Chapter Six
As good as his intentions were, the day after his homecoming dinner, Gilbert did not manage to take the time to speak to his father about his hopes of avoiding (or at least postponing) the process for taking orders.
His lack of effort was made easier by both Evan and Miles being away from Clayton House for most of the day, dealing with tenant issues.
Gilbert was happy for the reprieve. When his father and brother returned, there was still no time to speak as they all had to prepare for that evening’s assembly in Doddington.
Lavinia had arranged for an early supper of cold meats, cheese, and bread, after which everyone headed upstairs for the rush of changing into fine clothing and shoes suitable for dancing.
The carriage was crowded, as they had stopped at the parsonage to pick up Frederick and Charlotte, who declared her dismay that she was unable to wear her favorite dance slippers, as her feet were rather swollen.
Her mood was not her usual happy demeanor, for she said she was feeling so uncomfortable in her pregnancy.
“Indeed, I do not know why I even agreed to come,” she complained as the carriage made its way into Doddington.
“I should have much preferred to sit at home and put my poor, painful feet up. But Frederick did so wish to attend, so here I am.” She shrugged.
“I will warn you, husband, since I cannot dance, you are like to find me in the card room the entire evening, gambling away all our money.” Her countenance readily showed that she was only teasing, however, and Frederick responded by giving her a quick kiss and patting her stomach, now prominent beneath her lace pregnancy jacket.
“Despite your state, I thought you might enjoy getting out and seeing some friends, dearest. For once our son—or daughter—arrives, you will be homebound for some time. But only say the word when you wish to return home, and I shall see to it.”
“I am no less eager to meet your baby,” said Lavinia. “For he—and I am quite certain it will be a boy—is destined to be such a playmate to our Dickie. I know they shall be the best of friends.”
Miles laughed. “There goes my wife—making plans for everyone again. But you know, Charlotte, that is why Lavinia hired a nursery maid, instead of sending our son to a wet nurse until he is weaned and walking. She has a thought of you bringing your child to Clayton House nursery every day. I would not bother to brook any opposition to her plan, if I were you.” He gave his sister a wink.
Lavinia huffed. “Well, indeed, I do not see the point of having a child if you do not even have him close by during the first two or three years. Why, even with weekly visits, he would return to us a stranger and perhaps even more attached to his foster mother than his real one. No, I cannot abide the thought of another raising our son when we have more than ample room and can afford a live-in nursery maid.” Leaning in to Charlotte, she said, “I do not think you have met Miss Austin, have you?” Before Charlotte could reply, she continued, “I thought not. She comes highly recommended and Dickie seems quite content with her. I know your child will be as well.”
“You are so kind to offer, Lavinia,” said Frederick. “I am sure Charlotte and I will give it every consideration.”
“Oh, I cannot see any alternative, frankly. After all, the parsonage has only four upstairs bedrooms, and where would you put a nursery maid of your own, even if you could afford one, which I very much doubt you can, even with Frederick’s income from his additional parish.
No, bringing your son over to Clayton House every day will be for the best, I am sure.
Then we shall see each other every day, as well. ”
Charlotte just smiled in response. Gilbert had a flash of concern that mention of Frederick’s second parish would turn the attention of the conversation towards him and prompt questions about his taking on the curacy, but just then the carriage came to a halt and Evan called out, “Here we are!”
Everyone exited the carriage, carefully avoiding the several piles of manure on the streets from prior arrivals, and made their way into the brightly-lit assembly hall.
It was already quite crowded, with the sounds of music, conversation, and laughter bouncing off the walls.
In the entry hall by the main room stood Sir William Reynolds and his wife, Lady Reynolds, who were acting as hosts of tonight’s event and were greeting the arrivals.
Gilbert thought Sir William a bit of an officious snob ever since his knighthood and would have preferred to avoid conversation with him, but it was unavoidable as he and his wife stood so prominently in the doorway.
“Here they are, my dear—one of the county’s finest families,” crowed Sir William as he spied the Kendalls.
“My wife was just noting your absence and expressing her concern that you would not attend, Mr. Kendall. She is certainly happy to see you all, and I am no less so. Our gathering would not be as gay without you all here, is that not right, my dear?”
