The Marriage Market
The London season was about to begin, and it was full of people aiming to participate in the various gatherings organised for the season. Sidney Parker was one of those gentlemen walking the main streets of London. He had trade meetings and hoped to catch up with his friends. Babbington and Crowe were often difficult to socialise with as their families kept them busy. Sidney sighed, even Crowe had found a wife that had turned a rogue into a happily married man.
He himself had made the best of his marriage by limiting his time with Eliza. He did his duty but due to their incompatibility it took Eliza a number of years to conceive. Tom often telling Sidney his absences didn't help in the matter. They lived separate lives and only appeared united for their daughter Anne's sake. She was about to be introduced into society and it was the only reason he was in London. His daughter was 18 and was the apple of his eye. She made his life better and had spent the majority of her life living with him.
He entered the club and was thankful his friends were present. They waved him over to their seating area.
"Parker! Well met!" exclaimed Crowe and pulled out a chair for Sidney.
"Marriage Mart?" asked Babbington.
"Yes, Eliza's only wish on her death bed was that Anne come out at 18" sighed Sidney. He was not looking forward to the prospect of attending multiple events. He preferred his quiet life in Sanditon and only travelled for business.
"Crowe and I were just talking about the marriage mart ourselves as you know we also have daughters who are coming out." Charles blowing out smoke. He had lost Esther during the birth of their second child 'Joy' and wished Esther was here to assist him. Like Sidney he lived on his country estate and with reluctance had travelled with his daughter to London. Charles had been able to delay Joy's coming out, but his son 'Christopher' convinced his father 'Joy' should be given an opportunity to find a match.
"Let your daughters pick... it worked for my oldest and she is very happy... we are expecting our 2nd grandchild" proudly spoke up Crowe. Crowe had met an American heiress accidentally and fallen in love with her spirit.
"Crowe a grandfather! Never thought it would happen" teased Sidney
"At least there is no money issues for our daughters, but we are going to have to guard them from fortune hunters" commented Charles.
Sidney for a moment let his mind wonder into the past. He never had forgotten Charlotte Heywood or stopped loving her. It had been 21 years since he had last seen Charlotte. She had given herself to him and he had cherished that moment. She had challenged him and loved him for the man he was. She had been his soul mate, but the fire had changed everything. He often wondered what had happened and assumed Charlotte had married a farmer in her local town. After his marriage to Eliza, they had embarked on a European trip returning a number of years later. On his return Mary had informed him she no longer received letters from Charlotte and had heard rumours she had married.
He was brought out of his own musing by his friends commenting about the entrance of a number of gentlemen.
"Looks like the eligible young men are coming back into town." Observed Crowe and the older men cast a critical eye over them. They were determined that their daughters would only have the best. Sidney was one of the most determined and he looked intently at every man who entered the room.
"I will be keeping my Joy away from that one" Charles spoke firmly as he watched a young buck speak about his activities of the previous night. Charles could spot a rogue a mile away and his precious daughter would be kept safely away. He wanted Joy to find a quiet country gentleman who would be happy for Charles to visit them for extended periods of time.
Their attention was taken by a group of men speaking with Scottish accents. Sidney was not surprised as the 'marriage market' brought many people from all corners of the world together. The majority of the gentry from Scotland had English or French Royal roots. They were smaller in number and when a gentleman became eligible many a woman set their caps on them. Charles had been keeping an eye on the gentlemen who would be participating on the marriage market and had hoped one would be present this season.
"I have to share with you that I want my daughter to marry a particular gentleman. He is a university friend of Christopher's. I have never met the fellow, but my son speaks highly of him. The Earl prefers the country and his family is one of the wealthiest in Scotland" shared Charles. Crowe also commenting his son was also a friend of this gentleman who had come early into his title as his father had passed away a number of years ago.
The man himself entering with Christopher Babbington and William Crowe.
"I have to say that reminds me a lot of us three when we were young bucks" reflected Babbington. Crowe had let out a loud chuckle while Sidney on the other hand had gone quiet. For some reason he felt his knew this boy and there was something familiar about the Earl. Christopher and William noticing their fathers brought over their friend.
"Father, let me introduce you to the Earl of Montrose" Christopher smiling as he finally was able to introduce his friend.
"Sir" the young man paying all respects to the gentlemen even though they were below his own station. His mother had always instilled in him that everyone deserved respect and as a leader he needed to be a servant to his people. Charles taking the lead and made every effort to find out about this gentleman. The Earl's attention being taken by the group of Scott's who had gestured for his time.
"Please excuse me but I must spend time with my Uncles and fellow Scott's" The Earl's scottish accent deepening when he referred to his people. He bid them a good morning and settled himself amongst the men who were speaking in their mother tongue. Sidney taking in the young man's features and thought he saw his own smile appear on the Earl's face.
"He could easily be your son!" Crowe commented