by Fanny Finch
If given the choice to join Lady Eugenia in family social standing, perhaps she would not consider it a job and would not take money to do various things with her. But the fact would always remain that, in spite of the friendship and bond they had built, Hestia would never be at the same level as Lady Eugenia and her father. Not with the ton.
They walked lightly out onto the large veranda and walked together across the stone floor to the stone wall that surrounded the area. There were stairs that could be taken to the grassy land around the mansion on either side of the veranda. They were wide enough to accommodate five or six people all standing in a row.
The stairs themselves were long as well, making Lady Eugenia and Hestia take another step forward before descending the next step.
Both women were slender. They took the steps to the right arm-in-arm and there was still plenty of room for those who were ascending the stairs.
Halfway down the stairs, Lady Eugenia suddenly stopped. For a moment, Hestia thought she might have seen a suitor that caught her attention. When she looked over at Lady Eugenia, she saw that was not the case. The young woman had spotted the beautiful flower garden.
“Oh my!” she finally said, exhaling slowly. “You were so accurate in your description, Hestia. It is indeed beautiful!”
Hestia smiled. Lady Eugenia was easy to please. She exuded the kind of positive light Hestia wished she had. But her life had been too difficult and she’d grown up having a hard time discovering happiness in what she did.
She tried hard not to be a negative nanny. She did not want the reputation of a woman who had no sense of humor or love for others in her heart.
In fact, she was determined to change that attribute about herself. She was going to find her happiness somewhere.
“Yes, I like for you to see beautiful things, too, Lady Eugenia. I knew you would appreciate it.”
“I doubt we will find any eligible men walking around in the garden.”
“You did not look keen on engaging in the activities going on in the parlor. Nor did you seem interested in the card room or playing cribbage. So I thought the pretty colors of the flower garden would allow you to see there is beauty, even when you are feeling bored.”
Lady Eugenia lifted her eyebrows. “Did I appear bored to you, my dear?”
“I must admit you did, Eugenia. I am sorry to say it. But you did look a bit bored.”
Lady Eugenia frowned lightly, pressing her lips together and bringing the corners down just slightly. Hestia knew her friend’s future husband was going to think that was a very cute look on Lady Eugenia. It made her look sweet, like a small child that you wanted to wrap your arms around and hug tight.
“I do not like to hear that. I hope such words do not return to my father’s ears.”
Hestia snorted softly. “You have nothing to fear, my lady. I am sure the men simply thought you were lost in thought. It was more a wistful look than a bored one. Yes, wistful. You need not worry, Eugenia.”
Lady Eugenia giggled. “Thank you for making me feel better, Hestia. You are a truly good friend.”
Chapter 2
They walked along slowly, still arm-in-arm, in silence for a while. Hestia was fascinated by the many colors and shapes of the flowers. She wondered how the gardener could possibly keep them all in full bloom.
After a few minutes, Hestia looked down at her companion. “Are you all right, Lady Eugenia?”
Her friend nodded. “Yes, I am feeling wonderful. But I have been wondering something and I… I think I will be so bold as to ask you about it.”
Hestia was taken aback just a little. She could not imagine what Lady Eugenia would want from her. “Please do not hesitate, Eugenia.”
“Do you miss being at home?”
It was a peculiar question. “Do I miss being at home?”
“You must miss your family. You are always away from them now. You must want to see them more.”
Hestia took a moment to think about it. She did not want to offend Lady Eugenia by saying that she wished she had never had to take a position as a companion in the first place. She felt Lady Eugenia was an amiable spirit. She would much rather have been her friend than her paid companion.
She did miss her family and being in her bed in her room back home. But it was not her fate. She was destined to work so that her future would not look as dismal as her mother’s future looked.
“I am happy serving you and being your companion, Eugenia. You must know this. I do not complain, do I?”
“No, you do not.” Lady Eugenia flashed a brilliant smile at her. “I am glad of that. But it does not mean you are truly happy. Tell me you do not miss your family.”
“I miss them to an extent, of course. But I am happy to be here with you, as well.”
Her words were not untruthful. She enjoyed making contacts she would not have made this season. She enjoyed eating delicious delicacies and staying warm and clothed. These were incentives that made up for the sense of loss she couldn’t help feeling.
Her position was not one of enviable status. It was degrading and undesirable. But Hestia’s need for a secure future meant more to her than the prestige she may have received by pretending her family was something it was not.
Hestia scanned her friend with a gentle smile. She enjoyed spending time with the young woman. Lady Eugenia was kind and friendly. She never caused drama and rarely complained about anything. Hestia knew other young women of the ton who would not have been so pleasant to be a companion for.
