The Marriage Market Read online

  “But Mrs. Hunt, she is so very young, plus she’s living away from home for the first time. I know that such behaviour is wrong and may land Nan in trouble, but her reputation will be ruined if you force her from the house. What will she do after she leaves here?”

  “If you ask me, ma’am, she should have thought of that before she let young Toby have his way with her.”

  Victoria rolled her eyes. “Well, Mrs. Hunt, I think that I had better speak with Nan myself and see what we can do to mend this situation. But I will not dismiss the girl on the basis of stolen kisses in the kitchen, and you should not be firing a member of my staff without my permission. I will not have you acting so presumptuously, Mrs. Hunt. Mind that it doesn’t happen again. Now, please go and fetch Nan, and we will discuss this together in the morning room.”

  Mrs. Hunt stiffened while receiving this reprimand, and left to get the maid with a sniff. Calming down, Victoria blushed to think what the housekeeper would have said had she witnessed the scene in the carriage. An involuntary giggle rose to her lips as she imagined the expression on the housekeeper’s sour face. Really, the whole situation was preposterous!

  Soon Victoria was subjected to an interview with a sobbing Nan and a stony-faced Mrs. Hunt. It turned out that the young girl and the farmer’s son had been secretly courting since the summer. Toby, who was only seventeen, had not had the courage to speak to his parents because the young couple would have only Nan’s wages to live upon were they to marry.

  “I see, Nan,” Victoria said, “but is there nothing your parents can do to help you?”

  “No, ma’am. My parents don’t have much, and they got seven children besides me. My ma and pa always told us that we have to make our own way in the world.”

  “Do you love Toby? Do you want to marry him?”

  “I do terribly, and I know Toby wants to marry me, too. Only, he’s the third son, and there’s no money for him, and he hasn’t been able to put anything by yet. We’ve been waiting, but it is awful hard not to let him kiss me when he loves me so much.”

  Mrs. Hunt harrumphed.

  “There must be something that we can do about this. Maybe if I visit Mr. Scott tomorrow, we could come up with a remedy between us. I have heard from Mr. Ladbrook that one of Lord Eggles’ tenants finds the farm work too much for him now that his son has moved away. Perhaps your Toby could help out Lord Eggles’ tenant? If you continue to work for us, you might have enough money to marry on between you. Let me see what I can do.”

  “Oh, would you?” Nan asked, her eyes brimming with gratitude. “It would be so good of you to help us – we’d be that grateful. And I’d be happy to stay on here, if you’d let me. I swear it won’t never happen again.”

  “Just promise me, Nan, that you will have a talk with your Toby about being patient a little while longer. You do not want to start a marriage with a baby, do you, and have to stop working just when you’re trying to set up a household. It would make a big difference if you could save up a little first, don’t you think?”

  “I know that what you say would be best, ma’am, and now that maybe me and Toby will not have to wait so long to get married, he might be more patient. I will talk with him. Thank you so much, Mrs. Ladbrook,” Nan said with a curtsy.

  “You're welcome, Nan. Now, go and find your young man and tell him that I will be dropping in tomorrow morning to talk with his father. You are a practical-minded girl. I think that you will do just fine.”

  Victoria dismissed Nan and Mrs. Hunt and returned to her room to bathe her over-warm face and change her clothes. Now that the moment was over, she was beginning to tremble from her confrontation with the housekeeper, but she felt that she had made the right decision. She meant to look after the servants as she saw fit and not let Mrs. Hunt trample over her. A plate of sandwiches and a glass of wine were waiting for her, and Victoria discovered that she was quite hungry. She sat down at a table to eat, and tried to think what she should do about Mr. Wovington. Her interviews with Mrs. Hunt and Nan had distracted her from her own troubles, and she did not feel quite as distraught as she had in the carriage.

  She decided to sleep on the matter and confront Wovington in the morning. Maybe she would know what to say to him by then. Heavens, she was going to need the wisdom of Solomon for that. She sent a message asking that Mr. Wovington meet her for breakfast the next day, and went to bed.

