wine, he rose to leave. As he was bidding Anne good-bye, Melissa and Lord Woolbridge returned. Lord Woolbridge could not conceal a look of surprise at Lord Stanton’s presence in the drawing room, but he greeted the marquess civilly. Melissa greeted him with more warmth, asking him to stay, but Lord Stanton begged another appointment and departed.
As Anne rang for more refreshments, two more callers were announced, and Lord Millbank and his sister entered the room. Anne smiled to herself. The rumours hadn’t scared off their closest friends—that was evident by the parade of company they were having this morning. As was becoming usual, Lord Millbank attached himself to Anne. He was, as usual, dressed in the latest stare of fashion in a wasp-waisted coat with puffed shoulders, two waistcoats of different lengths and colours, and striped trousers. Anne continued to puzzle over Lord Millbank’s attention to her, not realizing that her beauty and the polite consideration she gave to his questions of dress were a compelling attraction. Younger women were too concerned with their own appearance to give his proper attention, in Lord Millbank’s experience.
As Lord Millbank expounded on the merits of Schultz versus Weston, Anne intercepted a wistful look Lady Amelia directed at Lord Woolbridge and Melissa as the two conversed. Anne wondered how Lady Amelia would take when she was presented, and feared she would not be a great success despite her connexions. Lady Amelia’s manners, though pleasing, were too quiet, and her looks were only passable. Anne tried to think of some single young gentleman who might find the young woman attractive, but she came up empty-handed. It was an unfortunate fact that gentlemen as a rule did not appreciate the qualities of a shy young girl like Lady Amelia. Anne realised she was trying to match-make, and decided she should not interfere.
After their guests left, Melissa spoke to Anne.
“Why did Lord Stanton come here this morning, Anne? I thought he was planning to avoid us to protect our reputations. Does he feel it is safe for us to be friends now?”
“He wished to find out how we were getting along, and felt it would be safe for him to make a short morning call,” Anne said evasively, glancing at Sanders, still sitting in the corner with her sewing,
“That was thoughtful of him. I do like Lord Stan-ton. It is a pity he has such a bad reputation.” Melissa was silent for a moment, and then asked, “Anne, what do you think of Captain Leslie?”
“Captain Leslie?” Anne repeated, her thoughts still with Lord Stanton.
“Yes. I noticed his behaviour towards you the night we went to Vauxhall, and I think he is becoming quite fond of you. If he makes an offer, will you accept?”
Anne thought a moment before answering. Would she accept? She liked and respected Captain Leslie— the talks she had had with him about her father and brother had been precious to her—but did she have the feelings for him that a woman should for a man she wished to marry?
“I don’t know, Melissa. I really had not thought about marrying, myself. How do you feel about your most persistent suitors, Lord Woolbridge and Lieutenant Halcott? They appear to be laying claim to you at the functions we’ve attended, and are frightening away any other prospective suitors with their black looks.”
Anne did not really think Melissa considered young Lieutenant Halcott a serious suitor, but the rivalry that had been developing between him and Lord Woolbridge was most amusing. Melissa laughed, accepting Anne’s change of subject.
“It is too soon to decide. They are both very agreeable, but so are most of the gentlemen I have met. I cannot say who I prefer.”
* * * *
That evening Anne and her ward attended a minor ball given at the small brick-fronted town house of Mrs. Spencer’s sister, Mrs. Chambers. Anne entered the house with some trepidation, wondering if they would be cut by any of those attending
As Anne rang for more refreshments, two more callers were announced, and Lord Millbank and his sister entered the room. Anne smiled to herself. The rumours hadn’t scared off their closest friends—that was evident by the parade of company they were having this morning. As was becoming usual, Lord Millbank attached himself to Anne. He was, as usual, dressed in the latest stare of fashion in a wasp-waisted coat with puffed shoulders, two waistcoats of different lengths and colours, and striped trousers. Anne continued to puzzle over Lord Millbank’s attention to her, not realizing that her beauty and the polite consideration she gave to his questions of dress were a compelling attraction. Younger women were too concerned with their own appearance to give his proper attention, in Lord Millbank’s experience.
As Lord Millbank expounded on the merits of Schultz versus Weston, Anne intercepted a wistful look Lady Amelia directed at Lord Woolbridge and Melissa as the two conversed. Anne wondered how Lady Amelia would take when she was presented, and feared she would not be a great success despite her connexions. Lady Amelia’s manners, though pleasing, were too quiet, and her looks were only passable. Anne tried to think of some single young gentleman who might find the young woman attractive, but she came up empty-handed. It was an unfortunate fact that gentlemen as a rule did not appreciate the qualities of a shy young girl like Lady Amelia. Anne realised she was trying to match-make, and decided she should not interfere.
After their guests left, Melissa spoke to Anne.
“Why did Lord Stanton come here this morning, Anne? I thought he was planning to avoid us to protect our reputations. Does he feel it is safe for us to be friends now?”
“He wished to find out how we were getting along, and felt it would be safe for him to make a short morning call,” Anne said evasively, glancing at Sanders, still sitting in the corner with her sewing,
“That was thoughtful of him. I do like Lord Stan-ton. It is a pity he has such a bad reputation.” Melissa was silent for a moment, and then asked, “Anne, what do you think of Captain Leslie?”
“Captain Leslie?” Anne repeated, her thoughts still with Lord Stanton.
“Yes. I noticed his behaviour towards you the night we went to Vauxhall, and I think he is becoming quite fond of you. If he makes an offer, will you accept?”
Anne thought a moment before answering. Would she accept? She liked and respected Captain Leslie— the talks she had had with him about her father and brother had been precious to her—but did she have the feelings for him that a woman should for a man she wished to marry?
“I don’t know, Melissa. I really had not thought about marrying, myself. How do you feel about your most persistent suitors, Lord Woolbridge and Lieutenant Halcott? They appear to be laying claim to you at the functions we’ve attended, and are frightening away any other prospective suitors with their black looks.”
Anne did not really think Melissa considered young Lieutenant Halcott a serious suitor, but the rivalry that had been developing between him and Lord Woolbridge was most amusing. Melissa laughed, accepting Anne’s change of subject.
“It is too soon to decide. They are both very agreeable, but so are most of the gentlemen I have met. I cannot say who I prefer.”
* * * *
That evening Anne and her ward attended a minor ball given at the small brick-fronted town house of Mrs. Spencer’s sister, Mrs. Chambers. Anne entered the house with some trepidation, wondering if they would be cut by any of those attending
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