparently the sisters came to Town in search of husbands.”
“I see. Now that does shed some unfavourable light on Bingley’s angel.”
“In my opinion, this situation could spell disaster for my lovesick friend should he suddenly find himself married and supporting a gaggle of women. Bingley has enough to contend with while attempting to leave behind his roots in Trade and secure his standing in our society along with that of his sister. As we both know, Bingley’s head is too easily turned by a pretty face.
Perhaps I had best speak with him before things advance too far and he makes a commitment he will later regret. ”
Elizabeth gasped at this proclamation, quickly covering her mouth and hoping that the gentlemen did not hear her—especially the disagreeable one with the deep voice.
As the men continued to talk, Elizabeth knew she should ignore their conversation and walk away, but she could not bring herself to do so as her dearest sister was mentioned yet again, along with more speculation about her family’s situation.
And to think, the one called Richard is the son of Lady Eleanor, a woman whom I admire and respect.
Squaring her shoulders and clutching her book firmly in her hands, she determinedly stepped around the end of the stacks so that she could clearly see who she was addressing. Arching an angry brow, Elizabeth stared with disgust at the two gentlemen.
“In-suf-fer-able!” she pointedly hissed, emphasising each syllable of her exclamation. “How dare you?! Why, the two of you are worse than old gossiping women.”
“You were listening to our conversation,” William stated, his face firmly fixed with an unpleasing scowl.
“How could I not hear when you each spoke loud enough for the whole of Piccadilly to take note?”
Colonel Fitzwilliam, clearly embarrassed, was quick to step forward. “Madam, forgive….”
Putting up her hand, she cut him off. Continuing to speak quietly, yet forcefully she said, “You need not apologise, sir. Your silence, along with that of your disagreeable cousin, would be a blessing. Believe me, I have heard quite enough. As for the charity ball, I plan to be in attendance. Let it be known here and now that I would not condescend to dance with either of you if you were the last men in all of England. Nor do I care to make your acquaintance if we should be so unfortunate as to be introduced at any other function during the rest of the season. Good day.”
Holding her head high and turning with indignation, Elizabeth walked straight to the front of the bookshop where Mrs. Gardiner was now waiting with her maid. As soon as she completed her transaction, the three women were on their way.
Stunned, Richard finally let out a low whistle and remarked, “Well, it seems the young lady was not pleased with our conversation.”
“She decidedly was not,” William grumbled as he watched the women leave the bookshop.
“I do not have a good feeling about this. Have you any idea who the lovely woman with the sharp tongue was? She looked vaguely familiar.”
“I most certainly do.” William answered curtly. “If I am not mistaken, I believe we have done quite an admirable job of insulting the sister of your mother’s goddaughter, Miss Eliza Deming.”