Page 45 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous (Matchmaking Mischief Makers #2)
E ugenia was in her element. If there was one thing she excelled at beyond matchmaking, it was organization, and today required a masterful application of both.
The bright morning had dawned clear and crisp—perfect weather for a balloon ascent, with its gentle southerly breeze and high visibility that aeronauts prized above all else—and now, as noon approached, the riverbank hummed with the excitement of London’s finest, all gathered for Lady Townsend’s Comet Viewing Gala.
“The champagne must be placed in the basket at the very last moment,” Eugenia instructed the footman. “And ensure the blankets are of the finest wool. The air grows quite chilly at altitude, especially as we’ll be ascending in the late afternoon when the air currents are most stable.”
Oh, didn’t she know everything about balloon rides?!
She consulted her list, checking items off with brisk efficiency.
The large blue-and-gold balloon dominated the clearing, its enormous silk envelope partially inflated and undulating gently in the light breeze.
Nearby, the aeronaut tended to the brazier that would soon heat the air to fill the balloon completely, occasionally glancing skyward to assess the cloud formations with an expert’s eye.
“You appear to have thought of everything,” Lord Thornton remarked, materializing at her side. “One might think you were planning a royal procession rather than a simple balloon ride.”
Eugenia’s heart gave a traitorous little leap at his voice.
“There is nothing simple about a balloon ascent, Thornton. Particularly when so much depends upon its success. Mr. Beaumont assures me these are the most favorable conditions he’s seen this season—clear skies, steady winds under eight miles per hour, and no sign of thermal turbulence. ”
“Indeed, nothing is more serious than your grand plan to rekindle the flame between Miss Playford and young Ashworth.” His eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Though I confess I’m curious how you intend to ensure they—and only they—are the ones who ascend when it really does appear that Mrs. Pike and Lord Windermere consider it in their interests that they do not. ”
“I have made certain arrangements with Mr. Beaumont,” she replied, flicking a glance at the aeronaut who was now carefully checking the wicker basket’s moorings and the strength of the hemp ropes that secured the envelope.
“He understands exactly which passengers are to be permitted into the basket.”
“And what of Mrs. Pike? I observed her in animated conversation with the aeronaut not half an hour ago.”
Eugenia’s smile turned triumphant. “I anticipated that maneuver, Lord Thornton. Mr. Beaumont has been generously compensated for his loyalty to my instructions. He knows to delay if conditions aren’t perfect for our… purposes.” Eugenia sent him a meaningful look.
“More generously than Mrs. Pike might compensate him for the opposite?” This came from Lady Pendleton, who had approached with silent stealth. She smiled as she positioned herself rather deliberately between Eugenia and Lord Thornton.
“Lady Pendleton! How delightful you could join us.” Eugenia’s greeting was sincere, if somewhat distracted, as she noted another item on her list. “I wasn’t certain if the other entertainments tonight would trump my modest little gathering.
” How strange was this confidence and ability to speak to Lady Pendleton without self-censoring in case she should offend or speak out of turn.
“I wouldn’t miss it. An opportunity to witness either triumph or catastrophe is always worth attending.
” Lady Pendleton studied the balloon, then turned back to her friend.
“Though I must say, dear Eugenia, your optimism borders on the delusional. Mrs. Pike has been plotting Miss Playford’s match with Windermere for months.
Do you really believe she’ll allow her plans to be thwarted by something as trivial as your instructions to an aeronaut? ”
“Not trivial at all,” Eugenia corrected, watching as Mr. Beaumont adjusted the cords that controlled the balloon’s crown valve.
“Carefully considered and well-executed. Just like Mr. Beaumont’s preparations.
Late afternoon is the most auspicious time for a successful ascent—the ground has warmed all day, creating gentle thermals that will carry them aloft with minimal turbulence. ”
Oh, she’d recited those lines and learned them by heart, just to win Thornton’s admiration.
“But what if something goes amiss?” that gentleman now asked, his tone gentler than Lady Pendleton’s but no less concerned. “What if Windermere or Mrs. Pike somehow intervenes at the crucial moment, putting Miss Playford’s reputation into jeopardy? Have we not seen the signs?”
“Or what if your perfect match is not so perfect after all?” Lady Pendleton added.
