A Brave New Life

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  The footman chose to open the carriage door at that moment and Diana moved to get out before her mother could say anything more.

  Once inside, Diana was glad to leave her mother speaking with Lady Rossington and Lady Bellingham. The ballroom was already fairly crowded and she feared that she would find no one that she knew at the ball. Many of her friends had gone to the country, either attending house parties or returned home for one reason or another. Diana had barely walked a few steps into the ballroom when she heard someone call her name. She turned around to see Jonathan Webb standing against the wall.

  "Mr Webb, good evening,” she said hoping her relief was not evident on her face.

  "Good evening, Miss Diana.” He gave her a shallow bow. “Would you like to dance?”

  Much happier seeing a friendly face, Diana smiled and said, "Thank you, Mr Webb. That sounds lovely."

  Mr Webb offered her his arm and then led her into the middle of the ballroom.

  "Are you enjoying the ball?" Miss Diana asked trying to make conversation.

  Mr Webb looked around as if he were thinking about the answer. "I shall say I am enjoying it immensely but I only just arrived before you."

  His reply made her laugh and he smiled at her. "I have not been to many social events in the last few weeks. I wonder if you have seen Lady Amelia in that time."

  She was not surprised that Mr Webb was asking about Lady Amelia as she had seen the two of them together quite a bit in the weeks earlier. "No, I believe she is at a house party in Kent."

  "Well, that does explain her absence as of late." Mr Webb said and moved them through the next turn.

  Diana felt bad about how sad he looked. "I do believe she said that she would be returning to London this next week. "

  Mr Webb glanced at her quickly, "Oh you think so?"

  "Yes, most definitely. Lady Amelia made a point to ask if I would be at Almack’s this next Wednesday."

  Mr Webb seemed quite happy to hear that Lady Amelia would be returning to London so soon. Diana could not blame him one bit, she had missed her friend as well.

  She had done her best to avoid as many social events as she could but her mother had other ideas. Diana had hoped she would see other friendly faces at the ball tonight. Seeing Mr Webb so soon after her arrival had been quite fortuitous.

  It was quite a surprise to her though when they finished their dance and move to the edge of the ballroom that they ran right into Lady Henrietta and her brother, Matthew.

  "Miss Diana! I am so glad to see you," Lady Henrietta said with a big smile.

  Diana was surprised at Lady Henrietta 's greeting, not because of anything the young lady had done. They certainly were on friendly terms, she simply had not expected Lady Henrietta to be so happy to see Diana.

  "It is so nice to see you as well," Diana said. "Are you enjoying the ball?"

  “I am.” Lady Henrietta looked around the crowded ballroom. “Everyone looks forward to Lady Rossington’s party each year.”

  “Yes, of course,” Diana said. “I was surprised that more people were not in attendance, but I suppose the night is still young.”

  “Indeed,” Lady Henrietta agreed and then grimaced as she surveyed the large room. “I see Lady Sarah and Miss Danielle are here. I suppose they have not had time to cause any trouble yet.”

  Diana shook her head. “Not yet.”

  “But as you said, the night is still young,” Lady Henrietta quipped.

  Diana smiled and said, “Indeed.”

  Chapter Four

  Matthew watched his sister talk to Miss Diana and wondered again why he had agreed to come with her. It had been a week since he had heard the rumour about Lady Abigail Underwood’s betrothal. It had taken another day to find out that it was, in fact, true and that she had indeed accepted the proposal from Lord Turnbull.

  Learning the news had been a shock and he had felt hurt and embarrassed that he seemed to be the last to know. He had tried to keep busy, but his mind kept going back to Lady Abigail. He then decided he would forgo his trip to London and plan to travel to Whitehall early.

  Unfortunately, Henrietta’s plans had overridden his own. She had expected to travel to London but was unable to do so by herself. Hugh and Lady Ryleigh had originally planned on accompanying Henrietta to London but Hugh had business to tend to that required them to return to the Ryleigh estate. Matthew had been the only other person available to travel with Henrietta in order for her to attend the Rossington ball, as well as Almack’s the following Wednesday.

