Chapter Ten

D ory happily enjoyed the first course, white soup. She had come to dinner quite pleased with herself, and to celebrate had worn her favorite blue dress. It helped bring out the blue flecks in her hazel eyes, which made them more the norm.

She’d spent the rest of the afternoon with the ladies, most of whom seemed quite nice and many of whom she had spoken to during the season. She’d had to silence herself twice. It would have been once, but as Lady Arabella had asked her a question to involve her in the conversation, it would have been rude not to answer. She’d allowed herself many replies, but upon a longer response, promptly stopped conversing again.

Perfection had never been her forte, nor did she wish it, so her two lapses were a very good beginning. It had been difficult, though, and when sent to her room to rest before dinner, she’d found herself falling asleep almost instantly. But now refreshed, she was quite ready for the challenge of the meal, which should be much easier since they did all have to eat. It also helped that the Earl of Dearling, a handsome man with light-brown hair, dark-brown eyes, and a quick smile, was seated to her right. She’d never encountered him before he arrived at Sunnydale, so she could make a good first impression.

Unfortunately, on her left was Lord Leighhall, a viscount she’d spoken to before, but who had walked away from their conversation. He was quite handsome with his blue eyes, blond hair, and rather long sideburns, but his fair looks hid a poor disposition, in her opinion. He was the oldest of the single men by at least ten years. She planned to speak to him as little as possible, which made her exercise in conversation rather easy. In addition, across from her was Lord and Lady Sommerset, a Lord Manning, whom she knew of but had only been introduced to earlier, and Lady Arabella, whom she quite liked after getting to know her better in the parlor. The lady, with her chestnut hair and brown eyes, was unremarkable in appearance, but her demeanor was lively and very engaging.

However, she was not a little disappointed that Lord Harewood had been placed much farther down the table of twenty-four, next to his mother. She glanced his way to see him talking to the lady on his right. She had hoped he could witness her success at dinner, only because it was at his instruction that she engaged in such a difficult exercise.

“Tell me, Lady Dorothea. Can you give us a hint as to what activities we should expect over the coming weeks?”

Lord Dearling’s address had her turning her attention to him.

“I’m to understand you arrived early and perhaps have been privy to what entertainments Lord and Lady Enderly have devised, besides billiards, of course.” He smiled warmly at her, his interest in her reply absolute.

“To be sure, my lord, I’m not certain if I am to tell, but I can say that there will be many of the usual amusements, with a surprise or two.” Pleased she kept her answer to one sentence, she lifted her wine to take a small sip.

“The usual? Would you say you excel at all these usual activities?”

She set her glass down while shaking her head. “Oh, my, I fear I am quite horrid at pall-mall. I do think I may simply watch. I could not imagine anyone would wish to partner with me, for they are sure to lose.” Lord Dearling’s eyes widened in surprise, making her re-count her sentences, but she’d only spoken three. However, discussing her shortcomings wasn’t perhaps the best course.

“Then I hope you will allow me to offer you some instruction. We could be partners, as I find the enjoyment of the game is in the playing of it, not in the triumph.”

“And well you should, Dearling.” Lord Manning, who sat across from Lord Dearling, smirked. “As I recall, last time you played, more than one ball went missing in the pond.”

Lord Dearling frowned, obviously not as comfortable with his own shortcomings as she was with hers.

She wished to make him feel better about them. “Lord Manning, there is no need to worry about anyone’s balls falling into a pond, mine included.”

The man raised his dark eyebrows is question but didn’t speak. Though he had darker hair than Lord Dearling and brown eyes to match, he was far lighter than Lord Harewood.

“That’s because there is no pond for them to fall into.” She smiled, quite pleased with her rejoinder.

Lord Manning gave a pleased nod and lifted his glass to her. “Then I say, it shall be a very good game.”

As Lord Dearling had become engaged with the lady to his right, she instead focused on finishing her soup.

“Lady Dorothea, I was surprised to see you attending this grand fete.” Lord Leighhall’s statement required a response, so she placed her spoon back in her bowl and forced herself to politely reply.

“Why, my lord?”

“As I don’t see your mother here, I didn’t expect you to be. Is she quite well?”

She moved her hand beneath the table as her fingers curled into her palm at the uncomfortableness of his remark. “My mother is quite well. I will be sure to tell her you inquired. She is home with my father. Lady Sommerset offered to be my chaperone.”

Before Lord Leighhall could respond, Lord Sommerset spoke. “As did I.” The stern look he gave the viscount, made her feel much safer.

“I am quite grateful for you, sir.” She nodded to her chaperone then turned to Lord Leighhall. “You see, Lady Sommerset has lectured at my school many times. She is knowledgeable on so many topics.”

