A Lesson in Friendship

by Jennifer Connors

  Oliver looked over in time to see the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen walking straight up to the group of men. Her boldness made his breath catch, as he wondered what kind of chaperone would allow their ward to breach such manners. He took in her measure immediately. She was tall for a girl, standing at least to his chin, with golden brown hair caught up in a chignon in the back. Soft tendrils of gold framed her oval face. Her eyes were the color of sapphires, brilliant and sparkling. A petite nose and full lips completed her face, making the young girl, probably not yet twenty, stunning. Her neck was slender and long, only adorned with a simple gold necklace with a charm shaped like a butterfly. Before he could casually assess her body, another young woman came to stand next to the bold minx.

  “Oh, there you are, my dear. Gentlemen, may I introduce my daughter, Lady Penelope.”

  Conway felt a momentary panic when he thought the old Earl was referring to his vision. Then, Hammersmith took the other girl's hand and brought her forward. Oliver took in her measure, her dull brown hair and lifeless brown eyes behind spectacles. It wasn't that she wasn't pretty, she simply didn't compare to the vision standing next to her.

  Each of the men bowed, as was courtesy. Then all four men stared at the other young lady standing before them. Hammersmith, who just noticed the girl as well, cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed because he didn't know who she was. It was Penelope that came to his rescue.

  “May I introduce my friend, Lady Sarah Dunworthy. Lord and Lady Weston's daughter.”

  All the men bowed their heads once again, and Ginny executed a nearly perfect curtsy. It would have been perfect had she bothered to make it so and with a little less champagne.

  It was Conway who spoke first. “Lady Penelope, Lady Sarah, I am Lord Conway. It is a great pleasure to make your acquaintance. You both look stunning this evening.”

  Penelope, unused to such flattery, giggled quietly behind her fan. Ginny, who couldn't give a damn about this man or any other, managed a half smile. Oliver felt his heartbeat quicken at the sight. Although not a vain man, he knew he held some appeal among the ladies. His bed was never cold, so to speak, but this girl seemed unimpressed. He'd been told that his chocolate brown hair and his emerald green eyes could turn even the most elderly and infirm ladies to swoon.

  Before Conway could speak another word, one of the other gentlemen cleared his throat. Coming out of his reverie, Conway smiled at both women and turned to introduce his friends.

  “Allow me to introduce my friends.” Pointing first at the tallest gentlemen, with flaxen hair, brown eyes and beautiful full lashes, he said, “Lord Doncaster.”

  The Earl of Doncaster, William Scott, bowed deeply and flashed his perfect smile on the ladies. Penelope was reduced to giggles once again, while Ginny's smile was gone, replaced by a look of boredom.

  Pointing to the next man in line, Conway stated, “Lord Devon.”

  The Earl of Devon, Chester Nevins, was the shortest of the group, but much taller than either girl. He had jet black hair, liberally sprinkled with premature gray. His cerulean blue eyes danced with amusement, as if he was the bearer of some inside joke. Tilting his head, he remarked, “Such a lovely evening, is it not?”

  Finally turning to the last man in line, Conway said, “Lord Townshend.”

  Viscount Townshend, Martin MacHugh, seemed the most introspective. He had light brown hair and gray eyes. His eyes stayed on Penelope, as if drinking her in. He gave a curt nod, but did not bother to smile.

  When nothing more was said, Ginny finally filled the awkward silence. “It is a pleasure to meet you. Have you come for dinner?”

  The gentlemen looked at each other as if to determine who would be the one to speak. Finally, Conway spoke up since he was the first introduced.

  “We had hoped to make it to the musicale, but were unfortunately detained.”

  What a load of shit , Ginny thought as she watched the man who obviously thought she'd buy his line. After spending so much time in the romance world, Ginny was accustomed to men thinking that women were stupid and naïve. Unfortunately detained, he said. More like he was fortunately detained by a glass of brandy and a card game or two.

  “What a shame, my lord. You missed an extraordinary performance by Wilhelm Richter.” Ginny's tone couldn't have been misinterpreted. It was a combination of boredom and disbelief. Bored with having to have the conversation in the first place and disbelief over his bullshit assertion.

  Lord Conway raised his eyebrow to the girl in question. In response, Ginny smiled prettily while grabbing Penelope's arm. “If you'll excuse us, gentlemen. We are to sit with my sister and Mr. Richter for dinner.”

  Ginny didn't notice that Penelope only had eyes for Lord Townshend. She merely pulled the shorter girl away and made haste for the dining room. Without so much as a backwards glance, Ginny left the men standing in the foyer. Penelope, on the other hand, turned her head and smiled at Lord Townshend as she disappeared into the other room.

  Lord Conway was the first to recover from the display. “Your daughter and her friend are quite extraordinary, my lord. I shall look forward to seeing them in various settings.” The rest of the men nodded and murmured their affirmations.

  “Well, capitol, gentlemen. Shall we have some sup ourselves, do you think?”

