A Brave New Life Page 6

  "And I decided at the last minute not to attend, sending my apologies along with my family."

  Webb frowned. "I am wishing I had done the same."

  "Will Lady Amelia not be in attendance?" Matthew asked him after a few moments of silence.

  "No, she will not. She was also invited to the piano recital held by Lord Colborne, I believe Miss Helena is her cousin. She had accepted the invitation several weeks ago."

  "My mother stated that the dinner party will be rather large perhaps your absence would go unnoticed," Matthew suggested.

  "I should not like to be rude though." Webb sounded resigned as he looked longingly into the club.

  "Perhaps one of the servants could have a message delivered. You could send your apologies and claim that you fell ill at the last moment.”

  Webb looked positively overjoyed at the thought. "That is a great idea indeed." He moved swiftly into the club calling to the first member of service he came upon.

  Matthew surveyed the room while Webb dictated his note and directions for delivery.

  Webb joined him. “Well that is taken care of. Shall we get a table?”

  “I believe I see an empty table in the back. Just over there.” Matthew gestured toward the back of the room. “If you want to go sit I will get us our drinks. Whiskey?”

  “Yes, please,” Webb agreed and began making his way to the back.

  Matthew turned to get their drinks and was almost immediately set upon by Nigel Coombs. Stifling a groan, Matthew turned to the other man.

  “Coombs.”

  “Repington, I do not think I have seen you in Whites this Season.”

  “That is not surprising in the least. I have not frequented the club much this Season.” Matthew shrugged. “I suppose I have had too many other social engagements to attend.”

  Coombs nodded. "I would imagine so.”

  “Not that it has done you much good.”

  This came from behind Matthew and he turned to see Henry Milling leaning against the wall.

  “Milling, I see you are already jug bitten.”

  The other man laughed and moved to stand next to Coombs. “Is it not why you are here as well? To drink your sorrows away?”

  “My sorrows?” Matthew chuckled. “Surely not.”

  “No? It should not be so surprising.” He turned to Coombs and said in a quiet voice, although clearly loud enough for Matthew to hear. “He certainly got over Lady Abigail quickly. It is just a shame he has had the same luck with Lord Penhaven’s daughter.”

  Matthew shook his head, “I have no time for this nonsense.”

  He took a step to move around the man, but Milling moved into his way. “Have you not heard?"

  “I have no idea what you are talking about, nor do I care.” Matthew again stepped aside.

  Milling followed him. "So, you do not know? That is quite interesting.”

  Matthew was getting irritated and he turned around and finally said, “Fine! What is so blasted important that you feel it necessary to speak to me about it now?"

  “Only that Miss Diana Windham and Mr Crandall should be announcing their betrothal quite soon.”

  That stopped Matthew short. "What are you talking about? They have not even begun to court.”

  "Her father approves the match and therefore a betrothal is due any day now."

  Matthew did not know what to believe. It was quite well known that Milling was the sort of man who liked to stir up trouble. Anything Matthew did or said would surely be spread around the club and most of London before the sun rose the next morning.

  Matthew nodded. "It is good that they have received her father's blessing. I wish them every happiness."

  Milling sneered at him. "Oh, I am sure you do. Come along, Coombs."

  The man turned away nearly stumbling over his own feet, Coombs looked back apologetically but followed anyway.

  Matthew was about to head for the door, having had enough of Whites for one night. He ran almost directly into Webb.

  He held up two glasses of whiskey. "I just came to find you." He saw Matthew's face and blinked. "Something amiss?"

  "Quite."

  Webb looked down the way Milling and Coombs had gone. "What has happened?"

  "I have just found out that Miss Diana will be accepting a proposal from Mr Crandall. It s expected any day now."

  Webb scowled. "Are you sure?"

  "That is what Milling said."

  Webb shook his head. "I should not believe him if I were you. He only wishes to upset you. He is a bigger gossip than any bored housemaid could ever hope to be."