The man gave a nod of respect to the countess. “I have heard many praises of the lady’s work. I can only assume that you have been learning how to paint, then.”

Dory barely kept from grinning at his assumption. “Oh, no. I already know how to paint, though not nearly as well as Lady Sommerset. Painting is not one of our courses at the Belinda School for Curious Ladies. No, Lady Sommerset taught us about how certain colors come from certain plants and the process to extract them in one of our science courses. She also lectured on observation, a skill required of artists but also critical to navigating life itself. After all, life—” She halted, recognizing she’d gone far over her three-sentence limit. Guiltily, she glanced down the table to find Lord Harewood looking at her. Blast. “Life is so colorful.”

“Observation?” Lord Leighhall snorted, which did not become him at all. “I’ve never given observation much thought. So do you mean to say that you could tell me what color pocket watch I wear tonight?”

She glanced across the table to find that Lady Sommerset was indeed listening to the conversation. As their eyes met, the lady’s lips formed a secret smile even as she gave the smallest of nods.

“Of course, my lord.” She would have remained silent, but as her instructor had been insulted, she had to make an exception. “You wear a silver pocket watch, much like Lord Harewood, while Lord Dearling wears a gold one, as does Lord Sommerset.” She kept a serious face, though she wanted very much to laugh at his surprise. She wasn’t the most observant of her classmates, but she did pay attention when she wasn’t speaking.

He lifted his head to look down his nose. “Well, that’s very good to know. Now if any of us misplace our hat or our cane and someone else takes it by mistake, we’ll know whom to ask about it.” The words were said with such insult that the air caught in her lungs.

“I, for one, am quite pleased that I can count on Lady Dorothea to help me keep track of my belongings.” Lord Dearling’s voice had her turning toward him. “I consider it a great skill you have and would be honored if you would let me know if I accidently take someone else’s hat.” He nodded toward Lord Manning. “Or, perhaps, hit someone else’s croquet ball.”

Relieved by Lord Dearling’s kind response, she gave him a grateful smile. “I will be happy to keep you from misappropriating anyone else’s belongings, but I admit I may not be of much help with the croquet ball.”

He cocked his head as if they were discussing the latest bill before Parliament, so serious was his visage. “And why is that?”

Holding back her own humor, she replied in an equal vein. “Because if your hit is to our advantage, I may willfully ignore your misstep.”

He gave her a serious nod, though his lips twitched with mischief. “I do believe we will make a superb team.”

“Do you hear that, Lady Arabella?” Lord Manning addressed the lady on his left but lifted his glass toward them. “We will have to watch these two closely if we are to have any chance of winning.”

Lady Arabella’s eyes grew wide. “I was not aware we were partnering for this game.”

As Lord Manning turned to the lady to request that very thing, Lord Dearling leaned in. “I am so pleased I offered to play with you. I’m quite sure Lord Manning would have if I hadn’t been so quick about it.”

Dory felt her cheeks heat at the thought that both men wanted to be in her company, even though she was such a poor pall-mall player. She’d never had such an experience before. She gave the man a genuine smile before turning back to her soup. As she took another sip, she looked toward Lord Harewood, only to find him watching her. His face did not reveal his thoughts, but she hoped he approved. The time would go by very slowly until she could tell him all that had transpired because of his suggestion.

As the dinner continued, she had to go silent twice more, but since the first time was when the duck was served, a particular favorite dish of hers, and she was expected to eat, anyway, it was not a hardship. Then the second occasion occurred just as Lady Enderly stood to gather the ladies to retreat, so it had not been too difficult. What had been difficult was ignoring Lord Leighhall. He didn’t engage her in conversation, but he spoke on subjects that made her want to argue with him. Her other companions, though, had made the time go by in a pleasant manner.

As they all stood, she glanced once more at Lord Harewood, but he was speaking to the lady he had been seated next to.

“Lady Dorothea, I look forward to furthering our conversation in the parlor.” Lord Dearling’s kind words had her turning toward him.

She opened her mouth to give him a polite response.

“As do I.” Lord Manning grinned at Dearling.

Lady Arabella chuckled. “Come, Lady Dorothea. We must prepare our topics of conversation while these gentlemen discuss their favorite scotch whisky and horses.”

Dory leaned toward Lord Dearling and whispered. “The best is truly from Littlemill.” At his look of surprise, she quickly walked past to link arms with Lady Arabella and proceeded toward the parlor. Even as they entered the room, she wished she hadn’t mentioned the scotch. No doubt Lord Dearling thought she imbibed now, when in actuality it was the Duke of Northwick, the owner of the school, who had mentioned that particular libation.

As the ladies all entered, Lady Rose intercepted her and pulled her toward two chairs by one of the windows. “I greatly missed your company at dinner. I don’t know why Mother seated you so far away.”

