A Brave New Life

by Kelly Anne Bruce

  Matthew stood across the room waiting anxiously while Henrietta spoke to Miss Diana. He wondered if Henrietta had remembered her offer to assist him. They were still speaking and then he began to worry that she had remembered. When Henrietta had offered her assistance, he had thought it was a good idea but now he was having second thoughts.

  Did he really want to know if Miss Diana had no interest in him at all? The thought made his throat go dry. He could not help but think it would have been easier not knowing how she felt rather than the confirmation that she had no feelings for him in any way.

  Waiting on the edge of the ballroom, he also had a full view of the entrance to Almack’s. He watched the crowd come and go with feigned interest as he thought. He was starting wonder if he should have stayed home when he saw Webb working his way through the crowd.

  “Webb,” Matthew acknowledged him before glancing back over to where Henrietta and Miss Diana were still speaking.

  “Repington,” Webb said with a nod. He stood next to Matthew for nearly a minute shifting awkwardly in place. “I am hesitant to ask this, as I worry over what I might learn. Yet, I am unable to stop myself from asking. Did you by any chance have the opportunity to speak with your sister on the matter that we discussed the other day in Hyde Park?”

  Matthew wanted to chuckle at the poor sod but the fact that his situation was not very much different than his own sobered him up quickly. He turned to Webb grateful to do something other than watching and waiting to hear from his sister.

  “Yes, I went home straight away from the Park and spoke to her at once.”

  Webb stared at him for what seemed like several minutes before saying, “And?”

  “Oh!” Matthew feigned surprise. The other man looked as though he might faint. Matthew might have felt bad but since he had good news for Webb he let it pass. “Henrietta was very helpful.”

  “She was?” Webb

  “Yes, indeed.” Matthew clapped the other man on the shoulder. “Henrietta was quite confident that you will have no objections were you to suggest a courtship with Lady Amelia.”

  “Oh,” was all that the man uttered.

  Matthew expected his friend to be relieved, but he looked even more stricken than before. “Webb, are you well?”

  He shook his head quickly as though trying to shake off a stupor. “I had prepared myself for the worst. I had not thought that I would need to prepare myself for good news as well.”

  “It is understandable. Now you know how Lady Amelia feels you can begin to look forward. You will need to plan what you will do next.”

  Matthew was happy for his friend but it once again reminded him of Lady Abigail Underwood’s abhorrent behaviour. While he knew that Diana was quite different, in almost every way, he still worried that he would be fooled again. Matthew barely finished the thought when his sister, caught his eye and nodded. He had almost missed her nod it was so quick but there was no denying what it meant.

  Matthew took a moment to compose himself. "Perhaps we should go speak with the young ladies before someone else asks them to dance.” It was clear from Webb’s face that he had only just noticed that Lady Amelia had joined Henrietta and Miss Diana. "Yes, I think that would be best."

  Matthew and Webb crossed the room easily skirting the edge of the ballroom. Matthew nodded back at Henrietta in a silent thank you for her assistance.

  “Good evening, Mr Repington.” Miss Diana lowered her eyelashes, then looked up at him again. "Are you enjoying Almack’s tonight?”

  Matthew could not stop himself from smiling at her. "I am finding it quite agreeable. Thank you. And how is your evening?"

  Miss Diana glanced at Henrietta before saying, "It has been quite interesting thus far, and I am quite looking forward to the rest of the night."

  The music began to play and Matthew found himself saying, “Would you like to dance?"

  “Yes, that would be lovely."

  Matthew led her to the center of the ballroom, feeling as though he and Miss Diana had started something extremely special. He tried not to think about it as he felt as though it was all too new and fragile. As they glided around the room they did not speak very much but he did not mind as he was enjoying their quiet moment together.

  After the dance was over they returned to where Webb and Lady Amelia were still standing with Henrietta.

  “I cannot believe the crowd tonight,” Lady Amelia was saying as they joined them once more.

  “It is quite the crush tonight,” Webb agreed with her.

  Matthew looked around surprised by the number of people.

  “Goodness!” Miss Diana remarked, looking up at him. “I had no idea.”

  Matthew had been so intent on Miss Diana that he had not noticed the growing crowd around them.

  “It is no wonder that you did not notice,” Henrietta said, causing Matthew to send her a warning look.

  Neither he nor Miss Diana needed to be reminded of their preoccupation during their dance. He did not wish her to feel as though either of them had done anything improper.

  Henrietta gave him a funny look as Webb spoke up. “There was some sort of hullabaloo outside preventing many from entering earlier.”

  “Oh! I wonder what happened?” Miss Diana asked.

  “I believe I heard someone say that a carriage was involved. Whether it lost a wheel or had a runaway horse, I am not sure,” Lady Amelia explained.

  Matthew was about to comment when he saw Miss Diana's mother, Lady Penhaven coming over to them looking rather cross.

  "Diana, please come with me."

  Miss Diana looked concerned as she glanced at Matthew and then followed her mother. Her mother took her aside and although Matthew did not want to intrude he was extremely concerned about Miss Diana. Her mother seemed to be quite upset with her, and Diana did not look happy either. Her mother took Miss Diana by the hand and led her through the ballroom. With the ballroom of Almack’s so crowded, Matthew could not see where they had gone but a short time later he saw Miss Diana dancing with Mr Crandall.

