“Yes,” she said, as she nodded and laughed.
He picked up the cat. Together, they walked back to her house side by side. She could not contain her cheer. When she returned home, she would tell Becky that she was wrong, a woman could choose her husband, and Gabby was proof of it.
Just then she thought of a question that had not been answered, “My brother met you on a ship crossing from Ireland, do you have an estate in Ireland?”
He nodded. “In Ireland, in England, and I have a lodge in Scotland. Pray tell, how is your Mandarin? Are you fluent in the languages of the East?”
Gabby answered, “No, of course not.”
With a wry laugh, he replied, “You better start studying, for you, my dear Duchess of Herrington, are bound for China. I hope you like adventure.”
Fortunately, Gabby did like adventure, she had longed for it all of her life. As she gazed at the man who was to become her husband, she had a feeling that her life with him was going to be filled with adventure — and love. She could hardly wait for it to begin as she leaned up and kissed him on his cheek. He laughed again, and she knew that she would always be happy with this charming, handsome man at her side.
THE END
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About the Author
Eliza Heaton grew up enjoying the amazing landscapes of her hometown in Perth, near Edinburgh, Scotland. She often visited the Isle of Skye with her parents during her summers as a child and dreamed of becoming a writer. She attended university in Edinburgh where she completed her Masters in English Literature with a focus on the Victorian and Regency periods.
Eliza currently lives in the Dean Village area of Edinburgh, Scotland, where she can walk along the Water of Leith creating the characters for her books. Cathedrals, statues of viscounts, and castles welcome her as she walks and imagines the perfect love story to write next.
Lords, Love and Rivalry by Charlotte Fitzwilliam
A Lady Angelica Landerbelt Mystery
Contents
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
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About the Author
Prologue
“You are returned for another Season, Lady Landerbelt!”
Lady Angelica Landerbelt, a little weary already of the notice she was garnering merely by stepping out into Hyde Park for a short while, sighed inwardly but placed a light smile on her face instead.
“Indeed, I am, as you can see,” she replied, as the sharp-eyed Lady Hawthorn and her daughter, Miss Truwin, drew near to her. “I have only just returned, in fact. I arrived in London last evening.” And had thought to take a short turn about the park well before the fashionable hour so that I would not meet very many of the beau monde, she thought, looking from Lady Hawthorn to Miss Truwin. “And have you just arrived for the Season, Miss Truwin? I recall you were present last Season and made an excellent first impression.”
“Yes, yes, she did,” Lady Hawthorn interrupted, before Miss Truwin could say anything. “A most excellent impression, I must say. There were one or two gentleman who referred to her as ‘a diamond of the first water’—which, of course, is the highest compliment any young lady could ask for!”
Angelica accepted this remark without reaction, smiling gently at Miss Truwin and seeing how the girl blushed and looked away. It was clear to Angelica that the young lady was a little embarrassed by her mother’s brash voice. They were so very different, she considered, seeing how Miss Truwin’s cheeks reddened as her mother continued to sing her praises, her voice droning on and on about her daughter as though she were not standing there beside her. Lady Hawthorn – who was married to Viscount Hawthorn, who was a most respectable gentleman and very wealthy, from what Angelica knew — was all brightness and delight, speaking animatedly and with obvious pride and a great fervor.
From her previous acquaintance, which had been made only last year, Angelica knew that Lady Hawthorn could overwhelm any conversation, capture any interest, and, in short, ensure that all attention was centered around her. She was doing the very same again for, even though Angelica had been standing there for some minutes, Lady Hawthorn showed no evidence of finishing her speech about the merits of her daughter and certainly did not attempt to engage Angelica in conversation.
Forced to be polite for no other reason than to ensure there came no whisper of her behavior nor stain upon her reputation, Angelica listened as carefully and as well as she could, even though the subject bored her immensely. Lady Hawthorn was now discussing the merits of their latest seamstress, who had, of course, put together new gowns for Miss Truwin. Glancing again at the girl in question, Angelica was surprised to see that she had taken a small step away from her mother and was not, in fact, even looking towards Lady Hawthorn or towards Angelica herself. Instead, she was looking to her left, her neck a little strained as she turned her head.
Angelica could not see she was looking at particularly, for she could not simply step away from Lady Hawthorn without betraying what she was looking at and should she do so, then Miss Truwin might be sorely berated by her mother for behaving in such a poor fashion. However, it was clear that the girl’s interest was piqued in a most significant fashion, for it was a little rude for her to stare so rather than engage in the conversation – if it could be called such a thing – with Lady Hawthorn and Angelica herself! Her own curiosity pricked, Angelica finally managed to find a way to interrupt Lady Hawthorn.
“And are you to go to Lord and Lady Sherringham’s ball this evening?” she asked, as Miss Truwin quickly came back towards her mother, her cheeks now redder than before. “It is to be a spectacular event and one that I am certain will be much talked of thereafter!”
