Page 14 of A Hint of Scandal (The Mismatched Lovers #2)
T hursday afternoon took a long time arriving. Despite her conviction that Captain Aubrey had only asked her to go for the carriage drive out of pity or for a bet, Serafina couldn’t help but look forward to it with growing anticipation. An anticipation that allowed her to float over the mundane jobs Araminta found for her to do, and the constant jibes from both her and Ogden. Closing her ears to their voices helped, and conjuring up an image of the captain’s handsome face while she carried out her chores made light of the work she had to do. A girl could dream, couldn’t she? Even if she knew in her heart it could lead to nothing.
Letty had further callers on Wednesday afternoon. Serafina sat with her sewing making herself appear unobtrusive, but all the while keeping a wary watch on how forward these young men might become, and noting their names so she could discover their worthiness as potential suitors. The sort of job Araminta, with her knowledge of the ton , was far better equipped to carry out but had deigned to do. She would be quite happy if the husband that Letty secured was an inveterate old lecher, so long as he was either rich, titled or both.
To Serafina’s interest, Mr. Oliver Talbot, the cit, returned, arriving a full half hour before anyone else and giving her ample opportunity to assess him. And what she saw, she had to admit, she liked. Araminta had let slip during breakfast that she’d already discovered Mr. Talbot to be a widow of several years, with no children—something Araminta appeared to see as a distinct advantage. “No heirs waiting to dispossess you once he dies,” she informed a slightly shocked Letty, to whom early demise of her suitor had probably not occurred. “Any children you might have would be his sole heirs.”
Letty had wrinkled her delicate nose at the mention of children, no doubt because she’d once told Serafina that she never intended to have any because she wouldn’t be able to tolerate being the size of a house for months on end. She’d been ten when little Amy had been born, and could recall with clarity her mother’s constant moans about how she was suffering and how awful carrying a child was.
Despite herself, Serafina found herself agreeing with Araminta on this point. It would suit Letty admirably if she were the only point of attention in any gentleman’s gaze, and if he’d had children, that would necessarily not have been the case. However, his age might be considered a barrier to a happy marriage where the bride was so much younger—and so immature with it.
When she met Mr. Talbot in person, though, she was pleasantly surprised. He was not handsome, but nor was he unpleasant to regard, with a pronounced solidity about him that spoke of ancestors who might have performed manual labor for a living. But he had about him an air of practicality, and a twinkle in his kind eyes as he regarded Letty that spoke of a desire to spoil that already well-spoiled girl. If Araminta and Letty could ignore his less than noble roots in the face of his considerable fortune, then so could she. And the fact that he appeared to be smitten by Letty after only two meetings had to be a good thing.
He spoke with a cultured voice of his estate in Warwickshire and a play he’d been to see a few nights since, and Letty, encouraged by a nod from Serafina as well as her mother’s obvious approval of Mr. Talbot, chattered away to him in the most artless fashion. Despite her propensity for selfishness, Letty could be the sweetest and most charming of girls when she wanted to be. Until she was crossed, of course. Luckily for Mr. Talbot, he did not cross her but was most attentive to her every word. Serafina began to think of him as the ideal suitor for the flighty Letty. He might even be able to curb her less attractive traits.
When several new callers arrived, Mr. Talbot wisely bade Letty good afternoon, perhaps not keen to be viewed beside the youthful, downy countenances of the eligible young men who seemed so enthusiastic to capture Letty’s attention. If he was not there, she could not compare him.
Letty, hardly seeming to miss the man Serafina had half-decided should become her husband, basked instead in the rapt attention of so many handsome new callers. She had to keep herself in check over dinner that evening, but by bedtime all she could do was chatter to Serafina about the various merits of each young man. Nonstop. Serafina, with a thought for the staid and sensible Mr. Talbot, steered the conversation his way whenever she could.
“They were indeed a very attractive collection of young men,” she said as she and Letty prepared for bed. “Handsome and well-dressed. However, appearances can be deceiving, I fear, and at least two of those who called on you today are inveterate gamblers and have limited funds.”
Letty bounced into bed, still buoyed up by her obvious success. “Really? Which ones? And how do you know?”
“Your mama told me.”
Letty pulled the covers up to her chin. “Brrr. No hot brick. I shall have to talk to Roberts. She’s slacking. I bet she’s put one in her own bed, though. And how does Mama know?”
Serafina climbed into her own bed. Letty was right. The sheets gave her a chilly welcome. “She’s made it her goal to discover all there is to know about every supposedly eligible young man of the Season. Mr. Topham and Mr. Ryder, who are friends, have more in common than their friendship. Your mama told me she’s found out that they both go far too deep when playing cards. And when backing horses. And anything else they can wager on, which includes, so I’m told, beetle racing and snail racing at White’s.”
“Really? I think I should like to see beetle racing.” Letty giggled. “Oh well, I wasn’t considering either of them, anyway. Mr. Topham talks about himself the whole time, and Mr. Ryder, despite being passably handsome, has a squint.”
Coming from a girl whose favorite topic of conversation was herself, this criticism of the unfortunate Mr. Topham seemed a bit rich. Serafina forbore from saying so, though. And she was right about Mr. Ryder who had an unnerving ability to look cross-eyed, which in itself shouldn’t exclude him from consideration, although his propensity for gambling did. She heaved an inward sigh of relief at not having to steer Letty away from either of those two. “Today was the first time I met Mr. Talbot,” she said instead. “He seems a most charming gentleman.”
Letty nodded. “And tactful too, departing so I could enjoy myself with all my other callers. I should think at his age he’s past all the fun young men love so much.” Her tone was dismissive.
