Sniffing again, she looked toward Lady Weston. “And you, Lady Weston. What have you to say? Hmmm?”
Drawing back in surprise, Lady Weston sputtered, “Well... I... I am quite pleased by the match, my lady. Lord Conway is a fine young man for my girl.”
“He is rich as well, you know. Is that not what all you matchmaking mothers are about these days?” Her raspy voice spoke of a lot of cigarette smoking, but Ginny wasn't sure if that was vogue for a woman.
“You should know, my lady. Didn't you have a couple of daughters to marry off at one time too?” Ginny asked, smile firmly on her face. She could feel her mother stiffen beside her, but didn't care. If she had to sit through a painful interview, she might as well have fun with it.
A small smile came over the old woman's face. In response, she said, “Very good, child. It seems that you can be quick. I like that in a person.” Looking directly at Lady Weston, she added, “People who sputter bore me.”
Ginny bowed her head to hide her smile. The rest of the tea went amicably enough, with Lady Weston providing gossip to Lady Conway, who wasn't able to go out in society much anymore. The old woman did admit that she wanted to see her eldest son married before she died.
“I believe my son has arranged this marriage in all due haste in deference to my health. He is such a considerate boy.”
Ginny felt it better to let her believe what she wanted, but when the old woman turned a gimlet eye to her, Ginny knew that she didn't believe it herself. Lady Conway was not so old to forget what it was like between men and women. Her face looked as though she had challenged Ginny to contradict her, which Ginny knew better than to do. It was bad enough her mother suspected, but she didn't need her fiancé's elderly mother knowing as well.
Two days later, Ginny and Lord Conway were married in the family chapel at his country estate. It was a small affair, but everyone who was important to Ginny was there, meaning Penelope and Charlotte. Both girls stood up for her as bridesmaids.
Ginny worried about the fact that Lord Townshend was one of the men to stand up for Oliver. When she asked Penelope if she would be okay with him at the wedding, she shrugged her shoulders, gave a little evil smile and said, “Why should I mind?” At that moment, Ginny couldn't have been more proud of her.
During the drawn out ceremony, performed by a vicar who had been around when William the Conquerer had his fun, Ginny had time to let her eyes wander over to Oliver's groomsman. Lord Townshend kept his gaze on Penelope most of the time. When Ginny chanced a glance over her shoulder, she saw that Penelope was watching the vicar, obviously not giving him the time of day. Lord Devon looked bored, but when he caught her looking at him, he would grace Ginny with his dazzling, roguish smile. Lord Doncaster stood on the end of the men, looking as disinterested as everyone else.
When the tedium was complete, Oliver escorted his bride out of the chapel and walked her up to the house. There was to be a wedding breakfast, and then, God willing, he could have some alone time with his bride. They had not been together since his return to London and Oliver was definitely feeling the affects from the lack of sex.
During their slow walk back to the house, Ginny asked, “Oliver, I was wondering if I could ask a small favor of you.” She had meant to ask before the ceremony, but there never seemed to be time. Not to mention, neither her mother or his would allow the couple to be alone again. Ginny thought it was like closing the barn door after the cow got out, but who was she to argue.
Looking at his young bride, he said, “You know that you can ask me anything, dearest. I want your happiness above my own.”
Ginny stared at Oliver for a moment before she was able to push aside his statement to ask her question. Her happiness above his own? Seemed a bit much to her. “I wanted to ask if maybe Charlotte could stay with us over the summer. She will be miserable if she has to stay with my parents. My father is completely oblivious to her and my mother will now be making it her life's work to get my brother married. And she would be good company for me.”
Oliver smile wavered slightly before he said, “But I had hoped to travel to the continent this summer, my love. I had hoped to take an extended honeymoon, just the two of us.” He accentuated the last part of his statement, leaving no doubt that Charlotte would be a third wheel.
“We won't be gone the whole summer, will we?” Ginny asked. It was only late April, so if they were to leave now, they would be back by the end of the season and Charlotte could join them in the country.
Arriving at the house, Oliver thought it best to curtail their conversation until after they were alone and well sated. He'd just given up his freedom to marry, the least he could get out of it was sex before they had their first argument. “Can we not discuss this tonight, my love?” He implored her with his eyes, making her smile in return.
“Of course. There is plenty of time. I've just been wanting to ask.”
The wedding breakfast was a blur, which was fine with Ginny. As she was greeted by every relative in attendance, she wondered how long she'd be sticking around. Each story ending was so different and this was no exception. One thing kept nagging at Ginny, like something wasn't quite finished yet.
