Page 16 of The Truth about the Marquess
“I suppose you are wise to be reminding me of my responsibility towards you, and the secrecy that you have about this position,” she said, with a slightly wry smile. “I confess to you that I do somewhat enjoy hearing society’s gossip, though I do my best not to share it.” Putting one hand to her heart, Lady Guilford looked at Jane directly. “I promise you, I shall not say a single word of this to anyone.”
Jane smiled.
“I thank you.”
Handing the letter to her friend, she waited for Lady Guilford’s response, only to burst into laughter when Lady Guilford let out a shriek of astonishment.
“Lord Hedley?” she exclaimed, as Jane nodded, knowing all too well who Lord Hedley was.
Something of a fop, he seemed to pride himself on being the very center of attention wherever he went, preening himself as though he were a magnificent bird who wanted to appear at his very best on any occasion.
“I did not at first think it was from a gentleman, I confess it!” Jane chuckled as her friend shook her head. “I thought it might be a lady seeking to usurp me from my position.”
“But it was not! Good gracious, no doubt he would want everyone to know that it was he who offered his advice rather than keeping it anonymous, as you do.”
“Though,” Jane countered, wincing as she spoke, “I did suggest to Lord Edenbridge that he write to The London Chronicle seeking advice for his present situation.” Holding up one hand, palm out, to silence the questions before they began, Jane shook her head. “No, I do not know why I suggested that he do so, and I certainly have no thought as to what I should say to him, but…” Gesturing to one of the other letters, she let out a sigh. “I believe that this anonymous letter is from him.”
“Then read it!” Lady Guilford exclaimed, flapping one hand at her. “I will pour more tea for I am certain that we will need some more to fortify us!”
Appreciating her friend’s consideration, Jane paused for a moment and then began to read.
‘I have found myself seeking a bride this Season. However, circumstances mean that I am not considered as favorably as I had hoped, and even with that, I have not managed to secure a young lady’s attention. On the few occasions I have been successful, I have been met with what we shall call ‘difficulties’, though I shall not go into any more detail than that. If you have any sort of advice that you might wish to offer a gentleman in seeking out a kind, considerate, and charming young lady for his bride, I should be very glad to hear of it, for I find myself in the doldrums on this matter and fear I might soon give up entirely.’
Finishing, she looked up at Lady Guilford, only to see her friend’s sad expression, one hand now pressed lightly to her heart.
“How very sad, if it is he,” Lady Guilford said, softly. “Lord Edenbridge is an excellent gentleman, I am sure, for there has never been any whisper of disrepute about him.”
“That is good for me to hear, although I am then a little confused as to why, then, he is not looked upon favorably by theton.”
Her friend tilted her head.
“There was concern over his fortune, I recall.” A pink touched her cheeks as she glanced away, perhaps a little embarrassed, Jane considered, at revealing yet more gossip. “From what I know, his late father was very foolish with some of his investments and did, I think, lose a great deal of his fortune. All of society knew of it, for it was not hidden from anyone thanks to one gossiping solicitor, I am afraid.”
“Oh.” Jane’s heart twisted all the more with a sharp sympathy. “Then this letter must be from him, I am sure of it.”
“And shall you answer it?”
Hesitating, Jane looked down at the letter again.
“I confess, I do not know what to say! It seems to me that it is not his fault that he made a mistake with Miss Dutton, it is simply that he did not listen to gossip, which is no bad thing. It also appears, from what you have said, that his lack of fortune does not, again, come from his own foolishness or the like. It has been a difficulty placed upon his shoulders, which he has had to bear. I am sure that he has done all that he can to improve the situation however, though it may be that he seeks a wife to garner a large dowry.” Something tightened in her chest, though Jane did not know why. “Perhaps he is seeking a good deal of money from his bride, in which case, I–”
“No, that cannot be.” Sounding quite determined, Lady Guilford shook her head. “Miss Dutton does not have a large dowry, I am sure of it. Her father is a Viscount and a rather poor one at that, so even though a large dowry might have attracted her a husband after all she has done, I would be very surprised if he was able to promise that for her.”
Jane considered this, nodding slowly.
“Very well. Then he seeks a wife only because he desires one.”
“And she must be kind and considerate, yes?” Lady Guilford smiled. “It seems to me as though his desire is genuine, for he truly wishes to have a lady of good character as his bride. It matters to him what the lady’s heart is like, rather than simply being contented to marry a lady of high standing in society.”
For whatever reason, Jane let her thoughts drift back to when she had been walking with Lord Edenbridge. Instead of responding to her friend, she thought about Lord Edenbridge’s frustration, his upset and embarrassment during the conversation with the two gentlemen and Miss Dutton herself – as well as how those emotions had faded away when he had begun to walk with her. His brown eyes, which had been dark with emotion, had slowly begun to lighten and the heaviness of his frame had seemed to lift as they had walked. He was, she considered, a handsome gentleman though that did not seem to matter to the ladies of thetonfor, if there were questions about his fortune, then many of them would be dissuaded from even considering him.
“Jane?”
Blinking quickly, Jane looked back at Lady Guilford, seeing her slight smile.
“Yes?”
“What is it that you are going to write?”
