Chapter Sixteen
Thanks to the Master of Ceremonies, Mr. Benedict, Gilbert and Carter were properly introduced to many eligible young ladies and secured several dances for the evening.
For his part, Gilbert’s anticipation for his first dance with Miss Wells made him somewhat less than fully attentive to his other partners.
Still, since he did enjoy dancing, Gilbert was pleased to have been accepted by so many young ladies at his first ball.
He noted that Carter even danced a second with Miss Landry, which surprised him greatly, but he put it down to the fact that the Landrys and his family had lived next to each other for a time and Carter was merely being neighborly.
At last, the fifth set arrived and he eagerly crossed the room to Miss Wells. She smiled at Gilbert as he approached and stepped forward, saying, “I have been looking forward to our dance, Mr. Kendall.”
He offered her his arm and escorted her to the floor. “Not half so much as I, Miss Wells. I am certain this dance will please me the most this evening, and linger in my memory for all time.”
“You do love to flatter, Mr. Kendall, and I must call you out for that statement, for I observed you take great pleasure in the dances with other young ladies here.”
She noticed him! That was surely a good indication of her growing affections.
“Yes,” he replied, “however, as I told you the night we met, none can compare to you.” They reached the dance floor and he took his place opposite her.
Her small smile and lowered gaze told him that she was receptive to his praise, even as she had gently rebuked him for his flattery.
The music began and the two wove gracefully in and out of the lines with the others. The last dance had been more vigorous, and Gilbert had hoped the musicians would choose a more leisurely set for the fifth. They had done so, and the more sedate tune allowed the two to speak more readily.
“Tell me, Miss Wells, are you finding the Season to your liking? I am aware that some young ladies feel excessive pressure to shine.”
“I am quite fortunate, then, Mr. Kendall, for my family has put no expectations upon me for any specific results at the conclusion of my first Season. I am but eighteen, after all. I can certainly have a second should I wish.”
“Oh, but, should your heart be captured, would you be averse to accepting an offer? Are you determined, as my friend Mr. Milbourn is, to remain single at the conclusion of the Season?”
She laughed gently and did not reply at first. The steps took them apart for a time, and when they reunited, she only said, “I cannot say what my response would be to any offer, Mr. Kendall. Not at this time, certainly.”
“Still, you should give it some consideration, for one as lovely as you will, no doubt, be the recipient of many offers this Season.”
Her blue eyes widened as she gazed up at her partner. “Gracious, more flattery. You shall raise my expectations beyond all hope, I fear, only to see them dashed when the end of the Season leaves me as unattached as I am at present.”
“If anything, I am convinced you are underestimating your charms. If I may be so bold, I can assure you there certainly will be one declaration for you.”
She frowned slightly and her pale blue eyes appraised him a moment. “Let us change the subject,” she said brightly, with a smile. “Tell me more of your family’s estate. It is in Kent, I believe you said?”
“Yes. Clayton House estate is fairly large, with extensive rental lands attached to it. Although, certainly, I would not claim the home itself as very grand—nothing such as you likely have seen—but we are very attached to it.” Then, before she could pry more out of him, he said, “Now you must tell me of your family home, Miss Wells. It is in Surrey, correct?”
“Yes, so we are nearly neighbors, with Surrey being situated right next to Kent. As for the house’s beauty, like you, I cannot call it grand, but it has been more than suitable for the many generations of the Wells family. I am certain you would think it both modest in size and income.”
“But, I was told you—” Gilbert broke off before he blurted out knowledge of her fortune. He felt his face burn and saw her impish grin.
“You were told I am an heiress with a vast fortune?”
Gilbert felt his face burn. “Miss Wells, I beg you to forgive me, I did not mean to speak thus. It is none of my affair.”
“It is of no matter. The size of my dowry is, sadly, common knowledge, I am afraid. However, I should inform you that the money does not come from my father’s side of the family, but from my mother’s.”
Gilbert nodded with understanding. “I also have an inheritance from my late mother, so I comprehend your situation completely.”
Diana shook her head, laughing. “How dreadful of us to be discussing such matters during our first dance, Mr. Kendall. Pray, do not let word of it slip out—my aunt would be mortified beyond all belief if she were to hear of it.”
“I shall swear to all that we only discussed the weather and ladies’ fashion, Miss Wells. And to that end, may I say once more how lovely your gown is?”
“You may, sir. I thank you.”
The two gave a final spin, then turned to face one another as the music ended. Gilbert bowed to her graceful curtsy, then escorted her back to Mrs. Steele. His heart was soaring with admiration. If only he might have secured a second set earlier.
Lacking a partner for the next dance, Gilbert headed to the refreshment room to quench his thirst. There, he found Carter, who lifted a glass of wine towards him in greeting.
“There you are, Gilbert,” Carter said. “I saw you with Miss Wells. You made a handsome couple.”
