Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“Eleanor, next Wednesday we are to attend a garden party hosted by the Winthorpes,” Gerald said, wasting no time in making the arrangement to prove to Clara that it had not been an improvised invention, although of course that’s exactly what it had been.
Gerald was not proud of it, but the words slipped out of his mouth before he could do anything to stop them.
The thought of her attending a lecture with Sir Lionel pricked something inside him.
It was as though sand coursed beneath his skin and rested in his throat.
Watching her dance with him was one thing, but attending a lecture? Where else would it lead?
And of course Alfred’s efforts to encourage a proposal hadn’t escaped his attention.
It wasn’t his right to be jealous, of course.
The situation with Clara was only temporary.
Soon enough he would be setting her free like a bird, and she would soar.
Only she would soar with Sir Lionel, and this rankled him, even if he couldn’t identify exactly why.
Eleanor’s face lit up at the news.
“How wonderful! I’m glad I have time to pick out an appropriate outfit. Will Clara be attending?” she asked.
“She will.”
“Good. I do like Clara. It was quite fortunate of you to meet her, Gerald. There has been a swift change in your demeanor, all for the better, of course. I feel that there may have been something significant missing from your life all these years, and now you have met her. May I suggest something?”
“Certainly.”
“You should propose to her as soon as possible.”
“Is that so? Would that be to prevent another man from courting her?” he asked, wondering if by some strange coincidence she sensed that Sir Lionel had invited Clara to a lecture.
However, Eleanor giggled.
“No, because you have spent many years without a companion and you should not have to endure that fate any longer than necessary. I can find no fault with her, so why waste any time?”
“That is wise counsel. I shall take it to heart,” Gerald said, wincing inside, wishing he could tell her that the only reason Clara was in their lives was for Eleanor’s benefit.
Gerald, Clara, and Eleanor attended the garden party together.
The women were dressed in light, bright gowns.
Eleanor’s was a pale blue shade that shimmered as she walked, flowing like water along her body, the sleeves fanning out near her elbows.
Clara’s dress was more practical, but no less finely made.
It was a light green color, like the first buds in spring.
She wore a choker around her neck, the thin black line stark against her milky skin.
Gerald found himself staring at the shape of her neck and the line of her jaw, rising up to the bow of her lips, and then he drank in her entire countenance, swept away by the thought that all the different elements of her face came together to create such a beautiful sight.
Then he cleared his throat, wondering if there was something in the air to make him think these unwieldy thoughts.
The carriage pulled up outside the Winthorpe estate, and they followed the side path, avoiding the house, venturing straight into a garden.
They passed through a hedge arch and emerged on a wide square.
Hedge sculptures of various animals had been placed around the garden.
Clara and Eleanor gasped with delight, pointing out the ducks, hares, horses, deer, and others.
Butlers moved around, trays of drinks balanced on outstretched fingers, while a light hum of jovial chatter filled the air.
A water feature bubbled towards the far end of the garden, and around this a number of people were clustered.
Some were moving towards the hedge maze, which was a point of pride for the Winthorpes.
They approached Lord Julian Winthorpe and his wife, Helen--- a tall, lean couple who seemed cut from the same material. They had willowy figures and sandy hair. Julian’s face lit up as Gerald approached, while Helen flashed an apologetic look as she was pulled away by a small child.
“You’ll have to excuse Helen; apparently, young Sylvia has some urgent business, and nothing can stop her when she has an idea in her head.”
“I’m sure there will be a chance to speak with her soon enough. It’s a pleasure to see you again,” Gerald said, thrusting out his hand. The two men shook eagerly. “You remember my sister, Eleanor, and this is Miss Sterling.”
Julian nodded towards Eleanor and then his gaze fell upon Clara.
“Yes,” he murmured, “I have heard rumors that you have been courting. It’s about time, I daresay, although clearly you were waiting for an exquisite woman to come along.
Patience doth have its rewards,” he said with a theatrical wave of his hand.
“Apparently the two of you enjoyed a short voyage in Hyde Park.”
“Short, yes, but enjoyable,” Gerald replied, secretly pleased that his plan was working.
