During the short trip to Lord and Lady Wickham's, Brianna didn't dwell on the upcoming weekend. Instead, all her thoughts focused on the possibility of seeing Richard tonight. Something about him called out to her as nothing else had. Mr. Gregory could not compare to Richard. She knew if Richard asked for her hand, she would not hesitate to award it to him.
Entering the opulent house, Brianna took note of the guests and was not surprised by the large number. Unfortunately, the majority of the rooms were open to accommodate everyone, making it harder to locate a specific person. Scanning each room, Brianna sagged in disappointment as she did not find Richard.
Much to her surprise, she saw Mr. Gregory standing off to one side, looking out of place. His lack of a title coupled with his insufficient wealth surely didn't warrant an invitation from such an illustrious host. Still hoping Richard would arrive later, she quickly exited the room, not wishing for Mr. Gregory to monopolize all her time.
Dinner was soon called, and Lord Barrens escorted her to her seat. Much to her dismay, Brianna discovered she'd been placed between Lord Barrens and Mr. Gregory. As everyone sat and the first course was delivered, she took the time to survey the guests. All the chairs were occupied, and Richard was not present. Feeling disappointment settle over her, she turned her attention to her plate. She wondered how someone like Mr. Gregory had received an invitation yet Richard had not.
"Good evening, Lady Brianna. It's a pleasure to see you, as always." Mr. Gregory's smile was friendly.
"Yes. Have you previously attended functions hosted by Lady Wickham? They are quite grand," she said, hoping to understand his invitation.
"No, I have not been given the opportunity before. Even my presence here tonight was not expected."
"Not expected? By whom? Surely Lord Wickham knew you were coming."
"They were informed previously. I knew you would be attending, so I requested Lord Barrens bring me along as his guest." He winked at her.
Shocked he would go to such lengths, she stared at him with a blank expression. Not sure how to respond, she paused.
"I'm flattered."
"I hoped you would be," he said proudly. "I'm the one to be envied this evening, as I'm the fortunate one to have been placed next to you."
She smiled at the flattery, then looked away. After a glance at Sarah Kamins's smug smile, Brianna imagined it was no accident she'd been placed next to the gentleman with the lowest social standing. Obviously Sarah was unaware of Brianna's preference for untitled gentleman and had classified her as competition.
Regardless of Sarah's reasoning, Brianna decided to use this as an opportunity to find out more about her dinner partner. In the event Richard was unattainable, she needed to determine Mr. Gregory's suitability to become her second choice. Their few stolen moments together at balls had not given her much information about him, so this opportunity suited her.
"Mr. Gregory, I would love to hear more about you. We have not had a chance to talk much."
"What would you care to know?"
"What are your plans for the future?" She decided to address the most important issue first.
"The typical things. At the moment, a wife and family are foremost in my thoughts." He grinned at her as if he expected her to melt at his revelation.
Brianna, priding herself on not having the typical reactions, was not even close to melting or any other such nonsense.
"Then what makes you different from the scores of other gentlemen seeking the same thing? Surely there is something more specific you desire for your life that would set you apart."
His mouth dropped open, and then his lips turned down in disapproval.
"I'm not sure what you hope to achieve with this line of conversation. I'm not accustomed to discussing such over dinner."
"I'm merely curious. All men who wish for a wife and family have different reasons. Some wish for a companion or heirs, while others are looking for a dowry or social connections. None of them are wrong. I only wanted to know what motivates you." She shrugged as if his answer was irrelevant.
He hesitated a second longer, and then his expression grew distant, as if he saw his future before him.
"I want it all. I want a wife, heirs, and wealth. I wish to have a house, a mansion, on a substantial piece of property that boasts of my wealth. I wish to be viewed as an equal, a person who is good enough for my father," he said with such fervor, Brianna began to see him differently, the intensity in his voice overwhelmed.
When his thoughts returned to the present and his gaze focused on her, she could see the determination in his eyes. An uncomfortable feeling settled around her. As if he saw her as the tool he would use to obtain his goal. He smiled then, softening his features, and allowing her to relax. She had expected his need for a dowry. However, she was not sure she wanted to be used so callously.
"That sounds lovely. The house, I mean." Her cheeks heated with her awkward and rushed words.
"I'm glad you think so."
She was saved from having to respond as the next course was served. Concentrating more on her food and her other companion, the rest of the dinner passed by uneventfully and slowly. When she gave him her attention again, Mr. Gregory regaled her with tales of his future estate, and how he would spend his wealth.
After seeing this new materialistic side of him, she found she was not as interested in him as she had been. She continuously found herself comparing Mr. Gregory and Richard, and the same person kept coming out on top.
She wondered if her dwindling interest in Mr. Gregory was due to Richard or if the appeal would have dissolved on its own. Regardless, she became bored with his company and was grateful when Lady Wickham announced the ladies withdraw. Following her mother into the drawing room, Brianna sighed, knowing the evening was not near to ending.
The only way to avoid Mr. Gregory and his tiresome conversation was to surround herself with the other guests and their inane chatter. Fully aware her actions alone encouraged his attention, she knew it would be difficult to dissuade him.
"So, Brianna, how did you enjoy your dinner?" Sarah asked as she approached.
"Dinner was delicious. Please express my compliments to your cook. If your parents ever wish to dismiss her, I know my mother would be interested in offering her a position."
"I shall pass that along, although my parents have no wish for her to go anywhere. However, I was not referring to the food. I was more interested in your opinions of the overall experience."
"You already know of the success of the evening, so why are you seeking my assessment?"
"I simply noticed your absorption with that untitled gentleman, and I wondered about your interest."
"He is very handsome, is he not?" Brianna knew Sarah only wanted a reaction from her.
"Well, yes, but what could you possibly have to talk about? I noticed you spent the entire time speaking mostly to him."
"He told me how disappointed he was with the whole evening. He was not impressed by anything and none of the ladies present were able to pique his interest," Brianna replied offhandedly. "Don't worry, though. I assured him I thought it was a splendid dinner and everyone else seems to be enjoying themselves as well."
"He didn't notice anything because his interest centered only on you. How could you attract him and he not notice my presence?" Sarah seemed genuinely puzzled and upset by Mr. Gregory's lack of regard. "Please excuse me, I must check my hair."
As she stalked away, Brianna could see Sarah's calculating expression and almost laughed at how everything was turning out. Mr. Gregory would never know the gift Brianna had bestowed upon him, for Sarah could not stand the thought of a gentleman not admiring her. Knowing Sarah's determination, she would attempt to obtain his attention.
Since Brianna no longer considered Mr. Gregory a marriage prospect, pairing him with Sarah seemed to be a perfect solution. With a few comments to Mr. Gregory, Brianna was confident his attention would turn in Sarah's direction. The tricky part would be convincing him to keep any interest he had in Sarah to himself. As Brianna contemplated how to achieve it, she joined a group of ladies, trying to appear as though she was taking part in their conversation.
When the gentlemen finally decided to leave their port and cigars to rejoin the women, Brianna sought out Mr. Gregory, anxious to put her new plan into place. One smile at him, and he started in her direction. Leaving her mother's side, Brianna went over to the window, expecting him to follow.
"This is a wonderful gathering, is it not?" Brianna asked when Mr. Gregory approached.
"Yes, everything has been very agreeable."
"I was speaking with Sarah Kamins only a moment ago, and we are both pleased at the success of the evening as well. Have you had the pleasure of meeting her?"