A Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton

11

Two nights later, Keniel dropped the knocker on the Benson townhouse door. Immediately, the strangely dressed butler appeared and bowed. "Good evening, Mr. Singh. Miss Benson and Mr. Benson await you in the front parlor."

The man turned and Keniel followed him the few steps beyond the entrance hall to the parlor. He wanted to smile at the man's attire, but since the butler acted as though dressing that way was normal, Keniel held his grin.

He'd been pleased when he'd received the note from Laura earlier in the day asking if he could escort her to a soiree. As luck would have it, he was owed some time off and he jumped at the chance to see Laura again.

"Mr. Singh has arrived, sir."

Mr. Benson stood as Keniel entered the room and walked to where he stood and held out his hand. "Good evening, Mr. Singh." He gestured to the grouping of chairs. "Please have a seat."

He approached Laura and took her extended hand. "Good evening, Miss Benson. You are looking well."

"Thank you." The mirth in her eyes told him she found this formality between them humorous. However, in front of her father it was best to maintain such a distance.

Mr. Benson rubbed his hands together. "A brandy, sir?"

"Yes. That sounds good." He turned to Laura. "Do we have time? When are we expected?"

She took a sip of sherry. "A soiree begins at a certain time, which is merely a suggestion. If one is expected at an event they believe will be quite crowded, it is best to arrive during the first hour, otherwise one might find oneself on the staircase for the evening."

Keniel shook his head at the nonsense the upper crust dealt with. "Why not invite just enough people you can comfortably accommodate?"

"Why, Mr. Singh," she laughed, "that would make too much sense. Remember, we are dealing with people whose entire life revolves around station, reputation, and money. If you don't have what's called a crush, it will be talked about for weeks. Hostesses with unsuccessful events find themselves resting at their country estates for a few weeks after the affair."

He shook his head and accepted the snifter of brandy from Laura's father. Keniel looked up at the man as he settled back into the chair he was sitting in when Keniel arrived. "Do you find anything strange about this?"

Mr. Benson nodded. "Absolutely, my lad. It is precisely why I do not attend such affairs. I find a quiet evening in my library with a glass of brandy and a good book in front of a warm fire the best way to spend my time after a busy day." He took a sip of his drink. "However, the upper crust has not been known for their industriousness. If you needn't rise early to attend to business, you can spend your evenings being trampled on."

"However, I understand that is changing," Keniel said.

"Indeed, it is. At one time my lovely daughter would not be accepted at these events because I am a businessman. Earning one's money was not done by the Beau Monde to use a familiar phrase." He stared at his glass as he swirled the brown liquid and continued. "Nonetheless, times are changing. Many of the estates are not bringing in the money to support the nobility as they used to. There is fierce competition from the United States and many of those who worked the estates have gone to the cities to find industry work.

"That is why so many titled gentlemen are marrying American heiresses. The young ladies—well mostly their parents—want the title and the men want the money."

"A quid pro quo," Keniel responded.

"Precisely." Mr. Benson looked over at Laura. "Where are you off to this evening, my dear?"

"Mrs. Stilton is hosting a soiree. My main purpose in attending is to speak with two of the men who had attended Huntington's dinner last week to see if they have come to a decision regarding sponsorship of the orphanage."

"These are the ones who indicated interest that evening?" Keniel asked.

"Yes."

"Then I suggest we be on our way. If what you say is the way these things work, you'll want to be able to look for them when they arrive. And not from the staircase."

Laura stood and shook out her skirts. "Excellent point."

After giving her father a kiss on the cheek and wishing him good night, Keniel and Laura left the house and entered his carriage sitting at the edge of the pavement. He helped her in and directed the driver to where the soiree was being held.

Once they were on their way, he said, "This is our first appearance together, except for Hunt's dinner. Will there be awkwardness I should be prepared for?" The last thing he wanted was to embarrass Laura and make her attempt to speak with her potential sponsors difficult.

She frowned. "I'm not sure what you mean."

He sighed and looked out the window at the houses they passed with lights glowing inside. In some way he wished he was in his own library as Mr. Benson had mentioned with a brandy and a book. But then, he wouldn't be spending time with Laura which is what he wanted to do more than anything else.

