'The one with the black hair?'
'Yes.'
'Well, he is not unfortunate looking.'
'What is that supposed to mean?;
'Well, most titled men I have met are old farts, or else the sons of said old farts waiting for Father Dearest to snuff it and they seldom are any more worth looking at.'
'Focus, Charlotte.'
'Honestly Edward. I am merely making an observation. At least he is easy to look at, that is all I am saying.' She dismissed. 'Where is the sister?'
'At the piano.'
The woman looked over at the raven-haired woman that was playing a somewhat droll tune. 'She looks exactly as I thought she would.'
'Yes. Ready?'
'As I'll ever be.' She schooled a polite smile onto her face and walked down the stairwell and onto the floor below, saluting those who saluted her with the brightest of smiles and paying absolutely no heed to the visiting Baronet that the whole town seemed to be obsessed with.
Thomas sighed. He hated this, but needs must. He wanted to be back at Allerdale Hall, working on the next part of his machine, but that required substantial financing. Conventional methods of raising the funding had been exhausted. Lucille reminded him that this was their only hope.
They scoured the local area for a potential target, but most were only of average wealth. Most of the areas that had their share of wealthy families did not meet their criteria.
He noted a woman who entered alone that others seemed to focus on, halfway through the evening's proceedings. She paid no heed to him, instead, she walked through the room without a sideways glance. He thought nothing more of her and continued to focus on his objective, just as Lucille had ordered.
Lucille too studied the room around her around her astutely, making sure to be present as the unintelligent drivel was spewed under the disguise of small talk so she could ensure she got everything of note between the women present. She scanned the room for her brother, hating having to be in such circles, she saw him smiling politely as some old dithering bat spoke of some, no-doubt unimportant matter as he continued to stand there, clearly wishing he was somewhere else.
'And of course, as well as your distinguished selves, we have been graced by Lady Charlotte of...where is it she is from again?' A woman named Delia prattled on.
'I am not sure where it is she is from, but her late husband was from Pembrokeshire in Wales.' Another answered. 'Poor thing, a widow a mere month after being made a wife, and I believe it to be a love match at that. Now look at her, a widow at twenty-five, and of course, with the fortune she married into and for it all to be left to her…'
Lucille suddenly became far more interested in their conversation. 'She is not of these parts?'
'Heavens no. Like yourself and the good Baronet, Lady Charlotte is only gracing our neck of the woods for a short time. She says being alone in that house of hers is too much and far too lonely.' Delia explained.
'Lonely?' Lucille gently pressed.
'Yes, Mister Hamilton was the last of his family, so it is just her and her staff there now. I read about it all in the paper when it happened.'
'What was it that happened, if you don't mind my asking.' Lucille enquired, knowing all too well the woman was only begging for her to ask so that she could tell her.
'Oh, the poor man, he was of the Hamilton's that own all those trade ships, they go everywhere, India, Singapore, they travel the world, and he was quite the sailor too, sure he was practically reared on them. He took a journey because he knew that he would not be able to go again for a time, he wanted to be a present husband, his big plan was to regenerate the family name with his young wife, but a storm happened and took the ship and all on it, Mister Hamilton included. It is clear to see that it affects her still.'
'Such tragedy, and so young.' Lucille feigned sympathy. 'Has she any family of her own for support?'
'Well, from what I could find out, her sister died as a child, her father died of some odd lump and her mother caught the consumption. The poor dear is all alone. I think that is why Mister Hamilton took so much to her.'
Lucille looked at the girl being referenced. She looked somewhat meek and naive. She also was somewhat pretty, but most importantly, she was perfect.
Thomas sensed his sister's glance and turned to face her, her eyes indicating to the woman he had seen entering earlier; when he looked to Lucille again, she gave a nod. Sighing, he knew what it meant.
He allowed himself to look at her again. Her clothes were understated but it was clear she was wealthy. She was quite pretty, but not the most beautiful of women in the room, but what caught his attention most of all was her youth. This was the first time Lucille had chosen a woman so much younger than him.
