by Fanny Finch
“Perhaps not for Lord Price,” Hestia replied softly. “I am sure Miss Drusilla is quite happy with the arrangement.”
Eugenia gave her a skeptical look. “I do not think so, Hestia. Surely you saw the way she looked at Lord Leander. She was not interested in being with him at all. Why, she made it look like a chore!” Eugenia gave a heavy sigh. “I am sure if you were to be his bride, you would not react that way in his presence.”
Hestia remembered how she had thought the same thing earlier.
“I just want you to know, Hestia,” Eugenia sat forward, placing one hand on her friend’s knee. “You are dearly loved and respected in my home. I am aware that you only took this position to make money because you are worried about your family. And yourself. It is good to secure one’s future as soon as one can.”
Hestia nodded.
“I know you are an independent woman but I would like to help you if I can. It may be your job to help me find a husband but I see no reason why we can’t help each other, as friends. I would like to see if there is any chance this Lord Price can be swayed from his arrangement with Miss Drusilla.”
“Oh, Eugenia, I do not know if you should do that.” Hestia put one hand up to her cheek, feeling how warm it was. She knew she was blushing and lowered her head.
“Do not be embarrassed, Hestia. Oh dear, now I have made you feel bad again. I am so sorry. I just want to help you. I know you deserve a good man, just like the rest of us. Someone you can love with all your heart. You deserve that, Hestia. You really do.”
Hestia’s mind was whirling with possibilities. She had not gotten the impression Leander was completely devoted to Miss Drusilla. Perhaps there was something Eugenia could do to help her. But at that moment, she could not think of anything.
“You cannot deny how you were gazing at Lord Price, Hestia.” If it was possible, Eugenia dropped her voice even further, her eyes directly on her friend. “There is no doubt in my mind that he is the type of man well suited to you.”
“But you have never met him before this, have you?”
Eugenia cast a glance across the room to where he was standing, shaking her head. “I had not met him before. But I am just as sure that you needed no time to distinguish him from the other men in the room.”
“I bumped into him,” Hestia said as a confession. “I had no choice but to choose him from the other men in the room.”
“You were embarrassed by that and how did he treat you? Did he react as though you had harmed him?”
“No, he was very gracious.”
“He thought you were attending as a lady, did he not?”
“He did.” Hestia nodded, thinking back to how he had looked at her. His interested eyes were the first thing she had noticed.
“Then you must agree that it would be quite a good match for you both. You are a beautiful, bright, brilliant woman and you deserve to be happy with the man you choose to marry.”
“That may be so,” Hestia replied, hesitantly. “But my outer attributes cannot compare to the wealth Miss Drusilla can bring to his family.”
“I cannot imagine Lord Price truly needs her money.”
“That is beside the point, Eugenia, and you know it.” Hestia gave her friend a smile. “You are sweet for trying to pair me with him but he is too much of a gentleman and I am just a lowly companion.”
Eugenia’s smile disappeared from her face and she gazed at Hestia with disappointment. “I do not ever want to hear you describe yourself as lowly again. You are far from lowly. You are more deserving than many of the women in this room.”
Hestia had to admit her friend’s compliments made her feel happier. She was still blushing, this time from the warmth she felt from Eugenia. She looked up at her, keeping her chin down. Eugenia patted her knee again.
“You leave it to me, Hestia. I am going to do whatever I can to make this happen for you. I have never seen anyone shine so radiantly when she looks at a man as you did when you looked at his lordship.”
Hestia pulled in a deep breath. Had she been so obvious? She swallowed hard. Her feelings were mixed. She did not know whether to be embarrassed or relieved that she did not have to hide it from her friend.
“I am not sure you should intervene on my behalf, Eugenia.” Hestia had to object to her friend’s offer just one more time. She knew, though, that she was going to give in at some point. She had learned that when Eugenia wanted something done, she had the fortitude and will to make it happen.
“Nonsense, Hestia,” Eugenia replied in a firm voice, giving her knee a final light tap. “I know what’s best for you.”
Hestia held in a giggle, looking across the room to where Leander and Miss Drusilla were still mingling. They had made a wide circle around the room and were now facing the young women. At least, Leander was facing them. Miss Drusilla had her back turned to them and was talking animatedly with the people in front of her. Hestia recognized the two young women as cousins to Baron Wake’s sons, nieces to the baron.
She scanned the young man they were with. He was tall and held one arm in front of him and the other behind his back, like a soldier. His hair was combed and he held the air of someone with great authority.
Her first thought was whether he would be eligible for Eugenia. She looked at him for a prolonged period of time, until she became conscious of it and broke off the stare abruptly. When she slid her eyes away, they immediately fell on Leander’s.
