A Gentleman's Wife

By: Antiope

Chapter 1

London, England 1783--

The new Season had descended upon London once again, as hundreds of ladies of various ages, and many men, gathered to the first ball. The recently married Lord Kimbrooke and his wife Lady Sarah hosted the coming out of Beatrice Kently, Lady Sarah's sister. Everyone of great importance was there. However two young guests that had been unable to attend festivities sat on the second floor landing watching the many well dressed gentlemen and ladies pass underneath them. Miss Amelia Worthing and Miss Faith Albright were sadly disappointed in the turn of events that caused them to miss the ball that promised to be the social event of the Season. Though far to young to be searching for husband for themselves, they had been promised seats in a discreet corner to watch the lords and ladies twirl around the dance floor. Then the fair Beatrice Kently voiced her opinion of the improper presence of the two children at the ball. All talk of the girls joining the party stopped. The girls had instead been given into the care of Mrs. Portly, whose name fit the woman perfectly. She was short and very round, and fortunately for the two girls, quite along in her years. The girls had slipped out of the room once Mrs. Portly's head bobbed forward and her snores became loud enough to wake the dead.

It took several minutes to find the ballroom but they were successful.

Amelia, however, was still steaming over Lady Beatrice's interference. For young Amelia had a plan that would help both herself and her father. Before this Season's end, she would find a wife for her father and the mother she wanted badly. Her father was unaware of this of course. Devon Worthing, Earl of Deveham was a kind man and a good father, but he was in no hurry to remarry. However, his mother, Lady Rebecca and Amelia both agreed that it was past time for him to choose a new bride.

For all of Amelia's eight and three-quarter years she had lived in the country with her grandmother and her father. She of course met Faith when they were babies, for their grandmothers were great friends. The two girls were kindred spirits, as both lost their mothers at birth and their adventurous spirits got them in trouble more times then they can remember.

Now was different. At least, that was what Faith was trying to convince Amelia of.

"Amelia, you don't really believe you can find yourself a mother do you? There are so many ladies here, how will you know which one is the right one?"

Amelia glared at Faith in exasperation. "Goodness, you sound like you think I don't know what I am doing. I know exactly what I want. She has to be pretty, kind, strong, not too strict, and loves children."

Faith fidgeted nervously. "What if we get caught? We are suppose to be in the nursery with Mrs. Portly. I can't get in trouble again. My father will skin me alive!"

Amelia sighed. "Look, when I'm finished finding my father a new wife, I will help you find a wife for your father."

Faith straightened quickly and turned to Amelia with hope in her eyes. "Really? Do you think we could?"

Amelia shook her head in amusement. "Really Faith, you can be such a goose. Of course we can. We simply have to find the kind of woman you want as your new mother. Then we must choose one we think your father might like."

"It sounds simple, but you forget, the women have to fall in love with our fathers before they can be wed. Frankly, I don't see why you haven't considered my cousin Penelope. She is attractive, and completely enamored of with your father."

"Enamored?" Amelia raised her eyebrows and Faith blushed. "Have you been listening to the ramblings of your whimsical cousin, Victoria?"

Faith blushed. "Yes, well, Victoria is older and much more experienced in the matters of love then we are."

"As Victoria is only fifteen, I sincerely doubt it, and as for Penelope, I would rather my father marry a worm, for it surely has more of a spine than she. I want someone who would be able to stand up to my father and match wits. Penelope would faint at the first loud word. She doesn't even like me, so I would say her chances are very small," Amelia said.

"It was only a thought. Besides, your father loses his temper just as much as my father does. How are you going to find a lady who will be able to stand up to your father or mine? There are grown men who are scared of them. No woman could keep her wits about her when our fathers erupt!" Faith exclaimed.

Amelia looked down the balcony, an expression of determination so like her father's it was eerie. "There has to be a woman out there for my father. And yours. I will find a mother before this Season's out or-"

A collection of voices and laughter could be heard coming up the stairs. Amelia and Faith peered covertly down the stairs. Beatrice, her friend Alice and several young bucks were coming up the stairs.

Faith looked over at Amelia, panic on her face. "What are we going to do?" she whispered hurriedly. "If Beatrice sees us here, she will tell our fathers for sure. We will never be allowed to stay in London. They will send us back to our grandmothers. Amelia!"

Amelia chewed on her bottom lip, her mind racing even as she realized that Beatrice was coming closer and closer. Finally, the obvious choice entered her mind. Grabbing Faith's hand, she crawled backwards several feet taking Faith with her. Then she jumped to her feet, pulling Faith to her feet as well. "Run!" she whispered fiercely.

Together, the girls raced down the hallway. Before they could reach anywhere near the safety of a different hallway, the top of Beatrice's head came into view.

"It's too late," Faith cried. "They are going to see us!"

Amelia looked around frantically. I can't be sent back to Grandmama until I have fulfilled my dream, her mind screamed. Her gazed landed on the corner of a door almost completely covered by a large tapestry. She felt an intense joy, and yanked Faith after her. "In here," Amelia said, preying that the door wasn't locked.

It seemed that fortune was with them that night, for the door knob turned easily, and the girls pushed their way through the door, pulling the tapestry back in place, just as Beatrice's whole body reached the top of the stairs.

Amelia and Faith pushed the door closed and leaned against it, both breathing heavily. Amelia closed her eyes and smiled to herself. She was safe. No matter what happened, nothing would stop her mission. Her smile widened humorously. Nothing would stop her mission, except maybe her father. Devon Worthing was very strict when it came to Amelia's behavior in public.

A nudge in Amelia's ribs from Faith distracted her thoughts. Amelia frowned. Faith nudged again, and Amelia's eyes flew open.

"What is it?" Amelia asked impatiently.

Faith said nothing, only pointed toward the room. Amelia turned and gazed into the kindest blue eyes she had seen in her short life. Long, black tresses flowed down the woman's back and almost to the floor, even though she was sitting in a plain chair. She wore an elegant blue evening dress, and a few braids of her long hair were piled in an stylish design on top of her head. The woman smiled at the two girls, her teeth were white, and her smile was wonderful.

"Hello little ones," a soft, melodious voice murmured. "Are you lost?"

Amelia walked forward, child eyes reviewing the woman before her and seeing nothing to dissatisfy her. "No, we are not lost. My name is Amelia. This is my friend, Faith."

Faith curtsied.

The woman smiled, and held out an graceful hand. "I am Vivienne Kimbrooke. A pleasure to meet you both."

Faith took Vivienne's hand first, then Amelia. The woman's hand was soft to the touch. Amelia looked up at the woman, who smiled kindly back.

It was decided. The search was over. This was the woman Amelia wanted to be her new mother.

A/N: Please R/R! Take care!