Holly and Hopeful Hearts

by Caroline Warfield

  He rather liked having a daughter to parade about town. Or rather, he liked having a daughter period.

  Of course, he was still not quite sure what he should do with her. It wasn’t as if he could afford to dedicate himself to her entertainment on a long-term basis. A governess, he supposed. But not just any governess. Someone who could command her respect, someone young and savvy enough to manage a crafty fifteen-year-old with more wit than sense.

  More than once, what came to his mind was the image of Miss Vanessa Sedgely as she conducted her tour in such an assured manner. He thought she would be the perfect sort of companion for his daughter. Not only was she young enough to recall her own youth, but she was compassionate, practical, and had a strong character. And if he were being honest with himself, he would admit he wouldn’t mind getting to know her better.

  But Miss Sedgely was not a governess or companion and had no reason to become one. And she was far too young to be mother to a girl of Louise’s age, even if he were predisposed to remarry, which he was not. As much as he wanted his daughter to have a mother figure to bring her out in society and ease her way to adulthood, he wasn’t willing to leg-shackle himself to do it. Of course, once Louise was married and settled, he’d be alone again, as he had for the past two years. But that was what he wanted. Wasn’t it?

  Late in the afternoon of the third day since his meeting at the Foundling Hospital, he and Louise returned home from an afternoon concert to find a missive on the hall table.

  “A letter? Who is it from?” Louise demanded. “Is it from Aunt Eliza?”

  “No, it’s far too soon for a letter from Russia,” responded George. “I believe it is from Miss Sedgely.”

  Louise stiffened. “Miss Sedgely? Why, Papa, it is most improper for an unmarried lady to write to a gentleman.” She leaned over in an attempt to see it better. “What does she want?”

  George scanned the letter. “Oh, well, it’s really more for you, my dear. Miss Sedgely has been asked to participate in the planning of a charity ball, to be held together with a house party at the Haverford property in Buckinghamshire. During the Yuletide season.”

  Louise shrugged. “That’s months away. What has that to do with me?” Then her eyes widened. “A house party at the Duke of Haverford’s estate?”

  George raised an eyebrow. Apparently the prospect of a protracted stay at a ducal household held some interest for her after all.

  “The very one,” he said. “Miss Sedgely has heard that your cousin Blanche is expected to attend, along with her cousins, and it occurred to her that you might find it of interest as well.”

  “Of course it did.” Louise’s lips curled. Then she started. “Blanche will be there? I haven’t seen her in ages, not since—” she cleared her throat “—she went to live with the Ashburys.” Finally, “Where is this meeting? I shan’t have to accompany Miss Sedgely all the way to Buckinghamshire, shall I?”

  “Not at all,” said George easily. “The meeting is at a local bookshop.” He quickly perused the letter. “Miss Clemens’s Oxford Street Book Palace and Tea Rooms. I must confess I don’t know it, but I’m sure the coachman will be able to convey us there.”

  “Us?” Louise’s eyes narrowed.

  “It will be my pleasure to accompany you there, Daughter.”

  “Hmph.”

  * * *

  Miss Clemens’s’ Oxford Street Book Palace and Tea Rooms, Mount Street, London

  Louise fidgeted in her seat as the older ladies droned on and on about the details of the ball to be held on New Year’s Eve for the purpose of raising subscriptions for the education of girls. Miss Sedgely had been asked about her work with the foundlings, and the other ladies—including the Duchess of Haverford herself—seemed to be quite impressed with her efforts. Not being able to fault Miss Sedgely for anything she was saying, Louise stared down at her feet. It wasn’t that she didn’t like Miss Sedgely. What she didn’t like was the secret smile on her father’s face when he looked at her. And the way he had invited himself to sit in the meeting “as an observer,” he said, which the duchess had graciously accepted with the suggestion that his legal expertise might be of use. Really, Louise couldn’t bear another minute of it.

