Page 21 of Pining for Lord Lockhart
The women in the room leaned away from him, several with handkerchiefs to their noses.
“I’ve been here. I’ve been to these salons. We talked like we knew what was best. We made plans. We wrote essays.” His hand indicated something about Andrew. “But what good did it do? What change did we make?”
The rising panic in Charity’s eyes urged Andrew to action. He moved to the back of the room toward Mr. Hamilton. And then the Duchess of York stood. Her servants entered the room and looked ready to take action if necessary. Andrew raised a hand toward Mr. Hamilton in what he hoped was a calming gesture. “We were just talking about where you have been. Your words inspired a whole room of powerful women to make a difference. They each remember your stirring causes. Good can happen. Change can come.”
“I used to think so too.” He swayed. “You’ll see. All of you will see how pointless it is when there’s so much that is wrong around us.”
“Thank you for your thoughts. I believe we have a basket for you in the study.” Andrew looked over his shoulder and shrugged.
Charity nodded, and he was certain they had something as a thank you gift for the man, and it was pretty apparent he needed to leave.
“Trying to kick me out? Think you can come in, read my words, and then kick me out?” He stepped closer as if to confront Andrew but then he moved like he would push his way to the front and have words with all the women.
“I’m sorry you’re late. We all are, but we were just wrapping up. Maybe next time. Everyone here would like to know more about you and what you’ve been doing.”
“I’m here now.” He stood taller. He looked like he would try to keep walking, perhaps through or around Andrew.
Andrew stood in his path. They were about the same build. Mr. Hamilton stood at eye level with him. And he swayed, unsteady. Andrew didn’t relish fighting, but if it came to that, he could get the man out of the room. He nodded to the footmen who approached.
Mr. Hamilton whipped around and then back to face him. “Throw me out?”
“No, certainly not. Just to show you where we’ve placed your coat and basket. We’re so glad you have come.” He stepped closer and clenched his fists, ready.
Mr. Hamilton turned red in the face and he stiffened. For a moment, Andrew thought he was going to throw the first punch, but then he backed away. “Where did you say they put my things?” When he turned, a footman stood on each side of him.
“The butler will take good care of you.”
The duchess had been in whispered conversation with one of the servants. As soon as Mr. Hamilton was out of the room, the double doors were shut, and two other footmen stood in front of them.
“My, my.” Charity stood up at the front again. “That was unexpected.” She looked as flustered as Andrew had ever seen her.
Andrew clapped his hands once for attention. “We will just give Mr. Hamilton time to collect his belongings and then we can move to the refreshments, and those of you who are staying to join our committee for the new school can begin that very quick meeting.”
For the most part, the ladies looked disturbed. Fans were out. Whispers were going. And Andrew wondered if they should just end the evening early with hopes to reconvene.
But the Duchess of York moved to the front of the room. “And now we know.”
The whispers stopped. Eyes turned to her.
“Now we know what Mr. Lawrence Hamilton has been doing all these years.” She laughed.
And others joined in.
“And perhaps this shall be a lesson to us, to not let another year go, waiting for someone else to make something of themselves, for someone else to lead out. We can do it ourselves.”
The fans lowered and here and there, a woman nodded.
Charity’s face filled with relief.
Eventually, the footman gave the signal that all was clear. The guests could have refreshment. But not many lingered. Everyone expressed a desire to help with the school. They murmured their commitments as they walked past Andrew, getting their things from the butler and being handed up into their carriages.
But Andrew couldn’t blame them.
When everyone had gone, Charity stood beside him. “Do you believe them to be sincere?”
He nodded. “I do. I think that Hamilton fellow—dash it all—put a damper on things, but I am certain they wish to help. I’m certain that a school is a splendid idea, and I even approved of our locations.”
They walked together back to the front sitting room and fell onto the nearest sofa.
