Whatever is this?
With the aid of the lantern hung inside the carriage, he looked down at ‘The London Ledger’, and his gut twisted. This was simply society gossip, was it not? What would he find within? Tension clasped hard at his stomach as he leafed through the pages, searching for his own name. Would Lady Margaret’s mother have spoken of him so loudly, already, that it would have gone into such a publication? He had hoped that his profession of love to Lady Margaret would remain between them but, then again, he had hoped for a lot of things and been disappointed in them all.
“‘I search for a love match’?” Suddenly distracted, he found himself reading a letter within ‘The London Ledger’. It was by an anonymous young lady who, it seemed, wanted to know whether any gentlemen in London sought the same type of match as she did. With a roll of his eyes, Adam folded up the Ledger, only to find himself thinking upon the letter. Muttering in exasperation to himself, he unfolded the Ledger and read it once more only to fold it up again. The purpose of his search was to find hisownname, not to become distracted by something entirely banal. Once he reached the safety of his townhouse, he would read ‘The London Ledger’ again in its entirety… although should he find his name contained within, Adam was not certain what, if anything, he could do.
* * *
I can hardly believethat I am reading this.
Shaking his head, Adam looked down at ‘The London Ledger’ and read the letter contained within for what was now the fifth time.
“‘I write in the hope that there will be some gentlemen within London who seek a marriage of love and affection, as I do.’” Reading aloud, he muttered the words into the empty space of his study. “‘I am a young lady of quality, with an excellent dowry and a father who holds a high title. I do not wish to marry for convenience, nor to marry someone of my father’s choosing, but desire a match where, at the very least, there is genuine consideration and affection. Therefore, if you are a gentleman seeking such a thing, perhaps you might write to ‘The London Ledger’ so that your response can be given to me. I write anonymously, however, knowing full well that there will be many who will take great amusement in reading this letter, no doubt laughing at my attempts to secure such a thing. To my mind, however, this is of the greatest importance, and it would be foolish for me not to do so. Therefore, if any part of my letter resonates with you, if it touches your heart, then pray write to ‘The London Ledger’ so that I might then consider you.’”
Scoffing, he shook his head, then threw the Ledger down onto the table. It was not in the least bit sensible for the young lady to have used the Ledger for such an endeavor for, after what she had written, he was convinced that many a gentleman would come professing their hopes for the same as she while, if they were true to it, they would confess that they cared only about her dowry and family title.
Getting up from his chair, he poured himself a whisky and then returned to his desk. After what he had endured with Lady Margaret, and now with being mocked in such a ridiculous fashion by her mother and by those close to her, his heart was heavy and painful.
Mayhap I should advise this young lady of the foolishness of her endeavors.Finding a blank sheet of paper, he uncapped the inkwell, lifted the quill from its stand, and began to write.
His response was not unnecessarily cruel but stated things as he saw them, quite clearly. It did not answer the young lady’s question but rather told her in no uncertain terms that she ought to give up such an idea, for it was foolishness itself, and that gentlemen who responded would only be eager to know of her dowry and family title. He wrote as his heart told him, grieved and upset as it was, with every word as blood taken from his veins. Finishing the letter, he read it over again and, with a wry smile, sealed it with wax and rang for the butler, throwing back the rest of his whisky as he waited.
The edges of his vision blurred a little.
“Ah, there you are.” When the butler stepped into the room, Adam waved the letter at him. “Tell me, do you know who writes ‘The London Ledger’?”
He did not even think about the lateness of the hour and was a little frustrated when the man took a few seconds to answer.
The Butler blinked, then eventually answered.
“Yes, my Lord, I do.” A slight frown pulled at his forehead. “I do hope that everything is quite well, my Lord?”
“I am perfectly well,” Adam told him, hearing the slur beginning to creep into his words. “It is a publication that speaks only of gossip, is it not?”
Much to his surprise the butler hesitated.
“I would not say it containsonlygossip, my Lord.” The man spoke slowly as though he did not want to contradict Adam. “From what I know of it, Lady Yardley is very conscientious as to what is placed within the Ledger. The only time that there is ever gossip is when it is of benefit to those in theton. In addition, it is always stated as such. If it be a rumor, then it is said to be a rumor.”
A little surprised. Adam frowned then shrugged.
“Regardless, it does not matter. I should like this delivered to the writer of ‘The London Ledger’. What did you say her name was?”
“Lady Yardley, my Lord.”
“Then to Lady Yardley, at once.” The butler went to leave, only for Adam to call him back. “It is not to be said that the letter comes from this house,” he finished, firmly. “Do you understand?”
The butler nodded.
“You wish to remain anonymous, my Lord.”
“Yes, that is it precisely.” Getting up from his chair, Adam once more reached for his whisky. “Very good.”
The butler left without a word and, moving from the desk to the window – though he could see very little through it - Adam sipped at his whisky, letting his thoughts wander. Why should this young lady of thetonbe so eager for a love match? After his dealings with Lady Margaret, Adam could fully believe that very few of thetonwere interested in such a thing. Ladies required the very best of gentlemen, as Lady Margaret had said herself, and thus would say whatever they wished if it secured a gentleman of high standing. While this young lady might very well be genuine in her hopes, Adam was quite secure in his belief that she was one of the very few within society seeking out such a thing. Perhaps some young ladies pretended to search for a love match, whilst inwardly hoping that it would be the highest titled gentleman, or the wealthiest fellow, who would come to steal away their heart.
I am convinced that, for the young ladies of London, it is a good deal easier to fall in love with a gentleman who has a great deal of wealth as opposed to a gentleman who suffers with a little less.
With a sigh, he threw back the rest of his whiskey and then strode across the room to pour another. He was already in a difficult frame of mind and reading that particular letter had only darkened it still further. Whoever this young lady was, he could only pray that she gained her senses again very soon.
Chapter Six
