Chapter 9 #2
The next day, Mr. Shelley and Lord Gotthurst called on us again. Jeremy, as usual, was with us. In fact, he’d rarely left the house without us, and only for an hour or so, since Juliet’s carriage ride with Mr. Fairweather.
We were just beginning two different conversations, one between Lord Gotthurst and me and the other between Mr. Shelley and Juliet, while Jeremy was mostly silent, when more callers were announced.
“Lady Snowden and Miss Anne Snowden.”
The two ladies entered, and Miss Snowden’s gaze went straight to Jeremy.
After introductions were made, we settled down to one single conversation, which was dominated by Lady Snowden.
“Tomorrow I will be meeting with the board of directors for the orphanage that I patronize,” she was saying. “We will be voting on whom to admit into the orphanage this quarter. There are only six openings at this time.”
“That sounds very difficult,” I ventured to say.
“Yes, it is, Miss Moore.” Her eyelids were so low and her head so high, I couldn’t be sure if she was looking at me or not.
“How do you decide which orphans are admitted and which are rejected?” No one else was speaking so I thought I might as well ask.
“Well, Miss Moore, we pray for the leading of Providence, of course, and we get insight from the children’s sponsors, for each orphan must have a sponsor to be considered.
We also look at their applications, whether or not they seem eager to work hard and better themselves and have families of their own someday, supporting the workforce. ”
“What kind of jobs do they typically train for in the orphanage?”
“In our orphanage we train the girls, first and foremost, to be morally upstanding and to be good servants, so that they are ready to be hired as soon as they are of age. And the boys are trained for various occupations, according to their intelligence and ability. Some are trained as household servants, and others learn a trade, such as carpentry. The worthy ones are grateful for the job skills—where else would they get such skills, being orphans and without the ability to obtain an apprenticeship?—and some we occasionally are forced to expel due to poor aptitude or bad behavior.”
I regretted asking, for it made my heart ache.
Was there no other path for orphans besides servitude?
But perhaps I was looking at it from the wrong perspective.
Someone who has no family or prospects is probably grateful for the chance at any kind of honest occupation.
But that put me in mind of the lady who marries not for love, but for security and comfortable surroundings.
“To whom much is given, much is expected, I always say.” Lady Snowden raised her eyes to the ceiling. “It is my duty to help those less fortunate, and that is why I sit on the board of trustees for one of London’s homes for orphaned children.”
Miss Anne Snowden was smiling at Jeremy this whole time, obviously not listening to her mother.
Miss Snowden began speaking in a low voice to Juliet while Lady Snowden asked Jeremy a question. Mr. Shelley seemed to be included in Juliet and Miss Snowden’s conversation.
“I enjoyed dancing with you last evening,” Lord Gotthurst said, turning to me, his warm brown eyes gazing into mine.
My heart did a little flip.
“I enjoyed it as well. It was a lovely ball, not too crowded. And your company is always welcome.” I hoped I wasn’t being too forward, but Lord Gotthurst made it easy to flirt with him.
After a few more minutes, our two gentleman callers announced it was time for them to take their leave, and I was sad to see them go, especially since they were leaving us with Lady and Miss Snowden.
“My daughter,” Lady Snowden suddenly straightened her shoulders and fixed her eyes on Jeremy, “is very proficient at playing and singing. I should very much like to invite you and your sister for dinner to hear her, Mr. Beaumont. Can you come on Thursday?”
I wondered if Jeremy would realize she hadn’t invited me. Instead of being embarrassed, I had to force myself not to laugh at her blatant rudeness.
“Well, yes—”
“I’m afraid I cannot come unless my friend, Miss Amelia Moore, is also invited,” Juliet said, cutting off her brother. “She is staying with us.”
It was as if Lady Snowden were seeing me for the first time as she looked me up and down from beneath lowered lids. “Mm, yes, of course. My invitation includes your guest, Miss Moore.”
I gave her a tiny nod, but she gave no indication she noticed.
Lady Snowden’s voice rose. “My Anne is so proficient at embroidery. You should see the beautiful things she makes. And her voice . . . more than once I have heard it described as angelic. You shall judge for yourself,” she was saying to Jeremy.
“Mama, you exaggerate my skill.” Miss Snowden looked down and shook her head slightly. “My voice is ordinary, and my playing is nothing out of the common way.”
“Well, Mr. and Miss Beaumont shall judge for themselves on Thursday. Come, it is time.”
They took their leave, and I noticed Jeremy followed them out. We heard him bidding them farewell at the front door.
“It almost seems as if Miss Snowden may make a conquest of my brother.” Juliet looked thoughtful, but then immediately her face lit up and she said, “What of Mr. Shelley and Lord Gotthurst calling on us so soon after the ball? A conquest of our own, I daresay.” She gave one of her characteristic squeals—low and subdued so as not to invite a scolding from either Jeremy or the housekeeper, Mrs. Smith, who spoke in such low tones sometimes that I could barely hear her.
I smiled, trying to meet Juliet’s enthusiasm, but strangely, I felt bothered by the thought that Jeremy Beaumont might become Miss Snowden’s conquest. Was it that he should become her conquest, a person who seemed shallow and insincere? Or was it that he should become the conquest of anyone?
I shoved the thoughts away. It hardly mattered, since I disliked him. It was Lord Gotthurst who paid me particular attention. He was young and handsome and agreeable, and I was determined only to think of him.