A Lady's Favour by Kelly Anne Bruce

Author:Kelly Anne Bruce [Bruce, Kelly Anne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sweet River Publishing
Published: 2018-03-20T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

"I am so pleased to hear that your brother is improving," Patrick's mother said to him.

They had just finished speaking with the physician who had made his usual visit as he had each morning since the accident. "Of course," Patrick said.

He understood her happiness but the physician had not actually said that Frederick was improving. He had only said that the fact that Frederick's eyelids were fluttering at times was possibly a sign that he could wake soon. Patrick debated over discussing it further with his mother but came to the conclusion that she was much in need of hearing good news. It would do neither of them any good for him to disabuse her from her hopeful thoughts.

"Frederick would be rather perturbed if he were awake," his mother said and then laughed. "Of course, if he were awake he would have no reason to be perturbed."

"Mother, I hate to interrupt but what is it that Frederick would be perturbed about?" Patrick asked concerned that her grief may be causing her to be confused.

"Frederick was invited to a dinner party at Lord and Lady Haverfield's. He would be upset he had missed it." His mother smiled. "Frederick was quite involved with the events of the Season."

Patrick frowned. His father and brother had made it sound as though Frederick had been hard at work traveling between Ellesmont and London helping their father with family business. Clearly, that was not the case. "Yes, how perturbing."

"Oh!" His mother exclaimed. "I have a great idea that I am sure Frederick would be quite happy about."

"What is that?" Patrick asked.

"You should go to the dinner party in his place," she replied.

"No, I could not do that," Patrick said immediately.

"Whyever not?" His mother looked at him with wide eyes.

"It would be improper for me to attend a frivolous dinner party while in mourning."

"I do not think that it would be improper." She looked at him apparently waiting for him to argue with her. When he said nothing she added, "You would be doing it for me and Frederick."

"I do not wish to go but if it pleases you I will do so." Patrick sighed and looked away.

"Thank you. I think it will be good for people to see you there representing the family."

Patrick did not agree with her but he would do what she asked. "When is this dinner party?"

"Tonight. I have already sent a note to Lady Haverfield that you would be attending in Frederick's place."

Patrick tried not to show his anger at her actions, simply standing up. "If I am to attend tonight I should go prepare to be out for the evening.

Later that evening, Patrick was standing in the entry hall at Lord Haverfield's London residence wishing he had skipped the dinner party and had gone to White's instead. If he did not think that his mother would hear of his absence from Lady Haverfield he would have done so without hesitance.

He turned nodding to Jonathan Webb where he stood across the room, thankful that he had seen a friendly face.

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