“As a guest?” Helena asked a little shocked.
“Yes. She has that lovely gown from when we were caught in the rain, and I keep thinking how charming it looked on her and I would be happy if she could attend. She has no escort that I am aware of, and if she could accompany the two of you… Well… I think it would be nice.”
Helena appeared to be both surprised and amused. “Thomas… your grandmother is holding a ball for you to find a suitable bride and you are inviting a young woman of whom, I am certain, your grandmother would not approve. Naughty, naughty… And I absolutely love it! You know I think she is adorable and ever such a perfect match for you.”
Thomas could not help but think how correct she was, but instead said, “I am not inviting her because of that. I feel badly that she was unable to achieve her dream… at least for now… and I wanted to show my appreciation for her efforts and show I have no hard feelings.”
“You are such a liar, Thomas Haddington, but I forgive you,” Helena said with a smirk as she stood to leave. “However, I shall pass your invitation along and I know she will be thrilled.”
* * *
“What!” Jenny gasped. “That is quite impossible. He cannot possibly mean that. He must be teasing you.”
“Nonsense,” Helena replied. “And I want you to look your very best. You know the whole purpose of the ball is to find the Duke a wife. His grandmother is quite insistent.”
Jenny and Helena were in Jenny’s bedroom where Helena had dragged her to take outthedress to see if it needed any repairs or pressing.
“Everything needs to be just perfect,” Helena insisted, as she spread the gown across the bed to examine it. However, she suddenly stopped and turned to Jenny and asked, “You do like him, do you not?”
Jenny blushed and stammered, “Oh, Helena… I… he…” She put her hands up and shook them, unable to quite say what she truly felt with words.
“Jenny, no need to be shy with me. We have been friendsforever. Tell me true.”
Jenny took a deep breath and said, “Yes, what can I say? He makes me shiver and blush and melt all at the same time. I have never met a man I find so attractive.”
“And your dear Evan?”
Jenny was thoughtful then said, “Yes, he isdearEvan. Dear like a brother. Handsome. Thoughtful. Devoted. But… well… something is missing for me. I cannot tell you why, but he is… just Evan… there is noinspiration.”
Helena nodded. “I understand. I do. And that is why we must make you the only woman at the ball Thomas will want to dance with or will evernotconsider for his bride.”
“You expect a miracle.”
“Not so. The afternoon of the ball I want you to come to Springford with your dress and shoes and we shall get ready together. I shall have my maid, Alicia, do our hair and makeup and then we shall head out in my carriage, pick up George, and have the most splendid evening possible.”
* * *
Wilcox was puzzled why he felt so gleeful at having destroyed Thomas’s chances of securing an investment from the Earl of Comerford. In one of his rare moments of introspection, he asked himself why he would want to thwart Thomas’s efforts at restoring the Pemberton estate’s income? But he could not deny the fact that he was delighted to cause Thomas pain. There was a superior, arrogant quality about Thomas that never ceased to annoy him—Thomas seemed to feel that, as the Duke of Pemberton, he was above reproach. Wilcox felt justified in being the fox in the henhouse. He had even taken delight in stealing from his mother—the dear lady who had lavished her love and affection on him all his life. And yet… he could not help but relish the pain he had caused her as well. Wilcox had to acknowledge that he was, indeed, the rotten apple in the barrel, and that gave him a sort of peace and tranquility.
He had these thoughts as he headed in his carriage from his estate on his way to Pemberton to visit with his mother as he needed her help on an important matter.
Upon arriving at the house, he was greeted by Willoughby and ushered to his mother’s chambers, where she was at her desk surrounded by RSVPs and lists of things to do for the ball.
“Wilcox, what are you doing here?” Augusta asked with irritation. “We are deep in preparation for the ball on Saturday. What do you want?”
Wilcox now felt even more resentful of his angry mother. “Dearest Mother, I did not want to bother youduringthe ball, so I have stopped by to ask just the smallest favor. A favor I know you will want to grant because it just may help me be able to repay the money I… borrowed… from you.”
“Huh…” she said with scorn at his portrayal of his theft as borrowing. “What do you need now?”
O-o-o how she loved to rub salt in the wound, he thought. “Mother, I have started meeting with the Widow Monmouth socially.”
“So, you know Monmouth, do you?”
“Most charming lady.”
“Oh, Wilcox, really… She looks like fallen pudding.”
“But she and I are developing quite a pleasant relationship.”