'I see you have noticed our other out-of-town guest,' The old man he had been speaking with commented. 'Mrs Charlotte Hamilton, the widow of the late Mr William Hamilton.'
'The shipping and trades Hamiltons?' Thomas inquired.
'The one and the same. What good is their fortune to them now, when she is all that is left of them and she married in. I am full sure that they were cursed. They had three sons, Winston, Samuel and William; war, war and the sea took them respectively. Only William ever married, but he never had time to sire an heir before he was taken.'
'I see.' Thomas had read of the Hamiltons and their immense wealth as a result of solid investments and seizing of opportunities. 'And Mrs Hamilton?'
'Lovely girl, very cheerful but I suspect behind it all she is incredibly lonely. Twenty-eight thousand a year buys most anything, but not true friends and company.'
Thomas swallowed. Twenty-eight thousand a year was an obscene amount of money. They could restore Allerdale Hall fully and make his machine many times over with one year's income alone, and if she did not spend her time hosting extravagant parties, the money that she would have aside would make her wealthier still. He saw immediately why Lucille had chosen her. 'When did she arrive?'
'They day after yourself and the Lady Lucille.' The man answered. 'I think she heard there was a baronet in town and came in search of a husband.' The man jested before clapping on Thomas' shoulder and taking his leave, leaving Thomas to contemplate how to get over to speak with her.
Thomas watched the woman carefully, noting how she actively avoided the most of the men, especially those that were clearly only attempting to bother her. He suspected that he would receive a similar reception were he to try. All the time he thought of how best to approach her, sensing that Lucille was watching him.
He watched as she left the room. Slowly and in a manner that would not arouse any suspicion, he followed. He did not see her for a time but seeing her go to leave another room, he hid to the side. On hearing her footfalls come near the door, he walked into the doorway, ready to catch her. 'My apologies.' He stated, steadying the woman he had crashed into, startled to see it was not the woman he had planned on it being, instead she was stood to the side of the door, looking seemingly startled by events. 'Oh.'
'Goodness, are you alright?' She asked the woman that was currently in Thomas's arms who he, in turn, assisted into standing properly again before stepping back, apologising.
'Yes, fine.' The woman dismissed, walking off clearly slightly inebriated. 'Fine.'
'I feel terrible.' Thomas confessed after she had left to the still present woman.
'I would not feel too much so, she will recall it tomorrow, she is already eyeing another sherry.' The woman smiled. 'The great Baronet Sir Thomas Sharpe, I assume? Finally a face for the name.' She curtsied.
'Please, there is no need for such propriety, it is Thomas.'
'Sir Thomas, then.' She curtsied.
'Please….I…' Seeing the playful smile on her face, he ceased and smiled also. 'Mrs Hamilton. I have the right woman, do I not?'
'I am she.' She confirmed. 'Dare I be so bold as to ask you, Sir Thomas, what brings a man of your stature to these parts?'
'Business,' He replied jovially. 'And yourself?'
'A change of scenery.' She responded. 'Too long in one's own company is not as pleasant as some assume it to be, especially when you do not feel you belong there.'
'I know the feeling.' Thomas nodded.
'Well, at least you were born into what you are.'
'Comprehensible.' Thomas nodded.
'Forgive me, I should know better than to concern you with such unimportant non-issues.' She self-chastised.
'Please, it is quite alright, perhaps you require a friendly and understanding ear?'
'That is perhaps true but I fear I lack such a thing anywhere, much less in a town I am not from. All I get are people wanting gossip and often good favour or favours.'
'The joys of high social standing.' Thomas nodded.
'Of course, whatever my woes, you would be very much more versed in such things.' She acknowledged.
'Well, I…' Thomas looked up to see two women coming towards them. 'Perhaps this is a conversation to be had somewhere less inclined to be overheard?'
'I think perhaps that it is best served to cease this conversation in general.' She gave another curtsy. 'Sir Thomas, it has been a pleasure.'
Thomas looked at her as she left. 'Mrs Hamilton.' He bowed, watching her leave. He turned slightly to see Lucille glancing at him, nodding her approval.
