Page 54 of A Foolish Endeavor

I depart with my dear Mary and her family directly to the Landry estate. I am most eager to see the property, as it will become our home for most of the year. We have not yet set a wedding date, as I would wish to await the return of my father from the West Indies. However, it may be longer than a year before I see him again, and I do not believe I can wait that long to make Mary my wife. So, I expect us to wed at Christmastide.

Kirkpatrick and Miss Wells are already married—the banns were called the Sunday after we all learned of their engagement. I assume having worked so very hard to secure an offer, the lady was unwilling to wait any longer to make it official. Perhaps she feared he might change his mind? Well, they deserve each other, that much is certain.

Once more, Gilbert felt a pang of regret over how things ended with Diana, but it was tempered somewhat by the belief that he would soon be married to sweet Nancy and he would not be too badly off, at the end of it. Carter’s news of the many engagements in town made Gilbert decide it was time to make his offer.

The next day, he dressed well, although not too elegantly. He did not wish to appear too much the high-ranked gentleman and intimidate Nancy with his offer to join his family. She might feel a bit ill-at-ease in joining the most prestigious family in this part of the county, so he thought it best that he approach her in more modest attire. He knew Nancy was one to dress well, but simply, despite having money. That was a mark in her favor, he thought, for she would not be a spendthrift wife who spent all her allowance on fripperies and new gowns. No, he knew that Nancy was level-headed and sensible and would make him a good wife.

Not wishing to get dust all over his nicer shoes, Gilbert took a horse into Doddington, stopping first at the tea shop, just in case she was working there, but when he saw she was not, continued on to her home on the far edge of Doddington.

It was a fine house—a half-timbered, three-story structure that was more than large enough for Nancy and her father. Gilbert had been in it quite often when he and Nancy played together as children, but as he walked up to the large door with the imposing brass knocker depicting a hound’s head, he realized he had not been inside the Slade home since Mrs. Slade had passed away.

A chubby maid answered the door. Gilbert saw she was unable to keep the surprise off of her round face to see who was standing there. He asked to see Miss Slade and the girl said she was upstairs and if he might please wait in the entry. She hurried upstairs and Gilbert stood, looking about the hall. It seemed little different than he remembered, with perhaps a new rug? He admired the tasteful décor, which spoke of a comfortable living, but was in no way ostentatious. He felt he could be quite comfortable in this home. At least, until Nancy inherited and they might consider selling off the businesses and retiring permanently to the estate they might purchase with her dowry.

“Good morning, Gilbert, what a surprise to see you.” Nancy reached the bottom of the stairs and stood considering her guest.

“I hope it is a pleasant surprise, Nancy,” he said, grinning. “I know I have not been in your home in some time, but I should be sorry if I were no longer welcome.”

She gave a small smile. He noted she looked weary and her eyes appeared red. Had she been crying?

“You have always been a friend to us, Gilbert, and will always be welcome.” She paused before adding, “What brings you here today? Have you come to speak to my father?”

Gilbert smiled broadly—she clearly was anticipating his proposal and the need to voice his intentions to Mr. Slade. “Indeed, I do wish to speak with him, but I wonder if we might discuss something first—just us two.”

She gave him a curious look, but nodded and indicated the way down the hall to the sitting room. He followed her, taking a chair across from her on the sofa. He noticed she did not offer him any refreshments, but then, it was not even ten o’clock and he had enjoyed a large breakfast. Best to get right down to business.

“What did you wish to discuss, Gilbert?” she asked. “I am afraid I am quite occupied just now. You see—”

“Nancy,” he interrupted, leaning forward on his knees, “we have known each other for many years. You were my dear playmate when we were children, for even though I was almost three years older than you, you were such a scamp and able to keep up with me better than some boys.”

“That was many years ago, Gilbert. I no longer climb trees and clamber over rocky hills,” she said with a small smile. “I, too, look back with fondness on our childhood antics.”

“Yes, well, my point is, I have finally realized something about us.” Gilbert cleared his throat and nodded firmly. “We have always gotten along so well that we should continue our friendship, but in a new manner.” He paused to see if her face showed any signs of the coming proposal, but could perceive nothing on her face. Was she cleverly making sure she betrayed nothing? Plunging ahead, he asked, “Nancy—Miss Slade—will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

He had expected a squeal of joy, or for her to burst into happy tears. Was that not the manner in which most women reacted when presented with such an opportunity? Instead, she stared at him, frowning slightly.

“Before I reply to your remarkable proposal, Gilbert, will you answer a question?” At his nod, she continued. “When we saw each other two weeks ago, you said you found no heiress to marry you during your time in town. You made it sound as if you had not even been looking for a wife. However, I have it on very good authority that you did, in fact, intend to propose to a wealthy young lady with a very rich dowry, but that she rejected you. Is this all true?”

Gilbert’s mind spun as he tried to think of a proper response. How did she know about Miss Wells and her rejection of him?

“Who said such a thing?” he asked, stalling for time.

“I should not wish to name my source of this gossip, but, as I said, it is a very reliable one. Tell me honestly, Gilbert. Were you intending to propose to a certain Miss Diana Wells, I believe she is called? And did she turn you down for a future duke?”

Gilbert pressed his lips firmly together—furious that someone had revealed his embarrassment—Dorothea, perhaps? His older sister must have been overheard speaking of his disappointment. He took a deep breath.

“I did think of it, yes, but in truth, I am grateful she accepted the other proposal before I could make mine. For, thinking on it, we would not have been a very good match.”

Nancy shook her head and gave a rueful smile. “Oh, but fifteen thousand would go a long way to overcoming that mismatch, I believe. After all, you have oft told me of your disinclination to enter the church. If Miss Wells had said yes, you would have been able to refuse taking orders and live a luxurious life—something else that you have stated with regularity to me is your heart’s desire.

“While I do not have a dowry of fifteen thousand, my father is rather well off. Therefore, I must admit, Gilbert, that your proposal to me seems to come more from a hope for salvation from becoming a curate than from… true romance and affection.”

“I have always cared for you, Nancy,” Gilbert stammered, watching his proposal collapsing before his eyes. “We would make a good match, I believe.”

Nancy nodded slowly, her eyes never leaving his. “Indeed, we have, as you say, always been friends, but I must now ask this quite pointedly—are you making me an offer truly out of love? Or is it for the financial comfort it might bring you?”

Gilbert felt his mouth fall open at her bold assertion. He shut it a moment, then blurted, “Most young ladies of your class would leap at the chance to marry into the Kendall family. Are you saying you will reject me? You must be mad!”

“Mad? Well, yes, perhaps some would call me that. Your family has a good estate and reputation. I would imagine most young ladies of—as you so nicely put it—my class would eagerly accept your offer. However, I wish to be asked to marry in such a manner that leaves me no doubt that the young man making the offer could not imagine his life without me. Knowing you so recently were set to propose to an heiress makes me feel very much like a sorry second choice. I could never be happy thinking the man I married cared more for the financial security our match might bring him over my companionship.”