Page 48 of A Foolish Endeavor

“I am so angry, still, Charlotte,” Lavinia said.

“Understandably. This betrayal is very fresh. However, holding onto that anger will not serve you well. I remember something Frederick preached once in a sermon: that anger and resentment are like picking up a hot coal to throw at your enemy—yet, you are the one who will be burned.”

Lavinia slowly nodded. “I do not enjoy feeling this way—so filled with anger, it is true.”

“Then, do you think you might, at least, try to understand his side? And, perhaps, explain your own feelings to him of why you refused to leave your son? It may be a start.”

Lavinia stared off, silent. Finally, she nodded and turned sad eyes to her sister. “Yes, I wish to do whatever I can to heal our marriage. I should hate our dear little son to be reared by two people who cannot abide each other. To live in such a house would be so unhappy. We must make it right, somehow.” She stood. “Thank you, dear sister. I know I may always count upon you for sound advice.” She leaned over and kissed Charlotte’s cheek, and smiled down at little William, who was sleeping. She softly stroked the side of his face. “I can hardly wait for our sons to be playmates.”

“I am of the same mind, Lavinia. Good luck, and know that Frederick and I are both praying for you and Miles.”

“Your prayers are most welcome. Now, excuse me. I must find my husband.”

Chapter Thirty-Seven

When Gilbert woke the next morning, he felt a sharp pang of regret and anger as the humiliating refusal by Miss Wells resurfaced in his mind. Then, he recalled his new plan to woo Miss Mary Landry, and his mood improved. As he went through his morning ablutions, he considered the best tactic for him to approach the young lady. With the Season’s festivities set to soon end, he knew he must act with some haste. However, she was exceedingly clever and might be highly suspicious if he made her an offer too soon. After all, he had paid her no particular attentions during the past months, aside from a solitary dance now and then. Would she be desperate enough to accept him on so slight an acquaintance to avoid having a “failure” of a Season? She might well be, and if he showed her any inclination, it might all work out as he hoped.

After breakfast, which he ate alone, as Dorothea was sleeping late, Gilbert scratched out a quick note to let his sister know that he was going out and would be home later. There was no assembly tonight and they had no invitations to home parties, so he anticipated a quiet evening.

Unless I can wrangle an invitation to the Landrys. Well, first things first. I must call upon her and make it seem as if it were by chance. I shall stay as long as half an hour, pay her a great deal of attention, and ply her with compliments, in order to open her heart to me as a prospective suitor.

He hailed a cab and asked to be dropped off in the neighborhood a block or so from the Landrys’ home. Then, he walked around a bit before presenting himself at the front door and ringing the bell. When he was shown into the morning sitting room, which was filled with bright light from the east-facing windows, he saw his intended and Mrs. Landry seated, both doing needlework. He noted a look of surprise upon their faces as he entered.

“Gracious me,” Mrs. Landry said. “What a surprise, Mr. Kendall. Why, we in no way anticipated a visit from you this morning. How… delightful. Do sit down.” She gestured to the settee placed across from Mary.

“Thank you, Mrs. Landry. Yes, I went for a very long walk this morning and, I confess, was rambling without much idea of where I was headed. When I found myself in your neighborhood, I thought I would enjoy a visit. You have both been so kind to me during this Season, and I am fond of your lively conversation.”

He saw the two exchange a glance he could not quite decipher.

“Well,” Mrs. Landry said, setting her needlework aside. “You are always most welcome here, Mr. Kendall, to be sure.” She rose and went to the bell pull. “I shall order some refreshments for us.” When the butler responded to the summons, she sent him for tea and cakes, then returned to her chair.

There was a pause. Both ladies sat with smiles on their faces. Gilbert thought perhaps the mother and daughter appeared somewhat uncomfortable, though he could not fathom a reason for it. It could not be that he was not welcome—they had always been kind and generous with invitations to dinners and parties. He was about to make some innocuous comment about what a beautiful day it was, when Mrs. Landry cleared her throat and spoke.

“Can you believe the end of the festivities is nearly upon us, Mr. Kendall? What a Season it has been, eh? So many lovely parties and balls. I confess, I am glad it is all coming to an end, for I am not as young as I once was, and so many late nights are taking a toll upon me, I believe.” She chuckled. “I declare, I scarce can bear to look in a mirror just now. I long to go to our estate and rest and recover.”

“I do not see that you look any different from when we first met—when you allowed Carter—uh, Mr. Milbourn—to bring me to that first dinner here, all those weeks ago. But, I can easily comprehend how you must be eager to return to your new home and begin your life there.”

“Yes, it will be good to go to the country. Fresh air is so… good for one’s health…” Mrs. Landry’s eyes cut to a mantel clock as it struck eleven and her voice trailed off. Then, she and Mary exchanged another look.

Gilbert could not understand their awkward behavior. As the footmen entered with trays for tea, he tried again, turning his attention to Mary.

“Do tell me, Miss Landry, will you miss the hectic pace of the past months? Or will you be happy to put it all behind you and retire to your estate? How do you think you will enjoy living in the country? What will you do to fill your long days there, for you likely do not know many of your neighbors in Cheshire, am I correct?”

Her lips twitched a bit at the edge of her mouth as she accepted a cup of tea and replied, “You expect me, no doubt, to spend my days embroidering screens and taking invigorating walks in the nearby woods. What else will there be for me to do, after all, an unmarried woman marooned in the countryside?” Her eyes showed her amusement.

Gilbert felt his face burn. “No—not at all. I did not mean to imply anything of the sort. As you know, I live in the country and I appreciate the peacefulness of it, but there is so much more to do in London, after all. I merely wondered about your preference, is all.”

“Mary is the sort to be content wherever she is,” Mrs. Landry broke in. “She has always had an agreeable nature. But tell us, Mr. Kendall, are you not eager to return to your home? I was led to believe from Mr. Milbourn that you would soon take your orders and begin your career in the church.”

“Oh, yes, that is always a possibility. Things could change, of course. I—”

The door opening interrupted his speech and the butler announced, “Mr. Milbourn, ma’am.”

In walked Carter, smiling at Mrs. and Miss Landry. Then, his eyes widened in surprise when he saw his friend. “Gilbert! What a surprise—what are you doing here?”

“I was… that is…” Gilbert stammered.

Mary spoke up. “Mr. Kendall was on a long walk and found himself in our neighborhood, so he did us the courtesy of paying us a visit. And now you are here, as well. Gracious—we have an abundance of pleasant company to enjoy today, do we not, Mama?”