The Marriage Market (11 page)

Miss House said, “Look, Mrs. Ladbrook, there is a friend of mine, Colonel MacMillan.  He is rather an interesting retired military man.  He keeps an exquisite collection of ceremonial daggers in his library.  I see that he has noticed me and is coming over.”  She nodded at the gentleman and smiled as he bowed over her hand.

“Very happy to see you here this evening, Miss House.  You are looking well,” he remarked.  He was a gentleman of mature years with stylishly curled hair and an extravagantly high cravat cradling his chin.

“Thank you, colonel.  How is your sister?”

“Oh, well enough.  Her back still troubles her on occasion, but she is too deuced pig-headed – pardon me, ladies – to rest when she can be harassing the servants.  How do you do, ma’am,” he added, bowing in Victoria’s direction.

“Mrs. Ladbrook, Mr. Wovington, let me present my friend, Colonel MacMillan,” Margaret said.  The gentlemen bowed and Victoria nodded.  “I am visiting with Mrs. Ladbrook at her mother-in-law’s home.  You know Mr. David Ladbrook from Eston House, do you not?”

“Most certainly.  I heard that Ladbrook had taken a charming young wife, and I see that the gossip is true.   I do not often visit out your way, Mrs. Ladbrook, or I dare say we should have met before now.  How do you like your new home?” he asked.

“Very well, Colonel.  It is a lovely part of the country, and everyone has been most kind in welcoming me.  You must drop in on us someday, and please bring your sister when she feels well enough for a visit.”

“That is kind of you, Mrs. Ladbrook.  I will pass along your invitation.  Tell me, Miss House,” the colonel asked, turning to the lady, “do you have any space left for me on your dance card?”

“Of course, Colonel.  I have promised myself to Mr. Wovington for the first dance, but I am free for the second.”

“Capital, capital.  Pencil me in, please, and I shall be back directly.  And what about you, Mrs. Ladbrook?  Will you favour me with a turn upon the floor?”

“I should be delighted, sir.  I have the third available, if that is agreeable to you?”

“Excellent.  I shall have the second and third to look forward to.  See you shortly,” he said, turning to hail another acquaintance.

The couples started to arrange themselves upon the dance floor.  James turned to Miss House and said, “I believe that I have the pleasure of your company for the first.” 

She rose from her chair, replying, “Thank you, Mr. Wovington.  I have been looking forward to this all day.” 

“Then I hope I shall not disappoint you,” he said with a bow.  He offered Miss House his arm and led her onto the floor.  Victoria watched them with great anticipation.  Perhaps a convivial coupling on the dance floor would lead to other couplings?  James took Miss House’s hand, and they began promenading across the floor with the other couples.  They made an elegant couple, their gracefulness and evident enjoyment of the dance making them a pleasure to watch.  A motherly-looking woman sitting beside Victoria made a complimentary remark, and Victoria chatted with her until the set was over.  Margaret and James threaded back to Victoria, who smiled and said, “Very pretty, indeed.”

Colonel MacMillan appeared to claim Margaret for the second dance, while James extended his hand to Victoria.  “Come, madam, it is our turn now.”  Victoria rose eagerly.  She felt a little like a wallflower sitting with the older wives and mothers.

As they stood side-by-side waiting for their turn upon the floor, Victoria got straight to the point.  “Well, what do you think of Miss House, James?”

James glanced down the line of dancers to where the colonel and Miss House were dancing.  “She is very light on her feet and a skillful dancer.  It is a pleasure to partner her.”  Then it was James and Victoria’s turn to dance, and they spent a few minutes apart weaving in and out amongst the other dancers.

“Her manner is sophisticated, yet she is easy to converse with, too, don’t you think?” Victoria asked before turning away again.

  “She is all that, from my short acquaintance with her,” James replied when Victoria was in range.

“Yet she is so natural and level-headed.  Equally at home in both city and country.  It is a rare woman who can shine in any setting.”  Victoria took the hand of another gentleman and left again.

“That is a very high recommendation indeed,” James responded, promenading down the floor beside her moments later.

