by Leenie Brown
“It is pleasant to see him,” Miss Grace said.
If words could be sighed, Miss Grace’s pleasure at Roger’s presence had been, and Victoria could see why Roger was hoping to rid himself of the young woman’s attentions. Grace oozed what Roger would call the toxic fumes of the death of a bachelor, who would most likely not go to his final resting place, meaning his marriage chamber, willingly. Victoria felt her cheeks heat at her thoughts. He was shocking even when he was not present.
“I was surprised by his arrival.” She looked at her companion. “He is not here to find a wife.”
“Oh, I know,” Grace assured her. “But he might change his mind.”
“I very much doubt it. There is no delicate way to say this, but I would have you be warned. Mr. Shelton’s reputation is not… well… it is not good. He is a charmer, who is looking for some fun and not a wife. He will flirt, but he will not offer marriage.”
“Do you wish to marry him?”
Victoria blinked. That was a very forward question. “I… I… I do not have any intention of marrying just yet.”
“You do not?” The question was accompanied by a look of utter horror. “But do you not fear being thought of as on the shelf?”
“Not yet.” In a year or two that might become a concern.
The young woman next to Victoria gave her a perplexed look as if such a thing were too difficult to comprehend.
“I should very much like to marry,” Grace said with some feeling.
That was not a great revelation to Victoria, but it was a good opening to discover information she could use to keep Roger unfettered. “You are so young. Why would you wish to marry so soon?”
Grace pulled her lower lip between her teeth and leaned closer to Victoria, lowering her voice to a whisper when she spoke. “Well, you see, my sister is soon to be married so remaining at home would be dreadfully dull without her.”
“Is that the only reason?” It was not a very good one in Victoria’s opinion.
“No, I also love children and should find great pleasure in decorating my own home without my sister telling me how it should be done.”
Decorating one’s home and being rid of one’s sibling were also not good reasons to marry. A house could only be decorated so many times, and siblings? Well…
“In my experience,” Victoria said, “older sisters will still tell you how things should be done even after both they and you are married. I have seen it.”
“Felicity will be too busy with her parsonage,” Grace assured Victoria.
“That is happy for her then.”
“And me,” Grace added.
“Quite so,” Victoria agreed. No matter how much she wished to dissuade the young woman of her ill-thought-out notions, it was not Victoria’s job to do so — if it was even possible. Her task was to discover what sort of gentleman Miss Grace Love might consider for a husband.
“Aside from my friend, who has just arrived, have any of the other gentlemen caught your eye? You need not worry about telling me, for I assure you that I am only here because my mother requires me to be. I will not try to steal any of the gentlemen here away from you.”
“Oh!” Grace blew out a breath as if something of great importance and effort had been asked of her. She obviously took the duty of finding and securing a husband quite seriously.
“Let me see.” Once again, she drew her bottom lip between her teeth as she studied the gentlemen in the room. “Mr. Ainsley has very nice eyes. They crinkle when he smiles as if he feels the expression throughout his whole being. It is good to find a man who can feel so deeply, do you not agree?”
Victoria nodded. “A feeling husband is a good thing. I should like someone who could commiserate with me on things.”
“Mr. Ramsey is…” She sighed.
“He does cut a fine figure,” Victoria agreed.
“And so tall.”
“That he is,” Victoria agreed. Mr. Ramsey was likely the tallest and broadest gentleman in attendance. “A lady would feel well protected with him by her side.”
“Oh, she would.”
Victoria pressed her lips together at the near desperation in Grace’s tone. “What of status and fortune? Do you prefer a title? Or do you wish for an estate in a particular location or of a certain size? Would a home in town be desired?”
“I had not thought about the size of a man’s estate, although I had thought a home in town, even if just rented for the season would be quite nice.”
“If you enjoy the season, that is a must. But what of a title?”
Grace shrugged. “A title would be nice, but truthfully, it is not necessary. As long as he has a sufficient income to be comfortable – even after children are born.”
“One must not forget about the children or their education,” Victoria agreed.
“Yes, yes, their education must be the best. My parents spared no expense on mine or my sister’s education. We are both very accomplished.” Victoria’s companion lifted her chin as she said the last part.
“Then you will wish for a gentleman who values such things.”
“Without a doubt, but what gentleman would not?”
Victoria grimaced. “Mr. Shelton,” she whispered. “He is much more of the philosophy that education can be found in play and leisure. His children would, of course, have a governess or tutor, but he is not favourably disposed to sending them away.” She shrugged. “I believe he did not enjoy his own schooling and thinks it can be accomplished in a better fashion than what he experienced.”
“Indeed? Well, that is most shocking!”
“I agree.” It was a lie. Victoria liked the idea of being able to instruct her daughters, should she be so blessed as to have any, in a great variety of subjects – even those not considered useful to the female mind. “However, since you are so accomplished, you might do well in such a situation. I am certain you could teach your children many things – music, art, language, reading, and so forth.”
“Me? Teach my children?” Grace’s lashes fluttered. “I had not considered I should have to do that.”
