"Oh, please do not any of you have any compassion for my feelings," implored Isobel with a laugh. "I believe that I see Lady Hartwell trying to attract my attention, and since I am godmother to her little boy, I must excuse myself. But, I pray you, do not let it keep you from this conversation, and continue to discuss me just as you please."
With a promise to call on the august ladies Isobel directed her coachman to move on, hoping that her raillery would have defused the gossip to which Lord Francis seemed determined to give rise. She dismissed the matter as she enjoyed a delightful talk with Maria Hartwell, a dashing young matron who was a friend from her schoolroom days, but would have been concerned to hear what Countess Lieven said Lord Francis as her coach drove away.
"You would be very well suited to her, young man, but it will not be easy to convince her of that. Tact, boldness and patience will all be required. It will be good practice for a career in diplomacy."
"I agree with you on all counts, ma'am, but I hope to have Miss Paley rolled up foot and guns by the end of the Season, unless Mrs. Drummond-Burrell can indeed locate another such. However, I have few doubts but that Miss Paley is unique." He took a polite leave of them and trotted off, soon to join a group of young officers in uniform, whom he greeted heartily.
In Isobel's carriage Letitia was eyeing her friend closely. "Lord Francis continues to display a decided partiality for you, Isobel," she observed. "My path barely crossed his while we were both at Kitswold, but he seems to be a very fine gentleman."
"A very fine gentleman, indeed," rejoined Isobel. "So fine that he does not hesitate to put me to the blush."
"If he can put you to the blush, then perhaps his feelings are not unrequited?" ventured Letitia.
"Letty, I am surprised at you. You have known me any time these five years, and yet you can think that I would be drawn to a gentleman merely because of an attractive countenance and his polished address? Surely you think better of me than that," said Isobel.
"I think very highly of you, my dear," rejoined Letitia. "But Lord Francis seems to have more than simple good looks and good manners. He would appear to be a gentleman of some substance."
"Looks can be deceiving, Letitia. I have no reason to suspect that Lord Francis is anything but a man with the most frivolous of notions."
Letitia smiled at her friend. "Surely you cannot think that his intent toward you is not serious."
"If it is, then he will come to sorrow," observed Isobel. "You cannot be imagining I will marry? Not only would my scholarly interests have to be abandoned, but I have only to look at the sorry situation Alfred has led you into to be turned utterly against matrimony."
Letitia sighed. "I would be grieved indeed if my unfortunate experience leads you to forgo marriage, particularly if you find a man who appeals to your heart. Alfred is, I believe, an exception. The great majority of men are trustworthy."
"But you cannot tell from looking which ones of them are not," countered Isobel. "And I do not mean to lay myself open to that sort of deceit. I believe I must remain heart-whole."
Letitia looked at Isobel thoughtfully, but allowed the subject to drop. She determined to keep a watchful eye on her friend, however, and see how the little comedy between Isobel and Lord Francis played out. She would be sorry indeed if Isobel turned down a worthy gentleman for the sake of pride and fear.
Chapter 10
The drive in the Park was but the opening salvo of the Season, and Miss Paley, Miss Walcott, and Lady Morgan betook themselves to Almack's one evening shortly thereafter. While Isobel was not fond of the club, finding the atmosphere insipid, no one who aspired to Fashion could afford to be absent from its rooms. Letitia had even declared that she had fond memories of the place, a statement that had made Isobel laugh. Harriet was always glad to go anywhere where she might encounter some friends for a good gossip, and Almack's was certainly a location at which that could be found. Thus they arrived in a tolerably good humor, with only Isobel lamenting what was sure to be a dull evening.
"For the refreshments are certain to be meager and the quantity of insipid young women and their mamas is certain to be enormous," she declared.
Letitia laughed. "Be cautious, Isobel, or people will begin to think you jealous of the ladies newly out!" she said teasingly.
"On that score I believe I cannot be touched," answered Isobel merrily. "I am sure my conversation is much more interesting than theirs, and I think there will not be another woman there tonight so well-dressed as we." She was doubtless correct, for her dress of dark green satin embroidered with golden roses was far more modish than a miss newly introduced to Society would dare to wear, and Letitia wore a lovely dress of palest blue gauze over satin, while Miss Harriet's gown of puce sarcenet was less modish, but no less elegant.
