A Rose for Laura by Callie Hutton

6

Keniel found as the dinner progressed that the men at the table were paying far too much attention to Laura. That didn't sit well with him. The only reason, he assured himself, was because she was here as his guest, and she had hoped the dinner would provide her with a few new sponsors for her orphanage. She would not garner much support if she appeared frivolous.

Laura claimed to be a suffragette, yet the gown she wore said something entirely different. He had admired it—and her—when she'd entered the library to join him and her father, but it hadn't occurred to him until now that it was somewhat enticing for a suffragette, who denounced having men control their lives.

What the devil does her gown have to do with a man controlling her life?

He would ponder that later when he wasn't busy watching Lord Williams to Laura's right as they laughed and carried on as if this were a party, and not a dignified dinner. Keniel was several people down on the opposite side of Laura, so he had an excellent view of the goings on.

Diana had indicated Laura would be seated near Lord Hereford and Mr. Everson who might have an interest in being added to the list of sponsors. However, Miss Thatcher on Mr. Everson's other side was keeping him busy listening to her drivel. Hereford, seated across from Laura seemed interested in speaking with her, but Albright on Hereford's right kept interrupting them.

He frowned. And was that the second time the footman refilled Laura's wine glass?

"Something amiss, brother?" Dante leaned forward and regarded him with a smirk.

Keniel straightened in his seat, whipping his attention from Laura. "Not at all." He took a sip of his wine as his eyes wandered back in her direction. He almost choked as she frowned and shook her head at Albright, and the fool grinned. Not at her, but at her bodice. When the dinner was over he would remind Albright where Laura's eyes were located.

"Settle down. This is normal dinner chatter," Dante said. "She has already secured Hunt as a sponsor for her orphanage, which will give her influence with potential donors. If that is her intention, she must speak with the others, you know."

Keniel snorted and downed his wine. "Of course she does. I have no idea what you are referring to."

Dante's grin was enough to annoy the hell out of him. "Please, Keniel. You haven't taken your eyes off Miss Benson since we sat down."

"She is my guest. I am just assuring that she has a good time." That sounded weak even to him.

"It appears she's having a grand time, so you needn't worry." Dante burst into laughter just as Hunt stood and conversation ceased as the group looked up at him. He cleared his throat. "You all know that we recently discovered that our club manager, and good friend, Keniel Singh is our brother. Dante, Driscoll and I, along with our lovely wives, have welcomed Keniel into our family." He raised his glass and continued. "It is my hope that all of you will welcome him as well and join me in a toast to friends and family."

"Hear, hear," Driscoll said as they all raised their glasses in a salute.

Keniel looked down the row of faces who were genuinely welcoming him and was flattered and humbled at their easy acceptance. But nothing would ever surpass the welcome he'd received from his brothers. If Muma could only see this, she would be very happy.

"Speech," Dante called.

Never one comfortable speaking to a group, nevertheless, Keniel stood and looked at Hunt, Driscoll and Dante. His brothers. He found himself too choked up to actually speak, so he merely raised his own glass and said, "Thank you, brothers."

Cheers and applause followed. Soon after, Diana stood. "Ladies, if you will join me in the drawing room, we shall leave the gentlemen to enjoy their port."

Keniel watched the women leave and was not at all pleased at how Albright's eyes followed Laura. For heaven's sake the man was married with his wife securely tucked away in their country home awaiting the birth of their fourth child. The man had no honor.

* * *

Laura tooka seat next to Diana and across from Lady Williams, a rather lofty woman who seemed to look down her nose at everyone. Her husband had sat next to her at dinner, and she found him to be friendly.

In some ways too friendly, truth be known.

She'd had to shift in her chair more than once to allow more space between them. The man had the habit of speaking softly so it was necessary for Laura to lean into him to hear what he had to say. At which time she found him gazing down her neckline.

At first she thought he might be willing to join Hunt in sponsoring the orphanage, but it soon became clear his only interest in her was to cajole his way into her bed. Most unlikely.

As their hostess poured tea and passed around plates of cakes, tarts and biscuits, Laura mused about the evening thus far.

