The Marriage Market (10 page)

“I am just a beginner, Miss House.  My family lived in Portsmouth, and my father, Admiral Larke, was away much of the time while I was growing up.  My mother did not ride, and we kept only carriage horses.  I fear that I come to riding a little late in life.”

Miss House’s gaze was frank and open.  “That is a shame, Mrs. Ladbrook.  Riding is excellent exercise for a woman.  It teaches good posture and balance, as well as judgement.  I have learned much about handling people through my interaction with horses.”

“Really, Miss House, how very interesting.  I had never thought that one could apply horsemanship to people.”

“Definitely, Mrs. Ladbrook.  There are horses that should be given their heads, and others who need a firm hand.  People are the same.”

“I agree, Miss House,” David said.  “There are horses that need a good nudge now and then too, just like people.” 

“Too true, Mr. Ladbrook, but we will not name any names,” Miss House said with a short laugh.  “By the way, I would be happy to lend you one of Father’s hunters if you wish to teach Mrs. Ladbrook how to jump.  I have a mare, Miss Suzy, who is the gentlest of creatures.  You would feel as safe on her back as sitting in a rocking chair, Mrs. Ladbrook.”

“Thank you, Miss House, you are very generous.  I may accept your offer one day if I ever become proficient enough.  By the way, I hear that you have recently returned from visiting relatives in Scotland?”

The infant on the sofa beside Mrs. House began to cry, and the young mother hoisted him into her arms.  “Oh my, what is wrong, little Tom?  Are you tired, my love?  Nurse should be coming any minute to take you for your nap.”

“Hand him over to me, Susan,” Margaret said.  She took the fretful child in her arms and began to rock him back and forth.  “How is our little man?  Are you tired, dearest?  Maggie will coo to you,” she murmured.  The child’s eyelids began to droop and his thumb found its way into his mouth.

“Margaret has a wonderful way with children, Mrs. Ladbrook.  She is a great help to me, especially now that there is another little brother or sister on the way for Tom and his brother, Henry,” said Mrs. House. 

“Indeed?  Congratulations on your growing family, Mrs. House,” Victoria said.

“In answer to your question, Mrs. Ladbrook, my brothers and I just returned last week from visiting an aunt in Scotland,” Miss House said.  “She has a house in Edinburgh, where we were visiting for my cousin’s wedding.  Fortunately, the weather was mostly sunny and the roads were dry.  Have you ever been to Scotland, Mrs. Ladbrook?”

“Not yet, although I should like to make a tour with Mr. Ladbrook one day.”

“Well, I can recommend Edinburgh to you.  As you come from Portsmouth, you will appreciate its coastal location.  The city has its cultural attractions, too – museums and libraries, theatre and music.  And the shopping is good.  I love it here in the country, of course, but Edinburgh is a wonderful city with every advantage and convenience.”

“Do you enjoy cultural pursuits, Miss House?” Victoria asked.

“I am rather mad for dancing, I must admit.  I employed a dance master to train me in the latest dances when we were last in London.”

“Of course, dear Margaret, once you are married and the dear little ones start to come, you will have other preoccupations,” her step-mother said, taking the sleeping child from her arms and rising to her feet.  “Please excuse me.  I am going to take little Thomas to the nursery for his nap.  I can’t imagine what is keeping Nurse.”

David rose as the lady left the room, and Victoria stood as well.  “I’m afraid that we have imposed upon you long enough, Miss House,” she said.

“I have enjoyed your visit very much, Mrs. Ladbrook.  You and Mr. Ladbrook must come for dinner soon so that you can meet my father and brothers.  I am sorry that they are not at home today.  They have been asking about Mr. Ladbrook’s new wife.”

“We would be delighted to come,” David replied.  “It’s been months since I’ve seen them.”

Victoria smiled.  “Please convey our thanks to your step-mother and tell her how much I enjoyed meeting her.”

“Of course,” Miss House responded, rising to see them out.

Victoria mused over their visit as she and David rode home in the carriage.  “Miss House certainly has a forceful personality, David,” she said.  “Yet, when I saw her with her little half-brother, I could see that she has a tender, motherly side, too.”

