Uncle James leaned back on his heels, arms crossed. “I don’t see why not if we’ve been invited.”
Ada gaped at him. “Neither one of us has the right clothes for such an event nor the polish required to mingle with aristocracy. We’d only embarrass ourselves, which is why I’m unhappy with this invitation. If Mr. Gibbs did procure it, he did so without any thought of the impact our showing up might have upon us. Clients of ours will most likely be there. Can you imagine how they will react if we show up?”
“To be honest, I hadn’t really considered it. I’ll agree that you may have a point. But, I’m also inclined to think the best of people instead of the worst. It’s possible we might enjoy ourselves, and you might even gain additional admirers.”
The hope in his eyes was crushing. “None that will want to court me once they realize I’ve got no fortune to speak of.”
“You’ve got more of a fortune than you realize,” Uncle James said with a sad sort of smile. “A pity you belittle yourself as much as you do.”
She sighed. “You know what I mean, Uncle James. None of the people we’ll find at the Axelby ball will care about my winning personality or how kind I might be. They’ll only want to know who my father was and how much I might have inherited from him.”
“And?” Uncle James gave her a pointed look that forced her to address the facts of her birthright.
“The answer to that is an idealistic adventurer and nothing.” Papa had not possessed a title. Worse, he’d spent most of his money financing his travels. Fortunately for Ada’s sisters, they’d been of marital age at the time, so he’d made plans for them. As such, they had both had decent dowries. Too bad Papa had believed there was plenty of time to make arrangements for Ada.
“He wasn’t a complete nobody,” Uncle James tried. “Your father was a gentleman. And I realize this may surprise you, but I am too.”
“In name only.”
“Which is all that really matters.”
If only that were true. Ada, however, didn’t believe it for one second. Mr. Gibbs was a duke. More than that, he needed money to finance his lifestyle and offer his sisters the futures they deserved. He could not give his attentions to a woman without means. Certainly not when Miss Starling obviously offered the sort of convenience he required.
“I’m of the opinion that you ought to think about this carefully,” Uncle James advised. He placed his index finger upon the invitation and slid it toward her. “Don’t make a hasty decision you might regret.”
“Very well,” she agreed, even though she already knew what she had to do. Sending her regrets was the only logical option – a decision she chose to share with her friends when they met for their next book club meeting.
“This is so unbelievably romantic,” Harriet said with a sigh. She followed the comment by slapping Ada on the arm. “Why didn’t you tell us you’d gained a duke’s notice?”
“Because nothing can come of it.” Ada glared at the cup of tea she’d been served. “I am who I am and he is who he is. We’re an impossible match.”
“The best fairytales feature impossible matches,” Harriet insisted. “Obviously he’s interested or he wouldn’t have made sure you got invited. It’s the perfect opportunity for him to ask you to dance.”
“Which would result in disaster considering I’ve not had a dance lesson since I was little. Plus, I’m not a hundred percent sure the invitation was issued because of him. I’ve not seen him since the picnic I spoke of.” She’d chosen not to mention the flower deliveries, just in case Harriet swooned and required smelling salts for her revival. One would think she were the one who’d gained a duke’s notice.
“Can you think of anyone else who might be behind it?” Emily asked. “Just to be clear, I had nothing to do with this, Ada, though I do wish I had. But I’m not well enough acquainted with the marquess to make such a request. However, I do believe Westcliffe might be. For one thing, he has the command that comes with his title. For another, I’ve also seen the pair together on numerous occasions, so it’s not a stretch to suppose he called in a favor.”
“Not that it matters.” Ada picked up her teacup and took a long sip while wishing it might have been spiked with something a little stronger than tea. “My showing up would be laughable. I wouldn’t fit in.”
“What does your uncle say?” Harriet asked. “His name was on the invitation as well.”
Ada shrugged. “I believe he’s all for it, but I’m not sure he realizes just how foolish we’ll look.”
Emily tilted her head and studied Ada a moment before saying, “He is gentry though, is he not?”
“Technically speaking, but he’s been out of Society for as long as I can remember. After all, he did decide to do the unthinkable by using his inheritance to go into trade.”
“Quite right,” Emily murmured. “Unfortunately there are a great many members of the upper class who would frown upon such a thing.”
“Which is why we cannot go.” Ada slumped in her seat. “Uncle James is such a good man. His business is respectable. But I worry people will think he and I are stepping out of line – venturing into a world we do not belong in.”
“And you’re worried you’ll be mocked for it,” Harriet said, voicing the biggest concern Ada had been wrestling with since she’d received the invitation. She gave her friends a helpless look and nodded.
“I suppose your concern is legitimate,” Emily said, but a thoughtful look in her eyes informed Ada that she was trying to plot a way through this tangle. “However, I shall be in attendance too, and I’m sure Papa will lend his support if I ask it of him. Between us, we’ll protect you.”
“That’s awfully kind of you, Emily, but—”
“Westcliffe will too, I believe,” said Harriet, her eyes glazed over by dreamy wonder.
