The Marriage Market

by Cathy Spencer

  “How lovely, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook. Do sing another. What about you, Mr. Wovington? Do you sing?” Miss Pursing asked, talking over her parents’ conversation.

  “I do not sing at all, Miss Pursing. In fact, I contribute to the enjoyment of the evening by abstaining. Besides, someone must play the part of the appreciative audience, which I do very gladly.” He added in a low tone to the young lady, “You play with such feeling, Miss Pursing.”

  “Thank you, sir,” she responded with glittering eyes. “Tonight is such a treat. I do not often have the opportunity to play for people who appreciate music as much as I. Mother and Father are so occupied with the farm. And I am so excited about Mrs. Edward’s concert next week – are you not, Mr. Wovington? I am sure that Mrs. Edwards must be a very sophisticated lady if she has performed in London. What will she wear, I wonder? Oh my, I wonder what I should wear? Have you attended many concerts, Mr. Wovington? Perhaps you could advise me on what ladies wear to such events? Or perhaps Mrs. Ladbrook would know better?” She waited breathlessly for a response, looking from James to Victoria.

  Victoria smiled. “My dear Miss Pursing, I would be happy to advise you on what to wear, if you think that I would be a better judge than your mother.”

  “Oh yes. Mother does not attend many concerts or theatricals. She prefers to sit at home most evenings, do you not, Mother?”

  Mrs. Pursing, who had fallen silent again, smiled and said, “Aye.”

  “Well then, Miss Pursing, I will take you upstairs to my room before you leave and show you some possibilities from amongst my wardrobe.”

  Miss Pursing said, “Oh that is most kind of you, Mrs. Ladbrook. You are very good to me. Now, will you and Mr. Ladbrook sing for us again, or would you like to hear a new piece that I learnt just last week?”

  Two hours later, Victoria and David finally escorted their neighbours to the door while James waved farewell from the foot of the staircase. By the time Victoria and David rejoined him in the drawing room, James was sprawled on a comfortable chair in front of the fire.

  “Would you care for a brandy before bed, James?” David asked, detouring to a drinks tray containing a decanter and some glasses.

  “I would love one,” James responded.

  Victoria sank into a chair across from her guest and slipped off her shoes beneath the edge of her gown. “Thank you, darling,” she murmured as David handed her a glass before passing one to James. “Well, I think that we made some fine music tonight, if I say it myself. Miss Pursing plays very well, does she not?”

  “Yes indeed, Victoria. She fairly flew through her music. Between her playing and her conversation, I am truly exhausted.”

  Victoria smiled. “Youthful enthusiasm, James. I do not think that her mother and father provide Miss Pursing with many social outlets, especially now that her sister has married and moved away.”

  David said, “She is a pretty girl and a skilful player. I am glad that we can treat her to the concert next week, Victoria. I think that she spends too much time alone with her parents.”

  “I am in perfect agreement with you,” Victoria responded, stealing a look at James.

  The following Sunday, David, Victoria, and Miss Pursing met James at the entrance to the concert hall. Miss Pursing looked very well in a white muslin gown embroidered with pink, yellow, and blue flowers. The friends made their way inside slowly, nodding at acquaintances and stopping to speak to two or three people before finally taking their seats. Miss Pursing was given a chair on the aisle, and Mr. Wovington sat next to her. The room was abuzz with conversation, the noise of the musicians tuning their instruments adding to the din. After several minutes, the musicians fell silent and the soloist made her entrance, escorted to a white podium by the violinist. The crowd hushed, the musicians commenced playing, and Mrs. Edwards opened her mouth to sing.

  The audience listened with obvious enjoyment, but none with more rapt attention than Miss Pursing. Wovington glanced at her from time to time, noting her enthrallment. At the end of each piece, the young lady applauded enthusiastically, her eyes glistening with tears. Of course, Mrs. Edwards saved her most brilliant performance for the finale. As her voice rose to a soaring crescendo, Miss Pursing inhaled sharply and clutched James’ arm. When the last notes had faded away, she sighed and turned to smile at the gentlemen. Suddenly realizing the liberty she had taken, Miss Pursing quickly released his arm and flushed in embarrassment.

