“And what was the end result?”
Bridget sighed. “He cannot marry her, as we suspected. The original understanding that they must wait until his aunt dies still holds. From what Elizabeth has told me, Louisa tried to break off the engagement.”
“But why?”
“To save him. She loves him and wanted him to find a woman he did not have to wait to marry, a woman who is not furthermore marred by family scandal.”
“And what did Mr. Fairchild say to that?”
“He refused.” Bridget’s mouth twisted up into a grimace. “He protested that if she no longer loved him he would take their breaking off in good grace but he would not allow her to make a martyr of herself to save him. He stood by her.”
“That is well for Mr. Fairchild. It speaks to his character.”
“Yes, I suppose so. Louisa is not happy. She fears that she will bring ruin to him and that their engagement will be discovered and he shall lose everything.”
“It’s not an unfair conclusion at which to arrive,” Regina pointed out.
“I know. But I think that they would only make themselves more miserable in breaking things off. There is still time yet. Mr. Denny and Elizabeth have been arranging things for the wedding. Hopefully her marriage to him will make the path more clear and smooth for Mr. Fairchild and Louisa.”
“And what of you and Natalie?”
“I am choosing tonight, as I have told you all previously.”
“And do you have someone in mind?”
Bridget did not answer that. They walked in silence for a moment, and when she spoke again, it was of Natalie.
“Our middle sister is finding that she does not have the gift of conversing seriously with a man.”
“No man has chosen her, then.”
Bridget nodded. “It is a blow. To think that you are beloved by all and then to find that when you spend a great deal of time with them they do not want you after all… it is a hard pill to swallow. I think that some self-improvement is in her future.”
“But will she be able to? With our futures such as they are?”
“Two of her sisters will be married,” Bridget pointed out. “And Louisa’s future will be secure once we are well off. Natalie will have time to come to herself, I think.”
“That sounds like rather wishful thinking, sister,” Regina replied.
Bridget gave a sad, tiny laugh. “I have nothing but wishful thinking Regina. The men that have previously made their interests known to me might have moved on after all, you know. My position is precarious as well. But what can I do? We must remain hopeful or there is nothing for us.”
Regina laid her head on her sister’s shoulder and strengthened her resolve. She would make things right. After tonight, her sisters would no longer have to fear for themselves and for their future. All would be well again.
Anger burned, hot and fierce, within her chest. She would utterly vanquish Lord Pettifier for this. She would. She had to.
“And what of you, my sweet darling?” Bridget asked. “I hope that city life has improved you somewhat.”
“I have found some confidence,” Regina admitted. “And made acquaintences. I believe you will see some of them tonight. If they allow you to recognize them, of course. There is a Lady Cora Dunhill, who has been my escort on many occasions.”
Bridet stumbled. Regina helped her to continue walking. The pathway was really quite old, with cobblestones that stuck up at odd places.
“I have also made the acquaintance of Lord Harrison, Duke of Whitefern.” There was no time like the present and she must make Bridget amenable to his proposal when it came.
“He is quite a gentleman, Bridget. Of course I cannot presume to know your mind but you said that he expressed an interest in you in the past.
“I’ve found him to be a worthy man. I know that you must choose someone tonight as you have promised. And he has been such a kindness to me. He has helped to introduce me in London and given me great instruction on improving myself. He has been as a brother to me.”
That last part was a lie, for in her heart Regina could not see him as a brother and had not imagined that was how it was between them. But that was how it was to his mind, she was certain. Furthermore it was how he would be to her once he and Bridget married. Best to start thinking of him that way now.
And who knew? Maybe if she said it out loud enough times it would become true to her.
Bridget gave a thoughtful hum. “I see. Well, I am glad to hear of it. Having a gentleman on your side can be quite helpful when moving about in social circles. It discourages rakes, for one thing.”
“I only speak because I fear that you held a rather low opinion of him, and I think that opinion to be unfair.”
“I appreciate you informing me,” Bridget said. She turned and looked to see that the others had all retreated back into the house. “Let us join the others, shall we? We will have to start getting ready soon.”
Regina nodded and allowed herself to be led into the house.
Lord and Lady Morrison were as delightful as usual. Regina was eager to embrace them and to learn of all that they had been up to.
Everyone was eager to hear about Regina and all that she had got up to on her own. She had not expected that everyone would care so much about her escapades in London. She had thought that only Bridget would ask after her.
To her surprise, however, all her sisters wished to know.
“Our little sister, off on her own and about in London society,” Elizabeth teased. “I do hope that you have some good gossip.”
Regina found that lying to them went more easily than she had anticipated. She shared stories that she had heard from Cora and the others. She talked about the people that Aunt Jane had met with as if she had been there. She described balls that she had only heard about.
“I most loved walking about in the many parks,” she confessed.
“You? Enjoying a walk?” Natalie laughed, but not in a mean spirited fashion. She sounded genuinely surprised. “Well, knock me down with a feather. I had thought you would spend the entire time wrapped up in your needle and thread.”
“I found that when one has the right company, walks can be calming and invigorating,” Regina admitted. “And I like the tame nature of the parks better than the wild lands about our country house.”
Her sisters were all eager to meet Aunt Jane and thanked her profusely for looking after Regina in London.
“Oh, the thanks must go to Lady Dunhill,” Aunt Jane said modestly. “She was Regina’s escort in going out. I fear that after calling in the morning I am far too tired to go out to balls anymore.”
“Lady Dunhill? As in Lady Cora Dunhill?” Louisa smiled. “I recall her being a frequent visitor to our house when we were children.”
“Indeed. She remembered my birth and sought to look after me as a sister,” Regina said. “Her kindness I cannot overstate.”
“We shall have to thank her in some way,” Louisa said, turning to Bridget.