AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“My Lord,” she croaked in nervous accompaniment to her curtsey.
Ignoring the frown of disapproval Lord Liverpool presented him, Harlow offered her his arm.
“Might I have the honour, ma’am, of escorting you into the hall?”
Colleen shot a quick glance to Lord Liverpool, who nodded his agreement. Therefore, with an internal sigh of acceptance, she placed her hand upon Lord Harlow’s forearm.
“Much appreciated my Lord,” she murmured.
Despite being all too aware of the very virile man at her side, Colleen attempted to soak in each of the experiences. The inside of Carlton House was even more ornate than she had expected. Meanwhile, she made herself ignore the whispered comments which followed her and Lord Harlow across the hall to where Prince George held ‘court’. Joining her party in a bow of obeisance, she waited quietly for the Prince’s recognition.
Lord Liverpool finally said, “Your Highness, with your permission, I would give you the acquaintance of Miss Everley.”
Colleen again dipped into a deep court curtsey, and, despite her legs wobbling in nervousness, she held her position until Prince George extended his hand to her.
“Walk with me about the room, Miss Everley,” he said. “Permit me to give you the acquaintance of others in our party tonight. I am certain that many will be interested in your charity work.” Colleen shot a pleading glance to Lord Harlow. She did not think that she could be ‘alone’ with England’s Prince, even in a crowded room. This was more than she had expected.
The Earl said reassuringly, “Lord Liverpool has spoken extensively to His Highness regarding your charity work.”
Prince George gestured to Lord Liverpool.
“You will accompany us, sir.”
Then he extended his arm to Colleen, which she tentatively took. With a steadying breath, she strolled ‘casually’ about the room with two of the most powerful men in Great Britain. Despite her earlier misgivings, this was a night she would always cherish.
******
An hour later, Grand found himself seated on Miss Everley’s right with Lady Liverpool on her left. Liverpool sat opposite and a few seats removed from their position along the table; yet the Prime Minister was close enough to monitor the conversation, if necessary. And monitoring was readily required.
“Pardon my asking,” Lady Raleigh-Hutton began, and Grand cringed, knowing what was to follow. “But who are your family, Miss Everley? You appear very well-placed, as you have engendered the patronage of both Lord Liverpool and Lord Harlow, along with Prince George, but I am ashamed to say that I am not familiar with your family connections.”
Grand lightly squeezed Miss Everley’s knee beneath the table to permit her to know that he was near if she required his assistance, but, in truth, Miss Everley was proving herself quite remarkable on her own.
“My father was a minor son of a gentleman from Hampshire and my mother the second daughter of a Viscount, your ladyship.”
“A Viscount?” Lady Raleigh-Hutton questioned. “Which one?”
“Part of the Hinder family,” Grand said. Just as Miss Everley’s words were true, so were his. He had researched Miss Everley’s family before he and Liverpool had approached the Prince. Her mother’s family was related to the Hinders in Lancashire.
“Ah—” Lady Raleigh-Hutton said with a nod of approval. “Very good. Very good, indeed.”
Lady McKnight stated with a sniff of dismay, “I heard Lord Liverpool telling another something of your program to place former members of the muslin brigade in more appropriate positions. I do not know how a young lady of quality would dare to soil her hands by associating with such women.”
Grand snatched the insinuation away before others at the table could follow suit and ‘attack’ Miss Everley. His speaking as Harlow, the holder of a powerful Earldom of the realm, would warn others to hold their tongues.
“Unlike many who accept castoff children only, Miss Everley’s charity not only cares for the children, but it insists that the mothers accompany them into the facility. Even a fallen woman, and, most certainly, an innocent child, deserves our compassion. Does not our religion speak of Mary Magdalene repenting and being saved by the teaching of Christ? Should we not all follow the Lord’s example? Most assuredly, we should emulate Miss Everley’s example. In the five years that she has been supervising this unique approach, only one of the women has returned to her previous occupation. I would declare such numbers a success, would you not do likewise, my lady?”
He added a steady gaze so that the end of his speech demanded her Ladyship’s compliance.
“Naturally,” Lady McKnight said with a nod of her head in acceptance.
Miss Everley suggested, “Although I appreciate Lord Harlow’s strong defence of my efforts to support needy families, perhaps we should all discuss a more appropriate topic for supper conversation. Shall we?”
Grand took the suggestion and asked Liverpool a question on Parliament’s progress, or lack thereof, on several of the latest bills.
As the table turned its attention to the Prime Minister, the servants removed the fish and served the next course. Grand only half listened as several of the men returned to their favourite topic, of late: David Ricardo’s book on economics and the author’s theory of comparative advantage. He knew most of the women knew boredom as first one and then another gentleman at the table argued his point, but Grand recognised how Miss Everley, on his left, was champing at the bit to enter the debate. It made him smile to know that she was more intelligent than most of the women scattered about the table.
He was set to whisper something of his admiration for her in her ear, when she suddenly stiffened. Instead of words of praise, he whispered, “Is something amiss, my dear?”
