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Joseph arrived at Melbourne House the same time as several other guests. He was pleased to have been invited and couldn’t quite believe his luck. The timing of the house party was perfect. He’d managed to put together the details of his investment plan and hoped to speak with Mr. Melbourne about it.
The need to make money to reinvest in the estate in the near future had increased after his conversation with his mother. He feared his father’s lack of interest in providing for their tenants would only continue to worsen.
Servants hurried forward to help unload passengers and baggage. The arriving guests all appeared to be in high spirits, based on the chatter and laughter. Apparently, they were also grateful to leave London for the fresh air and relaxation of the country.
“What an impressive place,” Charles, his valet, murmured as he paused beside Joseph with a bag in hand.
The servant had been with him for over five years now and Joseph relied on him for many things, including friendship. Charles tended to offer an opinion whether it was wanted or not, but Joseph didn’t mind. It was refreshing to hear another person’s honest thoughts.
“It is. This should be an interesting week.”
Charles smiled. “Here’s to a successful stay.” He was privy to Joseph’s plan, and Joseph knew he would do all he could to support it, from sharing information he learned from other servants to anything he overheard from guests.
In short order, they were shown to Joseph’s room where Charles began unpacking. Joseph was too restless to relax so returned downstairs in search of the other guests. If he had the chance to speak with Mr. Melbourne, all the better, starting with thanking him for the invitation.
He didn’t know the man well, which was one of the reasons he’d been surprised to be included on the guest list. He did know his son, Martin, though he’d been two years ahead of Joseph at university.
The casual acquaintance seemed an unlikely reason that he’d been invited. The Melbournes had a daughter as well, but he didn’t think they’d been introduced. He wouldn’t know her if she were standing before him.
“Is there something you needed, my lord?” the efficient butler asked when Joseph returned to the entrance hall.
“Just stretching my legs after the journey,” Joseph said.
“Of course. You’ll find some of the other gentlemen in the billiard room at the end of the hall if you’d care to join them.”
“Excellent.” Hopefully, Melbourne would be there as well, along with Martin.
The sound of feminine laughter from the upper floor caught Joseph’s notice, and he looked up to see two ladies walking along the railing. To his surprise, one was the pretty lady who had helped his mother last week.
His heart beat faster at the sight of her. In truth, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since then.
If only he knew her name.
He looked at the butler. “Could you tell me the name of the lady?” he asked, tipping his head in her direction but taking care not to stare.
The servant looked up. “Miss Frances Melbourne, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melbourne.”
How interesting. Perhaps she was the one he needed to thank for the invitation. He looked up again, but she’d disappeared, leaving only the other lady in view.
Joseph was pleased he’d come. He’d been selective about what events he’d attended over the past year. Since he wasn’t yet looking for a wife, he hadn’t bothered with most. Now that he had a purpose in mind with the investment opportunity, it was important to make the right connections.
In truth, he was reluctant to consider taking a wife when he held little belief in love. Not when it had been used like a club by his father while Joseph was growing up. Then again, his father continued to try to use it to his advantage, claiming Joseph should do this or that if he truly loved his parents. Or if he loved God.
It had taken years on his own for Joseph to realize the extent of his father’s attempts at manipulation. Damn if there weren’t still times when guilt swept through him along with doubt about whether he was right or wrong in the way he lived his own life.
At the butler’s direction, he walked down a long corridor with several closed doors, admiring the architecture and design as he went. The house was both elegant and grand. Much of the décor was a reflection of it having been built in the 1600s. A few modern touches had been added, and it all blended nicely together.
The house made the country estate, where he had grown up and would eventually inherit, look modest in comparison.
However, Joseph didn’t envy the cost it would take to maintain an estate like this. That proved just how much money the Melbournes had.
He found a set of open double doors that led into the billiard room. The large room boasted two billiard tables, several card tables, and an impressive bar complete with crystal decanters, and a servant offering drinks. One wall held a half-dozen antlers from hunting expeditions, along with paintings of fox and hound hunts.
Several gentlemen stood around the room visiting, and one who was familiar walked forward with a smile when Joseph entered.
“Good afternoon, Viscount Garland,” Martin Melbourne said with an outstretched hand.
“Melbourne.” Joseph shook his hand, pleased to see him. “It’s been some time.”
He looked much as Joseph remembered with brown hair that hinted at a receding hairline, a thick mustache, and a stocky build. His confident demeanor suggested he knew his place in the world and was comfortable with it. However, he didn’t have the arrogance that many wealthy men his age had.
