What was he to say?Listen here, Burke, I will never marry because I have lost all faith in mankind and do not wish to perpetuate the species. Furthermore, you ought to do the same. Don’t you understand that Hampton, Lockwood, Ashworth, Cabot, and Grayson will all send their sons to war someday?
It sounded ridiculous to hisownears and he knew what he meant. Or at least, what hehadmeant. Perhaps the sights and sounds of the war were beginning to fade, or perhaps the unlikely circumstance of all his friends being delighted in marriage had begun to take a toll. He was beginning to lose some little amount of faith in his conclusions at Quatre Bras. Or at least, he was not as certain. His scar was always a reminder, though.
As much as the swirling balls and elaborate dinners worked to convince him that all was well with the world, the scar reminded him of what it could be.
He should not worry over it. It was unlikely that a lady like Miss Minkerton, just preparing for her launch season, would find a gruff and affirmed bachelor interesting. If she happened to, and began to sweetly fan herself, Miss Danworth would be there to bring some rationality to the table. If people were spices, he and Miss Danworth would be on the decidedly salty side and honey would be made very much less cloying in their presence.
Charles shook himself to throw off his thoughts. The house was just ahead and he must put his mind in the present. He was becoming convinced that his incessant brooding did nobody any good, most particularly not himself.
He leapt down from his horse, handed it off, and opened Miss Danworth’s carriage door to help her down. He practically knocked a footman out of the way to do it.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Burke took some amount of pride in introducing Dalton to the Minkertons. Though he could only claim them as friends, and not any other closer relationship he might wish for, he still took pleasure in noting Lord Bartholomew’s friendly welcome, and Lady Bartholomew’s dignified greetings, and Belle…well Belle was everything wonderful. She was lovely in a pale blue organza and very prettily acknowledged her guests.
He could not help note the contrast as she stood by Miss Danworth. That lady was tall, she had a very fair coloring, and held herself almost rigid. She was, he supposed, what people meant by an English rose. Pretty, dignified, and beware the thorns. He liked the lady, to be sure, and sympathized with her too, as everybody knew what a beast Lord Childress had been to her mother. And perhaps to her, too.
For all that, Miss Danworth could not compare to Belle Minkerton. Miss Danworth was a frosty winter morning, while Belle was a warm summer twilight.
They had gone through and now seated themselves round the dining table. As the party was to be so small, Lady Bartholomew had ordered the leaves taken out of the table and now they were quite the cozy party.
Burke approved very much of the idea, as small dinners were always the most interesting. Of course, any dinner with Belle was interesting.
“If I might inquire, Miss Danworth,” Lady Bartholomew said, “and I hope I do not offend, you prior mentioned you would likely not attend the upcoming season. Do you intend to stay in mourning for a full year? I only ask as I think this will be a lonely place in autumn and winter and you are welcome to stay with us, even if you choose to remain out of society.”
“You certainly do not offend,” Miss Danworth said. “The offer is most kind and therefore I believe I must communicate the real case of it. Though I am dressed in dark colors, I do not particularly mourn my father.”
“For good reason,” Mrs. Jellops interjected, “though perhaps not reasons that ought to surface at a dinner.”
Miss Danworth nodded to her and said, “Surely not. Though, I have made my plans with Mrs. Jellops. When I reach my majority, which is in less than a twelvemonth, we shall purchase a house in Brighton and live there.”
“Do you say, then, that you will skip seasons for the foreseeable future?” Lady Bartholomew asked.
“Indeed,” Miss Danworth said. “I have no need of them. I will not miss the balls and parties overmuch, I only wish for a quiet existence.”
Lord Bartholomew appeared suddenly pensive and said, “You are very young to wish for quiet, Miss Danworth.”
Miss Danworth nodded. “I can see how it would appear so, but when one has always longed for quiet and never had it, it does not seem so strange.”
“I think I understand you,” Lady Bartholomew said. “But you will not wait too long, I hope? Before you rejoin the world?”
“Now I think I understandyou, Lady Bartholomew,” Miss Danworth said, smiling. “You hope I do not closet myself away so long that I am put on a shelf. I cannot say, really. I only know at this moment I am determined to never marry.”
Burke could not help but note the surprised looks on the Minkertons’ faces. For that matter, he was a little surprised himself.
“Surely, Miss Danworth,” he said, “you will not allow your…prior experiences…to color your future?”
“Why ever not?” Miss Danworth countered. “Is not prior experience thought to be a useful guide?”
“Well yes, but in this matter you cannot—”
“I can, though,” Miss Danworth said.
“Is it quite right? You might find you regret—"
Burke was cut off by Dalton, who said loudly, “Lord Bartholomew, you must compliment your cook on the soup.”
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