Lady Reynolds preened and smiled at the family as everyone bowed and curtsied, greeting their hosts. Gilbert attempted to slip behind the rest of his family and enter the main room, but Sir William’s booming voice called out his name and he was forced to acknowledge it.
“Gilbert—how very good to see you. I had heard of your recent return from the hallowed halls of education. Oxford, I believe? How happy you must be to join your loving family again, is it not so? What are your plans—I am all eagerness to know.”
“Uh, indeed, Sir William, I am most happy to be back at Clayton House, and looking forward to dancing tonight,” Gilbert said, adroitly avoiding the question by asking another. “Tell me, have you seen our cousin, Selina, and her father, Hugh Whittington?”
“Why, yes, they arrived some time ago.” Sir William craned his neck to look into the dancing room, which was all the excuse Gilbert and the rest of the family needed to nod their acknowledgements to Sir William and his wife once more and swiftly move away to join the party.
“Odious man,” Gilbert muttered under his breath.
“He is not so bad,” said Miles. “But a short time in his company is sufficient for me, I will admit. I have heard his story of his knighthood so many times, I swear I could recite it myself.” He dug an elbow into his brother’s side and added, “Enjoy yourself, Gilbert. There are many pretty girls here tonight. Now I shall see if your education at Oxford included adequate dancing lessons.”
“I would put my form and style up against yours any time, brother,” Gilbert said, perhaps more harshly than he intended.
With a nod, he headed towards a cluster of young ladies, most of whom he knew.
As he approached, he could see them eyeing him with eager anticipation.
He bowed to them and, within a minute’s time, had the next four sets secured and went at once to dance.
Escorting his lady off the floor after the third set, he saw Nancy and her father, Robert Slade, standing nearby. As the musicians were now taking a short break, he went over to speak to them.
“Mr. Slade, good evening.”
Robert Slade, tall and thin, with a thick head of salt and pepper hair, bowed and returned the greeting. His handsome, craggy face was naturally amiable, and the friendliness upon it seemed, to Gilbert, always sincere.
Gilbert then turned to his childhood friend, saying, “Good evening, Miss Slade, I hope you are well.”
She gave a graceful curtsy with an impish smile. “Perfectly well, sir, but do call me Nancy. I feel as if I must look about me to see who you are addressing when I hear Miss Slade.”
He laughed. “Very well. Nancy, you look lovely this evening. That shade of blue is perfect for your complexion.”
Nancy laughed, and turned to her father. “Gilbert has managed a very polite way of saying, Papa, that there are few shades that do not violently clash with my red hair and pale, freckled skin, and quite miraculously, I have chosen one.”
Gilbert laughed and shook his head. “I would say that your daughter needs to learn how to accept a compliment, Mr. Slade, but I know she is but teasing me.”
Robert nodded. “Indeed, I know of your long friendship, so I am not alarmed at her bold behavior. Indeed, I confess that I could do nothing to stop it, even if I tried. She is the most headstrong girl I ever knew, outside her own mother. No doubt, she inherited her spirit along with her mother’s red hair.
” He looked at Nancy with deep affection, before turning his attention back to Gilbert.
“My daughter informed me you have come home from Oxford. Congratulations. I hope to see you settle nearby. What are your plans—the church, I hope? That is what the gossips in Doddington declare, at any rate.”
“Oh, well, I do not—” Gilbert started to say.
“Papa, this is hardly the time to speak of such ponderous things,” Nancy broke in. “This is a party, after all, and, therefore, we should only speak of the weather, fine lace and muslin, and the upcoming planting. Gilbert, are you or are you not going to ask me to dance?”
Robert threw his hands up. “You see what I must deal with, Master Gilbert? Headstrong beyond all hope.”
“I prefer a woman who speaks her mind, sir, believe me, and Nancy and I have been acquainted for so long, I can never take offense at anything she says. I should be happy to dance the set following the upcoming one, Nancy, if that is agreeable.”
“As I have no other gentlemen thronging to escort me onto the dance floor, I can assure you that will do very well, indeed. Thank you, Gilbert.” Her hazel eyes were shining with warm gratitude.