  Henrietta had accepted an offer to dance with Timothy Sedgwick, Lady Amelia’s brother upon her return she immediately glanced around for Miss Diana. Matthew was able to discern the moment his sister saw her friend was dancing with Mr Crandall. Henrietta’s smile disappeared and she sent a worried look to Matthew. Finding himself hurt, discouraged and thoroughly disheartened, once again, Matthew left Almack’s not sure what he was to do next.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Diana walked down the stairs, the house so quiet that she worried her footfalls would be heard along the upstairs hall. For nearly a week, she had gotten up early in the morning sneaking down to the kitchen in the dark hours before dawn for her morning meal. Once she was finished eating she would return to her room to read or sketch.

  Diana could not even retrieve her watercolor paints from the drawing room as she had claimed a headache for the last two days. She had laid back against her pillows with her eyes closed when her mother had come to talk to her.

  Her mother had been intolerable since she had caused the horrible scene at Almack’s. Diana had been completely caught off guard by her mother’s insistence that she stop speaking with Mr Repington. It had upset Diana but even more so when her mother had gone on to point out that Matthew was a fifth son, not at all what Diana’s father expected for her. Diana had tried to reason with her mother but there was nothing for it. She had gone so far as to lead Diana across the ballroom to where Mr Crandall had been standing with several friends.

  Mr Crandall had been extremely solicitous to Diana and her mother. It was clear, at least to Diana, that Mr Crandall knew exactly what was to happen. Diana found his arrogance and general demeanour to be loathsome. She found it more and more difficult to spend time with him and remain civil.

  There was a knock at Diana's door and she fell back to her pillows her eyes closed hoping her mother would go away if she appeared to be asleep. It was only a moment later that Diana hea
rd her aunt say, "I know you are not sleeping. I just want to talk.”

  Diana opened her eyes and gave her aunt a sheepish look. "My apologies. I thought you were Mother.”

  Aunt Grace grimaced at Diana. "Well, that is quite distressing. I shall need to check my image in a mirror more often."

  Diana giggled and shook her head. "No, of course not. Mother always comes in to see me although she never really asks as to how I am feeling. Yet the only thing she ever speaks about is how she is feeling and her thoughts on the matter. Any matter, really."

  "Yes well, your mother is very good at thinking about only herself."

  "I used to think that she meant well but I do not think that any longer." It made Diana sad but would not help her or the situation.

  "I do not know. Perhaps she does mean well. I think it is quite possible that she does not know any other way. I seem to remember that her mother was fairly awful."

  "She was?"

  Aunt Grace nodded. “Oh, yes. There was a time we were not sure whether your mother and my brother would actually be able to marry."

  Diana opened her mouth to reply but sat there for a moment. "I have never heard that. That must have been troubling for them."

  "It was very troubling for them. My brother was quite upset for a long period of time," Aunt Grace told her. "That is what is so surprising about how they are treating you now. I would have thought your father would remember what he went through."

  Diana shifted on the bed a little. "I had not thought you would know about that.”

  "It is the reason for my visit. I wanted to find out, for myself, what is going on.” Aunt Grace shook her head in disapproval. “It was quite the gossip this week as well as your mother's behaviour at Almack’s. I am afraid it did not go unnoticed."

  "That is my fault, of course, according to Mother." Diana stood up, moving across the room to stand at the window. "She was angry with me for dancing with Matthew Remington. He is the youngest son of the Duke of Castborough."

  "And she was upset because he is a younger son?"

  "Yes, apparently Father has decided that I should marry better than that."

  "And how do you feel?"

  "I care not when someone was born or in what order compared to their siblings. I care about their heart. Mr Repington is a good man. He is responsible and happy with his life. He respects and is close to his family."

  "And what of this Mr Crandall?"

  Diana frowned thinking about Mr Crandall. "I do not like speaking ill of people but there is not about much about Mr Crandall I like."

  "How so?"

  "It is hard to explain but he is not happy with anything. He complains constantly about anything and everything. Most of all, he holds great resentment about being a third son. For some reason he believes it is sort of an injustice that has befallen him. He has made it quite clear he feels that almost everything he encounters is rather beneath his touch, including me."

  "Surely not." Aunt Grace grimaced and then frowned deeply.

  "Indeed. He has made it more than obvious on each of our interactions that I should be grateful that he has even given me the time of day."

  "I do not like that at all."

  "You can imagine that I am not fond of it either."

  "Yes, I imagine not." Her aunt looked out the window as if in thought. Then she turned and looked directly into Diana’s eyes. "You said that Mr Crandall is not happy about being a third son, yes?"

  "It is quite true. He acts as though his older brothers wronged him in some way. So, the simple fact that they were born is an insult to him."

  "What a bunch of nonsense!" Aunt Grace shook her head and pursed her lips. "Mr Crandall grouses about something that is normal to the rest of us, while your father wants to force you into marriage with someone because of their status."