  “Oh, I do beg your pardon!” she exclaimed. “I was quite overtaken by the music.”

  “Not at all, Miss Pursing,” James responded with a smile. They looked into each other’s eyes while the audience applauded and the soprano prepared for an encore. “Would you like to meet Mrs. Edwards when the concert is over?”

  “Oh, Mr. Wovington, are you in earnest? However will you manage it?” Miss Pursing asked, clasping her hands together in ecstasy.

  “It will be no trouble, Miss Pursing. Mrs. Edwards’ agent is an acquaintance of mine. I am sure that Mrs. Edwards would be pleased to meet such an ardent admirer.”

  Miss Pursing was aflutter at the prospect of meeting the renowned soloist, and the Ladbrooks were delighted to be included in James’ plan. They remained in their seats when the performance was over, waiting until James spotted the agent at the concert hall entrance. He approached the gentleman and chatted for a moment before returning with him and making the introductions. At last the great lady appeared, attired in a midnight blue silk gown with a matching feathered turban.

  When Miss Pursing was presented to Mrs. Edwards, the red-faced, tongue-tied young lady could barely stammer, “P-pleased to meet you.” It was not until after the soloist and her agent had departed that Miss Pursing’s tongue loosened.

  “Oh Mr. Wovington, I will never forget this moment. I am so excited that I may burst! Thank you over and over again for arranging the introduction. I cannot wait to tell my music teacher, Mr. Davis. He will be astonished that I actually met Mrs. Edwards. I will never forget this evening. Thank you again, Mr. Wovington. And you, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook, for inviting me!”

  “You are most welcome, Miss Pursing,” Victoria responded, smiling at the young woman. “I hope that your excitement has not taken away your appetite.”

  “Oh no, I am famished,” the girl said with a pretty flush to her cheeks.

  Miss Pursing did not have much to say during the dinner at the Crown, but her eyes were busy stealing glances at Mr. Wovington across the table. James noticed the looks and smiled at her. She smiled back with naked admiration in her starry eyes. Every man fortunate enough to have experienced such admiration knows how powerful the effect can be, and James was not immune. Victoria observed the exchange, and judged the evening a success.

  Chapter Eight ‒ Competition

  A portion of a letter from Mrs. Joseph Greene to Mrs. David Ladbrook:

  March 26, ______

  “Dearest Victoria,

  It sounds as if your matchmaking is progressing well. How impressed Miss Pursing must have been when Mr. Wovington arranged her introduction to Mrs. Edwards. I can just imagine the scene: the trembling young girl standing before the musical goddess, waiting to be introduced, while the gentleman smiles in the background. Certainly Mr. Wovington is quite personable and charming, and I would wager that Miss Pursing is smitten with him. Can you guess how the gentleman feels about the young lady, however? My acquaintance with Mr. Wovington has been somewhat limited, but I have the impression that he is a gentleman of some worldliness and experience. Do you imagine that a sheltered young woman like Miss Pursing can captivate a man like Wovington for long?

  Meanwhile, what improvements do you mean to make to the garden this spring?”

  __________

  “David, look what we received in the morning post,” Victoria said as they shared a pot of tea in the morning room. She was writing letters at the table while David studied the estate ledger.

  “What is it, my love?” he responded without looking up.
>
  She held up a thick sheet of creamy engraved paper. “The Pursings are holding a ball at Bailey Hall the Saturday after next. Mr. Pursing has included a note saying that they are inviting James, too. We must ask James to stay the weekend with us should he decide to come.”

  David put down the ledger and rubbed his eyes. “With her parents hosting the ball, Miss Pursing will be the centre of attention, for once. I am glad that she will be given this opportunity to shine. As to James, do you think that it was the young lady’s idea to invite him, or do I detect your influence there?”