Even if she left the dinner party with only Hunt as a sponsor, she would be happy and consider the evening a success. He was a generous man and spoke of how it would break his heart if his young daughter were left an orphan with no one to see to her welfare.

Laura had known most of the people at the dinner since she had spent many an evening among the Beau Monde when she had been younger. Her father had hopes of her securing a match with a member of the nobility and did the usual securing of a chaperone for her, Mrs. Grantham, who had successfully launched her own three daughters and then proceeded to drag Laura from the modiste to the glovers, milliners, cordwainers, and just almost every shop on Bond Street it seemed. The chaperone also made certain she and Laura attended all the important balls and soirees.

No one had appealed to her, although she had received several offers that she was certain came from gentlemen with pockets to let who needed a wealthy wife to continue their lifestyles. 'Twould not be her, however.

After a few years of watching the silliness and treachery of the young girls and their grasping mamas at various affairs, she was more than happy to convince her father to dismiss Mrs. Grantham and allow her the freedom to avoid most events and only attend a select few.

"I understand you are involved in some way with homeless urchins, Miss Benson?" Lady Stafford took a sip of her tea but couldn't hide the smirk behind the teacup.

Laura’s blood heated at the woman's comments. She had encountered other women with her ladyship's attitude. To sew a few garments or hold a fund-raising event for a good cause was considered sufficient among so many of this class. That was certainly a noble gesture but getting one's hands dirty by actually dealing with the needy was far beneath their dignity.

Laura offered the woman a bright smile. "Yes. I am involved with a group of women who are seeing to the needs of orphans. We currently have ten infants in our care."

"Indeed?" If her eyebrows rose any farther they would reach her hairline. "How quite—noble—of you." She smiled and placed her teacup in the saucer. "I don't know how you do that. I could never associate myself with the lower classes. They are dirty, smelly, and are anxious to relieve you of your reticule or wallet." She shook her head.

Remembering she was a guest in Hunt and Diana's house, Laura counted to ten before she responded. "I doubt the babies who are still at the crawling stage have designs on my reticule. I do enjoy seeing the little ones fed and clothed, however. They are by far the sweetest children one could meet. Asking for so little."

Lady Stafford dismissed her with a wave of her hand. "People should not have children they cannot afford to raise."

Things were getting dangerous, since Laura knew there were many orphans in London who were the result of a careless member of Lady Stafford's class. A man who took a woman, whether by coin or by force, and then left her with whatever resulted from the deed.

Deep breath, Laura, deep breath. Do not suggest to this woman that her own husband might be among those who were responsible for children the poor women could not afford to raise. He had certainly given her that impression during dinner.

Diana jumped in. "Mrs. Woolworth, did you not tell us you were considering hosting a musicale for your niece who sings and plays the pianoforte so well? Miss Garner, correct?"

The woman brightened. "Yes. I do intend to have Eleanor perform for us. In fact, I have been working out a date with my companion who handles my social calendar. As soon as I have more information, I will be sure to issue all of you invitations."

Anxious to move onto something else as well, Laura turned to Amelia, Driscoll's wife. "When is your baby due to arrive?"

In some circles—most likely in Lady Stafford's —it was impolite to mention a woman's pregnancy. But in this small group, Laura felt it would be accepted.

"Not soon enough, I can assure you," Amelia said with a laugh. "Before long I won't be able to rise from a chair by myself."

Diana rolled her eyes. "Oh, dear. That's exactly what became of me at the end. Poor Hunt had to rescue me more than once when I was unable to climb to my feet."

"Perhaps you are carrying twins," Lydia said, eyeing Amelia's middle.

"Don't mention that in front of Driscoll, please," Amelia said. "When the midwife suggested that he nearly passed out."

The conversation went from talk of the awkwardness of carrying a child to other feminine subjects. Occasionally, despite the subject they were discussing, Lady Stafford found a way to disparage Laura's work. But Diana was having none of it, and smoothly transitioned the conversation onto another subject.