“Plus, David says that her family is very secure financially,” Victoria whispered as the set came to an end. 

James’ face was blank as he replied, “A rare blossom indeed.”  He followed behind Victoria as she threaded her way back to Colonel MacMillan, her partner for the next set.  James bowed, and the colonel led Victoria away.  He watched as Miss House followed a new partner out onto the floor.  “And damned attractive, too, unfortunately,” he muttered.  He went to find some punch before looking for the wife of a client to whom he was engaged for the fourth.

Miss House passed a very agreeable evening dancing with a variety of partners.  She sat with Victoria and James to take some supper during a break, but was back on her feet again as soon as the dancing recommenced.  Yet somehow Margaret looked as fresh as if the evening were just beginning when James came to claim her for the final set.  Some of the other dancers were in a pleasant stupor by then, fatigued by the late hour and the exercise, but they were roused when the musicians began the first strains of a waltz. 

“How daring,” Miss House said, eying James.  “Are you familiar with the waltz, Mr. Wovington?”  It was evident from the glances exchanged between some of the other couples that not everyone was.

“Yes, Miss House, I have waltzed a time or two,” the gentleman responded, meeting her gaze.  He took a step forward to claim one of her hands and encircled her waist to press a hand against the small of her back.  Miss House rested her free hand lightly upon his shoulder, and they smiled at each other.  Swaying together in time to the music for a moment, James launched them out onto the floor.

Victoria looked up from her conversation with a dowager as the dancing commenced.  The less adventurous couples had vacated the floor, leaving more room for the remainder.  A few couples were experimenting at the edge of the dancing, while those more familiar with the waltz circled together in the centre.  All of Victoria’s attention, however, was riveted to James and Margaret. 

She thought they made a splendid couple as they swirled effortlessly in and out amongst the other dancers.  Miss House laughed at something James said as he conducted her skilfully around the floor.  Victoria could read the enjoyment in James’ face.  He was showing off for Miss House.  Perhaps he has finally met his match.

When the dance was over, the onlookers burst into applause.  James smiled broadly as he escorted Miss House back to Victoria.  “Well done, you two,” Victoria enthused as she applauded.  “You were the most accomplished couple on the floor.”

“That was a rare pleasure, Miss House.  You are a superb dancer,” James said.

“Mr. Wovington, Mrs. Ladbrook did not exaggerate your talents in the least,” responded a glowing Margaret.  “If your seat is half as good as your legs, the county’s unattached female population will be lining up at your door to propose marriage.”

Victoria covered her mouth with her fan and erupted into laughter.  James grinned at Miss House and winked at Victoria.  “Come along, Mrs. Ladbrook,” he said, pulling a weak-kneed Victoria to her feet.  “Miss House may be able to dance all night and still look fresh as a daisy, but I am for bed.”  He turned and tucked Miss House’s hand firmly into his other arm.  “As for my seat, Miss House, you will have to invite me for a visit before your curiosity can be satisfied on that score.”

“I like your directness, Mr. Wovington.  Why not make a party of it?  You and Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook can join us for a weekend at Mowbray House.  I know that my brother Ralph will be pleased to see you.”

“As long as he does not corner me at the card table and win all of my money, Miss House.  He has the most devilish luck.”

“Do not worry, Mr. Wovington.  I will protect you,” the lady replied as they walked down the stairs to their waiting carriage.

Chapter Twelve ‒ A Country House Party

It was two weeks before David and Victoria were able to get away for a visit to Mowbray Manor, leaving Victoria in impatient anticipation of James and Margaret’s reunion.  The Ladbrooks arrived at mid-morning on the appointed Friday, and were greeted on the manor stairs by Mr. House, Sr.

“Very pleased to see you again, Ladbrook,” their host said, clapping David on the back.  He was a robust man of middle age who had obviously not denied himself the pleasures of the table.  “And this must be your captivating young bride.  Delighted to meet you, Mrs. Ladbrook.”  He took one of Victoria’s gloved hands and kissed it, ogling her for a moment before releasing her.

“I am happy to make your acquaintance, Mr. House.  I have heard so much about you,” she said with a bright smile.

