Mai woke well rested the next morning and after a hearty breakfast, was escorted from the house by Lady and Lord Pembridge. The mother clung to her son's arm as they walked around London's streets.
Lady Pembridge insisted on purchasing new clothes for them all, treating them to a quick luncheon and then allowing Lord Pembridge free reign of the bookshop for a good time before they returned to Aubrey House.
"Oliver is a great lover of books," she told Mai as they waited for Lord Pembridge to make his purchases.
"Yes, I am aware. I often find him in the library, often being scolded by Mr Lin for forgetting to eat."
"He's always been that way," Lady Pembridge said with a sigh. "So caught up in what he is reading that he is ignorant of all else."
"I think there are worse vices for a young man to have," Mai said. "He does not gamble. If he would only dance, I think he could be an agreeable husband for the right young woman."
"He is a fine dancer when he puts his mind to it," Lady Pembridge said. "As if I would allow either of my sons to be poor dancers…" She tutted at the very thought. "But you are right. He could be an agreeable husband for a young woman. While you are here, would you help me in searching for one for him?"
"If he is not inclined to marry—"
"I believe if he meets the right woman, that he will change his mind on the matter."
Privately, Mai did not believe this to be the case, but she could not say this to the hopeful Lady Pembridge.
"I will try, but I cannot promise anything. It has been some time since I have been in London society and so I am quite behind the mode."
"You, yourself, are looking for a husband?"
Mai pursed her lips.
"Everyone else wants me to have another. It is as you say, perhaps if I meet the right man, I would consider it."
Lady Pembridge smiled.
That evening they dined with only the three of them again. Lady Pembridge had promised a ball the following evening and so did not want to overwhelm them with company so early in their visit.
After an early meal, Lady Pembridge excused herself, claiming fatigue from the day.
Once she had departed, Mai spoke.
"You are aware your mother is looking for a match for you?"
Lord Pembridge sighed heavily.
"I suppose it was only a matter of time before she started on that again. I trust she has won you over to her cause."
"I said I would try. She is a hard person to deny, your mother."
"She is indeed. If it helps, she has made me swear to help find you a suitable husband too."
Mai scowled. Lord Pembridge smirked.
"I had already promised your late husband that I would not allow you to marry some worthless cretin."
"I would not choose such a man!"
"I believe he said, and I quote 'her taste is so poor that she accepted me, Oliver, so in her second choosing, make it a man better than yourself'."
"You tease me!"
"I am merely recanting his words," Lord Pembridge said, an undeniable smirk playing about his lips.
"Which you are taking great pleasure in," Mai accused, though she herself was smiling. She could not deny that it pleased her that her late husband cared so much as to ensure her future happiness in such a way.
"I do not deny it," he said. "But it is late, we should retire."
"Yes, if tomorrow is half as busy as today I shall be quite exhausted before we make it to the ball tomorrow."
"Then perhaps I should keep you up later. If you are too tired, then we might not have to attend."
Mai laughed.
"You are as scheming as your mother."
"I shall take that as a compliment, Lady Astley. I bid you goodnight."
"Sleep well, Lord Pembridge."
Lady Pembridge accepted a few visitors the following morning. She made the introductions and Mai joined the conversation without making a last impression of their visitors.
Lord Pembridge had gone out for a stroll around one of the nearby parks. Mai found herself distracted by thoughts of him. Now out of Harker Hall, he appeared lighter. She wondered if he would thrive, like his mother, if he moved elsewhere.
They had been at Aubrey House for only a matter of days, but Lord Pembridge's cheeks appeared rosier than Mai had ever known them. The thought made her laugh, usually people left London for their health. But for him, London seemed to have made him healthier.
Was Harker Hall really such a place of evil?
She shuddered at the thought. And yet she felt it too. While at Harker Hall, she could not have noticed a problem. But now she had left, she also felt cheered.
"Lady Astley, are you well?"
"I was lost in thought, I apologise."
"Might I ask what you were thinking of?"
"Your son. I was thinking that he seems much happier here with you."
Lady Pembridge smiled.
"It is nice to hear that. He puts on such a play of finding me bothersome."
"He does, it's quite amusing to watch."
"I am glad it benefits someone," Lady Pembridge said. "Are you prepared for the ball this evening?"
"I believe so. I have a dress and dancing shoes."
"And who will you dance with?"
Mai laughed.
"I know no one in London society, Lady Pembridge, so I will trust you will introduce me to the handsomest men."
"Of course, have you met my son, Oliver? He is very handsome, though perhaps I am not impartial."
Mai laughed again.