Ginny hid behind a potted plant to escape all the well wishers. As she scanned the crowd, she saw Penelope flirting with a small group of men. She was so animated in her conversation that Ginny wondered what she could be talking about. In her group was Lords Devon and Doncaster, as well as a cousin of Oliver's and one of his brothers-in-law. Off to the side, hidden from Penelope's view, stood Lord Townshend. As he watched Penelope, his face was a mask. But as Ginny watched him clandestinely, she thought she saw real regret. Good , she thought, suck on that.
Her husband found her hiding spot and instead of exposing her, decided to join her. Wrapping his arms around her shoulders, he whispered, “What is the proper length of time before we can disappear upstairs?” His mouth was right outside her ear, causing a shiver to pass through her from his warm breath.
“I have no idea, but I hope it's almost over.”
Chuckling, he added, “My mother would have my hide if we were to leave too soon.”
“Better you than me. I'll just meet you upstairs.”
His hold tightened, not allowing her to escape. “If I must endure this, then so must you, my dear.”
“Such a cruel husband you're turning out to be.” She punctuated her displeasure by kissing his arm.
“I see that Lady Penelope is having a good time,” he said, kissing her head in return.
“Yes. She decided that it was time to come out of her shell. Her chances of making a good match are not so grim anymore.”
Oliver was silent for a moment. “I wish I could say that Townshend was having an equally good time. Perhaps we should go and try to draw him out.”
Craning her neck to look at her husband, she said, “Maybe you should go. We don't exactly like each other too much right now.”
“Nonsense. You are my wife and should always be by my side.”
Ginny laughed, giving away their position. In order to avoid a conversation with her mother, the two made their way across the room. Oliver purposefully directed them to Lord Townshend.
“Townshend, you look as if you are not having a good time. Shall we get you a drink?”
Ginny noticed that Lord Townshend paid no attention to them. When she turned to see what had caught his eye, she saw Lord Devon escorting Penelope to the terrace. She was laughing and hitting his arm with her fan. Devon, meanwhile, looked as if he were in full prowl mode.
Turning back to Lord Townshend, he gave her a bitter eye. Although he addressed his words to Oliver, his eyes never left Ginny's face. “No, thank you, Conway. I believe I have had quite enough of the festivities. If you would excuse me.”
Without another look, Lord Townshend strode out of the room. Oliver gave his apologies and followed behind him. Ginny was once again alone. She made her way to the terrace and looked out at the laughing couple. Walki
ng up to them, she heard their conversation.
“You are a terrible friend, Chester.”
Looking shocked, grabbing his jacket front, he muttered, “How could you say such a thing when I am helping you.”
Ginny interrupted the pair. “Whatever you're trying to accomplish, I should tell you that Lord Townshend left in quite the bad mood. But not before giving me the hairy eyeball.”
Devon burst out laughing. “Hairy eyeball? Really, Lady Conway, sometimes the things you say.”
Penelope was more pensive. “I would hate to cause an issue between the two of you, Sarah.”
It was Ginny's turn to laugh. “What could you have done, Penny, that I didn't do myself? I imagine he hates me because I kneed him in the... umm...” Realizing what she'd been about to say, Ginny instead turned to admire the late spring scenery.
Devon's eyes grew to the size of saucers. “You did what to Townshend? Exactly?”
Penelope went about explaining the situation. “After Lord Townshend made me his offer, I ran into Sarah. She was understandably upset on my behalf. She may have acted a little rashly and physically injured Martin.”
Laughing uncontrollably, Devon responded, “Brilliant. It was exactly what that pompous ass needed. And I say that as a friend.”
Looking at her friend, Ginny wondered at something Devon had said. “Penny, do you still have feelings for Lord Townshend?”
Turning her face away, Penelope muttered, “Of course not.”
Devon gave a look to Ginny that indicated otherwise. “If you two ladies will excuse me, I believe I shall go and get a drink.” Bowing to both ladies, Devon made a beeline to the nearest door back into the house.
“After what he's done, I would think you'd want to wash your hands of the man.” Ginny kept her voice low, trying not to sound accusatory.
Clearing her throat, Penny turned to look at her friend. “I guess all the feelings I had for him are not willing to go away so quickly. The past week, I have flirted with every available man in London and have managed to have not a single conversation that would compare to those I had with Martin. Tis sad, really.”
“It is sad, Penny. Are you staying overnight? Or are you leaving back to London this afternoon?”
The change in topics took Penelope by surprise. Recovering, she answered, “My parents and I are staying the night. We had thought to leave tomorrow afternoon.”
“Good, because I have a feeling that Oliver will be collecting me soon and I would hate not to say goodbye.”
“Are you taking a honeymoon?”
“I don't know yet. Oliver and I still have to discuss it. I know we are spending the week here, after everyone else leaves.”
Penelope's eyes grew larger when she asked in a whispered voice, “And his mother?”
“Oh, she'll be here too. Romantic, huh?” Ginny laughed, knowing that the old woman would be a source of contention for her husband and hilarity for her.