  Lord Townshend, who hadn't taken his eyes from the doorway the women entered, answered, “I find myself famished. Shall we go, then?”

  The men entered the dining room as though about to conquer the continent. After helping themselves to the buffet, all four men went their separate ways. Lord Doncaster went to sit with a couple members of his family that were in attendance. Lord Devon spotted a widow who had been making overtures toward him for a few weeks. Lords Townshend and Conway were of a like mind, choosing to sit near Lady Penelope and Lady Sarah.

  The dining room had been transformed from the usual large table to several smaller tables that sat four. True to her word, Lady Sarah was sitting with her sister and some gentlemen Conway had never met. He assumed he was the extraordinary Mr. Richter. After observing her interaction with her tablemates, Conway became annoyed. Sarah smiled and laughed. He noticed that she gave no one any looks of boredom or contempt. What could he have possibly done in the five minutes in her company to warrant such animosity? Nothing as far as he was concerned and he certainly shouldn't be giving it so much thought.

  Turning to Townshend, he asked, “You seem interested in the Hammersmith chit. Never took you for one who liked girls with spectacles.”

  Still not smiling, Townshend responded, “I cannot explain it, but there is something about her. I have no intention of marrying her, but it could not hurt to get to know her better.” His eyebrow raised in a knowing fashion.

  “You mean to know her... intimately?” Conway liked seducing women, but innocents were a bore and could get a man dragged before the vicar.

  “I would never ruin her. Merely see how far I can get her to play the game.”

  “How hard could it be? I doubt she has suitors knocking down her door. It would only be cruel.”

  “Relax, Conway. I know what I am doing.” Townshend brooked no further discussion on the matter. Instead, he turned back to his mediocre meal and drank from his glass of watered down wine.

  “What do you think of the other girl? Lady Sarah.” Conway wanted to know if anyone else was as affected by her indifference as he.

  “Well, she is quite beautiful, to be sure. Seems like she is holding out for someone of more consequence than you.”

  Townshend always had a way of putting things perfectly. “She does strike me as a bit of a high stepper. It is not as though I have so few women to choose from.” Straining to keep his voice disinterested, Conway knew he would pursue her nonetheless. He didn't even stop to consider that by pursuing her, meant that he would eventually marry her.

  Seeing exactly what his friend had in mind, Townshend smiled for the first time that evening. “Perhaps we should make it in
teresting. A wager... just you and I.”

  Scrunching his face with concern, Conway asked, “What kind of wager?”

  “Who can catch his chit first.”

  Shaking his head, Conway was no fool. “Absolutely not. Lady Penelope was practically panting over you. Lady Sarah, on the other hand, will be difficult, to say the least.”

  “Shying away from a challenge? So unlike you Conway. It is usually you who comes up with these interesting diversions.”

  “I am not foolish, Townshend. If you insist on a wager, we will have to decide on something more equitable.”

  At that moment, Lord Devon walked up and sat across from the two men. Stretching his legs out in front of him and lacing his fingers behind his head, he gave the impression of the cat having caught his canary.

  “What are you two brooding about? Tis a fine evening, altogether.” Devon's mouth curved into a huge smile, showing off his straight, white teeth.

  Townshend looked about the room and realized what had him smiling. “Were you able to make plans with the newly widowed Lady Hopewell?” he asked, maintaining his ever present acerbic tone.

  If possible, Devon's smile increased as he answered. “She has invited me for a nightcap after tonight's festivities.”

  “Well done, Devon and in record time.” Conway had to admit to being a little jealous. He doubted he would be so lucky.

  “Don't mind Conway. He's brooding over the Dunworthy chit. Seems he did not like her snubbing us.”

  Devon glanced over to the girl in question. “She did seem peculiarly uninterested. Not many débutantes would give up a chance to talk to me.” Devon reached over and punched Conway in the shoulder, emphasizing his joke.

  Rolling his eyes, Conway responded, “Perhaps you are not as irresistible as you thought.”

  “Perish the thought. I have it on good authority that I am as damn near irresistible as one can be.” Of all the four friends, Devon was by far the most outgoing. His good natured attitude toward life went far with the young and old ladies of the ton.

  “We were discussing a wager when you walked up.”

  “Were you now? And this wager would be...”

  “Whether Conway could get his chit before I could get mine.”

  Laughing out loud, Devon looked over at Conway. “Sounds like a worthy cause, Conway. What ever could be the problem?”

  Townshend continued. “He feels that since Lady Sarah would be more of a challenge, I would easily win the bet.”

  Glancing once again at the woman in question, Devon asked, “Which chit were you vying for?”

  “Lady Penelope.”

  Devon, who had been taking a sip of his wine, nearly choked. Looking at his friend since University, he stated, “Do not do it, Conway. You have not a chance in hell.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Conway responded, glancing over at Lady Sarah with a touch of longing in his eyes.

  Townshend noticed and couldn't resist teasing him. “Look at him, Devon. I believe he may be half in love with her already.”

  Conway turned his glance back to his friend, giving him his most impertinent look. Before he could make another comment, the last of the group joined them. Doncaster looked about the table and knew instantly that he'd missed something good.

