“Lord Taylor was the guilty one, what with his cheating and brutish behavior,” Lord Gibson reminded them both. “He hid it very well, though I was sorry that the scandal affected your own father. That was unfortunate.”
“It was.”
“But it has led to you being rather discerning, and that is no bad thing, especially since you now carry that burden of wealth,” Lord Gibson said quickly. “I think that is probably very wise, given society and those within it. There are many rogues and scoundrels who ought not to be a part of our circles, certainly. And there are mayhap some young ladies who ought to be avoided also!”
Frederick looked back at him in surprise.
“Young ladies? Do you mean those who are widowed and perhaps, a little more free with their attentions?” Catching a footman’s attention, he clicked his fingers and ordered a brandy for them both before turning his attention back to his friend. “I am aware that there are more than a few such ladies, though I do not know their names as yet.”
Lord Gibson shook his head.
“No, you misunderstand me, though yes, certainly, therearesome young ladies in the situations you have suggested who ought to be avoided, should one wish to keep a perfectly presentable reputation, which I am aware that you do.”
A little puzzled, Frederick frowned.
“Then what do you mean?”
Letting out a long sigh, Lord Gibson winced and then gestured down to his boots.
“My boots are splattered with wine and brandy because of one particular young lady.”
“Oh?”
Lord Gibson scowled.
“We were dancing together and, thereafter, I was leading her back to her mother when a footman carrying a tray approached us. For whatever reason, instead of taking one glass, the lady managed to knock the entire tray of drinks onto the floor, and they shattered all over everything.”
“And splattered their contents all over you?” Frederick enquired, as Lord Gibson nodded. “Goodness, that was rather unfortunate.”
“Yes, it was.” Lord Gibson rolled his eyes. “I ought to have been more careful. The young lady in question is known to have something of a clumsy reputation, and I should have been a good deal more cautious in asking her to dance.”
Frederick’s eyebrows lifted.
“A clumsy reputation?”
Lord Gibson nodded fervently.
“Yes, indeed! She has been tripping over this and knocking over that, injuring this person, and causing various damages - though I do believe that not all of those were her doing.” He shrugged. “All the same, there does appear to be an ungainliness about her which seems to have spread from last Season to this.”
“Then I shall have to be cautious!” Frederick laughed, taking the brandy from the footman, and handing it to Lord Gibson. “Might I ask the name of this fearsome creature?”
Lord Gibson took a sip of his brandy and then let out a small, contented sigh.
“A Miss Fairley,” he said, waggling one finger in Frederick’s direction. “Though not the elder one but the younger.”
“I see.” Frederick took a sip from his glass and then let out a slow breath, smiling contentedly as a feeling of great relief settled over him. “I shall make certain to stay away from the lady, then. I do not want to end up in any sort of difficult situation because of her, though I do pity someone who is so very ungainly. That must be rather trying.”
“Trying for those around her, certainly!” Lord Gibson laughed, as Frederick chuckled quietly. “Now, you say that you are not here to consider courtship and such things. Does that mean that you are only here to enjoy yourself?”
Frederick nodded.
“For a short while, yes. The estate is doing well, and the crops are likely to be very successful this year, so my tenants and servants tell me. Therefore, I thought to give myself a little time away from my estate to simply enjoy myself with old friends and new. Though,” he continued, with a small shrug, “if a young lady comes to my attention, I will not reject the idea. It is a responsibility of every titled gentleman to marry.”
Lord Gibson rolled his eyes.
“My mother continues to plague me with such words,” he said, making Frederick laugh. “Sheis why I have come to London. She will not remove to the Dower House until I am wed – such is tradition – and I can barely abide her presence for more than a few minutes for the conversationalwaysturns to young ladies and whether I am soon to provide her not only with a daughter-in-law but also a grandchild. She has always been foolish in doting upon children in the way she does. To her, it is less about the heir and more about the sound of children’s laughter within the house!”
Frederick smiled quietly.
