A Brave New Life

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  “Well that is a bunch of Fustian nonsense!” her aunt exclaimed reaching for Diana’s hand. When she had her hand in her grasp, she squeezed gently. “I am most certain that the majority of the gentleman here are quite beneath your touch, Diana. I am not just turning you up sweet either.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Grace.” Diana was so grateful for her aunt. The woman was kind and smart but did not let other people push her around. It mattered little that night, though, as her mother had turned to speak to someone else completely ignoring what Aunt Grace had said.

  It was not long before they were let into Almack’s and Diana was relieved that Aunt Grace was able to direct Diana’s mother to a corner suggesting that they should speak with Lady Halswood.

  “After all, she will be holding her party fairly soon,” Diana could hear Aunt Grace say. “You will want her to see you here, I am sure.”

  Her mother nodded and let Aunt Grace guide her across the room.

  Even though they had waited several minutes to enter, the ballroom at Almack’s was not very crowded so early in the evening. Diana looked around as she made her way through the ballroom. She had crossed over to the other side of the large room when she saw Lady Henrietta smiling immediately upon seeing her friend.

  “Lady Henrietta, good evening. Have you been here long?”

  “We have only just arrived, the wait seemed longer this evening than usual.”

  “Yes, it seemed that way to me as well,” Diana replied, but she found herself looking around the ballroom. She had wondered earlier that day if Lady Henrietta’s brother, Matthew, would be in attendance. Now that she was at Almack’s she was quite looking forward to the idea of Mr Repington being there with them.

  A moment later Mr Repington joined them. “I have not seen Mr Webb, I wonder if he will be attending tonight.”

  Diana spoke up to say, “I believe he will be. As Lady Amelia had made it known that she will most likely be in attendance.”

  Lady Henrietta clapped her hands gleefully. “I had hoped those two would find each other.”

  Diana nodded but stopped when she noticed that Lady Sarah and Miss Danielle were standing together not far away watching them and whispering to each other.

  Lady Henrietta let out an exasperated groan. “Oh, do not worry over them. In fact, ignore both of them. They are only looking for a reaction and more drama to gossip about. Let us not give it to them.”

  “Yes, I know. Those back biters are really frustrating, though.”

  Henrietta turned so her back was to them causing Diana to turn away as well. “Eventually if people ignore them there will not be anyone else for them to gossip about or anyone to listen.”

  Matthew seemed to not give a care about what anyone was doing. He was standing quietly by Henrietta surveying the room.

  The room had begun to get more crowded and music began to play signaling the beginning of the dancing. Diana had been so preoccupied that she had not realized that Lady Sarah and Miss Danielle had moved from their previous spot.

  “Well, it is Almack’s. Only those with vouchers are allowed in but I must say I am often surprised about who they actually let in on Wednesday nights,” Lady Sarah said to miss Danielle and another young lady that Diana had only met once before if her memory served her correctly the lady’s name was Jane Lynnfield.

  Jane smiled at Matthew who nodded politely in return.

  Lady Sarah leaned in and said, “Oh no, he is a fifth son.”

  To his credit, Mr Repington’s face did not change at all although Diana could see the annoyance in his eyes. Once again Diana moved next to him while Lady Sarah looked on. Diana had sought for something to say but Matthew beat her to it.

  “Oh, there you are!” Matthew looked down at her with an astonishing smile. “The music has started I was worried that we would miss the dance.”

  “My apologies for worrying you. I was not far behind.”

  “Would you like to sit this dance out?”

  Diana peered out to the people already taking their places in the ballroom. “I think I would like to dance. If you are agreeable to that?”

  Matthew leaned forward sweeping his hand behind him in a low bow. “It would be my honour.”

  Matthew offered his arm and Diana slipped her arm through his, pausing to wave at the young ladies who were standing stock still staring at them. “If you’ll excuse us.”

  Very clearly irritated, Matthew, with Diana at his side, left before either young lady could say a single word.

  The music started and although his dancing was perfect, Diana could tell he was still quite upset. She could not help wondering if he was upset with her.

  “My apologies, Mr Repington. I am so very sorry. I had not meant for my joke last week to inconvenience you so much.”

  He frowned at her for a moment and then shook his head. “Lady Sarah and her friends are an inconvenience. Speaking with you and getting to dance with you is most definitely the best part of my being at Almack’s tonight.”

  “Thank you,” she managed to say.

  The music ended in the next moment and Diana was glad of it as she was sure her face was still as red as a field poppy. She was so very thankful that when they returned to the edge of the ballroom that Mr Webb and Lady Amelia had arrived and joined Lady Henrietta. Diana hoped she was acting normal and not as flustered as she felt inside.

  Chapter Seven

  Diana squinted and took another step back from the easel. She reached out with her paintbrush to add another brush stroke. She looked out the window and tilted her head. The sun had moved changing the shadows in front of the tree again. With a sigh, she rinsed her brush deciding to focus her attention on the flowers growing in the planters on either side of the tree.