  "I believe Father is friends with his father, Lord Dunwold." Diana sighed. “So, it seems it has turned into something rather complicated."

  "It makes no sense to me. What is the difference between a third son and a fifth son?"

  "Nothing, as far as I am concerned."

  "It is not as though it is really any closer to the title in any practical manner… unless there are several deaths in the family which is not terribly likely. Perhaps your Father is planning on eliminating Mr Crandall's elder brothers."

  Even though she knew that Aunt Grace was being humorous, Diana was still upset and let out her breath loudly. "That thought has occurred to me as well. Although, not in regards to Father, but perhaps Mr Crandall. It was not so long ago that Mr Townsend attempted to kill his own brother so he could be the heir.”

  “It would not be the first time that sort of thing has happened.” Aunt Grace bit her bottom lip. Then she shrugged. “Well, there’s little we can do about any of that or what anyone may be planning. You have explained all of this to your mother?”

  “Mother will not listen to anything I have to say about Mr Crandall. He is from a respectable family and above reproach in her eyes. I have also explained that it does not matter to me whether a gentleman is a third son or a fifth son, or a fiftieth son for that matter," she finished her voice rising in exasperation.

  “Clearly your father and mother have decided that it matters to them.”

  “I suppose that is what is all that matters at this point.” Diana felt more hopeless than she had ever felt.

  “Well, that is what is important to them.” Her aunt sighed. “Your father would not approve of me speaking about this but with the way he is behaving I cannot say that I worry much over what he thinks.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just that you should have some say in a decision that will affect the rest of your life. Diana, you are smart and caring, and even with all the mistreatment from your mother you are quite strong.”

  Diana let out a harsh brittle laugh.

  “You are. You have endured years of your mother’s corrections and criticism and yet still have a mind of your own. Much more so than any other young ladies that I have seen at Almack’s this season or any before.”

  Diana did not know if she agreed with her aunt about being strong, but she was more mindful about most things than many of the other ladies. “I suppose, not that it helps me much now.”

  “It will serve you well. As I said your father will not be happy with me but I must tell you I feel that you should follow your heart.”

  “That seems a highly impossible feat just now.”

  “Your parents found a way to get what they wanted.” Aunt Grace smiled mysteriously and reached out to take her hand.

  Diana wanted to argue that she cared not what her parents had done but decided that Aunt Grace was telling her this for a reason. She let a long sigh and settled in to hear the message her aunt was trying to send.

  Chapter Fourteen

  "Matthew, I thought you were going to the Farringham’s dinner party tonight,” his mother asked when he came down the stairs. She was most obviously dressed for the dinner party, he recognized the robin’s egg blue gown as one of her favourites.

  “You look beautiful, Mother.” He kissed her cheek and continued to walk into the drawing room. “No, I have decided to stay home.”

  “Thank you, dear.” His mother followed him into the drawing room with a concerned look on her face. "Is there something amiss?"

  “No.” He sighed. “At least, nothing I cannot deal with on my own."

  His mother stood quietly, the passive look on her face not changing as she tried to find out what was wrong. "I know you are perfectly capable of dealing with your own problems. I was merely wondering why you looked so Friday-faced."

  "My apologies, Mother. I believe I may go back to Castborough to prepare for my appointment in Whitehall."

  "You want to return to Castborough now?"

  Matthew nodded, hoping she would not press him further. "Yes. I have grown tired of London."

  His mother raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconvinced. “I believe
you should think about your decision for a few days before doing anything rash."

  Matthew nodded. "That is certainly sound advice, Mother. I shall do as you ask." He did not actually agree with his mother’s advice, but he did not want to alarm her. A few extra days would not kill him, anyway.

  “Perhaps you need to get out of the house. I understand you not wanting to go to the Farringham’s dinner party, it is going to be a bit of a mull. Far too many people have been invited for it to be a proper dinner party, truthfully. I am quite sure most of the gentlemen will be half-foxed before dinner is even served.” She said with a laugh and a shake of her head. “Do not stay here wandering the empty house.”

  Before Matthew could reply she added, “Dear, as long as you are here you should take heed of the advantages London has to offer.”

  “Thank you, Mother. Have a good evening.”

  After his family had left for the dinner party, Matthew paced in the library regretting his agreement to remain in London. He wished he had left for Whitehall already.

  There were still several weeks before he could go but he had not lied when speaking to his mother, he could not stand being in London any longer. His disappointment over the news of Lady Abigail’s betrothal to Lord Turnbull had been nothing compared to how he was now feeling about Miss Diana and her unexpected interest in Crandall.

  Restless and with no idea of what to do, Matthew grabbed his coat and left the house following his mother’s advice. He had walked a fair amount before turning back, with a firm destination in mind. A drink at Whites would be the assistance needed to ease the torment. Matthew walked into the exclusive club and almost immediately ran into Webb who was standing just inside the doorway peering hesitantly into the crowded room.

  "Hello, Webb. I did not expect to see you here tonight."

  Webb looked just as surprised to see Matthew. "Likewise. I thought you would be at the Farringham’s dinner party."

  "I was thinking the same about you."

  Webb glanced back toward the door. "I was headed there just now, but decided to stop in here first."