Lord Wraybourne's Betrothed Read Online Free PDF Page B

detected in it the workings of pride. If Lady Sandiford would bend her haughty ideals to achieve a brilliant match for her daughter, perhaps she would bend them further to ensure the marriage was not a fiasco.
    Mrs. Hawley was interrupted in her thoughts by the arrival of her dinner tray but continued to worry at the problem as she ate, without coming to any solution. When she was summoned to the drawing room to accompany Jane’s singing she still had no line of attack planned. Luck, however, was to play straight into her hands.
    Jane had a lovely contralto voice. Sir Jeffrey also sang well and joined his daughter in a duet, complimenting her afterwards.
    “It is a pity,” said Lady Sandiford coldly, “that one cannot converse in song. Perhaps then, Jane, we might hear more from you at the dinner table.”
    “I’m sorry, Mama,” Jane said quietly. “I cannot think of anything to say.”
    “Polite conversation does not require thought, Jane. It is a habit, as are good manners. Mrs. Hawley, have you not taught Jane the Art of Conversation?”
    Amazed, Beth saw her opening. “The Art of Conversation cannot adequately be learned in the schoolroom, Lady Sandiford. It needs practice in real situations.”
    After a few moments of silence, Lady Sandiford asked, “What would you recommend, Mrs. Hawley?”
    “I would recommend that Jane spend some time in polite Society before she assumes the dignity of the Countess of Wraybourne, Your Ladyship.”
    This time the silence seemed to stretch forever. Nonetheless, Lady Sandiford, despite her many limitations, was a shrewd woman and worked through the arguments without assistance. There was no point in spending the interval in nearby Cheltenham. Who of importance would Jane meet there? If it were to be done it must be done thoroughly.
    “A few weeks in London might be wise,” she announced at last. “I will write to Lord Wraybourne. Jane, you may enclose a note if you wish.”
    Lady Sandiford turned to her husband. “You agree, Sir Jeffrey?” This was rhetorical, of course. “I dislike the necessity, but I would not wish Lord Wraybourne to find Jane wanting in social accomplishments. He has a sister making her curtsy this year. Jane will accompany her. Sophia. Yes, Lady Sophia. I am sure that a sister of Lord Wraybourne is a decorous and modest young lady. The old Lord Wraybourne was a most admirable man of the highest principles. There can be no impediment to the matter.”
    Mrs. Hawley wondered what would happen if this arbitrary rearrangement of everyone’s plans was not agreeable but was not about to raise any objection to such a desirable outcome of her interference.
    Back in the schoolroom, Jane, who had not shown any apparent interest in the discussion, looked at her governess wide-eyed. “Oh, Beth, what am I to do?”
    “What do you mean, Jane?”
    “I cannot go to London! I know no one. I am ignorant of dancing and all the social conventions. I will appear a veritable bumpkin!”
    Mrs. Hawley was amazed to see that her charge was almost in tears. “But this is your chance to learn, my dear. You would have to join Society eventually.”
    Jane sat and stared at the meager fire, with the pallor of one condemned to death. “I had thought it would be after I had been married for some time.”
    Mrs. Hawley took her charge’s cold hands. “Your marriage will be a Society affair. Even during your honeymoon there will be coming and going. The Earl and Countess of Wraybourne will not live in seclusion. It will be much better to practice your social arts on strangers than upon your husband and his friends.”
    Jane swallowed tears. Her governess had confirmed her fears. “You are saying he will be ashamed of me.”
    “No, dear, of course not. There is nothing wrong with your behavior. It is just that you will find things strange. All young girls do,” she lied. “Those doing their first Season are expected to be a bit ignorant and wide-eyed. A countess is not.