  When Victoria descended the stairs in the morning, she found Wovington waiting for her in the hallway outside the dining room. He said nothing; merely bowed with a blank expression on his face and waited for her to precede him into the room. A fire had been made up in the hearth and two places were set at the end of the table. Wovington held Victoria’s chair for her before seating himself. They helped themselves to food, quietly passing the dishes back and forth. Johnson arrived with hot tea and left the room.

  “How are you this morning, Mr. Wovington? I hope that you slept well?” Victoria began in a cool tone. She was going to treat this matter like the mistress of the manor should – with dignity, not with anger.

  “Tolerably well to both inquiries, Mrs. Ladbrook. I am anxious to be off this morning, of course, and will leave just as soon as we have eaten.”

  “I will instruct Morton to alert the stable of your imminent departure, sir.”

  “Thank you. Shall I present your good wishes to your mother-in-law upon my arrival?” he asked in a sarcastic tone.

  Victoria chose to overlook his manner. “That is kind of you. Thank you, sir.”

  Wovington scowled, and Victoria twisted the linen napkin nervously in her nap. He blurted out, “You are not very brave this morning, Mrs. Ladbrook. I had expected better of you than this cold formality.”

  Incredulity swept across her face, and Victoria gasped. “Are you not the brazen one, to expect better from me after what you did last night? How dare you criticize my behaviour when your own was so scandalous.” She jumped to her feet, her breathing rapid, and Wovington rose as well. She stared at him, and he coloured and looked away. After a moment, she thought of her husband’s long friendship with this man, and sank back into her chair. He continued standing, his head bent. She asked more softly, “But will you not make some kind of explanation for your behaviour, Mr. Wovington?”

  “Must I really say anything, Mrs. Ladbrook? You have never been deficient in either observation or intuition heretofore. Surely you have some inkling as to my feelings for you these many months past?” His eyes rose to meet hers, and he frowned. “I am sorry for the offence – truly, I am. You have my word that it will never occur again. Do you also require a promise that I shall never visit your home again? I will understand, if you do, and make some excuse to David if you desire it.”

  Victoria gazed at him for a long moment, and sighed. She had once been flattered by his attentions, as any girl would have been from such a handsome and engaging young gentleman. If there had been no David – well, things might have been different. But James was so adept at covering his emotions with an urbane remark or a smile that it was difficult to judge how deeply he felt things. His blunder in the carriage had been a revelation to her; she had not realized his attraction for her was so strong. Perhaps she was partially at fault for letting her absorption with David blind her to James’ feelings.

  And there was something else to consider. She and David had not been married long, while he and James were boyhood friends. If she were to forbid James admission to the house, she would have to explain her reason to David. She did not know how her new husband would react. It was possible that he might challenge James and someone might be hurt, perhaps fatally. David might also doubt her role in the matter, wondering if she had somehow encouraged James. That would be unbearable. All-in-all, it was probably best to keep the whole thing secret from David.

  Victoria looked up and extended her hand. James crossed round the table to take it. She said, “You will always be welcome in our home, James. Let us never speak of this again – to anyone
.”

  Wovington lowered his gaze and said nothing for a moment. Then he looked at her with a rueful smile and said, “Thank you for your generosity, Victoria. David is a lucky devil to have you, and he knows it. Truthfully, if it had been any man but him, I would have tried my damnedest to steal you away before it was too late. But if there is any man who deserves you more than I, it is David. And now I think that I had better leave you. Bless you, my dear.”

  Victoria watched him leave the room and heard the front door close behind him. She felt badly about poor James, but she had handled the situation as well as she could. She sighed, and went upstairs to prepare for her meeting with Mr. Scott.

