Page 58 of A Dreamy Match Made in Heaven
The two separated and he found his way to another group of men to speak with. Before long, Miss Wainwright made her way to the group.
“Gentlemen, I trust you are having a nice evening?” she asked.
“Indeed,” Thomas replied as the others gave their positive responses.
“Very well. I certainly hope that you are all making an effort with the young women I have set aside for each of you. And that you are showing appropriate behaviours with the other young ladies you are dancing with,” she said in a warning tone.
Each of the men nodded, sheepishly.
“Now, Mr. Gregory, I should like to speak with you alone,” she said, singling Thomas out.
He felt anxious at that and nodded, following her as she led him away from the others who looked at him with pity in their eyes.
“Why do you look so frightened?” she asked, once she had him pulled aside.
Thomas laughed. “I am worried that I have got myself into trouble with you,” he said.
“Oh, hush now. None of that nonsense. I simply wished to know how it is going with Miss Cranford. The two of you seem to have hit it off rather well, as I observed in the dance,” she said.
“Indeed, Lady Cranford is quite a gem. I am very glad that you have matched the two of us together,” he said.
“And you believe that she is a more ideal match for you than Miss Hastings? Your letter asking me to stop pushing the two of you together appeared to have been written with some passion. Has something occurred which I ought to be aware of? Did she behave in a manner unworthy of a young woman of breeding?” she asked.
Thomas was suddenly very worried. He had never meant to give that impression.
“Oh, goodness no. Miss Wainwright, I never thought that you might interpret my words as a concern for her character. It was simply that she and I did not have the right chemistry and I could tell that neither of us was overly happy with the match,” he said.
“You are certain that is all it was?” she asked, still apparently unsure.
“I am positive. Lady Hastings is a fine young woman. But she and I are not suited to one another. That was all my concern held. Please do not think that she is a woman with anything to hide or be ashamed of. Any of the other gentlemen here would be most fortunate to be paired with her,” he said.
“You think so?” she asked, eyeing him with suspicion.
“Certainly,” he said.
“Just not you,” she continued.
“Well, no. Not me. But I imagine the right man is here for her this evening and you would do well to find someone that brings her happiness,” Thomas said.
“Then I suppose I shall continue seeking for just that. Thank you, Mr. Gregory. And I do hope that you save another dance for Miss Cranford,” Miss Wainwright said.
“I intend to, Miss Wainwright. Any opportunity I have to dance with Lady Cranford is a gift,” he replied in his most charming way.
Miss Wainwright appeared delighted by that response and she nodded to him as she walked away, checking in with the next client.
Thomas breathed a sigh of relief and was surprised when Officer Kingsley was suddenly by his side.
“How is it?” he asked.
“Very well. Lady Cranford is a most splendid match. And how has it gone for you thus far? I saw that you danced with Lady Alcott,” he noted.
“Of course I did. Not only that, but I have spoken with her uncle. He has guaranteed me that all shall be arranged with her mother and father. We are to formally begin our courtship and I cannot believe the delight that it causes me to feel,” he said.
Thomas looked at his friend with admiration and surprise. He had never expected that, of all people, Officer Kingsley would be the one to eagerly pursue a formal courtship.
“You are ready and prepared to give up your past? All of the women with whom you flirted and the ways you behaved so improperly?” Thomas laughed.
He had always tried not to openly judge his friend’s behaviour, but it had bothered Thomas to see him moving from one woman to the next so freely. Seeing him settle down and choose a woman and claim to want to spend his life with her was utterly astonishing.