She could not read the look on his face when their eyes met.
How long had he been staring at her? Had he noticed her eyes were directly on the young man he was speaking with?
She shifted uncomfortably and dropped her head, her eyes darting rapidly around the room as if looking for someone.
“Are you all right?” Eugenia asked.
She looked at the young woman. “I am fine.”
“I think it would be best if we took our leave early tonight, Hestia. I will figure out a plan in the morning. Or perhaps while I am resting tonight.” Eugenia stood up, holding out her hand to Hestia.
Hestia took the outstretched hand somewhat unwillingly. She was reluctant to leave when Lord Leander was still in the room. Perhaps he would want to talk to them again.
Her eyes flickered back to Leander but he was no longer looking at her. He had a neutral look on his face and he was chatting with the young man. She wished he would look up once more, just once before she left the room.
But he did not look at her again.
She followed behind Eugenia, still hesitant but knowing her place dictated her behavior.
They were in the carriage heading back home, only to return the next morning for activities, before Hestia knew it.
Hestia could not get Leander out of her mind. She ran back through her memory, replaying their accidental meeting, their brief conversation. She felt the same overwhelming feelings, as if she was reliving the moments as she walked beside him.
She had felt so… comfortable. As if she was right where she was supposed to be.
But her dedication to her job would remain steadfast. How would he feel, if Eugenia was successful at engaging with Leander on occasion, being seen with a companion, instead of the lady?
The carriage jostled her out of her thoughts and she put one hand down to balance herself. She looked at Eugenia, who was resting her head against the side of the carriage, her eyes closed.
Hestia did not realize how tired she was until she saw Eugenia half-asleep. Suddenly, she could not wait for her bed.
Before she knew it, she was snuggled under the covers in her bed, looking up at the ceiling. How tired she was to be wide awake and thinking!
Her room was a bit chilly. Perhaps that was what kept her awake.
She smiled at her own thoughts. It was probably not the temperature of the room that made her mind race and her heart beat just as quickly. She was thinking of Leander, wondering when she would come across him again.
If only she had met him last season!
But it had not happened and she was destined to lose out on the finest of gentlemen because of her chosen occupation.
Her mind and heart wrestled with each other. Her heart longed for the love and affection she could imagine having with Leander. Her mind was strict and harsh, providing the reality of her situation whenever she felt giddy about the possibilities.
She did not want to live out her life as a spinster. On the other hand, her youth was ticking by. The years when she was supposed to be a highlight of the evening were being spent in servitude to another, younger lady of the ton.
She held nothing at all against Eugenia and was quite fond of her. She could not see Eugenia as anything less than a sister.
She knew the choice was in her hands. It was a blessing that the lady she’d become a companion to was such a dear friend. Her employment was not in question.
But how it would look to the onlookers of the ton, those with prying, suspicious, judging eyes… how would Leander feel about such a thing? The rumors and innuendos would run rampant.
She could hear Eugenia in her mind, reprimanding her gently, “You know so many people in London, Hestia. I am simply amazed by it. You may not know them all deeply but you are able to speak to them without faltering. How is it you do that?”
“I have a good memory, I suppose,” Hestia had replied.
Her memory was betraying her that night, though. It would not quiet down.
She closed her eyes and waited for sleep to take her into the next day.
Chapter 10
Leander looked down when Miss Drusilla grabbed his arm. She was dragging him to yet another group of people she had yet to target.
He wondered what he had done to be put through such torture. He had been praying properly, attending church, and doing his best to be a good man. But yet he found himself the victim of harsh cruelty.
He smiled for the new group of people, two of which he was already familiar with. He barely caught the names of their wives, bowing lightly at them. His mind had been distracted ever since meeting Lady Eugenia and Hestia.
The evening was wearing on and eventually, he was able to break away from Miss Drusilla, giving the excuse of exhaustion, which was not a lie. He made his way around the small groups of people remaining and headed for the veranda.
He was simply exhausted from the evening. He had prepared himself before coming. The talk with his father did not make it easier on him. But he had not prepared well enough. He thought he had rested up enough and would be able to brace himself for the impact of Miss Drusilla’s uncouth behavior.
But repeatedly apologizing to people he barely knew, and those he knew well, had drained him of all energy.
He was under no obligation to stay and continue on with Miss Drusilla. He was free to leave whenever he chose. Many people already had. He did not want to leave, however, until he had one more opportunity to speak with Lady Eugenia. And Hestia.
