Chapter Nineteen
Lady Dorothea Gillingham took one last, critical look at the arrangements for the tea she was holding that afternoon for Gilbert and his friend.
On one end of the long table placed along the side of the drawing room were the teacups and plates, while platters of delectable treats and pastries took up the remainder of space.
Her best silver service was out. Well, not her very best, that was at Haverstone Estate, of course.
Still, along with the linen and fine china, it all looked very nice, she felt.
She glanced around the room, satisfied with the new placement of the furniture.
She had instructed footmen to bring in more chairs and move the existing pieces around to create small groupings for easy conversation.
Fresh hot-house flowers were positioned throughout the drawing room, adding a bit of color.
She was prepared to act as hostess but felt she would not have to work quite as hard to guide the topics as she would if it were a dinner party.
Mostly, she would be using her time to introduce Gilbert and Carter to some of the better families in town.
Dorothea was certain many of them would be holding dinners and card parties throughout the remainder of the Season, and they would be happy to include her, her brother, and the very amiable Mr. Milbourn, now that they knew of Gilbert’s connection to the Gillingham family.
She wished she had been able to learn more about this Mrs. Landry, whom Gilbert and Carter had asked be invited, but none of her close friends in town could tell her more than what Gilbert had already related: the Landrys had recently been elevated to the gentry and owned a fine estate in Cheshire.
Oh, and the daughter was no beauty. That point had been made quite clearly by more than one acquaintance.
She heard more favorable reports about the heiress, Miss Diana Wells.
Friends had described her as an extremely handsome young lady, with charming, genteel manners.
Lady Denton expressed an opinion that Miss Wells would be engaged before the Season was over, although she had to admit that the young lady showed no particular preference for any young gentleman at this point.
“Miss Wells steadfastly refuses to dance more than once with anyone, but then again, so many wish to dance with her, she is never forced to sit out a set, either,” she had reported.
“Her aunt is quite pleasant, as well, and keeps a close eye on her niece.”
Dorothea had truly looked with anticipation to meeting Miss Wells, but had received a well-written, but polite, note declining the invitation to tea, pleading a prior engagement as an excuse.
In contrast, Mrs. Landry’s acceptance arrived so quickly, Dorothea felt certain the lady must have been sitting at her desk, ink well open, pen at the ready, when the invitation was delivered.
“Dorothea, you have outdone yourself,” a familiar voice called her out of her reverie.
She turned to see Gilbert and Carter, both smiling happily at her. “I am pleased that you are pleased, brother. There should be sufficient food and drink for our guests.”
“I should say so—I must remember to thank your cook.” Gilbert walked over to the food table. “Oh! Are these her almond cakes? Those are my favorite.” He reached for one, but Dorothea gave a playful smack on his hand.
“A gentleman allows his guests to enjoy themselves first, Gilbert. And you will be too busy charming my friends to eat very much, in any case.” At his peeved expression, she laughed and added, “Do not fret, I know there are many more downstairs in the kitchen. You will not go without.”
He grinned at her. “Thank you again, Dorothea, for all your efforts on our behalf.”
“Yes, Your Ladyship,” Carter chimed in. “It is most generous of you.”
“I am quite happy to do what I may to ensure you both have an enjoyable Season,” Dorothea replied. She glanced at the long clock against the wall. “Our guests should arrive any minute now.” She took a seat on the sofa facing the door.
“Who is coming? Did everyone accept your invitation?” Gilbert asked.
“Nearly. Miss Wells and her aunt will not attend. They apparently have some prior engagement.”
Gilbert could not keep an expression of dismay from his face as he exclaimed, “That is unhappy news, indeed. I was so looking forward to her being here.”
Dorothea shrugged and was about to reply when the door opened and her butler introduced the first guests—Mrs. Landry and her daughter, Mary. Fixing a smile firmly on her face, Dorothea rose to greet them, thinking that, of course, the social climbing woman would be first to cross her threshold.
“Mrs. Landry, Miss Landry, you are most welcome,” she said. “Do come in. I believe you are already acquainted with my brother and his friend, Mr. Milbourn.”
Mrs. Landry and Mary curtsied. “Indeed, we are, Lady Gillingham, and our pleasure is only doubled now by meeting you,” Mrs. Landry said.
“We were delighted beyond all measure to receive your gracious invitation to tea. This room is lovely.” She gazed around the room, her eyes fixing on one particular painting.
“Oh, my—what a stunning portrait. Tell me, is that a member of your family?” She crossed the room to it, leaving Dorothea no choice but to follow, leaving the others behind.
“Good afternoon, Miss Landry,” Carter said, smiling warmly. “It is nice to see you again.”
“The pleasure is all mine is the proper response, I know,” Mary said, her gray eyes sparkling in amusement.
“However, there can be no question that my mother’s delight quite exceeds mine or that of any else who might attend.
I think we are all aware she is quite over the moon to be invited here by Lady Gillingham.
” She laughed and looked at Gilbert. “Poor Mr. Kendall is, no doubt, currently regretting his promise to my mother to introduce her to his high-ranked relative.” Her voice dropped to an amused whisper.
“Have courage, sir, the afternoon will pass quickly, though perhaps not quickly enough for you and your sister.”
Gilbert was momentarily unable to think of a reply. Then he forced a laugh and said, “You love to tease me, Miss Landry. I assure you my sister was quite happy to extend an invitation to you both.”
Mary’s eyes danced with amusement as she said, “It would be impolite for me to say you are a terrible liar, Mr. Kendall, so I shall simply thank you again for the courtesy of the invitation.”
More guests arrived at that moment, and as Dorothea went to greet them, Mrs. Landry returned to the trio.
“Such a fine room, do you not think, Mary? It is clear that Lady Gillingham has the most elegant taste. I wonder if she would be willing to advise me on décor at our new home in town. Money is no object, and I am most eager to freshen things up there. What say you, Mr. Kendall?”
“Uh… I suppose it is possible she might. That is, I can not speak for my sister…” Gilbert’s voice trailed off.
Mary’s face burned red with embarrassment. “Mama, I beg you not to ask her such a thing. We do not know her well enough to make such a request, and she is far too busy, I am sure, to be put to such bother.”
Mrs. Landry shrugged. “Well, it was just a thought, my dear. Just a thought. Pray, do not upset yourself. Perhaps she might recommend someone to us. There can be no harm in asking that, I am sure.”
“Mrs. Landry, Miss Landry, may I escort you to the refreshments?” Carter asked.
“I see the tea is being brought in, and I have it on good authority that Lady Gillingham’s cook has an extremely deft hand with pastries.
” He held out his arm to Mary, then gave Gilbert a glance and a small pull of his head. “Is that not right, Gilbert?”
“Oh! Yes, indeed, they are always quite tasty. Mrs. Landry, allow me,” he said, extending an arm to the plump lady to follow Carter and Mary.
From across the room, Dorothea looked on. While she was willing to give this upstart woman a fair shake, her intuition was telling her quite strongly that Mrs. Landry was not someone in whose company she would wish to spend many hours.
While I may not be able to now escape the acquaintance with the Landrys, I fully intend not to repeat this invitation, if at all possible. Oh, the things one does for one’s family.