“I’ve not seen much of her over the past year, Victoria.  I’ve been occupied with other pursuits,” David said, putting an arm around her waist and kissing her.  It was a moment before he added, “But I’ve always respected Miss House for her honesty.  She has strong enthusiasms, that is true, but then she has a passionate nature.”

“Yes,” said Victoria thoughtfully, “she definitely knows what she likes.  Do you remember her mentioning the cultural advantages of Edinburgh?  I wonder if she would enjoy visiting the new exhibit at the art gallery in Salisbury?”

“She might, my love.  Do you know, I’ve been thinking that it would be nice for you to have more female companionship now that Mrs. Greene has gone home to Bath.  It’s too bad that my sister is in Salisbury, or you could visit her more often.  Would you like to invite Miss House to see the exhibit?  You could stay with Mother for two or three days.  I should stay close to home since it’s calving and foaling season, but there is no reason for you to be deprived of your amusements.  I’m sure that Mother would enjoy a visit from you, too.”

“Thank you, David, that is an excellent suggestion.  I shall send Miss House an invitation as soon as we return home.  You are good to me,” she said, laying her head against his shoulder.

“Well, my love, you’re accustomed to town life and I don’t want you to find life in the country dull,” he replied, nuzzling her cheek.

“Have no fear of that, darling.  I have plenty to keep me occupied,” she replied.

Chapter Ten – A Visit to Town

“Miss House, I am glad to see you again,” Mother Ladbrook said.  “Tell me, how is your family?  I am sure that I have not seen your father and his wife since the christening of their first child.”

“We are all well, ma’am.  Little Henry has a brother now, and another brother or sister on the way.”

It was a beautiful afternoon; the sun’s rays glinted through the rippling leaves that sheltered the ladies as Mother Ladbrook served them refreshments in the garden.  Miss House spent the next few minutes catching Mother Ladbrook up on the country news before conversation turned to the young women’s plans.

“Will you be seeing the new exhibit in High Street while you are here, Victoria?”

“Yes, Mother Ladbrook.  We’ve heard that there is a Constable in the collection.  I am much looking forward to seeing it.”

“I have heard from a neighbour that there are also some fine landscapes on display, although I prefer portraiture myself.  However, you should not miss the exhibit if you like landscapes.  Did you know that there will be a ball in the Assembly Room tomorrow evening?  I do not need to ask if you care to attend, Miss House – I know that you are an enthusiast.  I remember a dance at Mowbray Manor a few years back when you did not sit down once the entire evening.  I thought to myself, ‘That girl is going to overheat herself and catch a chill if she is not careful.  I hope that she does not suffer for it tomorrow.’”

“You should not have worried, Mrs. Ladbrook.  I am never ill,” Miss House responded.  “I would be delighted to attend the ball, if your daughter-in-law is like-minded.”  She turned to Victoria.

“I love to dance and would be happy to attend,” Victoria replied with a nod.  “Shall we plan to go to the gallery this afternoon?  Perhaps we could shop for that new bonnet you were talking about afterward?  Will that suit you, Mother Ladbrook?”

“Yes, my dear, you young ladies go along and have your fun.  I have a sick friend to visit this afternoon, but I will be back in time for dinner.”

Miss House and Victoria attended the art exhibit, where Miss House introduced Victoria to several town acquaintances.  The Constable was duly admired and formed an attractive backdrop for those stopping to share the latest gossip.  Victoria and Margaret enjoyed a pleasant hour at the gallery before making their way to the shops, where several bonnets were carefully considered before Margaret made her purchase.  The ladies were strolling along the street admiring the displays in the store windows when Victoria paused before a handsome, two-storey brick building.

“Miss House, would you mind if we stopped for a moment?  Our family solicitor and good friend, James Wovington, has an office here.  My husband has been considering the purchase of some pasture adjacent to our estate, and I would like to speak to Mr. Wovington about it, if he is available.”

“Not at all, Mrs. Ladbrook.  As a matter of fact, I believe that my brother Ralph knows Mr. Wovington.  I would be happy to meet him.”

The ladies climbed the stairs to the second floor and entered into a bright waiting room.   A clerk hurried over to wait on them and confirmed that Mr. Wovington was in.  He ascertained that the solicitor would be able to spare them a few minutes, and soon James strode out of his office with a smile of welcome upon his face.