  Victoria rose from her chair with a small, self-satisfied smile, and walked around the table to David’s chair. He opened his arms wide, and she sat down in his lap and nestled against his chest. “Actually, I am really quite pleased with myself, David. I know that Miss Pursing admires James, and I believe that he finds her charming. They only need opportunities to become better acquainted before something develops. I did mention to Mr. Pursing that a dance would be just the thing to chase away our winter doldrums, and see how richly the hint has paid off!”

  David shook his head while Victoria beamed at him. He considered her for a moment before saying in a low, menacing voice, “You are a dangerous woman, Mrs. Ladbrook. I think it only fair to distract your conniving female mind from poor James for a time.” Victoria squealed as he jumped to his feet and carried her out of the room.

  The ball occurred on a soft April evening. Bailey Hall was a one-storey, sprawling building located on a principal parish road. The laneway leading up to the entrance was just wide enough to allow carriages to turn around and drive away again after depositing their occupants. Light streamed from the front entrance where Mr. and Mrs. Pursing and their daughter stood welcoming their guests. Mr. Pursing greeted each gentleman with a clasp of the hand or a slap on the back, while Mrs. Pursing dispensed nods and gracious smiles. Miss Pursing, in pale pink silk and matching slippers, greeted her guests with shy smiles and words of welcome.

  When it was their turn to enter the foyer, Mr. Pursing greeted James with a slap on the shoulder. “Glad to see you, Wovington. Good of you to make the trip from town.”

  “Very kind of you to include me, sir,” James responded. Turning to his hostesses, he remarked, “Mrs. Pursing, you look especially well tonight. Miss Pursing, you are dazzling in that gown. Tell me, do you have any dances free, or am I too late?”

  “I have the third available, sir,” she responded with hopeful eyes.

  “Please save that one for me – it will be the highlight of my evening. But you must not allow me to detain you from your other guests." He departed after another bow, Miss Pursing’s eyes trailing after him.

  The ballroom was a large, rectangular space lit by double wall sconces and a fire blazing in a huge stone hearth. Comfortable chairs were grouped around the edges of the room for those who preferred conversation to dancing. The musicians were gathered on a small wooden balcony suspended above the dance floor, while double-doors led into a walled garden.

  The Ladbrooks mingled with the other guests, greeting friends and introducing James to them. At one point, Victoria leant towards him and whispered, “There are so many unattached young ladies here tonight, James. I am sure that your company will be much in demand. You are such a fine dancer.”

  “Their happiness will be my only concern, Victoria. By the way, will you save the second dance for me? I am sure that Ladbrook has engaged you for the first, but he cannot monopolize you for the entire evening.”

  Victoria exchanged a smile with her husband before answering, “Very happy to, sir.”

  David offered his arm to his wife and they left to join the other couples converging on the dance floor. “David, who is that with Miss Pursing?” Victoria asked, nodding toward their young hostess and her escort. Miss Pursing was dancing with a tall young man sporting a sleek moustache. Her escort was more plainly dressed than many of the other gentlemen, but he carried himself with an air of superiority.

  “That is John Davis, my dear, a local music teacher. I believe that he instructs Miss Pursing on the pianoforte. He is a gifted musician. I have heard him play.”

  Victoria peered over her shoulder at Mr. Davis. He was a graceful dancer and the couple moved well together. Victoria also noticed the frequent smiles that Miss Pursing bestowed upon him.

  “Hmm. I sense James may have some competition there, David. Miss Pursing and Mr. Davis look very comfortable together, almost too familiar. But a music teacher cannot be worth much. His clothes and boots are satisfactory enough, but not nearly as fine or as stylish as James.’”

  “As James' what?” the gentleman inquired, having just arrived to claim her for the second dance.

  “Oh, David and I were just watching Mr. Davis and Miss Pursing dancing together. He is her piano teacher. I was just commenting to David that they looked very well together, but as you yourself are such an elegant dancer, you would have the advantage of him.”

  “Where is this Mr. Davis?” Wovington asked, looking around the room as he led Victoria out onto the dance floor.

  Victoria nodded in the teacher’s direction. He was speaking to Mr. and Mrs. Pursing while Miss Pursing returned to the floor with another partner.