  Matthew looked around the ballroom hoping to see a door out to the garden if nothing else he could retire to the library. If anyone came upon him he could claim he had a headache and sought a few moments of quiet in order to quell the pain.

  "Repington," Jonathan Webb said to him.

  Matthew had been so preoccupied that he had not seen the man standing behind Miss Diana. "Webb, good to see you. How are you enjoying London?"

  “It has been enjoyable although somewhat quiet.”

  Matthew was not sure what the man was talking about but nodded anyway. “I have only come to London in the last few days.”

  “Attending another house party, I assume,” Webb suggested good naturedly.

  “No. On the contrary, I recently took my vows and had gone to Castborough to straighten my affairs before I head off to my assignment in Whitehall.”

  “Congratulations,” Webb told him. “What brings you back to London?

  “My dear sister.” Matthew waved a hand over to where she was still talking with Miss Diana. “She had social engagements but no chaperone. So here I am.”

  “At least, it is not Almack’s,” Webb said.

  “You are correct there, although I expect I will be in attendance this coming Wednesday.”

  Webb looked resigned and nodded grimly. “As will I.”

  "Good evening Mr Webb.” Henrietta smiled up at the taller man. “How very nice to see you this evening."

  "Thank you. It is good to see you as well. Your brother was just telling me you have only just returned to London."

  "Yes, our father had business to tend to back at Castborough. Thankfully, Matthew was able to accompany me on my journey to London or I would still be there."

  Matthew chuckled dryly. "You make it sound as though Castborough and is a horrible place to be."

  "Oh no, it is not that. It is simply that I would much rather be at a ball or a party and having fun with friends."

  Matthew noticed that Miss Diana had smiled and then looked away, for some reason he wondered if she felt the same way as he did about the subject. "Yes, well, the friends part I am in agreement with. I am not so sure about the parties and events."

  Henrietta seemed to take pity on him, Putting her hand on his arm. "Yes, dear brother, and I completely understand. But do not be disheartened it will not always be this bad."

  Miss Diana leaning slightly towards Henrietta as though she was going to ask a question but before she could say anything she was interrupted.

  "Oh, look who has come. Good evening, Mr Repington. How are you this evening?"

  Matthew turned to see Miss Danielle and Lady Sarah. He could have gone a whole lifetime without seeing either of them. He was thankful, however, that he would not have to deal with Lady Judith, Lady Sarah’s close friend. Lady Judith had often been involved in the same sort of malicious behaviour. In her quest to make another young lady miserable, Lady Judith had been compromised and forced to marry Mr Townsend. After their marriage, they had been exiled to family land in the north. Matthew had felt they had gotten off easy, but at least Miss Beatrice and his brother, Charles had found each other through the ordeal.

  "Good evening," Matthew said with a polite nod to both ladies.

  Miss Danielle smiled sweetly. "I do hope you are enjoying the party."

  Lady Sarah made a show of looking around the ballroom. "I do not see Lady Abigail in attendance tonight."

  Matthew smiled graciously and
glancing around the ballroom himself. "Is she not? I had not noticed."

  Lady Sarah leaned closer to Miss Danielle and said, "Oh, yes. I would think that she was busy preparing for her wedding to Lord Turnbull."

  Miss Danielle giggled. "Well, then, I do hope you are able to enjoy the party."

  Matthew gritted his teeth unable to trust the words that might pass his lips.

  "Oh, we most definitely will enjoy the party." Miss Diana was at his elbow subtly linking her arm through his. "We have been looking forward to this for weeks, have we not, Mr Repington?"

  Matthew looked down at Miss Diana and the genuinely sweet smile on her face. He could not help but smile. "Yes, I believe it will be quite lovely."

  He heard Webb snort in laughter behind him. Matthew looked back to see the dark faces of Lady Sarah and Miss Danielle.

