Chapter Twelve
Mrs. Landry introduced Gilbert and Carter to Miss Diana Wells, as well as to the older gentleman who was seated beside her—a Mr. Harper.
She then cleared the way for the two younger men to become better acquainted with the beauty, by asking Mr. Harper to accompany her across the room to speak to a Mr. Willson.
“For I believe he is interested in hearing more about your new litter of puppies,” she had said smoothly, and the gentleman, eager to comply, bowed to the others and followed his hostess.
Gilbert quickly claimed the place on the sofa next to Miss Wells that had just been vacated, while Carter took a seat on an upholstered chair positioned to the right.
“Miss Wells,” Gilbert began, “I must tell you something. I believe the memory of this evening will linger in my mind for all time.”
She smiled at him, a bemused expression on her face. “Oh? And why would that be, Mr. Kendall?”
“Because you are the first young lady to whom I have been introduced since arriving in town two days ago. And, I must say, in but an instant, you have made a lasting impression upon me. Truly, if I may be so bold, I am certain no other lady I may meet in the coming weeks can possibly hope to surpass you in beauty and grace.”
She raised her eyebrows and a small smile played at her lips.
She turned to Carter and asked, “Tell me, Mr. Milbourn, is your companion always so bold in his statements? Goodness, I am quite taken aback at his declaration. What is that old saying—one ought not judge a book by its cover? With such lofty praise of me so quickly upon meeting, I greatly fear he may become disappointed upon knowing me better. It may be for the best that I depart at once.”
Gilbert felt the tips of his ears turn warm, even as his heart leapt at her words: knowing me better. Truly, that would be his dearest wish.
Carter laughed. “Mr. Kendall is not one to hold back on his opinions, I can assure you, Miss Wells. But, pray, do not let his flattery dissuade you from becoming better acquainted. He is as sincere and good a gentleman as you could ever hope to meet.”
“Fine words, sir,” she replied to Carter before her eyes flitted over to Gilbert. “Can you live up to them, do you think, Mr. Kendall?”
Gilbert considered attempting to look humbled by the compliment.
Instead, he grinned and winked. “Carter is my most amiable friend, Miss Wells, so, naturally he would speak well of me.” He placed one hand over his heart.
“However, I assure you that he only utters the truth. As for your comment on a book’s cover, I cannot imagine the content of your mind and heart do not perfectly match the beauty of the exterior. ”
Diana gave a small laugh. “Heavens! Your attentions will go straight to my head, sir. Perhaps we should change the topic of conversation from me to you. Are you visiting? Where is your home? Or do you live here in town?”
“Carter lives in town, but my home is Clayton House, a fine estate in Kent. The nearest community is Doddington, a market town which boasts many shops and businesses. It is a charming place. I should dearly hope to show it to you one day.”
“I see. And, how do you like it here, sir? Are you come for the Season?”
“We both are, Miss Wells. Although I have only just arrived, I look forward to exploring all the delights of the city. Still, the liveliness might well wear on me after a time. I prefer the country and hope to settle there, when I marry.”
“At your family home, no doubt. Clayton House, did you say it was? So, am I to presume you are the eldest son?”
Gilbert kept a smile on his face, but inwardly cursed himself.
How could he make such a stupid mistake?
Now, he would be forced to admit that he was only a second son and perhaps watch her interest fade.
Before he could think of a reply, the butler announced in a sonorous voice that dinner was served.
The three stood, and Gilbert bent closer and said in a low voice, “I hope we may continue our conversation at dinner, Miss Wells.”
“Perhaps,” Diana said. “Excuse me, I must join my aunt.” She smiled and then drifted away to join an older lady across the room.
Gilbert was disappointed to find he was seated far down the table from the enchanting Miss Wells.
In fact, it vexed him greatly to see that Carter was situated closer to her than he.
His one consolation was that he and Carter were the only two males remotely close in age to Miss Wells, so there was not much competition for him.
The other male guests were either married or too old for her.
He gazed at her as she spoke with the gentleman on her left.
Such poise, perfection, and beauty. Gilbert supposed she was between eighteen and twenty years—a perfect age for him.
He was lost in thought considering how he might next arrange a meeting with her when he heard his voice called in an insistent tone and realized his hostess was speaking to him.
He turned to see her looking at him with a raised eyebrow.
“Forgive me, Mrs. Landry, my mind was… elsewhere.”
She gave a little snort. “I can easily guess where—on the most eligible young lady here. What a pity my own daughter, Mary, has not yet returned from the country where she and Mr. Landry are inspecting our new estate. She and Miss Wells are quite close friends, you see. If Mary were here, you would find more selection for your attentions. But you will meet her soon, I warrant. Mary is lively and also handsome, though I say it myself. She cannot compare in terms of sheer beauty to Miss Wells, but, she is a sweet girl who would enjoy a dance with you at the upcoming assembly on Saturday. I hope you will seek her out.”
