Patience nodded, her thoughts still taken up by the fan.
“Yes, as I thought. Now, it was the most foolish thing in the world to invite Lady Alice, which I could have told you. She is comely and well-funded and you provided them extended time together. Now you see the result of it—Lord Stanford did not waste a moment before calling upon Lady Alice bearing a gift.”
“Now listen here, Lady Misery, do not go spreading your gloom and doom to my girls,” the duke said. “Be off with you.”
Lady Marchfield sniffed. She glanced at Mrs. Right. “I suppose you sing a different tune these days, Mrs. Right. I expect Mr. Grimsby has taken things well in hand.”
Mrs. Right nodded gravely. “He’s a stern taskmaster,” she said.
Lady Marchfield, with a gleam of victory in her eye, said, “As I thought. Patience, stop taking your father’s terrible advice. If you need advice, turn to me. Perhaps things are not yet set with Lady Alice. Perhaps there is still time to turn things in your direction. You know my address.”
With that, she spun on her heel and marched out of the room. They heard the front doors slam shortly after.
Patience slumped in her chair. “Why would Lord Stanford rush over to Lady Alice’s house to give her a fan?”
The duke shrugged. “Who knows? I would not read too much into it. Lady Misery is a master at making mountains from mole hills. You will see Stanford this evening and take his measure.”
Mrs. Right did not look so sanguine, which Patience was afraid meant she thought the fan was very bad news.
The lady laid her hand on Patience shoulder. “I certainly hope Lord Stanford is made of better stuff than what this looks like,” she said.
Patience could not say. It looked very terrible. Why else would a gentleman buy a fan for a lady?
He’d not bought a fan or flowers or anything for Patience.
What if it were not the first thing he’d bought for Lady Alice? He might have sent flowers. After all, she only discovered the fan by happenstance.
Or perhaps there was a reason for it? Perhaps Lady Alice had made some hint that she needed a new fan and then he’d felt obligated?
And then, Lady Alice wished to be her friend, certainly she would not set her sights on Lord Stanford. But perhaps Patience had not made clear her preferences. Lady Alice might not understand them at all.
Or perhaps Patience was only emulating her aunt and making mountains of molehills. She must keep in mind that nothing was positively known yet, but for the delivery of a fan.
She must keep good thoughts in her mind or she would cry.