  "I have been looking forward to it for what seems like forever," Lady Henrietta added with a giddy laugh. “Lady Sarah, have you by any chance heard from Lady Judith?”

  “No, I have not,” Lady Sarah replied stiffly. She made a quiet comment to Miss Danielle and the two young ladies turned and walked away without another word.

  Matthew stood there with Miss Diana's arm intertwined with his for a moment, he was unsure what to think of the exchange. He had not thought Miss Diana as being a hanger on. Before he could work out something to say to her, she let go of his arm and stepped away.

  She began to laugh, pausing to gasp out, "Oh, Mr Repington, I am so sorry. I did not mean to put you into a difficult situation, but I so hate their nonsense."

  "Oh, Miss Diana, you were brilliant!" Henrietta gushed.

  Matthew founding himself laughing as well. "No apologies are necessary. My sister is quite correct that was rather brilliant. I have never seen Lady Sarah or Miss Danielle speechless before. It was well worth the confusion on my part."

  “I was more than happy to have done it. I have seen them be so very cruel to people in the past that I could not pass up the opportunity to make them pause." She laughed again, “Lady Henrietta you were magnificent, as well, asking about Lady Judith.”

  “How could I not?” Lady Henrietta asked. “You would think she would have learned from what happened to her friend.”

  “Lady Sarah would have to think of someone other than herself. She seems not capable of that feat.” Miss Diana turned back to him. “Thank you for playing along.”

  "I was all too happy to comply. I am so very thankful that I was here to witness it,” Matthew admitted.

  Miss Diana giggled again. "You are quite welcome, Mr Repington."

  Matthew put a hand to his chest and bowed slightly in front of her. "Would you honour me with the next dance, Miss Diana?"

  "Yes of course. We would not want to disappoint Lady Sarah and Miss Danielle."

  "Quite right," he agreed with a laugh.

  They found their place among the other dancers just as the music began to play. He and Miss Diana were still laughing when the dance ended. As they walked back to join Henrietta and Webb, Matthew thought that maybe this party would not be so bad.

  Chapter Five

  “I had not thought to find you here,” Henrietta said coming into the drawing room.

  Matthew closed the book he had been reading. “Where did you think I would be?”

  “In the library or in your room, it seems that you are always reading or studying.” She shook her head. “Do you not tire of it?”

  “There was much reading that I was inclined to do prior to taking my vows but I have always enjoyed reading. That should not surprise you.”

  “It does not really. I am excited about tonight, but it is too early for me to go upstairs to begin readying myself.”

  Matthew had not meant to, but he grimaced at the mention of Henrietta getting ready to go out.

  "Do not look so sour," Lady Henrietta told Matthew. "We are going to Almack’s, not the guillotine."

  Matthew pinched the bridge of his nose before answering his sister. "I am fully aware of where you are going tonight. I simply do not wish to go with you."

  He should have known better than to talk to her about not wanting to go to Almack’s. He could have taken his book into the library to read but instead, he had come into the drawing room to sit on one of the upholstered chairs that was placed near the window.

  While Henrietta had always enjoyed attending the balls and parties of the Season, it had never been one of Matthew’s favourite activities. He did not like the crushing crowd that often attended Almack’s on Wednesday nights.

  Even when he was younger, Matthew had never shared the thrill of gossiping that most seemed to enjoy. It seemed to him that if someone was having difficulty already it was unfair for them to the deal with the rude hum of others. That sentiment was felt even more so after his dealings with Lady Abigail.

  Henrietta and others had tried to warn him but he had not listened. Even after witnessing her callous and appalling behaviour towards others, he had not believed she was truly unkind. He had been fooled by her charm to think that he was different and he had naively thought that perhaps his attentions could change her demeanour.

  A sigh came from Henrietta, clearly unaffected by his pronouncement. "Surely, you do not expect me to forego my night at Almack’s?"

