Read Online Bluestocking Bride by Elizabeth Thornton - Free Book Online
Authors: Elizabeth Thornton
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conscious of the watching eyes of Mr. Norton and Lady Mary whenever Rutherston was in the least proximity to her, and she forced herself to smile at him and converse easily on any topic of conversation he introduced. He made no effort to say anything to her of a private nature, and on taking his leave observed that he looked forward to meeting both the Misses Harland when he should return to town.
Chapter Eight
Catherine and Lucy arrived in London in the middle of March when the Season was just underway. Their aunt, Lady Margaret Henderly , had her dwelling in Mount Street, an imposing terrace of townhouses built in the popular neoclassical style and situated in that small select area where most of the leading families of Society resided when in town. The Harlands , although country born and bred, were no strangers to the big city, since Ardo House was within seventy miles—a matter of an overnight stop when traveling sedately by private coach. The Misses Harland therefore, had had occasion to be in London from time to time and to have a nodding acquaintance with town manners and ways. But the family outings and small select gatherings that they had attended as schoolroom misses were not to be compared to the succession of balls, parties, and entertainments that they would soon enjoy and that were the means of launching all hopeful debutantes into High Society.
Lady Margaret was related to Catherine's father through her first marriage, and had been a widow for a number of years until her present marriage to Sir John. That gentleman was not expected in London for some time, for he was engaged in negotiations on behalf of his country of a most delicate nature, and Lady Margaret supposed him to be in Lisbon, although she vowed she could never be sure of his whereabouts, for a diplomat's life was erratic and entirely at the disposal of His Majesty's government.
In point of fact, Lady Margaret was a connection rather than a relative, and the title of "aunt" was merely a courtesy. It had been a matter of deep regret to Lady Margaret that she had been childless, but not one to pine for the impossible, she had taken an interest in the various offspring of her many relations and in particular in the Harland family, since she saw that she was in a position to be of use to a branch of the family that was fast finding itself on the periphery of society life.
Catherine's father, as a younger son of a younger son, although comfortably situated, was not by inclination or fortune in the position to keep a house in town or spend the time necessary in cultivating those acquaintances who were so placed as to open the doors of polite society to his daughters. Lady Margaret, however, was so placed, and pleased to be of service. Moreover, she was looking forward tp the prospect of the Harland girls' company and the new diversion they would bring in shopping expeditions and an increase in entertainments.
But it would be wrong to suppose that Lady Margaret was motivated primarily by her own inclination or a desire for her own pleasure. She was very sensible of her duty to her late husband's family and wished to see the Harland girls creditably established in prudent matches. Her circle of friends and acquaintances was such that she saw no reason why this should not be accomplished in short order—as indeed had been done with the eldest Miss Harland some four years before—and she set about planning her strategy as might any general overseeing a campaign.
So it was, in the first weeks of their stay, that Catherine and Lucy found themselves, chaperoned by their aunt, making calls on various homes in adjoining streets to make themselves known to the young ladies and their mamas who had it in their power to ease their way into Society.
"For you may depend on it," said Lady Margaret with worldly wisdom, "that it is the ladies who'decide who will be received and who will be cut. A young gentleman, be he ever so eager, cannot invite a female
Chapter Eight
Catherine and Lucy arrived in London in the middle of March when the Season was just underway. Their aunt, Lady Margaret Henderly , had her dwelling in Mount Street, an imposing terrace of townhouses built in the popular neoclassical style and situated in that small select area where most of the leading families of Society resided when in town. The Harlands , although country born and bred, were no strangers to the big city, since Ardo House was within seventy miles—a matter of an overnight stop when traveling sedately by private coach. The Misses Harland therefore, had had occasion to be in London from time to time and to have a nodding acquaintance with town manners and ways. But the family outings and small select gatherings that they had attended as schoolroom misses were not to be compared to the succession of balls, parties, and entertainments that they would soon enjoy and that were the means of launching all hopeful debutantes into High Society.
Lady Margaret was related to Catherine's father through her first marriage, and had been a widow for a number of years until her present marriage to Sir John. That gentleman was not expected in London for some time, for he was engaged in negotiations on behalf of his country of a most delicate nature, and Lady Margaret supposed him to be in Lisbon, although she vowed she could never be sure of his whereabouts, for a diplomat's life was erratic and entirely at the disposal of His Majesty's government.
In point of fact, Lady Margaret was a connection rather than a relative, and the title of "aunt" was merely a courtesy. It had been a matter of deep regret to Lady Margaret that she had been childless, but not one to pine for the impossible, she had taken an interest in the various offspring of her many relations and in particular in the Harland family, since she saw that she was in a position to be of use to a branch of the family that was fast finding itself on the periphery of society life.
Catherine's father, as a younger son of a younger son, although comfortably situated, was not by inclination or fortune in the position to keep a house in town or spend the time necessary in cultivating those acquaintances who were so placed as to open the doors of polite society to his daughters. Lady Margaret, however, was so placed, and pleased to be of service. Moreover, she was looking forward tp the prospect of the Harland girls' company and the new diversion they would bring in shopping expeditions and an increase in entertainments.
But it would be wrong to suppose that Lady Margaret was motivated primarily by her own inclination or a desire for her own pleasure. She was very sensible of her duty to her late husband's family and wished to see the Harland girls creditably established in prudent matches. Her circle of friends and acquaintances was such that she saw no reason why this should not be accomplished in short order—as indeed had been done with the eldest Miss Harland some four years before—and she set about planning her strategy as might any general overseeing a campaign.
So it was, in the first weeks of their stay, that Catherine and Lucy found themselves, chaperoned by their aunt, making calls on various homes in adjoining streets to make themselves known to the young ladies and their mamas who had it in their power to ease their way into Society.
"For you may depend on it," said Lady Margaret with worldly wisdom, "that it is the ladies who'decide who will be received and who will be cut. A young gentleman, be he ever so eager, cannot invite a female
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