Page 5 of Lady Impatience (A Series of Senseless Complications #3)

Patience had been pleased that Lord Stanford’s acceptance of the dinner invitation had arrived first thing in the morning. He had not delayed overlong to ponder it, and that seemed like a very good sign.

Now she was free to move on to her second goal—inviting Lady Alice. She must know, she must see with her own eyes, how Lord Stanford reacted to the lady over an intimate and protracted dinner. Patience knew what she expected to see, which was nothing, but she must see it all the same.

As she had no lady’s maid, Mrs. Right would step forward as a chaperone on the visit to Lady Alice. It was agreed between them that the housekeeper would pose as lady’s maid, thereby being led to the servants’ hall. Mrs. Right liked nothing better than to have a look round other people’s households. She said you could tell a lot about a family by ascertaining how they treated their people.

Lady Alice lived on Bedford Square, the same square Lady Marchfield kept her house. Mrs. Right suggested they ought to keep an eye out for the lady and direct the coachman to keep driving if she was spotted. Patience thought that was as good a plan as any. She would like to avoid her aunt for the time being, as she did not wish to slip up and mention the dinner on Tuesday next.

As it happened, Lady Marchfield was nowhere in sight. The carriage rolled to a stop, the groom helped them down, and then he jogged up the four steps to rap on the door knocker as they followed.

After some minutes passed, the door was finally opened by what appeared to be a harried and breathless butler.

Patience stepped forward. “Lady Patience Nicolet to see Lady Alice.” As the look on the butler’s face showed his surprise, she hurriedly said, “I realize it is not her at home day, but I did feel we became friends at Almack’s and I might take the liberty of arriving without warning.”

Patience did not know if the butler believed that or not. Patience herself certainly did not. She had only been briefly introduced to Lady Alice. It would be bad form to arrive without invitation and demand to be seen rather than drop off a card.

Nevertheless, she was certain that a personal visit was the best way to extend the invitation to dine, as it was so much more difficult to say no while the inviter was staring at one rather than to write their regrets when nobody was looking. She must just plow ahead as if nothing at all was amiss.

“I see, yes, do come in,” the harried butler said. “I will check if Lady Alice is at home.”

Patience nodded as if she believed that. Down a distant corridor, she could hear music coming from a pianoforte. Certainly it must be Lady Alice playing.

Patience felt the smallest twinge of regret that neither she nor her sisters had ever become proficient on a musical instrument. None of them had taken to it, they did not seem to have a natural ear, and nobody had pressed them to carry on with it.

She dismissed the feeling, as she did not like to dwell on things that could not be changed with any speed.

“Well, I suppose I ought to wait in the drawing room and my lady’s maid could be shown downstairs for a cup of tea.”

Patience had the distinct impression that they would have been left to stand in the hall had she not put forward the suggestion. As she had suggested it, the butler nodded to a footman to lead Mrs. Right below stairs and he showed Patience into the drawing room.

The door closed and very shortly after Patience heard the music stop. Lady Alice was being told of her arrival.

A minute passed, and Patience heard some noises out in the hall, and then the distinct sound of running up the stairs. No doubt, Lady Alice had hurried up to her bedchamber to change her dress. At least, that was her guess, as that was what she would have done herself.

Tea was brought in, which was rather awkward. Was she to pour for herself while in another lady’s house?

She decided to do nothing and was soon rewarded by the presence of the hostess, herself.

Lady Alice was a striking woman, she had the sort of coloring that was almost stark in its beauty. Her hair was jet black and her eyes a dark blue, set off by an almost overly pale complexion. Patience envied her just the smallest bit—her looks made a statement, they demanded to be noticed.

“Lady Patience,” she said, “what a pleasant…surprise.”

“I know it is a surprise, and perhaps even ill-mannered, but I had a very good reason for coming,” Patience said. “By the by, you are very good on the pianoforte. I quite admire it.”

Lady Alice blushed deeply as she poured the tea. “I venture I am as proficient as any other lady, meaning I meander along as best I can.”

“I can assure you that you are far more proficient than I am,” Patience said. “I cannot play a note.” She paused, then said, “Though perhaps I should not be advertising that fact.”

“I suspect it may be modesty on your part,” Lady Alice said. “You did say your visit was of a particular nature?”

“Oh yes,” Patience said, nearly forgetting why she’d come. “My father is hosting a dinner on Tuesday next, just a small affair. I wondered if you would come. Your parents might be assured that you would be in a duke’s household and quite safe.”

“Goodness, that is very kind. But if it is to be a small dinner, I do wonder…”

Lady Alice trailed off, but of course Patience understood her meaning.

