Chapter 14

THOMAS WASN'T SURE why he felt nervous as he waited for his mother to join him in the front hallway. This was going to be a small dinner party consisting of a handful of influential people in the ton. He had faced much more formidable opponents without these kinds of nerves. Of course that had been before his accident, when he had been fearless.

"I wish I could ask your opinion about how I look." His mother was finally coming down the stairs. "You always had the best taste in women's fashion."

"That was only because I was so interested in how to remove the clothing." Thomas gave her a grin. "It helped if you knew what they would be wearing."

"Shame on you." She gave him a slap on the shoulder but it came with the sound of her laughter. "You know your way around a corset and stays better than my maid."

"I'm certain you look lovely." He took her arm and allowed her to lead him to the carriage. "You never needed my opinion before and you were always lovely."

"I think I was afraid to ask before, since I would have been hurt by anything unflattering."

"I assure you that you were always the height of fashion."

The two of them had never been able to simply enjoy a little light conversation before his accident. He had been like most young men, too busy and important to be bothered by his mother. Not that he didn't care deeply for her, but his own life had been more important. Now he wished he had devoted a little more of his time to getting to know her. It was yet another reminder of the kind of man he used to be.

"I only wish your brothers were here." She sounded distracted with her thoughts of them.

The twins had been out one night having fun as young men do, when they suddenly vanished. The family searched for days but never found them. Thomas had long ago given up hope on them, but his mother never would.

"They are young men, out trying to find adventure. They will come home when they are ready." It was the same lie he had told her so many times before but she never fully believed.

"I know, I’m sorry I worry so much. It's what a mother does."

Thomas gave her hand a little squeeze for reassurance. "I think they would have hated attending something like a dinner party."

"I find that I'm looking forward to this evening. That young lady you have been chasing is quite delightful."

"Yes, Lady Sarah is something special."

"Of course, Lady Sarah." His mother cleared her throat. "She's the success of the season. What else could a man want?"

"Are you trying to say something Mother?" She was not the type to be subtle about anything.

"I'm just wondering if maybe you are settling for less than you deserve."

Thomas laughed. "The most favored girl in London is less than I deserve?"

He felt the swat of her hand on his arm. "Just because people admire her doesn't mean she's perfect. Everyone has faults and everyone has talents."

"Yes, she has admitted to snoring. I think I can overlook that."

"I thought you might have been interested in another young lady. Attraction can be a hard thing to hide," said his mother.

That was something he intended to correct, starting with tonight's dinner. Sarah would be his main focus.  If he would be spending the rest of his life with the woman, he should get to know her better. Beauty alone wouldn't create a happy marriage.

"Lady Sarah is who I'm courting," he said with conviction.

There were more people in attendance than Thomas expected and when they were all crowded into the tiny dining room, making it hard to separate the voices. It would be difficult to have a conversation of substance with anyone.

"Have you been to the British Museum this season, Lady Sarah?" He hoped his voice was loud enough to be heard over the other conversations. Unfortunately it had been too loud because the hostess answered him instead.

"I can only imagine how many times she has been dragged there by her cousin." Lady Harris chuckled. "Miss Noble often wastes her time doing such things."

"The exhibits there are hardly a waste of time." Thomas had never been there, but he had heard enough to trust his statement was correct. "They hold a great deal of knowledge about the rest of the world."

"What does she need with more knowledge? She would have done better working on her appearance, but it is too late for that now. A man doesn't look for knowledge in a wife."

"Only a simple man would..." He was unable to finish his sentence because he had been kicked in the shin from underneath the table. "Not all men want the same things. Some find intelligence attractive in a woman."

"Nonsense, if that were true Miss Noble wouldn't be such a failure in society." Lady Harris laughed.

Thomas could feel his own anger at hearing the Lady Harris describe Eloisa in such a way.  She only had one season that went badly and that could hardly be a failure. Many fine ladies required a few seasons to land a husband, it was not unusual. If not for the tragedy of her mother Eloisa could have been married the next season.

"Her cousin on the other hand has all the qualities a man like you would appreciate," Lady Harris continued, oblivious to the simmering anger she stoked within him. "She is an obedient girl and would make a comfortable home."

The lady sounded like she spoke of a pet, not a full-grown woman. No wonder Sarah believed all men were shallow creatures, when she heard things like this all around her. It made him want to defend his entire gender.

"Not all men want things easy. Sometimes a challenge is more rewarding,” he said, which was met by laughter from the others at the table.

"Nonsense. Men are lazy creatures and need to be cared for," said Lady Harris. "It's a woman's job to see to their needs. That's what I did for my late husband."

Thomas wanted to point out that her husband had died at an early age, but he didn't get the chance.

"The duchess has taken quite a shine to Lady Sarah and invited her to visit frequently," said Eloisa, her voice sounding full of false cheer. "My cousin is learning a lot about society from her. No doubt she has the right kind of knowledge to be a good wife."