She felt blessed. If she had to be a companion to anyone, she was glad it was Lady Eugenia.
They walked slowly down the path that wound its way through the flower garden. Lady Eugenia made small noises of appreciation every now and then, pointing out different flowers that she now considered her “favorite”.
“When I am married and have my own home, I am going to create something like this, an amazing collection of colors and scents to make my visitors swoon.”
“That sounds lovely, my lady,” Hestia said.
“Would you not want the same for your home?”
Hestia nodded, surveying the garden. “I think so, Lady Eugenia.” She would love to have a home of her own someday but feared it was not to be.
After a few moments, Lady Eugenia squeezed Hestia’s arm, making her look down at the young woman.
“You know, I have been invited to a house party later this evening. It is a party that will last several days, the whole weekend, I expect.”
“Oh?”
“Yes. It is being held at Baron Wake’s huge mansion. Would you like to come?”
Hestia raised her eyebrows. “I am surprised you would ask me, my lady, when you know I am obliged to be with you wherever you are.”
“I am concerned for you, Hestia. I want you to be happy. I do not want this obligation to hold you back from living your life.”
“My life is with you, Eugenia. I am comfortable and happy with you. I enjoy attending these parties with you.”
“You certainly seem to know a lot of people from the ton, considering you are a companion.”
Hestia nodded. “I make myself available when I can. Meeting new people is a joy for me. Last season, I was not a companion. I was a member of society, in the same position you find yourself in. This is the first season I have stepped back for someone else.”
“And you made many contacts last season, did you not?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Why did you not find yourself a husband last season? You are so beautiful and kind. You care about everyone and you have a strong will. You are smart, as well. I suppose this might intimidate some of the men, does it not?”
Hestia smiled widely. Lady Eugenia had one of the softest hearts she had ever known. She was so glad to be a companion to such a lovely young lady.
“I suppose it might.”
“It seems to me you know almost everyone in London.”
Hestia could not help laughing. “Oh,
my lady! There is no way! I know many people but not nearly everyone in London!”
Lady Eugenia laughed with her.
“To be truthful with you…”
“You are always truthful, Hestia.” She gave her friend’s arm another squeeze.
Hestia grinned. “Yes. I was only going to say that my situation at home was not as bad as it became over the last year. I was welcomed last year, had the money for proper attire and accessories. But my father has made some particularly bad decisions lately. I found myself in a position I could not help being in.”
“You are a strong woman, Hestia. I admire you. I’m always telling my father how wonderful you are.”
“You do?” Hestia was a little surprised. Lord Callow could be a difficult man sometimes. It felt good to know Lady Eugenia was on her side and thought so highly of her.
“Of course!” Another squeeze of her arm. “I do not want you to go anywhere but I do wish you the most happiness you can have in your future. Unfortunately, that does mean I will eventually lose you. I can get married and you can continue on as my companion. But when you get married, I will lose you. That saddens me at times but then I just think about how happy you will be.”
Hestia giggled. She felt truly blessed.
“I am willing to listen to you if you need to talk about your family situation, Hestia. I will not judge you.”
Hestia shook her head. “I know you will not judge me, my lady. But I do not wish to dwell on all that is happening at home. It is very private and personal to me. I did not mean to reveal so much earlier.”
Lady Eugenia nodded. “I understand completely, little Hestia. The invitation is open whenever you feel like talking. And if you do not ever feel like talking, that is alright, too.”
“Thank you, my lady, I am grateful for that.”
They were quiet for a moment before Lady Eugenia exclaimed on the beauty of a particular rose bush they were approaching. “It is as though each flower is blooming in perfect symmetry. Look at this.”
Lady Eugenia bent at the waist, letting go of Hestia’s arm. Hestia watched the young woman examine the flowers, touching them lightly with the tips of her fingers.
“They are so delicate.” Lady Eugenia’s voice was soft as she spoke. “It is amazing, the works of God, is it not?”
“Yes, quite,” Hestia responded.
Lady Eugenia straightened and wrapped her hands around Hestia’s arm once again. Hestia felt the warmth from her friend covering her with a soothing calm feeling.
“I do hope we meet some decent men at the house party. I know several that have asked for a dance with me these past few events but I am truly hoping for someone new to come. I do not want to see the same faces every time I go to an event.”
“I understand,” Hestia said, nodding. “Do you have anyone in mind? Anyone at all?”
“I have danced with a few that have caught my interest. But not in a way that makes me look forward to seeing them again. Did you attend a house party at Baron Wake’s last season? I do not know whether he had any parties here. Father says he is new to the area.”
