“Did you know who Lady Roberts was talking about?”
“Mostly. My London friends do keep me apprised by writing to me. But by the end of the Season, you’ll likely know as well. Not all the gossips are as discreet as Lady Roberts. Most don’t bother to conceal actual names.”
She ate with her family, standing up, which was fine, since this was one of those times when they were supposed to only pick at their plates. Even Kathleen only picked. But it was easily done after they had shared a hearty meal before getting ready for—a dinner!
After dinner she met one of those less discreet gossips. The Honorable Mavis Collicot could also be called blatantly nosy and had cornered Vanessa because she was searching for new gossip. “You were seen visiting the Rathbans this morning, and dare I guess, you were at their exclusive ball last night?”
There was umbrage in that question. Albert had apparently insulted a lot of people by not including them in his ball. “I was there with my family,” Vanessa said carefully.
Mavis waited avidly for Vanessa to say more, but when she didn’t, the woman began guessing. “Albert is no doubt trying once again to pressure his heir into marrying someone of his choice. Daniel will refuse, of course. He despises his father too much to do what Albert wants, understandable when the women Daniel was in love with were both rejected by his father.”
“Two women?”
“It might be more. I know only about two—are you next? Actually, Albert would find you more than acceptable, which means Daniel won’t like you a’tall. What a shame! That boy needs a wife to put an end to his libertine ways, but he has atrocious taste in women to keep picking unsuitable gels.”
Vanessa was wide-eyed, and before she could elicit any details from the lady, Mavis moved off, obviously more interested in picking up new gossip than in imparting old news. But what she’d just heard was rather far-fetched and unsubstantiated. Mavis Collicot seemed more interested in creating her own rumors than verifying others. But if she heard that story again . . .
Kathleen came to her and warned, “Don’t believe a word Mavis Collicot said. She’s a known liar.”
“Is Lady Roberts?”
“No, that grand dame usually has the right of it, which is why she delights in not being explicit. Did Mavis tell you something unpleasant?”
“Something I wish Daniel was here to deny.” And then she complained, “I would have thought you and your good friend would have arranged for his son to be here tonight.”
“You make us sound like partners in a conspiracy.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Aren’t you forgetting to include yourself in that number?” Kathleen rejoined.
She was, actually, so she sighed. “I just think it’s a waste of my time to go to any parties that he will not be attending.”
“Perhaps you can go just to have fun like your sisters?”
“My sisters are having a normal Season, I’m already engaged, so I’m not. But am I really engaged when my fiancé can’t know about it?”
“You will be, once he proposes. But you already know why it has to be his idea. Five jilted brides is a daunting number to overcome.”
“They weren’t jilted, he simply snubbed them just as he snubbed me.”
“I know you will wear down his resistance.”
Vanessa snorted. “You make it sound like a bloody military campaign.”
“Because it is.”
“Well, I can’t fight another skirmish if he doesn’t show up for the battle.”
“I didn’t expect him tonight. I did send Lord Albert a copy of our agenda for the next two weeks, but he would have received it too late today to arrange for an invitation for tonight. I expect he will do better with the ball tomorrow night.”
“I have to go into battle that soon?”
“Yes, and you have to win!”
“Mother, I’m beginning to think you want Father home as much as I do.”
“I’ve never stopped loving your father.”
