by Mary Beeken
Making a great show of looking around, Marcus then whispered conspiratorially “My time behind enemy lines taught me to be vigilant. You do not scare me my feisty gherkin.”
“Brave words,” she laughed “but others have expressed a similar lack of concern, Glenmore. Alas it always ends the same with them whimpering away; usually bleeding!”
At the gates of Hyde Park, Trevellyn turned to take his leave of Lady Dizzy and was not surprised to find both her and Glenmore laughing together. With a not inconsiderable amount of will power he prevented himself from grinning like an idiot as he remembered the conversation he had shared with his wife the night before in which he had voiced his opinion that their friend was attracted to Lady Dizzy, although he was as yet himself unaware of it and would fervently deny it should anyone be tactless enough to mention it. They had then entered upon a wager whereby each had specified a time period in which a betrothal announcement would appear and as Ross’ time slot was the sooner it pleased him enormously to see them already on seemingly good terms despite the unfortunate incident of two nights before. Erica would be furious to lose another wager to him especially with the forfeit they had decided upon and that thought made him want to grin all the more.
It was not until they were half way home that Dizzy questioned her brother. “Why didn’t you tell me that Glenmore rides in the park every morning?”
“Because you did not ask,” he responded. “When have you ever wanted to know who I see riding each morning? Besides he isn’t the only one. Would you like me to list the others I usually see? There’s Horace Gingham, David Hanford… ”
“Alright!” Dizzy interrupted. “But knowing that he accused me of using nefarious methods to gain his attention would surely have alerted you to the fact that I would rather avoid him. I would not have gone riding today with you if I had known.”
“You seemed to get on well together yesterday when we met at the museum and again today you had plenty to say to each other. I should just forget about that first incident. I am sure he has,” Gideon assured her.
“I do not want him to get the mistaken impression that I am pursuing him. Admittedly we were at the museum first yesterday and had no knowledge that he was going to be there but today in the park is different. You should have told me,” she said.
“You make too much of it, Dizzy.” Gideon replied. “Everyone sees everyone all the time during the season as you very well know. We all attend the same events and converse with the same crowd on a daily basis. It is inevitable that you will keep bumping into Glenmore.”
“Funny how we are half way through the season and I was blissfully unaware of his existence until two days ago and yet now I cannot turn around without falling over him,” she stated.
“He only arrived in town a little while ago and he has steered clear of most of the balls and soirees and with having no female relatives to squire around, he is able to avoid all the merry-go-round of visits and such like. So it is not after all surprising you did not meet. ”
“Let us hope he continues to avoid the social whirl then and I can be comfortable again.” Dizzy said ignoring the pangs of regret she felt at the thought of not seeing him again just as soon as may be.
She spent the remaining journey home lecturing herself on being a sensible, full grown woman and not some giddy, young girl prone to fall into infatuations with every handsome face and fine figure. All she needed to do was to remember his arrogant, insufferable attitude on their first meeting and forget how enjoyable and humorous she had found their subsequent conversations.
Chapter Four
Later that morning Georgiana put in an appearance at the family London residence, ostensibly to ask Dizzy whether she was pleased with the saddle she had designed but also to invite her to accompany herself and Genevieve on an alfresco luncheon the following afternoon.
“Gideon told me you were heartily sick of the traditional ‘at homes’ and suggested I might be able to help by introducing you to some of our friends. Grandmamma strictly forbade me from inviting you in the past but as she has had nearly two whole seasons to find you a husband without success, she will have to allow you more freedom, especially as we have Gideon’s blessing. Having failed to get Genevieve to accept any proposal of marriage and with my own nuptials being as she so often refers to them as ‘hole in the corner and of short duration’ she felt that part of the problem was our association with the Society. She therefore felt the need to keep you away from forward thinking individuals who might influence your opinions on the whole marriage business,” Georgiana said. “This afternoon’s event is strictly by invitation only and all those attending are scholars, writers, scientists; that sort of thing. Not to sound too conceited, the ladies and gentlemen who attend are intelligent and witty so I can guarantee you will have a thoroughly enjoyable time. You may also find it useful as some of them have published their work and will be happy to share their experiences and any advice they offer you will be invaluable should you ever wish to see your own novels in print.”
“I should love to come, Georgie. I cannot tell you how heartily sick I am of discussions based mainly around fashion and who is interested in whom,” Dizzy told her emphatically. “I threatened Gideon yesterday that if I had to endure many more such conversations of would shock the ton by telling rude jokes.”
“Then it is definitely time for you to seek a circle of new friends. We are not a secret society per se but we respect each other’s confidentiality and therefore we do not speak openly of our meetings and associates. As you know, the ton does not look favourably on its members being mixed up in anything not considered appropriate for a gentleman; yet many of our number, both men and women are involved in very lucrative businesses so you see why there is a need for discretion,” Georgiana explained.
“A verbal invitation as well as accompanying you will guarantee my admittance, I take it? “ Dizzy made it more of a question than a statement.