"He will not dance with me. I shall have to settle for less handsome men than him. Perhaps a nice young man with a good fortune who will accept a widow such as myself."
Lady Pembridge's smile faltered a little.
"Many of the younger men will not accept a widow. But I trust we can find someone who is not too old for you."
"Thank you, I appreciate your help."
"Think nothing of it," she replied.
Mai dressed with a great deal of care for the evening's ball. She chose a dark red dress and had a maid do her hair in an intricate style that she never could have achieved alone.
The trio climbed into the carriage and arrived at a fashionable time.
Lady Pembridge and her son were announced first, Mai shortly after. Lady Pembridge took Mai's arm and swept around the room making introductions with more of her friends — and her friend's sons…
By the end of the round of the ballroom, Mai had almost half her dance card filled.
"Well that is a good start, is it not?" Lady Pembridge said. "Let me add Oliver on there for you."
"You are determined to torture your poor son."
"One dance will not hurt him." Lady Pembridge patted Mai's hand. "I will go and tell him, you better find your first partner."
Mai did as she suggested. Her first partner was a man several years her junior who appeared to be at his first ball. He made poor conversation but his earnest attempts were endearing to Mai. She bid him good luck as they finished. His mother had arranged several other dances for him with other ladies.
Her second dance was far more dull. The man had clearly only suggested the dance to avoid the attention of another woman. Mai smirked, scanning the room to try and ascertain which young woman he was avoiding. She made no progress with this by the end of the dance and was happy to see him go.
There was a short break between the second and third dances. Mai had a small glass of wine before returning to the ballroom. She felt eyes on her and suspected them to be from Lady Pembridge.
It was only as she finished the third dance that she realised it was Lord Pembridge. He stood in a corner with a glass of wine in one hand and a small book in the other. His eyes darted from the page in front of him to Mai and back again.
So taken was she by his notice that she almost missed the beginning of the fourth dance.
"Lady Astley? I believe I am to have this dance?"
Mai turned to see a remarkably tall man in the finest coat she had ever seen.
"Quite possibly," she glanced down at her dance card, "if you are Mr Henry Berkeley?"
"I am indeed," Berkeley said. "Shall we?"
They took to the dance floor and the music began.
"Do you live in London?" he asked. "I do not believe I have seen you here before?"
"No, I do not. I am visiting the mother of a friend of my late husband's. Rather convoluted I know, but they have been most kind to me."
"I am glad to hear it."
"And what about yourself?" Mai asked. "Do you live here?"
"Only for the winter months, come the spring I shall return to the Peaks."
"Oh how delightful, I have never been but I have heard much of their beauty."
"There is nothing quite like rocks and mountains is there not?" Berkeley replied.
"Nothing at all. I grew up in a remarkably flat part of the country, but we were surrounded by woods and forests. I do love a walk in nature."
"Do you walk often?"
"Every day if I can. Though it is not quite so peaceful here in town."
"I imagine not." He laughed. "But there is a different sort of wildlife."
Mai returned his laugh.
"For someone who does not live in London, you seem remarkably well dressed," he commented.
"Just because I do not live in London does not mean I am entirely ignorant of the fashions. Though I will admit this dress is a little old. Lady Pembridge took me shopping earlier this week and the range here is astounding. I will make efforts to visit town more often."
"You know Lady Pembridge?" Berkeley asked, his smile fading a little.
"Yes, she is whom I am staying with. Why? Your face betrays concern."
"Lady Pembridge is a lovely woman. But I must take this to mean you also know Lord Pembridge?"
"Yes? What of it?"
Berkeley glanced around the room and lowered his voice as he continued, passing information as they danced back and forth.
"I have heard rumours of his… Activities."
"What do you mean?"
"A friend of mine told me he saw Lord Pembridge visit an asylum."
"Why would he be in a place like that?" Mai asked, ignorant of the volume of her voice.
"Hush, my Lady, and I will tell you."
Mai pressed her lips together.
Berkeley continued.
"He left with several bottles of human blood."
Mai stumbled her step. She recovered quickly and hastened to ask—
"Why?"
"Well, that is the question, isn't it?" Berkeley replied. "My friend reckons that Pembridge has some unpleasant interest in bloodletting. He lost his brother and father in quick succession, so I could believe he has an interest in the medicinal sciences."
"Yes, but why keep the blood?"
"That is where my theory comes in. I believe he is using the blood for something ungodly. Demons? Devils? Vampires? They all require blood for their evil ways."
"You think him in league with the devil?"
"Or a demon, yes. He is a sullen fellow, is he not? Withdrawn from polite society. I think a demon has captured his heart."
