A Spinster No More by Rose Pearson
Chapter Eleven
Caroline was actually nervous. Anne couldn’t quite believe what she was witnessing, as she watched the young woman anxiously rifling through her best gowns, taking them out of the armoire one after the other, then discarding them with a loud tut. She then began the same process with her jewelry box, trying to find the perfect combination for her presentation that evening to Mrs. Cormick. She had never seen the young woman so ill at ease, so unsure of herself.
“Anne, she was brought up in one of the finest households in the country,” Caroline moaned, sinking on to the bed and burying her face in her hands, still undecided upon how to present herself at this evening’s musicale. “If I offend her tonight, she may never grow to like me. She might even put a stop to the match, and I couldn’t bear that. Henry is the only person I have ever known who actually likes me.”
It was so sad to hear such a beautiful girl say such things. She should have had the world at her feet, given her wealth and beauty - yet she was right. There was something about her that made many people feel awkward around her. She did not mean to be unkind. She longed to be liked. Yet she seemed destined to offend with her bluntness and inability to lie, even the tiniest of white lies. Caroline was an enigma, yet she was also a completely open book – and that frightened many in Society, where the rules of behavior and decorum had stood the test of time for generations. Caroline challenged everything they had ever known.
“And she will be delighted by you, whatever you wear,” Anne assured her gently, “because you wish to marry her son.” She paused, trying to think of what might placate her young charge, and put her overly anxious mind at ease. Caroline was such an unusual girl. She was at times utterly aloof, and yet was so alert to criticism that she tried too hard to please. With Mary, or even with Lady Gertrude any number of common platitudes would work in a situation like this. But Caroline needed whatever was said to her to be irrefutably true so she could not disregard it.
Anne couldn’t stop the image of Mr. Everton Cormick pushing into her head unbidden, his warm smile and gentle ways. He was always so considerate, so thoughtful. He made sure that she danced at every ball and had someone to escort her to supper. He would have willingly escorted Anne and Caroline home, Anne was sure of that, if Caroline hadn’t usually been previously accounted for. And Henry, well he was an unusual sort, but he was keenly attuned to what was fair and right, though he was not always the most sociable of men. Yet, he did his best to behave as Society insisted was right. They were unusually kind, straightforward people in a sea of false impressions and fake amity.
“Think upon what good, kind people both Mr. Cormick and your Henry are,” Anne said eventually. “They would not be that way if they had not been raised so beautifully by their Mama,” she said moving towards the bed and starting to sort through the chaos Caroline had left in her wake.
Caroline sighed heavily. “I know that you are right. But I so wish to make a good impression upon Henry’s family. I know I am not good with people. It is so hard for me. I watch the other girls as they giggle and flirt and gossip. It is so easy for them. I have to force myself to even smile and to bite my tongue whenever someone nearby says something inane.”
“I know,” Anne said. “And yet you have done so with aplomb for weeks. Just a few more, and you will be wed, and in the country where you can be yourself. After all, Henry has assured you that he wants nothing more than for you to be yourself.”
Anne picked through the pile of gowns now thrown over the bed, hanging them carefully back in the armoire so they would not crease, and pulled out a wine-red silk that would be perfect for the evening. There were not many blondes that could pull off such bold, rich colors, but Caroline was one of the exceptions. Being pale was the trend, but Caroline’s golden tan never faded no matter how much she remained indoors and so she could be bolder with the colors she chose as they would not wash her out.
“I think this one,” Anne said nodding to herself as she held it up to Caroline.
The young woman looked a little surprised at Anne’s choice. “You do not think it too much? That something more dainty, pretty – girlish even – might not be a better choice?”
“Caroline, I think it is about time that you accepted yourself, as you are,” Anne said firmly. “You are not a prim parlor miss. You never will be. You have tried hard to fit that mold, but it has made you most unhappy. You are soon to be wed to a man who would never be content with such a woman anyway. He has chosen you because you are unlike every other girl in Society.”
“But did he really choose me?” Caroline wailed, cradling her lovely face in her hands and rocking slowly back and forth. Her fears truly had taken a very strong hold over her usually very sensible mind. “He was forced into his proposal, after all.”
