Page 35 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)
E ugenia frowned as her protégé made her entrance at Lady Henderson’s ball the following evening, looking pale but composed in a gown of dove gray that did nothing to flatter her complexion.
She had so hoped Miss Playford would be radiating joy with so few days left before her nuptials. Ten, to be exact.
“The poor child looks positively wretched,” Eugenia murmured to Lord Thornton, who stood beside her.
“She does,” he agreed, following her gaze. “And see how closely Mrs. Pike hovers. As if she fears the girl will bolt at the first opportunity.”
“Which is precisely what any sensible young woman would do when Lord Windermere enters a room.” Eugenia did not hide her distaste. “The way he looked at her at the masquerade—like a wolf eyeing a lamb. It quite chilled me to the bone.”
Thornton’s eyebrow rose slightly. “You’ve grown quite protective of Miss Playford.”
“As is rational,” Eugenia countered. “I have wagered that she and Henry Ashworth are the perfect match, and I do not intend to lose. Last night, it was made clear how much Mrs. Pike favors Windermere over young Henry. And with these absurd rumors circulating about the young man, I fear that she may prevail.” She shook her head in frustration.
“Indeed! Someone must intervene before the girl is pushed to renege on her current arrangement and enter into a most unsuitable alliance with the arrogant Windermere.”
“And that someone is you, naturally,” Thornton remarked, amusement playing at the corners of his mouth.
“Well, I can’t see anyone else stepping forward.
Henry and Venetia complement each other beautifully and I gravely fear that they will be parted by Mrs. Pike before they make it down the aisle.
” Eugenia’s eyes narrowed as she observed Mrs. Pike guiding Venetia towards a circle that included Windermere and several of his closest associates.
“What they need is time alone together, away from her aunt’s interference and society’s gossip so that they will fight with all their might against Mrs. Pike’s machinations. ”
“My dear Eugenia, you make this sound like a Shakespearean tragedy,” said Thornton with a smile.
“True love is not to be trifled with,” Eugenia said severely, and with a lurch in the region of her heart. After a short pause, she added, daringly, “I know what it is to yearn for lost opportunities.”
For a long moment, Thornton gazed at her. And just when she thought he might quiz her further, a very interesting gentleman obviously crossed his line of vision, for he started visibly.
“What captures your attention?”
“Rothbury,” Thornton replied, nodding toward a tall, serious-looking gentleman engaged in conversation with Caroline Weston.
“Hadn’t thought about his father for years, but I knew him when he was bailiff to the Playford family.
To Miss Venetia’s grandfather, in fact.” He frowned.
“Thornbury left England to serve on the high seas when he was very young. And then I met him in Italy briefly.”
“You never said!”
“I met a lot of people in Italy.” Thornton smiled. “But none who then returned to England, and who clearly evince a very great interest in a young lady who is, to all intents and purposes, quite insignificant. Yes, I’m talking about Miss Venetia Playford.”
“Miss Playford is a beauty if she would only but smile,” Eugenia objected.
“I’m talking about her friendless, penniless state.
” Thornton narrowed his eyes as he continued his observation.
“Have you not thought to wonder why Windermere is so overbearing in his attentions to penniless Miss Playford? He should be after an heiress, given the rumors I’ve heard of his financial affairs.
And now, see how Mr. Rothbury keeps glancing at Miss Playford.
I observed it on the last two occasions they were both in public. ”
“What an unusually perceptive observation. Men do not, in general, notice—” Eugenia swallowed, her throat dry.
“—yearning glances across a ballroom.” Her mind flashed back to when she’d gazed upon Thornton with surely unabashed yearning, to the balls and soirees of thirty years before. But then he’d married her best friend.
“I wonder if Rothbury knew Miss Playford before this season,” Thornton responded, clearly not having registered her previous comment.
“Young Rothbury was only fourteen, or thereabouts, when he went to sea. It’s possible he may not even realize the extent of the connection between his and Miss Playford’s families.
” Thornton frowned. “Yet his keen but quiet observation of Miss Playford has me curious. That is, in view of Windermere’s interest, also, which I find unaccountable. ”
“Goodness, Thornton, you are suddenly quite the sleuth,” Eugenia remarked as she turned to study Mr. Rothbury with renewed interest.
“Old Rothbury was known for his impeccable honesty—saved the Playford family from financial ruin during the ’98 crisis, I recall hearing. The son inherited his father’s integrity, by all accounts, for I have heard only praise for young Rothbury.”
