Chapter 15 #2
When Mrs. Drake and I took our exercise, we walked past Lord Brookhaven’s townhouse.
He and Lady Derringer were the only people I cared to call on, but I was afraid of seeming as if I were clinging to them.
Besides, I knew Lady Derringer had gone to take care of some business at her country estate just after Mrs. Drake had entered my employ and moved into my townhouse.
“My dear, if you wish to secure a husband, you must make your presence known. You cannot succeed if you don’t try.”
“I’m not so certain I shall marry.” I said it partly to see the look of horror on her face and partly because I was too afraid I’d already put all my hope in marrying for love and there were no guarantees that that would ever come about.
“After all, I could marry someone in whose character I was mistaken, and then I would live with my regret forever, since what is done cannot be undone. Or he could squander all my money. That is why I think it best that I should take advantage of this new fortune to do what I’ve always wanted, which is to write all the stories for children that have been floating about in my head and get them printed into books. ”
“Write stories for children? Whatever for?”
“Writing stories for children will give me a sense of purpose, and perhaps they will be helpful to the children who read them. Besides, writing will be an interesting way to pass time while still accomplishing something.”
Mrs. Drake continued to stare with a look of bewilderment. Finally, she said, “It is a lady’s responsibility to marry well. Aim high, or your aim will always disappoint you. I did not follow this advice and look where it has gotten me.”
She sounded slightly bitter and despairing. But I could hardly blame her.
Still, I would not call on any more of her highborn friends.
It felt demeaning. But I would call on Lord Brookhaven.
I missed seeing him, even though it had only been a few days, and I couldn’t imagine he would deliberately snub me by pretending not to be home.
I might be an orphan of little consequence, but I knew he cared about me as a friend, at least. But I wouldn’t throw myself at Lord Brookhaven or anyone else.
I didn’t have to, because I was an heiress with fifty thousand pounds.
“Lord Brookhaven, are you well?”
Mrs. Wells, the housekeeper, stared at him.
“I asked if you’d like me to show Mr. Sullivan into your library.”
William had been staring at the card with Charlotte Robbins’s name and address, cursing himself for being away from home when she’d called.
“Show him in.”
“Yes, sir.” She left the room, and he made his way across the hall and sat behind his desk.
“Lord Brookhaven.” The short, balding man appeared in the doorway and made a slight bow.
He probably shouldn’t have trusted Mr. Sullivan, the man who’d been his solicitor until he stole two thousand pounds from him to pay his gambling debts.
Lady Derringer, the only other person who was privy to William’s scheme to give Miss Charlotte Robbins a significant amount of his own fortune, had warned him that it was dangerous to take a thief like Mr. Sullivan into his confidence and trust him with this undertaking, but William had leverage with Mr. Sullivan.
If he didn’t want to go to prison, he had to either pay back the two thousand pounds, which William knew he could not, or do as he wished in this matter.
Besides, Mr. Sullivan was a very good liar.
“Mr. Sullivan. Do you have news for me?”
“Yes, Lord Brookhaven. Miss Charlotte Robbins has taken the house, as you probably know, and she hired a companion, Mrs. Drake, a widow from London and the daughter of a baron.”
“Does she suspect the money came from me?”
“No, sir. She is buying new frocks and has hired servants but otherwise has not spent much of your money.”
“It is not my money. The money belongs to her now and she can do as she pleases with it.”
“Yes, sir.”
William saw the slight frown. It chafed Mr. Sullivan that he would give such a large sum of money to a woman who had no connection to him other than that she was once his wards’ governess, but Mr. Sullivan would keep quiet about it—or else.
He didn’t look like the type of man who could survive prison.
William was about to dismiss him when he said, “She asked about you.”
“What did she say?” He glared at him.
“She asked if you were in town and about your habits, whether you liked to take walks while you were in London, things like that. I was very vague, of course, and told her I didn’t know.
I do believe the woman she’s hired, Mrs. Drake, is endeavoring to get her accepted to society, invited to balls and parties and such.