Perhaps one day he could have it both, although at this point that was more a fairy tale than anything else. "I am certain there will be some attendees who might take exception to me being there, especially as your escort."

"I won't insult your intelligence by pretending not to know to what you're referring. However, all the years of my childhood, my father's business has brought us into contact with businessmen from various—and in some ways, exotic—places. South Africa, India, Egypt, and so on. These men, and in some cases their wives, have sat at our dining room table."

"Ah, that explains your and your father's attitudes."

"Yes, it does. However, I understand not everyone was raised as I was and might be taken aback, but all I can say to you is that is their problem, not ours."

He shook his head in wonder. "You are an incredible woman, Laura. I've admired you for some time, but each day that you show more of yourself only grows my respect for you."

If it was possible to fall in love with someone after a short speech, it had just happened to him. He shook that idea off. No matter how he felt, it didn't change the fact that he and she were worlds apart in so many ways.

* * *

Laura acceptedKeniel's hand as she stepped from the carriage and adjusted her gown. She certainly lacked the enthusiasm she once had for these events. As a young debutante, she'd loved her coming out ball, and all the events that followed.

For probably two Seasons.

Then she'd begun to find it tedious. Most of the gentlemen who attempted to court her were after her money. There was simply no doubt since Papa had been wise enough to have every gentleman who called on her more than twice investigated. At first she'd been appalled, but after he began to show her some of the reports, she'd been grateful.

Not that she would never consider a man who needed money. If, however, the gentleman was pockets to let because he gambled, drank, or debauched his money away, she wanted no part of that.

Most evenings she would return home after hours of balls, dancing, drinking, and avoiding walks in the garden with men who might have an interest in trapping her into marriage by looking as though she'd been compromised, with nothing more than sore feet and a discouraged outlook. Over the five years since her debut into Society, her visits to ton events had dwindled. Because of her money she was still on every hostess's invitation list, but she declined more than she accepted.

Once she'd gotten involved in the Suffragette group and then the orphans' home, she felt much better about herself. She was needed, respected, and liked for herself, not for the money she brought with her.

Until Keniel. He didn't seem at all interested in what money she possessed, or would receive as a dowry, or on Papa's death. She knew, as always, Papa would have him investigated, but so far she hadn't heard anything off-putting regarding the man and with the jovial way her father greeted Keniel each time he saw him, he wasn't holding any adverse information from her.

Her only concern with Keniel was the somewhat over-protective attitude he had. Like most men, he assumed he knew what was best for her.

"Laura, how lovely to see you." Mrs. Rita Stilton approached her with hands extended. "It's been far too long since you've joined one of our events." She air kissed her cheeks and, placing her hands on her shoulders, leaned back to study her. "You positively glow, young lady." She seemed to realize someone was with her and turned.

"Mrs. Stilton, may I present to you Mr. Keniel Singh. He is one of the Rose brothers." She looked over at Keniel. "Mrs. Stilton is a long-time friend and our hostess this evening." When Mrs. Stilton had been Miss Rita Paisley, she and Laura had debuted the same year. Rita had made a match their first season and had begun to rapidly produce children.

Somewhat plump since her debutante days, she always looked cheerful and happy. Her husband, more than a decade her senior, was obviously besotted with his wife. With Rita greeting them alone, Laura assumed Mr. Stilton was busy with the guests elsewhere.

"Oh, how lovely." She smiled in his direction, and Keniel offered a bow.

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mrs. Stilton."

Their hostess glanced at Laura. "I love his accent."

"Jamaica," Laura and Keniel said at the same time.

"Ah, yes. That would have been my guess." She leaned in close as if to impart a secret. "I had heard that the earl discovered a long-lost brother, and I've been quite anxious to meet you."

"It is my pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Stilton." Keniel offered his crooked half smile that always had Laura's insides turning to mush.

Rita giggled like a young girl. "I understand you are employed by the Rose brothers in their club?"

"Yes. I am the club manager."

"I've always had a fondness for the Rose brothers. Even though Driscoll and Dante rarely appear at these functions." She gestured to the large room where guests had gathered. "Please join the others. We will have music, but if most expected guests arrive, there won't be room for dancing, I'm afraid."

