“And why should it be something that I should worry about? Surely the Earl of Reddington’s attitudes and opinions are his own affair. It is nothing to do with me.”
“Do you truly find nothing to like about him?”
“I could not say that,” Imogen said with a sigh. “Because I do not really know him very well. But my experience of him so far is that he is very much my opposite. It is true that we have both enjoyed certain privileges in life, but I think we look at them very differently.”
“Because he is more comfortable with the privileges he has?”
“No, because I think, like so many other of our class, he accepts them as his right.”
“And in what other ways do you differ?”
“We differ greatly on what we are prepared to do for others. He has more than once pointed out the futility of throwing so much effort into helping others because he seems to think that it cannot be done. Where he would give up and turn his back, I would always try.”
“Well, perhaps the two of you might find some common ground this afternoon.”
“He only asked if we were going to be there, he did not ask that we attend with him.”
“No, but he did look pleased to know that you were going.”
“Fortunately for me, I am sure that his afternoon will very much be taken up with Miss Jemima Ravenswood.”
“Oh yes, the young lady who was of no more interest to him than that dreadful play at the Adelphi. The woman whose company he enjoys so much he does not even know what she thought of the little melodrama. In truth, I do not even think he can remember what she said.”
“Well, he did say that his mind was elsewhere, and he was somewhat distracted.”
“Yes, and I wonder what distracted him.” Adeline smiled wickedly. “Or who.”
“This conversation really is getting silly,” Imogen said, keen to talk about something else.
“Then I shall leave it alone, for a while at least.”
“I daresay we ought to be leaving in a moment,” Imogen said, rising to her feet and smoothing down her gown.
“And you do look lovely, my dear.” Adeline looked upon her with all the pride of another. “I do so like to see you in that ivory gown; it makes so much of your beautiful red hair.”
The gown was one that Imogen had always felt at ease in. The main part of the gown was very simple and plain, but there was an over-gown of delicate ivory lace which seemed to give the fabric such depth.
“You always say the most wonderful things, Adeline. You always seek to give me confidence.” Imogen, feeling a little emotional, took Adeline’s hand in her own and regretted her harsh tone in their conversation about the Earl of Reddington.
“You have every reason to feel confident. You are beautiful and clever and hard-working, and you have such an open heart. But just take care that your heart remains open to possibilities because sometimes the good in a person will creep up on you when you least expect it.”
“I realize that I have, perhaps, judged Heath Montgomery a little harshly. Perhaps that is because we seem always to be at odds with one another. But I promise you that I shall not seek to insult him or go to war with him if that pleases you at all.”
“Well, I suppose it is a start,” Adeline said and tapped Imogen’s cheek. “Now, we ought to set off, or we risk arriving late.”
For a London residence, Dalton House did have extremely large grounds. Whilst there was not much to be seen at the front, there were beautiful and extensive gardens to the rear of the impressive Pall Mall mansion.
Their greeting from the Duke of Dalton had been a speedy one, and Imogen could entirely understand why. This was, so far, the largest gathering of people she had encountered in the current London Season, and if the Duke had spent more than a few moments with each person, his day would have been quite over.
The Duke had smiled politely at them both and wished them an enjoyable afternoon in a way which suggested to Imogen that he did not immediately recognize Adeline. And of course, never having been introduced before, he most certainly would have not known Imogen either.
But, of course, a man in his position very likely did not recognize half of the people he had been introduced to in his lifetime, and Adeline seemed none the worse for the realization.
“Well, the Duke seems very pleasant,” Imogen said cautiously as the two of them walked arm in arm into the beautiful gardens.
“Yes, he was pleasant in that vague sort of a way,” Adeline whispered. “And I think it is true to say that he did not have the first idea who I was.”
“I am afraid I got that impression also,” Imogen said and winced.
“I think I shall survive the slight.”
“Oh, I am quite sure of it.”
“And anyway, we are only here for the money, remember?” Adeline chuckled, and Imogen found herself looking forward to all that they could achieve in one afternoon.
“These really are beautiful gardens, are they not?” Imogen said and looked all around her.
The grounds were divided into several levels, each dropping away the further they were from the house itself. There were stone steps down to each level, and vast, immaculate lawns, each clearly defined by low shrubbery borders.
“Perhaps a little too neat and orderly for my taste,” Adeline said. “But the gardeners are to be congratulated. The camellias are the finest I have ever seen.”
“Oh look, there is Lady Rossington,” Imogen said brightly.
Lady Rossington was trying to catch their attention. She was on the edge of a large group where several smaller conversations seemed to be taking place.
“Ladies, how nice to see you. I think you could do very well here this afternoon,” Lady Rossington said without any need to elaborate on her meaning.