“Alas,” Lady Hawthorn said, sighing dramatically, “I received the invitation only after I had accepted a dinner invitation from a dear friend of mine—Lady Westbrook—who is, you must know, married to the Earl of Westbrook.” She sniffed and turned her head, a smile of pleasure settling onto her face. “As it is, I must miss the ball.”
Angelica, who was growing to steadily dislike Lady Hawthorn with each and every moment that passed, turned instead to Miss Truwin, who was now looking steadfastly at the ground.
“What of you, Miss Truwin?” she asked, with a warm smile. “Are you to go to the ball this evening?” Keeping her head turned towards the girl and ignoring Lady Hawthorn completely, she prayed silently that Lady Hawthorn would not be inclined to interrupt and speak on her daughter’s behalf again. It was clear that Miss Truwin feared this also, for she continued to glance towards her mother in the short moments of silence that followed, perhaps expecting the lady to answer in her place. When no answer came, Miss Truwin looked back at Angelica, her deep blue eyes framed by thick, dark lashes that appeared to be filled with uncertainty.
“If my mother cannot attend, then I must also decline,” she stammered, her voice very quiet indeed.
“Nonsense!” Angelica declared, suddenly filled with the intention of ensuring that this quiet, unassuming young lady be given the most excellent of evenings, particula
rly when her mother would not be present either! “I shall accompany you, Miss Truwin. You will not mind at all, Lady Hawthorn, I am certain of it, for what better evening could your daughter have than to attend the ball instead of sitting at home.” She laughed as Lady Hawthorn tried to smile, clearly a little taken aback by Angelica’s sudden intention. “The carriage shall call for you, and we shall attend together, Miss Truwin,” Angelica finished, not giving Lady Hawthorn even a moment to protest. “I will be an excellent companion, I assure you, and I will expect the very best of each gentleman as they come to take you to the floor for a dance, Miss Truwin. You will see!”
Miss Truwin threw a slightly alarmed look towards her mother before stammering her thanks and inclining her head. Angelica smiled triumphantly, wondering just how Miss Truwin would behave when her mother was not present, and silently admitting to herself that she might, somehow, be able to discover what or who it had been that Miss Truwin had been so caught by only a few minutes before.
“That is most generous of you,” Lady Hawthorn murmured, when a moment or two of silence had passed. “Most generous indeed.”
“Not in the least!” Angelica exclaimed, choosing to take her leave before Lady Hawthorn could begin to sing praises over something else altogether. “I look forward to it. Until this evening, Miss Truwin, and thank you, Lady Hawthorn!”
1
Miss Andrea Truwin, daughter to Lord and Lady Hawthorn, stepped into the ballroom and felt that same quiver of excitement that she had felt last year, when she had first come to London. Her second Season, it seemed, was to be just as exciting and as unexpected as the first, although it would all be under the watchful eye of her mother. Were the truth told, she would much have preferred to have considered matrimony during her first year in London, for she had a great many gentlemen seeking to court her, but her mother had refused them all. “No,” she had told Andrea, “you must not permit them to win you by their promises of love and affection!”
She had insisted that Andrea wait until her second Season before she let herself consider anything serious. It was delightful to be considered a ‘diamond of the first water,’ and Andrea had been told to enjoy the platitudes, the dancing, the flirtations, and the compliments rather than giving any true consideration to anyone.
Unfortunately, Andrea had not quite managed to follow her mother’s directives, given that she had found her mother much too overt in practically every way whenever they had been out within society. Andrea herself was a little too quiet, according to Lady Hawthorn, whilst Lady Hawthorn herself was, in Andrea’s opinion, a good deal too loud. This was to continue into her second season, it seemed, for even with her conversation with Lady Angelica Landerbelt earlier that day, Lady Hawthorn had spoken both for Andrea and over her so that she found it difficult to answer truthfully when the time had come. Not that this had seemed to make any difference to Lady Landerbelt, who had offered to accompany Andrea to this evening’s ball instead of turning away from Lady Hawthorn, wearied by her continuous conversation, as so many ladies had done before.
“Well, Miss Truwin,” Lady Landerbelt said, coming to stand beside Andrea. “What think you of Lord Sherringham’s ballroom? Is it not one of the most magnificent in all of London?”
Andrea, who had known from entering Lord Sherringham’s house that it was one of the largest and grandest house in all of London, nodded fervently. Her eyes roved about the room, seeing the large numbers of candles to light the room, hearing the orchestra, and smiling at the large number of gentlemen and ladies that were already filling the room.
