Chapter Three
Having an afternoon away from Mama was a nice break for Mary Jane. With the excuse of spending the evening with her dearest friend Charlotte Harrow, she and her maid went directly to a meeting of her favorite debate society. Charlotte stood near the door watching for her arrival.
“I was afraid you couldn’t get away,” she said, hugging Mary Jane.
“One day soon Mama is going to speak to your mother and we’ll be found out.” Scanning the room, she saw the familiar faces—mostly women—who’d come to hear Mrs. Greenly speak. Debate societies were supposed to be primarily for men, but more and more, women like herself and Charlotte were emboldened enough to attend. Since they were both past the debutant age, they were no longer pushed by their parents to follow the assemblies in the marriage mart each spring, for which they were eternally grateful.
“I saved us seats over there.” Charlotte took her arm and walked in that direction, while their maids remained in the back of the room.
The speaker was exceedingly dull, spoiling the delight Mary Jane took in going somewhere her parents disapproved of. During the break, she remembered the handsome man she’d met backstage two nights before.
“I have an intrigue for you. A handsome man lingered backstage last night, but wasn’t there to see Miss Clarke.”
“How handsome? A face you wouldn’t mind looking at each day across the dining table, or one that sends fans a-fluttering?”
“Fans. Most certainly fans. Although he wore old clothing, his blond hair was neatly trimmed and perfectly styled. He’s quite tall, so I was unable to see his eye color, but his features are fine, and his smile, charming.”
“I see he made little impression on you. If he likes the theatre, and didn’t scold you for being backstage, perhaps he’s someone you should know better.”
Realizing she’d revealed more of her attraction than she’d planned, Mary Jane quickly took Charlotte’s arm. “Let’s have some refreshment.”
Picking up a mug of punch and a nibble each, they again moved to the edge of the group where they could speak more privately. “This is a nice size gathering. Our numbers are growing, although more slowly than I’d prefer. Too many ladies are afraid to speak for themselves.”
When Mama was young, she’d been much like Mary Jane, wanting changes in society to allow women more control over their lives. Now, she was such a proper matron, knowing what to say in all situations and how to comport herself whether she spoke to the Queen or a servant. All the tales her mother told of her younger days, before marrying Mary Jane’s father, sounded like they came from a novel. Her mother would never join an angry gathering shouting their demands. She had too much respect for what was expected of a young lady of her station.
At times, Mary Jane had wistful dreams of a husband and children of her own, but no man would allow his wife to be so outspoken. She couldn’t give up that much of herself for anyone. No matter how many gentlemen her parents paraded before her, she would never say yes.
Drawing her attention back into the room, Mary Jane set her shoulders, fully prepared to continue her battle to live her own life. “Isn’t it time for the next speaker?”
“Not yet. You can tell me more about your handsome beau while we wait.”
“He’s not my beau. Since he wasn’t waiting for Miss Clarke, he must have a more nefarious reason for being there.”
“What sort of intrigue could he find backstage? You and your mysteries, puzzles, and fantasies.” Charlotte shook her head, squinting her eyes like a very proper governess. “Why can’t you grow flowers or paint landscapes instead?”
“You sound like my mother. You enjoy the puzzles as much as I do.” Mary Jane suddenly groaned. “I almost forgot. Mother insists I go to Lady Eleanor’s debut tomorrow night. You’re coming, aren’t you?”
“I’d hidden that invitation, but I can tell Mama it slipped behind a cushion.” Charlotte grinned conspiratorially. “I can’t let you suffer alone.”
“Care to wager who claims the supper dance with Lady Eleanor?”
“The more interesting bet would be who approaches us for it. I think we’ve frightened off most of the eligible men.”
Mary Jane laughed. “I believe you’re right. The only ones who ask to dance with us now are the ones avoiding the matchmaking mamas, since they know we’ll not press for an engagement. Who do you think will ask you?”
Charlotte tapped her finger on her chin, looking toward the ceiling. “I’ll choose my cousin, Trey Lumley. His sister tells me he’s formed an attachment for her friend, but she isn’t aware of him at all. Poor soul. You know, if a gentleman worked as hard to earn my favor, I might have to give him a chance.”
Giving her friend a sideward glance, Mary Jane could hold back her laugh only a moment. “No, that’s not likely to happen.”
Both girls were daughters of businessmen—wealthy ones, but they only received invitations from matrons looking for a connection to Charlotte’s uncle, the Earl of Bridgethorpe, or Mary Jane’s grandfather, Viscount Morningside.
Neither of the girls cared one bit about it, either. They enjoyed their lives too much to pine over the lack of attention from an unmarried gentleman, titled or not.
When they returned to their seats, they continued their conversation in whispers. Charlotte placed her hand on Mary Jane’s arm. “Perhaps your gentleman will also be there.”
“He wouldn’t recognize me dressed in my finery, so I have no fear of being exposed to Mama.”
“That wasn’t what I hinted at. He might be the perfect decoy to keep your mother from forcing you to dance every dance.”
“Now there’s a plan. I could finish the season safe, with no marriage proposals to refuse.”
Charlotte disagreed. “I wager you’d win his heart before summer.”
“I could challenge you to do the same. I’ll buy you the hat of your choice if you can entice him to propose.”
“Why would I want to do that? I’d have to marry him, giving up the lifestyle I prefer.”
The idea of toying with the gentleman’s affections didn’t sit well. “We can’t do that to him. He’s got a kind heart, I feel, and would be well and truly hurt by being abused in that fashion. Let’s talk about him no more.”
When they prepared to part after the meeting, Mary Jane hugged Charlotte. “You’ll come for me in your carriage tomorrow night?”
“Of course. We’ll escape Mother’s eye as soon as we arrive, and we will have fun in spite of ourselves.”