“I assure you, such whispers have been greatly exaggerated. I am not a scoundrel.”
He could tell immediately that this did not please his mother, for she shook her head and let out a harsh laugh.
“I do not believe that,” she stated, her tone still fierce. “Especially when mydearfriend, Lady Edmonds, tells me that you were attempting to entice her daughter into your arms!” Her eyes closed tight. “The fact that she is still willing to even be my friend is very generous indeed.”
A slight pang of guilt edged into Jonathan’s heart, but he ignored it with an easy shrug of his shoulders.
“Do you truly think that Lady Hannah was so unwilling? That I had to coerce her somehow?” Seeing how his mother pressed one hand to her mouth, he rolled his eyes for the second time. “It is the truth I tell you, Mother. Whether you wish to believe me or not, any rumors you have heard have been greatly exaggerated. For example, Lady Hannah was the one who came to seekmeout, rather than it being me pursuing her.”
His mother rose from her chair, her chin lifting and her face a little flushed.
“I will not believe that Lady Hannah, who is so delicate a creature, would even havedreamtof doing such a thing as that!”
“You very may very well not believe it, and that would not surprise me, given that everyone else holds much the same opinion.” Spreading both hands, Jonathan let out a small sigh. “I may not be eager to wed, Mother, but I certainly am not a scoundrel or a rogue, as you appear to believe me to be.”
His mother looked away, her hands planted on her hips, and Jonathan scowled, frustrated by his mother’s lack of belief in his character. During last Season, he had been utterly astonished when Lady Hannah had come to speak with him directly, only to attempt to draw him into some sort of assignation. And she only in her first year out in Society as well! Jonathan had always kept far from those young ladies who were newly out – even, as in this case, from those who had been so very obvious in their eagerness. No doubt being a little upset by his lack of willingness, Lady Hannah had gone on to tell her mother a deliberate untruth about him, suggesting thathehad been the one to try to negotiate something warm between them. And now, it seemed, his own mother believed that same thing. It was not the first time that such rumors had been spread about gentlemen – himself included and, on some occasions, Jonathan admitted, the rumors had come about because of his actions. But other whispers, such as this, were grossly unfair. Yet who would believe the word of a supposedly roguish gentleman over that of a young lady? There was, Jonathan considered, very little point in arguing.
“I will not go near Lady Hannah this Season, if that is what is concerning you.” With a slight lift of his shoulders, Jonathan tried to smile at his mother, but only received an angry glare in return. “I assure you that I have no interest in Lady Hannah! She is not someone I would consider even stepping out with, were I given the opportunity.” Protesting his innocence was futile, he knew, but yet the words kept coming. “I do not even think her overly handsome.”
“Are you stating that she is ugly?”
Jonathan closed his eyes, stifling a groan. It seemed that he could say nothing which would bring his mother any satisfaction. The only thing to please her would be if he declared himself betrothed to a suitable young lady. At present, however, he had very little intention of doing anything of the sort. He was quite content with his life, such as it was. The time to continue the family line would come soon enough, but he could give it a few more years until he had to consider it.
“No, mother, Lady Hannah is not ugly.” Seeing how her frown lifted just a little, he took his opportunity to escape. “Now, if you would excuse me, I have an afternoon tea to attend.” His mother’s eyebrows lifted with evident hope, but Jonathan immediately set her straight. “With Lord and Lady Yardley,” he added, aware of how quickly her features slumped again. “I have no doubt that you will be a little frustrated by the fact that my ongoing friendship with Lord and Lady Yardley appears to be the most significant connection in my life, but he is a dear friend and his wife has become so also. Surely you can find no complaint there!” His mother sniffed and looked away, and Jonathan, believing now that there was very little he could say to even bring a smile to his mother’s face, turned his steps towards the door. “Good afternoon, Mother.”
So saying, he strode from the room, fully aware of the heavy weight of expectation that his mother continually placed upon his shoulders. He could not give her what she wanted, and her ongoing criticism was difficult to hear. She did not have proof of his connection to Lady Hannah but, all the same, thought poorly of him. She would criticize his close acquaintance with Lord and Lady Yardley also! His friendships were quickly thrown aside, as were his explanations and his pleadings of innocence - there was nothing he could say or do that would bring her even a hint of satisfaction, and Jonathan had no doubt that, during this Season, he would be a disappointment to her all over again.
* * *
“Good afternoon, Yardley.”
His friend beamed at him, turning his head for a moment as he poured two measures of brandy into two separate glasses.
“Sherbourne! Good afternoon, do come in. It appears to be an excellent afternoon, does it not?”
Jonathan did so, his eyes on his friend, gesturing to the brandy on the table.
“It will more than excellent once you hand me the glass which I hope is mine.”
Lord Yardley chuckled and obliged him.
“And yet, it seems as though you are troubled all the same,” he remarked, as Jonathan took a sip of what he knew to be an excellent French brandy. “Come then, what troubles you this time?” Lifting an eyebrow, he grinned as Jonathan groaned aloud. “I am certain it will have something to do with your dear mother.”
Letting out an exasperated breath, Jonathan gesticulated in the air as Lord Yardley took a seat opposite him.
“She wishes me to be just as you are.” Jonathan took a small sip of his brandy. “Whereas I am less and less inclined to wed myself toanyyoung lady who has her approval… simply because she will have my mother’s approval!”
Lord Yardley chuckled and then took a sip from his glass.
“That is difficult indeed! You are quite right to state thatyouwill be the one to decide when you wed… so long as it is not simply because you are avoiding your responsibilities.”
“I am keenly aware of my responsibilities, which is preciselywhyI avoid matrimony. I already have a great deal of demands on my time – I can only imagine that to add a wife to that burden would only increase it!”
“You are quite mistaken.”
Jonathan chuckled darkly.
“You only say so because your wife is an exceptional lady. I think you one of thefewgentlemen who finds themselves so blessed.”