  The previous summer she had sketched the small garden at their London residence. This summer she had decided to paint it in watercolors. In her previous Season, she had not thought to bring her watercolor paints with her. Diana was determined to bring them to London this Season. It had caused quite the argument with her mother, claiming that she did not trust that the paints would not ruin their belongings. Diana had disagreed with her mother completely. Instead of arguing with her mother, she had simply pointed out that her watercolor painting was a skill that she needed to practice and order to be proficient.

  She had repeated her own mother’s words to her. “Every young lady should be proficient in literature, music, and the arts.”

  Apparently not wanting to contradict herself, her mother had finally agreed to purchase the necessary paints and brushes once they arrived in London.

  Although it was very important for her to practice her painting, it would have been more truthful to have told her mother that she found it highly enjoyable. She was fascinated by the bright and vibrant colours found in nature. It made her extremely happy to bring those hues to life on the canvas. Diana knew quite well though, that her mother would care little about her joy in painting. Her mother seemed to only be concerned with those activities that would bring her a husband.

  Diana glanced back and forth between the canvas and the view out the window. “Perhaps more yellow daffodils would help.” She dipped her brush into the water and then ran it across the yellow watercolor block before touching her brush to the canvas in quick dotting motions.

  The door opened behind her, but she ignored it thinking it was Lewis coming in to collect her afternoon tea tray. She nearly cried out in surprise when her mother spoke.

  “Will you be done with that anytime soon?”

  Diana nearly dropped her brush but was able to catch it without getting yellow paint on the canvas or her smock. “Goodness! Mother, you startled me.”

  “Nonsense. Am I not allowed to walk into my own drawing room?”

  “Of course, Mother. It is just that you rarely come talk to me while I am painting.”

  It occurred to her it was likely one of the reasons that Diana enjoyed painting so much. Her mother had chosen to do needlework whe
n she was young and had not the proficiency of Diana with watercolors. It seemed to annoy her mother greatly that Diana had a talent for painting.

  “I thought it would benefit you more to practice in silence.” Her mother stood across the room near the settee. “Are you nearly done? I have something to speak to you about.”

  Diana tried not to sound exasperated. “Do I need to sit down for you to speak with me? I can finish my painting and listen to you at the same time. If it pleases you, of course.”

  Her mother scowled for a moment and then visibly relaxed as she sat down on the settee. “It makes no matter to me where you are, as long as you are listening.”

  “Yes, Mother,” Diana said dutifully.

  “Lord and Lady Browerton are having a dinner party tomorrow evening and I have accepted an invitation on your behalf.”

  Diana did not look away from the canvas, continuing to dot the yellow paint onto it while endeavouring to keep herself calm. It had taken her but a moment to realize that the Browerton name was familiar to her, the parents of Jane Lynnfield. To her mother, she said, “I do not think I recognize that name. I do not wish to attend a dinner party where I know no one.”

  “Do not worry yourself over that. The invitation came through Lady Alderside, Lady Sarah’s mother. I believe you actually know Lady Sarah’s friend, Jane Lynnfield.”

  “Mother,” Diana began, hoping her mother would understand her. “While I do know Lady Sarah and Miss Jane, they are not young ladies I speak with often.”

  “This will be the perfect opportunity for you to do so.” Her mother stood up and turned to leave the room. She stopped and turned back around, tapping her foot lightly. “There will be several gentlemen in attendance for you to speak with as well.”

  Diana turned back to the canvas blinking quickly to avoid a rude response. She could not pinpoint when her mother had started becoming so querulous. Like many other young girls she had been taught to be ladylike. She was taught the importance of being clean and quiet.

  As Diana had gotten older, it had seemed normal for her mother to be fussy over every detail. Her mother did not like Diana to go riding because her riding habit got dusty from being in the stable. It seemed as though this Season her mother had gotten even worse, criticizing the smallest perceived infraction.

  “Your father and I are concerned about you this Season.”

  “Father?” Diana raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes, your father has decided that you should be betrothed by the end of the Season.”

  Diana could hardly believe what she was hearing. “The end of the Season?”

  “Yes, he is well acquainted with many of the parents of the young gentleman that shall be at this dinner party.”

  “So, Father is going to pick out a husband for me?”

  “If it comes to that, yes.”

  “I see.” Diana continued to paint filling much more of the canvas with daffodils than she had originally intended.

  “As you well know, your father and I want you to marry well. It is important that you catch someone’s eye at this dinner party.”

  She stood holding the brush in her hands, frozen. Finally she put the paintbrush down. She would not be able to continue painting while she felt so hopeless. Diana let out a sigh.

  “I shall endeavour to do as you ask.”

  Chapter Eight

  Matthew stood next to Henrietta and tried not to feel so agitated. It was not Henrietta's fault that he had once again been forced to accompany her to yet another event. Their parents had been delayed at Castborough and had not yet arrived in London. She could not go unescorted.

  For his sister’s benefit, he smiled and said, "Dinner seemed to go well. Perhaps playing cards will go as smoothly."

  Her smile was tight when she said, "We shall see."

  He was not sure what she meant but before he could ask she stepped forward. "Good evening, Miss Jane. What a lovely dinner. Thank you so much for having us."

