“I apologise that I dared to presume such a thing,” Ralph replied, his lips twitching at the glare his words caused. He paused a moment before continuing. “I choose not to go into society because I can never marry.”
“Oh? Can’t or won’t?”
“And you accused me of impertinence!” Ralph laughed. “Now don’t glare daggers at me, I only tease you. To answer your question, it’s a bit of both, Lady Edith. Does that satisfy your curiosity?”
“Of course not! But I am lady enough not to probe further.”
“What a disappointment!” Ralph mocked gently.
“By all that is ungentlemanly!” Edith laughed. “You, sir, are a rogue.”
“It has been said before a time or two.”
Edith glanced sideways, wondering about the enigmatic gentleman who seemed to have many layers. Oh, their start had been tetchy, but she was intrigued and certainly attracted to him. Still wondering what was behind his comment about not marrying, she could admit to feeling that it was a shame that he wasn’t on the marriage mart. For the first time in her life she felt she had met someone who she was drawn to, who attracted her mentally and physically. Perhaps he could be persuaded to change his outlook on the matrimonial state if he met the right woman? She felt a frisson of excitement. It was worth spending more time with him, especially as she’d come into contact with him due to his friendship with Miles.
Suddenly, the season in London wasn’t looking quite so bleak.
Chapter 6
Ralph left Curzon Street with confused feelings. He’d put Edith down, after their first disastrous meeting, as a virago, but since then…
Knowing about the letters had given him an advantage to understand what had mortified her that morning, but there was something else. He had wanted to reassure her, to relieve her of her embarrassment when they’d stopped at the inn. What was even stranger, was his need to explain to her why he didn’t consider himself the gamester that others would. He’d never told a soul about finding temporary relief at the gaming tables, not even Miles.
It had been a refreshing day. Not for a long time had he spent hours not dwelling on his problems. Instead he’d enjoyed the company of an amusing, beautiful woman. He couldn’t remember a time he’d laughed so much. It had felt good.
He was still pondering on why he’d been so open as he entered his own address. He rented a small house on Jermyn Street. There was no need for anything larger as there would only ever be himself visiting the capital.
Being helped out of his exquisitely fitted frock coat, his valet cleared his throat. “A letter was delivered today from Lymewood, my lord.”
“Blast it,” Ralph muttered. “Where is it?”
He was handed the missive, sent from his steward at his family home. Reading it through he sucked in a breath at what he read. There have been three attacks these last two days, my lord. The recovery from those incidents has been slow and full of confusion and distress. It seems the ongoing treatment doesn’t appear to be working.
“Wilson, I will be returning to Lymewood on the morrow. I shall send an express immediately advising them of my plans,” Ralph said, sitting at his small desk and reaching for his pen, all thoughts of an enjoyable day forgotten.
*
Edith entered her bedchamber with feelings of apprehension. She had enjoyed a good day, but was also curious about the letters which had been delivered.
Her maid helped her out of her riding habit and fixed her hair to get rid of the effects of a day’s riding. Only then was she able to dismiss the maid and be alone. She immediately crossed to the top drawer in her tallboy and lifted out the jumbled pile of letters.
Sitting next to the welcome warming fire, she started to open each letter. Ten minutes later and the fire was burning brighter than it had been a few moments previously, as Edith placed one piece of paper on top of the other. Her eyes were overly bright as she realised her plan had come to naught.
The last one to be burned was the second letter from the correspondent who had written to her in the first batch she’d received. The first letter had seemed to be promising, but the second letter was an utter disappointment. With your dowry and my ideas, we shall want for nothing. I am sure the schemes I have agreed to enter into when we make out connection official will bear fruit, my dear lady. I will be able to offer you everything your heart desires and more. All I need is the funds to start off and I’m sure your independence will provide that. It is providence that I chose to read the personal advertisements that very day. We were destined to be together, I’m sure of it. The letter had read.
On rereading the missive, Edith almost growled. “I might have been foolish to mention I was independent, but that’s where my stupidity ends, Mr Penny,” she muttered to the paper. “If you think I’m handing over my fortune for you to squander, you picked the wrong girl! Providence indeed! You probably write to every person who places an advertisement. Shame on you, sir,” she finished, screwing the letter up before throwing it roughly into the fire.
Getting up from her chair, she walked across to the window. Wrapping her arms around her middle she gazed out onto the small gardens and the backs of other houses. “There must be someone out there for me, surely? In all these houses, in this huge city, how can there not be one man who I can love and respect? Am I so difficult to please?”
Unbidden, an image of Ralph came to her mind. She smiled slightly to herself. “He’s certainly handsome and there’s more to him than would first appear. A pity he can be taciturn and abrupt.” Her words didn’t affect the smile on her face, in fact it increased as she thought over her day.
Yes. Lord Pensby was the bright spot in a very lonely city.
*
Edith entered the drawing room, a smile on her face. Miles glanced at his sister.
“You’re looking pretty, have you done something different?” he asked. “You look younger somehow.”
“Such a typical brother, issuing a compliment at the same time as a thinly veiled insult,” Edith said, raising her eyebrows.
“Not at all. Just pointing out your efforts haven’t been wasted.”
