The carriage lurched forward as the Conclarton Caravan commenced its journey to the Frost Fair.
Lady Montgomery laced her hands in her lap. “In a sense, men are correct. We do play games. But our games do not involve a deck of cards. If we play our games correctly, it will result in our own happily ever after. But I am babbling on and on. I should have begun with the sentiment that I hoped you did not wish to play cards, as I detest all manner of games and view them as a complete waste of time. Ladies are expected to love them, however, and doing what is expected is the easier path. Now that we are all settled, I have a story to tell. Am I correct in my calculations that you are attracted to the duke?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
With the cat, Mariah, fast on her heels,Roseline Mercer joined Duchess Dorothea Conclarton at the window as the carriages left for London and the Frost Fair. She knew her daughter had wanted her along, but Roseline had declined. She had wasted enough time already. She had received an unexpected missive with an invitation to join the author of the letter in town. Good sense cautioned her to refuse the request from the gentleman and let sleeping dogs lie. Good sense?
The notion caused the false smile she gave people when she spoke of such things. The smile passed quickly, allowing the sharp pain of regret. When had good sense ever ruled her life when it came to a man?
Dori chuckled at Mariah as she padded over to her and wove around her legs. “I see that Mariah has included you in her circle of approved friends. She is most particular in that regard. Her approval proves her good judgment.”
“I have always been fond of animals.”
“I remember.” She sighed as she followed the path of the last of the carriages over the bridge. “Our children have made a mess of things, Rosy. I had hopes they would pull down their barriers and open their hearts to love.”
“You were always the matchmaker. We tried, Dori, indeed we did. Our children are determined to ignore good judgment. We know they are right for one another, even if they cannot recognize the truth.”
“They are much like us in that regard, I fear. You had the worst of it, however. I wish your life had not been so difficult.” Her expression hardened. “I am a terrible matchmaker. If I had known that you were still alive…”
Roseline gave her friend’s hand a squeeze. “I made my choices and did not want to burden you. I have my darling Madeline, and for that gift I wouldn’t change a day.”
“You have a forgiving nature. But the fault is mine. I should never have introduced you to that rake.”
“It was well intentioned. How were you to know that the man you introduced me to wanted to marry a woman with a rich dowry and not the only daughter of an impoverished earl who had fallen from theton’sfavor?”
“We were a pair, you and I. My parents were quite beside themselves in their attempts to control our behavior. You taught me to climb a tree, as I remember.”
“Yes, it was you who reached the top branches before I did.” Roseline nodded slowly. “Even after my father lost his money gambling, you pressed your parents to fund my education. I am forever grateful.”
“And why would I not? Your father and mine were good friends.There but for the grace of God go Iwas a saying he lived by.”
“I was a fool to participate in a Season,” Rosaline said. “I should have set my cap for a clergyman. But I was young and did not understand the ways of the world. I fell in love with an earl and thought he felt the same.”
Dori scooped up the cat and rubbed her face against its soft fur. “Your memory of the past is different from mine. I was barely seventeen and terrified when my parents decided to introduce me to society. You agreed to go with me. It was the first Season for us both. We were both so young and full of thoughts of love. I was a silly child, smitten with…oh, my, I have forgotten his name!”
“The Right Honorable Lord Hampton, a third son and destined for the clergy. Your father was horrified. He wanted you married to a duke or, at the very least, an earl.”
“My father got his wish. I had no idea that someone would make an offer in my first Season. I am not sure I would have survived that first year, and the birth of Donald, if you had not been there with me. I cried throughout the entire wedding ceremony.”
“Your husband proved to be a good man.”
“He was a good man, and I grew to love him in my way. But I always wondered…”
A middle-aged servant, dressed in a dark blue uniform and starched white cap, entered and curtsied. “Your Grace,” she said, “would you and Lady Mercer like tea and biscuits?”
“That would be lovely, Mary, thank you.”
Mary bobbed another curtsey and left the room as silently as she had appeared.
“Do you believe Mary overheard us talking?” Roseline said when Mary had closed the doors behind her.
“Most likely,” Dori said, setting the cat down on the ground. “But Mary already knows our connection. She is more than a servant. She has become a friend. She came into our employ shortly after you discovered you were carrying the earl’s child. He should have done the right thing and married you.”
Roseline rubbed her neck. “I fancied myself in love and believed that Harold would do the right thing and marry me when he realized we were having a child. I had not considered the depths of his parents’ disapproval and influence over their eldest son.” She fingered the jewel-encrusted feather pin she always wore. “If it weren’t for my mother’s jewelry, I don’t know what would have happened to me and Madeline. I sold the majority of it to help us build a new life. The feather pin is all that remains and is a constant reminder of my mother and her love.”
“Do you think you will ever tell Madeline the truth about her father, or of our connection?”
Roseline chose her words carefully. “To do so would entertain questions about her father and subject him to a bad light.”