"I daresay you are right, my dear," said Harriet, "but you must remember that you are reaching an age where some people might consider you to be on the shelf, and even begin to pity you for not entering the married state, though I believe it is well-known that you have had many offers, and turned them down from mere stubbornness..."
"I defy anyone to pity a woman as elegant as I," said Isobel with comical fervor. "They would not dare!"
They alighted at the doors of the famous club and entered. Letitia drew in her breath as they did so.
"How I remember this place," she whispered to Isobel.
"Yes, and the rooms have not grown any more spacious, nor the company any better since you were here last," observed Isobel waspishly.
Letitia laughed and tapped Isobel's arm with her fan. "You are a cynic, Isobel. I hope you may have your world turned upside down by a handsome man."
"That is so unlikely as to be an impossibility," replied Isobel lightly. "I fear I am a confirmed spinster."
They entered the rooms, and were greeted by Lady Sefton, one of the kindest of the patronesses.
"How lovely to see you, Miss Paley, and to know that you will add charm and wit to our assemblies again this year," she said sweetly.
"Why, I am honored to be here," said Isobel. "It would not be a proper Season without the pleasures of Almack's."
"And Lady Morgan," continued Lady Sefton. "How good to see you again. It has been too long since you graced London with your presence."
"It is I who am happy to be here, ma'am," said Letitia. "I have missed the delights of the Season, but I am afraid my children keep me very busy. It is Miss Paley who coaxed me out of my country retirement, and I thank her for it." She colored slightly at the lie she was telling, but reflected that she could hardly wish the truth to be known.
"Well, we thank her very much for doing so," said Lady Sefton. As Isobel and her friends moved away, Lady Cowper joined Lady Sefton.
"So, perhaps the tittle-tattle is true," observed Lady Cowper to her friend. "Lady Morgan is in town without her handsome husband. I hear he is drawing the bustle tightly and chasing Covent Garden ware and she has had enough of it."
"Oh no, surely not," said Lady Sefton. "Lady Morgan looks the picture of happiness, and her clothes are very modish; if there were problems she would not be so very well-dressed."
"I believe Miss Paley to be very loyal and generous to her friends," said the Countess meaningfully. "I shall be watching Lady Morgan to see how eager she is to return to Wales!"
Lady Sefton shook her head over her fellow patroness' inquisitiveness. "I am sure there is nothing in it," she said positively. The Countess merely smiled.
Miss Harriet was soon settled in the card room with the dowagers; Almack's allowed no high stakes and the chief game was whist for sixpenny points, which suited her exactly, though deep plungers were disdainful and went elsewhere for their gaming. Isobel and Letitia remained in the larger rooms, and surveyed the company.
"Goodness, everyone is excessively elegant," said Letitia. "I feel as if in my time away all of Society is changed. Of course, I recognize Lady Jersey and others, but who, pray tell, is the curious fellow in the lavender spangled co
at?"
Isobel followed the direction of her friend’s gaze. "A creature you would not want to know, Letitia," she said. "It is Mr. Finlevert, who fancies himself very much a dandy. He is quite ridiculous, is he not?"
"I believe you," said Letitia. "That neckcloth is alarming in its proportions! I doubt that I shall get used to that, even if I become accustomed to new faces." She looked about her. "I do not see Lord Francis Wheaton," she observed. "I wonder if he will attend tonight?"
"Is he not here?" asked Isobel lightly. "Well, though he swore he wished to dance with every miss in England, I think that perhaps the Daffy Club is more in his line. I am sure we shall do quite well without him."
And they did do very well, soon being whisked away to join the country dance sets that were forming. Isobel quickly forgot her strictures on the dullness of Almack's and gave herself up to enjoyment, and when she looked up later and saw Letitia being led out to dance by Mr. Finlevert in his lavender spangled coat, she broke into laughter.
