Page 58 of A Mismatch Made in London

I didn’t want to fail them.

In the coming days, my aunt made good on her word; she took me to a ball every night, at many of which I knew very few people, if anyone.

Juliet and I took a walk together almost every day and were able to hear each other’s news. She was expecting a visit in two days from a friend, and therefore I’d see less of her in the coming weeks, though she promised she would not neglect me.

I saw her and Jeremy at a few of the balls. He always danced with me once, and I was always glad to see them both.

Exactly a fortnight after I had refused Mr. Harper, a letter came for Mrs. Kendall while we were sitting together. While she was reading it, she gasped and said, “My dear, listen to this. My friend, Mrs. Selkirk, who lives near Mr. Harper’s estate, has just written me to say that Mr. Harper’s father is quite angry with him, for he has just learned that Mr. Harper mistreated a young lady—her father was a clergyman, their rector, in fact, but died some years ago, and now his family is living in severely reduced means. Mr. Harper has defrauded her, got her with child, and abandoned her. The child has just been born, and when the young lady revealed that Mr. Harper was the father, he did not deny it, but he flatly refused to marry her. Can you believe it? I never would have believed him capable of such a thing. But you, my dear, you must have sensed something about him that I did not. Well done, my dear, well done. You have escaped thisscandal, and much more, I daresay, for a man who will do this in his youth will do it in his older years, I always say. It is in them to do it, some men.”

Jeremy Beaumont had warned me that Mr. Harper’s character was likely not what he portrayed himself to be.

Mrs. Kendall went on talking, telling me details that Mrs. Selkirk had written in her letter, but I was hardly listening.Thank you, thank you, God,that I did not say yes to his proposal. Oh, I could have ended the engagement, but it might have been difficult and might have damaged my reputation; it certainly would not have done it any good.

Now that I thought about it, perhaps he had been rushing to ask me to marry him, hoping it might help smooth over things with his father, or that it might lessen the scandal somehow. I was more convinced than ever, though, that he hadn’t loved me. Was such a man even capable of love?

I felt as if I’d had a narrow escape, and I thanked God again.

A caller arrived. It was Jeremy Beaumont.

The servant showed him in.

“Mr. Beaumont,” Mrs. Kendall exclaimed. “How good of you to call on us. You are looking very well. How is your sister?”

“She is very well. She is enjoying a visit from a childhood friend,” Jeremy said. He looked at me, and my heart flipped.

“Is Juliet well?”

“Yes, very well. She said to give you her love and that she will visit you tomorrow or the next day. Her friend isn’t staying long. I believe she is going home in three days.”

After a brief pause, Mrs. Kendall said, “I try not to be one who spreads gossip, but I believe you were right, Mr. Beaumont.”

“Oh?”

“Did you not tell Amelia that you had heard a rumor about Mr. Harper and that she probably should not trust his character? Well, I have just now, today, received a letter from my friend, Mrs. Selkirk, informing me that Mr. Harper—” she lowered hervoice. “—that Mr. Harper has fathered a child with a young lady that he refuses to marry. Well, I for one am glad I have a niece who is wise enough to see through a reprobate young man such as Mr. Harper.”

Jeremy looked at me, a gentle expression on his face.

Just then, Algernon came into the room, greeted Jeremy, then began to speak to his mother. While he did so, Jeremy moved to the chair closer to mine.

“I hope you were not injured by what you learned about Mr. Harper.”

“Not at all.”

“I am a bit surprised.”

“Did Juliet not tell you that he asked me to marry him and I said no?”

“No, she did not.”

“Yes, it was a fortnight ago.”

“I see.”

I had a thought. I hesitated to speak, but as Algernon was still speaking to his mother, I said quietly, “Did you come here to tell me the news about Mr. Harper, that he fathered a child?”

Jeremy cleared his throat. “I was concerned about you.”

“I thank you for your concern.”