Page 36 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)
“My dear Lady Townsend, this is quite… an undertaking,” Lady Henderson said, dubiously.
“And quite extravagant,” Thornton added.
Eugenia shrugged. “I can’t take my fortune to the grave, and I have no one to leave it to.” Eugenia could barely contain her excitement. “Two days hence, when the comet first appears—what could be more magnificent? We shall have champagne, music, and the most spectacular view in all of London.”
Lady Henderson’s eyes widened. “But where would one even procure such a thing as a hot-air balloon on such short notice?”
“Oh, I can work miracles when I am so inspired,” Eugenia assured her. “And as good fortune has it, I happen to be well acquainted with London’s foremost aeronaut.”
“My, my… A Comet Viewing Gala? From a hot-air balloon?” Thornton regarded Eugenia with undisguised amusement after Lady Henderson had left to spread the news that either Eugenia Lady Townsend had quite lost her senses or else was about to stage the most talked-about event of the year.
“Why not?” Eugenia sent him a playful smile.
“What if Lady Henderson is misinformed and there is no comet?”
Eugenia shrugged. “What does it matter, so long as everyone believes there is?” Eugenia waved a dismissive hand while Thornton said, lowering his voice, “So you have not given up on your rather outlandish plan to force young Miss Venetia and Henry into close proximity high above the earth?”
Eugenia nodded. “I am tired of Lady Pendleton… sucking the air from any proposal which fuels my enthusiasm.”
Lord Thornton’s understanding smile was the sweetest thing she’d seen all night.
“So, I’m pressing ahead. Our evening together in the basket of a hot-air balloon, gazing over the great city of London, was the most miraculous and awe-inspiring spectacle of my life, Thornton.
” She drew back her shoulders. “And I want to do it again. I also want to provide it as an opportunity for young Henry and Venetia to be alone, together, in the majesty of nature, so they can know what is truly in their hearts. I want to provide them with a chance to reaffirm their attachment without Mrs. Pike or Windermere hovering nearby.”
“And how do you propose to ensure that they—and only they—are the ones who ascend in this balloon? They will need a chaperone, and no doubt that will be Mrs. Pike.”
“I shall manage the details,” Eugenia replied with a dismissive wave, though she had not quite gone so far as to work out what these would be.
“The important thing is to counter Windermere’s growing influence.
Look at him now, encompassing Mrs. Pike and her poor niece in his orbit like a hunter who’s found his prey. ”
It was impossible not to see the very real fear in Miss Playford’s expression.
“It’s quite clear where her preferences lie,” Eugenia remarked bitterly.
“As for all these rumors surrounding Henry’s supposed indiscretion with that woman in blue, and the whispers about financial improprieties…
Even though I know them to be untrue, it takes time to wash away the mud and, in the meantime, Mrs. Pike has all the ammunition she needs to pressure Venetia into breaking the engagement. ”
“A balloon ride will not solve these problems.”
“Not solve, perhaps, but certainly provide a respite. There’s something about being suspended between heaven and earth that makes one see things more clearly.” Her voice softened with remembrance. “As we discovered ourselves, not so long ago.”
Thornton’s expression grew thoughtful. “That was indeed a memorable experience.”
“One that changed your plans considerably,” Eugenia added. “One moment you were talking of graceful retirement to the country, the next you were in diplomatic service.”
“Speaking of which,” Thornton said, his voice taking on a more serious tone, “despite my earlier claims that my roving days are behind me, I’ve been offered a new posting in Budapest. The stipend is modest, but the work would be satisfying.”
“Budapest,” Eugenia echoed, unable to keep the dismay from her voice. “So far away.” She hesitated, blinking back tears before saying with an attempt at levity, “Then if I win my wager, I can stow away in disguise as your secretary, like I warned I would.”
Thornton laughed softly. They both knew there was no real seriousness in the proposal.
“The odd thing is that I find myself strangely reluctant to accept.” Thornton studied her face. “I wonder if you might understand why.”
For a long time, there was silence as the noise of chatter and music swirled around them.
Eugenia looked down while she struggled for a response. What was Thornton not saying? He surely couldn’t mean what she thought for one painful, hopeful moment, he did.
That he would miss her?
The music came to a dramatic finale and then faded away.
Finally, Eugenia opened her mouth, finding at last the courage to speak. This was her moment.