“Well, it is just this,” she said, “Lord Radner and Lord Stanford will attend. I was particularly thinking Lord Radner might suit you.” She paused and heaved a sigh. “Of course, it might be Lord Stanford, as I have been told he is serious or cautious or I am not certain what.”

Lady Alice had now turned a very alarming shade of purple. Her pale skin seemed to have no ability to mask the blood rushing to her cheeks. She almost looked feverish.

“Lady Patience,” she said, “I cannot be so bold as to claim that anybody would suit me. Why should you say so?”

“Well, a lady must decide for herself who she likes and Lord Stanford has been described as serious and people do say you are serious,” Patience said.

“I see?”

Patience nodded. “So of course I must wonder if you would prefer a gentleman very like. Serious, that is.”

“I most certainly would not,” Lady Alice said.

“Would not?”

Lady Alice shook her head rather violently. She sipped her tea and set it down. She picked up a biscuit, looked at it, and dropped it on the tray. She checked on the level of the cream. She tapped her spoon on her saucer.

“Do tell me what you are thinking,” Patience said. “I am afraid I have upset you in some way, which I absolutely did not mean to do. It’s just, I was raised very remote in the Dales and sometimes London habits escape me.”

Lady Alice suddenly laughed, which was the last thing Patience expected. “Goodness, you are amusing. No, Lady Patience, you have not upset me in the least. You are right, I am rather serious, but that is precisely why I do not wish for an over-serious gentleman.”

“Oh. Why not?”

“Because I would end in a rather grim household. You see, in my early years, my mother and father thought I had not a drop of humor in me. My father used to tease me and call me Gloomy Alice. But then, when I was eight years old, a cousin of my father’s came to stay. Lord Gumfrey—he is a roaringly funny individual and persisted in attempting to make me laugh, which he finally did. That’s when we discovered that while I am dismal at making jokes, I am rather gifted with appreciating other people’s wit. Therefore, I must wed a man who can make me laugh.”

“Ah, you look for balance, rather than same.”

“Just so.”

“You will come to dinner, though? I suspect Lord Radler made himself out to be far more serious than he actually is. And then, Lord Kendrickson, he will not be at the dinner, but he is a great friend of Lord Radler and Lord Stanford and he is very jolly. You might find out more about him through his friends.”

“Lord Kendrickson is the one everyone talks about as a dowry hunter,” Lady Alice said pensively.

Patience shook her head. “Do not hold that against him, though. You ought to speak to him about it, as I did.”

“Did you?”

“Indeed I did. He does not hide it and he told me the reasons for it. His father was an inveterate gambler and put the estate in a tight spot. But just think, he is very against gambling and that must be a comfort—he will never allow himself to get into trouble as his father did. As well, I did get the sense that he admired you. I very much approve of him.”

Lady Alice was pensive. “Naturally, I would not hold Lord Kendrickson responsible for what his father has done. I danced with him at Almack’s and found him very pleasant. Handsome too, if I must admit to it. You got the sense he admired me, you said?”

“Absolutely,” Patience said. “Clear as day.”

“Perhaps he does not mind that I am not lively with quips and jokes, then.”

“I imagine he’d be delighted to entertain you and make you laugh. People who are amusing do like an audience.”

“Yes, that is very true,” Lady Alice said. “I have noticed that.”

“I understand Lord Kendrickson stays on this very square. Have you not encountered him by chance?”

“No, indeed I have not,” Lady Alice said.

“You ought to go on strolls round the square. I am sure you would encounter him. Of course, you might also encounter my aunt, Lady Marchfield, as she lives just across the way, but she is not half so fun. Just think, if you were to encounter Lord Kendrickson, you might have a conversation.”

“Goodness, Lady Patience, you seem so savvy to the ways of the world.”

“I do?” Patience said laughing. “I cannot think that can be the case.”

“I am glad you came to see me today,” Lady Alice said. “Ever since I have arrived in Town, I have felt rather a lone bird looking for its flock. You are my friend, I think?”

“Of course I am your friend,” Patience said.

Lady Alice very prettily blushed. “I will speak to my mama about the dinner your father hosts. I am certain she will approve and my papa leaves such judgments with her to decide.”

“Excellent. Oh, by the by, if they say anything about my father being unusual in any way, just explain that he really is not. If one does not know him, he could seem mad, but he is as sane as you or I.”

With that helpful advice, Patience took her leave of a rather startled Lady Alice.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Marcus was not at all fond of musical evenings. Especially not Lady Jenner’s annual musical evening. A usual evening might consist of some performers thought to be very good. The problem was not that he did not enjoy the music, it was the endless sitting and listening. If he could read a book he’d be happy to sit all night. As it was, simply staring at the musicians was tiring. He always ended working to keep his eyes open.