“Indeed,” Adeline said. “Especially with a little guidance.” She raised her eyebrows expectantly.
“Well, the Earl of Marchmount is here today. He is one of the wealthiest men in London, I am told, in so far as he has an immense private fortune much apart from his estate. And he has donated to good causes before.” Lady Rossington was whispering and looked a little cautious.
“But?” Adeline said, rightly judging that things were not quite so simple.
“One has to make a very good case to gain his interest. He has many calls upon his purse, and so he is difficult to convince, despite being a generous man.” Lady Rossington looked from Adeline to Imogen. “I have tried before with Lord Marchmount, but he is intimidating, and I am afraid I rattled on a little nervously.” She was still whispering. “And the result was that I did not make my point at all and was unsuccessful in my attempts to secure a donation for the soup kitchen in Southwark. Fortunately, we managed to raise the rest without him, but it took a good deal longer.” She shuddered. “In truth, I should not like to approach him again in that capacity.”
“Oh dear,” Imogen said. “What a great shame.”
“Indeed. Well, I am sure you will give it your very best, Imogen,” Adeline said, and Lady Rossington’s eyes opened wide.
“Me?” Imogen squeaked. “But surely you would be better with someone so imposing, Adeline. You have more experience of this sort of thing than I do.”
“And you have more charm.”
“But it sounds as if charm will not work with this particular gentleman.”
“Which is why it is a very good thing you also have knowledge, passion, and a tenacious nature.” Adeline was beaming at her.
“Oh dear, I fear letting you down.” Imogen spoke the truth.
“You cannot let me down either way. You have only to try, my dear. And if I can give you one piece of advice it is to assume that he will give us nothing.”
“But why?”
“Because then you take away the unnecessary pressure you might otherwise put upon yourself. You will be more at ease.”
“Actually, that makes a curious sort of sense,” Imogen said. “Alright, I shall do it. Where is he?”
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“I knew you would,” Adeline said, beaming with pride as Lady Rossington stared at her in amazement.
“He is the elderly gentleman with the enormous moustache talking to Lady Seaton,” Lady Rossington indicated with the merest nod of her head.
“He looks very pleasant if a little military in his bearing,” Imogen said and felt her nerve give way for a moment.
“You will do very well.” Adeline seemed to be enjoying the whole thing. No doubt she saw it as part of Imogen’s life learning experience.
“Well, I shall introduce you and, given a few moments, I shall do my best to divert Lady Seaton.” Lady Rossington was still whispering as if the three of them were planning some great conspiracy.
In the end, Lady Rossington did very well indeed. Freed from the dreadful idea of having to undertake the conversation with Lord Marchmount herself, she had relaxed once more and became jolly. In no time at all, she had not only engaged Lady Seaton in deep conversation but had also managed to move her away just enough that the Earl of Marchmount and Imogen would be able to speak privately.
“So, are you greatly acquainted with the Duke of Dalton?” Lord Marchmount, who was still tall and very upright for an ageing gentleman, held her gaze most firmly, making her nerves flutter again for a moment.
“In truth, I have only just met him today. I am here as companion to my friend, Lady Adeline Redmond.”
“Oh, good heavens! I have not seen that fine lady in an age,” he said, his moustache seeming to move of its own volition as he smiled.
“You are acquainted with my friend? Really, I had no idea.” Imogen made a mental note to remonstrate with Adeline at the earliest opportunity for failing to mention it.
“Yes, I have been on the wrong end of many an argument with Lady Redmond and enjoyed myself thoroughly.” Although he spoke with enthusiasm, Imogen knew that any man who had argued with Adeline and saw the thing as an amusing experience was not a man who was easily upended; this was not going to be a simple matter.
“Lady Adeline does enjoy a good debate, Sir.”
“Indeed, she does.” He smiled nostalgically. “So, let me hear it.” He suddenly became more serious. “You need not look so surprised, my dear. If Adeline Redmond has sent you to me, then it is to see if you can squeeze your little hand into my purse.”
He looked at her expectantly, and Imogen felt her mouth go dry.
Chapter 14
“The camellias really are wonderful, Miss Ravenswood,” Veronica Montgomery said loudly. “Are they not, Heath?” She turned to look at her son with a pinched and annoyed expression.
“I beg your pardon?” he said, wondering exactly what he had missed.
“Miss Ravenswood and I were just discussing the Duke’s marvellous grounds.” He could tell that she was furious with him.
“The camellias are glorious, Miss Ravenswood.” He turned to see that Jemima Ravenswood was also eyeing him a little coldly.
“Are you quite well, Lord Reddington? You seem a little distracted today.” Heath could not escape the impression that he had just been chastised by the young lady.