  “Handsome enough, if you like facial hair,” James said.

  “Well James, if I were you, I’d be careful,” Victoria said as they joined in the dancing. “You know how Miss Pursing adores music, and if Mr. Davis is as gifted a musician as David thinks, she is bound to admire him. Besides, music lessons can encourage familiarity between instructor and pupil.”

  “I understand you, Victoria,” Wovington replied. “Just how would you advise me to counter this unfair advantage?”

  “Really, James, I do not think that you need any advice on impressing the ladies from me. Especially Miss Pursing, who is already impressed, I believe.”

  Wovington danced closer to Victoria and murmured, “Mrs. Ladbrook, you are absolutely diabolical at times.”

  She smiled back at him and said, “I rather see myself on the side of the angels, James, with your happiness as my reward.” James bowed, the dance finished, and they rejoined David, who was conversing with a distinguished older gentleman and his wife.

  “I return your wife, Ladbrook,” James said. “Do me a favour and keep her dancing. She is much too dangerous to leave idle.”

  “I come to claim Mrs. Ladbrook for the third dance, sir,” the older gentleman said with a bow.

  “I leave you in good hands then, Victoria,” James said, bowing in turn and taking his leave. It was time to claim Miss Pursing for the third dance. He weaved his way through the crowd until he came upon the young lady giggling behind her fan with two female friends. He led her away from her companions with a nod, and they watched him appreciatively as he steered Rose to the dance floor.

  “Miss Pursing,” he said, as they began their dance, “I have been watching you this evening.”

  “You have, sir?” she said with round eyes.

  “Yes. You are a gifted dancer. No doubt your musical talent upon the pianoforte has assisted you there.”

  “Really, sir? How so?”

  “You understand the nuances of a piece – the rhythm, the flow, the passion. It’s apparent in your dancing as well as in your playing.”

  “You flatter me, Mr. Wovington,” was all poor Miss Pursing could manage to say. She was not accustomed to receiving such compliments from gentlemen.

  A few minutes later, the girl ventured to say, “Are you enjoying yourself, Mr. Wovington?”

  “Very much, Miss Pursing. For a country hall, the room is very suitable, if a trifle too warm, and the company is charming, especially our lovely young hostess.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Wovington. You look very handsome yourself, but then you always do.” Miss Pursing ducked her head at her daring remark while James smiled down at her. Mr. Davis glared at James from the edge of the dance floor.

  The musicians called for a short break, and Jam
es suggested a stroll in the garden. Miss Pursing studied her slippers for a moment.

  “I do not know what to say, Mr. Wovington. No one else is going out into the garden. I’m not sure that my parents would approve.”

  Wovington shrugged. “Come, Miss Pursing. What harm could there be in a breath of fresh air? I’m sure that your parents would not want you to overheat yourself. Perhaps you could catch your mother’s eye and indicate that you are going into the garden so that she’ll know where you are?”

  But the young lady’s parents were occupied with guests on the other side of the room, and Miss Pursing could not catch their attention. She hesitated a moment longer, but allowed James to escort her outside.

  The air was appreciably cooler outside, with moonlight the only illumination upon the stone path. The daffodils were past their prime in the flower beds, but the magnolia trees were still blossoming. James led the girl to a wooden bench tucked into a private corner next to a marble cupid.

  “Shall we sit for a moment before returning to the hall, Miss Pursing?” She nodded and perched on the edge of the bench, fixing her eyes upon the path. Her arms and shoulders were as white as alabaster in the moonlight. Wovington sat down beside her and was about to take her hand when they heard footsteps rapidly approaching on the path. The music teacher suddenly rounded the corner and skidded to a stop. He straightened his jacket and proceeded toward the couple at a more sedate pace. Miss Pursing stared at him while James rose from his seat.

  “Miss Pursing, I am very glad to have found you,” Mr. Davis said. He nodded toward James. “I do not believe that I know your companion.” Miss Pursing made the introductions; James bowed while Davis nodded brusquely. “How do you know Wovington, if you do not mind my asking?”