It most likely had to do with the fact that she attended the Belinda School, but she didn’t wish to mention that. “I have no doubt that since you and I were able to spend so much time together over the last few days, she simply wanted you to converse with more of your guests.”

Rose glanced toward her mother, who was speaking to two ladies and their chaperones. “Or rather converse with the gentlemen she invited. She made it appear that I am accomplished in absolutely every possible way and my brother is the epitome of a peer.”

“Your brother. I did not know he sought a wife.”

Rose waved her hand as if it were a forgone conclusion. “He is much like me. Neither of us is interested in what our mother wishes for us, at least not yet.”

“I thought you wished to attend the school so you could have better conversations and attract a husband? Does that mean if a man was truly interested in you as you are, you would not consider it?” She, herself, would be thrilled by such an opportunity, though she would miss her classmates, but Rose had not yet attended.

“To be honest, that was my first intention, but after hearing all that you have related about the school over the last few days, I admit I’m anxious to attend. It would be such a grand adventure.” Rose clasped one hand in the other against her chest, her excitement clear in her eyes.

If Lady Enderly heard such talk, Dory was quite sure she’d be sent home immediately. That Rose wished an experience beyond what she had so far was not entirely surprising.

“Then mayhap you can help me find a prospective suitor.” At her friend’s excited look, she quickly held up her hand. “I caution you, it will not be an easy task.”

Rose grabbed her hand and squeezed. “I would very much enjoy that. I’ve never done anything of the sort. You must tell me how I can help.”

“Let’s see. I believe the first would be to observe the men who are here and their qualities, both good and poor. The second might be to remember anything that is said about me, again good and poor.”

“Oh, no one could say anything about you that is poor. You are a lovely person.”

Her heart warmed at Rose’s enthusiastic endorsement. If only all others felt that way, she could have her pick of a gentleman. “Most importantly, they should be someone interested in marriage.”

Rose smirked. “That leaves every man except my brother.”

Unfortunately, that was true. “There could be others here who are in no hurry to marry as well, so listen carefully.”

“I do believe you just made the next fortnight much more enjoyable for me.”

Pleased that she had made Rose happy, she couldn’t help feeling uncomfortable. “Just be sure to report everything to me and not say a word about my interest in any of the gentlemen here.”

Rose lost her smile and nodded. “I understand. I can be quite circumspect when needed.” Even as she said the words, her relaxed manner changed and she sat straighter in her chair. “Lady Matilda please join us.”

Looking over her shoulder, Dory understood the full change in her friend’s demeanor. Lady Matilda approached, obviously curious about their conversation. It was just as well, as she needed to practice her three-sentence skill so she had more to report to Lord Harewood when they spoke.

For the rest of the evening, she only had to keep silent once, but she had not been able to converse with Lord Harewood at all. It wasn’t as if he were flanked by many of the women, but more that, he stood aside from everyone, only speaking with his father or Lord Sommerset. Not once did she see him speak to his mother.

Her evening was still pleasant as Lord Dearling, Lord Manning, and Mr. Retford, with whom she’d danced the quadrille that very season, had kept her entertained. By the time she crawled into bed, her mind was ready to sleep after such a challenging day.

The following morning after breaking her fast in her room, she was ushered downstairs by Lady Sommerset to sew with the other ladies. Unfortunately, she had no choice but to sit next to Rose’s two friends who had left her standing by herself at the Stocktons’ ball. Though she didn’t hold any ill will toward them, as there had been so many others who had done the same, she was not inclined to join their conversation and instead focused on her embroidery.

Lady Sommerset, who appeared to be adding the Sommerset crest to a handkerchief, noticed her focus. “Are you deep in thought over your prospects?”

Dory moved her gaze from the handkerchief to the lady, somewhat confused. “My prospects?”

Her chaperone gave her a secret smile as she set down her needle. “You appear to have many men quite interested in you.”

Her cheeks heated and she kept her voice low. “I’m not as certain as you, though I did have lovely conversations with Lord Dearling and Lord Manning yesterday eve.”

Lady Sommerset lowered her voice to match. “And don’t forget Mr. Retford and Lord Harewood.”

“Lord Harewood?” She tried to ignore the jump her heart gave, which did not make sense, as the man was not in the market for a wife. “I didn’t speak to him all day. Why would you think so?”

“Perhaps because you spoke to him quite often before the others arrived. Or rather, more telling, he spoke to you .”

“Yes, that is true, but our conversations did not lead me to imagine he has an interest.” That was true, but his kisses led her to believe he did, not that she could admit that.

Lady Sommerset shook her head and sighed. “I’m disappointed to hear that. Both my husband and I had thought maybe there was an interest. It is our wish that he can open his heart to another someday.”