Laura's nerves were wearing thin when the men finally joined the ladies in the drawing room. She had quite a headache by this time and wanted nothing more than to return to her home with a cool cloth sprinkled with lavender on her head. She attempted to ease the pain by discreetly rubbing her temples

"Is everything all right?" Keniel sat alongside her and viewed her with concern. It was hard not to hear Lady Stafford's sniff as he joined her. Most likely she disapproved of Laura even speaking with a half Jamaican man, let alone attending the dinner with him. She wondered if Lady Stafford was so condemning because of the way her husband behaved, or her husband behaved that way because of his wife's unpleasant demeanor.

She leaned in close to Keniel so he could hear her above the conversations in the room. "I am growing a tad weary, but I do not wish to break up the party."

"Nonsense, if you are ready to leave, we shall depart." Keniel stood. "I find I must stop by the club to take care of an issue, so if you will all excuse us, Miss Benson and I will take our leave."

The men all stood, and Diana linked her arm with Laura's as they strolled to the entrance hall. "I am interested in this orphans’ home you are involved with. I find the need to become engaged with your project myself."

Laura drew back. "Indeed? That would be wonderful."

"I know Hunt spoke with you about being a sponsor, but I think I would like to become more involved than that. In fact, I'm willing to offer that both Amelia and Lydia would also like to join the group. Well, I'm sure after Amelia's baby—or two—makes his or her appearance, that is."

"I am speechless." She felt her eyes tear up and quickly patted the edges of her eyes with her knuckle. "I'm sorry to be a watering pot, but your generosity and that of your entire family is truly astounding." She hugged Diana and stepped back, taking a deep breath.

The butler helped them into their coats and Keniel escorted her down the steps to the awaiting carriage. Once they were settled, Laura shook her head and smiled. "I cannot believe the generosity of your family."

He nodded. "I understand Hunt became a sponsor."

"Yes. And Diana wants to help with the orphans. Perhaps even become a member of the committee. She believes that your sisters-in-law will also wish to participate." Despite her headache she was almost bouncing on the seat with excitement.

"They are remarkable people, I must say."

A few minutes of silence followed, then Laura said, "Did you need to stop at the club?"

He grinned. "No. But I knew you weren't feeling well, so not wanting to call attention to you, I made up that story. But since we left earlier than I had anticipated, I might stop there briefly once I escort you home."

"I'm so sorry to have cut short your evening. I'm afraid that was not well done of me."

"No worries. As much as I admire my brothers and their wives, I am not yet comfortable with their friends. Until recently, I was merely the club manager. The leap up to familial connections and dinner parties might be a stretch for some of them."

"I'm sure Hunt and Diana would not invite anyone who would make you uncomfortable." The words were no sooner out of her mouth than she remembered the biting and baiting remarks by Lady Stafford.

They rolled to a stop in front of Laura's townhouse. They both sat for a minute. When the driver opened the door, Keniel said, "I will see Miss Benson out. You may return to your perch."

The driver nodded and closed the door.

"There is a possibility for another residence that I heard of tonight at the dinner."

"Truly?"

"Yes. But I want to check it out further before I bring you to see it. I prefer not to have you walking into spider webs or witnessing dead rodents in corners."

"Ah, yes. I agree. I will await your summons, then."

He reached over and took her hand in his, rubbing his thumb over her knuckles. She stared at their two hands, her heartbeat speeding up. His hand was large, warm. The motion of his thumb didn't exactly tickle her but did awaken the swarm of butterflies in her stomach.

She looked up as Keniel cast her a questioning look, then smiled and, releasing her hand, opened the door and stepped out of the carriage. She felt disappointed and didn't exactly know why.

Yes, you do.

Keniel took her hand again as they reached the top of the steps. "Thank you for joining me tonight. I hope you hear from some of the others willing to sponsor your cause."

"It was a pleasure. Your family is truly one of a kind. You are fortunate to have found them."

He bent over her hand and bowed. "Good night, Miss Benson. I will send a missive after I have checked over the possible residence."

She entered the house and listened as the door quietly closed. The soft sound of Keniel's footsteps returning to the carriage held her attention until the clop-clop of the horses' hooves signified the end of her evening.