Chapter Seven
Kendrickson had been flummoxed to receive an anonymous note regarding Lady Alice. At first, he wondered if it were a jest of some sort. Perhaps Radner had sent it. Perhaps the fellow thought it might be amusing to prompt him into trying to make the serious Lady Alice laugh.
But no, Radner understood his circumstances and would not tamper with his chances. The stakes were too high and Radner was not cruel.
Then it occurred to him that it might be from another gentleman interested in Lady Alice. Someone who wished for him to make a mistake and ruin his own chances.
That did not seem quite right either. Then an idea came upon him that seemed as if it must answer.
Lady Patience.
Who else had he had such a frank conversation with? He’d even said he would try to match Lady Alice in seriousness, though it might prove difficult.
Further, he’d seen Lady Patience and her maid go into Lady Alice’s house on the square. She might have got the information then.
He’d been watching Lady Alice’s house when he could, it was just in view from the drawing room window. He kept hoping he would see her out for a stroll, and then he would stroll too.
It would really be something if the information was correct. Lady Alice was heartbreakingly pretty, if she were not quite as serious as she initially appeared, that would be smashing. They might really get on, there might really be something there.
If it were true, if she liked to laugh, well, he would make her laugh.
He sat at the drawing room’s bow window, note in hand, feeling very buoyed by the idea.
Thank you, Lady Patience.
At least, I think it was you.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Patience had got ready early as her sisters were to arrive well ahead of the other guests. Grace and Lord Dashlend had come first, along with their very young son. The boy was up on his feet, but not particularly steady. He’d crashed round the drawing room with everybody sprinting to catch him when he seemed near to going headlong into a piece of furniture. He’d slowed down occasionally to point at something in the room and say its name. When Nelson came into the room, he was like a magnet to the boy.
Nelson was both intrigued and wary of the toddler. The boy shouted “dog” and was determined to catch Nelson. Nelson did not seem sure if they were playing a game or if he were in danger.
Young Miles Delatore was adorable but exhausting and finally Mrs. Right came for him and took him below stairs to his nursemaid. They had set up a contained area in the servants’ hall that was surrounded by pillows and blankets so if he fell, which he would, there would be no harm done.
They heard him shouting “bisk” all the way down the hall, which was apparently meant to mean biscuit, as he was obsessed with that item.
Felicity arrived next, with Mr. Stratton in tow, and what a shock that had been. She was decidedly pregnant, as big as a house really.
Patience had not seen Grace when she was with child and so the sight of one of her sisters in such an expanded condition had really taken her aback. It did not look very comfortable.
Now, the three eldest sisters sat at the back of the drawing room having a confidential conversation. Serenity, Verity, Winsome, and Valor had been sent off to check that arrangements were proceeding in the dining room. One never knew these days, as Mr. Grimsby had seemed to give up any notion of supervising things.
“Why did you not write that you expected a child, Felicity?” Grace asked.
“I wished to surprise everybody.”
“I am definitely surprised,” Patience said, laughing.
“Poor Percy was very against us coming to Town in my condition,” Felicity said, “but I told him I would fret terribly if I was not on hand to lend my support to my sister. He does not like me to fret.”
“But can you attend parties and routs and things?” Patience asked. She’d never seen a lady so large out and about, except a farmer’s wife, as they seemed indefatigable.
“Only where I am known well and it is a small affair. Percy absolutely put his foot down about that. He says he does not mind shocking a little but does not care to shock the whole world. Other ladies might try it and pretend they do not notice the wide-eyed staring, but he convinced me I would not like it.”
“From the looks of you,” Grace said, “you will be having this baby while you are in Town.”
“I expect so,” Felicity said. “Now, enough about my situation. We’ve come to support our sister for her coming out season.”