“I am very glad that you have asked me to attend with you, Lady Landerbelt,” she said, looking up at the lady and noting the sudden sharpness in Lady Landerbelt’s green eyes although she was smiling at Andrea. A trifle awkwardly, she shifted from foot to foot, trying not to show her nervousness. “I am sorry that my mother spoke for so long and so loudly at our meeting this afternoon, Lady Landerbelt,” she found herself saying, as though this might be the reason for Lady Landerbelt’s sharp look. “She is often caught up in talking about the London Season and all that goes with it. There is a good deal of enjoyment here for her, I confess.”
“I think she enjoys talking about you, Miss Truwin,” Lady Landerbelt replied, without malice but instead with a gentle kindness creeping into her expression. “I am very glad to have had you accompany me this evening. You may be surprised to know that I am often a little anxious about coming to the first event of the Season.”
“Oh?” Andrea could not hide her surprise, for Lady Landerbelt came across as confident and very self-assured. She could not imagine Lady Landerbelt feeling nervous over simply coming back to London.
“Indeed,” Lady Landerbelt replied with a small shrug, taking Andrea’s arm and leading her towards a small cluster of chairs in one corner. “It may surprise you, Miss Truwin, and in fact, from your expression, I believe it has!” She laughed, as Andrea flushed in embarrassment, sitting down hastily. “I am a wealthy widow, and that should allow me to do whatever I wish at any place I wish, should it not?” she continued, as Andrea turned to give Lady Landerbelt her full attention. “And yet, I have many gentlemen seeking me out, caring nothing for my character but only for the fortune I have with me. I have those coming to greet me, wishing to build a rapport with me when, in fact, they do not have genuine friendship at the heart of their desires. Miss Truwin, I have a strong mind and a determination that will not permit me to even consider such acquaintances, but that does not prevent both gentlemen and ladies seeking out such a thing.” She sighed, her smile fading and a look of weariness settling over her. “I must confess it can be rather tiring , Miss Truwin.”
Andrea considered this for a moment before she began to nod slowly, realizing what it was that Lady Landerbelt meant. “You are as I am then,” she said, her eyes darting across the room and landing on one gentleman and then another. “You seek acquaintances with those who have a genuine interest in you, Lady Landerbelt. I wish to do so also.”
Lady Landerbelt said nothing for a moment or two, waiting until Andrea looked at her again before she made a comment. Her eyes were no longer sharp but rather filled with a gentle understanding. “You seek for such a gentleman then, Miss Truwin? You are expected to make a good match, I think.”
At this, Andrea felt her cheeks beginning to burn with heat, her heart beginning to quicken in her chest. “Yes,” she said, as quickly as she could in the hope that she would not give herself away. “Yes, I am to try and make a good match this Season, Lady Landerbelt. I am eligible, and my mother has made it known to me that this is her very great desire.” She shrugged and looked away, not wanting to show Lady Landerbelt that, for herself, she wished she had been permitted to do so last year during her debut. She did not understand the delay nor the need for her to parade about London without showing any particular interest in any one gentleman. The attentions that were given her, the flirtations that she was expected to respond to, and the delighted smiles that were graced upon her made her blush and stammer. She did not much like being the only object of the ton’s interest but had not had any particular choice in the matter, given that both her mother and her father sought for such a thing to continue. She was the apple of their eye and also, therefore, ought to be so for everyone else! It did not matter what she herself wanted and so, in that way, Andrea had not been given any other choice but to continue on as she was.
This Season, however, she was to be permitted to seek out a suitor for herself. That, she thought, was something of a relief, even if she did already have someone in mind for such a position. Her mind went to him almost immediately, recalling how she had seen him walking in the park earlier that day. He had been alone and seemed to be entirely lost in thought, for he had not looked up from the path and certainly had not even a hint of a smile on his face. He had not seen her and had, in fact, turned along another path that had taken him away from her instead of drawing her closer.
“You are smiling now
,” Lady Landerbelt commented, breaking through Andrea’s thoughts and making the smile fall immediately from Andrea’s face. “One might wonder whether or not you have seen someone that you are truly eager to become acquainted with again.”
Andrea knew that she was blushing furiously but tried her best to remain nonchalant, lifting one shoulder delicately and allowing her gaze to rove about the room, as though she was merely considering everyone present.
“I was introduced to a good many gentlemen last Season,” she commented, trying to speak with a tone of disinterest. “I was wondering which of them I might be introduced to again.”
“That is all, is it?” Lady Landerbelt asked, with a look of slight disbelief. “There is not one gentleman that has made a good impression?”
Andrea shook her head, unwilling to share such intimate information with Lady Landerbelt and finding her a little too prying when it was quite clear that Andrea did not want to speak of such a thing. She was well used to hiding all that she thought and felt from her mother, and it came as no difficulty to lie to Lady Landerbelt now.
“Then I must do my very best to ensure that you dance with the most eligible of gentlemen,” Lady Landerbelt said, rising to her feet gracefully and gazing out across the dance floor. “Do come along, Miss Truwin. We shall have your dance card full within a few minutes!”
Regency Engagements Box Set Page 37