“I do not believe that Henry Cormick would ever have agreed to wed anyone if he thought that doing so was not precisely what he wanted.”
“You do know him well, I suppose,” Caroline mused, but she did not sound convinced. “But just because Henry is prepared to accept me, does not mean that his family will. Mr. Cormick does not like me at all, I can tell.”
Anne gave a wry chuckle. “He simply does not know what to make of you,” she said. “He likes you well enough to be your brother-in-law. He certainly fought hard to make you a part of his family.”
Thankfully, the maids appeared with the copper bathtub and pails of hot water for Caroline’s ablutions at that moment and Anne was spared any further panic as Caroline submerged herself in the tub and Anne went to wash and dress herself. She was feeling a little nervous herself, unsure if it was because it was so important to Caroline, or because she would be seeing Mr. Cormick once more. She kept thinking of that moment when their hands had touched. An innocent enough brush of skin against skin, yet it had left such a vivid impression upon Anne’s imagination. The shiver of anticipation, the quiver of unexpected desire – something she had never before felt for any man – had profoundly shocked and delighted her.
He was such a good man. He seemed to genuinely care for the people in his life, and she longed to be included amongst that number. He was already solicitous and seemed genuinely interested in her thoughts, and always sought her out to dance. It made her feel special, in a way she had never before known. Yet he seemed to show no interest at all in anyone else, except perhaps Lady Gertrude. Anne knew her position in Society was one of tolerance. As a companion she had no real status at all. Lady Gertrude would be a perfect match for Mr. Cormick – and what a handsome couple they would make, too. Yet, despite knowing it to be impossible, secretly Anne wished that he might truly notice her.
She dressed carefully for the evening’s entertainment. There was much at stake and even a lowly companion’s attire and comportment might affect the outcome. It would not only be the first time that Caroline would meet her future parents-in-law, but the first time that the Cormicks would meet Mr. and Mrs. Spencer. Anne was no fool, she knew that it would be very likely that it would fall upon her to smooth out any difficulties that might occur. Mrs. Spencer could be counted upon to at least be silent if she felt ill at ease amongst company – and had grown somewhat used to the mores of Society during their weekly At Home. But Anne feared for Mr. Spencer. His bluff and oftentimes brash approach would no doubt make hackles rise. Given how much this match mattered to Caroline, Anne was determined to do all she could to ensure nothing stood in its way.
As the grandfather clock in the hallway struck seven o’clock, Anne and Caroline made their way downstairs. Mrs. Spencer was already waiting for them, her cloak and hat already on. She looked nervous, and Anne was certain that underneath her pretty lace gloves there would be nails bitten to the quick. “Oh, my dears, you both look lovely,” she cooed as they approached her. Her husband emerged from his study. “Don’t they look lovely, Mr. Spencer?” she added as Anne and Caroline took their evening cloaks from Caroline’s lady’s maid and put them on.
Mr. Spencer rolled his eyes and grunted. His wife glared at him. “I’m sure, I’m sure,” he said hurriedly, buttoning his jacket over his vast belly and reaching for his coat. “Let’s get this over with.” He grabbed a silver-topped cane from the stand that stood by the door and set his top hat on his head, then ushered them all out into the cool night air.
The carriage ride passed without anyone speaking, though Mr. Spencer’s heavy breathing and occasional grunts meant it was certainly not in silence. With every particularly loud noise, Mrs. Spencer seemed to grow more nervous, as if she feared that her husband might embarrass them all. But as they pulled up outside Lady Grey’s fine mansion, he pulled himself up straighter and seemed to transform before their very eyes. He got out of the coach first, then gallantly offered his hand to his wife, then his daughter, and finally to Anne. He beamed, which rather took them all aback, as he so rarely did anything other than scowl.
A footman took his coat and the ladies’ cloaks, and the butler took them to a large ballroom filled with chairs in neat rows, with people milling around and talking in huddled groups, and announced them. Nobody seemed to be paying any attention to the new arrivals, so they made their way inside and accepted the offer of a cup of fruit punch from one of the servants as they waited for someone of their acquaintance to approach them.
Lady Gertrude, thankfully, arrived just a few moments after them and as soon as she saw them, made straight for the corner where they stood. She greeted Caroline and Mrs. Spencer warmly and seemed to even charm Mr. Spencer with her intelligent questions about his business affairs. “You know a lot for such a pretty young thing,” he complimented her.