“And almost all you heard is true, my dear,” he responded with a wink.  “Allow me to escort you into the house.  Come along, Ladbrook.”  He took Victoria’s arm and drew her into the manor, David grinning and following them inside.

Margaret swept down the hallway to meet them.  “Here you are at last, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook.  Father and I have been up for hours, but I just rousted Ralph and Timothy from their beds, the lazy pair.  Caroline is visiting with the children in the nursery and will join us directly.  There is coffee waiting for us in the morning room.  Please come this way.”

The visitors and their hosts were chatting when James was admitted.  He greeted Miss House with a bow and a broad smile, and was introduced to her father. 

“I understand that you and young Ralph are members of the same club,” Mr. House said.

“We see each other there on occasion, sir.”

“I cannot believe that you allowed yourself to be pried out of town for a country house party.  How are you, Wovington?” Ralph House said, entering the room and coming forward to shake hands with his friend.  He was a big-boned man with golden brown hair and a thick moustache.  “I hear that you are Margaret’s latest favourite.  Fancy you being a good dancer.  I never noticed that you were particularly light on your feet.”

“You would have noticed it if you ever visited the Assembly Room, Ralph,” his sister said.

Ralph stifled a yawn.  “Dancing with you is much too strenuous, Margaret.”  He wandered over to greet David, who had risen from the couch.  “Good to see you again, too, Ladbrook.  And who is the enchanting lady beside you?”

“That is my wife.  Allow me to introduce you to Mrs. Ladbrook.”

“Charmed, madam,” he said, bending over Victoria to kiss her hand.  Releasing it, he collapsed onto the couch beside her, usurping David’s place.  “Pour me some coffee, Margaret – I am fairly parched.  And hand me some of that seed cake, that’s a good girl.”

“I was just beginning to serve our guests, Ralph,” she said in a disapproving tone, but doused a cup with cream and handed coffee and cake to her brother.

“What have you got planned for our guests today, daughter?” asked Mr. House as she served the refreshments.

“I thought that we could begin with a tour of the stable, Father, followed by a little shooting.”

“Do you shoot, Miss House?” Victoria asked in surprise.

Mr. House answered for her.  “Yes, indeed, Mrs. Ladbrook.  I have raised my daughter to be as good a shot as my sons.  A woman living in the country should know how to handle firearms.  You never know when you are going to have to deal with some vermin or other.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Ladbrook, we will not ask you to do any shooting.  You can applaud our successes and commiserate over our failures instead,” Margaret said.

Her step-mother hurried into the room with cap ribbons flying in her wake.  “I do apologize for not being here to greet you on your arrival, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook.  I was just seeing Nurse about the children.  Poor little Henry has caught a cold.”  She hurried over to James, who sprang to his feet.  “You must be Mr. Wovington, Margaret’s new friend.  How do you do, sir,” she said, bobbing him a curtsy.  She turned to her step-daughter before James had straightened.  “Have you been playing hostess to our guests, Margaret?  Thank you, my dear.  How is the seed cake this morning?  Not too dry, I hope?  Cook just does not seem to have the knack for seed cake.”

Margaret responded in a soothing tone, “The cake is fine, Caroline.  Don’t fuss.  You caught us just as we were about to leave for a walk to the stable.  You will join us and get a little air, won’t you?”

Mr. House added, “Yes, do come with us, my dear.  You are altogether too much in the house for your own good.  You would benefit from a little exercise.”

“I will if you think the path is dry, Mr. House.  I would not wish the ladies to soil their slippers.”

Her husband said, “It is decidedly dry, Mrs. House.  Have no fear of damaging your finery.  Come along, everyone, time for the stable.  I have a fine new colt that I want to show you, Ladbrook.  He should make a strong showing at the races in a couple of years.”

They left the house and strolled down the path to the stable.  Margaret and James walked together in front, Margaret pointing out various features of the house and grounds to her guest, and soon they had all arrived at the stable.  It was an airy brick building with half a dozen horses housed comfortably within.  A hilly pasture opened up behind it, where another seven horses grazed on lush grass.