Chapter 21
Twenty-One
The first gentleman caller to arrive the next day was Mr. Merritt.
It was the usual time of day for callers, so it wasn’t surprising when Lord Markeley arrived shortly thereafter.
He seemed surprised to see Mr. Merritt there, who didn’t give him a very warm welcome.
Lord Markeley did not stay long, excusing himself after only about five minutes.
Then two more gentlemen with whom I’d danced the evening before joined Mr. Merritt, Millicent, Hattie, Mrs. Drake, and me.
We made small talk as a group, and indeed, the conversation was rather dull, and yet a bit tense at the same time.
Since I hadn’t slept much, it took an enormous effort to force back a yawn. I drank so much tea that my hand had a slight quiver. As yet another yawn threatened, I had to clench my jaws shut to prevent the ruin of my reputation as a polite hostess.
When the two gentlemen stood to leave, Mr. Merritt moved closer, and while no one was listening, he said that he’d like to go for a ride with me.
“I’m afraid I’m not much of a rider,” I said. “I never owned a horse nor learned to ride.”
Without hesitation, he said, “Then I’d like to take a walk with you to Hyde Park tomorrow, if the weather is not too foul.”
If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was acting as if he was trying to court me.
I knew very well what he thought of me. I’d never forget what he’d said to me at the house party in Berkshire.
Unfortunately, Lord Brookhaven was right about all these men only wanting me for my fortune. I sighed heavily.
Mr. Welton was announced a moment before he entered the room. He bowed to us, then he and Mr. Merritt gave each other barely disguised looks of disgust.
Mr. Merritt had stayed longer than was typical, but he seemed in no hurry to leave now that Mr. Welton was here.
Mr. Welton seated himself as near to me as he could. Hattie looked as if she was suppressing a grin as she glanced from Mr. Welton to Mr. Merritt and then to me. Millicent just lifted her brows slightly as she met my eye.
There were long lulls in the conversation. I felt so weary, I wondered if the hours for accepting calls would never end. Finally, Mrs. Drake said, “Mr. Merritt, I wonder that your mother can spare you for so long. I hear she is in town.”
I gave Mrs. Drake a look. I would have to tell her later that even though Mr. Welton was a favorite of hers, it was not acceptable to be rude to our other guests.
As Mr. Merritt was leaving, he said quietly, “Shall I see you tomorrow? For our walk?”
“Nine o’clock is when I like to have my morning walk.”
“I will be here then.”
Mr. Welton had a smug look on his face as he bid Mr. Merritt a good day. I was fairly certain he’d heard what we had said.
When Mr. Merritt had gone, I saw Mr. Welton wink at Mrs. Drake.
“Come, Miss Skidmore, Miss Jacobs. I have some fabric I want to consult you about, whether it will make a good afternoon dress. Miss Robbins, you stay here and keep Mr. Welton company until we return.” By the smirk, I knew something was afoot.
I felt my stomach drop.
Millicent and Hattie glanced back at me as they left the room.
As soon as they were gone, Mr. Welton slid to one knee on the floor in front of me.
“Miss Robbins, I think you’ve been able to see what an attachment I have to you, and I believe that you have formed an attachment to me as well.
In fact, my feelings for you are too strong to be restrained, and I beg you to marry me and put me out of this misery I find myself in, longing for your company every moment of every day. ”
The first thought that came to me was that he reminded me of a fish with its mouth open. The second was that if he longed for my company every moment, why had he left me at the dance and not returned for nearly two hours?
But I needed to be serious, for Mr. Welton was obviously very serious and needed a serious answer. Oh dear. I didn’t wish to give him pain, but I had to give him an honest answer.
“Mr. Welton, I am very flattered by your sentiments and by your proposal, but I am afraid you have mistaken my friendship for something more. I am sorry, but—”
“Before you say anything else, I beg you to think it over. I can wait for an answer. I should have realized you would need more time, and I should have spent more time courting you. Is that why you are reluctant to say yes to my heartfelt proposal? I am willing to share all my worldly goods, everything with you.” He grabbed my hand from my lap and squeezed it between both of his.
“Please, Miss Robbins. Won’t you give me a chance to make you love me? ”
I pulled my hand out of his grasp as I stood, leaving him kneeling on the floor.
“Miss Robbins, do you feel nothing for the pain you are causing me? You led me to believe you felt as much affection for me as I did for you.”
“No, Mr. Welton, I did not. I—”
“What of the assembly last evening? You danced with me two times, one after the other. Everyone saw your preference for me. No one will believe that you did not prefer me over every other gentleman in the room.”
