Page 26 of A Foolish Endeavor

“Yes, well, it was a minor thing and is now quite gone, I assure you.” Dorothea leveled a gaze at her brother. “You are not forming an attachment to this Miss Landry, are you? The very idea of that family joining with ours makes me feel quite unwell. They may now own an estate, but are hardly of our class, in my opinion.”

Gilbert laughed. “No need to worry. I find Miss Landry amusing company, I suppose, but she certainly is not handsome enough to tempt my affections.”

Dorothea let out a breath in relief. “Not to mention the fact that you are too young and are not in a financial position to wed at this point in your life. Papa did write that you are merely here to enjoy a last fling in town before settling down to your new position as curate at Clayton Parish, is that not right? You may marry in a few years, of course, once you obtain your own living.”

Gilbert said nothing, his eyes firmly fixed on his shoes. After a moment, Dorothea asked, “Why do you not speak? You do intend to enter the church, do you not?”

Gilbert sighed. “The truth is, sister, I would wish to do nearly anything but become a pastor. And why should I be too young? I might wed if I like. I may fall in love.”

“I suppose that is true, but how would you support your wife? Our mother’s legacy is not enough to survive on—at least, not in the style which I know you would prefer to live.”

“Dorothea, may I confide something to you?” At her nod, he continued, “I have already fallen in love with a beautiful, genteel young lady, and I hope to convince her to become my wife.” He paused a moment and added, “She is… also an heiress, as it happens, so our finances would no longer be a concern.”

“I begin to see your plan. Who is this young lady who has so completely captured your heart?”

“Miss Diana Wells.”

“Ah. I have not yet had the opportunity to meet Miss Wells, although I have heard very good things about her from some of my friends in town.”

“Well, that is one of the reasons I dropped by to see you today. I have learned that Miss Wells will attend the new summer exhibition of paintings at the Royal Academy tomorrow. I thought perhaps you and I could also attend, and happen upon her—entirely by chance, of course,” he added with a grin. “Then I could introduce you to her. I am certain once she meets you and learns that Lady Gillingham is my relation, she will look at me more favorably.”

“This she does not do at present?”

Gilbert made a helpless gesture. “Oh, I cannot say. I mean, I believe she does take pleasure in my company, somewhat. We have danced and enjoyed a few conversations. But I am a second son, and because of that, she may not really consider me a potential suitor.”

“If she were to know of your high connections with the Gillingham family, however, that may change, you believe.”

“It cannot hurt. Do say you will come with me tomorrow, Dorothea. I already purchased tickets for us. Please? I shall be eternally in your debt.”

Dorothea sat a moment, considering. Then she smiled. “Very well, I always enjoy the summer exhibition, so I will go with you. What time shall I come to fetch you?”

“I have learned that she intends to be there at eleven in the morning. So, if we might arrive at half past ten?”

“That will be fine. Tell me, how did you learn of her intentions to see the exhibition?”

Gilbert gave a sheepish smile. “I shall tell you at the risk of your losing all respect for me. I bribed a housemaid in the Steele’s employ—Winifred Steele is Diana’s aunt. I am looking for every opportunity to meet Diana accidentally, so we may become better acquainted. Then, when I feel she is more inclined towards me, I shall ask her aunt for permission to court her.”

Dorothea laughed. “Oh, dear. It is clear to me that you have quite lost your senses over this girl. Well, we shall see if I can be of any assistance to you in winning her heart.”

Gilbert jumped up, went to Dorothea, and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. With your assistance, I feel confident it will turn out quite well. See you tomorrow.” He kissed her again, then fairly skipped out of the room, while Dorothea shook her head with a bemused expression.

Chapter Twenty-One

Dorothea and Gilbert entered Somerset House for the exhibition at twenty minutes to eleven. For a time, they wandered past the paintings, making brief comments of admiration or disdain for them, accordingly. They also greeted some friends of Dorothea’s who were also there to see the exhibition. The galleries were crowded with members of the ton who were well dressed and seemed to be enjoying the sight of friends as much as the art, it seemed to Gilbert.

As they continued to stroll through the building, Gilbert saw it was now past eleven, and he began to focus his attention more on the patrons than the art, as he sought out Diana. He was certain she would stand out in the crowd with her grace and beauty, but he failed to see her. At one point, he feared the maid he had bribed had lied to him, or that Diana had simply decided not to attend, after all. Finally, at a nearly half past eleven, he spotted a glimpse of blonde hair and soon saw her standing in the center of a gallery, intently studying a massive painting depicting a biblical scene of Judith beheading a man with a long knife. He noticed she would take a step back now and then, as if to capture the entire scene more readily. Dorothea was in conversation with Lady Denton about the upcoming ball, so he slipped away and came up behind his desired object. When he stood a few paces behind her and remained unnoticed, he turned his back and gently stepped back one, and then two paces. As he had intended, he collided into Miss Wells, hearing a tiny gasp from her. Gilbert spun around and watched as Diana’s expression of surprise changed to one of recognition and then—he hoped—pleasure. She was at least smiling.

“Miss Wells,” he said, “Pray, forgive me. I was backing up to gain a better view of this painting—” At this point, he turned and noticed it was, in fact, a pair of portraits that were on the opposite wall of the Biblical scene. “—paintings, that is, without even a notice as to who was behind me. That is my poor excuse for bumping into you so rudely, and I do hope I am forgiven.”

As he had hoped, Diana demonstrated no offense. “Completely, Mr. Kendall, for I confess I was doing the precise same thing.” She gestured to the massive work on the wall. “I was quite overwhelmed by the detail in this depiction of Judith beheading the Assyrian general, Holofernes. I had not realized the murder took place in his tent.” She gave another laugh. “Oh, but what am I doing explaining this painting to you? You must have studied the classics at Oxford. Indeed, I am certain you could relate the entire story far better than I.”

Gilbert examined the gruesome depiction of Judith sawing off the general’s head, while outside, Holofernes’s entire army slept. He doubted he would have been able to tell Diana the name of the general, much less the full story—art history had never been a favorite class of his at Oxford. Fortunately, at that moment, Diana’s aunt stepped close and greeted him, sparing him any need to reply. Gilbert warmly greeted Mrs. Steele, then glanced over to see Dorothea approaching them.

“Ah, Mrs. Steele, Miss Wells, may I introduce my sister, Lady Gillingham? Dorothea, this is Miss Wells, with whom I have had the pleasure of dancing at a recent assembly, and her aunt.”

“I am very pleased to meet you both,” Dorothea said as the two curtsied to her. “Tell me, Mrs. Steele, are you enjoying the exhibition?”

“Very much so, Lady Gillingham, and you?”