Lady Jenner’s evening took the torture another step further. They were not to hear from professionals, but rather a slew of young ladies who would demonstrate their musical talent. Such as it was.

Last year, Miss Raynard played the pianoforte for so long that her father finally walked forward and tapped her on the shoulder. Lady Rose’s hands shook to such a degree that there had been just as many wrong notes as right.

At the conclusion of each performance, it was necessary to applaud as if one had just heard from a famous proficient. After every hopeful lady had finally gone her turn, compliments of the most overblown sort were handed all round.

Nevertheless, he would attend. For one, Lady Jenner had known him long and would notice his absence. For another, he suspected that Lady Alice would attend to showcase her talent.

From everything he’d heard of the lady, it felt a duty to get to know her. As she had been described—quiet, thoughtful, and measured—she fit the description of precisely what he looked for in a wife. Not at all like Lady Patience, who stared him down and made direct, and probably mocking, comments.

Of course, he could not deny that Lady Patience was lovely to look at. As well, there had been something moving in her description of her family life. There had been an ease and warmth to it. Her father, she said, was the best of men.

It was endlessly intriguing to Marcus that there were people who enjoyed spending time in their family home with doting parents. He could not quite imagine how it would be.

As he and Radler dismounted their horses and handed them over to a groom, Radler said, “Did you bring your looking-for-a-particular-sort-of-wife checklist in your coat pocket?”

“Very funny.”

“Say Stanford, in the interest of efficiency, why don’t you make up a form of inquiry and then you can hand out a copy to any lady you encounter. Gather all the facts, as it were.”

“Still not funny,” Marcus said. He was beginning to feel as if he were the only man in London who wished to proceed carefully before committing himself in marriage forevermore.

“I only say,” Radler pressed on, “you are looking at this from every angle but the right one. In the end, your heart will not be denied. The heart is never defeated in such matters. The heart rules all.”

“Thank you for the sage advice, Mr. Shakespeare,” Marcus said drily.

They entered Lady Jenner’s great hall and the lady herself beamed at them. She was a tall and broad matron with a fondness for damask. She had such a fondness for that heavy material that at times she appeared a walking pair of curtains. Nobody would hold it against her though, she was a very genial personality.

“Ah,” Lady Jenner said, “two of my favorite bachelors have not let me down.”

Marcus bowed. “I look forward to the invitation each year, Lady Jenner.”

Lady Jenner laughed and smacked his arm with her fan. “Nicely said, and I do not believe a word of it. Now, in compensation for your kind attendance, I believe you will find an excellent claret waiting for you on the sideboard.”

Marcus nodded, as indeed it would be one of the highlights of the evening. Lady Jenner always made certain that her audience was well-watered to withstand the performances to come.

They made their way into the music room. It had been set up with narrow rectangular tables each having four chairs lined on one side. This was another of Lady Jenner’s clever arrangements. One could take what was wished for from the sideboard and have a place to set it down. And, there was quite a lot someone might wish for—baskets of grapes, rolls, herbed butter, cold meats, pickled vegetables, baked chickens quartered, pastries, cakes, bottles of ale, a tea and coffee service, and dozens of wine bottles all scrupulously labeled with bottle tickets.

“Ah, there is Lady Alice,” Radler said. “Grab your list of questions of suitability and let us make our way over.”

“I do not have a list,” Marcus said. “I merely intend to proceed in a rational and cautious manner. You would do well to do the same.”

“I would if I could,” Radler said. “But my heart will rule me. I will be as Romeo pining after Juliet. Once I find my Juliet, obviously.”

Marcus snorted derisively. “Have a care you don’t both end up dead then, Romeo.”

And then he saw her, Lady Patience. She looked positively glorious in a dark blue silk dress with an elegant cut, done in a restrained hand. Her only adornment was a string of pearls round her slim neck.

He felt stopped in his tracks as she flashed him a smile. He would have to be careful there. The lady did have an effect on him that he felt was counter to applying rationality and common sense.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Patience had chosen her dark blue silk for Lady Jenner’s soiree. She thought it suited her very well and it was precisely the sort of thing she liked—not over fussy and made with a clean and elegant cut. It was a dress that got to the point, rather than meander round in ruffles and bits and bobs.

She did not know if she would encounter Lord Stanford at the party, but if she did, she wished to look well.

Lady Alice had sent over a note in the late afternoon, accepting the offer to come to dine. This caused Patience to think over what Lady Alice had said about her temperament and what she looked for. If only Lord Kendrickson was apprised of the idea that the lady liked to laugh.

Then it came to her. She wrote out an unsigned note and had Charlie change out of his livery to his regular clothes to deliver it.

Lord Kendrickson—

I write this anonymously to give you vital information. Lady Alice appears to have a staid and serious temperament. However, she likes to be amused. Do not put on an always serious face in an effort to impress. Be yourself. Make her laugh and you may get somewhere.