“It has. I appreciate the invitation to join you,” Joseph said, hoping Martin would confirm whether he was the one behind it.
“We’re pleased you could come. It should be an enjoyable time. I know my mother has far too many activities planned, but I hope you will enjoy at least some of them.” His easy smile had Joseph smiling in return.
“I look forward to it.” Those were to be expected with a house party.
“You probably know many of the others here.” Martin gestured toward the nearest group of men and led Joseph to them.
Introductions were quickly made, though only a few were necessary as Joseph was familiar with most of the men. The guests were a mix of nobility and landed gentry. Some had made their wealth, and others had inherited it. The combination would make for interesting conversations over the course of the week.
If any were like Joseph, they’d realized that managing their inheritance and estates might not be enough. Agriculture was becoming a more difficult way to generate income with cheaper imports, including wheat and other grains, now being shipped to England.
Joseph knew he wasn’t the only one who would be faced with a challenging set of problems when he inherited. However, he didn’t think any of their fathers were giving away their wealth like Joseph’s was.
Peter Connolly was the son of a man who had made a fortune in shipbuilding. The Earl of Herrington had recently inherited, and rumor suggested that he was on the hunt for a wealthy bride. Thomas Sinclair was a second son and had recently left the Navy. Lord Weston was the oldest member of the group and very set in his ways. The fact that he was friends with the Melbournes came as a surprise.
Soon everyone had a drink in hand. Several played billiards while conversing. More guests trickled in. The air was festive, and everyone was already starting to relax and enjoy themselves.
A short time later, Arthur Melbourne entered the room, and Martin formally introduced Joseph. He was of medium height with the same stocky build and receding hairline as his son, but there was a piercing quality to his brown eyes as if he looked straight into a person and saw them for who they truly were.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Garland,” Melbourne said as he firmly shook Joseph’s hand. “We’re pleased you could come.”
“Thank you for inviting me. It is a pleasure to leave the soot-filled air of London for a time.”
“We enjoy spending two or three months here each year as our schedule permits,” Melbourne said with a smile. “Inviting friends to join us makes it even more special.”
Joseph was impressed by the warm welcome. And he was also impressed by the relationship Arthur Melbourne had with his son. What would it have been like to grow up with a father who looked at one with respect and admiration rather than judgement?
A set of French doors stood open to the outdoors, and some of the group spilled out onto the flag-stoned terrace which overlooked the rolling hills of the back of the estate.
Joseph found himself telling an amusing story from his childhood which gained several laughs. It was easy to pluck out the few humorous tales as they were few in number. Better to dwell on the better times than the difficult ones.
As the afternoon waned, a certain peacefulness came over Joseph. For the first time in longer than he cared to admit, he had the comforting feeling that the future just might settle itself. That there was hope for his plan, especially amidst this room full of intelligent individuals, who for the most part, seemed to welcome new opportunities.
The time had come to move forward with his life and create his own future. His worry over what his father was doing as well as concern for his mother wouldn’t end, but his focus needed to shift if he wanted to support the people who would depend on him when he inherited.
His goal of finding investors such as Melbourne was all the more important. It was too soon to approach the man with his idea, but he felt he was already in his good graces since he’d been invited to this gathering.
With a smile, he finished the last of his drink and turned at the sound of more guests arriving.
The good feeling fell away in an instant at the sight of Reverend Henderson shaking hands with Melbourne.
~*~
HARRIET BREATHED A sigh of relief when Mrs. Melbourne entered the drawing room where the ladies had all gathered to greet one another. Frances was there of course, but her shyness made it difficult to properly greet the guests and make them feel welcome.
She’d done her best to help and stayed by Frances’ side as they greeted each new arrival. More often than not, Frances sent Harriet a helpless look after exchanging the most basic of greetings. It seemed up to Harriet to inquire as to how their journey had been, and whether they had visited the area before.
What seemed like common courtesy was a struggle for Frances. It was a different side of her friend that Harriet hadn’t seen to this extent before. While Frances had been shy at the first few meetings of the literary league that she attended, now she freely shared her opinion during book discussions. Her timidness was evident at balls and other events but she seemed even more so now.
Harriet was happy to help, but this wasn’t her home, and these people weren’t her guests, which made the situation awkward as she was forced to explain that she was a friend.
