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Daisy stared and fidgeted, nerves flickering across her face for a moment before she resolutely nodded. “That is probably true. And as a woman on her own, you probably would be better served remaining where it’s safer.”
“Not to say New York is all that civilized for all its development,” Mr. Northcott added with a chuckle. “You might be best attaching yourself to a more permanent travel companion before you venture across the Atlantic, just as my Daisy has done.”
Connie gritted her teeth. Once more, marriage is seen as the solution to everything. But she had seen with her own sisters that it brought an entire passel of a different sort of trouble. More trouble than solutions, to Connie’s way of thinking. One of her sisters thought marriage to a foreign prince was the perfect future but from the letters Connie received, her royal brother-in-law was an entitled bear to live with. Both of her sisters thought they were marrying for love. It did not recommend itself to Connie, that was for certain. Of course, she couldn’t say that to the clearly in love newly engaged couple. She only hoped her smile carried a degree of sincerity as she offered it to them.
“What did you like best about New York when you were there, Mr. Northcott?”
“The vibrancy,” he answered immediately. “For all its wildness that I worry would make it unsafe for a gentlewoman, there is a pulsing life to the city as it grows and accommodates such a vast variety of people. Far more so than our own London, even though our capital is much larger for now. I foresee that New York will thrive and grow to being a leader in the world. With ocean-going travel developing so quickly that you can cross the Atlantic in less than two months, I think more and more people will venture forth. Especially those in search of the new opportunities. That is where our capital fails. We are so stuck in our historic ways that it is hard for newcomers to make headway. In the new world, everyone except the natives are newcomers. It makes for a thrilling atmosphere.”
Listening to him, for a moment, Connie was gripped with jealousy that he had already seen and experienced it and yet thought she oughtn’t to do so. But, as he said, not necessarily applying to himself, everyone here was stuck in the old ways.
“Will you get to see New York while you’re nearer?”
Connie tried very hard not to be jealous as the two newly betrothed exchanged another glance that seemed to speak an entire conversation in seconds. How could they be so in tune with one another when they’d only just become betrothed? Connie’s stomach clenched as she reminded herself that she didn’t want to belong to any man and the only way to maintain her full independence was to remain single. She wasn’t jealous of the other young lady, she insisted to herself as she awaited their answer.
“We aren’t certain,” Daisy began almost haltingly. “A part of me would really like to see it for myself. But even though we’ll be nearer from one perspective in that there will no longer be an ocean between us, it’s still a very long way from where we will be in Upper Canada to New York. And there aren’t necessarily roads or anything that might make travel easier.”
“The easiest way is by river, to be honest. And the river will freeze at some point.” Mr. Foster Northcott had started his explanation before another glance was exchanged between them and then to her surprise colour tinged his cheeks. “It might work out to go there by the springtime, but if we become in an interesting condition, we might have to decide between remaining in the colonies or coming home.”
Connie’s eyes widened and she had to again remind herself that this was not what she wanted for herself. Even though they sounded like they were setting out on the best adventure, it wasn’t what she wanted for herself. Perhaps if she repeated it enough times within the confines of her mind, she would believe it.
“Are you nervous about the primitive conditions, Miss Alcott?”
Daisy grinned. “Of course,” she said immediately. “Which is why New York would hold a certain appeal. But I do want to see for myself what Foster, I mean Mr. Northcott, has been up to these past years.”
Connie smiled even as her stomach further curdled. They shouldn’t have elected to join the doting couple for this drive. Turning to Peggy, Connie took in her companion’s expression and knew the poor dear was longing for the same understanding for herself.
And in that moment, Connie couldn’t even blame her. Being in perfect harmony with another person sounded perfectly lovely. If it could be guaranteed, everyone would surely want that for themselves. But Connie knew with certainty that there were no guarantees in life. Just take her own sisters. They were each wed to gentlemen they had thought they were head over toes in love with. They had chosen carefully, or so they had thought. One sister was wed to a foreign prince who had sunk in melancholy over the fact that he could not return to his country. That had been a surprising development as Connie’s sister had thought the gentleman had been content to make England his home. She had no interest in returning to his small principality so far from her own family. So, it was not a cozy union for them.
Connie’s other sister had chosen to wed a wealthy businessman who was not high ton. She was happier in some ways, but it was very uncomfortable for her that her husband wasn’t accepted everywhere. It would be even more difficult when their children were grown, Connie was sure. Would they be gentry or commoners? Would Society accept or reject the poor dears. At present, it was impossible to imagine anyone rejecting the little urchins. But urchins grew up and would have to make their own way. It would be easier for the daughters, Connie was sure. Family could sponsor them. And they were sure to have generous dowries that would make them even more acceptable. But they would end up being an even more divided family if that happened, especially if Connie’s nephews were not to be accepted by Society.
Society was ridiculous, Connie thought vehemently. All the more reason to set out on another adventure, far from the strictures of English High Society. But it was what she had been born to and it was uncomfortable to wish to leave it behind. Not that she truly wished to do so. She was so torn in her thoughts. And the rejection she had felt from Florent Alcott had only jumbled her feelings further.
She needed to find out what Henry Wagner was doing at Everleigh. If he was tied into the reason for the Agents being there, then it might develop that he could be arrested and deported, and she need never concern herself with his presence again. The thought enticed her. Should she ask Mr. Northcott about him? Connie tapped her chin, wondering how she might bring it up.
“I suppose you already knew everyone who was invited to this party before your arrival, Miss Alcott?”
The young woman across from her smiled and nodded. “I did, yes.” She agreed, before a slight hesitation. “Well, for the most part, anyway. Did you? I know you’ve been travelling extensively for years. But you made your debut before you went abroad, didn’t you?”
“I did make my debut, but there were several people I hadn’t encountered in my brief time being fully active in Society.” Connie paused, debating if she ought to broach the subject, but then she decided to carry forth. “What about you, Mr. Northcott? You’ve also been abroad for quite some time, haven’t you? Was everyone strangers for you or were they all familiar?”
“I’m in a similar situation as you, my lady. Some were familiar and others much less so.”
“Do you enjoy making new acquaintances?” she asked, less specifically, more of a broad question.
Mr. Northcott shrugged and shook his head slightly. “Yes and no,” he answered with a laugh. “It is often interesting and beneficial to meet new people. But it isn’t necessarily one of my favorite things, I’ll admit.” He laughed lightly and then looked directly at Connie. “You must love meeting new people, I suppose, with your travels, you must be forever encountering new people.”
Connie nodded slowly. “Some are delightful,” she agreed. “Others less so,” she added with a laugh. “And while abroad, the circles can often be even smaller than amongst the ton during the Season, if you can imagine. Or perhaps you are aware. I would imagine there aren’t a great number of people near you in Upper Canada.”
“You are correct. My closest neighbours are quite distant, aside from my crew that are right on my property.”
Connie nodded. Then, finally, taking her courage in both hands, she tried not to betray her nerves and hoped she appeared nonchalant when she finally stated, “I was surprised to see Mr. Wagner here. Have you been long acquainted?”
Her gaze was watchful despite her desire to hide her interest, so she caught the flicker of surprise and disgust that crossed Mr. Northcott’s face before he smoothed his expression into one of mild interest. “Are you acquainted with the man, then?” he asked without answering her question. But she supposed his evasiveness was an answer in itself from a certain standpoint.
“We have met, yes. As I said, I was surprised to encounter him in Everleigh.” Connie had hoped to gain information, not find herself on the side of being questioned.
“Why were you surprised by his presence here?” Connie thought she saw cunning speculation in Mr. Northcott’s eyes and tried not to bristle under it.
