Chapter One
London, England – Autumn, 1817
It is an unusual occurrence that I find myself in Town this time of year. Previously my visits had lasted only so long as the Season. However, as members of my family had reason to be in London, I asked to join them in anticipation of a quiet visit.
Sometimes the Season is simply too much, even if all I do is stand by a wall and observe. It is impossible to escape the crowds, even in such large venues as Hyde Park, therefore, I was quite looking forward to strolling Bond Street, visiting Hatchards, the British Museum, and even the theatre without having to endure large groups of people.
Unfortunately, my assumptions of a practically abandoned London had not been accurate.
Though, in truth, it is not nearly as crowded as the Season, but entertainments certainly did not stop and there are still far more people present than is comfortable. Once it was known my family was present, invitations to various events began to arrive and I once again began observing, and often listening, as I did when Mrs. Edmund Hawthorn despaired as to her niece’s behavior, which I could not understand. Miss Frances Hawthorn is not only a wallflower like myself, but a spinster at the mature age of eight and twenty. However, that is not what was troubling the aunt. It is Miss Frances’ association with Athena’s Salon.
I have yet to step foot in the establishment simply because I have not received an invitation, though I would like one. I am certain that it is a far more interesting place to be than standing off to the side of a ballroom.
Athena’s Salon opened only four months ago and became a success over the summer months when most of society was in the country. Not only is it a gathering place for intellectual discussion but possesses a gaming room as well. Further, it is owned and operated by two women, one of them being the Duchess of Ellings who established the salon as a place for women to gather as gentlemen do at White’s. However, His Grace convinced her that gentlemen should be allowed as well. She agreed but only if those gentlemen crossing the threshold treated the women with the same respect as they did gentlemen and that their equal intelligence be acknowledged.
Given how many gentlemen consider a woman’s worth little more than a broodmare, I am truly surprised by the success. Perhaps not all is lost and gentlemen will finally begin to see that women have more value than providing a dowry and producing heirs.
Of further interest, quite a stir was caused when Lord Seth Claxton stepped into the Lady Heath’s ball. From what I understand, he has not been seen at a Society event in nearly five years, which was before I was ever presented. They say that once his gaming den, The Emerald Garter, became a success, he ceased attending polite functions and chose to spend his time at his club.
There is much speculation as to why he was making an appearance now. Some claim that he has decided to take a wife and wished to have it out of the way before next spring. No doubt many mothers of eligible misses will want to know if he has changed before allowing the likes of Lord Seth near their innocent daughters. Though, they do say that a reformed rake makes the best husband. The question remains—is it even possible for Lord Seth to have reformed? From what I understand, he is quite happy with his life of debauchery.
Lord Seth could also have decided to make an appearance after such a long absence for reasons nobody could possibly comprehend, but no doubt I will learn soon enough.
Observations of a Wallflower
If anyone were to ask, Seth Claxton could not be happier. In the five years since he had opened The Emerald Garter, a gentlemen’s gaming establishment, he had achieved his dreams. Seth was not only financially stable, but he was rich. However, he would only remain as such so long as The Emerald Garter continued to be a success.
Privately, and only to himself, Seth admitted that something was missing. A small bit of emptiness in the pit of his stomach, which he did his best to ignore. He suspected the cause as it had begun five years ago and grew just a little larger with each passing year.
When he had first come to London, Seth had enjoyed all the benefits and privilege of the second son of a duke. His evenings were spent at balls where he danced and took turns about the room with pretty misses and beautiful ladies. He would then venture into the card rooms, gentlemen’s clubs or gaming hells with many nights ending at his favorite brothel for more intimate pleasures.
By the time he was five and twenty, he had also earned the reputation of rake, a rogue and eventually been called a scoundrel because supposedly he had broken many hearts, which was quite unintentional if it were even true. Seth still couldn’t understand how it could have even happened since he’d not even kissed an innocent, let alone confessed to any deeper emotion.
There was only one broken heart that he would take responsibility for, and it was the one that continued to haunt him.
Regardless of decisions made in the past, Seth still missed Miss Frances Hawthorn and likely always would.
Perhaps that was the reason he’d been suffering from melancholy of late and in need of something to lift his spirits. But, as nothing could be done for his current state, Seth rose from his desk and made his way into the gaming room of The Emerald Garter and wondered where half the usual players were.
He anticipated a decrease in attendance during the summer months because many of those who sat at his tables retired to the country following the Season. But several also returned in the autumn, especially those gentlemen who lived in London and did not own country estates. Thus, there should be more players at his tables but there was hardly anyone. Some had even stopped paying their dues.
If business did not increase, he might need to close.
“Have gentlemen given up gambling?” he asked his barkeep, Jonathan, as he settled onto a stool.
“It is early,” Jonathan said. “Most have not sat down to dinner yet.”
That could be a reason for low attendance today, though places like White’s did not lack patrons in the afternoon.
“Did you meet anyone new when you attended Lady Heath’s ball?”
“No,” Seth answered. It had been the first ball he had attended in five years and had not been at all comfortable, especially with those present whispering behind open fans, speculating as to his appearance. He had not remained long, especially after he learned that there was no cardroom and that Lady Heath expected everyone to remain in the ballroom dancing. For that reason, he greeted the gentlemen he knew, exchanged pleasantries, then left.
“I still think it is wise that you return to Society.”
While Seth was saving to open The Emerald Garter, he had attended balls and other entertainments because he needed to be friends with the gentlemen who liked to gamble and would likely want to become a member of his gaming establishment. He had also become a regular at the darkest of gaming hells, befriending those who would rather visit a respectable and fair establishment, but did not have the ranking to be allowed entrance. Anyone could be a member of The Emerald Garter so long as they could pay the membership fee, no matter if they were a duke or a tailor.
After his club had become successful, Seth never attended another ball nor participated in the Season again.
