A Season of Romance

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘She certainly seems very concerned to introduce me to her younger son,’ Lucia observed, drily.

  ‘Because she thinks you are my heir,’ hissed the dowager. ‘What else is everyone to think, when I am sponsoring your entry into society?’

  ‘Well, you need have no fears that I might entrap Mr Edward Chawton into marriage. That is not part of my plans at all. I have no intention of getting married.’ And with that she sailed off again to circulate, being as charming as she could to the ladies, their daughters and grand-daughters, all of whom she thought of as potential customers for Grace.

  She felt a touch on her arm and looked around to find Verity Claversham at her side.

  ‘Miss Claversham, my apologies, I have not had time to speak to you since you came in.’ She laughed. ‘Everyone will say that my aunt’s party is a huge success, but I would like more time to really talk to people.’

  ‘I do so agree with you, Miss Luckington – oh, how stuffy that sounds! May I call you Lucia? And you must call me Verity. I see no reason why we should stand on ceremony, whatever Grandmama may say.’

  Lucy had been presented to Lady Winterstoke at the door that evening, and recalled that her greeting had been decidedly cool. She was about to ask her new friend why that should be, but Verity was continuing with barely a pause.

  ‘I wanted to tell you how much I like your gown, Lucia. I have heard several ladies comment upon it this evening. All very complimentary, of course! We are all wondering if a new modiste has set up in Town.’

  ‘There is indeed a new establishment,’ replied Lucy. ‘And it is very kind of you to tell me what is being said.’ She glanced down at the glowing apricot lustring that shimmered about her. It had originally been a sacque-backed robe before Grace had altered it into a high-waisted evening gown with a light demi-train.

  ‘I do like the way the spangles around the hem catch the light,’ Verity continued. ‘I shall ask Mama if I can have just such a decoration on my new ballgown. Imagine how wonderful that would be on the dance-floor. Will you come with me now and show Grandmama? If she approves, then my mother will not object.’

  ‘Of course.’ Lucia linked arms with her new friend and walked with her across the room. ‘The new modiste is a Miss Bower and she has premises in Orchard Street. She is most talented and her designs are...just a little different.’

  ‘They are indeed, and just what is needed to make one stand out from the crowd.’ Verity gave a little gurgle of laughter. ‘Oh, I am so pleased to have met you, Lucia, I think we are going to be great friends.’

  Lucy was delighted to agree. She liked Verity, she enjoyed her lively conversation and even if she had not been intent upon parading her gowns before the ton she would have wanted Verity for a friend. Despite their short acquaintance they were already chatting together with ease.

  They found Lady Winterstoke sitting at one side of the room, fanning herself vigorously. Her generous form was robed in a bright green gown trimmed with white lace and she spilled over the sides of her chair. Her countenance was good-natured but she looked wary as Verity brought her new friend up to her and begged her to study the exquisite detail of Lucia’s gown.

  ‘A new modiste, Grandmama. In Orchard Street. Do you not think we should visit? You promised to buy me a new gown for Almack’s.’

  ‘Yes, yes, we will certainly take a look in Orchard Street, but let Miss Luckington come a little closer. I would like to know her better.’

  Despite the rather lazy smile, Lady Winterstoke’s gaze was piercing and more than a little suspicious. Lucy stood beside Verity, calmly answering the old lady’s questions about her family, her past, and then came the question she was expecting.

  ‘And now you are come to London, Miss Luckington. Unusual. I have known Evadne Quidenham for years and I cannot remember her bringing a companion with her before.’

  ‘No, I believe it is quite unusual, ma’am. You can imagine my delight when her ladyship invited me to come with her.’

  ‘Such a treat for you.’ The sharp eyes were watching her. ‘I cannot think what possessed her to do such a thing.’

  ‘Lady Quidenham has asked herself that question a dozen times since we came to Portman Square,’ replied Lucia, a laugh in her voice. ‘However, I do hope she will enjoy the experience.’

  Another voice broke in upon them. A man’s voice, deep and mellifluous. ‘We must all hope that.’