As the two girls re-entered the house, Oliver came over and grabbed his wife's arm. “If you would excuse us, Lady Penelope, I need to borrow my wife for a moment.”
“Of course, my lord.” Penelope turned and began a conversation with Oliver's other brother-in-law.
Directing his wife out of the room and into his private study, Ginny asked, “Oliver, I don't think your mother would be too pleased to know that we were fooling around in your study during the celebration.”
Before she could kiss him, a throat cleared inside the room and Ginny became aware that they were not alone. Turning to the source of the sound, Ginny was surprised to see Lord Townshend standing by a window.
“Oh, I didn't realize you were here, Lord Townshend.” Ginny's voice was anything but apologetic. It was more strained and disappointed.
“I beg your pardon, Lady Conway.” It appeared that Lord Townshend was no more happy to see her either.
Before the two could say something awful, Oliver broke in. “Sarah, Lord Townshend needs to speak to you about something important. I shall just leave you two alone.” Oliver whispered in her ear before he left, “Give him a chance.”
Even Ginny's imploring eyes could not keep Oliver from leaving the room. Staring at the door, even after it closed, Ginny didn't want to turn around. She didn't like the fellow and was afraid of what it might degrade into. Not being a coward, Ginny turned slowly anyway and gave him her attention.
“Would you care for a drink, Lady Conway?” he asked, indicating the selection on the sideboard next to him.
“Sure. Whiskey if it's available. And stop calling me Lady Conway. My name is Sarah.”
Raising an eyebrow at her, he poured her a measure of whiskey into a tumbler and handed it over. He indicated with his hand to one of the two high-backed chairs in the room. Ginny took her time settling into it and then gave him her attention once again.
Taking the opposite chair, Townshend began. “I know that you are probably the last person to help me, but...” He stopped and stared at his drink.
“But what?” Ginny asked, impatiently.
“But I love her,” he answered as if that made all the difference in the world.
“So, marry her.” Ginny watched him give her a look as though she were the most naïve of children.
“If only I could.”
Raising her eyebrows, she asked, “And why is that? Because your mother won't approve? Plenty of people marry without their parents approval.”
“But how many cannot afford it? How many have to give up their lives to do so?” he asked, desperation in his gaze, begging her to understand. But, Ginny still didn't understand.
“What, if you marry Penelope, you'll be poor?”
“Yes. My mother controls all the money. I am given a generous allowance, which allows me to maintain a certain lifestyle. Few people realize that I have little money of my own.”
“But the title...”
“Is practically useless. I have one entailed estate in Shropshire. It is small, but it is self-sufficient. I can draw very little from it.”
“So why can't you live there?”
Again, the naïve look reappeared. “I would not have a residence in London. I would not be able to buy new wardrobes or horses. I would be virtually penniless.”
“But you'd have the woman you loved. Do you mean to tell me that you'd rather have a new coat and a London townhouse, but spend the rest of your life watching Penelope with another man? Perhaps you need to examine your priorities.”
“I told Conway you would not understand. You, who have had everything handed to you all your life. What do you know of working for something?”
“About as much as you do, Martin. Don't preach to me about something you have no experience with yourself. And what I know might surprise you.”
Ginny stood up and went to leave the room. His words stopped her. “You are right.”
With her hand on the doorknob, she turned and looked at the man still seated. His head was down and by all appearances, he seemed put out. Ginny, cursing herself under her breath, walked back and sat across from him.
“What is it you need me to do?” she asked, knowing that for some reason, this man would make her friend happy. How someone so kind and now vivacious could attract such a dud, she'd never know.
Looking at her, he said, “I do not know what can be done.”
Ginny took a sip of her drink and thought about the situation. Martin loved Penelope, but wouldn't marry her and become poor. Penelope loved Martin, and Ginny was certain that she didn't give a rat's ass about being wealthy. So, it would seem that if Martin had more money, he could break away from his mother and marry Penelope without remorse. But where would he get more money?
Looking at Townshend again, Ginny asked, “How much does your mother give you?”
A sharp look came across his face. “I beg your pardon, Lady Conway, but I fail to see why that would interest you.”
“Do you want my help or not, Martin?” she asked, stressing the use of his f
irst name.
With the wind sufficiently released from his sails, he answered, “I do want your help, Sarah.”
“Good. Because what I am about to suggest may seem a bit unorthodox. All I ask is that you keep an open mind.”
He looked upon her doubtfully, but nodded his head.
“Steel,” was all she said, as if that would answer all his problems.
“Steel?” he asked, seeking some explanation he was sure she would deliver.
“You know of the railway in Leeds?” When he nodded, she continued, “There will be a great boom of railways in England, Martin. Not only England, but on the Continent and America as well. You are staring at the new age of travel.”
A Lesson in Friendship Page 24