  "But…" Matthew sighed and looked away.

  "Come, let us go have our drinks."

  Matthew followed his friend to the table too dejected to argue.

  "Sit down," Webb told him.

  Once they were seated Webb set a glass of whiskey in front of him. "I have heard the same rumour about Miss Diana but according to Lady Amelia, it is not the case. Her father is in favour of a match but Miss Diana is not. She is actually quite upset about her father's plans and is not happy that these tales are going about."

  Matthew sat up straighter. "Miss Diana is not in favour of the match?"

  "She is not.” Webb sat back in his chair. “Perhaps you should find a way to speak with her before you decide what to believe."

  Matthew took a long drink and set his glass on the table. "That is probably wise."

  Chapter Fifteen

  "How are you this morning?" Henrietta looked up at Matthew when he entered the room.

  Matthew sighed not sure what to tell her. It had been more than a week since he had talked to Miss Diana and several days since he had the encounter with Milling and Coombs at Whites. He was still hopeful that Webb was correct, but it was becoming more difficult for him to believe as time passed without him being able to speak with Miss Diana.

  If only he had a chance to speak with her, he might be able to find out how she really felt. After Henrietta had spoken to Miss Diana there had not been time for Matthew to speak with her himself. All he knew was that he needed to do something before he left for Whitehall.

  "I seem to have a dilemma.” He had no idea what to do and Henrietta had been very helpful before. He decided it was time to trust his sister again.

  "Oh? What has happened?" She tilted her head and waited quietly for his response.

  "I was at Whites the other night with Jonathan Webb when we encountered Nigel Coombs and Henry Milling."

  Henrietta grimaced before saying, "I am sorry for that. Mr Coombs is quite the gossip and that Mr Milling is just awful."

  "You are quite right on both counts.” Matthew was surprised that Henrietta had heard about them before. He knew that his older brothers had some dealings with the two men but had not known Henrietta was privy to those conversations. Getting back to his dilemma, he said, "I was told that there is a rumour going around that Miss Diana is to be betrothed to Mr Crandall."

  Henrietta looked up sharply. "Yes, Miss Diana is quite upset about the rumours. She has no wish to marry Mr Crandall, in fact, she does not even like him. Spending time with him is a chore she quite despises."

  Henrietta's words made him feel better but there was still the problem that he had been unable to see Miss Diana. Her mother had blocked his every attempt.

  “Webb said the same thing on advice from Lady Amelia. My concern now though is that I am unable to speak with Miss Diana. Her mother has kept her from being available to accept visitors.”

  Henrietta hummed to herself. "That is a dilemma. I think we shall need to create a situation designed to allow you to talk to her. Perhaps I could invite her on a ride in Hyde Park."

  Matthew was skeptical. "That might work but I worry that her mother would be suspicious since you are my sister."

  "Of course, that makes sense. If her mother came along as a chaperone that would defeat our purpose and if caught it would cause more distrust."

  Matthew blew out a long breath. "So
, what are we to do?"

  Henrietta was staring at the table and then suddenly snapped her fingers. "I shall hold a card party.”

  "How would that be any different from going to Hyde Park?" Matthew asked.

  "Because it will not be just the three of us, I will invite Mr Webb, Lady Amelia, Mr Sedgwick and several others. Miss Diana's mother will be here and there would be no reason for her to object."

  Matthew was skeptical. “I do not know if this will work."

  "And as we know, Lady Penhaven would not decline an invitation from the Duke and Duchess of Castborough. She is too conscious of standing to reject such an offer."

  Matthew realized that Henrietta was quite right. It was the perfect opportunity to speak with Diana if not completely alone then during a quiet card game. Hopefully, it would be enough. He would have to make the most of what time he did manage to steal.

  "What do you think?” Henrietta asked him, waiting anxiously for his response.

  Matthew could not help smiling at his younger sister. "I think you are rather brilliant and quite dear to go to so much trouble to help me.”