  Chapter Seven – Miss Rose Pursing

  Extract of a letter from Mrs. David Ladbrook to Mrs. Joseph Greene:

  January 20, _____

  “Dearest Jemma,

  I hope that you are well and enjoyed the holidays. Mother already wrote to thank me for the shawl which you so kindly delivered. Thank you again for doing so. We had a magical Christmas here, complete with snow, and one which I will always treasure since it was my first with David. We went to Mother Ladbrook’s house for a three-day visit over Christmas. Mother Ladbrook said that my husband was stingy because he would not extend our visit, but David would not relent. I will not repeat the disgraceful comment he made to me privately about a longer visit, but I, too, feel very greedy about the time I have to spend alone with my new husband. We attended a service in the cathedral on Christmas Eve night and again on Christmas morning. The building is so lofty and magnificent. I will never forget the thrill of seeing it by candlelight. My new sister and her husband were visiting with the children, of course, and it was enchanting watching their excitement as they opened their gifts. The only thing that was missing was your company, and that of Mama, Papa, and Tricia’s. Please write and let me know how work progresses on your two new dresses, and if Tricia has any new beaux.

  We held a small ball at the beginning of the New Year. David invited a mix of town and country friends. Our mutual friend, Mr. Wovington, attended. He danced with a number of ladies, but did not seem to favour anyone in particular. I think that he looks a little melancholy these days. It would be delightful if he were to become attached to one of the agreeable young women of the parish. David laughed when I shared that opinion with him and said that Wovington is not ready to be tied to a wife yet, but I disagree. As a matter of fact, there is a sweet young neighbour of ours who just might suit the gentleman. I will write to you if anything interesting develops.”

  __________

  Rose Pursing was the youngest and only unmarried daughter of a neighbouring family. She was a vivacious girl, dainty and pretty, and Victoria thought her delightful. She wondered if James might also appreciate Miss Pursing, and determined to introduce them as soon as the opportunity presented itself.

  “David, my love, what news do you hear from James these days?” Victoria asked as they sat together in the drawing room one evening. “We have not heard from him in almost a month. I remember thinking that he appeared rather drawn the last time we saw him. Perhaps he is working too hard? I think that a few days in the country would be restful for him.”

  David looked up from where he was playing with their new beagle puppy on the carpet. Victoria’s innocent face was bent over the embroidery in her lap. “I will ask him to come if you like, darling, although it might be difficult to persuade him to visit with the weather so cold and rainy. James gets restless when he is cooped up indoors with nothing to do.”

  “Oh, I will manage some sort of entertainment for him, never fear,” replied his wife. An invitation was dispatched the very next day.

  Wovington dutifully arrived a week later and was welcomed at the front door by both of the Ladbrooks. Victoria tucked her hand into his arm and took James on a tour of the house, pointing out the alterations that the couple had affected. When they had returned to the drawing room and were sipping coffee before the fireplace with David, Victoria told Wovington of her plans for his visit.

  “Have no fear that we will be too dull for you, James. I have invited our neighbours, a Mr. and Mrs. Pursing and their daughter, to dine with us tonight, and later we shall have a little musical entertainment. Miss Pursing plays the pianoforte very well.”

  James raised an eyebrow at David, who smiled and shrugged. Turning back to Victoria, James said, “I look forward to meeting your neighbours, my dear. I am sure that any plans you have made for the evening will prove diverting.”

  The Pursings arrived at the appointed hour. David made the introductions, and James shook hands with Mr. Pursing and bowed to the ladies.

  “Happy to meet you, Mr. Wovington,” Pursing said, a slight, balding man who fidgeted. Mrs. Pursing was a tall, placid woman who gazed slowly around the room before smiling and nodding at the company. She seated herself in the most comfortable chair and drew some knitting from her bag.

  “I am very pleased to meet your acquaintance, sir,” Miss Pursing remarked with a smile and a pert curtsy. She looked very well, the pink ribbon in her golden curls complementing the pink tint of her cheeks. Victoria led her to the sofa, and the gentlemen sat down in adjacent chairs. They chatted about the weather and of Mr. Pursing’s recent acquisition of a new mare until Morton announced that dinner was served. David escorted Mrs. Pursing into the dining room while Victoria claimed Mr. Pursing. James offered his arm to Miss Pursing, and she rested her hand on it as light as a butterfly as he conducted her into the dining room.

  They dined in grand style with Victoria and David at either end of the table, Mr. and Mrs. Pursing on one side, and James and Miss Pursing on the other. Victoria chatted about a concert that she and David were looking forward to on the following Sunday while the soup was being served.