  Lucia turned and found herself staring at a patterned silk waistcoat. She raised her eyes, taking in the snowy white shirt and intricately-tied neckcloth until she was looking into his face. It was the gentleman she had seen at the Dower House. He was gazing down at her, a faint smile curling his lips but his blue eyes held a disquieting glint.

  Her breath caught in her throat and she felt a sudden panic, her body reacting as if to imminent danger.

  ‘Darius!’ Verity gave a squeak and threw herself at the gentleman, gripping his arm and squeezing it. ‘I did not even know you were in Town! You never told me you were coming.’

  ‘How could I, when I did not know myself. I have only today arrived from the country. Now, you abominable chit, let go of my sleeve before you crease it beyond all repair.’

  ‘Yes, Verity, stop behaving like a hoyden,’ Lady Winterstoke commanded and, as her granddaughter laughingly begged pardon, she turned to Lucia. ‘Miss Luckington, allow me to present to you Sir Darius Claversham, my grandson and Verity’s brother.’

  Lucia’s panic was subsiding and she managed to greet the gentleman with creditable calm.

  ‘I saw you at the Dower House last November,’ she said, giving him her hand.

  ‘Yes, I remember.’ His glance was appraising, watchful. ‘Lady Quidenham did not tell me she had invited you to come to London with her.’

  ‘Perhaps she had not then decided.’

  ‘It has caused no little speculation,’ put in Lady Winterstoke. ‘Some are saying the dowager plans to change her will in your favour, Miss Luckington.’

  ‘Grandmama, hush!’ cried Verity, her cheeks flaming.

  Lucy’s brows went up. This was blunt speaking indeed. She answered coldly, ‘And if she does, surely it is no one’s business but Lady Quidenham’s?’

  ‘Not quite, Miss Luckington,’ replied Sir Darius. ‘You see, I am currently Lady Quidenham’s heir.’

  For the second time that evening Lucia suffered a jolt of panic.

  ‘Y-you are?’ she managed at last. ‘I had no idea.’

  CHAPTER FIVE

  There was no doubting the shock and surprise in the young lady’s eyes. Darius thought that Lucia Luckington was either a superb actress or she genuinely had not known the truth.

  ‘You are very pale, Miss Luckington, perhaps you are in need of refreshment.’ He held out his arm. ‘I believe there is a bowl of punch in the other room, shall we go and find it?’

  She put her fingers on his sleeve, tentatively, as if the touch might sting her. For one brief, intoxicating moment he wished that she would cling to him, as Verity had done. Then he reminded himself of his mother’s warning that Lady Quidenham had brought a young companion to Town, the daughter of Charles Luckington, whom everyone knew had been an inveterate gambler and wastrel.

  When they reached the refreshment table, he poured punch into two cups and held one out to her.

  ‘Thank you.’ She took the cup and looked down at it. ‘If you are indeed this minute come to Town then I am sure you would prefer to be with your family.’

  ‘Not at all. You appear to be on good terms with my sister.’

  ‘We met by chance, in Bond Street, Miss Claversham made herself known to me.’

  ‘Did she indeed?’

  He could not help the sceptical note in his voice and she raised her head, a defiant look in her pansy-brown eyes.

  ‘I hope you do not think I contrived the meeting, Sir Darius. I did not know of your family’s connection with my godmother until Verity informed me of it. And I certainly did not know you were h
er heir.’ She sipped at the punch. ‘I have no wish to usurp your place, I assure you.’

  ‘Oh, come now, Miss Luckington, you cannot expect me to believe that.’

  ‘It is the truth. Lady Quidenham has been good enough to bring me to London for the Season. I neither want nor expect anything more from her.’

  Darius felt a sudden spurt of anger.

  ‘Coming it far too strong,’ he drawled. ‘I knew your father, Miss Luckington. I am aware of the straits in which he left you. Why, if you have more than fifty pounds a year to your name I would be astonished.’

  ‘That does not mean I covet my godmother’s money,’ she retorted. ‘I have…other plans.’

  ‘An advantageous marriage, perhaps? Even that will be easier if you are an heiress.’

  An angry flush coloured her cheeks and her dark eyes positively sparkled.

  ‘Whatever my plans, they are not your concern. They are not anyone’s concern but my own!’

