Page 14 of A Foolish Endeavor

“It is I who am grateful,” Gilbert said. “You have extricated me from a most difficult family situation and given me an opportunity to have a bit of pleasure this summer.”

The two secured Gilbert’s trunks and canvas bag in the back of the curricle, took their seats, and Carter drove them towards his home, chatting enthusiastically and pointing out a few places of interest along the way.

As Gilbert listened, he studied his friend, who looked no different from when they were last together. But then, why would he look changed? Gilbert realized he had foolishly believed Carter would look altered in some manner, now that he had achieved his honors degree from Oxford. Perhaps his sandy hair was a bit shorter, but that was all the change Gilbert could perceive. Carter was well favored—indeed, many would call him handsome, although his face still had a youthful roundness to it, making him appear younger than his four and twenty years. He was slightly taller than Gilbert, too, with even features, although he wore spectacles over his light-brown eyes, which gave him a bit of an owl-like countenance. Privately, Gilbert was of the opinion that Carter was not any more handsome than he, himself. He suddenly wondered—how much competition might Carter present for the affections of the ladies of the Season? He did not come from a gentleman’s family and there was no estate, but Carter certainly had money enough to prove an attractive catch for any gentlewoman. Then he recalled that Carter had said quite firmly that he had no intention of seeking a bride during the Season, but only wished to enjoy himself at balls and parties. Gilbert felt himself relax. He need not worry overly that the ladies would prefer his friend. Should he confide his plan to find an heiress to Carter? No. Gilbert thought it best to state that his intentions for the Season were precisely the same as Carter’s, even as he would work diligently to find his rich lady. He would then profess to all the grand surprise to have been so fortunate as to have unexpectedly found his perfect match.

“Tell me, Carter, are there any upcoming assemblies which we may attend?” Gilbert asked, when his friend fell silent after his ongoing narrative. “I am eager to dance and flirt with pretty ladies.”

His friend gave him a small grimace. “Well, none that I have been invited to, at least. There is one house dinner party tonight to which I have been asked, and I wrote the hostess inquiring if I might bring a friend, stressing that he is quite an eligible gentleman, and mentioning the name Clayton House. She quite eagerly agreed to extend an invitation to you, so we shall start there. May I confess something? If I am completely honest, Gilbert, I knew that once you arrived and the ton became aware of our friendship, my status would… well, rise a bit in society. My connection to you and your family can only help me become a desirable guest at events. Forgive me for saying this, as I know it does me no credit, but I wish to be completely forthright with you. I do hope for some benefit by my association with you, but, as I wrote, my desire for your company far surpasses any other reason for inviting you here.”

“I take no offense, Carter,” Gilbert said, grinning. “I know how hard it is for someone of the genteel merchant class to break into good society and, if I may be of any help, I am happy to do so. You are as good a fellow as any I know.

“In fact, I must confide that I have done the same thing you have, for, after I penned my letter of acceptance to your invitation, I wrote to my eldest sister, Lady Dorothea Gillingham. I told her of my plans to attend the Season and asked her to please contact friends of hers and arrange some introductions for us. My dear sister, you see, takes great pride in her lofty connections and nothing would make her happier than to have me invited into the very best homes in town, as it would reflect well upon her. I may be only a second son with no chance to inherit, but being related to the esteemed Lord and Lady Gillingham can only improve my status among those in society. And, by association, you will also benefit, I have no doubt.”

“Marvelous, Gilbert. Even if the Season is already well underway, I feel confident we shall have a fine time.” Carter laughed and then cried, “Ladies of London—two handsome men await your affections. Beware, for we are ready!” He gave a loud whoop and snapped the reins to urge the horses into a gallop.

Gilbert joined in laughing with his friend, feeling a shared excitement over their prospects. It would be a Season to remember, most certainly, he thought.

That evening, both Gilbert and Carter dressed with great care for the dinner party, knowing their first impression must be as favorable as may be. As they approached the home of the party, an imposing three-story stone building in a good neighborhood not far from Hyde Park, Gilbert asked his friend how he knew the hosts.

