Page 30 of A Foolish Endeavor

Dorothea smiled. “It has always been my experience that the housekeeper is your most reliable source when it comes to the reliability of the employees on an estate. Inquire with her as to the capability of your steward. She will have heard if there are matters of which you should be concerned.” She turned to Mrs. Landry. “Indeed, I should recommend that you also consult her on all matters until you feel yourself quite capable. A good housekeeper will be able to tell you who the hard workers are, and who are the ones with a tendency towards shirking. She can also advise you as to which neighbors are worth spending time with. In time, no doubt, you will find yourself quite at home in your new life.”

Dorothea was startled to see Mrs. Landry’s eyes become moist. Was her simple advice such an act of kindness that it should so move the woman? How perplexing.

“You are so good to share your opinion, Your Ladyship,” Mrs. Landry said. “Indeed, I am quite honored that you take the trouble. Pray, do not let our concerns keep you from enjoying the party. I know that Mrs. Steele is most eager to speak with you again. See—there she sits. Do go on in. We have a few more guests to greet and then we shall have dinner.” She gave a deep curtsy.

Dorothea returned the gesture with a smaller bow of her head and moved into the room to join Mrs. Steele. As she did, she thought to herself how proud Charlotte would be of her.

I have kept my snobbery quite under control, after all.

Dinner was a success. Even Dorothea had to admit that the Landrys employed a fine cook. She was even tempted to inquire if they had a true male chef, or just a very good female cook who had, perhaps, studied under a chef. She decided to limit herself to general praise of the food and wine.

Following the dinner, the ladies returned to the large drawing room, while the gentlemen stayed back and enjoyed some port. Charles Kirkpatrick was among the guests, which rather surprised Dorothea, considering the recent little scene at the art exhibition, but when she subtly inquired about the matter with Mrs. Steele, she learned that Diana had specifically requested of Mrs. Landry that the future duke be included. Well, Mrs. Steele had added, it is all for the best, as it evened out the numbers and the dinner party gave everyone a chance to make a fresh start. Dorothea had nodded in agreement, even as she noticed the cool manner between Gilbert and Kirkpatrick. He had barely greeted her, as well, but that was to be expected after her cutting remark regarding his father’s mistress.

When the gentlemen joined the ladies, Dorothea saw Diana nudge Mary, who then turned to her mother and said, “Mama, we have all been sitting for such a long while. Will you please play for us that we might enjoy a dance?”

“Oh, yes, what a lovely idea. Do play for us, please, Mrs. Landry,” Diana chimed in. “Mary has told me you are quite talented at the pianoforte.”

“Oh, I do not wish to make a display of myself, dear,” Mrs. Landry replied. “I should be neglecting my duties as hostess if I play.”

A chorus of objections came from most of the guests. Mrs. Landry looked to Dorothea as if seeking her approval.

Dorothea smiled and said, “I should very much enjoy hearing you play, Mrs. Landry, and it certainly seems as if the younger guests wish to dance. Do oblige them.”

Mrs. Landry nodded and rose before turning back to Dorothea. “You are also a fine player, are you not, Lady Gillingham? Perhaps you would assist me by turning the pages for me while I play?”

It was the last thing she wished to do, but Dorothea tilted her head graciously and accompanied her hostess to the pianoforte as Carter, Gilbert, and a few others moved some furniture out of the way and rolled up the rugs. Then it was time to choose partners. Dorothea watched as Carter approached Mary, an act of kindness and gallantry that impressed her. She saw Kirkpatrick move towards Miss Wells, but to her surprise, when he held out his hand, she smiled and said she had already promised it to Gilbert. Dorothea knew this to be a falsehood, because in the carriage on the way over, Gilbert had mentioned his hope of dancing that evening, but was not certain it would take place. Well, perhaps it was discussed between the two over dinner and she had not heard their conversation. In either case, she could readily see that Kirkpatrick was peeved to be cut out by someone of a lower class. He clenched his fists, even as he politely bowed in acknowledgement of her choice, then turned to a Miss Sally Broden, whose face lit up at the prospect of dancing with a future duke.

No doubt he expected it was his right to dance with the prettiest and richest girl in the room simply because his father is a duke. Serves him right to make such an assumption. This bodes well for Gilbert, certainly. Miss Wells is showing him a great deal of favor and attention.

“Shall I play this one first?” Mrs. Landry was asking her, holding up a sheet of music.

Dorothea barely glanced at the title, but nodded and said, “Whatever you think best. I shall endeavor to keep up.”

After an hour of music, during which Dorothea had even been persuaded to play once or twice to spell Mrs. Landry, who praised her skill excessively, the dancing ended and small tables were brought in for everyone to play cards. Miss Wells chose Mary as her partner and selected Gilbert and Kirkpatrick for the same table. Carter joined Mrs. Steele and two other older men.

Dorothea was not surprised when Mrs. Landry arranged for them to play at the same table.

Good Lord, I shall be saddled with this woman as a companion henceforth. What a dreary thought. The things I do for my brother.

The conversation during the card playing was subdued and mostly concerning the Season. Miss Broden and her mother were also at her table. “I know we should include some gentlemen at our table, but I thought this would be far more cozy,” Mrs. Landry had said. Dorothea merely smiled. Both the Broden ladies were good players, so even though Dorothea did not care for cards in particular, the next hour passed well enough.

At one point, raucous laughter arose from the table where Diana, Mary, Gilbert, and Kirkpatrick were seated. Dorothea felt that was a positive sign that Kirkpatrick was holding no grudge against her brother.

Mrs. Landry craned her neck to get a view of the table, then shook her head gently, saying, “Oh, young people are so lively. I am always happy to have them in my home. They do seem to be getting on well.” She lowered her voice and leaned across to whisper to Dorothea, “Though, I feel I must warn you, Lady Gillingham, on a certain matter. From what I hear, Miss Wells’s affections are not to be… fully trusted.”

Dorothea lifted her eyebrows and said softly as she played a card, “Whatever can you mean?”

All she got in reply was a shrug and the comment that she was not at liberty to reveal her source or any details at this time. “Truly, though, you might warn your brother not to set his hopes too high. It may not go well for him,” she added, then giggled. “Go well with Miss Wells! What a fun play on words.” She leaned in again with an earnest countenance. “In all seriousness, however, I have only the kindest intentions with my interference. Do warn him.”

Dorothea smiled tightly. “Thank you for your thoughts. I shall certainly take them under advisement.”

Best intentions, my foot. No doubt she wants to warn Gilbert off of Miss Wells that she may push her own daughter forward as a match, despite her earlier comments. Well, I shall certainly not pass those thoughts on to Gilbert.

When the party finally broke up, Dorothea had to admit it had not been an overly painful way to spend the evening. She happened to be in the entry hall as Mary was saying goodnight to Diana, Gilbert, and Kirkpatrick, who was in a very jovial mood.

“Gilbert,” she heard Kirkpatrick say, “I recall from school that you enjoy riding, am I correct? Have you a horse here?”

“No, as I am a guest at Carter’s home.”