Page 70 of A Stormy Season

Luke and Lord Hampstead began to converse, and Jane turned to Lady Hampstead and her sister, Gretchen. “How long have you been in London?”

“We arrived yesterday,” Lady Hampstead said. “Lord Hampstead wished us to visit all his relations.”

“Yes, you are newly married. Please accept my warmest wishes for your felicity.”

“I thank you, Miss Gilchrist.” She smiled—more of a smirk—and rearranged and smoothed her skirts. “We met at my coming out party a few months ago. Hamps was rather taken with me and proposed marriage the very next day.”

She cut her eyes toward “Hamps” and he turned his head to glance her way, smirking back at his little bride, who was less than half his size.

Lowering her voice, Lady Hampstead said, “I can hardly believe I am married to an earl. I am a countess, and married before my older sister.”

Gretchen stared back at Jane and mumbled, “And she never lets anyone forget it.”

“You have nothing to complain of,” Lady Hampstead said cheerfully. “Now that your brother-in-law is an earl, you shall have your pick of wealthy suitors.”

Jane managed to force herself not to roll her gaze to the ceiling.

“Are you in need of suitors, Miss Gilchrist? If so, I can find you some, I am sure, now that I’m a married woman and there would be no competition between us.” She smiled and her lips seemed to disappear.

“Indeed,” Jane said.

There was a lull in the gentlemen’s conversation, and Jane suddenly realized Luke was staring pointedly at her.

“My dear,” Lord Hampstead said, “Miss Gilchrist is engaged to wed Mr. Watley.”

Jane had momentarily forgotten about their charade.

“Mr. Watley?” Lady Hampstead asked. “How wonderful! Is he very wealthy?”

“This is Mr. Watley,” Lord Hampstead said. “Mr. Luke Watley, here.”

“Oh dear, I did not catch his name when we were introduced. It is a bad habit of mine, not paying attention to names, especially now that I’m married and have no need of . . . But let me congratulate you, Miss Gilchrist.”

It was bad form to congratulate a lady on her engagement, as if she had won a prize, but Jane was amused rather than offended.

“He is rather wealthy,” Jane said, smiling at Luke.

Luke smiled back at her. “I am the one to be congratulated, as Miss Gilchrist is the loveliest of ladies, both in appearance and character.”

Jane wondered where Luke had read such a pretty sentiment. Perhaps she’d ask him later.

“Well done.” Lady Hampstead clapped her hands, the sound muffled by her gloves. “I declare, these gentlemen could write poetry. What do you think, Miss Gilchrist? It is no wonder our heads are turned by the pretty speeches they make. I have told Gretchen time and again that under no circumstances should she marry a man who cannot give her every compliment. A woman wishes to be admired.”

The girl was too young to be judged too harshly, but Jane did hope she found a wise matron to take her under her wing. Otherwise, she and her husband would attract only the kind of superficial friends that preyed on the foolish.

Luke and Lord Hampstead began to talk of hunting, and Lady Hampstead said, “Now that you are practically married, Miss Gilchrist, who among your acquaintances do you think my sister should set her sights on marrying? She prefers tall men who dress well.”

“Carol, please stop.”

“It is all right, Gretchen. Miss Gilchrist doesn’t mind. We married women must stick together and help each other.”

“I will be happy to introduce you to my acquaintances at the next opportunity,” Jane said.

Penelope rushed into the room just then and welcomed her guests. “Forgive me for not being available when you arrived.”

Jane wanted to reassure her that it was all right, since they were quite early.

Lady Hampstead went on with her embarrassingly gauche statements, smirking every so often at her husband, who usually gazed back at her with a confused look on his face, if he looked at her all.