“Mr. and Mrs. Landry are acquaintances of my father’s. Mr. Landry was also in trade, you see. The family used to own the terraced house next to ours, before moving to this more elegant address. Mr. Landry has sold his business as he recently inherited an estate in Cheshire and become a landed gentleman. The Landrys are a very pleasant family, and when they heard Father had left the country on business, extended me an invitation to dinner. Whether an offer will be made again in the future, I cannot say. But we shall dine well enough, I suppose, and perhaps there will be cards after.”

“Will there be many guests?” Gilbert wondered aloud, as they climbed the stairs to the front door.

Carter grinned. “We shall see.” He lifted the brass door knocker and soundly rapped it. A butler opened the door at once, welcoming them into the hall, taking their hats and scarves.

“Ah—Mr. Milbourn,” a voice said. Gilbert and Carter turned to see a stout, yet still handsome lady, of her middle forties, approach. She clearly had a fine dressmaker, Gilbert thought, as her gown of lavender silk was cut in a way to flatter her fuller figure, even as her gloves stretched tightly over her plump arms. Her overly rouged face held sparkling eyes and her friendly countenance seemed sincere. “We are so glad to have you. This must be your gentleman friend who is visiting.”

Gilbert and Carter bowed, and Carter replied, “Yes, Mrs. Landry. Please allow me to introduce Mr. Gilbert Kendall. Gilbert, this is Mrs. Landry, my former neighbor.”

“Very pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Landry, and thank you for the invitation to dinner.”

She inclined her head and smiled warmly. “You are most welcome. Will you be in town long, sir?”

“That very much depends upon my friend, here, for I am here solely at his pleasure,” Gilbert replied. “I fear I must be on my best behavior, lest he send me packing back to dowdy old Doddington.”

Carter laughed. “My friend jests. He knows I am eager for his company. Gilbert and I became fast friends at Oxford, Mrs. Landry. He is due to take his orders for a career in the church soon, but I insisted he delay and come spend some time with me in town. We hope to enjoy many balls and assemblies.”

“How pleasant. Do come with me. You are the last of our company to arrive, and dinner will be served shortly.” She led them through the hall into the large drawing room, brightly lit with candles. A half dozen or so people were standing or seated, having quiet conversations. “Tell me, Mr. Milbourn,” Mrs. Landry continued, “did your father make his departure without any problems?”

Carter replied, but Gilbert was not listening. His attention was captured by the presence of a singularly beautiful young lady who was seated on a sofa, conversing with an older gentleman. She appeared attentive, smiling and nodding at the man’s speech, but her eyes flitted up a moment to meet Gilbert’s and held his gaze before returning to the man beside her. For a moment, Gilbert felt he had forgotten how to breathe. Clad all in white silk, the young lady appeared to him as an angel. Her oval face had the most delicate, alabaster complexion he had ever seen, with just a hint of pink in her cheeks. She had perfect features, from her aristocratic, yet petite nose, to her full, rosy lips. Her eyes were such a light shade of blue, he felt he could stare into them forever. Her hair was nearly as blonde as his, and though he rarely paid attention to such things, he noted the elegance and intricacy of its styling.

He heard a soft chuckle from his hostess.

“Oh, my,” she said. “I see Miss Wells has made another conquest. And why not? She is surely destined to be the most desirable young lady of the Season, and not simply because of her fifteen thousand pounds. She is all charm and delight. Come, come, gentlemen—allow me to introduce you.”

Chapter Twelve

Mrs. Landry introduced Gilbert and Carter to Miss Diana Wells, as well as to the older gentleman who was seated beside her—a Mr. Harper. She then cleared the way for the two younger men to become better acquainted with the beauty, by asking Mr. Harper to accompany her across the room to speak to a Mr. Willson.

“For I believe he is interested in hearing more about your new litter of puppies,” she had said smoothly, and the gentleman, eager to comply, bowed to the others and followed his hostess.

Gilbert quickly claimed the place on the sofa next to Miss Wells that had just been vacated, while Carter took a seat on an upholstered chair positioned to the right.

“Miss Wells,” Gilbert began, “I must tell you something. I believe the memory of this evening will linger in my mind for all time.”

She smiled at him, a bemused expression on her face. “Oh? And why would that be, Mr. Kendall?”

“Because you are the first young lady to whom I have been introduced since arriving in town two days ago. And, I must say, in but an instant, you have made a lasting impression upon me. Truly, if I may be so bold, I am certain no other lady I may meet in the coming weeks can possibly hope to surpass you in beauty and grace.”