She hesitated, and when Eugenia looked up, her friend was frowning as if she truly were concerned.
“I told you I believe this is not a love match and that I’ve heard rumors that in fact it is a match made through honor; that young Henry’s heart is, in fact, engaged by another. ”
Eugenia waved away these objections, despite her niggling doubt. “Idle gossip, nothing more. Henry and Venetia are ideally suited. They simply need to be reminded of that fact, away from the poisonous influence of Mrs. Pike and Lord Windermere.”
“And a balloon ascent will accomplish this reminder?” Lady Pendleton raised a skeptical eyebrow. “As I recall, you and Lord Thornton shared such an experience two years ago, and it led to his sudden departure for diplomatic service abroad. Hardly an auspicious precedent.”
Eugenia felt her cheeks burn as she carefully avoided Lord Thornton’s gaze. “Different circumstances entirely.”
“Really?” Lady Pendleton’s eyes darted between them.
Eugenia busied herself adjusting an already perfectly positioned basket of refreshments as a crew member tossed another bundle of straw into the brazier, sending a plume of hot air into the expanding envelope.
“The situations are not remotely comparable. Henry and Venetia are young, in love, and perfectly matched in temperament and interests.”
“Yet I barely see them speak to one another,” Lord Thornton pointed out. “And Miss Playford looks increasingly like a prisoner being led to execution rather than a bride approaching her wedding day.”
“Precisely why this intervention is necessary!” Eugenia turned to face them both.
“Don’t you see? Two years ago, that balloon ride showed me the world from a different perspective.
For a few precious moments, floating above London, with nothing but the occasional gentle creaking of the wicker and the soft roar of the fire, the petty concerns of society fell away. Only what truly mattered remained.”
She couldn’t help the softening of her voice as she added, “It was… transformative.”
“Transformative or not,” Lady Pendleton interjected, “your plan depends on Miss Playford and Mr. Ashworth actually entering the balloon together. Yet right now Mrs. Pike is marching her niece toward Lord Windermere, and the girl looks positively ill with dread.”
Eugenia quickly scanned the growing crowd. Indeed, there was Venetia, paler than her white gown, being practically dragged by her aunt toward Windermere, who stood conversing with Mr. Barnaby near the refreshment tent.
“Fear not,” Eugenia said with more confidence than she felt. “I have contingencies in place.”
“Such as?” Lord Thornton prompted.
“Caroline Weston will distract Mrs. Pike at the crucial moment. I shall speak to her as soon as she arrives. Meanwhile, I will instruct Henry to approach from the opposite direction. Mr. Beaumont has instructions to effect the release the instant both are aboard.” She nodded decisively, watching as the aeronaut checked his pocket watch.
“All perfectly timed. By four o’clock, when the afternoon air is most stable and the light most golden, they’ll be aloft. ”
“And if Windermere physically prevents Henry from approaching? The man is not known for his restraint when thwarted.” Lady Pendleton’s question held genuine concern beneath the acerbic tone.
“Or if Miss Playford herself refuses to participate?” added Lord Thornton. “She appears to be under considerable duress.”
Eugenia faltered for the first time. “She wouldn’t. She couldn’t possibly prefer Windermere to Henry.”
“I am sure she does not,” Lord Thornton said gently. “But fear is a powerful motivator. And Mrs. Pike has had days to work upon her niece’s fears, whatever they may be. Remember,” he added, “Miss Playford does not have the choices afforded to her had she been an heiress.”
A cold finger of doubt trailed down Eugenia’s spine, but she squared her shoulders resolutely as she watched Mr. Beaumont signal that the envelope was nearly fully inflated, the silk now straining against its moorings in the perfect afternoon conditions.
“Then we shall simply have to ensure that fear does not triumph today. Excuse me.”
Moving purposefully towards the balloon, she heard Lady Pendleton murmur to Lord Thornton, “She’s either the most brilliant strategist or the most spectacular meddler in London.”
“Perhaps both,” came his amused reply, followed by what sounded suspiciously like, “It’s rather magnificent, isn’t it?”
Eugenia wasn’t sure whether to be bolstered by the suggestion of praise, or concerned at Lady Pendleton and Thornton’s familiarity.