I overheard a bit of conversation about that. ”
“Very well. You may go.” William made sure to give him his best scowl.
Mr. Sullivan bowed and left.
He hated trusting Mr. Sullivan, but up until now, everything seemed to have gone as well as possible.
He just hadn’t anticipated how nervous he’d be about seeing Charlotte again, knowing that she now had the freedom to choose any man she wished.
He’d never been so cowardly before. But love made cowards of the stoutest men. He must have read that somewhere.
Nervous or not, he wanted to see her. And if she needed an introduction to society—and every person did, if they weren’t part of society before they inherited their fortune—then he and Lady Derringer could make that happen.
He rang for Mrs. Wells and told her he wanted to give a ball. To her credit, she didn’t mention the fact that he’d never given a ball before. She simply raised her brows slightly and said, “Very good, sir, and how many guests will you invite?”
“Lady Derringer should arrive later today, and she will be helpful in making a list of guests.”
They discussed plans and preparations for a few minutes. Thankfully, Mrs. Wells was familiar with the best of society, the people who normally invited him to their balls and the like, so he asked her to make up the list and then he and Lady Derringer would approve it.
“And I wish to invite Miss Charlotte Robbins.” He gave her the address.
“Very good, sir.”
He’d never looked forward to a ball before. It was a new feeling. But looking forward to dancing with her again was a familiar one. He only hoped she would be looking forward to dancing with him as well.
“The post has come, and there’s something for you. I believe it’s an invitation.” Mrs. Drake’s eyes were wide as she handed me the paper. It was from Lord Brookhaven.
I unfolded it while Mrs. Drake waited with pursed lips.
“It’s an invitation to a ball at Lord Brookhaven’s townhouse.”
“Oh.” Mrs. Drake clasped her hands over her chest. “This means he’s home. We must call on him today.”
The first few days of Mrs. Drake’s employ, I would have agreed, but I’d be miserable if I continued doing everything Mrs. Drake thought I should do.
“No, not today. I shall take my exercise, perhaps walk to Hyde Park. Will you accompany me?”
Mrs. Drake raised her head, pinched her lips together, and said while staring down at the breakfast table, “I suppose I shall. You cannot very well walk to Hyde Park alone. It would be improper.”
I said nothing, and she sat there sipping her tea and staring at the food, her hand hovering as she chose a tart.
I ate another scone with a healthy dollop of lemon curd—the cook I’d hired made the best scones I’d ever eaten—then went to change into my walking shoes, fetch my shawl, and tie on my bonnet.
Mrs. Drake obviously resented having to go on a long walk with me when she thought I should be calling on Lord Brookhaven.
But I was already tired of the sort of machinations that seemed to be the expected way for a young lady to behave in order to secure a husband—a wealthy, sought-after husband, I should say.
I didn’t intend to embarrass myself by engaging in such artifice and schemes.
Besides, the only person whose good opinion I cared about was Lord Brookhaven’s.
Although I’d also need to secure the good opinion of the rest of society, since I didn’t want Lord Brookhaven to be looked down upon for marrying me.
My heart raced every time I thought about him in that way, so I put aside that thought and just told myself it would be enough to be his friend again.
Mrs. Drake was waiting for me. She was a good chaperone and companion in that she was always available, punctual, and efficient. I would have rather she was more of a friend and less of a servant, but Mrs. Southey had warned me in a letter:
You have never had servants of your own, so I will tell you: It would be a mistake to treat your hired companion, or any of your servants, as a friend. You must not do it, otherwise they will take advantage of your good nature. You must be firm but fair in all your dealings, detached but kind.
Firm but fair, detached but kind. I’d said the words over and over like a mantra. After all, my inclination was to be friendly and warm with the people who were helping me, but Mrs. Southey was much older, wiser, and experienced than I, and she was a woman of unreproachable character.
Lord Brookhaven’s townhouse was between mine and Hyde Park, and that was at the forefront of my thoughts as Mrs. Drake and I set out to take the morning air.