“Welcome. Good afternoon,” Mrs. Melbourne greeted everyone from the doorway before she moved to the nearest guest. She proceeded to visit with each person, making her way around the room to do so. The social graces that came naturally to her mother did not carry to Frances.
“Let us go,” Frances whispered to Harriet.
“Go where?”
“Anywhere but here.”
“Won’t your mother be displeased if we leave?”
Frances glanced at her mother. “Yes. But I need a moment to collect myself.”
Harriet didn’t understand why Frances felt such distress. Everyone they’d spoken to had been cordial.
Harriet glanced at Mrs. Melbourne, torn as to what to do. She was a guest here and didn’t intend to forget that. While she was sympathetic to Frances’ feelings, she didn’t want to upset Mrs. Melbourne.
“Why don’t you step out?” Harriet suggested. “I will provide an excuse to your mother if she asks.”
The look of gratitude Frances cast her made her feel as if she’d done the right thing.
“Are you sure?” Frances asked.
“Of course. But don’t be gone too long.”
Frances nodded and walked toward the door, casting one more look at her mother and Harriet before she departed.
Harriet turned toward the nearest guest and struck up a conversation, wanting to do her part to help.
But when a quarter of an hour had passed, and then another, she grew concerned.
Mrs. Melbourne approached her. “Do you know where Frances is?”
“She needed the retiring room, but I’m not sure what’s keeping her.”
Mrs. Melbourne glanced around the room then back at Harriet. “May I ask you to check on her? I know the guests make her nervous, but I need her.”
“Of course. I’m happy to help in any way I can,” Harriet reassured her. “I will return with her directly.” She smiled and departed to begin her search.
First, she went up the stairs to Frances’ bedroom and knocked on the door but received no answer. After a moment’s hesitation, she went down to the library, grateful to have already explored the house enough to know her way around.
However, one look inside showed the library empty. Perhaps she was in the other one. Aware of the time passing, she went downstairs and asked the butler if he’d seen her.
“I believe Miss Melbourne is in the large library, my lady.”
“Thank you.” She walked down the corridor, slowing her pace as she passed the open doors of the billiard room.
The murmur of voices and her curiosity had her glancing inside. Her heart caught at the sight of Viscount Garland speaking with Frances’ brother, Martin. Her entire body warmed at the sight of him. Her heart hammered and her mouth went dry. To know that he had been invited to the party was more than she could’ve hoped for.
Oh, my goodness.
His presence changed everything. She couldn’t think of what to do. One thing was certain, she didn’t care to be caught staring at him. She forced her gaze away and continued forward until she reached the library.
After drawing a deep breath to calm the emotions bubbling inside her, she opened the door and found Frances staring out the window at the far end of the room.
“Frances? Your mother is asking for you.”
Her friend heaved a sigh and turned to Harriet. “Very well. I’m ready to endure it again.”
“Perhaps you’re looking at the guests in the wrong way.”
“How do you mean?”
“They are more nervous about meeting you and your family than you could possibly be about them.”
Frances shook her head. “I don’t see how that could be possible. I suppose I feel as if other people are judging me and find me lacking.”
Harriet’s heart squeezed at her friend’s confession. “You are a wonderful person. Lovely inside and out. I’m very fortunate to call you my friend. If anyone thinks otherwise, then it is their loss. Now then, let us return to the drawing room.” She glanced at the clock on the nearby table. “Before we know it, the dinner hour will be here, and you’ll be able to tell me who has captured your interest and inspired your bold move.”
Frances pressed a hand to her chest as if to calm her heart. “If he came. I confess that I’m torn, half hoping he didn’t and yet hoping he did.”
“I hope he is here,” Harriet said with a smile despite her worry about how difficult it would be to help her overcome her shyness. “I look forward to learning his identity.” She might share who she admired as well.
“Harriet, I can’t begin to tell you how grateful I am that you’re here and that you’ve agreed to help me. I would be hiding in my room the entire time otherwise and both Mother and Father would be unhappy with me.”
Harriet looped her arm through her friend’s. “It is going to be an enjoyable week.” She pulled Frances gently forward, surprised—and disappointed—when she turned in the opposite direction that Harriet had taken.
“Let us go up the back stairs so we don’t run into anyone.”
“Very well.” Yet Harriet couldn’t help but look longingly down the corridor, where she’d hoped for another glance at Viscount Garland. The evening couldn’t come fast enough.