A Friend

Interestingly, Mr. Grimsby did not seem at all alarmed that one of his footmen had changed out of his livery and sauntered out of the house. He only shrugged as if he did not care what happened next. Patience assumed that whatever Mrs. Right was doing to speed him out of the house was well underway.

Lady Alice’s note had also mentioned she would attend Lady Jenner and hoped to see Patience there too.

Patience had told her father about it in the carriage. “I find her ever so nice,” she said. “She wishes to be my friend and of course I accepted.”

“She sounds terrific,” the duke said. “A regular paragon of geniality.”

Patience laughed. “I see you tease me, Papa. However, I think it’s important for a lady to develop and maintain friendships with other ladies.”

“I see,” the duke said, smiling. “Six sisters were not enough to satisfy the requirement. I ought to have quit producing all these females sooner.”

“But then you would not have Valor, and I know you adore her.”

“She is a funny little thing.”

“Do you think Lord Stanford will fall in love with Lady Alice?” Patience said. The question had nothing to do with their current conversation, but it was the question at the forefront of her mind. Even though Lady Alice wished to be amused and so far Lord Stanford had not shown himself particularly amusing, if he were to prefer her…well what lady could resist him?

“Why should Stanford be taken with your new friend?” the duke asked.

Patience gave a little shrug. “I do not know. It is only that he might prefer a lady like her. Temperament-wise, you see. I feel he is more serious than we are used to. And then, Lady Alice is serious and though she says she is not interested in someone very like her…”

“God save me from a serious man, nothing more tedious.”

“Oh Papa, you will not condemn him for it?”

“No, no, I rarely condemn anybody outside of Lady Misery. My advice? If Stanford’s a serious sort of fellow, shake it out of him. What’s he got to be serious about? He’s young, he’s rich, he’s not got a care in the world. If he’s too serious now, what will he be like twenty years from now? Crotchety, that’s what.”

They had arrived to Lady Jenner’s house and the duke had laughed uproariously when the lady made him promise not to set her curtains alight. It seemed absolutely everybody knew he had once set Lady Vanderwake’s curtains on fire, though it had been twenty years ago.

A footman led them forward and they entered a room with rows of chairs and narrow tables. Sideboards groaning under a whole array of offerings lined the walls of the room. “Goodness, do you suppose we are to see some sort of play or tableau?” Patience asked. “Oh, but there is a pianoforte, perhaps we are to have a singer. I hope it is not operatic; I do not really care for it.”

“It’ll be some kind of palaver,” the duke said. “At least there is a well-stocked sideboard. And tables along with the chairs—a very sensible idea.”

“There is Lady Alice,” Patience said. “I will go and see her.”

“I will go and see the sideboard,” the duke said, making his way there.

Patience hurried to Lady Alice’s side.

“Mama,” Lady Alice said, “this is my friend, Lady Patience.”

Patience curtsied to the matron. “Lady Kembleford,” she said.

“Ah, Lady Patience, very good to know you. My daughter has told me of your kind invitation to dine.”

Patience nodded. “Thank you for allowing her to come, Lady Kembleford.”

The lady nodded. Then, looking over Patience’s head, she said, “Gracious, there is Lady Violet, I’ve not seen her in an age. I must catch up.”

With that, she sailed off to reacquaint herself with Lady Violet.

“I am glad you are here,” Lady Alice said. “I find myself unaccountably nervous.”

Patience thought that was indeed unaccountable. Why should Lady Alice be nervous? They were only attending a small party.

“I suppose it’s the idea of so many people staring that makes me uneasy.”

Patience glanced around but could not identify the people staring. Who did she think was staring?

“Well, I suppose I make too much of it. I suppose people will spend very little time considering me and will likely be thinking of their own affairs as I play.”

Now Patience began to understand Lady Alice. “Oh, I see, Lady Jenner has pressed you into playing the pianoforte.” She really did not see how Lady Alice had allowed herself to be pressed into such a thing. Patience herself would not have, even if she could play an instrument.

Just then, Patience saw Lord Stanford enter the room with Lord Radner. She smiled at him. He was looking smashing!

“I suppose she’s pressed us all, has she not?” Lady Alice asked.

Patience turned toward her. “All? She said nothing to me about it. Only that she was glad I’d agreed to come.”

“It was in the invitation, though,” Lady Alice said. “It is a musical evening and all the young ladies are expected to play.”

“Play?” Patience asked. “Play what?”

Lady Alice looked at her quizzically. “The pianoforte, usually. Though there is a harp tucked in the corner so perhaps that too. I imagine she’s got a guitar and a violin somewhere as well.”