“Victoria, I did not know that you were visiting Salisbury.  How fetching you look in that dress.  How is David?”

“Very well, James,” she responded, taking his proffered hand and smiling back at him.  “Allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine, Miss Margaret House.  We are staying in town with Mother Ladbrook for a few days, and have just come from the gallery in High Street.”

James turned to Miss House and bowed.  “Delighted to make your acquaintance, Miss House.”

“I am very happy to know you, Mr. Wovington,” she responded with a curtsy.

James ushered them into his office and seated them in comfortable chairs next to his desk.   Miss House said, “I believe that you are acquainted with one of my brothers?  Ralph House from Mowbray Manor.”

“Certainly.  I have passed many enjoyable evenings in your brother’s company.  He is fearless at cards.”

“Among other pursuits,” Miss House said with a smile.

James grinned, but did not comment.  Instead, he inquired, “What plans do you have for your visit, ladies?”

Victoria said, “Mother Ladbrook did mention that there would be a ball at the Assembly Room tomorrow evening, and I have promised Miss House that we will attend.  Perhaps I can persuade my brother-in-law to come with us?  Otherwise, I fear that we will be two women without an escort.” 

“Yes, Mrs. Ladbrook has kindly agreed to go for my sake.  Do you like to dance, Mr. Wovington?”

“Oh, James is the best dancer I know, Miss House.  He is always up on the latest steps.  I am sure that he suffers from a lack of accomplished partners, although he is too well-mannered to say so.  I have yet to see him dance with his equal,” Victoria said.

“I am afraid that Victoria is too enthusiastic in her praise, Miss House,” James responded, turning a pointed gaze upon Victoria.  She smiled innocently back at him.

“I dare say that my enthusiasm outweighs my skill, but I would dearly love to dance with you, Mr. Wovington.  My own brothers are much too lazy to keep up with the latest steps, and one seldom meets a truly accomplished partner outside of London.  One improves one’s own skill by dancing with one’s better, I always say.  Are you going to the ball tomorrow evening?  I do hope so.”  She smiled at him encouragingly.

“Yes, James, can you come?  Not only would it afford you the pleasure of dancing with Miss House, but we could discuss the purchase of some pasture adjacent to our estate.  David will be writing to you about it, but I thought to acquaint you of his intent while I am here.  You could combine business with pleasure.”

James looked from Victoria to Miss House and back to Victoria again before acquiescing with a bow.  “I can think of no greater pleasure than to escort both of you to the ball tomorrow evening.  I hope that my dancing skills will not disappoint you, Miss House, and I would be happy to assist you and David with your latest enterprise, Victoria.”

“Wonderful, James.  We shall come for you in Mother Ladbrook’s carriage at eight o’clock.  But let us take no more of your valuable time.  I am sure that you are very busy.” 

James rose and escorted the women to the lobby door.  Returning to his office, he sat down with a sigh.  The problem was that he lived too close to her.  The only escape would be to move away, which would suit neither him nor his father.  Perhaps he should convert to Catholicism and become a priest?  He envisioned himself in a cassock and shuddered.  Helping himself to a generous draught from his flask, he replaced it in the desk drawer and returned to his paperwork.

Chapter Eleven ‒ A Good Beginning

The two ladies arrived promptly to collect James the next night.  They clattered through the city streets in Mother Ladbrook’s carriage and were soon deposited outside the Assembly Room with the milling crowd.  Each woman took one of James’ arms to mount the outer stairs.  They nodded and chatted with acquaintances along the way before depositing their wraps with the footmen.  The public rooms were aglow with soft candlelight from the candelabras and crystal chandeliers adorning the walls and ceilings.  The silk of the women’s dresses and the jewels adorning their pale skin gleamed and sparkled as they moved, while the young girls were becomingly chaste in white muslin.  Miss House wore a striking plum-coloured dress cut with a deep décolletage in the latest Paris fashion, while Victoria wore a more modest gown of pale blue.  Some of the gentlemen also sparkled with gemstones, including James, who wore a diamond stickpin in his cravat.  He found chairs for the ladies while they waited for the dancing to commence, taking up his post behind them.  The ballroom filled rapidly as the musicians tuned their instruments.