  Henrietta waved his comment away looking a trifle embarrassed. "It is beneficial to all of us. I will get to have a card party, you and Miss Diana will have a chance to speak. I am quite sure that Lady Amelia and Mr Webb will be happy about it as well."

  "Well, for whatever reason I will still be thankful for your help in the matter." Matthew beamed at her.

  He was extremely grateful for her help but he was still somewhat skeptical. He hoped Lord and Lady Penhaven would be occupied long enough for him to say what was needed to Miss Diana. And from there, he hoped what he had to say would matter to her.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Matthew walked down the stairs feeling apprehensive and hopeful at the same time. Not surprisingly Henrietta had thought of a perfect solution. Their parents had been thrilled to hold a card party at her request and Lord and Lady Penhaven were more than happy to accept the invitation.

  The card party was due to start within the hour. Several small tables had been set up in the drawing room. Card games had been set up at each table.

  “Are you ready?” Henrietta came up next to him in the hallway and reached out to take his hand.

  Matthew looked down at himself. Squeezing her hand, he stepped back and straightened his coat. "Yes. I believe so."

  "That is good. I am quite sure that we are going to have a very enjoyable evening."

  "I, for one, am thrilled about that." While Matthew trusted that Henrietta had a plan to get everyone together, he was not sure that the ulterior purpose would be able to be met.

  As if reading his mind, Henrietta shook her head slightly. "You must stop fretting about it. I have it all planned out and it will work, too. As long as you do not make a mull of it."

  "A mull of it? I do not even know what is to happen. How could I make a mull of it?" His voice was indignant at his sister’s accusation.

  “Oh, stop.” Henrietta laughed. "As I told you, do not be worried, I know what I am about.”

  Matthew’s scowl at his sister gave way to a smile. He held up his hands in surrender and said, "I appreciate your assistance and I bow to your expertise in this matter."

  "As well you should." Henrietta lifted her chin in support of her confidence.

  Matthew simply shook his head and walked away.

  It was not long before people began arriving for the party. Matthew stood off by himself in the corner of the drawing room, so as to not be the first person Lord and Lady Penhaven saw when they arrived.

  It was then he realized that everyone Henrietta had invited was someone who was very close to her. If there were any questions asked, they would all happily cooperate with Lady Henrietta and no one would think there had been anything to worry over.

  Webb had arrived early, no doubt hoping to spend more time with Lady Amelia. Matthew was happy to have an ally to speak with and even more so when Miss Diana arrived with Lord and Lady Penhaven.

  Matthew tried his best to continue speaking nonchalantly with Webb. He happened to look over just as Miss Diana was scanning the room and their eyes locked he was overjoyed at the quick smile that came to her lips confirming his hope that she would be happy to see him.

  Whatever happened for the rest of the night Matthew would hold on to that one smile because it had meant so much to him. He chose to take it as a sign of good things that may be coming.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Diana looked away quickly when she saw Mr Repington. She glanced at her mother thoroughly relieved to see that she was fully engrossed with speaking with the Duke and Duchess of Castborough. Her mother had completely missed the swift smile that she displayed upon seeing Mr Repington across the room.

  She had been very fairly certain when Lady Henrietta had invited her to the card party that he would be in attendance. She was not sure if he would be angry about the rumours that have been going around about her and Mr Crandall, but she was hoping to find out for sure.

  The whole bit of gossip had been her mother’s doing, Diana knew, which had made it all the more upsetting. Dealing with the chatter of London's social elite was hard enough to endure but to learn that your mother was the one starting the hearsay was even more disheartening.

  "Oh, Miss Diana, I am so glad you were able to attend." Lady Henrietta rushed up to her with a broad and sincere smile.

  "I am so thankful you invited me. It promises to be a wonderful night," Diana said smiling at Lady Henrietta.

  "Yes, indeed, that is just what I was hoping for." Henrietta beamed and looped her arm through Diana’s warmly.