Hestia shook her head, staring at the big house behind them. She could see Lord Faulkner and his son walking in their direction but it was not clear whether the two men were coming to speak to them or not.
As the men got closer, Hestia felt Lady Eugenia’s hand tighten on her arm. She looked down at her. Lady Eugenia looked almost terrified. She had spotted the men, too.
“Eugenia,” Hestia whispered. “Are you concerned to speak to Lord Faulkner and his son?”
Eugenia plastered a frozen smile on her face and spoke through it. “The younger Lord Faulkner has been pursuing me, yes. I suppose he is wondering why I am not participating fully in the games.”
“I am sure he is wondering, if he has been pursuing you.”
“There are other ladies he can be interested in,” Lady Eugenia’s voice was soft and she was still smiling, her eyes on the approaching men. “I do not return his interest. Look at him, Hestia. I do believe he is a foot taller than me and is twice my weight. I have no qualms being with men who are larger than me but I am afraid he does not take my interest.”
“I understand. Is there anything I can do to alleviate the situation for you?”
“I am afraid not. As you are my companion, he would not turn his advances toward you, although you would probably be a suitable mistress for him, should he ever marry.”
Hestia was hurt by her friend’s words and she felt the sting of it slide through her body. Lady Eugenia must have noticed her tensing up because she squeezed Hestia’s arm.
She leaned slightly closer and whispered, frantically, “That was not a slight upon you, my dear little Hestia. That was a slight upon his character. Do not take it the wrong way. You are not the mistress type. I am sorry I said it.”
“It is alright, Eugenia. Do not trouble yourself.”
“No. I will not allow you to feel bad about yourself because of your position. You are a highly respected woman in my eyes and soon you will have your status restored. A proper gentleman will notice your worth and forsake all others to be with you.”
“Those are kind words. I thank you for them.”
Hestia was amused by her rotating emotions. On one hand, she had been so hurt by the first words. Lady Eugenia followed up with words of comfort, making Hestia feel better about her situation with compassion.
Lady Eugenia squeezed her arm once more, still keeping her eyes on Lord Faulkner and his son.
“I do believe they are coming to speak to us, Eugenia. Or to you, I should say.”
“Perhaps. But I cannot show interest. We must find a way to get out of the conversation. There will be men at Baron Wake’s for me to dance with. I do not want to be tied to the younger Lord Faulkner.”
She took a few steps forward and curtsied to the two men.
“My lords. May I introduce you to my companion, Lady Hestia.”
The two men glanced Hestia’s way but their eyes quickly returned to Lady Eugenia. Hestia could see the younger lord’s interest in Lady Eugenia and could not help feeling sorry for her.
Chapter 3
Lord Leander Price, the only child of the Earl and Countess of Coventry, stood up and walked to the dressing table by the window that looked out over the land beyond. Rolling grassy hills, grazing animals, spots of forest trees and a road leading away from the mansion could all be seen from his second-story window.
As the only child, he was solely responsible for adding wealth to his family name and producing an heir so the legacy would continue on. He felt the weight of it every morning when he rose. He was not getting any younger and his parents were getting anxious for him to settle down and get married.
He was set to marry a young lady of the ton, Miss Drusilla Sirey. She was a part of the “new money” society, the daughter of a wealthy merchant. She was, on the surface, desirable as a wife. But despite his parents’ best efforts, Leander had no love for the girl.
His compassion only went so far. She was not well-schooled in manners and made simple mistakes, causing potential embarrassment for Leander, should he decide to go on and marry her. He was keeping his options open, though he knew his parents were pressing for courtship and marriage between them.
He knew his responsibilities. He knew that as a lord, it was his obligation to bring money into the family coffers. But he did not want to marry for money. He wanted to marry for love. He wanted to desire his wife, be attracted to her, have children and live a happy life with her.
He did not see this happening with Miss Drusilla. As lovely as she might be – and even that was a case of “beauty in the eye of the beholder” – he did not love her and did not want to spend his remaining days with her. He was young and healthy. He might live to be a hundred, for all he knew.
He shuddered openly, sitting down at the dressing table and looking at himself in the mirror.
“What shall we do, old boy?” he said aloud to
himself. “Disappoint everyone in the family and run away with a beautiful lady of the ton in the dark of night?”
He grinned. There was no way he would betray his family’s trust in such a manner. He would find a way to avoid marrying Miss Drusilla. But he would never betray his father. In the end, he would do what was right for the family.
Despite the life of misery that might bring.
“Money is not everything,” he said to his reflection.