It was a smart move bringing Thomas’s mother into the conversation. It reminded him to mind his manners even if he felt justified in not doing so. The Duchess wouldn't approve of him being rude for any reason.

"I'm glad to hear that." said Lady Harris, who took another bit of her food and crunched the food with her teeth. "Lady Sarah comes from a good pedigree. A quality name is important."

His mother was as diplomatic as ever. "I think that both ladies are delightful company and I have enjoyed the time I spent with them this season."

"Yes, I imagine Lady Sarah will miss the company once she is married and her cousin is gone," said Lady Harris. "Which might be quite soon if rumors are to be believed." 

"I don't plan to leave the moment she is married." Eloisa gave a nervous laugh but no one else joined in.

"Why not? There won't be anything else for you in London once you are no longer her chaperone."

Lady Harris sounded confused. The silence that followed made Thomas uncomfortable. If Eloisa wasn't going to answer, then he would answer for her. 

"If Miss Noble were able to stay until the end of the season she might also receive some offers of marriage." That was a logical reason to him.

He heard chuckling circle around the table.

"That's what her dear mother thought when she first brought the young girl to London years ago, but she was a complete failure. I doubt the extra years have changed that." Said Lady Harris.

"Some women just need a chance to mature."

"Men aren't looking for maturity in a woman, they want beauty." He could hear people murmuring their agreement. "Sadly, Miss Noble comes up short in that regard. She must find another way to be of use in the world."

Thomas couldn't believe what he heard and with the woman sitting in the same room. He couldn't be the only one getting offended on her behalf but no one else spoke up to defend her.

"My cousin does not come up short in any regard," Sarah finally said. "You have no place to judge, especially considering your own failing looks."

He wanted to applaud but his mother would not approve.

"I think you should give Miss Noble more credit, since she has been doing well in society this season. Many people have found her charming." Thomas added.

"Including yourself?" This time Lady Harris had a tone of suspicion.

"Yes, I have found her to be both charming and helpful during my courtship this season." Thomas wanted his focus on Sarah to still be evident. "I can't imagine I'm the only one. If given a chance, I believe Miss Noble could make a good marriage for herself."

"You admire her a great deal,” now Lady Harris sounded like he was guilty of something.

"She deserves a little admiration."

"Is it just admiration?"

Thomas couldn't believe the audacity of the woman. Implying that he was in the wrong for appreciating Eloisa when they should all see her for what she was infuriated him. It made him so frustrated that he could hear the ice in the glass he held jingle as his hand shook.

"The admiration she deserves." He said.

"At one time her mother thought so too, but she was disappointed. Eloisa was never able to fit into society. It's for the best that her father took her abroad." Said Lady Harris.

The rest of the room remained quiet while the two of them exchanged words. They were putting on a good show and it would no doubt be spread all over town tomorrow. This was not the impression he hoped to make when he left for the night.

"So you think she should leave the city again?" asked Sarah, her voice strained from her outrage. "Just force her out with your harsh words and cold attitude."

"Sarah."

It was the first time since the discussion started that Eloisa said anything. It was said quietly, but with force. Her tone was calm and reserved, like she was.

"We don't have to let her slander you," said Sarah.

"Lady Harris can state her opinion. This is her house and her party," said Eloisa.

"That doesn't give her the right to lash out at anyone she chooses."

"No, but it does give us the right to leave."

Thomas listened as the ladies shuffled out of their seats. People were whispering a little too loudly to be polite. They were in awe of the fact that they would dare leave in the middle of dinner. Even the hostess herself stuttered in her shock. Thomas smiled at their dramatic exit.

"The nerve of that upstart." Lady Harris banged her hand on the table, making the china flutter. "I knew I shouldn't have invited her, even if her cousin is so popular. That thin family connection doesn't give her the right to behave like that."

"I think it was your behavior that was out of line. She handled it a great deal better than I would have." He was surprised to hear his mother rising from her seat. "I believe I am finished for the evening. Thomas?"

"Of course." He was glad to be cutting this horrible evening short.

"Why do you have such concern for a woman you didn't even notice the first time you met?" asked Lady Harris, the timber of her voice changing.

"I know how much Sarah cares for her cousin. If she's going to be my wife, I care about her family too," he said.

"Most men wouldn't bother." Lady Harris spoke slowly, letting her voice echo in the quiet room. "Perhaps you have a more personal interest in the poor girl."

"That would be despicable." Thomas ground the words out through clenched teeth. "I would never insult either woman like that."

"I understand a man has things he keeps from his wife. I knew my own husband kept a bit of skirt on the side. A lady knows to look the other way." The entire room laughed at that crude comment. Thomas wondered how he had ever felt like one of them.

"Not all men are the type to stray from their wives. Some understand loyalty and have wives who deserve it." It was a sharp blow that Thomas knew hit its mark when he heard Lady Harris's intake of breath as he left.

Just outside the dining room he paused. The scent of oranges gave her away. She must have heard everything that was said after she left the room. If she didn't want him to know she was there he wasn't going to call her out. He would just let her sort through her feelings like he was doing with his.