“Forgive me. I often find myself a little jaded in the middle of the London Season. I suppose it is the sheer number of breakfasts, balls, and musical soirees one attends,” he lied.
“You are forgiven, of course.” She smiled at him sweetly, and all traces of her prior waspish look had been erased, leaving him wondering which version of the young lady was the real one.
“You do look truly wonderful in that gown, Miss Ravenswood. Does she not, Heath?” Veronica was most determined.
Heath wished he could ignore them for a while. They were but a few feet from where Lady Imogen Pennington was in deep discussion with the Earl of Marchmount and, being the closest, Heath had been able to eavesdrop a little on the conversation.
With constant interruptions from his mother and silently conveyed demands for attention from Miss Ravenswood, Heath found himself unable to keep a firm hold on the conversation he was secretly listening to. All in all, he felt irrationally exasperated with the two women in his company and wished they would leave him be.
“Heath?” His mother said again but more sharply.
“Absolutely lovely, Miss Ravenswood,” he said and smiled brightly before looking the young woman up and down in hopes of satisfying her vanity. It worked; she seemed to relax.
At just the right moment, Prudence rejoined them. She had been talking to Lady Rossington and Lady Seaton and had been absent for some time.
“Lady Seaton tells me that the Duke of Dalton is to hold a very lavish ball in the next few weeks,” Prudence said and smiled at Heath. For a moment, he wondered if his sister was trying to help him somehow.
“Oh, how wonderful.” Jemima was instantly distracted. “I am told that the ballroom here at Dalton House is one of the largest and most fashionable in London.” Her excitement was clear.
As the ladies began to talk of the alleged number of chandeliers in the Duke’s newly decorated ballroom, Heath once again turned his attention to eavesdropping.
“Whilst I do understand that many people think that the poor ought to work for any charity they receive, it is that which traps them in poverty forever,” he heard Lady Imogen say with some force.
“How so, young lady?” Lord Marchmount said gruffly.
He smiled to himself; the old Earl was not going to be an easy proposition for her, especially if she was trying for his purse.
“Because they are simply working for food and shelter, Sir. Since they are not working for money, they are never in a position to seek their own accommodation again. And since they are working all day for the food and shelter they receive, they are never in a position to seek alternative employment. They become tied to the workhouse with no option but to remain.”
“And how would you make things different, Lady Pennington?”
“By offering genuine charity. Charity that does not seek to gain or profit from the misfortunes of others.”
“Profit?”
“To give you an example, Lord Marchmount, the Lambeth workhouse, like so many others, has great links to local business and industry. In fact, the man who oversees the running of the place, a Mr Mott, has arranged for certain contracts between the parish authority and local businesses. In return for payment, he provides the services of the poor at a very much reduced rate. And so it is that not only does the parish benefit, but local businesses do also. And yet the people who have been reduced to living in the workhouse see no benefit. They simply work for others to reap the rewards. And so, when I tell you that they are given shelter and food, I overstate the case.”
“In what respect do you overstate the case?”
In as much as the elderly Earl was certainly no pushover, it would seem that neither was Lady Pennington. Heath smiled to himself and wished that he could see the exchange as well as hear it. But for him to do so would involve turning around, and his mother and the ever-vigilant Miss Ravenswood would undoubtedly realize the reason for his distraction.
“To my certain knowledge, the paupers living in the workhouse are not fed enough.” She paused for a moment. “They are clearly undernourished, Sir, and men, women, and children alike are underweight and have gaunt faces and sunken eyes. And certainly, in respect of the children, I fear that so many of them are so neglected that they shall never have a chance to survive much beyond their youth.”
“You have seen them?” The Earl was clearly interested.
“Yes, Sir. I have been inside the workhouse at Lambeth, and I have seen it all with my own eyes. Lady Adeline has a friend who acts as one of the guardians, and he was kind enough to secure our admittance. I saw the conditions in which they live, and I saw the thinness of their bodies.”
“Good heavens.” The old Earl sounded impressed.
“And I saw worse than that, Sir. I saw how simple humanity is slowly stripped away from them as if they have no right to it. And I saw crushed spirits and eyes em
ptied of all hope.”
“I must admit myself impressed with the case you put to me, young lady,” the Earl said, and Heath knew well that the elderly gentleman was already quite decided to support Lady Pennington’s cause. “And not only that but to think that you have gone so far as to find yourself inside so dreadful a place, I am quite satisfied that you are properly serious in your aims.”
“I am very serious. There is nothing in life that I am more serious about, Lord Marchmount.”
A Lady for the Brazen Earl: A Historical Regency Romance Book Page 11