“Another?” Her curiosity bloomed. “Has he been interested in someone before?”

Lady Sommerset stuck her needle in the material stretched tightly over her loop. “I forget that many people are not aware of the connection between the Mabrys and the Ambroses. Lord Harewood had his heart broken over ten years ago. I’m not sure he will ever care for another woman again, but we do hope it could happen.”

Ten years ago? He couldn’t have been more than a lad. A sadness filled her that someone could have turned away such a unique man. “Did the woman marry another? I do hope it wasn’t you.”

Lady Sommerset chuckled. “Hardly. He and Lord Sommerset are opposites in many ways, just as I and my sister were.”

“Was Lord Harewood in love with Lady Northwick then?”

This time, Lady Sommerset laughed, drawing the attention of others in the room. “Lady Dorothea, how adorable.” The words were said loudly enough for all to assume some on-dit had been shared and nothing was of great import. Then the lady lowered her voice again. “No, Joanna and the lord would have never been a match, nor would Mariel. It was my sweet sister Belinda who caught Lord Harewood’s fancy and he hers.”

The softness in the countess’s gaze caused a tightening in Dory’s chest for both Lady Sommerset and Lord Harewood. Lady Belinda was revered by the Mabry sisters and even by those who attended the school. They all knew her story. She’d been kind, gentle, giving, and very understanding. Despite Lady Northwick nursing Lady Belinda through scarlet fever, she never regained her strength and faded away.

She and her classmates referred to Lady Belinda as “the Angel.” The life-like full-sized painting of her, created by Lady Sommerset, graced the parlor of Silver Meadows, where the school was housed. Many of her classmates admitted to talking to the portrait, which seemed so real.

She tried to imagine the stiff Lord Harewood with the Angel. “Did they truly love each other?” She couldn’t quite see it.

Lady Sommerset nodded. “Indeed, they did. He was just waiting for her to come out before asking her for her hand. Some say they were too young to know what it was to love, but I disagree. They were well matched, perhaps too well matched. Her passing changed all of us, but the most drastic change was in Lord Harewood. As a young lad, he was much like my husband, full of mischief and smiles.” She sighed. “Very few are witness to that side of him now. And for years, it simply did not exist, as if it died with my sister. I like to credit my husband for helping Lord Harewood find that piece of himself again.”

Dory had a feeling that Rose also had a hand in helping him with that. “Do you think that means that he will love again someday?” She wasn’t sure why the countess’s answer was so important, but it was. Perhaps because he had helped her, she held a sympathy for his loss.

“I do not know.” The lady gave her usual smile. “But I do hope. In fact, I had noticed his interest in you and so I needed to ask.”

She almost laughed herself, even as a deep disappointment settled in her belly. “I am so far from being like Lady Belinda that to posit such a notion is humorous.” Was that why Lady Sommerset had turned her back on them when they’d been in the library? Best to make it clear that the earl in question had no intentions toward her. “No, our conversations centered on people’s thought processes and happiness.”

Lady Sommerset rolled her eyes. “That sounds like a conversation with Joanna. Ah, well. But what about the other men I mentioned?”

Ignoring her feeling of disappointment over Lord Harewood, even though she hadn’t realized she’d had any hopes in that direction, she thought about the men who had shown her interest so far. “Today is only the second day, but I do believe there may be some mutual interest. It is difficult to know a person in just a couple of conversations. Perhaps I will better be able to answer that in a fortnight.”

“That sounds like a pragmatic approach. I will listen carefully and let you know if I think any the men are ones to stay clear of. After all, that’s what a chaperone is supposed to do, or so I’ve been told.”

“Thank you. I’m already avoiding Lord Leighhall. He’s never liked me because of my mother. Do you think you can influence Lady Enderly into not seating him next to me again?”

“I’d be pleased to do so. He hasn’t endeared himself to me, either. Lady Enderly did say she was going to change the seating every night. Maybe I’ll have him seated next to me tomorrow.” Her lips lifted in a particularly impish smile.

Dory almost felt sorry for Lord Leighhall, but not quite. “I am most grateful for your kindness toward me.”

Lady Sommerset waved away her comment and picked up her needle again.

As she returned her attention to her own embroidery, her thoughts wandered to Lord Harewood. Now her heart ached for him, though not enough to suggest him to another woman. Did that mean she had some small feeling for him? If so, she needed to disperse it post-haste. But she did wish to help him in some way, like he had helped her. Perhaps she could convince him that he could be happy. Yes, she liked that idea. Maybe then, he could let himself fall in love again. She had no doubt that he would feel happy to see her succeed by following his suggestion, which gave her more motivation. She was just thankful that in her head, she could wander along her many squiggly lines to her heart’s content.