Sara immediately shook her head.
“I have only just been spurned by one gentleman. Perhaps it would be wise for me to take a short time away from them all!”
“Fromallgentlemen?” Miss Cartwright asked as Sara nodded. “That is a little severe, do you not think? There are many excellent gentlemen in London.”
“That may be so, but I struggle to find them! I believed that Lord Coatbridge was one such fellow, and now look where I am. I am not certain that I can trust any gentleman again!”
“That does not mean that they areallas Lord Coatbridge was,” her friend replied simply. “Come now. Let us go to the park for a walk, as we had planned, and I am certain that we will find some excellent gentlemen to speak with. They will pull you from your thoughts of Lord Coatbridge.”
Sara sighed and was about to refuse, only for the door to open and for her mother to step inside. She murmured a quick hello to Miss Cartwright but made her way to Sara almost immediately.
“My dear, I have wonderful news!” her mother exclaimed, immediately catching Sara’s interest.
“Yes, Mama?”
Shifting a little further forward in her seat, she waited as her mother clasped her hands together.
“I have just heard from my dear friend, Lady Simpson, that her nephew is eager to make your acquaintance and has every intention of courting you as soon as he can.”
Sara’s stomach dropped. She had no doubt that her mother was intending to encourage her through this, but the last thing she required at present was simply to be snatched up by another gentleman. He might simply believe her to be broken-hearted and therefore an easy pursuit, or an easy path to the funds of her dowry. Whether he wished to court and wed her or, in fact, desired to gain her interest for something a little less proper, she could not tell, but she was much too wary to simply accept that the gentleman’s interest was genuine – particularly when she could not be certain that they had even been introduced.
“What is the name of this gentleman, Mama?” A quick glance toward Hannah told her that her friend shared the same concern, for there was no smile on her face, and her eyes were a little narrowed, a frown pulling at her brows.
“It is Lord Betley, a most distinguished gentleman who I believe has a great estate in Scotland.”
“Yes, I have heard of the fellow.”
After another glance towards Miss Cartwright, the concern which lingered in her face lingered in her heart also, for Hannah frowned with concern. Many rumors were going around about Lord Betley - which her mother obviously had not heard - but as far as Sara was concerned, he was not a gentleman that she wished to spend any length of time with.
“I believe that he intends to call this very afternoon,” her mother continued brightly, as though Sara ought to be half out of her chair with joy. “We must make certain that you are fully prepared.”
“Alas, Mama, I have already agreed to go to the park and walk with Miss Cartwright, accompanied by my maid, and one of our footmen, of course,” Sara interrupted, as her mother frowned. “We also wish to go into town so she might collect her new gloves for the ball tomorrow evening since it is to be her betrothal ball. You must understand that mydearfriendship with Miss Cartwright will not permit me to break my word.”
Seeing her friend about to open her mouth in protest, Sara gave her a small shake of her head and, thankfully, Miss Cartwright fell silent
Lady Longford sighed.
“No, I suppose I should not ask you to do such a thing.”
Her displeasure was obvious, but Sara paid no heed.
“Thank you, Mama. If you will excuse me, I must go and prepare myself, so that we might leave within the hour.”
At this, her mother threw up her hands and left the room, leaving Sara to fall back into her chair with relief, her eyes closing and one hand fluttering across her forehead.
“I believe you have heard the same as I, concerning Lord Betley?” Hannah remarked as Sara nodded. “It appears he is not a gentleman who is well considered.”
“I have heard that he makes himself quite delightful to every mother in London,” Sara remarked, opening her eyes. “But that his conduct in private is quite improper. Had my mother heard of this, then I am quite sure that she would not be so willing to push me into his company.”
Hannah sighed and shook her head.
“It is unfortunate that some gentlemen can do just as they please in that regard. They may have a wife and continue on with any and every flirtation, with no one disapproving. I am glad that you are cautious, my dear friend. He is not a gentleman you ought to consider. Not to my mind, at least.”
“I quite agree,” Sara acknowledged. “It seems that you are to have your trip into town after all, my dear friend. We must depart before my mother comes up with another reason why I cannot simply go into town with you, and must instead stay to greet Lord Betley!”
Miss Cartwright laughed, rising from her chair.
“I am certain that we will find excellent company, and you will forget all about Lord Coatbridge and everything he has done,” she declared as Sara rolled her eyes. “And if not, then we shall make certain to spend our pin money on something beautiful.”