But she was too late.
With a light shrug, as if Thornton had waited long enough and found his answer in her silence, he went on, “I rather think you are a little too fond of a challenge. Well, here’s one for you, who have never known a day’s worry over finances.”
“I beg your pardon?” Eugenia blinked at the sudden change of subject.
“A modest diplomatic stipend would seem like poverty to someone accustomed to your level of comfort.”
“What an absurd remark.” Eugenia felt her cheeks warm with sudden hope. Was he suggesting she accompany him after all? “I am not some pampered princess incapable of living simply,” she said with what she hoped was the right combination of mild indignation and arch suggestiveness.
“Aren’t you?” His voice held a note of curiosity and teasing. “I wager you could not live six months on a modest income.”
“And I wager that you, sir, could not survive six months without your clubs and comforts,” she retorted.
“Then perhaps we should both find out,” he suggested, his expression unreadable. “Six months of simple living, away from London society.”
“In Budapest?” she asked, obviously getting too far ahead of herself, for he replied with devastating calm, “I had not initially thought of it but—”
“Ah Thornton, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
It was Lady Pendleton, smoothing her gloves as she insinuated herself between them. She peered through her lorgnette at Eugenia. “Why, you’ve dropped something from the supper table on your dress, you clumsy thing. There! I’ve just removed it for you!”
Before Eugenia could discern whether concern or malice was behind her friend’s quick action, Lady Pendleton had commandeered Thornton’s attention, leaving Eugenia once more in the cold.
In the distance, she saw Windermere cage Miss Playford’s hand upon his forearm as he led her towards the dance floor, while Mrs. Pike looked on with satisfaction.
And Mr. Ashworth looked utterly forlorn.
Well! Eugenia had a plan, so he must not despair. Since she was now superfluous following Lady Pendleton’s arrival, she smoothly joined Mr. Ashworth, drawing him away so that he was out of earshot of Mrs. Pike.
“Mr. Ashworth, if I might prevail upon your superior knowledge, I wonder if you could tell me what you know about the arrival of the celestial comet in two nights’ time that has Lady Henderson in transports of excitement.”
“The celestial comet?” he repeated. It seemed he was reluctant to draw his eyes from the dance floor, and Eugenia didn’t wonder. Windermere was dancing with his betrothed.
“Or perhaps it’s simply a comet and there’s nothing celestial about it at all,” she amended.
“I did not know we were to be visited by a comet,” he said, clearly distracted.
Well, she would soon give him something to be hopeful about.
“We are, and I plan to honor this rare event in the most stupendous way I can.”
“You do?”
Of course, Mr. Ashworth did not know Eugenia well, but he certainly knew her, and he knew that his mama was on good terms with her. Still, it was dispiriting that he was barely attending, as if she were little more than a vaguely addled old woman rather than his fairy godmother.
Well, she would get his attention.
“I have secured London’s most famous aeronaut, and in two nights’ time he will ascend from the river in his hot-air balloon, taking several of my chosen guests high into the sky to see this celestial comet.” She paused. “I want you and Miss Playford to be my guests.”
“Me and Miss Playford?”
This got his attention, for he’d swung around and was now staring at her with the first real interest he’d shown.
“Yes, you and Miss Playford. I do not know if you know, but I took a balloon ride several years ago and have again secured the services of that excellent aeronaut who was responsible for me experiencing the unparalleled ecstasy of looking down upon London as few people have.”
She had not secured this aeronaut’s services, but Eugenia knew where to find him and, since money was no object, she was certain she could arrange it.
“And why should you honor Miss Playford and myself?”
Eugenia hadn’t considered how she’d answer that question. She’d been too caught up in not feeling old and discarded.
“Why, because I believe you’ve been unfairly maligned, and even though the rumors have been all but quashed, I see how Lord Windermere is attempting to undermine you.” She pressed her lips together, uncertain if she should go on since it might be too revealing of her interest in Venetia and Henry.
But as he had not responded and was still directing a look of perplexity at her, she went on, “But as I believe no more deserving a pair than you and Miss Playford exists, I want to do whatever I can to facilitate your happy union.” She smiled.
“And because I was very fond of your late grandmother, whom you greatly resemble. So call it the vagaries of a foolish, nostalgic old woman and do me the great honor of indulging me.”