The dance came to an end. Mai curtsied as Berkeley bowed.
"I do not say this to alarm you, Lady Astley. I am sure you are quite safe with his mother. But do keep an eye out. I would hate for a creature as lovely as you to get hurt."
"Berkeley, I hope you're not filling Lady Astley's head with nonsense."
Mai turned to see Lord Pembridge standing behind her.
"Pembridge, of course not, we merely shared our common love of the outdoors. Until we meet again, Lady Astley."
"Yes, of course," Mai replied.
"Do not listen to a word that man says," Lord Pembridge intoned. "He was in the year above me at Cambridge and would latch onto the most ridiculous gossip and tout it about as truth."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. He does it to hide his own deficiencies. Primarily monetarily. He has not the fortune to support a wife in a life of comfort, so do not allow yourself to be taken by him."
"But his coat is so fine?"
"It is borrowed. He has many wealthier friends."
Mai's head spun, unsure of what to believe.
"My mother has insisted we dance."
"Yes, I could not refuse her suggestion."
"I do not blame you for what is about to befall us both."
"What do you mean? Your mother told me you are a fine dancer."
"My mother is blinded by affection," Lord Pembridge muttered.
They took their places. The dance began.
"What did he tell you of me?"
"Why do you assume we spoke of you?" Mai asked.
"Well, firstly because he's a dreadful gossip. Secondly, you're regarding me with great suspicion."
"I am doing no such thing!" Mai objected.
"You deny it? My eyes are not defective, Lady Astley. Tell me, what did he say of me?"
"If I tell you, will you tell me the truth of the matter?"
"Perhaps. As long as it would not endanger another."
Mai pondered this for a few moments before speaking again.
"He told me only that you are known to have visited an asylum and left with bottles of blood."
"Ah."
"Is it true?"
"Yes."
"Why would you do such a thing?"
"To test something."
Mai gathered that Lord Pembridge was choosing his words very carefully.
"For science?"
"In a manner of speaking."
"And you are not hurting another?"
"No, I am doing my best to hurt no one."
They danced in silence for a few minutes before Lord Pembridge asked another question.
"How do you find London?"
"Much more pleasant than I remember it to be."
"Really?"
"Yes, though perhaps this is down to your mother. She is wonderful company."
"I am glad you should think so."
"Do you enjoy London?"
"For a short time. I do not think I could remain here long."
"Is that why our trip is only two weeks?"
"My mother knows I would hate to stay longer," he said. "London is too busy for me, and while the conveniences of the shops are pleasant for a short time…"
"I understand."
"You do?" His voice did not contain his scepticism.
"I can see how London would lose its novelty. Especially when compared to the delights of the grounds at Harker Hall."
When the dance ended, Lord Pembridge bowed and walked away. Mai made for the refreshments. The dancing had left her quite thirsty.
She found Lady Pembridge in the card room. Mai joined her table to watch the game unfold.
"You danced with Oliver?"
"Yes."
"And was he a frightful bore?"
"No, he was remarkably agreeable."
Lady Pembridge smiled.
"I am glad to hear it. I will not hold him to attend another social event for a few days, as he has been so well behaved."
"He is not a pet," Mai said, laughing uncomfortably.
"No, he is not, but he does not thrive at these things. I appreciate his effort. Do you wish to join the game? We can deal you in?"
"Oh no, I am quite happy to watch. The dancing has left me quite tired," Mai said, quite truthfully.
"If you wish to retire for the night, let me know."
"Thank you, but I am happy to watch your game unfold. Have you had much luck?"
"No, my dear friend Anne here has beaten me every round."
"Perhaps you should play better, my dear Luella," a lady, Anne presumably, said.
"I am very distracted by the wellbeing of my son and of Lady Astley here."
"Then I see it as no fault of mine that you are losing."
Mai laughed at the interaction.
"Anne, do you know any handsome young men that Lady Astley here could win over? She is a young widow and it would be a waste to allow some old bore to marry her."
"If my own sons were single I would have suggested one, but alas they are all married," Anne said. "I will think on it. There must be some suitable match for her."
"I thank you, but do not put yourself out on my account," Mai insisted.
"Lady Astley does not understand that for women such as us, finding matches for suitable young people is something of a hobby," Lady Pembridge said.
"Yes, and it is much more fun when it is not one's own children."
"Most definitely. I look forward to the time that Oliver finally settles down. To know that he is well cared for by a sensible woman would be a great relief…"
Author's note: thank you to everyone who replied to my question, it is greatly appreciated! I hope you enjoy this!