  She sighed deeply and let her eyes wander around the room. A carriage had halted in front of the shop, and she watched with growing interest as she recognized one of the new arrivals as her cousin Blanche.

  She started to rise from her seat, and her father caught her hand.

  “Blanche is here, Papa!” she whispered. “We have not seen each other in an age, and I must speak with her.”

  He looked over his shoulder and nodded. “Remember your manners,” he whispered in return, angling his head toward the duchess.

  After requesting and being given permission to leave, Louise hastened out of the room to greet her cousin. Blanche squealed at the sight of Louise, and they embraced with smiles of pleasure.

  “Dear Blanche, we used to see each other so often we declared ourselves sisters, and now… I fear you have replaced me with your other cousins,” Louise complained.

  Blanche squeezed her hand. “I’ve missed you as well, Louise. And I haven’t replaced you with anyone. In any case, I’m to return to my papa after the new year.”

  “But High Grove Manor is so very far away. When will I ever see you? I thought you were angry at him for deserting you after the accident.”

  Blanche leaned in and hugged her. “Papa wants me with him. And I am ever so glad he does. I have missed him so much since Mama left us. I am not blind to his faults. I lost my mother as well during that horrible accident. I have accepted it was but an accident. They happen. Besides, he is my father, and I love him.”

  Louise stomped her foot. “Why? You barely know each other, and he has hardly been much of a father to you of late, tossing you aside like he did. Why do you not let me speak with my father so you can come live with us? I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too, which is why I have made sure that Cousin Elinor includes you and Uncle George when the invitations go out for the house party they are planning at the Duchess of Haverford’s estate at Christmastide.”

  Louise squealed. “We’re going too, Blanche. Won’t it be great fun?” The two girls hugged one another with shouts of joy.

  “An entire fortnight at the Haverfords’ estate,” Louise marveled. “With dukes and earls and splendid parties every night!”

  “Well, perhaps not every night,” Blanche advised. “It is a charity event, you know. But it will be quite wonderful, will it not? Did you come from St. Albans or are you staying in London?”

  “At a house on Gresham Street, for now. But, Blanche, you must at least come for a visit! I vow I shall die of ennui if I have no one more engaging to speak to than Monsieur Gagnon,” moaned Louise.

  “You must know that Papa spends at least as much time in London as he does in the country. No doubt we shall see each other everywhere,” began Blanche. “Wait! Who is this Monsieur Gagnon? A Frenchman? Is he handsome?”

  “Don’t be silly. He’s my new dancing master. Nothing to look at, really—short and slight and upward of thirty, I would say. Quite light on his feet, however. I do enjoy dancing with him, and we speak French together, which I have not done since Mama died.” A thought occurred to her. “Shall we be permitted to dance at the ball, do you think?”

  Blanche grinned. “I do not see why not,” she said. “It’s a charity ball, after all, for the purpose of raising funds for girls’ education, and you and I have a passionate interest in educating females, do we not?”

  Louise clapped her hands, her mood completely reversed. “I shall need a new ball gown!”

  “Don’t forget morning dresses, walking dresses, riding habits, and pelisses!” Blanche added. “We mustn’t give the impression of being provincials, after all.”

  At that point, Lady Elinor Lacey detected their hiding place. “Blanche, please be a dear and remove to the tearoom. You are disrupting our mee
ting.”

  “We do not want tea, Elinor, as we have been promised ices,” said Blanche, wrinkling her nose.

  “Then keep your voices down until the meeting is over. Find another book to purchase, but do try to behave with decorum for the next quarter hour or so.”

  “Very well,” said Blanche, then turned to Louise. “Let us go through the latest Belle Assemblée and find some ideas for our new gowns.”

  Louise was only too happy to oblige.