“I hope that he has been paying you plenty of attention. Gerald has a tendency to lose himself in his work. There are times when he goes months without being seen at the club. Sometimes I have had to send a caller to Clemont Hall just to make sure that no ill fate has befallen him.”
“You always worry too much, Julian,” Gerald replied. “I must say, your gardens are looking better than ever.”
Julian beamed at this and turned to draw attention to the scene before them.
“I’m glad you think so. It was difficult to arrange things so suddenly; it was quite the challenge you set me, but I have never backed down from one before.”
Gerald’s cheeks turned red. He hoped that Clara was so enamored by the surrounding area that she wouldn’t notice the comment. However, it was a faint hope as Clara was a wry observer. She turned around, flashing a glance at Gerald.
“Gerald set you this challenge?” she asked.
“Yes, he suggested it last week. I was thinking of holding one soon enough anyway, but I’ve been waiting to receive an exotic plant from Africa.
It’s been delayed, which is most bothersome, but that will just give us an excuse to hold another event.
Now, you must try our hedge maze. Oh, excuse me, I must go and greet Killian and Margaret,” he smiled and disappeared in a flash.
“This was your idea?” Clara asked, arching a stern eyebrow and folding her arms.
Gerald ran his hand through his hair. “I may have mentioned it, in passing, but Julian rarely needs any persuasion to host a garden party. And why would he? Look at all his garden,” he said, spreading his arms wide.
He beckoned a servant over and plucked fluted glasses from the tray, handing them to Eleanor and Clara. Gerald was glad to wet his dry throat. An uneasy knot twisted in his stomach, for his ruse had been discovered, and he wondered how Clara would make him pay for it.
Eleanor found some friends and drifted away happily. Gerald approached a maid waiting at the side of the garden and asked her to accompany them as they explored the Winthorpe estate. The maid stayed a few feet behind. Thankfully, Clara didn’t mention his ruse.
“Eleanor seems happy today,” she said.
“Yes, it is as though a weight has been lifted from her. I believe she is finally beginning to enjoy the season.”
“Has she any suitors?”
“Not yet, although I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. She has danced with some men, and enjoyed conversations with others. However, she is a discerning sort and is waiting for someone to properly inspire her.”
“I see. I hope that her season unfolds better than mine did.”
“Surely it could not have been that terrible?”
“It was not terrible; it was just… not what I expected.”
“How so?” Gerald asked. They stepped a few times before Clara spoke.
“Part of it was my own fault. I had been thinking about my debut for many years, and nothing could ever bear that weight of expectation. Grandmother had been telling me stories of her season ever since I was a girl, and I had seen my Aunt Lydia enjoy her debut. I was filled with ideas of glamor, and everyone told me that I would be the diamond of the season.”
“Were you not?”
Clara offered a wry smile. “I was, but not in the way I thought. I was overshadowed by my family. People were interested in using me as a key to unlock their way into my family’s confidence.
They either wanted to speak to my Aunt Charlotte about her books, or they hoped to be invited to play cards with Uncle Edmund at his club, or they wished to be invited to Aunt Lydia’s infamous book club, which has been kept purposefully intimate.
Nobody ever seemed to be interested in me on my own merits. ”
“I see. I’m sorry that happened.”
“I have made my peace with it by now. It showed me that it was unwise to get my hopes up, and that I should accept things as they are, not as I wish them to be. It helped me decide that I wanted to do something more meaningful with my time, and it’s why I increased the time I spent at St. Margaret’s. ”
“Then the children are all the better for it.”
“That’s what I like to think. And yourself? You must have spent some time in the ton when you came of age, or did you always keep your distance?”
“Although I attended balls, it was due to expectation rather than desire. When my father died, I had too many responsibilities to think about anything else. The ton seemed so… empty. Everyone there was happy, acting as though they did not have a care in the world. I could not join them. Sorrow shaded my heart, and so I kept to the shadows until eventually I stopped attending completely. I can’t say that I was missed.
It was only when Eleanor came of age that I escorted her, and suddenly everyone treated me as though I was an old friend and that it was a great shame that I had been absent for so many years. ”
“Their feelings may be genuine.”
“No,” Gerald sighed, shaking his head. “There happens to be a certain mystique that has arisen around me, and I believe some women think it is a challenge to become my wife.”