  Matthew looked at the young lady his sister had just addressed recognizing her from their night at Almack's. She was one of the young ladies who had recently befriended Lady Sarah. By the sudden look of displeasure on the young lady's face, she had also remembered the exchange.

  "Lady Henrietta, you are quite welcome. I thought your parents would be attending with you."

  Henrietta had clearly seen Miss Jane's hesitation and Matthew saw his sister’s eyes narrow before she said, "Yes, I am sure you did. I apologize for the confusion regarding your assumption. My father, the Duke of Castborough, had some important business to tend to and has not yet arrived in London. My brother, Matthew, has accompanied me tonight."

  At the mention of the duke, Miss Jane's eyes lit up and she suddenly seemed to remember her manners. Miss Jane turned to Matthew with the same smile she had given him at Almack’s the previous week. "Good evening, Mr Repington. I do hope you are enjoying yourself tonight." She offered her hand with enthusiasm.

  Matthew took her hand and almost immediately released it. "Thank you, the evening has been most enjoyable so far."

  Miss Jane's hand hung in the air for a moment as though she was unsure what to do with it when Matthew released it so quickly. "Now that dinner is over, everyone is gathering in the drawing room for tea and card games."

  "Thank you, Miss Jane. You have been very helpful." Henrietta walked past her and headed to the other side of the room.

  Matthew was still marveling at how his sister had summarily dismissed the other young lady in her own home when Miss Jane came into the room asking everyone to take their seats at the small tables scattered around the room.

  There was some scrambling as people took their seats at one of the larger tables. Matthew moved to a smaller table and sat down, immediately standing back up when Miss Diana stopped across the table from him.

  "We seem to be tablemates this evening." She laughed, but sounded somewhat nervous. Whether she was uneasy about speaking with him or because of the party he was not sure. He hoped he was not the source of her obvious anxiety.

  "Yes, how fortuitous.” He was truly glad of it, too. Every minute with these people reminded him of Lady Abigail, and he felt the fool for not seeing her as being the same.

  She sat down and he took his seat once more. She looked around the room. "I fear that we have been seated at the other end of the table as some sort of punishment."

  As if proving Miss Diana's point, Lady Sarah whispered something to Miss Danielle that caused them both to look down at the end of the table and laugh.

  Tired of their malicious behaviour, Matthew smiled broadly and waved, leaning closer to Miss Diana to say, "I am happy to say that I believe that we have gotten the better part of the deal."

  Matthew did not think that Miss Diana had seen the exchange between the two other young ladies but by her reaction, she must have known what he meant. "I have no doubt that we will have a much more pleasant time here. My heart goes out to your sister."

  His sister had been seated in the midst of Lady Sarah and her spiteful friends. Matthew caught his sister's eye and she gave him an icy smile. "Yes, I believe you are quite right, she does not appear to be enjoying herself in the least. I will no doubt get an ear full."

  “If it were anyone else I would be concerned but your sister seems to be one of the few people seemingly unaffected when they decide to direct their vitriol towards her.”

  Matthew watched his sister, her continued graciousness amongst the other girls was rather commendable. “Yes, I know firsthand that she is a formidable opponent. She truly does not care what they think of her.”

  Miss Diana sat up straight. “Being the daughter of a duke I am sure is rather helpful.”

  “Yes and no.” Miss Diana raised an eyebrow in question. He nodded with a weak smile and went on with his thought. “You see, Henrietta is certainly aware that the only reason she was invited tonight is due to our father being the Duke of Castborough. Most of these young ladies have at one time or another att
ached themselves to Henrietta. She can see through their motives easily. And she has no desire to lord her station over others. So the attempts at friendship from these lot has never gone anywhere.”

  “Your sister is one of the nicest people I have ever met.” She paused for a moment and then looked at Matthew with a grin. “I suppose I could say that for her brothers as well.”

  Matthew raised an eyebrow at that. “Oh?”

  She seemed to realize that her statement could be construed as rather forward. “Well, yes. I just remember how nice you and your older brothers have been in dealing with Lady Sarah and her friends. I, for one, am thankful for the assistance given to Miss Beatrice and Lady Julianna.”

  As much as he would have liked to, he could not argue the point with her. There had been more than a few occasions where either he or his brothers had felt it necessary to step in to deal with the maliciousness of that set.

  “Yes, well, it is difficult for us to stand idly by while others are being mistreated.”

  “Excuse me.” Their conversation was interrupted by someone who stood next to their table.

  Matthew looked up to see Henry Crandall standing next to the table. “Yes, Crandall?” Matthew said impatiently.

  Crandall gestured back towards the larger table. “They are playing a game and we have been instructed to switch seats. I left that table and I am to replace you here.”

  Matthew scowled at the other man. “Oh, the devil take it!”

  Without a glance behind him, Matthew stocked across the room and sat down at the other table. He played the card game but poorly as his attention kept going back to Miss Diana and her conversation with Crandall.

  “If you will excuse me,” Matthew said standing up. “I believe I need some fresh air.” With that, he walked out of the drawing room and left the house pacing near their carriage vowing not to return until the party was over.

  Chapter Nine

  “What are you doing all by yourself in here?” Henrietta asked pausing in the doorway of the library.