Edith rolled her eyes at this remark. “I’ve done something that will make you happy,” she changed the subject.
“Oh?”
“I’ve been through the latest letters and you’ll be reassured to know that I won’t be writing to any of the correspondents. It seems you were right, an advertisement wasn’t the way to find a life partner,” she admitted. “In fact, I’ve burned them all.”
“Thank God for that!” Miles responded vehemently. “I’ve been having nightmares about it since you sent the details to the paper.”
“I’ve sent a note through, asking for the advertisement to be removed,” Edith admitted. “It was worth a try, but no one caught my attention in truth. A little depressing when there are so many advertisements placed.”
“There are never any announcements to say that the couple who are to marry met through the paper itself. If that was the case, they’d be sure to promote the fact, it would encourage more desperate people to send their details in.”
“I’m glad to know what you think of me, but I do wish you’d learn some more flowery phrases. There is no need to be quite so brutal, you know,” Edith huffed.
Miles smiled. “Come, my dear, I promise to be the most delightful brother at the ball tonight. I will even accompany you into supper so you don’t have to deal with mother alone.”
“You are all kindness,” Edith responded sarcastically.
*
Ralph didn’t attend balls, Edith knew that, but it didn’t stop her from scanning the ballroom to see if he’d had a change of heart. She’d hoped that their afternoon together might have tempted him to join them, hoping that he’d felt the stirrings as she had.
Miles interrupted her musings by coming across to her. “Edith, I’d like to introduce these two gentlemen to you. They’ve only just arrived in London. Albert Malone served with me
in Spain and France and he’s here with his friend, Charles Sage.”
Edith smiled and curtseyed at the two gentlemen. “Mr Malone, Mr Sage, it’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Both gentlemen bowed. Charles spoke first. “Lady Edith, I hope you have a dance spare, I am keen to make up for time lost spent travelling through Europe to reach London.”
“I have the next with Miles, but if he has no objection, I’m happy to change partners.”
Miles nodded his acquiescence. “It’ll give me a good opportunity to catch up with Albert,” he said.
“Not too long though for reminiscing. I would also like to dance with Lady Edith, if it is at all possible?”
“Of course,” Edith smiled.
She walked through the crowded room to the dance floor with Charles at her side. He was the more handsome of the pair, with blond locks and clear blue eyes. He looked almost angelic, and his unruly curls just added to the overall striking effect. He attracted a few admiring glances as they took their places, at which Edith suppressed a smile. She could appreciate dancing with a handsome partner, like any other woman could.
Honouring each other as the dance started, Charles soon showed he was a light-footed dancer, who could entertain as well as spring through the steps.
“My friend speaks highly of your brother,” he started.
“That’s nice to know. I believe he was a well thought of officer. Did Mr Malone serve under Wellington?”
“Yes, in the Peninsular and then France,” Charles said. “I’m afraid I wasn’t brave enough to purchase a commission.”
The comment was said without the slightest doubt that his words would be censured and his presumption was correct.
“It isn’t a lifestyle which suits everyone,” Edith said. “I know my brother misses the bond he shared with his fellow men, but I’m sure there is much of his experience he would rather forget.”
“Yet we shouldn’t be allowed to, because of the sacrifice those brave boys gave,” Charles said as they twirled a full turn.
“Quite. Have you been travelling, as you haven’t been here for the full season?”
“Yes. My friend wanted his memories of the continent to be happy ones, so wished to visit France, Spain and Portugal now they aren’t being ravaged by war. I was willing to accompany him, as I hadn’t travelled on my grand tour because of the troubles. Missing the start of the season seemed a small price to pay so Albert could have company on his journey,” Charles explained.
“You must have seen some beautiful places,” Edith responded, a little longing in her voice.
“I have. The churches over there are something to behold. Gold everywhere. Far more extravagant than ours.”
“I suppose they are mostly Catholic?”
“Yes, they are. Still very pretty to look at. Although all that Latin is beyond me. I’m afraid I wasn’t a good scholar when my parents employed tutors for me. I was more interested in riding horses and flirting with young ladies.”
Edith laughed. “And what did the young ladies think of this?”
Charles smiled boyishly. “Oh, they didn’t mind overly much. But I can assure you, I’m far more respectable these days.”
Edith was thus entertained through the half hour. Her cheeks were aching because of laughing at the end of it and then she was dancing with Albert, who tried to be as charming as Charles had, but his quieter demeanour couldn’t compete with the gregarious Charles. After their dance had finished, Edith took Albert’s offered arm.
“Would you like to join me in a glass of lemonade, or punch, Lady Edith?”
“That would be lovely, thank you,” Edith said. “It is extremely hot in here.”
They manoeuvred their way through the crowded ballroom. The hostess, with two marriageable daughters, would consider the event a great success. Her rooms were bursting with people intent on having a good night before moving on to the next party, or other entertainment, of the evening.
Edith and Albert eventually reached the slightly less crowded refreshment room and after pulling out a seat for Edith, Albert obtained two glasses of homemade lemonade.
Edith drank gratefully. “Thank you for this, it was a good idea.”