Gilbert attempted to focus all his attention on his hostess, even as he heard the musical laugh of Miss Wells from down the table.
Who was entertaining her so? It brought about a flash of envy.
“I look forward to meeting your daughter,” he said, “and would be happy to dance with her, of course. But, sadly, I do not anticipate being at the assembly. For Carter tells me he received no invitation to the event.”
“A minor issue that is easily remedied. Do you see that gentleman with the red waistcoat sitting across from Miss Wells?” At his nod, she continued, “That is Mr. Benedict, and he will act as the master of ceremonies at the assembly. After dinner, I shall introduce both you and Mr. Milbourn to him and he will not only arrange for invitations to the dance, but would be most happy to make introductions to any of the young ladies there with whom you wish to dance. And, of course, you shall be able to dance with my dear Mary.”
“You are most kind, Mrs. Landry.”
“Now, I have only just learned that you are related to Lord and Lady Gillingham. She is your sister, is that correct? Do tell me more of her. I have longed to become acquainted with the elegant lady, but have never known anyone who could introduce us. We have only recently moved into this new… circle.”
Her smile became fixed and her eyes showed a determination to remedy the situation. Gilbert realized that his hostess was a social climber of the first order, asking for an introduction in exchange for inviting him to dinner. Well, that was the game, was it not? He smiled even more broadly at her.
“Oh, yes, Dorothea is a favorite sister of mine. I should be most happy to make an introduction if she comes to town this Season. I do not know for absolute certainty that she will come here, but I did inform her of my plans to attend the Season, so, she may well be considering a visit. If that is the case, I assure you I would be glad to arrange an introduction. I am quite certain she would be delighted to make your acquaintance.”
“Thank you. I so look forward to it, Mr. Kendall,” she cooed, before turning her attention to the gentleman on her left as the first course was cleared away.
Later that evening, when they returned to Carter’s terraced house and were reviewing the evening over glasses of sherry, Gilbert shared his thoughts on the motivation behind Mrs. Landry’s desire to know his sister, Dorothea.
Carter nodded sagely. “It does not surprise me, of course,” he said. “For all persons of minor rank wish to elevate themselves by whatever means they may.”
“Mrs. Landry mentioned her daughter was still in the country. What do you know of the estate, then?”
“It is a sizeable one, so I hear. Mr. Landry is the new heir of the property, you see—the nephew of the previous owner, who passed away without any sons or daughters. That is why, once the Landrys inherited, they moved from the terraced house next to ours to this grander home in a better neighborhood. It was also part of their inheritance. Now, I do not wish to label Mrs. Landry a snob, but, if she can become intimate friends with Lady Gillingham, then it would help her move more easily about in society. I imagine it would benefit her life greatly.”
Gilbert took a sip of his sherry, contemplating this.
“Well,” he finally said, “as I told her, I do not know if my sister will come to town this Season. But if she does, I have no compunction about introducing her to Mrs. Landry. She was kind enough to invite me to dinner with you, and to introduce us to Mr. Benedict that we may secure invitations to the upcoming assembly. All it will cost me is a dance with her daughter, Mary, which I suppose I can easily endure.”
Carter laughed. “Oh, our hostess made of point of bringing her daughter up to me, as well. She nearly made me swear an oath to dance with her next week. I fear such determination to secure us as partners for Miss Mary Landry is likely an indication that the young lady may be… less than beautiful in face and figure.”
Gilbert gave a start. “But—have you never seen her? I thought the family lived next to you.”
“They did, but the city air did not agree with her and so she was sent away to a school in the country. Then I went off to Oxford, so my only recollection of her is from many years ago when she was still a young child.”
“Is she the only daughter?”
“She is the only child. Mr. and Mrs. Landry wish for a good match, of course, but there is my main point. Why should Mrs. Landry push her on you—only a second son? Or on me—my family is not even from the landed gentry class. It tells me that Miss Mary Landry is likely no beauty. Securing our promises for a dance is Mrs. Landry’s way of making certain her child is not left hugging the wall.
I fear we may learn it will be a punishment, indeed, to stand up with her. ”
Gilbert shrugged. “But, as you say, it is only the one dance. We shall be gracious gentlemen, do our duty, and then pursue more attractive and worthy dance partners the rest of the evening.”
Carter lifted his sherry glass in a toast. “Hear, hear. I tell you, Gilbert, I am looking forward to the Season here with great anticipation.”
“No more than I, my friend. No more than I.”