  Lady Amelia joined them. "I have been looking forward to this all week. Thank you so much for inviting me. What a wonderful idea to get us all together!"

  Diana let Lady Henrietta lead them across the drawing room and away from her parents. She was not sure what her mother would do when she realized Mr Crandall would not be in attendance. Although Diana did not know for sure that he would be absent, she was fairly confident that Lady Henrietta had not invited him. It had not been that long since they had spoken at Almack’s, and Lady Henrietta certainly would have remembered their conversation.

  “You two sit here. I want to make sure you are in the right place when we get started later.” Lady Henrietta pointed to a table near the window. “I will return in a moment once I greet everyone.”

  Diana watched as Lady Henrietta greeted each person and then casually directed them to sit according to some pattern that only she recognized. Smiling to herself, she was looking forward to what was in store for the evening more and more.

  Once everyone had been seated Lady Henrietta announced, “I am so glad everyone is here. I plan on making things interesting throughout the evening.”

  “I am intrigued. What is to happen?” Miss Hannah was sitting at the Whist table and tilted her head in query.

  “It would not be any fun if I told you before it all happens.” Lady Henrietta looked stern and smug at the same time. Then she giggled and shrugged. “You will just have to wait to see.”

  Miss Hannah sat back in her seat clearly pouting but smiled when Mr Roberts began to tease her about her impatience. There was some murmuring and laughter as people began to guess at Lady Henrietta’s plan.

  Lady Henrietta had just sat down with Diana and Lady Amelia when Mr Repington and Mr Webb joined them.

  “I am surprised you are not over playing Whist,” Lady Amelia remarked to Mr Webb who sat down across from her at the table.

  Mr Webb looked across the room at the table she mentioned. “It appears that I had no choice in that. Lady Henrietta showed everyone to their seats. There are only a few left, Matthew and I decided we should sit before she forgets about us.”

  Diana laughed. “She does seem to have planned everything out down to the last detail.” Since Lady Henrietta had taken the time to do so, Diana was sure she had a purpose for the evening. Though Diana could not guess what that sp
ecial purpose might be.

  “Not that I am complaining, mind you,” Mr Webb said swiftly before glancing at Lady Amelia who blushed and looked away shyly.

  “Of course not,” Mr Repington said. “My sister would certainly ring a fine peal over us if we did complain.”

  Lady Henrietta gasped in indignation. “I would not. That is complete nonsense.”

  “Would you not?” Mr Repington asked pushing his chair back from the table. “If I were to move to that table say over there you would have no complaint?”

  “Matthew, sit down,” Lady Henrietta said sharply causing everyone to laugh.

  “Nonsense, indeed,” Diana agreed with another laugh.

  “Oh, the devil take you all.” Lady Henrietta feigned a pout and then frowned. “I am going to go visit with my guests Perhaps they will appreciate me.”

  “Do you think she’s really upset?” Diana could not help but ask Mr Repington as Mr Webb set up the game.

  Mr Repington shook his head, watching his sister move from table to table talking and laughing as she went. “I highly doubt it. She would be walking around talking to everyone regardless. though. That makes it difficult to be sure.”

  Diana was content to assume that Lady Henrietta was not annoyed as she looked to be enjoying herself. They finished their game and Lady Amelia stood up followed by Mr Webb.

  “Are you leaving us?” Diana asked.

  “Lady Henrietta has waved us over,” Lady Amelia explained with a shrug before following Mr Webb.

  “Oh, so she has begun her intrigues.” Diana looked around wondering if someone from another table would be joining them.

  Mr Repington looked around. “It looks like we might be on our own.”

  “Oh?” Diana asked, not minding it in the least. “Your sister seems to have spent a great deal of time and effort planning this card party.”

  Mr Repington began setting up the next game. “Yes, she spent an entire afternoon deciding whom to invite.”

  “Goodness,” Diana replied looking around the room at the people gathered there.