So when Lord Francis Wheaton entered the portals of Almack's, some scant fifteen minutes before the doors were relentlessly shut against all late-comers at eleven-o-clock, one of the first sights he beheld was Isobel going merrily down a set with her partner, a smile on her lips and a laugh in her eyes. He paused, gazing at the picture of beauty she presented.
"So, the rumors are true," said a voice at his side. Lord Francis turned to find his friend, Mr. Horace Worth, standing at his side. "You are captivated by our elusive Miss Paley!"
"Captivated?" drawled Lord Francis. "Hardly. But I am certainly full of admiration.
"Oh, we all admire Miss Paley," agreed Mr. Worth. "In both beauty and wealth she is unparalleled. But she seems determined to remain unwed; when she turned poor Locksley down last year he was positively destroyed. It was weeks before he would do anything but mope; even winning five thousand at faro failed to cheer him. Very painful to see, I give you my word."
"Indeed?" said Lord Francis. "I wonder from whence comes this reluctance to marry?"
"Who can say?" said Mr. Worth. "Lord knows she has had enough suitors to please any miss, but none are good enough for her."
"Are you saying Miss Paley is a hopeless flirt?" asked Lord Francis.
"No, I cannot say that," acknowledged Mr. Worth. "She is never anything but proper to her beaux, but lord, why won't she have any of them?"
"Perhaps none of them are worthy of her," proposed Lord Francis.
Mr. Worth laughed. "Well, you have spent some time with the lady, you dog! I hear she nursed you back to health herself. Are you saying that you are worthy of her? Did more go on out there in the wilds than we know of?"
"Calm yourself, Horace," said Lord Francis. "Miss Paley was no more than polite and no less than charming during my stay in her home. I was merely observing that a woman of her beauty and wealth might do as she chooses."
"Well, I say she has more wealth and beauty than anyone has a right to," said Mr. Worth.
Francis laughed at that, but decided that continuing to talk with his friend about Isobel would only lead to increased gossip, and his pursuit of the lady was challenging enough as it was. "Will you be attending Lady Denzil’s rout next week? It should be a great crush, and she has always had a fondness for you, " he asked.
"No, and my mother will be furious as she’s my godmother, but there’s a fight at Feltham the next day, and I told Hendry that I’d put up with in him in Richmond the night before the mill."
"What a pity, I was hoping I could talk you into staying with me a few days," responded Francis. "Most of Strancaster House is closed up, and I’m dashed lonely rattling around in there."
"Move in with me, dear fellow. I’ve taken snug rooms in Cavendish Square; there’s space for another, if you like. I can imagine that Strancaster House must feel like a museum if you’re ensconced in it in lonely grandeur."
"Well as to that, almost anything feels like a palace after that campaign, but I must say I’d enjoy some company and the chance to hold a card party without turning the household upside down. My brother is coming to town at some point, and I’ll remove to Berkeley Square then, but I’ll certainly lodge with you for a few days," Lord Francis replied.
"It’s settled then," said Mr. Worth. "Come around tomorrow and I’ll show you the place. Tell me, Francis, how did you achieve that with your neckcloth? I can never make mine look as elegant as yours."
"If I shared my sartorial secrets with you, Horace, I would no longer be unique."
Chapter 11
As Lord Francis strolled away, he saw Miss Paley sitting across the room and fanning herself, as her partner conveyed to her a glass of lemonade. She looked up and saw him; an unusual expression which he could not interpret sprang into her eyes. He bowed politely but did not approach her, and joined a small group of his friends who were lounging nearby.
Isobel immediately turned back to her partner and greeted his conversation with rather more animation than it merited. He was eventually displaced by her companion for the next dance, and as she was escorted out onto the floor she saw that Lord Francis was also joining the dancers, his partner a lively blonde with sparkling blue eyes and a modish dress of mull muslin.
For some reason, Miss Paley found her satisfaction with the evening was growing less. The rooms were stuffy, the music inferior, and she found her dance partners clumsy. When Letitia sought her out some little while later, she found her friend somewhat out of temper.
"What a pleasant evening I am having, to be sure. I am so grateful that you brought me to London, Isobel; I am having a splendid time," she said.