I started for the door.
“Wait, please. Let us not quarrel.”
I did not stop until I had snatched the door open and startled when I found the servant standing there. “Lord Brookhaven is here to see you, ma’am.”
And indeed, he stood just behind the servant and was looking past me and at Mr. Welton in the room behind me. And he was scowling.
William could see over Miss Robbins’s shoulder that Welton was there, and he was getting up off his knees.
“Come in, Lord Brookhaven,” she said, standing aside, and told the servant, “Please fetch Mrs. Drake, Miss Skidmore, and Miss Jacobs.”
The servant bowed and strode away.
Mr. Welton was now standing. William hoped the man could see the warning in his eyes, for if he had accosted Miss Robbins in any way, he would regret it.
They waited for Miss Robbins to sit before taking their seats. They had to immediately return to their feet as Mrs. Drake, Millicent, and Hattie entered the room and made their polite greetings.
Mrs. Drake said, “We enjoyed seeing you at the assembly last evening, both you and Lady Derringer, Lord Brookhaven.”
“Thank you.” His voice was gruff, almost a grunt. He was still trying to figure out what had taken place between Welton and Miss Robbins. If he was on his knees, that probably meant a proposal, but as he did not look at all triumphant, but rather just the opposite, she must not have accepted him.
Mr. Welton said, “Yes, those assembly rooms there are tolerably spacious. The estate I am to inherit in Derbyshire has a ballroom that is nearly as large, and I shall throw many parties there.”
William couldn’t help saying, “It was my understanding that your aunt, who owns that estate, plans to leave it to your cousin, Mr. Fortner.”
Welton barely glanced at him before replying, “She has not settled it on my cousin yet, nor do I believe she will. Fortner is a worthless sort of fellow, and I’m sure he will do something to offend our aunt. If he does, I would be next in line to inherit. She has told me so herself.”
Mrs. Drake said, “What Mr. Welton says is very true. Mr. Fortner is known to frequent the gaming tables and he’s .
. . well, there has already been a scandal involving a young woman of questionable birth.
I cannot imagine Lady Partridge, their aunt, passing over Mr. Welton in favor of Mr. Fortner, for our Mr. Welton is a much more steady, gentlemanly sort. ” She smirked at Miss Robbins.
What was that smirk about? He’d learned Mrs. Drake and Welton’s mother were close friends, but did she stand to gain something from Miss Robbins marrying Welton? If so, what?
They all sat in silence until Mrs. Drake said, “Lord Brookhaven, it was very gracious of you to call on us.” By her tone, he realized she was insinuating it was time for him to leave.
Miss Robbins sat up straighter, opening her mouth as if to speak. He beat her to it.
“I came to ask after the children, Joshua and Sarah.”
“They are well. Joshua’s arm seems to be healing, and they seem to get on well with their nurse. They are looking less hollow-cheeked already, I do believe. I was hoping to bring them to meet Samuel and Annabelle later this week. Would you like to see them now?”
Normally an earl would not wish to leave the company of other adults to visit children, especially children who were unrelated to him. But he said, “Yes, I would. Although I do not wish to take you away from your . . . guest.” He glanced in Mr. Welton’s direction.
Miss Robbins quickly stood. “I’m sure Mr. Welton doesn’t mind, and I’d enjoy seeing them myself.”
Mrs. Drake’s wide-eyed expression quickly changed to a scowl. “Charlotte, I’m sure—”
“I have been wanting to check in on them,” Miss Robbins said, striding to the door and pretending not to hear Mrs. Drake.
“Hattie? Would you like to accompany us? The children have really warmed to Hattie . . .” She continued talking while they left the room, Hattie scurrying after them, looking frightened.
Miss Robbins walked close beside him and said softly, “I’m sorry for Mrs. Drake’s rudeness.”
“There is no need to apologize for someone else’s behavior.”
As they walked up the staircase in silence, he continued to wonder why Miss Robbins had been alone in the room with Mr. Welton. Propriety did not allow an unmarried gentleman and lady to be alone in a room together unless the gentleman was asking her to marry him.
“Miss Jacobs,” he said, glancing back at Hattie, “I hope you are enjoying your time away from your teaching duties in Bedfordshire.”
“Yes, sir, I thank you.”
“You teach history and drawing, I believe.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Those were two of my favorite subjects,” he said.
“Oh.”
“I didn’t know you liked to draw,” Miss Robbins said, turning to look at him.
“I have not much talent for it, but I liked it . . . better than arithmetic.”