“Yes but you are also the Grand-daughter of the founding member. That tends to help a great deal too!” Georgiana enlightened her. “Grandmamma has hidden depths.”
“I know she does not fit the general mode of matron of the ton but I did not realise how different. I cannot believe I knew nothing of any of this. Are you sure you do not have to undergo a difficult challenge or initiation ceremony to get in; to swear unto death to keep all its secrets?” Dizzy asked.
“Positive although we do have a name. We are officially The Enlightenment Society but everyone refers to it affectionately as Aunt Tess. So if in future someone asks you if you are going to see Aunt Tess you will know they are referring to a gathering of the society. There are usually lots of events arranged during the season and people just pick and choose which ones they wish to attend according to their interests and other commitments. It is really all very informal but much more interesting than the mainstream entertainment. As well as social gatherings like this afternoon, there are also lectures and workshops as well as organised trips to museums, art galleries and even to see new innovations in factories and businesses,” Georgiana told her.
“I cannot believe you have kept me from all of this for over two years! While I have been bored witless with inane babble and simpering misses, you have enjoyed stimulating discussions and activities. How could you be so cruel?” Dizzy cried.
“My love for you does not extend to arousing Grandmamma’s ire by going against her express commands,” Georgie laughingly told her. “Besides, she would have rescinded my membership and I was not going to risk that, was I? Now that Gideon has sponsored you, I am quite safe from any of her reprisals as they will be directed at him and so I can safely take you along.”
Thus it was that at three o’clock that afternoon the three Brockton sisters alighted from their coach outside the residence of Mr. Robert Prentiss; a member of the ton but also an astute businessman and sometime consultant to the British Government. Genevieve had spent the short journey furnishing her young sister with the name
s of some of the personages she might expect to see there, some of whom she knew from the ballrooms and parties of the season. Dizzy was amazed to hear that people she had hitherto known on a social footing could have such diverse interests and abilities of which she had been totally ignorant. She thus reiterated the point she had made to her grandmother on many occasions, that really the entertainment laid on each season in order to marry off the younger generation did not give anyone a true opportunity to get to know one’s potential life long partner.
Upon admittance, the very correct, very punctilious butler greeted Georgiana and Genevieve by name and after they in turn had made Dizzy known to him; he directed an equally proper footman to lead them into the garden where a light luncheon had been set out so that guests could help themselves.
The first thing that Dizzy noticed when she stepped onto the terrace was the difference in the sound of conversation. Unlike society at homes where talk tended to be carried out on a level pitched somewhere between whisper and low mutter with a clearly defined drawl, here the chatter was loud and vibrant. People talked excitedly, with faces animated rather than portraying the slightly bored mien worn like a uniform by the fashionable set of the ton. Some debates were getting quite heated too going by the angry tones and aggressive gesturing and Genevieve, seeing her sister’s astonished gaze on a group consisting of three men and a woman who looked about to throw punches at each other, felt it necessary to point out that owing to stringent punishments it was very rare for disputes to turn physical.
“No-one wants to risk being banned indefinitely from Aunt Tess,” she explained. “So usually the wild gesticulating and shouting is as far as it goes.”
“I shall take you over to meet our host, Mr Prentiss,” Georgiana said and then in way of information added. “He is a very astute businessman and quite a philanthropist too. He leads the field in researching and developing safer working conditions for his employees and there has been talk that he is about to have a title bestowed upon him for services rendered to the crown and country.”
“Humph! As if he was not conceited enough!” Genevieve muttered.
“Never mind her!” Georgiana laughed. “Gennie and Robert Prentiss cannot spend two minutes in each other’s company without coming to cuffs.”
“I do not understand why everyone fawns over him so for he is the most annoying, arrogant and opinionated man to ever walk the planet. I cannot be in his company for more than a matter of moments before he is picking an argument with me and he will not accept when he is wrong,” Genevieve retorted hotly.
“To everyone else he is charming and considerate,” Georgiana replied in a tone of voice that told Dizzy it was not the first time she had uttered this sentence. “It is only our dear sister here who finds him so objectionable.”
“There is no point all three of us seeking him out. IF you have no objection I will find more amenable company while you follow the social niceties.” And so saying Genevieve wandered over to join a table where from snatches that could be heard, the conversation was about the role of women in Roman city life.
Although Dizzy had previously been introduced to Robert Prentiss when he had accompanied his younger sister during her first season, they had never been on more familiar terms than greeting each other and commenting upon the weather; very much, she now thought to herself, the same basis she had suggested for herself and Glenmore.
“Robert, I believe you know my youngest sister, Dizzy,” Georgiana began. “My brother bade me introduce her to Aunt Tess before she embarrassed the whole family by telling rude jokes to alleviate the boredom of accompanying Grandmamma on the social circuit. Jokes that I must point out she had from him, albeit indirectly, so I am sure you can imagine the pandemonium it would have caused had she shared any of them with the matrons and their daughters.”
“It is a pleasure, Lady Dizzy to welcome you to my home. Your brother Gideon informed me that you are an author, particularly of murder and mystery stories.”