  She thrust the empty cup back into his hand, turned on her heel and walked away. Darius watched her cross the room, those dusky curls bouncing about her head. He was still not sure he believed her, although her indignation seemed genuine. He frowned. Perhaps his mother had been right to insist he cut short his time at Claversham and come to Town.

  ‘The rift between Lady Quidenham and the Luckingtons appears to be quite healed,’ she had told him, after receiving yet another letter from one of her friends in London. ‘Which is bad news for you, my son, if old Lady Quidenham decides to change her will.’

  In vain had he assured his mother that he had no need of the old lady’s fortune. Indeed, he did not want it, and had never taken it for granted. Lady Quidenham had always been capricious. She had changed her will more than once and he was quite prepared for her to do so again. But in his way, he was fond of the old lady and he did not want anyone to take advantage of her. At present he had no idea just what game Lucia Luckington was playing, but something was not quite right.

  He made his way back to the drawing room, where he found his sister and Lady Winterstoke preparing to leave.

  ‘Grandmama is fatigued,’ Verity told him. ‘I was hoping to see Lucia again before we left, but she seems to have disappeared. Have you seen her, Darius?’

  ‘We parted in the refreshment room,’ he said shortly. ‘Give me a moment to speak to our hostess and I will escort you.’

  He lounged away to where Lady Quidenham was talking with Lady Chawton. They broke off as he approached and Lady Quidenham held out her hand to him.

  ‘You are going? I was surprised to see you here, Claversham, but pleased, for all that.’

  Lady Chawton gave an arch laugh. ‘I suppose he heard about your protégé and wanted to see her for himself. Miss Luckington is a charming girl, Sir Darius, don’t you agree?’

  He stretched his lips into a smile and murmured his assent before making his bow and walking away. All the tabbies would be watching to see how he would react to this threat to his inheritance. Well, let them. He would not give them any food for gossip!

  *

  ‘Well that was an interesting evening,’ declared Lady Winterstoke, as the carriage rattled out of Portman Square. ‘What did you make of the Luckington chit?’

  ‘Why nothing,’ he replied lightly. ‘What should I think?’

  ‘Lady Quidenham might make the girl her heir.’

  Darius shrugged. ‘That is her choice.’

  ‘You must admit that she is very beautiful,’ put in Verity, who was sitting beside him.

  ‘Yes, she has inherited her mother’s looks,’ the old lady agreed. ‘And her father’s charm. I was quite ready to dislike the gel, but I confess I could not. Her manners are good. She is eager to please, without being too pushing. She is intelligent, too, which is refreshing. Perhaps that is why Lady Quidenham has taken to her.’

  ‘So, will you invite her to drive out with us, Grandmama?’ asked Verity.

  The old lady shrugged. ‘I have no objection, but your mother might not be happy with the connection. What say you, Claversham?’

  ‘I? It is nothing to do with me, Grandmama.’

  ‘Mama being at Claversham, she can only go on what her cronies tell her,’ reasoned Verity. ‘I am sure there is no malice in Lucia and she is the most entertaining companion! Did you not see how her eyes twinkle when she is animated?’

  Darius’s response was more curt than he intended. ‘I hardly noticed her.’

  In the darkness he felt his sister turn towards him. ‘Do you not like Miss Luckington?’

  ‘I have not thought about the matter.’

  He was glad of the deep shadows, that they could not see his face and know that he was lying. He had thought about nothing else since meeting Lucia Luckington this evening. He wanted to like her. He wanted to do so very much, but until he knew what she was about he must not let down his guard.

  However, it would be easier to discover more about the lady if he did not make an enemy of her.

  ‘You clearly like her, Verity, and if you, ma’am, see no harm in it, then by all means cultivate your friendship. I have no objection.’

  He was rewarded by his sister throwing her arms about him and hugging him ruthlessly.

  ‘Thank you, darling brother! I am sure we are all going to be the best of friends.’

  *

  Lucia spent the following morning in Orchard Street. She gave Grace a vivid description of the previous night’s party, trying to recall any little details of the ladies’ gowns that had impressed her, and passing on the numerous compliments she had received on her own dress.

