Page 43 of A Foolish Endeavor

Mrs. Landry heaved a sigh. “You may be aware that my daughter, Mary, is a close friend with Miss Wells. Not long after it became clear how much your brother admired Miss Wells, Mary told me that Diana had confided to her that she planned to use your brother to entice the desires of that future duke. So, she led your poor Gilbert on, fawning over him whenever Kirkpatrick was about, not because she truly cared for your brother, but in order to make her true desire jealous enough to propose. And, as you see, she has succeeded. I am sorry for your brother—he is a good sort of person who did not deserve to be so ill-used.”

Dorothea nodded in understanding. “It was Kirkpatrick, then, whom you referenced in the park—the one you said Miss Wells wished to be seen by when she was with Gilbert. For Kirkpatrick was in the park that day. I saw him.”

“Indeed. And it likely did the trick, for Kirkpatrick made his offer soon after. And, you will recall, the countess had just rejected him. Rumor has it that the Kirkpatrick estate is in dire need of a large infusion of cash. I suppose he decided a pretty face and fifteen thousand pounds was a fine consolation prize to losing the countess and her even larger fortune. Not only was he taken in by Miss Wells’s devious behavior, but your sweet brother, as well. I fear Gilbert was an unwitting pawn in this most unsavory game.” She made a sympathetic sound as she continued to look at Miss Wells, dancing with Kirkpatrick. “Such a shame.”

Dorothea turned a hard face to Mrs. Landry. “It might all have been avoided, had you broken your confidence from your daughter. If you had told me in a straight-forward manner of the girl’s intentions. I might have warned Gilbert.”

“It pains me that I could not, but my daughter begged me not to speak of Miss Wells’s intentions. Indeed, Mary broke her promise to her friend not to reveal the plan when she told me of it. I could not share it with you. Have heart, however. Your brother is still young and well-favored. He will find another love, no doubt.” She nodded her head and excused herself, leaving Dorothea standing alone, in shock and dismay.

After a moment, Dorothea went in search of Gilbert, finding him in the refreshment room.

“Oh, Gilbert—I just heard the news. I am so very sorry for you,” she said in a low voice. “Do you wish to leave?”

He gave a bark of a laugh before saying, “Leave? Why, no, dear sister. I have the third set with Miss Wells. I must not disappoint her.”

“I have just been told of the particulars behind the engagement. It seems that—”

Gilbert held up a hand to stop her. “Say nothing more, Dorothea. I shall have it from the lady’s own lips. Now, please leave me.” He poured himself another cup of wine.

Dorothea, seeing he was resolute in his mood, merely nodded and left the room.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Before the third set, Gilbert arrived to claim his dance just as Diana was returning to her aunt’s side after enjoying the second with her new fiancé. Kirkpatrick handed Diana off, with a smug smile.

“Enjoy yourself, Kendall, with this final dance. I do not think I could bear to see her in another man’s arms from henceforth.” With a kiss to Diana’s cheek, he bowed and stood aside for Gilbert, who offered his arm and escorted his lost love to the floor.

Gilbert, who had been drinking steadily since learning of the engagement, spoke not a word to his partner as they stood across from each other, waiting for the music. Again, he noted her expression, but still could not decipher it—was she amused by his pain? Or was she completely unaware of the impact her announcement had upon him? He had no idea. The music began and Gilbert moved through the steps without even being aware of his own body.

For a time, he remained silent, his lips pressed firmly together in a face that held a decided scowl. Then, he could refrain no longer, and as the couple came together, he spoke.

“Miss Wells—I confess I find myself astonished by your announcement. Was it not just a few days ago you and your aunt consented to let me court you, and we spent such happy times together? Why should she and you allow me to call if you were expecting an offer from… him. Pray, tell me how this engagement came to be and quite so suddenly.”

If he expected any hint of shame from the beautiful young lady, Gilbert was to be disappointed. She smiled coyly at him and replied, “It is true I permitted you to come calling, Mr. Kendall, even as my heart was hoping for an offer from Lord Kirkpatrick.”

Gilbert’s mouth fell open at her frank admission. He swallowed hard and asked, “Then… what was your aim? Were you just waiting to see who proposed first? What precisely was I to you, Miss Wells? I had intended to ask you to marry me this very evening. Would you have accepted me if not for Kirkpatrick’s offer? Was I only your second choice?”

She laughed lightly. “Second choice? A second son with no fortune or prospects? My gracious, you do think highly of yourself. You were never truly under consideration as a future husband at all, Mr. Kendall, despite your flattering, charming ways.” The dance steps had her spin away and he considered her words until they reunited.

“There is something in your speech which my comprehension does not reach,” he choked out. “Pray explain yourself. You did not care for me at all?”

She laughed again. “Must I spell it out for you, sir? I thought you far more clever than this. I needed to make Mr. Kirkpatrick think I was in love with you in order to secure his affections. I am not certain how far I intended to go to try and make him choose me over that countess, but as it is, the countess refused him, which opened his eyes to making me his bride. After all, if I am to hand over my fifteen thousand to a gentleman, I should at least get a title out of it.” She gazed at him as if she completely expected him to agree.

As the realization of how she had used him sank in, Gilbert halted his dancing, staring with shock and growing anger at the devious, flirtatious girl. He grabbed her hand and pulled her close, causing her to give a small gasp of surprise.

“You have used me most ill, indeed,” he said in a voice far too loud, heedless of the other dancers trying to move around them. “You have contrived to use your coquetry for your own purposes, with little regard to the effect upon me. My only consolation is knowing that you have now tied yourself to a man who is held in low esteem by all who truly know him, when you might have had the love of a kind man who adores you above all others. I would wish you well, but you deserve no such platitudes.”

With that, he pushed her away and stomped off the dance floor, leaving his partner standing by herself as the other shocked dancers moved around her.

“Gilbert—you left your partner alone on the floor. I realize you are upset over the news of her engagement, but that is a serious breach of etiquette, indeed,” Dorothea said when she caught up to her brother in a hallway after witnessing the argument between him and Miss Wells.

“Do you think at this moment I give a damn about manners?” he spat.

“Shall we leave? I can call for our carriage, and we can depart this unpleasant situation at once.”

“Will that not add even more gossip to my actions? No, I am not ready to depart, Dorothea. I only wish to be left to myself. Leave if you wish. I can find my own way home.” Without waiting for an answer, he left his sister and headed to the balcony overlooking a garden. He leaned on the balustrade, putting his head in his hands. How had this evening ended in such disaster? He had anticipated celebrating the joy of Diana becoming his fiancée. Now, he felt like an utter fool.

“Gilbert.”