  Sitting down in the last available seat, he asked, “Whatever is happening here? What could I have missed in my twenty minute absence?”

  Townshend again explained the wager and why Conway was against it. Doncaster, raising and eyebrow toward his oldest friend, asked, “Why bother, Conway? She is pretty, to be sure, but is she worth it?”

  “How would I know? I have barely spoken above a handful of words to the girl. She just intrigues me for some reason.”

  Devon, leaning forward and whispering conspiratorially, stated, “Yes, for some reason.” He held his hands spread out in front of his chest, indicating the size of Lady Sarah's breasts.

  Conway shot him a look. “Perhaps I am the only one who is maturing. We cannot stay bachelors forever, gentlemen. There will come a day when we will have to marry.”

  “But why would you consider an obviously gold and title digging chit?” Doncaster asked.

  “There is no evidence of that...”

  “Then how do you explain her snubbing us?” Devon asked, cutting his friend off mid-sentence.

  “I have no idea. But I intend to find out.” With that, Conway stood up and walked over to Lady Sarah's table. As he approached, Charlotte spotted him first and smiled sweetly. Then, Mr. Richter, who had been staring at Charlotte, glanced up to notice the new arrival. He stood up and bowed to Conway.

  “I am sorry to disturb your meal.”

  It was Penelope who took pity on the man. “Lord Conway, please allow me to introduce Mrs. Stevens, Lady Sarah's sister. And Mr. Richter, our piano soloist.”

  Conway bowed his head to the new introductions. Then, steeling his nerves, he asked, “I was wondering if Lady Sarah would care to take a turn about the room with me.” As he asked his question, his attention was solely on Sarah.

  Barely paying attention, mostly because she was listening to all the buzzing too much champagne can cause inside one's head, Ginny looked up at the man. He definitely had the mega-hunk look, but Ginny wasn't interested in any man. Before she could say something rude, Charlotte answered for her.

  “Why, what a kind offer, my lord. I am sure that Sarah would be most pleased to accommodate you.”

  Ginny looked at her sister as if she'd grown a second head. There would be no getting out of it now, not without embarrassing her sister. And after all Charlotte had put up with growing up, she couldn't openly embarrass her.

  Putting on a strained smile, Ginny rose and took the man's arm. Her head buzzed from the alcohol, but she could still keep coherent thoughts going. The truth was that this man had never done anything to her but get stuck in the same formulaic novel that she landed in. Not one to be rude for any reason (well, almost any reason), Ginny allowed Lord Conway to lead her around the edge of the room, into the foyer and into the parlor across the way. There were several people about, so there was no problem with propriety.

  “You seem a bit melancholy, Lady Sarah. Are you unwell?”

  Ginny thought about what he said for a minute and decided against her sarcastic response about how could he possibly think she was melancholy when he didn't know her. Instead, she took the high road, and answered, “It has been a long day and I've had too much champagne.”

  Her companion stilled for a moment and looked at her. He whispered, “Are you in your cups, Lady Sarah?”

  Ginny got the impression that he asked as if he needed an explanation from her. As if he suspected there was something wrong and this would be as good as any other explanation.

  “I'm not drunk, if that's what you mean, Lord Conway. Have you never wanted to just be alone?”

  Drawing back from her as if she'd slapped him, he looked perplexed. “Are you not interested in company this evening? Seems a strange place to be if that were the case.”

  Turning her head slightly to the side, she regarded him more closely. Conway felt a sudden chill come over him, as if he'd said the wrong thing.

  “And what kind of choices do you perceive me to have, my lord? Do you think that my mother would have allowed me to stay home, go to bed early and read a book? Or do you think that it is more likely that she would harangue me until I complied with her wishes?” Ginny was done. She didn't want to a play this part in the first place, so she didn't really need to stand around explaining herself to some guy that she was supposed to eventually marry.

  To say Conway was shocked was an understatement. Most of the girls coming out this year would be giggling, simpering half-wits, with mothers that made a grown man want to grind his teeth. But this girl was willing to stand up to him and express her views. It was rather refreshing, if not a little disturbing. Did he really want to marry a woman who would challenge him at every turn? He hadn't thought so.

&
nbsp; “I beg your pardon, Lady Sarah. I had not thought... I had not considered...” He couldn't finish his sentence because he hardly thought he had anything to apologize for.

  Smiling at her potential suitor, Ginny replied, “Don't sweat it, my lord. I've found that most gentlemen prefer women who keep such thoughts to themselves. If you would like to return me to my sister, I will completely understand.”

  Without thinking, Conway walked Ginny back to the dining room and deposited her next to her sister. He bowed his head and walked back to his friends, who were heading out to the terrace to smoke and drink some port. Conway was speechless. He'd thought that he should have dismissed her, put her in her place at least. But instead, the clever minx had dismissed him and without a second thought. One thing was for sure, there was no way he would take that bet with Townshend. It was certainly a wager he could never win.