Page 31 of Always the Bridesmaid, Never the Duchess
“You are so smart. Thank you, Kate.” Julia gave her a watery smile. “Kate, I…”
“Yes?”
Julia shook her head. “Never mind. It is of no importance. Shall we return to the guests?”
The two women exited the library arm-in-arm and wandered to the ladies' sitting room where some of the women had retired to gossip by the fire in an attempt to ward off the afternoon chill. They found the Dowager Duchess of Devonport and theDowager Viscountess of Pembrooke deep in conversation. Kate grew suspicious when they abruptly stopped talking at the sight of her and Julia.
“Grandmama, is there something you wish to share?” Kate cocked a brow.
The Dowager Viscountess shrugged. “Her Grace and I were simply recalling our youth. We were such rivals then, yet we married vastly different men.”
The Dowager Duchess chimed in. “But they were both good men, were they not?”
“They were. If only our grandchildren could make as advantageous matches as we did.” Kate’s grandmother put on a forlorn expression.
Kate laughed. “Grandmama, you look like a kitten who has lost its mouse. Quite sad.” Her grandmother harrumphed and turned back to the Dowager Duchess. Kate and Julia wandered to the other side of the room where some of the younger women sat.
Viola and May DeClancy twittered their greetings. Viola leaned forward and said, “Miss Avery, I noted that Lord Radford took quite an interest in you during the Pall Mall game. Is there a courtship in the making?”
“He was simply being kind,” Kate demurred.
“I don’t think Lord Radford has an interest in Kate,” Julia said, her voice sharp.
Kate was shocked at the tone of Julia’s voice. It had an edge she hadn’t heard before. Her shock must have shown, and Julia hastened to add. “I simply meant he is a known rake, and everyone knows you are an honorable woman.”
Viola nodded her agreement. “It’s true. I’ve heard he warms a different bed every night. It’s really quite scandalous. But he does have a vast estate. If a woman were to marry him, she would want for nothing.”
May’s expression turned thoughtful. “I believe for the right woman Lord Radford would stop his wandering ways.”
“Once a rake, always a rake,” Viola observed.
“Do you think so?” Kate asked. “Do you ascribe to the idea that people cannot change? Do you believe that a sinner cannot stop his sinning, nor a drunkard stop his drink?”
“You are naïve to think that people truly change. Perhaps on their surface they hide their true nature, but I think that a scoundrel is a scoundrel,” Viola declared.
Kate thought about Viola’s pronouncement. If that were true, there was no chance of any growth or chance for change. She believed that anyone could become a better person if given the right opportunity. It would be a sad world if everyone remainedthe same. She certainly hoped that her worldview was correct, not Viola’s.
Mr. Scoville entered the room, and Kate excused herself to speak with him. “Yes, Mr. Scoville? Is anything wrong?”
“No, ma’am. I wanted to inform you that the cook has changed the menu from cold meats to roast goose and mutton pies. She thought with the chill in the air, the guests would long for comfort and warmth. I planned to pour drinks in the drawing room momentarily, but I can send a footman in here to do the same if you don’t believe the women wish to rejoin the rest of the party.”
Kate was pleased with how quickly Mrs. Humphrey was able to change the menu. She looked around the room. The women seemed content to sit by the fire chatting and saw no need to ask them to rejoin the men in the drawing room. “If you could send someone here, that would be best.”
“Very good.” Mr. Scoville gave a small bow and left. A young footman returned a few minutes later with wine for the ladies. Soon the chatter grew louder, and spirits seemed high despite the gloomy weather.
Julia gulped her wine rather quickly and the footman appeared at her side to pour her another glass. Kate watched her friend from the corner of her eye. Nicholas’ appearance had caused Julia more upset than she would admit. Was she as happy to marry Harry as she had first proclaimed? Kate began to doubt it.
At six o’clock, Kate indicated it was time for them to move to the dining room. The ladies left the sitting room, and the gentlemen met them in the hallway to escort them. The Viscount of Surry scurried forward to claim Kate, and it would be rude to decline his escort. Her brother Nicholas waited by the staircase, and Kate watched in dismay as Julia extricated herself from the group to speak to him.
“Excuse me. Please go into the dining room and I will join you in a moment,” Kate said to the viscount. He looked as if he would protest, but then he saw the direction of Kate’s gaze, and realization dawned. Kate wondered how long it would be before tongues wagged once more about her brother.
Julia stood in front of Nicholas. Her green eyes blazed. “Why are you here, Nicholas? I thought you would not show your face at my wedding.” The glasses of wine she had consumed made her words blur together.
Nicholas appeared nonplussed and said, “It is my family home, and I have every right to be here. Miss Roves, I wish you and the earl my every happiness. I am sure he will make you a good husband…if he can slow his hand at the card tables.”
Julia’s cheeks turned bright red, and she scowled. “It is none of your concern.”
Nicholas smiled at her, but it was a cold smile that held none of the warmth it had when they were courting. “You are correct. You are no longer my concern. Now, if you’ll pardon me. Ibelieve my companion for the evening is coming down the steps.”