“You’re welcome and it delays my handing you over to your next partner,” Albert said, joining her at the small table.
“I have no other dances until after supper,” Edith admitted.
“You surprise me. I thought there would be no chance of spending any time with you this evening. A fortunate circumstance on my part to find out my presumption was wrong.”
Edith smiled. “I think my penchant for caustic comments puts off the more delicate partners I have previously danced with.”
“Ah, so you are very like your brother then,” Albert smiled as Edith laughed.
“He would have me think he’s the popular one,” Edith countered.
“Oh, that’s very true, the handsome charmer that he is, but he can’t help his words sometimes. Gets him into all sorts of trouble.”
“I shall remind him of that the next time he offers me a set-down for not pausing before I utter what I’m thinking.”
Albert smiled. “I shall be forewarned in case your words are aimed at me. I’m glad to be in contact again with your brother, especially in a happier situation.”
“Yes. Mr Sage explained that you needed a holiday before returning home.”
“Oh. Yes. I did,” Albert said, a little discomfited. “Seems fanciful, but I feel better coming back now.”
“I often wonder how any of you can make a return to society and appear normal. I’m not sure I could,” Edith admitted.
“You have to carry on. For the sake of the ones who were lost if nothing else.”
“Shall we see a lot more of you now, or are you still intent on travelling?” Edith asked. She had immediately been drawn to the two gentlemen and would be glad to spend more time in their company. They didn’t attract her like Ralph had done, that had been something she’d never experienced previously, but it was pleasant to spend time in company she could enjoy.
“No. We are both to stay for the rest of the season, so expect many dances, Lady Edith.”
“I shall look forward to it.”
*
It was too much to expect that Lady Longdon hadn’t noticed the newcomers and the fact they had spent time with her daughter. As soon as the coach had started on their homeward journey, she turned to Edith.
“Mr Malone and Mr Sage seem like fine gentlemen and appeared taken with you. Two dances with each shows promise for the future,” she started without preamble.
Edith swallowed a retort because Lady Longdon would curse her daughter for being so abrupt and unwilling to encourage two new gentlemen. She just saved her breath and the inevitable scolding which would follow such a foolish response.
“They say they are good friends of Miles’,” she responded, looking to her brother to distract their mother.
“I know Malone, but Sage is a newcomer to me,” Miles admitted. “Seems a pleasant enough fellow and will certainly be a hit with the ladies with his good looks.”
“Two handsome gentlemen. Both beautifully dressed. Although Mr Sage is by far the more striking,” Lady Longdon confessed.
“He is,” Edith admitted. “But Mr Malone is very pleasant. Perhaps not as outwardly confident as Mr Sage, but I enjoyed talking to him in the refreshment room.” Mr Malone had dark blond hair and green eyes, which by contrast to Mr Sage, could never really compete. Even the most hardened of females couldn’t fail to see the beauty in the cherubic looks of the young man.
“We must plan an entertainment in which they can be guests of honour,” Lady Longdon said.
“I don’t think either would expect such a gesture,” Miles said, his eyes laughing at Edith’s stony expression.
“Even more reason to do it,” Lady Longdon insisted.
Edith knew there was no point in arguing against her mother when she had an idea fixed in her head
and if there was a chance of a proposal, Lady Longdon would do all she could to advance the scheme. “I hope you’ll also invite Lord Pensby, as he’s also a friend of Miles.”
“Ralph is out of town,” Miles said.
“Oh? But he was only with us yesterday and mentioned nothing of leaving,” Edith said, disappointment clear in her voice.
Miles narrowed his eyes at his sister. “He’d mentioned about returning home. I persuaded him to delay his departure, but then I received a note to say he’d had to leave London suddenly. I’ve no idea when he returns.”
“Singular that he departs in the middle of the season,” Lady Longdon said.
“He explains it that he doesn’t live that far out of town and he doesn’t really take part in everything London has to offer anyway,” Miles explained. “I think there are some family issues though.”
“Do you not know what they are?” Edith asked.
“No. He hasn’t offered an explanation and I’m certainly not asking him,” Miles said. “Not everyone wants to furnish the tittle-tattlers with the latest on dit.”
“I wouldn’t expect that to happen. You are his friend. Surely he would wish to confide in you?” Edith persisted.
“No. Sometimes it’s easier to keep things to oneself.”
Edith wondered if Miles was referring to himself as well as Ralph but stopped questioning her brother. She was unaccountably disappointed that Ralph had left town and she hadn’t known.
Lady Longdon filled the journey home with plans for a dinner she would hold, suggesting menus and guests with very little input from either of her children. There was no need for their participation as she was quite focused on what she thought were the best dishes and who she considered the best guests. She spent a happy half hour planning her grand event.
Entering into the house, Lady Longdon immediately requested to see the cook.
“Mama, you cannot at this hour!” Edith exclaimed at her mother’s words.
“I need to make sure there is time to prepare,” Lady Longdon insisted.
“I doubt anything will be lost between now and tomorrow morning, except the poor woman’s sleep,” Edith insisted.
Lady Edith's Lonely Heart: A Regency Romance (Lonely Hearts Series Book 1) Page 5