FRANK FELT HIS WELL-BEING DRAIN AWAY as he walked home at a furious pace. What was Shrewsbury up to? Why had he told Fanny that he was engaged that evening? His friend had been reliable and true ever since they had met at Eton. They had shared rooms at Oxford. Could his attraction to Sophie be great enough to overrule all the history they had together?
Changing direction, he went to Shrewsbury’s rooms on Half Moon Street. He wasn’t in. Next, he tried Brook’s, but failed to find him there. Weary from being out of temper, Frank finally went home, belted down a whiskey, and sat staring into the grate in his library.
Shrewsbury was the Golden Boy. At Oxford, he had been awarded Cricket Blue, as well as taking a first in Modern History. He was as handsomely blond as Frank himself was dark. He kept himself in excellent physical condition and was a member of the Four-in-Hand Club. Shaping up to having a brilliant future as a Whig politician, he would undoubtedly go far. And the man had spent the afternoon with Sophie, drawing her in to the plans for his wretched Girls’ School.
Pouring himself another whiskey, he thought of Sophie herself and calmed a bit. Sophie knew his feelings and shared them. But she was just beginning her introduction into society. He had no doubt that his had been her first kiss. What if Shrewsbury made love to her? He was a great success with the ladies.
Surely his angel would remain true.
~~*
The dinner with Lord and Lady Kent and Melissa was pleasant. Sophie’s friend was an eager little thing and refreshing in that she did not try to pretend to worldly wisdom or to affect that society was a bore.
Her brother, Lord Donald, clearly held him in awe.
“I know you by reputation as a top-of-the-trees Corinthian! You hold records at Gentleman Jackson’s, do you not?”
“I do. Do you box, then?”
Melissa’s brother threw a nervous look at his mother.”No-o. Someday, maybe.”
“Lord Trowbridge, will you tell us about your family?” Lady Kent asked. “Do you have brothers and sisters?”
“One of each,” he replied. “My sister is married to Lord Lovington and just had her first child. My younger brother is at Oxford. At least, I presume he has not been sent down recently.”
“What college, my lord?” Lord Donald asked.
“Balliol. What is your college, Lord Donald?”
“Christ Church. But I think your brother plays cricket, does he not?”
“Yes. Gerald is a Cricket Blue. Do you play?”
“No, but I am a first class spectator. Lord Gerald is bang up to the mark with a bat in his hands.”
Lord Kent asked, “I don’t recall seeing you in the House. Have you taken your seat in the Lords?”
“I have been to hear several debates and to vote, but I am afraid my attendance has not been what it should be. As I told you upon our first meeting, I am an admirer of yours, particularly your stance on the Corn Laws.”
“You are a Whig?”
“An ardent one. You probably know my friend, Lord Shrewsbury?”
“Yes. A fine young man. He will make an excellent contribution to the Lords.”
“He has recently hatched a scheme in which I hope you will allow Lady Melissa to take part.” He related the plans for the Girls’ School.
Lady Kent spoke up. “I hope the school itself will not be located in the East End!”
“Uh … I believe so. We would not get many girls in attendance if they had to travel to Mayfair. I doubt many would be willing to do so. Are you familiar with the Duchess of Ruisdell’s soup kitchen for wounded soldiers?”
“I have heard of it,” Lady Kent said, a hint of defensiveness in her voice.
“It is located in the East End, and they have a gentleman in attendance each day to insure the ladies’ safety.”
“Yes, and the Duchess had a bowl of scalding soup thrown in her face. It could have scarred her for life,” Lady Kent said.
“Oh, but Mama, I should love to teach those poor girls to read!”
“Will you or Lord Shrewsbury be in attendance during the girls’ lessons?” asked Lord Kent.
“We intend to have a similar arrangement to the Duchess’s,” Frank said, thinking fast. Of course, they would have to. Why hadn’t he or Shrewsbury thought of that before?
“I think it would be good for Melissa to be exposed to the needs of the poor and to have a hand in helping them out of their situation,” the girl’s father said.
Frank could see Lady Kent considering this. He didn’t know her well, but he imagined that Melissa’s exposure to compassionate young men, willing to undertake her protection, might have an appeal.
Turning to Melissa’s hero-worshipping brother, he said, “You’ll have to join me for dinner at Brook’s while you are in London.”
“I say, that would be first rate!” Lord Donald replied.
In the drawing room after dinner, Frank enjoyed a rubber of whist with Lord Donald as partner against Lord and Lady Kent, while Melissa played the pianoforte. Frank thought her playing sounded proficient but not inspired.
All in all, it was a pleasant evening and vastly preferable to staying home and worrying about Sophie and Shrewsbury. When he left the Aldridges,’ he was loath to face going home. Instead, he went to Brook’s and played billiards for a while, then switched to Faro.
Frank didn’t see his bed until dawn. Even so, he still dreamt of Sophie.
{ 13 }