Page 52 of The Good Fortune of Miss Robbins

He seemed to wrestle with himself over whether to be offended by my laugh, but he ended by smiling and repeating, “You are a breath of fresh air, Miss Robbins.”

But all his flattery made it difficult to take him seriously.

Later that day, just before the evening meal, Mrs. Drake said, “You know, Mr. Welton will inherit a fortune if his oldest brother, who is currently sick with consumption, should be unfortunate enough to die from his illness. And if his second oldest brother drinks himself to death, which seems likely, since he is known for having to be brought home nearly every morning by the constable, so inebriated that he doesn’t know his own name.”

“Indeed,” I said, “it is unfortunate to have the person who should be your closest friend wait for you to die.”

“I did not say he was waiting for them to die.” Mrs. Drake frowned in that pinched way of hers. “One cannot be blamed if one shall inherit upon the death of a relative. It is not as if Mr. Welton wants his brothers to die, but it is a fact of life that he shall inherit the family fortune should his brothers pass away.”

“Well, then, let us pray for their good health so Mr. Welton doesn’t lose his brothers.”

Mrs. Drake looked quite angry and excused herself from the room.

Sometimes I think she didn’t like me very much, and perhaps I was a little hard on her, with my forcing her to face the ridiculous aspects of society while she had little choice but to be polite to me.

Still, I had no intention of becoming Mr. Welton’s consolation prize.

I was well aware that my fifty thousand pounds would go directly into my husband’s pocket if I should ever marry. Mrs. Drake had told me of other men who had asked to be introduced to me, and some approached her right in front of me, hoping for an introduction.

I had to admit, there was a part of me that enjoyed this. It was a heady feeling, being sought after by gentlemen of good names from old families. But I did not trust that any of them cared for me. When they looked at me, they surely saw fifty thousand pounds, not my character, intelligence, or personality.

I made the mistake of saying so to Mrs. Drake one evening.

“Miss Robbins, how can you talk so?” She looked truly shocked.“It is every woman’s duty to marry and have children, if they can. And it is only wise to marry where there is security on both sides. You would not marry foolishly, marrying a man with no name and no fortune. Or who has no career in the military or the church, which would make him unable to provide for you and your children. And a gentleman must also marry where there is the most benefit to himself. Otherwise there will be sorrow that no amount of love can assuage.”

“I understand what you are saying, and I agree to some extent, I suppose, but I don’t wish to marry someone who wants me only for what money I can provide.” My fortune was so new to me, why should I be eager to part with it just so a man would marry me—fortune, old name, respected family, or not?

Mrs. Drake sighed forcefully. “That is not the way to think of it. Consider what a man provides that you cannot provide for yourself—children, his good name, the respect afforded to his wife, his protection, a home . . .”

“I already have a home and a good name, and I have servants to respect me and offer protection.” It was probably cruel of me to take pleasure in teasing Mrs. Drake so. But I was speaking the truth, even though I knew it was contrary to what Mrs. Drake believed.

“Miss Robbins, you are not seriously ... I have not been speaking of that kind of...” She huffed out another forceful sigh.

“Forgive me, Mrs. Drake, but just as you wish for me to be wise in how I conduct myself, I also wish to be wise. I want to be loved for who I am, not for my fifty thousand pounds, and therefore I’d like to take careful stock and not marry the first man who shows an interest.” I was quick to add, “Not that anyone has asked me to marry him.”

“Perhaps not, but you will get your first marriage proposal soon enough.” She smiled as though a marriage proposal was all my heart desired.

Indeed, I did wish to be married, but not for the reasons she’d recited. I wished to marry for love—the kind of love I’d dreamed about since I was a little girl—and the love of children and a family. None of those other things seemed worth the risks.

Seventeen

William was on his way to the jewelers on a busy street in London when he turned a corner and sawher.

She was with her mother, sister, and another young lady. It was the first time he’d seen Letitia since she’d broken their engagement by running away to Gretna Green with the Marquess of Wexford.

Then he realized the young lady with her was Rose Rutledge.

As he started to turn and walk the other way, both she and Rose Rutledge saw him.

“Lord Brookhaven!” Miss Rutledge’s voice behind him forced a decision.

It seemed less cowardly and more gentlemanly to turn and face her, and as he could hear her footsteps hurrying toward him, he reluctantly did so. Besides, he’d only have to speak with Rose Rutledge. As bold as she was, even Letitia wouldn’t be bold enough to speak to him.

“Miss Rutledge,” he said, giving her a quick bow. “I did not know you were in town.”

“I only just arrived yesterday. I hope you and Lady Derringer are well.”

“Yes, we are well. And Lord and Lady Rutledge are well, I trust?”