The Marriage Market (21 page)

“Thank you, Lady Hélène, I am quite recovered,” Jemma said, sitting.  “What a pretty room.”

“Thank you.  The light in here is lovely, and I find the green and gold tones soothing.  I have not kept up my playing, but I still enjoy dabbling at the keys.  Do you play, Mrs. Greene?”

“Yes, I have always been fond of music.  I used to play the organ at my father’s church when he was the minister there.”

“Very good.  Someday you must stop by for a musical evening with Lord Harry and me.  Perhaps Mr. Wovington will come too?”

“That is the reason I came to see you today, your ladyship.  As it happens, I have pressing business on the continent that demands my immediate attention.  I will be sailing for France on Friday instead of next month, as I had intended.  I want to thank you for your kind invitation to visit you this Sunday, but I will be unable to keep our engagement.”

Lady Hélène studied her guest until Jemma looked away.  “I hope that your business is not too troubling, Mrs. Greene?  It can be difficult to make good arrangements when you have so little time to prepare.”

“Yes, my departure is a little rushed, but it is necessary that I leave as soon as possible.  I want to thank you again for your kind attention to me on Saturday, and tell you how much I enjoyed the evening, despite my little accident.”

“I am happy that you were able to wring some enjoyment out of my soirée.  Tell me, does your business on the continent include Mr. Wovington?  I ask only because I need his services to draw up an agreement with my architect.”

“My business does not involve Mr. Wovington, your ladyship.”

“That is good.  He is such a clever man, even if he is rather young to be our solicitor.  But what does age matter, as long as there is prudence and good sense, eh?”

“Yes, I have a great deal of faith in James’ abilities.”

“Of course, it is not just his skill as a solicitor that garners him so much success.  He is very charming, that one.  And he is handsome, too, do you not think?”

Jemma smiled.  “Mr. Wovington has many wonderful qualities, I quite agree.”

“He will make a good husband once he settles down.  And what about you, Mrs. Greene?  Will you marry again?  You still have many years to look forward to.”

Jemma shifted in her chair to admire some roses on the table beside her.  “I had an excellent husband, your ladyship, and a happy marriage.  I do not think that I can ask for more than that in one lifetime.”

“True, Mrs. Greene, it is lucky when a woman is content with her marriage.  For instance, my marriage with Lord Harry has been quite pleasant.  Quite comfortable.  But he is years older than I, and the women in my family are very long-lived.  If anything were to happen to him and I was left a widow, I do not think that I should be happy to live alone.  It would be good to find a handsome young man to make me feel young again.  And someone amusing.  I like to laugh.  Such a marriage would not be unwelcome, would it, my dear?”

Jemma smiled.  “Indeed, as long as your new husband were content with his role.”

“Oh, I do not think that the right young man would hold anything against a rich, fond wife who wished to spoil him a little, especially if she were clever.  Every man likes to feel that he is the dominant one in the marriage, and a wise wife is happy to let him think so.”

“You have a very French attitude toward marriage, Lady Hélène.”

“Ah yes, my Mama taught me all about men and marriage.  But Lord Harry suits me, and I enjoy myself in my beautiful manor.  Are you sure that you must leave us so soon, Mrs. Greene?”

Jemma rose from her chair.  “Yes, I am afraid that it is unavoidable, your ladyship.  As a matter of fact, I must leave you now for an appointment at the bank.”

Lady Hélène rose from her chair as well.  “If you must go, then do not stay away too long.  I am sure that there are many of us who will hate to see you go, and will miss you very much.”

Jemma extended her hand.  “Thank you, Lady Hélène.  You are all kindness.”

“You are welcome, Mrs. Greene.  Come back and see me on your return.  I will want to hear about your business on the continent.  I long to know what the future holds for you.”

“I am curious too, your ladyship.  I promise to visit again as soon as I return.” 

Jemma was much occupied with making arrangements for her departure over the next two days.  She dined with the Larke family, and met with Edwards, her warehouse manager, to give him addresses where she could be reached over the next few months.  But most of all, she thought of James and how best to leave things with him.  She did not want to be cowardly and, in the end, decided to see him in person rather than sending a letter.

Jemma had no alternative but to visit James at his chambers since she did not think it wise to invite him to her home.  She was ushered into his office without an appointment, and closed the door before taking a chair beside his desk. 

“Jemma, you have come at last.  I was beginning to wonder if you were avoiding me,” James said with a happy smile as he rose from his chair.  His pleasure in seeing her faded, however, as he noted the strained expression upon her face.  Jemma’s courage momentarily faltered as she saw his disappointment, but she stiffened her resolve. 

“No, James, I have not been avoiding you, I have just been very busy the last few days.  I am sorry, but nothing has changed since we spoke last Sunday.  I cannot marry you under these circumstances.  I am very fond of you, James, but it is not enough.  I know that you will fall deeply in love with a woman someday, and when you do, you will thank me that you are not encumbered with a loveless marriage.  Having made my decision, I thought it best to hasten my departure for France, so I will be leaving on Saturday.  I think it will be less awkward for both of us if we do not see each other for a few months.”

James sat quietly listening to her, but when she told him that she meant to leave on Saturday, he looked so angry that Jemma did not know how to continue.  He gathered himself, however, and a mask of cool detachment settled over his features.

“I see.  Where might I write to you if any urgent business arises?”

“That is all taken care of, James.  I have left instructions with Edwards.”

James gazed down at his desk top and was silent.  Jemma watched him with a feeling of dread, wondering if he would tell her that they could no longer be friends, that there was no point in her coming back as far as he was concerned. 

Finally, he rose from his chair.  “I wish you the best of luck in your travels, Jemma.  I hope that you accomplish all that you wish on the continent.  Do not worry about matters back home.  I am sure that Edwards will contact me should any unforeseen problems arise.”  He proffered his hand to her.