“A pity integrity doesn’t pay dividends,” Eugenia remarked. “And clearly Miss Playford’s father still managed to drown himself in debt, since the poor girl is penniless. But this Mr. Rothbury is a man of excellent character, you say?”
“The very best. Steady, intelligent, principled to a fault.” Thornton grinned.
“He garnered great respect during his naval career, though I have no idea of his financial situation. Perhaps you will have to keep him in reserve for your next wedding wager, Eugenia.” Thornton quirked a brow at Eugenia, who said, raising her lorgnette to peer at Rothbury once again, “The man has a very pleasant face. Very fine eyes. Part Italian, you say? Well, if he is so principled yet also penniless, I think I shall find him an heiress.” Her smile broadened.
“That is, once I have my current wagered pair happily married. Only ten more days. I am sure Windermere can’t do anything too interfering in the meantime. ”
“My dear Lady Townsend! Lord Thornton!” It was Lady Henderson, fanning herself vigorously as she fluttered with excitement.
“Have you heard the extraordinary news? The Astronomical Society has identified a new comet that will be visible next week! Only for three nights, they say, before it passes beyond our view, perhaps forever.”
“How fascinating,” Eugenia replied, though her attention was drawn to the serious, dark-haired young man who had wandered alone towards the supper table. However, when Mr. Rothbury was drawn into conversation with Rear Admiral Buccleigh, she gave Lady Henderson her full attention.
“Indeed! My husband is quite beside himself with excitement,” Lady Henderson continued. “He’s invited half of London to view it from our roof garden, but I fear we’ll be dreadfully crowded.”
Lady Henderson really was a dreadful bore, Eugenia thought, before a sudden inspiration struck. But seeing a comet from the roof of their townhouse would indeed be spectacular. That is, if she were one of the select to be invited.
And then inspiration struck as she was reminded of Lady Pendleton’s dampening remarks to her previous ideas of hot-air ballooning as a strategy to bind Venetia and Henry’s hearts closer.
“Why, Lady Henderson, all of society will want to view such a spectacle if the weather holds—which it appears it will. So, of course, more room is what is wanted, is it not?” she went on, receiving confused looks from Thornton and Lady Henderson.
“I mean, what we need is a grand celebration worthy of such a celestial event—a Comet Viewing Gala—where everyone can see the magnificent spectacle,” Eugenia declared, adding quickly, “That is, everyone who is not fortunate enough to be one of the select few invited to your superior event.” For Eugenia was recalling how popular Lady Pendleton’s Ghoulish Gathering at Pendleton Castle had been, and how her friend had been feted and admired for her inventiveness—even though it was Eugenia who had devised most of the entertainments, such as the secret letters that had helped unite lovely Miss Amelia Fairchild with Sir Frederick Weston, Caroline’s brother.
Her mind spun with possibilities. Pendleton Castle had provided the close proximity needed for Miss Amelia Fairchild and Sir Frederick’s romance to flourish.
And wasn’t a similar entertainment needed to ensure Henry and Venetia understood the fact they were made for each other? Certainly, to the point that Windermere posed no threat.
“A Comet Viewing Gala?” Thornton repeated with clear amusement. “How do you propose to arrange such a thing in time for the comet, which is only two days hence?”
“The weather promises warm and fine, and the novelty of short notice will not be lost on those who wish to attend,” Eugenia said, refusing to allow practicalities to impede her enthusiasm.
“So you plan to arrange tents along the river’s edge and serve champagne while your guests view the comet?” Lord Thornton said in dampening tones. “Perhaps you have forgotten that it is also Lady Mudge’s August Ball that evening, in addition to Lady Henderson’s just proposed event.”
“Oh, I do not intend to diminish either of those,” Eugenia quickly assured the now frowning Lady Henderson.
“I suggested it purely because I know so many people will be disappointed by not receiving an invitation to either and I—trading on the vagaries of age and… eccentricity… supposed it would be rather novel to organize something considering I have the funds but, alas, no husband who can tell me how I use them.” Her mouth quirked as she watched Lady Henderson and Thornton grapple with how to frame a response.
But without waiting, she went on, her enthusiasm growing, “Why, I believe that, not only will I organize tents and refreshments along the river, I shall arrange for a hot air balloon. Perhaps even two! Imagine witnessing this once-in-a-lifetime astronomical wonder while floating among the clouds.”