Chapter Three
Joseph arrived at MelbourneHouse the same time as several other guests. He was pleased to have been invited and couldn’t quite believe his luck. The timing of the house party was perfect. He’d managed to put together the details of his investment plan and hoped to speak with Mr. Melbourne about it.
The need to make money to reinvest in the estate in the near future had increased after his conversation with his mother. He feared his father’s lack of interest in providing for their tenants would only continue to worsen.
Servants hurried forward to help unload passengers and baggage. The arriving guests all appeared to be in high spirits, based on the chatter and laughter. Apparently, they were also grateful to leave London for the fresh air and relaxation of the country.
“What an impressive place,” Charles, his valet, murmured as he paused beside Joseph with a bag in hand.
The servant had been with him for over five years now and Joseph relied on him for many things, including friendship. Charles tended to offer an opinion whether it was wanted or not, but Joseph didn’t mind. It was refreshing to hear another person’s honest thoughts.
“It is. This should be an interesting week.”
Charles smiled. “Here’s to a successful stay.” He was privy to Joseph’s plan, and Joseph knew he would do all he could to support it, from sharing information he learned from other servants to anything he overheard from guests.
In short order, they were shown to Joseph’s room where Charles began unpacking. Joseph was too restless to relax so returned downstairs in search of the other guests. If he had the chance to speak with Mr. Melbourne, all the better, starting with thanking him for the invitation.
He didn’t know the man well, which was one of the reasons he’d been surprised to be included on the guest list. He did know his son, Martin, though he’d been two years ahead of Joseph at university.
The casual acquaintance seemed an unlikely reason that he’d been invited. The Melbournes had a daughter as well, but he didn’t think they’d been introduced. He wouldn’t know her if she were standing before him.
“Is there something you needed, my lord?” the efficient butler asked when Joseph returned to the entrance hall.
“Just stretching my legs after the journey,” Joseph said.
“Of course. You’ll find some of the other gentlemen in the billiard room at the end of the hall if you’d care to join them.”
“Excellent.” Hopefully, Melbourne would be there as well, along with Martin.
The sound of feminine laughter from the upper floor caught Joseph’s notice, and he looked up to see two ladies walking along the railing. To his surprise, one was the pretty lady who had helped his mother last week.
His heart beat faster at the sight of her. In truth, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since then.
If only he knew her name.
He looked at the butler. “Could you tell me the name of the lady?” he asked, tipping his head in her direction but taking care not to stare.
The servant looked up. “Miss Frances Melbourne, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Melbourne.”
How interesting. Perhaps she was the one he needed to thank for the invitation. He looked up again, but she’d disappeared, leaving only the other lady in view.
Joseph was pleased he’d come. He’d been selective about what events he’d attended over the past year. Since he wasn’t yet looking for a wife, he hadn’t bothered with most. Now that he had a purpose in mind with the investment opportunity, it was important to make the right connections.
In truth, he was reluctant to consider taking a wife when he held little belief in love. Not when it had been used like a club by his father while Joseph was growing up. Then again, his father continued to try to use it to his advantage, claiming Joseph should do this or that if he truly loved his parents. Or if he loved God.