“Who could not look well next to such a heavenly creature?” Gilbert poured himself a cup of punch and the two moved to a corner to observe the other guests. “But, of course, she could have no interest in me. My status is likely not lofty enough.”
“Then why did she save a dance for you?” Carter asked, grinning at his friend.
“Save a dance for me? What are you saying?”
“I happened to overhear Denny Finley speaking to Charles Kirkpatrick—insufferable snobs, both of them. Finley was telling Kirkpatrick that he had asked Miss Wells for a set, and when the young lady’s aunt mentioned she had the fifth set free, Miss Wells immediately spoke up and apologized, saying she was holding it for someone special.
As you just concluded the fifth set, I can only assume she spoke of you.
” He chuckled. “Did you not feel the daggers from Finley’s eyes in your back as you danced? He was rather put out, I assure you.”
“I confess it quite escaped my notice,” Gilbert replied in a light tone.
“But I doubt if she truly saved the set for me. It may well be that the gentleman of whom she spoke did not even attend tonight’s festivities, and when she realized it, Miss Wells gave me the courtesy of filling the opening, rather than hug the wall.
I should not read too much into it, if I were you. ”
“As you say. I can only repeat how pleasing it was to see Finley annoyed.”
“He is not such a bad fellow.”
“Maybe not to you—you were closer in social status to him and Kirkpatrick, so they both were somewhat polite to you. They were completely without manners or kindness to the likes of my class. To think I must someday address Kirkpatrick as ‘Your Grace’ galls me beyond all measure.”
“Me, as well. Oh, but, that may not happen for—” Gilbert began.
“Speak of the devil,” Carter interrupted in a mutter, jerking his head in the direction of Kirkpatrick and Finley, who were approaching. Carter turned his attention to his drink.
“Enjoying yourself, Kendall?” Kirkpatrick asked, then, after a pause, added in a voice tinged with barely disguised scorn, “Milbourn.”
Carter nodded, but made no greeting.
“I am having a delightful time,” Gilbert replied. “I never anticipated being able to dance with so many pretty young ladies.”
Finley gave a guffaw. “Pretty? Well, I suppose many of them are tolerable—with the notable exception of Miss Mary Landry, that is. Kind of you to dance with her, Kendall, but I would not have stood up with her for a kingdom.”
“Then you show your utter lack of manners and gentleman-like behavior, Finley,” Carter broke in to the conversation, his tone clearly annoyed. “She is a fine dancer and a very pleasant companion.”
“Yes, I noticed you danced twice with her,” Kirkpatrick said, a smirk on his face. “But then, one of her kind might be the best one of your status could hope for—after all, she is closer to your rank than most, despite her father’s recent elevation to the landed gentry.”
“Why, you—”
Kirkpatrick waved a hand at him. “Ease yourself, Milbourn, I mean no insult to you. Dance with her all night for all I care. But have a care, keep this up and the mother will be writing up the engagement announcement for the papers before the night is out.” He turned his attention to Gilbert, an imperious expression on his face.
“Tell me, Kendall, what is your opinion of Miss Wells?”
“Miss Wells? I suppose she could rightly be called very lovely,” Gilbert said, trying to sound casual. “Witty and intelligent, too, I would say, based on our brief conversations. What is your own opinion?”
Kirkpatrick shrugged. “She might do for some gentleman who hopes to better himself financially, I suppose. But she appears too unworldly to me. The lady I choose will one day be a part of the noble class. As for intelligent? To be honest, during our dance, she seemed rather quiet and utterly lacking in sparkle. I cannot have a shy little thing who has no conversation in her as my wife. Whoever I marry must be able to assume the mantle of position that comes with the Kirkpatrick duchy.”
Gilbert was about to fire off some stinging words of rebuke in defense of Miss Wells, when he realized his good fortune that Kirkpatrick would not be any competition for him.
“Well, to each his own, eh?” he said, instead. “I must find my partner for the next dance. Good to see you, Kirkpatrick, Finley.” He nudged Carter, who nodded at the two gentlemen and followed Gilbert back to the dance hall.
“Wretched snobs,” Carter fumed.
“Pay them no mind, Carter, their opinion of any young lady we dance with is of no consequence.” Gilbert peered at his friend a moment. “But tell me—you do not care for Miss Landry, do you? I confess I was surprised to see you dance with her a second time.”
“You and I are the only two who have been courteous enough to take her to the floor, so far. I only wanted to be kind. Though I must say Finley is a perfect ass in his appraisal of her. She may not have great beauty, but really is quite nice. Do not worry, though, I have no thoughts of marriage to her, or any other lady, as I have already stated.”
“I am glad to hear it,” replied Gilbert. “For there are far too many ladies here with whom we have not yet danced, and I should hate to see you become engaged to anyone at this point.”
“I agree. The rest of the Season lies ahead of us and we must sample all the pleasures we can.”
Gilbert nodded, but inwardly vowed to remain focused on his goal of obtaining the heart and hand of Miss Wells.