He moved around a large potted plant and pushed open the door to the veranda. The night air was a little chilly and brushed up against his cheeks, giving him a momentary chill. He looked across the veranda where two people were standing. It was an older couple. Both were looking up at the moon that hung in a crescent in the dark sky.
He scanned the green lawn beyond the veranda. He walked to the edge of the veranda and looked down. He was flanked by two sets of stairs that would take him down to the grassy hills where croquet hoops were already set up.
There were a few people wandering down the small paths below, and a couple sitting under torchlight in the distance.
He did not see Lady Eugenia or Hestia. He turned back with disappointment. He supposed he had already missed them. He tried to think back to when the last time was he had seen them.
It had been shortly after their introduction. He had not been able to speak to them after that. Miss Drusilla had taken all of his attention. And it was not that she had wanted his attention. He was expending all his energy making sure she did not make a complete fool of herself.
He did not want her to have a terrible reputation. He did not think she was evil. He just found her to be an embarrassment, an unmannered, brash young woman he did not want to spend his time with.
His father had placed him in an awkward situation. He was obligated to be a gentleman. He did not want to embarrass his father. But in the meantime, he was embarrassing himself because he was supposed to be courting Miss Drusilla.
He placed his hands behind his back and grunted.
“Lord Price?”
He spun around when he heard his name being called. Baron Wake was approaching, a son at each side.
Leander bowed to them each in turn.
“My lords,” he said.
“You look troubled, Lord Price. May I ask if tonight was not up to your expectations?”
Leander shook his head. “I had a splendid time, Lord Wake. Do not trouble yourself with worry about that.”
“I wish for all my guests to have the best time they can. Tell me, what can we do to bring back a smile to your melancholy face?”
Leander chuckled. “You are a generous host, Lord Wake. It is not necessary, however. I am merely tired from socializing for several hours.” And babysitting, he thought, bringing a smile to his face.
“Please take a stroll with me. We decided to get a breath of fresh air, as we considered tonight to be quite successful.”
Leander turned to walk beside Lord Wake as he went down the steps to their right. Both held their hands clasped behind their back. His two sons followed directly behind in complete silence.
“You have chosen a good weekend for your house party, my lord,” Leander said as he walked. “I have not seen such beautiful weather in many years. This is usually a time of heavy rains.”
“This is true, Lord Price,” Lord Wake replied, nodding. “But something told me this would be the weekend to have it. If I might be honest with you, sir, it is because of my daughter, Leanora, that the party was given this weekend.”
Leander raised his eyebrows curiously. He was grateful for a bit of gossip to distract him from his thought of Lady Eugenia and Hestia. “Oh? I saw Lady Leanora earlier tonight. She looked lovely. Has she found a beau?”
Leander was surprised when Lord Wake shook his head as a no. If the party was not a celebration of this happy event for Lady Leanora, he could not imagine what it would be for.
“It is something much more mysterious than that, my lord. May I tell you a story? It is a brief one.”
“Certainly, my lord,” Leander urged him on with a nod.
“Several months ago, my daughter began having recurring dreams. As a child, she was always very sensitive and would describe to us her many dreams in great detail, such were her visions while she was asleep. On several occasions, the events she so innocently described in her dreams would come true in the lives of myself, my wife and children. Even my parents.”
He stopped for a moment but Leander waited for him to continue.
“As she grew, the dreams became less frequent. She may have become used to them and simply chose not to tell us about them anymore. But she reported the recurring dreams after the fourth one, stating that this would be a very important weekend in the lives of many people.”
“Did you mention the weather is typically poor this weekend out of the year?”
Lord Wake smiled. “I did, as a matter of fact. And she told me that it was not a worry. This year, the weather would be pleasant and love would be in the air.”
Leander was taken in by the story. “That is amazing, my lord. I must say I am happy so far.”
Lord Wake nodded at him. “I am glad to hear you say that. When I saw you looking so melancholy on the veranda, I was worried my daughter may have been mistaken. We cannot have any unsatisfied souls at our party.”
Leander chuckled. He knew Lord Wake probably meant no harm. But the tone of his voice implied he would be slightly offended should anyone show dissatisfaction at a party he
gave.
“It is doubtful there will be no hearts broken this weekend, my lord. But hopefully, there will be more unions than partings.”
Lord Wake agreed, smiling at him. “You will be returning in the morning then?”
“I will, yes. There are several games I have been invited to play in and I won’t miss those opportunities.”
He also wanted to see if Lady Eugenia and Hestia would be back. He had a feeling they would be. He was going to make time to talk to them, even if he had Miss Drusilla by his side.
He pulled in a deep breath. Why must he be saddled with Miss Drusilla the entire weekend? He would have no time on his own to relax and enjoy the festivities.