  * * *

  Vanessa was pleased to make the acquaintance of Her Grace, the Duchess of Haverford, and her young relative, Miss Cedrica Grenford, who seemed very shy but was quite amiable, and exceedingly efficient as she took notes of the meeting. Lord Nicholas’s daughter Blanche was there, along with his nieces Elinor, Alice, and Celia. Lady Sophia Belvoir and Grace, Lady de Courtenay were in attendance. Miss Esther Baumann, a banker’s daughter, proved to be a charming young lady. Vanessa quite enjoyed discussing with them the necessity for more and better education of girls, and they seemed equally interested in her work with the Foundling Hospital.

  At the conclusion of the committee meeting, Vanessa made a point of sidling over in a nonchalant manner to Mr. Durand, who was conversing with a new arrival, the gentleman who had accompanied him to Vauxhall on the night of the masquerade.

  “Lord Nicholas, a pleasure to see you again. If you had intended to join our meeting, regrettably I must tell you that it has just been concluded.”

  Lord Nicholas grinned. “In that case, my timing is perfect. I am merely the escort for my nieces, since my brother, the duke, is otherwise occupied today.” His gaze made a sweeping search of the facilities, after which he looked questioningly at Vanessa. “Do you know where my daughter, Blanche, has got to?”

  Lady Elinor made her way across the room to her uncle’s side. “Dear Blanche and Louise were somewhat less than amused with the committee meeting. I’m afraid I had to give them a bit of a scold for causing a small disturbance.” She shrugged. “The last I heard they were about to make up a list of the new frocks that will be required for the house party.”

  The two men exchanged knowing looks.

  “More shopping!” groaned Mr. Durand.

  “The frills and furbelows alone will ruin me!” echoed Lord Nicholas.

  “Nonsense! Each of you has only one daughter; my father has three, and my mother requires costly dressing as well,” Lady Elinor commented as she walked away to collect her sisters.

  “Alice, Celia, do come along, if you wish to stop at Gunter’s. Blanche too!”

  “I’d best be going,” said Lord Nicholas, tipping his hat in Vanessa’s direction. “Your servant, Miss Sedgely. George. It appears the Ashbury party is on its way.”

  Finally, they were alone. But not for long. Out of the corner of her eye, Vanessa saw Louise approaching.

  “I’m glad you could come this morning,” she said, “even though Louise found it rather tedious.”

  Mr. Durand waved a hand in the direction of his approaching daughter. “Young ladies her age can be rather fickle, I think. As her father, I can only hope that, with maturity, she will have half as much grace and charm as you do, Miss Sedgely.”

  Vanessa blushed. Heat radiated through her chest. He liked her! She had suspected that he did, but there could no longer be any doubt.

  But time was at a premium. Keeping an eye on Louise, she swallowed and took the plunge.

  “Please forgive me for being forward, but I was wondering if you plan to attend the Foundling Hospital’s annual ball next Friday? I shall be there, myself, and was hoping we might share a dance.” She swallowed. “Or have a conversation. About the hospital, of course.”

  Mr. Durand’s eyes twinkled. “I should be pleased to dance with you, Miss Sedgely. Save me a waltz?”

  Vanessa had a sensation of being flooded with warmth. “Indeed I shall, Mr. Durand. The waltz is my favorite dance.”

  Louisa had almost reached them. Mr. Durand smiled, and quickly added, “May I have the pleasure of escorting you to the ball, Miss Sedgely?”

  Vanessa’s heart was full. “I would like that.”

  “Hill Street, is it not?”

  He knew where she lived! She felt like jumping up and down with joy.

  “Why, yes,” she responded, “the brick with the gargoyle door knocker.”

  “A gargoyle?”

  “A gargoyle,” she assured him. “It keeps out evil spirits, you see.”

  They were chuckling as Louise reached them, looking peeved.

  “What is it that amuses you so?”

  “Miss Sedgely is fond of gargoyles.”

  Vanessa giggled and gave him a playful nudge. “I never said so!”

  “You have one on your front door, do you not?”

  “That is my mother’s doing. She tends to be a bit superstitious.”

