Jonathan thanked her rather huffily and excused himself, and Emily realized she’d have a hard time getting these two together, blessed, as they both were, with a surfeit of propriety.
“Are you trying your hand at a little matchmaking, Miss Smithfield?”
Emily jumped, as she hadn’t seen Mr. Williams approach. Still, although her heart fluttered, she managed to answer composedly enough. “Was I that obvious?”
“Well, you were a trifle heavy-handed, but for a first attempt it was probably not so bad. At least, I assume it’s your first attempt. You do not fit my notion of an experienced matchmaker.”
“And just what is your notion of an experienced matchmaker?” Emily asked him, smiling up at him as he took the seat next to her.
A picture of his father rose briefly in his mind, and he smiled grimly to himself. “Oh, I don’t know, older perhaps. Not quite so beautiful.” He watched in wonder as Emily blushed and looked uncomfortable at this remark. He reminded himself that this was a country girl, unused to the attentions of gentlemen. For some reason that thought pleased him. As Emily had not responded to his compliment, he spoke again in an attempt to put her at ease. “I have no experience as a matchmaker myself, but it seems as though it would be a difficult endeavor.”
“It is,” Emily agreed, happy to have someone sympathize with her and even happier for the change of subject. “Especially when I have two such difficult subjects.”
“May I ask why you persist, then, since it’s obvious they’re so unwilling to cooperate?”
“Oh, they are not unwilling, I assure you. At least,” Emily amended, as she realized it was disloyal of her to betray her sister’s confidence, “I do not believe them to be.”
“And why is that?” Alexander was very interested in her answer, as he hoped it matched his own conclusions.
“Oh, it is just something you can tell. It is hard to describe. I suppose you’d have to be a lady to understand.”
“Oh, I don’t think so. I think gentlemen can sense these things as well.”
Emily wondered if it was just her imagination that caused her to believe that they were no longer speaking just of Lydia and Mr. Sedgewick. She could not think of a thing to say in reply, and realized she and Mr. Williams were staring intently at each other. With an effort, she lowered her gaze.
“How long a visit do you make here, Mr. Williams?”
“I am not certain. There are extenuating circumstances.” Alexander realized this was a strange reply and hurried to explain. “That is, I don’t have a position at the moment, as I was serving in a parish on a temporary basis, until a vicar took over the living. Once he did, I was forced to look elsewhere, so I’m here staying with Sedgewick until another opportunity presents itself.”
Emily was a little disappointed at his lack of ambition. He seemed intelligent and gentlemanly; in her opinion he could go farther than being a humble curate. But it occurred to her that she did not know him well enough to say so, and she held her tongue. She decided to try instead to convince him to aid her in her matchmaking schemes. As the vicar’s close friend, he could influence him greatly. Before she could begin, Lady Smithfield interrupted.
“Emily, Lydia, Lady Abernathy proposes to have a ball.”
“Truly?” Emily jumped up excitedly, while Lydia just smiled her acceptance of the treat. “What is the occasion?”
“Oh, none in particular, although we’ll probably invite some young men down from London. It’s high time someone showed an interest in you girls, before you’re left on the shelf completely.” Lady Abernathy chuckled somewhat mechanically, to show it was just a joke, while Lady Smithfield bristled.
“It just so happens, Lady Abernathy, that Lydia’s received—”
“Mama,” Emily interrupted, while Lydia could only look on, terrified. “It was to be our little secret, but now that you’ve begun, I suppose we dare not leave our friends in suspense. Mama’s referring to our new dressmaker, from whom Lydia commissioned a dress and has just received it. Now she’ll be able to wear it to your ball.”
“A new dressmaker. Here in Stonehurst?”
“No, no, I have already said too much, you shall just have to wait until your ball to hear the rest. Lydia would not want all the young ladies from miles around copying her dress.”
Lady Abernathy looked satisfied, while Lady Smithfield was forced to swallow the news of Lydia’s engagement once again. But she looked forward with pleasure to crowing about it to Lady Abernathy as soon as Lord Wesleigh arrived from London. If he ever did arrive.
The Abernathys were the highest ranking of the nobility in the parish, with the largest estate, Rothergate. They had one son, Viscount Farnwright, who would be attending the ball although he had already married and spent most of his time in London. Alexander was slightly acquainted with Farnwright, and was grateful that as a lowly curate no one would care whether he attended the ball or not. He noticed Emily’s delight at the prospect of the ball and smiled to himself. She was a taking little thing. He hoped that she would make it to London one day for a season of her own. It was too bad his mother was not still living or she might have offered to take the girl under her wing. He dismissed that thought and pondered instead the little scene he had just witnessed. It seemed as though Lady Smithfield had been about to announce the news of Lydia’s engagement before Emily interrupted. He was thankful, of course, as he had no desire to publicize the betrothal, but he wondered that the Smithfield family didn’t shout it from the rooftops. It would be to Emily’s advantage if her sister married well. It would put her in the way of meeting eligible gentleman. But, from her behavior earlier that evening, it was obvious she had different plans in mind for her sister. Just what was the little minx up to?
He noticed all of a sudden that Lord Abernathy was staring at him, and he racked his brain to think of any way he could have drawn attention to himself.
“Where’s your living?” Lord Abernathy asked.
“I am sorry, my lord, I don’t have one at the moment. In between positions, you might say.”
“I know of one in the next county over that’s vacant. Should talk to Lord Billingsworth about it.”
“Thank you, my lord, I’ll consider it.” There was no way Alexander would speak to Billingsworth. He and Billingsworth, while not intimates, both belonged to the same club, and Billingsworth would be sure to recognize him.
“What’s there to consider, young man? Positions don’t grow on trees. You should jump at the opportunity.” Lord Abernathy was looking at him strangely, and Alexander realized a penniless young curate with no living would not have dismissed his offer so cavalierly.
“You are right, my lord, of course. I will be sure to look into it at the earliest opportunity.”
Abernathy nodded in satisfaction, and Alexander mentally chided himself for slipping out of his role so easily. It was a good thing he hadn’t posed as a servant. Apparently he had no talent for acting. He needed to accomplish his goal, so that he could return to London as soon as possible and quit this stupid charade. His father would certainly never expect him to pursue a lady whose affections were already engaged by another. He just needed to verify his suspicions and present his father with the evidence. Miss Emily Smithfield would be the perfect accomplice in his endeavor. Not to mention a most attractive one.
Emily was at that moment peering speculatively across the room at Alexander, thinking much along those same lines herself. She was very conscious of the fact that Lord Wesleigh could appear any day, and there was still nothing resolved between Lydia and Sedgewick. If he were to arrive tomorrow, Emily doubted she could do anything to prevent the match from proceeding as planned. And in addition to her own selfish reasons for wishing to stop her sister’s marriage, she truly loved her sister and did not want her marrying one man when she loved another. But Emily was accomplishing nothing on her own. She needed Mr. Williams’s help. He was Sedgewick’s good friend and could ascertain if Sedgewick returned Lydia’s regard. He had told her earlier that evening he had no experience with matchmaking, but Emily was sure he was a quick learner. He didn’t seem the sort who was unfamiliar with romance. She would wager he’d been an eager participant in quite a few affaires de coeur. Alexander saw Emily looking at him and smiled. Emily caught her breath before smiling shyly back. He got up to walk toward her, and Emily was held, captivated by his stare. It was as if they were the only two people in the room. She jumped when Lady Abernathy turned to speak to her.