  ‘I was asked, oh, many times for the name of my modiste, Grace, so I am very hopeful that at least some of these ladies will look you up.’

  ‘Thank you, I hope so, too. We have already had some success from the notice you placed in the newspaper,’ said Grace, her soft eyes shining. ‘I had several callers yesterday.’

  ‘That is good news indeed!’ Lucia laughed. ‘This is so exciting, I really think you are going to be a great success, my dear!’

  Orchard Street being so close, Lucia had made the trip alone and now she hurried back to Portman Square, eager to tell Morry that Grace was already taking orders. However, when she reached Quidenham House she was informed that her ladyship was asking for her. Pausing only to take off her coat and bonnet Lucia made her way to the morning room, where she found Lady Quidenham sitting by the fire, a small table beside her covered with cards and small sheets of paper.

  ‘Well, Lucia, I hope you are satisfied,’ she snapped by way of greeting. ‘I am inundated with notes after last night’s party!’

  ‘No, no, this was not my doing,’ said Lucia, pulling a footstool closer to the table and sitting down. ‘I think you must give yourself credit for everyone enjoying themselves so much. I told you it would be a success, Aunt Evadne.’ She looked up, smiling. ‘Do, pray, tell me you enjoyed it, just a little bit.’

  ‘Hmm. I have endured worse parties,’ the dowager conceded, then scowled and waved a hand at the table. ‘But now we have all this. Promises of invitations to balls, routs and evening parties, requests that we attend breakfasts and picnics – bah!’

  Lucia picked up a small pile of notes and began to look through them.

  ‘You do not need to go to them all, Aunt – indeed, I do not think it would be possible, there are so many! Morry shall come with me, if I need a chaperon.’ She pulled one sheet from the pile and gave a little laugh. ‘And here is one that requires no escort! Lady Winterstoke begs you will let me drive out with her and Miss Claversham today. Heavens, that is good news. I thought, when we first met, that she did not like me above half! She says I need not reply, they will call for me at five o’clock this afternoon. Goodness, I think she means to drive around Hyde Park at the most fashionable hour!’

  ‘What? Let me see that!’ Lady Quidenham almost snatched the paper from her hand.

  ‘Why should that surprise you? Miss Claversham is a most agreeable
young lady, we hit it off immediately.’

  ‘Her brother was present last night.’ Lady Quidenham was still studying the paper, as if trying to discover something more in it than the few polite words written in an elegant hand. ‘He wasn’t expected, but I could hardly turn him away. Did you meet him?’

  ‘Yes.’ Lucia’s happiness dimmed a little. ‘I do not think he liked me very much. That is understandable, of course. He believes I am trying to cut him out, although I assured him that is not the case.’

  ‘That is why I am surprised at this invitation. Lady Winterstoke would not encourage Miss Claversham to pursue the acquaintance without her brother’s approval.’

  Lucia’s spirits rose a little, but her aunt’s next words quickly dashed them again.

  ‘There is no getting away from it, everyone believes I intend to make you my heir. If I had it from one, then I heard from a dozen people last night, sly hints and innuendo! Oh, no need to look so anxious, miss, I did not deny it to any one of them, – I have not forgot our bargain.’

  Lucia plucked at a loose thread in her skirt. ‘I think you should tell Sir Darius it is not the case, Aunt.’

  ‘If he asks me, you may be sure I will! You say he talked to you last night? You should be pleased. He has a great deal of influence in town, and could ruin your plans if he took against you.’

  ‘He could? Oh dear. But why, then, am I invited to drive out with his sister?’

  Lady Quidenham frowned. ‘He may be playing some deep game of his own. Perhaps he wants to find some way to discredit you.’

  ‘There is nothing for him to discover, save that my father was a gambler, and there is nothing extraordinary in that,’ declared Lucia, although she was aware of a slight flutter of alarm.

  ‘Then we must make sure that you do nothing to discredit yourself while you are in Town.’ Lady Quidenham saw the look of surprise on Lucia’s face and flushed a little. She said gruffly, ‘You are surprised that I should take your part? You coerced me most shamefully into bringing you to London, but now we are here, I intend to keep to our bargain, and I trust you to keep to yours.’