  “I see,” was all George said, but his eyes were brimming with laughter.

  Louise’s lips pressed into a white slash. “Let us go, Papa. Might we go for ices at Gunter’s? The Ashburys are going there, and I would like one as well.”

  George gave his daughter an indulgent grin. “I suppose so.” He turned to Vanessa. “Would you care to join us, Miss Sedgely?”

  Vanessa shook her head. “I’m afraid I cannot. I have classes at the Foundling Hospital this afternoon. But I am quite fond of ices,” she said with a glance at Louise, who seemed to be avoiding her gaze.

  “Some other time then.”

  George made his farewells, which were echoed rather coolly by his daughter, and the pair were off to their waiting carriage.

  Vanessa’s spirits were soaring as she herself left Mrs. Marlowe’s establishment. Not even Louise’s indifference could spoil her mood. It wasn’t until that evening when she prepared for bed that she realized that in her mind, Mr. Durand had become simply “George.” When had that happened?

  * * *

  She was, however, not so pleased when her mother insisted on accompanying them to the ball.

  “An unmarried lady cannot travel alone with a gentleman,” declared Mrs. Sedgely.

  “I shall have Cotter with me,” countered Vanessa.

  “No matter. I must inspect this-this solicitor who undertakes to court you. I cannot permit my daughter to associate with a nobody, even if you are past your prime.”

  Vanessa’s jaw clenched. “Mr. Durand is not courting me, Mama, and he is not a nobody. He advises the Foundling Hospital’s Board of Governors and he has a spotless reputation.” Out of habit she ignored her mother’s jibe about her age. She had long become immune to such comments from her loving mother.

  “Of course he is courting you! Has it been so long since you were courted that you have forgotten what it is all about, Vanessa? A gentleman does not offer to escort a lady to a ton event unless he is of a mind to court her.”

  Vanessa leaned her head against the back of the armchair. She found it difficult to argue when her own thoughts were leaning the same way. George did like her, very much, she suspected. But as far as courting—she had no indication that he was considering remarriage. Perhaps it was simply a pleasant companion he was seeking. But whatever his motivation for offering to escort her, she greatly feared her mother’s blunt opinions and probing questions would put him off her permanently.

  But then, he would have to meet her mother eventually. It would be a test of his fortitude, she reflected. If he was put off by her mother’s behavior now, there was no way he’d sign on for a lifetime of it.

  Vanessa rubbed her forehead with her fingers. There was nothing else to do but wait for the day to come and witness George’s reaction for herself.

  Chapter 6

  The night of the ball

  “I understand you are the grandson of a viscount, Mr. Durand. As you are undoubtedly in the line of succession, does your family not deem it improper for you to have taken on a profession?”

  George forced a smile. “My cousin, the current viscount, has four sons, all
healthy, so the chances of the title ever coming to me are quite remote. My cousin must be relieved that I and my family are not dependent upon him for support.”

  George closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them, he saw Vanessa looking at him with an apologetic smile. Her mother had been peppering him with all sorts of questions about his family, his prospects, his former marriage, his daughter, and even his age. As if he needed any reminder that he was nearly forty and nearly old enough to be Vanessa’s father! Clearly, Mrs. Sedgely was vetting him as a potential son-in-law, and he was falling short on nearly every criterion. Just as he had with his late mother-in-law, the haughty comtesse.

  It was clear that Vanessa did not find him wanting; she was plainly embarrassed by her mother’s behavior, and from what he knew of her character, she was not likely to emulate her mother at any point in the future. But then, Genny had shown no signs of discontent early in their marriage either. Her mother’s incessant complaints about their modest lifestyle had eventually spread to his wife and contaminated their marriage. Perhaps it was true that most young women in time took on their mothers’ characteristics.

  But in spite of Mrs. Sedgely’s obvious expectations, he had no intention of marrying anyone, not even Vanessa, no matter how much he liked and admired her. They could be friends—good friends—but no more than that.