“You would find it unpleasant then?”
“Intensely.” She sighed. “But Mr. Shelton is so perfect.”
“Dashing, wealthy, a good conversationalist, and even an excellent dancer,” Victoria said in support of Grace’s statement. “But then there is also his penchant for pleasure which could cause an issue.”
“Oh, no! He has said it will not.”
Victoria’s brow furrowed. “He has said what?”
Grace scooted closer to Victoria and turned her head to look directly at her companion. Then, in a low whisper, spoken in such a fashion that her lips moved very little, she said, “He thinks he is not ready to marry because he knows that when he does, he will have to give up his freedom since being a husband comes with great responsibility. He does not take such things lightly.”
“He said that?”
Grace’s head bobbed up and down.
Victoria looked across the room to where Roger was deep in conversation. He considered marriage so seriously? There still was no evidence of such a thing.
She shifted and the corner of the card in her pocket poked her leg and her conscience. Roger treated friendship with great respect. It would stand to reason that he would also treat a wife in the same fashion. He taunted his mother – and hers – but he was always true to his word to them both. No wonder he had sounded so hurt earlier.
“There is still the matter, however, of educating your children, and that is a difficult thing to overlook. So, what if you and I attempt to discover what Mr. Ramsey and Mr. Ainsley think on that subject?”
“You would assist me?”
“I would.” Victoria would do anything to keep her friend from an unhappy match, even if it meant assisting this young woman in finding a husband.
“That is so generous of you. My mother is excessively busy with Felicity. We expect there to be a happy announcement from that front in the
near future, so I dare not pull Mama away from such a thing. But…”
“You would also like your chance at happiness?”
Grace nodded vigorously. “I would like that so very much.”
“Well, then,” Victoria said, rising and extending a hand to her young companion, “shall we take a turn around the room and see if we can discover some happiness?”
Chapter 3
Roger skirted the edge of the room. Their host had announced that there would be an impromptu musical exhibition in two hours time, and since he had no desire to be pressed into singing or some such thing, Roger was making his escape as quickly as he could.
“Mr. Shelton, do you sing?” Miss Grace stepped into his path.
“He does not like to sing in public.” Victoria’s look was apologetic.
She had likely attempted to keep Miss Grace from approaching him with her plan to conscribe him to a musical display.
“But it would be so delightful to have him sing while I played.”
Could the young woman look any more forlorn without actually pouting? Roger did not like sulking misses. He did not like flighty, fidgety misses. He did not like misses who clung to a fellow or followed him around without invitation. There were a great number of misses he did not like, and house parties seemed to be where they gathered to perfect their evils. Due to the attentions of several hopeful misses, the afternoon had been trying to say the least. He was only staying for a few days to humor his mother. Then, he would sneak off to some friend’s home which was free from females seeking to snare him.
“I have never sung with anyone playing except for when required to do so for my and Miss Hamilton’s parents.”
Victoria’s eyes narrowed just as Grace chirped with delight. “Then, perhaps Miss Hamilton could play, and you and I could sing.”
“No,” he said at the same time as Victoria.
“I do not sing duets,” he continued.
“And I do not wish to perform. I hope to only enjoy the music,” Victoria added.
Roger would be sorry to not hear his friend sing or play. She was not without a good bit of talent. However, he also understood her desire to not be paraded in front of all the gentlemen here as if she were actually interested in marrying one of them. She was not. She had said so.
“Did I hear talk of a duet?” Mrs. Abernathy had turned from the direction in which she was headed to join Roger’s unfortunate group.
“No,” Roger answered while Grace said “yes.”
Mrs. Abernathy laughed. “It cannot be both yes and no. It would be excellent to hear some gentlemen lending their voices to our production.” She held up a hand as Roger opened his mouth to refuse to sing once again. Her other hand waved a set of gentlemen towards her.
Much to Roger’s dismay, the three gentlemen obediently responded by joining them.
“I have had the notion that some duets would be just the thing for our musicale. I am certain there is at least one or two of you gentlemen who would be willing to assist me in this,” Mrs. Abernathy said.
The suggestion was met with silence and an eagerly expectant look on Grace’s face.
“My Amelia is playing the harp, of course. However, she can also play the piano very well, and I am certain it would not tax her too much to prepare two numbers.” The lady smiled and straightened the cuff of her sleeve. “She is very accomplished.” There was a lilt to her voice that suggested the gentlemen gathered around her should consider her daughter as an excellent choice for a wife – because she could play more than one instrument, which was ridiculous in Roger’s way of thinking.
His left eyebrow rose as he shared an amused look with Victoria. How often had they discussed what he considered an accomplished wife to be? Not once in all of those discussions had the necessity of playing both the piano and harp arisen as requirements for Mrs. Shelton.
“Miss Hamilton and Miss Grace could play for two of you and…” her eyes searched the room. “I am certain we could find someone to pair with the remaining gentleman.”
“I am not playing,” Victoria said softly. “I am certain my skills are not prepared to be put on display with such short notice. I am dreadful about practising, you see.” Her cheeks flushed, and she glanced uneasily at the gentlemen of the group who were not Roger.