“Yes I have written several novels but as no one has ever read them I am not sure I can be classed as an author. Ever since I was very small I have enjoyed creating stories and now I take much pleasure in writing them down. I have to say it is very odd to be talking openly about them because up until only a few days ago, only my family was aware of it,” Dizzy told him.
“Then it is beyond time for you to join our gatherings so you can discuss your stories and seek help, should you wish it, from fellow writers. No-one here will think it odd or frown upon you, and you may even find someone prepared to publish your works,” he assured her with a smile that warmed his eyes and appeared to turn them in a twinkling from steel grey into the blue of a warm summer sky.
“Did my brother also inform you that my writing is indecipherable? It would have to be someone with endless patience and I am not sure there is anyone alive who is that saintly!” Dizzy laughed.
“If it is as bad as you say and as dreadful as your brother hinted then it may indeed take an extensive, heartrending search to find that special someone who can read it. Of-course you would then have to pay him a king’s ransom to get him to work for you!” he teased her and then turned to her sister saying. “Or perhaps you Georgiana can be persuaded to invent a machine that can write. I know a great many businesses would benefit from that.”
“You may be onto something there, Robert. I shall ruminate for a while and see what I can come up with.” Georgiana took his idea seriously and seemed quite excited by his suggestion.
“If you come up with a viable design then be sure to come to me for funding,” Robert informed her before changing the subject. “I see Lady Genevieve accompanied you today.”
“She said to say hello but could not walk past a debate on the role of woman in Ancient Rome.” Dizzy thought a little white lie was acceptable as she did not want his feelings hurt.
“I appreciate the sentiment but in truth there is more likelihood of me sprouting wings and flying than your sister sending me a civil message,” Robert told her. “She and I have been coming to cuffs since we first met three years ago. She is the most annoying, argumentative person of my acquaintance who will never admit to being in the wrong. It is as well she did not come over with you for we would no doubt be ready to tear each other limb from limb by now.”
“It is funny you should say that for she said something similar about you not so many minutes ago,” Dizzy told him in a complete volte-face and when he raised an eyebrow at her she continued. “I made up the bit about her saying hello because I did not want to hurt your feelings but I see I need not have worried. Obviously you both hold each other in the same mutual regard.”
The three of them talked for several more minutes and Dizzy took the opportunity to study Robert as he conversed with them. He was tall, being she estimated an inch or two over six feet, and although slim he was well toned and muscular. His burnished gold hair was worn short in the latest fashion and Dizzy thought ruefully that it seemed to be the sort of hair that stayed in place, unlike her own which frequently escaped its pins and became unruly only moments after being confined. In repose, his handsome face appeared stern and gave one the mistaken belief that he was a person of little humour when in fact the reverse was true, for Robert had a great sense of the ridiculous and found amusement in many things including the mundane. When he smiled or laughed his face was transformed for he at once appeared much younger than his twenty seven years and there was a definite hint of the mischievous. More than one business acquaintance had been known to remark that when Prentiss directed his smile at one it signals the end of all negotiations for the recipient, as if being driven by some invisible force, feels compelled to agree to all his terms and conditions. It was perhaps as well that Prentiss was fair and just in his business dealings and was respected by all.
One person who at the moment did not appreciate his host’s finer points was the Duke of Glenmore who stood regarding the trio with a decided frown. For the life of him he could not un
derstand why he wanted to go over and haul Dizzy away from Prentiss or why he had an overwhelming urge to break the other man’s nose with a swift right hook. He had hitherto liked the man and had even considered him a friend.
“Not a nice feeling is it?” Ross who had come up to stand beside him said cheerfully which Marcus found irksome for he was far from cheerful.
“What is not nice?” He felt it would be too rude not to reply but also felt he was probably going to regret asking. If necessary he would have to punch Ross as well as Prentiss.
“Jealousy! I was as jealous as hell when I first saw Prentiss talking to Erica. We were on the seafront in Dorset when we bumped into him by chance. I had heard rumours that he wanted to marry her so when I met him and witnessed their friendship firsthand I wanted to rip his head off. Quite irrational but then love makes one irrational. Would you not agree?” Ross’ grin got bigger as his friend growled.
“You are talking rubbish as usual, Trevellyn. I am not jealous and I am definitely not in love,” Marcus said though one could be forgiven for not catching every word for it had been uttered through tightly clenched teeth.
“Denial will not make it go away, old friend! But do not dither too long for Prentiss may decide to snap her up. I am told he is considered quite a catch,” Ross could not help taunting.
“He is welcome to her! Any man who ends up leg-shackled to her deserves a medal for he would not have a moment of peace,” Marcus tried to joke but found he did not like the knot that formed in his stomach at the thought of another man with Dizzy.
“He would never be bored either! But if you are sure, I know Robert was asking Erica about her only yesterday and by the looks of things he is already fixing his interest. See they are laughing together. I am told he could charm any female with that smile,” Ross kept on.