A Wedding In Springtime(92)
“Have you seen Louisa?” asked Lady Bremerton. “She has not come down for breakfast.”
“No,” answered Genie. It was the truth.
“Do you know where she is this morning?”
“Sorry, I don’t know.” Also the truth. What Genie did not say was since it was the day of the engagement ball, she was not surprised Louisa was gone. Unfortunately, Genie had her own problems.
“I thought I might visit Miss Rose now,” said Genie.
“Later perhaps. It is too early to be making calls.”
“But I’d like to coordinate with Penelope about the ball tonight.”
“Fine,” said Lady Bremerton, distracted. “But have the groom drop you off. I’ll need the coach later. Marchford can send you home.”
On the short ride to Marchford house, Genie considered her options again until she was resigned she had only one thing left to do. The coldness would not leave her.
***
Penelope was surprised to be told Miss Talbot was waiting for her in the drawing room. Why would she be visiting so early? A keen sense of dread nipped at Pen’s heels as she walked to the drawing room.
“Thank you for seeing me so early,” said Genie when she was seated opposite Penelope in the drawing room. The dowager, no early riser, did not join them.
“It is not too early for me, though perhaps it is a bit unusual,” said Penelope. “Is there something wrong?” Pen could not help but notice Genie’s red puffy eyes and overall downcast appearance.
Genie gave a weak smile. “No, just a little tired.”
“You should not lose hope that things did not work out with Mr. Blakely. In fact, Madam X has another potential suitor for you.”
Genie’s shoulders slouched. “The last thing I need—”
“I know it is easy to be discouraged, but let us keep hopeful. You are a beautiful girl inside and out. Helping to settle you creditably should not be so difficult.”
“Forgive me, but at this moment, I feel like something you would scrape off a shoe. I am not at all interested in adding another man to my troubles,” declared Genie with feeling.
Penelope could understand if Genie was discouraged by the disaster Mr. Blakely turned out to be, but it only made Genie’s need for a proposal that much more urgent. “This man is a nice one. He is a parson and lives not far from London, so you could enjoy the benefits of Town whenever you like.”
“The benefits of Town are limited in my estimation.”
“You must not be so negative. Mr. Oliver is a kind man. He should arrive soon. He is acquainted with the family and is coming for the engagement party this evening.”
On cue, the door opened and the butler announced Mr. Oliver. In walked a young man with sandy hair and bright eyes.
“Good morning to you ladies.” Mr. Oliver gave a bow. “I am honored to be invited to the engagement ball for the Duke of Marchford. I was quite surprised to see the carriage he sent this morning.”
“Think nothing of it.” Pen waved off the comment sincerely hoping he would forget to thank the duke—particularly since the duke was not the responsible party for his mode of transportation. After the disastrous situation with Blakely, Pen and the dowager had devised a swift new plan—bring in a man from the country.
“May I present Miss Eugenie Talbot?” said Penelope.
Genie gave a tepid smile and Pen could not help wishing her friend did not look quite so fatigued. She had hoped to amaze the young parson with the dazzling beauty of Miss Talbot, but Genie was more frazzle than dazzle at the moment.
“How are you acquainted with the family?” asked Genie absently after the initial pleasantries were uttered.
“Mr. Oliver took over the parsonage from my father,” explained Pen. He was also young, handsome, available, and they were running out of other candidates.
“Whose shoes I can only hope to someday be able to fill,” said Mr. Oliver kindly. “And yet I think we have another connection. I believe the Duke of Marchford’s intended is graced with the family name of Munthgrove. I had the occasion to marry a Miss Munthgrove a few months ago. A family member I believe. I hope to see her at the ball.”
Genie nodded politely, but Penelope froze. It could not be, could it? Surely she would not have done anything so stupid. “I think I heard of the marriage,” said Pen, taking care to keep her tone conversational. “She married a Dr. Roberts?”