Roger’s brow furrowed. Why would she care what those gentlemen thought of her lack of practice? Had she set her cap at one of them? The thought caused his scowl to deepen, though he knew it could not be true. She had declared she was not ready to marry.
“I am certain you must have one song that is familiar enough to play,” Mr. Carlyle said with a smile.
“I am afraid I do not,” Victoria replied, returning his smile.
“A simple piece could be practised with time to spare,” Mr. Carlyle pressed much to Roger’s annoyance.
Victoria had said she did not wish to play. Why could it not be left at that? Why must this… this… popinjay attempt to persuade her to do what she did not wish to do? He folded his arms and glared at Carlyle.
“What of Miss Grace,” he said. “She was eager a moment ago to have someone sing with her.”
Carlyle shrugged and looked to his friends.
The rude dolt! That man was not good enough for Grace – for whom Roger only cared a trifle –, and a far cry from even touching the edges of good enough for Victoria. Carlyle was one gentleman at whom Victoria would not set her cap if Roger had anything to say about it – which he would make certain he did.
“How about you Mr. Ainsley?” Victoria asked.
Roger stopped glaring at Carlyle long enough to notice a speaking look pass between Grace and Victoria. Mr. Ainsley, was it? He had seen the two ladies conversing with several young bucks during the past hour and a half. One of them had been Ainsley.
The eyebrows on the gentleman being questioned flew upwards as his eyes grew wide. “I am not opposed to singing.”
“Will you sing with Miss Grace playing?” Roger asked.
The gentleman looked as if he wanted to loosen his cravat. Poor fellow to be put upon as he was being. Not that Roger felt too much pity for him, for the removal of Grace and the probable match that could be made was worth the gentleman’s unease.
“Yes, yes, of course,” Mr. Ainsley muttered.
“Excellent!” Mrs. Abernathy cried. “That is one duet arranged. Now, about Mr. Carlyle, Miss Hamilton.”
Oh, for heaven’s sake! Did no one understand the words I am not playing?
“I am sorry,” Victoria said with a small shake of her head.
“Then, perhaps my Amelia would suit, Mr. Carlyle?”
The man did not look as if he wished to be suited by anyone, save Victoria. He gave Victoria one more pleading look.
“I will see what I can find,” Victoria said.
She was going to play for the fool? Roger snapped his mouth shut.
“Then there is only Mr. Shelton and Mr. Walcott who need accompanists.”
“No, it is just Mr. Walcott,” Roger inserted. “And if he were to sing while Miss Abernathy played, all your troubles would be at an end.”
The lady before him gave him a cajoling look. “Mr. Shelton, you simply must sing. I can tell you must be very good at it for when you speak there is such a melodious quality to your voice.”
“No,” Roger said. “I have already told Miss Grace that I have only ever sung with Miss Hamilton playing, and since she is already playing for Mr. Carlyle and requires time to practice for that performance, you will just have to do without me. However, I promise to applaud loudly for Miss Grace, Miss Hamilton, and, of course, your daughter. It will be a great pleasure to partake in listening to all the musical selections.” He bowed and made to leave them.
“Then, Miss Hamilton simply must play for you, and I shall find another lady to assist Mr. Carlyle.”
Roger shook his head. “Oh, no, Madame. I could not do such a thing to Mr. Carlyle. He worked so hard to acquire Miss Hamilton. It would be a grav
e injustice to snatch his prize from him.” Even if it would make Roger feel quite happy to cause the gentleman some discomfort after the way he mulishly pursued Victoria. “On this, I will not be moved,” he added to his host.
Mrs. Abernathy scowled, but only for a moment. Then, her ever-pleasant smile – the same unflappable smile every good hostess wore – found its way back onto her face.
“I shall clap the loudest,” Roger assured her.
“Wait,” Victoria said before he could slip away. “I had wished to speak to you.” She turned to Mr. Carlyle. “I will join you, Mr. Ainsley, and Miss Grace in the music room as soon as possible.”
The scowl Carlyle wore was satisfying, and with a small flourish, Roger extended his arm to his friend, and the two slipped out of the room to find their way to the garden.
“I have spoken to Miss Grace as you requested,” Victoria began. “And you were correct that she is determined to marry – excessively determined. However, I believe I have convinced her that you are not perfect.”
“She thought me perfect, did she?” Roger chuckled. He knew he was far from perfect, though he also knew he did cut a fine figure and had very charming manners — most times.
“He is perfect,” Victoria said with a sigh while batting her lashes.
Roger laughed outright at that. The foolish actions of a young debutante became even more ridiculous when demonstrated by a lady as refined and sensible as his darling friend. “Which imperfection did you expose to her?”
They rounded a hedge and began down a path bordered by delicate flowers on one side and a great expanse of lawn on the other. There were a few couples making use of the lawn to sit and, Roger assumed, practice their musical numbers.
“Several,” Victoria replied.
Roger pulled his eyes from observing the couples on the lawn to look at her. She was grinning broadly.