“I gather he’s very wealthy. Your mama told me that too.”
Letty giggled. “He is indeed, much of it gained by trading, though, which isn’t at all the same as inherited money.” She frowned. “Although, I do think I might be able to overlook his background as he’s so rich. One of the richest men in England, so I’m told.”
Hooray for Letty’s acquisitive heart. Serafina just might be able to trust her to make the right choice. She blew out her candle and snuggled down, rubbing her cold feet together in an attempt to get warm. “An admirable decision. Goodnight.”
Letty blew her own candle out. “Goodnight, Fina.”
The only light in the room now was the faint glow of the streetlights filtering in from behind the curtains over the long window. Serafina turned onto her side, determined not to think about tomorrow. Faint hope. Would Captain Aubrey remember he’d invited her to come out driving in the park? Or would he have put her out of his mind as he’d left the house to return to his own life, with no intention of ever seeing her again? That seemed more and more likely as she lay thinking about it in the quiet dark. A vehicle of some sort rumbled over the cobbles in the street, and, far off, a dog barked. At least she’d had that afternoon in his company. Something she could hold in her heart forevermore.
It was with more than a little relief that on Thursday, Serafina saw Captain Aubrey escorted into the drawing room even before the afternoon round of gentlemen callers on Letty had begun.
Letty, to Serafina’s surprise, had remembered the captain was calling. A mixed blessing, as if he didn’t call, everyone was going to know she’d been forgotten, which added to Serafina’s growing anxiety until she laid eyes on him. Also to Serafina’s surprise, Letty had fussed around Serafina’s choice of gown and insisted on Roberts doing her hair for her and applying some of the scent on Letty’s dressing table. “You want to look your best for the captain, don’t you?” she’d said, a little accusingly, when she’d seen the gown Serafina had picked out. “I know Mama never lets you have new dresses, apart from that plain one you wore to the ball, but if you wear this one…” Here she flourished the least dowdy inhabitant of Serafina’s wardrobe, “…instead of this old one, it will bring out the lovely gray of your eyes. You have such beautiful eyes and you should make the most of them at every opportunity. Unfortunately one couldn’t say your face is your fortune, but your eyes might well be.”
“My eyes are nothing compared with yours,” Serafina had retorted, but Letty had poohpoohed that disclaimer. Also unusual in a girl who normally basked in praise. She must be feeling very confident in herself.
And now here Serafina was, wearing the dove gray dress Letty had chosen for her, conscious of the disapproving glare of Araminta, which no doubt was due to her hair being done in the elaborate style Letty had also insisted on.
Captain Aubrey’s eyes went straight to her, as though, dare she hope, no one else in the room mattered to him. But surely that was her imagination.
“Miss Gilbert.” He bowed to her first before turning to Araminta, Ogden not being present. “Lady Gilbert and Miss Letitia.”
Araminta bestowed a somewhat condescending smile on him that didn’t reach her stony eyes. “How charming to see you again, Captain Aubrey. Do sit down and I’ll send for tea.”
Captain Aubrey returned her smile, his not reaching his eyes either. “I must unfortunately refuse your hospitality, as I’ve left my carriage outside with my groom, and my horses are impatient, hot-blooded creatures who don’t like the cold, and I’m particular in their comfort. I’m afraid I can’t keep them waiting. Perhaps another time?”
Araminta’s already sour expression soured still further. No doubt she’d been anxious to secure the attentions of an earl’s brother to improve her standing in society even if she couldn’t secure him for her daughter as a suitor. Serafina set down her sewing, a warm, and unaccustomed feeling of superiority burgeoning in her breast. She was the one going driving with the captain, and she felt certain Araminta was bitterly jealous. After all, Ogden was but a lowly baronet. Not that this had ever crossed her mind before, as her papa had also been just a baronet, but the thought once broached now wouldn’t vanish. She was unused to feeling anything but subdued and wary in Araminta’s presence and suppressing all rebellious thoughts. There were a lot in her heart clamoring to be let out.
Captain Aubrey held out his hand and she set her own in it, managing to smile up at him. “I will make haste as I don’t wish to incommode your horses on such a cold day.” She met his gaze and saw an unmistakable twinkle in his eyes. Was he finding this amusing? For a moment, the urge to giggle was enormous and only just held in check. How shocked Araminta would be by a show of levity.
“Have a lovely time,” Letty said, her blue eyes wide and guileless. No doubt she was already anticipating the return of the smitten Mr. Talbot and whoever else had fallen under her charms. Possibly Louis Herbert.
“Letitia,” her mother snapped. “Continue with your sewing.” A ridiculous command, as Letty had never really been sewing at all in the first place.
In the hallway, Roberts, who seemed to have materialized from nowhere, helped Serafina into her pelisse and bonnet and handed her a pair of gloves and her reticule. A pair of Letty’s much smarter gloves, also an unusually given loan. Truly, today Letty must be in a very good mood indeed. What a miracle three days of gentlemen callers could wreak on a girl.
A few moments later, and Max and Serafina were out of the front door, where a thin, wintry sun was trying its best to brighten the day.
A spotless, shiny barouche, drawn by two matching bay horses, stood in the street with a liveried driver seated on the high box seat. Serafina had never seen such a splendid outfit in all her life. The family had journeyed up to London from Berkshire in a hired carriage, and at home at Milford House her brother kept only one vehicle of his own—a much smaller, less impressive carriage than this one. There’d been a lot more horses in the stables there when her papa had been alive, but that was sixteen years ago now.
This was going to be fun.