AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Chapter Three
Patricia walked into the elegant drawing room of the house behind the butler. She cast an eye around the room. Her dear friend, Lady Eleanor Reynolds, was seated near the fire. She was perusing a pamphlet on the conditions of the poor of England. In front of her was a well set out tea service, complete with ginger sponge cake and a pile of brightly colored macaroons.
Eleanor suddenly saw her, put down the pamphlet, and rose to her feet. She rushed over to greet Patricia, taking her hands.
“Patricia,” she cried, her eyes sparkling with joy. “Why, it has been a veritable age!” She paused, gazing at her. “You are so very beautiful and sophisticated now. Not the shy young debutante I met last season at all.”
Patricia smiled. “You are too kind, Eleanor. My dear, it is so very good to see you. Shall we sit down and catch up on each other’s news?”
They sat. Eleanor poured the tea while they caught up. Patricia learned that her friend had just returned from a brief sojourn in the country with her two-year-old twin boys in tow, as well as her husband, Lord Reynolds, of course. As Patricia sipped her tea, listening to the warmth in her friend’s voice as she talked about her husband and children, she felt a wistful yearning. If only she could be as happy one day.
Her face fell momentarily. Eleanor was in love with her husband, even though it had been an arranged marriage. Of course, she was happy.
“And how is Marion?” asked Patricia, trying to push her sorrow away. “She and her husband live quite close, do they not?”
Eleanor nodded, smiling, as she sipped her tea. “They do indeed, Patricia. They are very well, and they have glad tidings.” Her eyes sparkled. “Marion is with child, my dear. She and Simon are over the moon with joy, counting down the days until the new arrival comes.” She sighed wistfully. “I do not think I have ever seen a couple so in love. Except for me and my dear Nathan, of course.” She laughed in an almost embarrassed way.
Patricia sipped her tea reflectively. Of course, she was glad to hear Marion’s happy news. Her very first child, with a husband she was deliriously in love with, and who loved her just as well. She did not know Marion very well, but she had heard of her love story. She wished her nothing but joy and happiness.
Her eyes prickled with sudden tears. It wasn’t that she begrudged Marion her joy. It was just she couldn’t picture herself having such happiness in matrimony, not any longer. She had believed fervently all her life that she would one day marry a gentleman she loved and who loved her in return, but now that hope seemed gone forever.
She must marry for fortune, not love. It was as simple as that.
“My dear,” said Eleanor gently, gazing at her with anxious eyes. “Is there something wrong?”
Patricia forced a smile onto her face as she gazed back at her friend. “I am perfectly well, Eleanor. Just a passing thought, which troubled me for an instant.” She took a deep breath. “Now, tell me your thoughts on this event at St. Anne’s Orphanage. What is happening?”
Eleanor nodded. “Yes, we should get down to business, shouldn’t we?” She put down her teacup. “I am planning a fundraising event. Perhaps a morning or afternoon tea at the orphanage. We shall invite key members of theton, who can be persuaded to part with some coin for a good cause. What do you think?”
“I think that sounds perfectly splendid,” said Patricia, smiling. “You have such a kind heart, Eleanor. So many ladies do not concern themselves with such matters. They are content to just while away the time at balls and events and act as if the wider world does not even exist.”
“My good mother always taught me that charity is an active thing, Patricia,” said Eleanor, her face solemn. “It is not just good enough to be a Christian on Sundays, as she would say. The poor may be always with us, but if we are more fortunate in life, we must assist them wherever possible.”
“I agree wholeheartedly,” said Patricia. “How can I be of service?”
Eleanor reached over to a pile of documents, on a side table. She ruffled through them until she got to the one she wanted, and she handed it to Patricia. It was a list of names of very wealthy gentlemen and ladies.
“I would like you to write and send the invitations to the event,” continued Eleanor. “I have made a thorough list. All we need do this morning is decide on a day and time. I have contacted the orphanage and they have given me suitable days.” She paused. “Once that is done, I shall get down to the nitty gritty of the organization. Refreshments, and the like.”
Patricia nodded, casting an eye over the list quickly. Eleanor had done a thorough job, indeed. She was not acquainted with everyone on the list, but she knew them through reputation. It was a who’s who of fashionable society.
She couldn’t help it. Immediately, she singled out the eligible, wealthy gentlemen who would be invited. Was it shameful, to be thinking of her own selfish purpose, at a charitable event? But then, what did it matter? She would simply be killing two birds with one stone, so to speak. Assisting her friend while never losing sight of what she must now do.
There were at least five gentlemen on this list who could be targeted. Either titled and wealthy, or just wealthy. Her jaw clenched. She had never thought she could be so very calculating. The sudden new life of a fortune hunter was not appealing at all. It left rather a bad taste in her mouth.
“I shall make sure the invitations are done, Eleanor,” she said slowly.
Her friend smiled gratefully. “Thank you so much, Patricia.”
Patricia nodded. As she folded the list, tucking it away in her pocket, she knew she would be culling names from it for her own purposes. A hunter on the loose looking for fair game.
* * *
Jackson sat back in the chair in the study, wearily tossing the last letter onto the huge pile in front of him. The duties of a duke, he thought grimly. He had never realized how much there would be to do. But at least tackling this head on was distracting him from his grief.
He ran a hand over his face, standing up, and pouring himself a drink. It was only mid-afternoon, but he needed it. He had watched his father being laid to rest just yesterday and he still couldn’t fathom that he truly was gone.
It had been a grand service, in keeping with his father’s exalted position, in Westminster Abbey no less. Over fifty noble gentlemen and ladies had come to pay their respects and then crowded the London house for refreshments afterwards. He had shaken many hands and listened to platitudes of condolence. When the last of the guests had finally left, he had been too weary to even speak to the servants.