She turned her attention to the next couple behind them and Keniel took Laura's arm to escort her into the room. He leaned in close to her ear. "Is this what you call a crush?"

Laura laughed. "Actually the number of guests would have to double for it to be considered a crush."

He shook his head. "I would suffocate within a half hour." He studied her as he handed her a glass of champagne he'd removed from a footmen's tray. "How do you do it?"

She took a sip of the lovely liquid. Cold and bubbly. Truly her favorite drink. "I actually don't do it so much anymore. I find more satisfaction from my work with the orphans and the suffragettes. But since Mr. Everson and Lord Hereford are expected this evening, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to speak with them."

"Keniel!" A man near twice Keniel's age and size slapped him on the back, nearly knocking him off his feet. He turned with a bright smile. "Dudley, good to see you."

"I never expected to see you at one of these things."

Keniel took Laura's hand. "Do you know Lord Dudley? He is a member of the club." He looked back at Dudley. "Have you and Miss Benson met?"

"Ah, Miss Benson. Yes, I remember you from a few various events over the years. I believe we've even danced a time or two."

"Yes, that is true. It is good to see you again, my lord." She gave a ladylike dip.

"I had the feeling your love for the aristocracy was limited, since you see them at the club all the time," Dudley said right before he grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing footman and downed it in one gulp.

"No, my lord. I never tire of the aristocracy." He winked in Laura's direction. "They pay my bills."

The men began a conversation concerning different types of gambling and she lost interest. She sipped her champagne and looked around the room. "I see Lord Hereford across the room. Will you excuse me for a minute?" She quickly left Keniel and hurried around groups of people to one of the two gentlemen she had hoped to see.

"Miss Benson, a pleasure!" Lord Hereford bowed over her hand. "I was hoping to see you this evening."

Her spirits rose. "Indeed?"

"Yes. I am sorry I haven't gotten back to you regarding your orphanage, but I spoke with my man of business, and we have worked out a sort of sponsorship for your endeavors."

"I am most grateful."

He smiled and gripped her hand. "I am pleased to help out. I admire you and your friends who care for children with no one to provide for them. I have been trying to do more for the urchins in parliament, but in the House of Lords, it is not a huge concern."

She cringed at his use of urchins, but let it pass. "I understand. I am quite pleased that someone is championing them, even if it is in vain right now. One day I hope that will change."

Offering her a warm, happy smile, he said, "With women like you working for the betterment of our citizens, I believe one day it will."

"Perhaps you can help to work toward allowing women to vote? I am certain that would help the downtrodden more than anything else."

He laughed outright. "My dear Miss Benson, you are truly full of surprises."

"Here you are. I wondered where you had got off to." Keniel approached them and nodded at Lord Hereford. "Hereford."

"Singh."

"I told you I saw Lord Hereford across the room. But I'm sure you and Lord Dudley were too fascinated with comparing gaming wins and losses to hear me."

"Keniel. I'm amazed to see you here. I was under the impression that you eschewed all things social."

"I do venture out once in a while."

His lordship then turned to Laura. "I will send a note around when my man of business brings me the necessary papers for the sponsorship."

"Thank you again. I will need to meet with the other committee members once I have the papers in hand."

"I look forward to working with you, my dear."

They remained only another hour or so before Laura asked Keniel if they could leave. "My feet are sore, as I knew they would be."

"Very well. I think this amount of social life has been enough for me also. I shall ask the butler to send for my carriage."

"Thank you. I want to say a word to Mrs. Stilton and then I will see you at the front entrance."

After bidding her long-time friend goodbye with promises to come for tea one day to admire her children, Laura joined Keniel at the door.

"The carriage is ready." He took her arm and they descended the steps.

Once inside and on their way, she took a deep breath. "Lord Hereford has made arrangements with his man of business to be one of our sponsors." She was so happy she couldn't help the grin that broke out on her face.

"That's excellent!"

"And it's all your doing. If you hadn't invited me to Hunt's dinner I wouldn’t have thought about asking his lordship." She shifted farther onto the edge of her seat. "Thank you so much." Overcome with happiness, she moved past the space separating them and threw her arms around his neck, bringing their lips together.