"If you are enjoying yourself, I am pleased. I am afraid that I am finding the entertainment sadly flat," said Isobel.
"No, Isobel, you must not say so," protested Letitia. "Everyone has been most amiable and I have seen you dancing with what appeared to be great enjoyment."
"Perhaps I am merely tired," said Isobel. "I find myself growing weary of the proceedings."
"Then we should leave immediately," said Letitia. "I will fetch Harriet and we shall depart."
"Pardon me," interjected a light, drawling voice. "I could not let the evening pass without greeting my kind benefactress. Your servant, Miss Paley, Lady Morgan."
The ladies turned to see Lord Francis Wheaton bowing deeply before them. Letitia greeted him with a pretty smile.
"Lord Francis! When I did not see you earlier, I had thought perhaps you would not be in attendance tonight."
"How could I resist Almack's?" asked Lord Francis. "For a man such as myself, who has been long away from England, Almack's is a fond memory and a reminder of home."
"What a pretty sentiment," said Letitia. "I, too, have been remembering my past evenings here. I am afraid that Isobel is not as pleased as I am, however."
Lord Francis turned a questioning gaze on Isobel and she was forced to respond. "I do not have the advantage that both you and Lady Morgan possess of having been some years absent from London," she said. "I fear that the atmosphere here grows tiresome to me."
"Yes, Almack's may be less than glittering, but I find it does have its own peculiar charm," said Lord Francis. "And here, of course, are to be found all the most lovely young ladies, newly launched into Society. I would be doing them less than justice if I did not attempt to make their acquaintances."
"Many of them are quite charming," said Letitia. "I hope you have been enjoying their company."
"Greatly, I assure you," said Lord Francis. "However, I do not intend to neglect my old friends. Would you care to dance, Lady Morgan?"
"You have asked too late, Lord Francis," she said. "I already have a partner."
"He will have to step aside for one with a longer acquaintance," said Lord Francis. "Come and dance with me, Lady Morgan, or I shall fear you do not like me. If your partner objects, he will have to answer to me."
Letitia cast a worried look at Isobel. "Isobel is not feeling quite the thing," she said, "and we were talking of leaving.
Perhaps I should not..."
"Don’t be silly, Letitia," said Isobel. "Please dance with Lord Francis. I am sure you will look charming together."
Letitia allowed herself to be led away by Lord Francis and they joined the throng. Isobel was soon claimed by her partner, a Mr. Braithwaite, and had perforce to dance as well. This individual, a spindly young man with pointy features, dressed in a wasp-waisted coat and striped waistcoat, attempted to engage her in conversation, but found her inattentive. Halfway through the dance she confessed to being weary, and begged him to allow her to be seated and fetch her a lemonade.
As she sat by the wall, fanning herself and awaiting the return of her partner, she watched Letitia and Lord Francis. They looked to be enjoying themselves. A pair of dowagers standing behind her also seemed to find them of interest.
"How pretty Lady Morgan looks with Lord Francis Wheaton," said one. "But what a pity that such an eligible bachelor should be spending his time with a married lady. I am sure that my Amabel would make him a better partner."
"I have heard that he is hanging out for a wife," said the other. "I certainly regret that Maria is not yet out. He has not a penny less than seven thousand a year, I am told, and the older brother is not well. If he inherits the title, his income will be forty thousand a year. And he is extremely handsome and has such charming address. I wonder why he is dancing with Lady Morgan and not an eligible miss?"
"Why, have you not heard?" said the first. "This past winter he injured himself near Miss Isobel Paley's home in the Cotswolds and spent some time convalescing there. I believe Lady Morgan was a guest there at the time; certainly they came to know one another, and perhaps there is more than meets the eye to this situation. Lord Morgan remains in Wales, after all, and Lady Morgan resides with Miss Paley."
"Is it so? How fascinating. But surely Lord Francis would be more interested in Miss Paley, who is, after all, unwed and an heiress."
"What man would dare aspire to the hand of Miss Paley?" was the response. "Lord Francis could surely find a more amenable female elsewhere. He has certainly been cutting a dash here tonight."
A Lady of Passion: Isobel's After Dark Regency Romance Page 8