  “Would you care to join us, James?” Victoria said. “A wonderful soprano, Mrs. Eugenia Edwards, will be performing. She received high praise for a concert she gave in London before Christmas. What do you think, Mr. and Mrs. Pursing? It is not every day that we get someone of Mrs. Edwards' calibre in Salisbury.”

  Mr. Pursing shook his head without interrupting the flow of food from the bowl to his mouth. “Mrs. Pursing and I are otherwise occupied, Mrs. Ladbrook. We’re staying at Willow Farm next weekend to purchase some of Masters’ herd. He has some fine dairy stock that will make a welcome addition to my herd.”

  “And will Miss Pursing be going with you, Mr. Pursing?”

  “Oh, I doubt it. Rose is not much interested in cows, are you, girl?”

  “Not very, Father,” Miss Pursing responded with downcast eyes.

  “But it is a shame that Miss Pursing will not be going to the concert,” Victoria said. “She has such fine musical taste. I am sure that she would enjoy herself greatly. Wouldn’t she David?” Victoria asked, enlisting her husband’s help.

  David nodded. “We would be more than happy to take your daughter with us, if that would be agreeable?”

  Mr. Pursing jumped into the conversation before his wife could empty her mouth. “That would be capital, Ladbrook. Rose would probably be dull all by herself next weekend. A concert would be just the thing to cheer her up. What do you say, Rose?”

  “Thank you, Mr. Ladbrook. I would be delighted to accompany you and Mrs. Ladbrook, if you are sure it is no imposition,” the young woman said with a grateful smile.

  “Not at all, Miss Pursing, we would love to have you join us,” Victoria replied. “Mr. Wovington has recommended an inn near the concert hall. Perhaps we could eat supper there? What was the name of the inn, James?”

  “It’s the Crown, Victoria, on Duke Street. The food is plain, but good, and their ale has made it a popular spot.”

  “I’ve never eaten at an inn before, Mrs. Ladbrook,” said Miss Pursing with a little frown. “Is it safe?”

  “Oh yes, perfectly safe. Have no worries on that score, Mrs. Pursing,” she added, turning her attention to the mother. The lady nodded and continued to masticate her food. “An
d with David and James there to look after us, I’m sure that we’ll be entirely comfortable. Don’t you agree, James?”

  James crossed his eyes at Victoria, an expression that only she could see from her position at the table, and Victoria smothered a giggle. “Yes indeed, Miss Pursing, the inn is highly respectable, and with Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook and myself there to chaperone you, you will be as safe as if you were dining at home,” he replied.

  “Exactly,” Victoria said. “Do have some roast, Mr. Pursing.”

  The group re-assembled in the drawing room after dinner. Miss Pursing sat down at the pianoforte and played a lively piece while Victoria turned the pages for her. The girl’s slender fingers flew skilfully over the keys, and when she had finished, the company complimented her. After the applause had died down, Victoria coaxed David into singing one of their favourite duets.

  “If you are not too fatigued, would you mind playing for us, Miss Pursing? Your playing is much more proficient than mine, and my performance will be better if I have only to concentrate on the singing,” Victoria said.

  “I am not at all tired, Mrs. Ladbrook. Sometimes I play for Mother and Father an hour at a time,” the girl replied.

  “James, perhaps you would be kind enough to turn the pages for Miss Pursing?”

  “Delighted,” he responded, rising with alacrity from his place beside Mrs. Pursing where he was having a hard time making conversation with the lady. He took a seat on the bench beside her daughter and waited to be of assistance.

  “One, two, three . . .,” Miss Pursing counted, and the couple began. The song spoke of the courtship between a shepherd and his reluctant lady. David, getting into the spirit of the piece, sang his part lustily, and Victoria responded with enthusiasm. At the end of the song, David bowed over his wife’s hand and kissed it. The others applauded.

  “Excellently done, Mr. and Mrs. Ladbrook,” enthused Mr. Pursing. “Watching you two reminds me of my own courting days with Mrs. Pursing. What was that song that had the birds in it, Mrs. Pursing?” The two embarked upon a discussion of the song, Mrs. Pursing remarking that the song had doves in it, while her husband insisted that the birds had been nightingales.