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“Better never late, I’d say,” Florent grumbled, but it was in a half-hearted manner. He added a grin to make sure his friend knew he really wasn’t offended. “It would seem marriage is agreeing with you.”
“I do recommend it,” Adelaide agreed with a grin and another clap to Florent’s shoulder. “Perhaps my wife will find you one this week.”
Florent had known in the recesses of his mind that was at the very least part of the purpose of this gathering, but he hadn’t expected it to be stated quite that baldly, especially not by its host. It took effort not to frown. No wonder his brother hadn’t wanted to come. While Florent was happy to enter Society at least a little bit, he had no intention of being leg-shackled on his first foray into such events. He still had plenty of arrangements to make before he really gave serious thought to marriage for himself. He was determined that this event be a success for his sister, no need for himself to be considered an option.
“Don’t look so green about it, old chap,” Adelaide told him, knowing full well what it felt like. “You’re highly eligible now, you’ll have to get used to it. If you don’t get matched here, it will surely happen someday. Best you get used to being pursued.”
“I suppose you had plenty of experience.”
Adelaide grinned. “I did, to be sure. It had its moments of gaiety, but it was a dead bore much of the time. I can tell you, in that regard, marriage is certainly a relief.”
“I could just continue staying home, I suppose.”
Adelaide grinned again. “But where’s the sport in that?”
Florent was growing tired of the interchange already, and he had only spoken with two people since he had set himself the goal of being more sociable. It was going to be a long week if he couldn’t learn to enjoy himself. While he wanted to support his sister, and would remain if only for that reason, it was going to feel like one more chore on his list of things that needed to be done.
With what he hoped was a polite smile, Florent took his leave of his host and turned to survey the room once more. His mother and sister were mingling and appeared to be comfortable, much to his relief. If they were feeling as awkward as he did, there wasn’t much he would be able to do to assist them since he appeared to be the most awkward person present.
The other new arrival, the one his sister thought looked like a rodent, Henry Wagner, was opposite him, seemingly deep in conversation with Lord Bathurst. That brought genuine amusement to Florent. The older gentleman was making sure to check on each gentleman present. From what Florent could tell from the man, though, he doubted he would be an acceptable candidate for Lord Bathurst’s daughter. There was just something about the man that declared he was neither well-heeled nor a true gentleman. It struck him to wonder why the man had been invited. Ought he to have asked Adelaide? It might appear rude, but on the other hand, since he was Daisy’s older brother, it was within his bounds to be concerned, wasn’t it?
Florent resolved to keep an eye on things and ask later if he found another opportunity to speak privately with Adelaide. For now, he had no desire for an even more awkward conversation.
Flor had been informed that evening there was to be a supper followed by dancing. He again wondered if he should have stayed at Alcott. He hadn’t danced in years. He hoped it was something you couldn’t forget even if you were rusty. One more thing to make a fool of himself at. It didn’t seem like he was going to be comfortable any time soon.
To his surprise, though, the supper passed quickly. He had been seated between Lady Isabelle and her mother. They had entertained him handily. Florent could understand a little why his mother was so delighted about resuming her friendship with her old companion. The woman was personable and charming. And her daughter seemed lovely if a little shy and quiet. Florent rather thought those might be endearing qualities in a future helpmeet. If only her father didn’t seem so interfering. Florent wasn’t certain he could bear up under such critical scrutiny for any length of time.
But then he glanced down the table to where he could see both his sister and Lady Constance holding their own courts. They were each vivacious and chatty without taking over their respective conversations completely. And he knew shy and quiet would be too quiet for him. There would be no conversation whatsoever if both the lord and lady were the quiet types.
He found it fascinating to watch his sister. Their mother had led him to believe that she was not succeeding in her Season, but it looked to him as though she thoroughly knew what she was doing. Or perhaps she was more comfortable in the country setting than she was in Town. He could fully understand that. Which led him to think that perhaps Lady Isabelle was the opposite to his sister. Perhaps she was more comfortable in Town.
“How have you been enjoying your time in London?” he asked her.
Her smile was sweet but fleeting. “Everyone is very kind, but it’s a trifle too crowded for my taste,” she answered him softly, not quite meeting his gaze. “Do you like it there?” she asked in a near whisper.
Florent had to quell an unexpected urge to laugh. The poor little thing probably was dreading being matched with any of the gentleman at the table if she didn’t enjoy Town life. But she didn’t really appear to be enjoying the country party overmuch either. So perhaps she was just a quiet person who preferred to be at home. He could fully understand that.
His eyes strayed toward Lady Constance once more. She would certainly not be content to remain in one place for the rest of her life, he was sure. He needed to stop thinking of her in such glowing terms.
Florent turned his attention back to the young woman at his side, realizing he still hadn’t answered her question.
“I haven’t spent a great deal of time in Town, to be honest, so I don’t have a terribly strong opinion. I suppose I ought to get to know it a bit better as someday I will be expected to take my place in the House like all those before me. But thus far, I have only made very brief visits to our great metropolis.”
The girl nodded but kept her eyes on her plate.
She was much too young for this, he thought. Her parents should have kept her home another year. She wasn’t ready for what they were expecting of her. His heart went out to her, but he had no desire to take on such a project, either. If he were to wed, it would be to take on a partner, not a parental-type role. The thought repulsed him despite having enjoyed both Bathurst ladies.
The laughter from the other end of the table drew his gaze once more and his eyes met those of Lady Constance briefly, and the breath stuttered in his chest. For a moment he thought she was actually beseeching him in some way, but for what he couldn’t begin to fathom. On the surface she appeared to be having a grand time. He couldn’t think of a single reason why he would have the impression she possibly needed his help. That woman struck him as being perfectly capable of anything.
Constance blinked, turned her attention back to her companions, and the moment was gone. But it lingered in Florent’s mind, even as he went through all the motions of the rest of the meal. It was almost a relief when they all converged in the ballroom to the sound of the small orchestra tuning their instruments.
“Lady Adelaide has spared no expense, it would seem. She has arranged for a quartet from London to come and play for us this evening.”
Florent grinned at his sister. “Are there no musicians in these parts?”
“None so elegant as these, I am told.”
“Seems a trifle pretentious,” he whispered into Daisy’s ear making her snort, which had been his intention.
