Page 23 of A Foolish Endeavor

“Miss Diana Wells? Hmm. I do not know her or her family. Is she new in town? From where does she come?”

“Surrey,” Gilbert replied. “Her father owns an estate there, and she has a considerable dowry—fifteen thousand pounds, if rumors are to be believed.”

“Even so, I do not believe I have ever even heard the Wells mentioned. Does her family ever come to town?”

“Rarely, I believe,” Gilbert said. “However, I assure you she is the loveliest, most genteel young lady I have met this Season.”

“Well, I shall ask some of my acquaintances here for more information; one of them must be familiar with her. Still, since you seem so enamored of her, unless I am informed of some dreadful information about her family, I am certain I can add her to our party list.”

Gilbert turned to Carter.

“Did I miss anyone?”

“You neglected to mention Mrs. Landry.”

Gilbert nodded, remembering his promise to introduce Mrs. Landry to his sister.

“Yes, we both danced with her daughter, Miss Mary Landry at the first ball,” he said. “We would be grateful if you invited her and her parents as well.”

“Another family with whom I am not acquainted. Tell me more about them,” Dorothea asked.

“Likely you have not heard of them because they do not… move in your circle. But they will very soon. You see, Mr. Landry has just inherited a fine estate in Cheshire. I think the income is—what, Carter—about five thousand a year?” Carter nodded and Gilbert continued. “Prior to the inheritance, the family lived in a town home next to Carter’s family, but have now moved into a lovely home on Deacon Street. She was kind enough to invite Carter and me to dinner there soon after I arrived. She is most eager to meet you.”

“I see,” was Dorothea’s reply in a neutral tone. “The problem is, since I am trying to arrange a gathering with some of the best families, I cannot invite someone so recently elevated from a lower class. It simply would not do.”

“As I said, Mrs. Landry is most eager to make your acquaintance.”

Dorothea gave a small laugh. “Well, no doubt, my dear. She wishes to have my blessing to move into a level of society with which she is quite unfamiliar. Although her family has technically joined the ranks of the gentry, this Mrs. Landry is very new to the ton and requires the necessary introductions. Her very appearance here would signal an approval that I may, in fact, not feel.”

Gilbert and Carter exchanged a glance. Gilbert cleared his throat. “She is quite a pleasant lady, Dorothea. I do not believe she would cause you any unease or distress in her behavior. Truly, sister, I would count it as a great favor if you would include her.”

Dorothea frowned, pressing her lips together. Then she sighed. “Well, since you ask so firmly, I shall. But, I believe it would be for the best, then, if we make this first party a less… formal affair. I think perhaps an afternoon tea in the drawing room, and I shall not invite as many guests. A simple tea means I will not err in any seating arrangements at the table or offend anyone. Yes,” she said, nodding thoughtfully, “a simple afternoon gathering might be best for this initial event. I shall make all the arrangements.” She smiled brightly, then nodded to a footman to bring in the next course.

Chapter Eighteen

Miles whistled as he walked briskly into Doddington. He was filled with happy anticipation to spend a bit of time with Daisy, the barmaid at The Queen’s Larder. It would be his fourth visit to the tavern since he had re-met her that first day. The last two encounters had proved especially entertaining, with excessive flirting on both sides. When Miles returned home after spending several hours away from Clayton House, he had expected to hear some rebukes from his wife, but Lavinia had not even inquired as to his whereabouts. She still spent almost every hour in the nursery and continued to sleep there, as well. Miles joined her briefly in the mornings and once more before tea, but all attempts to persuade her to join in the usual family activities were swiftly rebuffed. Miles was now spending but a few moments each day in the company of his wife.

Miles pulled open the door and entered the dimly lit and mostly vacant tavern. The odor of ale and roast beef that filled his nostrils as he stepped inside was now quite familiar to him. A quick glance showed him that his favorite table was open and he headed to it. Halfway there, he felt a warm hand squeeze his backside and heard a low throaty chuckle.

“I was not expectin’ to see you here so soon,” Daisy said. “You came just the other afternoon, did you not?”

Miles grinned at the buxom girl. “In truth, I did not expect to see you. However, I was in need of a long walk, a mug of ale, and a sweet girl’s company. My steps simply brought me here.”

Daisy giggled and nodded towards his table. “I am glad of it. My day has improved immeasurably now, I can tell you that much, Mr. Kendall. Take your usual seat then, and I shall be happy to help provide all that you are hankering for.”

“Excellent, although… my needs might extend beyond those I just named,” Miles said in a low voice. He could hardly believe the words emanated from his mouth and he felt a surge of both arousal and anxiety over his bold statement. What should he do if she responds in kind instead of laughing off his proposition as most girls of her sort would? To his surprise, he saw her face turn serious as she leveled a gaze at him.

“I am most open to that possibility, sir. But, let us start with a mug of ale and see how things progress.” She winked, tossed her curls at him, and hurried off to get his drink.

By his second ale, Miles was feeling happy and quite at ease. He watched Daisy finish serving the few other customers, then saw her whisper something to the owner of The Queen’s Larder, a burly, taciturn man to whom Miles had rarely spoken. The man cut his eyes over to Miles, then back to Daisy. He gave a curt nod then, returned to his own business.

Daisy poured two more ales and brought them to the table, giving one to Miles and taking the other for herself as she eased herself in the chair opposite him. She raised her glass in toast.

“Here’s to you, sir. May all your desires and wishes be fulfilled.”

If Miles had had his wits about him, he could have replied that his strongest desire was to have his old life back—to see his son healthy again and have his wife back in his marriage bed. But alcohol had dulled his mind. His eyes strayed from Daisy’s sweet, plump face to her ample bosom, and he felt a stirring of arousal. He shifted in his chair, raised his glass, and took a long swallow of ale.

“That very much depends on others, I believe, Daisy,” he said.