Page 26 of Pursued Beyond Treachery
He smiled at her word choice. “But why?” She tipped her head and he elaborated. “Why would your aunt not s-sponsor your s-season as the Stanfords have?”
Susannah peered at the ground. “My mother. She was not what Aunt Guthrie wished for in a relation.”
John could hardly believe it. Mrs. Wayland, composed, patient, thoughtful, and brave woman that she was, did notmeasure up to Mrs. Guthrie’s expectations. How could anyone have one unkind word to say about the woman?
“Mama’s father was not always a gentleman. He only recently left his position in trade.”
So naturally Mrs. Guthrie had disliked Mrs. Wayland on principle. It made sense, especially for a woman who stooped so low as to insult a deceased duchess—in her own home, no less.
Susannah’s chin crept toward her chest as her resolute stance faltered. “I believe my aunt felt she was being magnanimous. As a companion to her girls I would have been able to experience London in much the same way I am now, and I would have been given an allowance that could have helped my family.”
“But you’d have been forced to serve your own cousins.”
She nodded. “Service is not a bad thing. I serve my siblings daily.”
“It is not the same.”
“No, but they are still family and as such I choose to keep the peace.”
He had to respect her decision. It showed a strength of character he doubted her aunt possessed.
Silence settled between them as Susannah delivered the duchess’s refreshments and took up a seat across from her. The spindly legs of the gold and green chairs gave him pause. He was not a large man, but his height added a significant amount of weight. Carefully he lowered himself into one, praying the delicate piece would hold.
Her Grace accepted the refreshment with many words of thanks, further attesting to her discomfort and reticence to rise with such an encumbered body. The duke joined them, his smile holding a subtle intimacy as he sat beside his wife.
“Newhurst, I am glad I caught you before you left. I have something for you.”
John’s curiosity piqued.
“My niece mentioned an oversight that, thanks to my connections at the palace, I was able to remedy.” Reaching into the pocket of his dinner jacket, the duke extracted a square of canary yellow paper. John’s eyes widened. Could it be?
Carefully, he took it. There, in beautifully penned script, was an invitation to the Prince Regent’s ball.
John glanced at Susannah. She smiled back. Perhaps he would stand up with Susannah for her first dance after all.
Chapter 9
The next week flew by in a whirlwind of shopping, visiting, a trip to the opera, and many other pleasant pursuits. Susannah relished each experience, making sure to write in detail to her younger siblings as often as she found time.
The luxury of having clean paper so readily accessible still left her in awe. If her brothers and sister were distinct in their writing, they might be able to send the sheets back to her written crosswise. The cost of paper aside would save them enough to write to her almost as often as she did them.
She especially took time to write to Andrew, knowing he’d feel less lonely at school if he had a cheerful account. Perhaps she’d even get a chance to visit him at Harrow, it being nearer to London than Maidstone.
Many people came to welcome the Stanfords back to London, increasing Susannah’s circle of acquaintances so much that she’d begun to keep a list of names to memorize in her free time. Today would be no different, for Lady Stanford had already summoned her for more visitors.
Susannah took one more glance in the mirror, adjusting her fichu and pushing a pin back in place. A loose hair clung to her pink and white day dress. With two fingers she plucked the golden strand off the little embroidered rosebud.
Perfect.
In the sitting room she found Lady Stanford already deep in conversation with three women. Her gaze flitted to the eldest of the three and she stopped.
What was her aunt doing here?
“Miss Wayland, come.” Lady Stanford motioned to her, a bright smile gracing her pink lips. “Why did you not tell me the Guthries are close kin to you?”
Susannah did not know how to answer. Not only had her aunt been terribly condescending to her last they met, but Aunt Guthrie’s threat that she’d have nothing to do with any of them still haunted her memories. Why was she now claiming the association?
Her vengeful side wished to break ties. If her mother had not been good enough for Aunt Guthrie, then the self-serving woman would certainly hold no amount of love in her heart for her. But Society would not look kindly on either of them for breaking expectations. Best to do as her mother had; be kind and hope for the best.
