Page 21 of A Foolish Endeavor

“Save a dance for me? What are you saying?”

“I happened to overhear Denny Finley speaking to Charles Kirkpatrick—insufferable snobs, both of them. Finley was telling Kirkpatrick that he had asked Miss Wells for a set, and when the young lady’s aunt mentioned she had the fifth set free, Miss Wells immediately spoke up and apologized, saying she was holding it for someone special. As you just concluded the fifth set, I can only assume she spoke of you.” He chuckled. “Did you not feel the daggers from Finley’s eyes in your back as you danced? He was rather put out, I assure you.”

“I confess it quite escaped my notice,” Gilbert replied in a light tone. “But I doubt if she truly saved the set for me. It may well be that the gentleman of whom she spoke did not even attend tonight’s festivities, and when she realized it, Miss Wells gave me the courtesy of filling the opening, rather than hug the wall. I should not read too much into it, if I were you.”

“As you say. I can only repeat how pleasing it was to see Finley annoyed.”

“He is not such a bad fellow.”

“Maybe not to you—you were closer in social status to him and Kirkpatrick, so they both were somewhat polite to you. They were completely without manners or kindness to the likes of my class. To think I must someday address Kirkpatrick as ‘Your Grace’ galls me beyond all measure.”

“Me, as well. Oh, but, that may not happen for—” Gilbert began.

“Speak of the devil,” Carter interrupted in a mutter, jerking his head in the direction of Kirkpatrick and Finley, who were approaching. Carter turned his attention to his drink.

“Enjoying yourself, Kendall?” Kirkpatrick asked, then, after a pause, added in a voice tinged with barely disguised scorn, “Milbourn.”

Carter nodded, but made no greeting.

“I am having a delightful time,” Gilbert replied. “I never anticipated being able to dance with so many pretty young ladies.”

Finley gave a guffaw. “Pretty? Well, I suppose many of them are tolerable—with the notable exception of Miss Mary Landry, that is. Kind of you to dance with her, Kendall, but I would not have stood up with her for a kingdom.”

“Then you show your utter lack of manners and gentleman-like behavior, Finley,” Carter broke in to the conversation, his tone clearly annoyed. “She is a fine dancer and a very pleasant companion.”

“Yes, I noticed you danced twice with her,” Kirkpatrick said, a smirk on his face. “But then, one of her kind might be the best one of your status could hope for—after all, she is closer to your rank than most, despite her father’s recent elevation to the landed gentry.”

“Why, you—”

Kirkpatrick waved a hand at him. “Ease yourself, Milbourn, I mean no insult to you. Dance with her all night for all I care. But have a care, keep this up and the mother will be writing up the engagement announcement for the papers before the night is out.” He turned his attention to Gilbert, an imperious expression on his face. “Tell me, Kendall, what is your opinion of Miss Wells?”

“Miss Wells? I suppose she could rightly be called very lovely,” Gilbert said, trying to sound casual. “Witty and intelligent, too, I would say, based on our brief conversations. What is your own opinion?”

Kirkpatrick shrugged. “She might do for some gentleman who hopes to better himself financially, I suppose. But she appears too unworldly to me. The lady I choose will one day be a part of the noble class. As for intelligent? To be honest, during our dance, she seemed rather quiet and utterly lacking in sparkle. I cannot have a shy little thing who has no conversation in her as my wife. Whoever I marry must be able to assume the mantle of position that comes with the Kirkpatrick duchy.”

Gilbert was about to fire off some stinging words of rebuke in defense of Miss Wells, when he realized his good fortune that Kirkpatrick would not be any competition for him.

“Well, to each his own, eh?” he said, instead. “I must find my partner for the next dance. Good to see you, Kirkpatrick, Finley.” He nudged Carter, who nodded at the two gentlemen and followed Gilbert back to the dance hall.

“Wretched snobs,” Carter fumed.

“Pay them no mind, Carter, their opinion of any young lady we dance with is of no consequence.” Gilbert peered at his friend a moment. “But tell me—you do not care for Miss Landry, do you? I confess I was surprised to see you dance with her a second time.”

“You and I are the only two who have been courteous enough to take her to the floor, so far. I only wanted to be kind. Though I must say Finley is a perfect ass in his appraisal of her. She may not have great beauty, but really is quite nice. Do not worry, though, I have no thoughts of marriage to her, or any other lady, as I have already stated.”

“I am glad to hear it,” replied Gilbert. “For there are far too many ladies here with whom we have not yet danced, and I should hate to see you become engaged to anyone at this point.”

“I agree. The rest of the Season lies ahead of us and we must sample all the pleasures we can.”

Gilbert nodded, but inwardly vowed to remain focused on his goal of obtaining the heart and hand of Miss Wells.

Chapter Seventeen

At ten o’clock the following morning, Gilbert was still relaxing in bed, having ordered his breakfast sent up. Finishing his cup of coffee, he turned his attention to the letters that had been put on the tray along with his meal. The first he opened was from his brother-in-law, Frederick Morton. Scanning past the expected greetings and best wishes that Gilbert was enjoying himself in town, Gilbert reached the portion he was expecting, where the author came to his point.

Although your father has given you no specific deadline to return to Clayton House, I must stress my desire to see you sooner, rather than later. For, I have begun my work at the new parish, which will be to deliver sermons twice monthly, and while I have been able to persuade the reverend William Lewis to come out of his retirement, I must not depend on him for long. His poor health was the reason he stepped down in the first place, and I would never forgive myself if I caused him any sort of serious decline while I await your return to complete the steps to become my curate.

Gilbert rolled his eyes and groaned. The pleasures of London had thus proved so satisfying that he had managed to push to the far corners of his mind the fact that his family was still unaware he had not completed his degree and could not possibly take his holy orders. He tossed the letter aside and told himself he could delay any reply for the time being.