Home > Betrayal and Redemption(7)

Betrayal and Redemption(7)
Author: Abby Ayles

 

“I suppose you have a point … but it doesn’t feel so. Mary will not be attending, and Lucy and Elizabeth are already married. In fact, most of the girls I knew two seasons ago are either married, or not attending.”

 

“Tomorrow you will see. You have nothing to worry about, and I will be at your side for the entire time. Should anyone avoid you based on hearsay, it is their loss.”

 

“Thank you, Ambrose,” she told him, giving his arm a squeeze, as she tried once more to brush aside her anxiety about attending the ball at Burford Manor. “I really do appreciate your support, more so since I know you despise these things.”

 

“Of course. It is my intention always to be here when you need me. But now, I believe you need your rest more than another turn about the garden with me.”

 

Georgiana pouted, but let herself be led back towards the house. “Do you truly think I shall sleep?”

 

“You should at least try. I know your aunt will agree with me.”

 

“I suppose I could … after I finish the chapter of the book I am reading. You really should read Mansfield Park. I can hardly wait until I can get a copy of Miss Austen’s new book, Emma.”

 

“I think I will leave those books to you,” Ambrose chuckled, stopping at the side door of the house. “Still, don’t try to stay up to read the whole book. I know you have read it before, so you have no excuse.”

 

“I shall try. Goodnight, Ambrose,” Georgiana said as she gave him a sisterly peck on his cheek.

 

“Goodnight, Georgie.”

 

As Georgiana made her way to bed, she dearly hoped Ambrose was right about there being nothing to worry about. At least Lord Bartlett was in France, the last she had heard, so there was no fear of running into him.

 

 

Chapter 4


Walter felt resigned as he made his way to breakfast with his mother in the main dining room. He had much to do that day; he was still catching up on the current state of the family business affairs and looking over paperwork. Even seeing how cheerful his mother looked did little to improve his mood.

 

“Good morning, Walter.”

 

“Good morning, Mother,” he replied as he seated her.

 

“Whatever you do today, you must not forget about the ball at Burford Manor this evening. I have heard it is to be a particularly lavish event, since it is also Viscount Burford’s birthday.”

 

Sylvia seemed quite excited about the event. “I hear there will be hundreds of lights in the gardens for those who may wish to wander away from the dancing later in the evening. And then, the musicians they have hired…”

 

While his mother continued, Walter listened and nodded at the appropriate times, as he began to eat his coddled eggs and toast. While he could appreciate beauty as much as any man, such details had never held much interest for him.

 

However, as a viscount, Lord Burford was a rank above that of baron. Therefore, he listened just enough to glean any useful tidbits he might employ in polite conversation later.

 

“More to the point,” his mother’s change to serious tone caught his attention, “Lord Burford’s youngest child, and only daughter, has just come of marriageable age. You wished me to point you in the right direction, and she would be a good match for you.”

 

Walter could find no objection. He was sure his mother would not have mentioned the young lady as a possible good match unless it were true. And, while he might think a new debutante a little young, objectively, she would be more likely to successfully give him the heir he needed.

 

“I will make certain I am introduced to her at the ball tonight.”

“Good. And I trust you will try to become acquainted with her? I know you can be charming when you choose.”

 

“Yes, Mother, I will,” he promised. “But, for now, I have some business to attend to. I will take the carriage if you have no need of it.”

 

Sylvia shook her head. “No, but just be sure to keep an eye on the time.”

 

“I will,” Walter replied as, with one last bite of toast, he rose from the table. On the previous evening, he had ordered the carriage to be ready for him that morning, so there was no delay in his departure.

 

First, the offices near the docks must be visited again, to retrieve the newly completed ledgers regarding the cargo and profits of the two ships he owned.

 

Then, he visited the small shop in London primarily supplied by his ships. Walter had a mind to change some of the range of items currently sold in the shop.

 

To do so, he first needed to look over the shop, to see where new wares might be best displayed, and, perhaps, rearrange the rest, as well as consider many other related details. After getting a few ideas, Walter headed out of the shop deep in thought, colliding with someone on the pavement with a forceful bump.

 

“Pardon me. I wasn’t looking where I was going,” he instantly replied, as he lent a hand to the man before him.

 

“Apology accepted, young man. I could have—” the older man paused. “Why, young Walter? Is that you?”

 

Walter focused on the face in front of him, a grin quickly appearing on his face as recognition came to him. “Henry? Henry Lucas?” he asked incredulously.

 

Henry grasped his hand and shook it vigorously with a grin of his own. “It is so good to see you after all these years! When I got back from the Far East last year, you were one of the first people I looked up, only to find you were in France. When did you return?”

 

“Only recently. My mother has convinced me to attend the season. But, come, tell me about yourself. It has been … what, five years? But your time in the East hasn’t weakened your grip, my friend!” Walter remarked, wincing at the man’s forceful grip. Henry laughed but let go of his young friend’s hand. “We must catch up. What are you doing now?”

 

Walter pulled out his pocket watch, noting it was already afternoon. “I have nothing more to do today as far as business is concerned. But I must be home in time to prepare for the ball this evening.”

 

“Well, that gives us a couple of hours! That is plenty of time to get started. Have you eaten anything since breakfast?”

 

“No. Do you have somewhere in mind?”

 

“Have you been to Huxley’s?” Henry put a hand on Walter’s shoulder as they headed to the latter’s carriage. When Walter shook his head to the contrary, he continued, “Well, then, this will be a treat.”

 

After telling the coachman where to go, Henry told him a little about where they were heading. “Huxley’s is a prominent gentlemen’s club. They have drinks there, but we should be able to get a little something to eat, as well. It is still fairly new, but already extremely popular.”

 

“I haven’t been back in London long enough to hear of it yet, I suppose. And, besides, I am not much of a gambler, as you know, though I am not against the occasional bet on a good horse or some other such thing.”

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