“My father has never seen fit to think that conversation about business should be kept from the dinner table,” Lady Gertrude informed him with a smile. “I grew up knowing far more than I should.”
“Perhaps I should have done that more myself,” Mr. Spencer said. “My Caro’s got a sharp mind. She’d probably understand it all better than any of my overseers and clerks.”
Caroline flushed at the compliment, though Anne wasn’t entirely sure if she was pleased by it or was bristling at an old slight. True, such a remark wasn’t the kind most girls would have wished to receive, but Anne could imagine a younger Caroline begging her father to let her learn at his side. “I’d be honored to learn now,” Caroline informed her father, and he nodded resignedly. Annes suspicions suddenly seemed much more likely, that this was an old family war – one that Mr. Spencer may eventually have to accept defeat in one day. “I think I’d much prefer looking at ledgers than persisting with embroidery,” Caroline added. Everyone laughed. Caroline might be accomplished in many areas, but the delicacy of needlework evaded her usually quick mind, and meant she was tormented by a thumb covered in pin pricks.
“If your new husband permits, I’d be glad to show you,” Mr. Spencer said, giving in much to Caroline’s delight.
“I shall convince him of its merits,” his daughter assured him.
“I did not have a son,” Mr. Spencer said ruefully, “but someone will need to take on the business affairs when I am gone. I would like that person to be of my blood.” He looked at his daughter proudly which made Anne smile, too. Suddenly, Caroline’s world might be opening to her, offering her tasks and interests she might actually take pleasure in – rather than forcing herself to those that bored her.
But there was no time to dwell upon such things, as the Cormicks had arrived. Henry didn’t even wait to greet Lady Grey before he rushed forwards to greet his bride-to-be, a leather folio in his hand. He looked as excited as a young puppy, and she was not much different as he clasped her hand in his and pressed a kiss to the back of it. “I have the score for tonight’s sonata, would you care to look it over with me before the performance commences?” he asked, unintentionally ignoring everyone else.
Caroline grinned at him, clearly as eager to rush off as him, but a quick glance at Anne who frowned and nodded towards both sets of parents soon made her pause. “I should, very much,” she said laughing, “but I do think you might say good evening to my parents first – and that I should meet yours before we do so.”
Henry looked abashed, then grinned puppylike at his bride-to-be. “Of course, of course,” he spluttered. “Where are my manners? Mama will be most upset with me for being so remiss.” He turned, still holding Caroline’s hand. “I am delighted to see you again, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer.”
By now, Mr. and Mrs. Cormick and Everton Cormick had approached their little group and were all chuckling at Henry’s inept introductions. “I would like to assure you that I did bring him up with better manners,” Mrs. Cormick said to Mrs. Spencer and Caroline. A look of confusion passed over her lovely face as she looked at Caroline, but it was replaced quickly with her warm smile once more. “But I fear that when he is excited, he forgets them utterly. I am Elizabeth Cormick.” She leaned forward and kissed the air at both sides of Mrs. Spencer’s plump cheeks, then did the same to Caroline.
“Harriet Spencer,” Mrs. Spencer said softly. “Our Caroline is much the same.” She looked a little flushed, as the two women took each other’s measure, though it was clear that despite the gulf in their social standing, that the two of them immediately liked one another. “There is only so much one can do as a mother to prepare them for the world, is there not?”
“I think it as well that the two of them found one another,” Mrs. Spencer said warmly. “They can be as socially inept together as they like.”
“Father, might I introduce you to Mr. Spencer?” Henry said cheerfully, clearly not at all ashamed of the comments about his lack of social graces. The two older men nodded to one another and shook hands firmly.
“Good to meet you, Spencer,” Mr. Cormick said. “I’ve heard much about your enterprises in the north. I’d be interested to learn more. Perhaps we might be of use to one another.”
“I’d be delighted,” Mr. Spencer said, and genuinely looked it, too. Within moments, the two men had drifted away, in search of some port and a place to discuss business. Mrs. Cormick sighed. “I must apologize,” she said with a wry smile. “Business is all that matters to him, sometimes.”