Jemma rose, grasped his hand, and said, “Thank you, James.  For all of your efforts on my behalf, and for your kindness.  I hope that you will believe that my decision is for the best – for both of us.”

James opened his mouth to say something, but thought better of it.  Releasing her hand, he clasped his own behind him.

“Goodbye, James.  Take good care of yourself,” she said before hurrying out of the room.  Her visit had lasted only a few minutes.  James remained closeted in his office for the remainder of the day and did not go home until quite late that evening.

Chapter Twenty – A Revelation

James did not accept any social invitations for the remainder of the summer, preferring to immerse himself in business.  He left Bath at the beginning of autumn and returned to Salisbury to attend to his clients there.  He dined infrequently with his father and avoided any discussion of Mrs. Greene, although his father was desirous of news of her.  He visited David and Victoria at Eston House on one occasion, and they noted that their friend seemed more serious than usual.

Victoria had some inkling as to what was troubling James.  Jemma had not written to her of James’ proposal, but references to the gentleman, which had been so frequent in her earlier letters, stopped abruptly.  Jemma continued her correspondence with Victoria during her travels.  She had concluded most of her business by early October and was staying with friends at their vineyard in Italy.  Victoria shared news of Jemma’s travels with James, who listened, but did not offer any comment.

“What do you think happened between them?” Victoria asked as she and David sat drinking tea before a cozy fire after James had left.  The nights were chilly again, and she wore a warm shawl over her shoulders.

“He has not said anything, Victoria, nor have I asked him.  It appears that they have had some sort of falling out.  From what Jemma wrote in her letters, it sounded as if she was becoming quite reliant on James’ friendship.  Perhaps too reliant for James’ comfort?”

“I do not know, my love,” Victoria said thoughtfully, noting that David’s hands were starting to become raw now that the weather was turning cold.  She would rub some ointment into them before they went to bed that evening.  Really, he did not seem to notice these things for himself.  She smiled at him fondly and brushed back a lock of hair which had fallen into his eyes.  He thanked her by kissing the palm of her hand. 

Victoria sighed.  “If there has been an argument, neither one has admitted it to me.  They seemed quite happy together, and I had hopes that they might marry.  They would be perfect for each other, would they not?  I truly do not know what to do.”

David put an arm around his wife and drew her close on the sofa.  “Poor Victoria.  If only people would listen to you, I am sure that everything would turn out for the best.”

Victoria gave David a sharp shove and scooted away from him.  “Really, David, you make it sound as if I think I know best how to arrange peoples' lives for them.”

“Don’t you?” he asked with a smile.  She turned her back on him.  David reached for her hand, and when she tried to pull away, he wouldn’t let go.  Victoria frowned and he tickled her under the chin.  She rapped him on the knuckles, and he pretended to be hurt.  Laughing, she nestled her head against his shoulder.  “I just want them to be as happy as we are, my love.  They could be so happy together.”

“I know, my Victoria,” David said, kissing her forehead.

James left Salisbury for Bath a week later and was immediately invited to dine at the Larke’s house.  The household was very excited over Patricia’s recent engagement.  Patricia, now eighteen years of age, had accepted a marriage proposal from a young minister named Edward Brook.  Edward was the second son of gentry whose property lay a little north of Bath.  After he had completed his ministerial studies, Edward had laboured for two years as a deacon to the Brook’s parish minister, and had been given the living on the retirement of that good but infirm old gentleman.  The marriage was to take place the following spring, and Patricia and her parents looked forward to visiting with Edward’s family over the Christmas holidays.  It had been almost three months since James had visited with the Larkes, and he was happy to meet Patricia’s fiancé and to congratulate the young couple.

James sat next to Patricia at dinner with Edward sitting directly across from them.  The young suitor was not very talkative, but James drew him out by asking how he and Patricia had met.  Edward described their initial encounter at a lecture given by a local botanist.  Patricia had arrived late, and he had offered her his seat so that she might sit with friends.  Edward had lingered afterward to study the exhibits, and Patricia had taken the opportunity to thank him for his kindness.  They happened to meet again a few days later in the music section of the lending library, where they had discovered a mutual appreciation of Mr. Beethoven’s compositions.  A local concert featuring Beethoven’s music occurred soon afterward, and it was only natural that Patricia should meet Edward there.  Happily, the courtship was encouraged by both families, and it was only a matter of six months before the couple was engaged.

James had been too occupied with Jemma earlier that year to take much notice of the blossoming romance, but the affection shared by the young couple was easy to observe.  Encouraged by Patricia’s proud smiles, Edward outlined his plans to expand his ministry to families in the surrounding countryside overlooked by the previous minister.  Listening to the young man and watching the passion in his face, James could see how Edward’s goodness, earnest heart, and kindness had won Patricia’s love where the charms of other men had failed.

When dinner ended, the party adjourned to the drawing room where Patricia entertained them on the piano.  Before the evening grew too late, however, the young couple slipped into the conservatory for a few moments of privacy.  James smoked a cigar with the admiral while Mrs. Larke did some needlework.  They gossiped about mutual friends until James found it necessary to hide his yawns.

“I am afraid that I must soon seek my bed.  Before I do, however, I would like to bid goodnight to the young couple in the conservatory.”

“When you do, you might remind Patricia that Edward has a five-mile ride ahead of him,
” Mrs. Larke said.  “She should let the poor fellow go home while the weather holds.  It might rain yet tonight,”

“I expect, my dear, that Edward’s horse knows the way by now, and I do not think that a little rain will deter him,” the admiral answered.

“All the same, I will take my leave of them and come back to wish you good night before I go,” James said, rising to his feet and leaving the room.