Page 44 of A Foolish Endeavor

Recognizing the voice, Gilbert lifted his head and turned to his friend. “She used me, Carter. She used me most abominably ill. Did you know she only acted encouraging towards me in order to gain Kirkpatrick’s interest? Were you aware of her game?”

“I am as surprised as you by her actions. I thought her most inclined towards you. Tonight’s announcement of her and Kirkpatrick’s engagement came as a complete shock to me, I assure you. To think she used you in such a manner. It is utterly reprehensible.”

“I hate myself for believing her as much as I hate her artifices that led me to think she had a heart. I confess, Carter, I truly thought she cared for me. I had no idea of her being such a conniving—” He broke off and shook his head. “Perhaps it is best that I go. Will you leave with me? I feel every eye is upon me, and I only wish to go somewhere and drink myself into oblivion.”

Carter shook his head. “I have three dances yet, Gilbert. I must not disappoint any young lady.”

Gilbert gave a small laugh. “Or leave her on the floor as I did. My poor sister may never recover from the humiliating spectacle I just served up to our family name. Very well, go on and enjoy yourself. I am not fit company for anyone just now at any rate.” He patted his friend on the shoulder. “Thank you for caring, Carter.”

“What will you do now, Gilbert? Is there another young lady you might wish to court? The Season has nearly two more weeks left.”

“Another lady? One with money enough to secure my plan to avoid the church, you mean? Not hardly. And I have been most pointed in my pursuit of Miss Wells, any attempt at suddenly wooing another might be thought quite suspicious. It would have all the hallmarks of a true fortune hunter.”

“I suppose. However, you never know. Affections can alter quite rapidly during the Season. It might still be possible for you to find another.”

“It would be as foolish an endeavor as my pursuit of Miss Wells appears to have been.” Gilbert shook his head. “Go and enjoy your dances, Carter. Do not worry about me.”

Carter nodded and returned inside. Gilbert remained on the balcony for a time, listening to the music drifting towards him from the ballroom. He walked to the open doors and stood a time, watching the couples on the floor. His stomach turned at the sight of Diana and Kirkpatrick. He did his best to avoid staring at them, trying to concentrate on others. There was Carter, dancing with some young lady whose name he could not recall at present. Carter appeared so happy. Gilbert envied him. Carter had said he had no intention of wooing any young lady in particular. He had declared he would only enjoy the Season for the dancing and pleasures it might bring him, with no particular expectations. There would be no heartache for his friend, Gilbert thought.

He glanced around the room, noting some other acquaintances. His eye fell upon Miss Mary Landry, conversing with her mother. Gilbert studied her. He had little doubt that she would end the Season without an offer. She was the least handsome woman in the room, by far. She was intelligent, however, and had a good wit. In addition, her family was wealthy.

And has a fine estate, now, too.

Perhaps Carter was correct. Perhaps it was not too late. Should he give more consideration to the homely Miss Landry? Gilbert took a deep breath and entered the room, crossing over to her.

“Good evening, Mrs. Landry, Miss Landry. How are you both this evening?” Gilbert’s words slurred slightly after all his drinking. He did not notice the somewhat uncomfortable looks on the faces of the two.

“Good evening, Mr. Kendall,” Mrs. Landry said in an overly hearty tone. “We thought you had departed—that is, we saw the difficulty on the floor with Miss Wells, and assumed…” her voice fell into a little embarrassed titter as she waved her hands in a helpless gesture.

“Oh, no, I did not comport myself very well, it is true, but if your daughter has the next dance open, I should be happy to escort her. That is, if Miss Landry has no objection.”

Mary smiled politely and said, “I do have that set open, Mr. Kendall, and I shall be happy to give it to you, provided you promise not to abandon ship, so to speak, part way through the dance.”

“Mary!” Mrs. Landry exclaimed. Her face flushed, and she glanced around to see if anyone had overheard. But the music had just ended and chatting couples were coming off the floor to find their next partners.

“I am only teasing, Mama. Mr. Kendall cannot take offense as he has a most excellent sense of humor. Am I correct, sir?” she said, her eyes dancing in amusement.

“Indeed. While you, Miss Landry, have a wit that requires me to make full use of it.” He held out his arm. “Shall we?”

As they danced, the conversation was polite and inconsequential for the most part. Gilbert was grateful to be at the far end of the line and nowhere near Diana and Kirkpatrick. Catching a glimpse of them, it seems Diana was fairly glowing with happiness. Halfway through the set, Mary gave him a kind smile and said, “Mr. Kendall, I am so very sorry for the deceitful manner in which my friend, Miss Wells, behaved towards you. It was not kind of her, and you did nothing to deserve it.”

Gilbert felt a pang in his chest to hear her sympathy. He nodded and replied, “I was foolish, I suppose, to think she might truly care for me, despite her flirtatious ways that led me to have hopes.”

“Her method in using you to secure a future duke has made me rethink my own friendship with her, I confess. For how could I ever trust someone who would so ill-use a person simply for her own gain? It makes me wonder if the amiable trust she and I share is at all to be relied upon. You showed yourself to be a sincere young man with caring kindness in his heart. For her to wound you in such a way was bad form, indeed.”

“You are very kind to say so, Miss Landry. I shall recover from this slight, I assure you. It has not affected me as much as one might think.” Gilbert smiled with genuine warmth at his partner. She truly was a thoughtful and kind person. Was she really so ill-favored, after all? She did have pretty enough eyes. Indeed, the more he knew of her, the more attractive she became.

Perhaps I should set my mind on Miss Landry. No one else is likely to make her an offer and she does have a lively wit. Her words of sympathy count in her favor, as well. She clearly is showing me that her heart is warm when it comes to me. Yes, Miss Landry might yet be my salvation.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Lavinia and her maid, Ellen, walked into Doddington with the intention of finding a gift for Charlotte’s new baby. Lavinia found the walk, which she had done quite regularly before Dickie became ill and she had sequestered herself in the nursery, more strenuous that she recalled. She laughed a little and told Ellen she was feeling fatigued already.

“This is, no doubt, the result of staying indoors far too long. Well, Dickie is doing better and our new nurserymaid is quite good with him, so I need not fear leaving him. I think Miles is right, I have been neglecting my duties to both my family and the community. I shall do better henceforth.”

“That will please your husband, I am sure, ma’am,” Ellen said. “I know he has been worried about you. We all have been, to own it.”

Lavinia nodded, soberly. “When Dickie was at his lowest, with five or six seizures a day, I could not bear to be apart from him. My fears for his life were such that I did not know if he would perish in my arms. Only a mother could fully understand my terror.”