  Matthew cringed at the thought of what their mother would say if Matthew had kept Henrietta from going to Almack’s. "No, of course not."

  "Oh, really. Well, then." Henrietta raised her eyebrows in surprise.

  "And I'm not being sour," Matthew told her with a scowl.

  Henrietta nodded and then began to laugh. "You most certainly are being sour. Whatever is wrong with you?"

  Matthew frowned at her. "There is nothing wrong with me. I am allowed to have an opinion on whether I want to attend a social event."

  Henrietta watched him for a moment and then asked quietly, "Is it because of what has happened regarding Lady Abigail and Lord Turnbull?"

  "No, it is not because of Lady Abigail. I have no desire to be foisted on the marriage mart." He was trying not to sound frustrated, but he was having a difficult time

  It was Henrietta’s turn to frown "I thought you wanted to be married, at least you did before you went to take your vows. What has changed?"

  Matthew simply shook his head and got up from his chair to look out the window into the small garden. His sister was quite right, he had indeed been looking for a wife before he had taken his vows. That had also been before he had heard the news that the woman he thought would be his wife had accepted a proposal from another gentleman. It had discouraged him greatly and he could not see how the situation would improve before he left for Whitehall.

  "Matthew, I know what is going on.” Henrietta's voice sounded exasperated. “I know full well you were going to ask for Lady Abigail's hand."

  "I do not wish to talk about Lady Abigail Underwood. Ever again."

  Henrietta stood up as well. "I do hope that you are not allowing Lady Abigail's vile behaviour to upset you."

  Matthew shook his head. "I have just told you that I do not wish to speak about it. Or her. I have simply decided I will be better served to concentrate on the reflection of my vows both to the clergy and my upcoming appointment in Whitehall."

  "You are being quite ridiculous," Henrietta told him her exasperation turning to anger. "I have told you from the beginning that Lady Abigail was selfish and spoiled. There are plenty of other young ladies in London that are pretty, sweet and sincere. If you had listened, you probably would not be this upset."

  "I am not upset. You are correct, of course, that you shared your opinion about her. Now, as I will be the new curate in Whitehall I must put the abbey first. And that is that."

  Henrietta stood looking at him for a moment before seeming to give up. “I do not completely agree with this course of action, but I cannot deny that it is your decision to make. No matter how wrong I believe that you may be, I cannot make you do what I want you to do. I only want you to b
e happy.”

  “I know, Henrietta.” Matthew appreciated both her exasperation and her kindness. “I am truly grateful you care so much. You are indeed a good sister.”

  She touched his arm very briefly and then turned from the window. “I think I shall go read in my room until it is time for me to begin readying myself for tonight.”

  “Very well. I will be ready and await you here.”

  Matthew was glad to be done with the conversation, but he could not help but admit that when Henrietta had said there were plenty of young ladies that were pretty, kind, and sincere that a vision of Miss Diana's laughing face appeared unbidden into his mind. He had no idea where the thought came from.

  Chapter Six

  “Diana, you look especially lovely tonight.”

  “Thank you very much, Aunt Grace,” Diana replied, thankful that her aunt had come with them. She looked down at her dress and smiled. “This dress is my favourite and I always like to wear it for special occasions.”

  “Well, I daresay that a night at Almack’s is quite special. I am sure you will get plenty attention from the gentleman in attendance.”

  They were waiting in line waiting to be admitted into the Hall.

  “One would hope so,” her mother said, scorn plain in her voice.

  Diana’s smile faltered. She looked away quickly embarrassed beyond words. She could not believe that her mother would say such a thing—much less in front of Aunt Grace, but also where other people in line could also overhear.

  Her aunt turned to Diana’s mother. “My goodness, Frances, what kind of comment is that?”

  Diana’s mother smiled sweetly. “Dear sister, I was just commenting on my hope that Diana would make a good impression tonight at Almack’s. It is not as though she has anyone chasing after her.”

  Mortified Diana looked down at her hands saying a silent prayer that her mother would stop talking.