Page 41 of The Lord Next Door
The Bannaster town house was larger than even Lord Thurlow’s home, and Victoria knew that Mr. Bannaster must have very successful investments to be able to afford it. The drawing room they were shown to was large enough for them to dance in, but instead a dozen couples mingled between groupings of furniture scattered through the room beneath frescoed ceilings.
After meeting the Bannasters, they were greeted by the Huttons, their hosts from the luncheon, and soon Lord Thurlow went off with Mr. Hutton, leaving Victoria with his wife.
Mrs. Hutton introduced her to other wives, and Victoria found herself in the middle of a friendly group. Her fears that her old shy ways would surface came to naught, and she started to enjoy herself. When needlework became a topic, she even had a lot to say.
During a lull in the conversation, their hostess, Mrs. Bannaster, turned the attention to Victoria, speaking with the faintest accent of a poorer section of London.
“Lady Thurlow, I don’t know if ye remember, but we met many years ago.”
Victoria studied the older woman. “I’m sorry, I don’t.”
“You were much younger, closer to my daughters’ ages than mine. But I wanted to tell ye how impressed I am with how ye’ve grown into a lovely young woman.”
Victoria glanced across the room at her husband, knowing what they all must think about her marrying into the nobility.
“No, my lady, you misunderstand me,” Mrs. Bannaster said. “I remember ye as a very shy girl who seemed frightened to converse with women, let alone men.”
Victoria blushed.
Mrs. Bannaster put her hand on Victoria’s arm. “Please do not be embarrassed. You are to be commended on how ye conquered your weaknesses. One of my daughters is very shy. I will hold ye up as an inspiration for her.”
“Mrs. Bannaster, please, I don’t feel like anyone’s inspiration,” Victoria said. “You’re all being very kind to me, but as you all know, life is what matures us. And having to face situations we never thought we could.”
They looked at her with such kindness. Of course they all knew that her father had died leaving the family nothing. But they didn’t seem to judge her for it, and she was grateful. She knew that wouldn’t happen with the ton.
“And how are your sisters?” Mrs. Wilton asked.
She was much closer to Victoria’s age, and even looked a bit familiar.
“I knew Louisa well,” Mrs. Wilton continued. “She is a sweet young woman.”
“Thank you,” Victoria said.
She explained about the positions her sisters had taken, expecting to experience everyone’s pity, but once again these women surprised her, showing genuine interest in her sisters’ lives. Why had it taken so long for Victoria to realize that these women had so many things in common with her? Some must have started under mean circumstances before their husbands rose to power with their successful investments. Perhaps Lord Thurlow liked being with the husbands for the same reasons. They were hardworking people who knew where they’d come from and looked down on no one in the same position.
Thinking about her husband made her look through the crowd for him. He wasn’t difficult to find, being the tallest man in the room. He’d spend several minutes with a group of men, then approach the next group. She’d never noticed how…graceful he was (if you could call a man that), how every muscle moved with precision and purpose. He should be awkward or clumsy, but instead…instead she watched him walk and felt all strange inside.
Her cheeks grew warm as she remembered that she was the one he’d come home with tonight.
Mrs. Wilton drew closer to take Victoria’s elbow. “You know, my lady, my husband, Mr. Wilton, enjoys working with Lord Thurlow. It’s hard to believe your husband comes from such a loftier family than any of ours. It’s such a shame.”
Victoria frowned. “I don’t understand.”
“It’s such a shame that his own people won’t have anything to do with him.”
Victoria felt chilled as she looked around at the circle of women. Mrs. Bannaster gave her a sympathetic look, but there were one or two women whom Victoria had not been introduced to yet, who exchanged satisfied expressions. Though the majority liked Lord Thurlow, there were always people who enjoyed seeing the mighty fall.
Victoria felt the need to defend him. “That’s not true, Mrs. Wilton. My husband receives invitations every day. But he chooses the events he enjoys, like this lovely party of Mrs. Bannaster’s.”
Their hostess beamed. “That’s sweet of ye, my dear, but we all know our husbands are meeting for business tonight as well. After dinner, we’ll be without them for several hours at least. Things are coming to a head with the Southern Railway.”
All the other women nodded their agreement, some showing excitement, others nervousness. And Victoria remembered once more how it felt to be on the outside—because her husband had confided nothing to her.
Mrs. Bannaster sighed. “The end is near, ladies—or should we say the beginning. Lady Thurlow, it was wonderful of your husband to offer the use of Banstead House for the last meeting. I’m sure ye’ll make the celebration a memorable event.”
Victoria smiled and nodded, and used every bit of her willpower to hold back the tears that stung her eyes. “Excuse me, ladies, I need to speak to Lord Thurlow.”
“Ah, newlyweds,” Mrs. Wilton said with a giggle.
