The House of Happiness Read Online Free PDF Page B

I!” laughed Eugenia. “I shall marry a penniless poet!”
    Wending their way home, they paused opposite Great-Aunt Cloris’s house in Craven Hill to watch a handsome carriage drive by.
    The carriage drove to the end of the street, where the driver sat for a minute, seeming uncertain of which way to proceed.
    Eugenia and Bridget crossed the road and went into the house.
    Eugenia was still in the hallway removing her gloves when the doorbell rang.
    â€œBridget, answer the door please.”
    A footman, looking very important in scarlet britches, stood on the step outside. Behind him, the carriage Eugenia and Bridget had espied a moment ago was waiting at the kerb.
    â€œDelivery for a Mrs. and Miss Dovedale!” he announced with a bow.
    Two pageboys emerged from the carriage.  One staggered under a large hamper with Fortnum and Mason written on the side. The other carried a box wrapped in silver paper and tied with a pink bow.  
    The footman gave another bow.
    â€œWith the compliments of the Marquis of Buckbury,” he said.
    â€œWhat is all the commotion?” asked Great-Aunt Cloris from the landing above.
    Eugenia cleared her throat.
    â€œIt is a delivery, Great-Aunt Cloris.  From – from the Marquis of Buckbury.”
    â€œMarquis? Did someone mention the Marquis?” cried Mrs. Dovedale from behind Great-Aunt Cloris.
    The hamper, addressed to Mrs. Dovedale, contained a large ham, tinned fruit, oatmeal biscuits, a stilton, plum cake and champagne.
    The box was addressed to Eugenia. From its layers of tissue she drew a jewelled fan and a pair of kid gloves.
    â€œThere is an envelope, too!” said Mrs. Dovedale excitedly.  “Addressed to both of us.”
    The envelope contained an invitation to a ball to be given by Lord and Lady Bescombe the following month.
    Mrs. Dovedale’s eyes gleamed.  “Lord and Lady Bescombe’s ball . Imagine.”
    â€œNo good will come of it,” sniffed Great-Aunt Cloris.
    Eugenia could not but silently agree.
    In her room later she stared numbly at the fan and gloves.
    The Marquis must surely know that she had never owned anything of such quality.  Were these gifts meant to illustrate what she had lost when she first spurned his interest?
    Clearly, in revenge for her initial snub, the Marquis wished to humiliate Eugenia. The encounter in the park had intensified his contempt. No doubt he had not believed her when she had said that she had not known the man who accosted her. Perhaps he thought she had declined the interest of a Marquis for the attentions of someone who was not even a gentleman.
    Rich men were cruel and proud. She would have nothing to do with them.
    She would write to the Marquis and refuse his invitation to the ball. She would inform her mother of her decision the very next day.
    The gifts and the invitation to the ball had revived Mrs. Dovedale. For the first time in days, she rose from her bed and dressed for breakfast. She sat at table, humming so happily as she buttered her toast, that Eugenia’s heart sank.
    â€œMama,” she began with trepidation.
    She waved her butter knife at her daughter.  “You are worrying that you have no dress but never fear.  I have decided to sell the jewellery left to me by my own mother and your dear father.  I shall take the pieces to Hatton Garden tomorrow. I am bound to achieve a good price and then you and I shall go to Bond Street to purchase some material.”
    Eugenia swallowed hard. “Mama, you can’t!”
    â€œOh, but I can. Your father would applaud.  You shall go the ball, my dear!”
    Eugenia sighed.
    She would need to broach the subject later. Meanwhile she would write to the Marquis. She would send Bridget out, or post the letter herself while she and her mother were on their afternoon walk.
    Mrs. Dovedale, however, sent down word at lunch that all the excitement had given her a headache and she wished