by Anne Herries
The girls stood watching the dancing for a few moments and then the Earl of Sutherland came to greet them, bringing a much younger man with him, whom he introduced as a great friend.
‘Miss Hamilton, may I present Mr Edward Hythe,’ he said and smiled. ‘I can recommend him to you, Miss Melbourne, for he is an honest young fellow and dances well enough.’
‘Oh, I say,’ Teddy Hythe said, his face pink. ‘After that I should not blame you if you if you refused, but may I claim a dance with you, Miss Melbourne – and Miss Hamilton if you will spare it to me.’
‘Yes, of course,’ Merry said and offered her card. He wrote his name in one space and returned it to her. She turned to the earl. ‘I have set you down for the third dance this evening, but you may change it if you wish?’
‘I shall keep it,’ he told her, ‘but since you have no other partner for the first, I shall claim that also.’ He took her hand and led her towards the floor where the dancers were forming into little squares for the quadrille, which consisted of squares of four dancers and was a lively affair. ‘By the way, you look lovely this evening, Miss Hamilton – that gown is a triumph.’
‘Thank you,’ Merry said and blushed at his compliment. ‘You are very kind, sir.’
‘Not, kind, truthful,’ he said and gave her such an engaging smile that her heart caught. ‘I think I have stolen a march on the other fellows, Miss Hamilton, for you are surely the belle of the ball.’
‘Oh no,’ she disclaimed and laughed. ‘I am very ordinary, sir. If my friend Annabel were here you would hardly notice me. She is beautiful. She will be coming to town soon, within a few days I believe – and you will see what I mean.’
‘No matter how beautiful she is, you are still lovely,’ he told her and looked as if he would say more, but they were swept apart by the dance and when they came together again the conversation was turned. ‘Do you ride?’ he asked and when Merry said that she loved to ride whenever she had the chance, ‘Then we shall ride in the park together. I shall arrange it with your aunt…’
Merry enjoyed her first dance tremendously. After that she was besieged with young men, and some older ones, asking her to dance. She offered her card to all those who asked until it was full, but could not help feeling pleased when she was forced to refuse a gentleman who came late. There was something about him that displeased her, though it was not until she saw him staring at her later in the evening that she remembered that he was the man who had stared at her when they were leaving the balloon ascension. He made her feel uncomfortable for a moment, but she made an effort to put him from her mind.
When she joined her aunt after dancing the last before supper, she discovered that the gentleman was already with Lady Melbourne. He smiled at her in a way she disliked and claimed the opportunity to take them in to supper.
He was introduced to Merry as Sir George Rowe and she was forced to smile and greet him politely. His attentions towards her during supper made her want to run away and hide, but she remembered her manners though the way he looked at her made her skin crawl. She was not sure whether it was because his face was rather like a full moon with eyes set too close together, or whether it was the faint odour of mustiness that seemed to emanate from him when he moved. She was relieved when the meal was over and her next partner came to claim her.
The Earl of Sutherland had disappeared before supper. Merry had guessed that he did not often attend what must seem an insipid affair to him, and, later, when she danced with him for a second time, Teddy Hythe told her that he had been surprised when his friend had dragged him along for the evening.
‘Sutherland seldom attends even the most prestigious balls, and if he does he disappears into the card room as soon as he can, but I noticed that he danced five times this evening.’
‘He left before supper I think?’
‘Yes, a prior appointment to play cards,’ Teddy said. ‘I say, Miss Hamilton. Would you and Miss Melbourne care to drive out to Richmond one day – perhaps tomorrow if you have no other appointments? We could take a picnic and eat our nuncheon in the park. I asked Miss Melbourne but she said she could not go without you, and that I must ask you first.’
‘Jane is a little shy, as you may have noticed,’ Merry said and smiled at him. She had noticed him hovering near her cousin several times that evening, and she was pleased by his interest. If he was as pleasant and honest as he appeared, he would make an excellent match for Jane, though of course it was far too early to be thinking of that yet. Jane might meet someone she preferred, but knowing her as she did, Merry was aware that many of the gentlemen they had met this evening would frighten her cousin. ‘But we shall be delighted to drive out with you, sir. I believe my aunt would tell you that you are welcome to call on our at home days, which are Tuesdays and Fridays.’
‘Oh…’ He grinned at her boyishly. ‘I say, you are a good friend, Miss Hamilton. I should be glad of the opportunity…you know…’ His cheeks were a little pink. ‘Miss Melbourne is so pretty that she must have many admirers but…’
Clearly, he was smitten. Merry felt pleased, because it meant that Jane would never be left in the shade, and that Teddy would be on hand to help her through what she feared was proving a little bit of an ordeal for her cousin.
‘I dare say Jane will have many admirers,’ Merry said. ‘But a lady can never have too many, can she? Especially someone as nice as you.’
‘Oh, I say! You are a sport,’ Teddy said. ‘I shall call at eleven in the morning – if that is not too early?’
‘I think it would be perfect. We shall be ready by then, sir – and I am sure we shall both look forward to it.’
Soon after their dance, Lady Melbourne decided that they should leave. The company had begun to thin out, for several of the gentlemen had gone on to other engagements, and it was growing late.
‘We shall attend more prestigious affairs,’ she told the girls. ‘The season tends to become wearing as it progresses so we shall take advantage of some respite while we may. We have dinner and cards tomorrow evening at Lady Symonds’, and another dance the following evening.’
‘I am ready to leave,’ Merry said, though she could see that her cousin was lingering with Teddy Hythe. ‘We have an appointment to drive to Richmond in the morning.’
‘Yes, Mr Hythe spoke to me,’ Lady Melbourne said and looked thoughtful. ‘He seems a thoroughly pleasant young man, do you not think so?’
‘Yes, I do,’ Merry agreed, ‘and Jane is comfortable with him.’
‘Yes, well, we shall see. It is early days yet.’ She turned a speculative gaze on Merry. ‘Have you met anyone you particularly like this evening?’
‘I have met several people I like,’ Merry said, ‘and also one I do not. I am sorry, aunt, but I cannot like Sir George Rowe.’
‘No, I cannot say that I cared for him myself,’ Lady Melbourne said and frowned. ‘He is a widower with a large brood of children, and I believe he looks for a mother to care for them. I think you could do better, Merry, though I admit he has a substantial fortune.’
‘I think I would prefer never to marry if he were my only choice. I would be happier with a parrot and a dog for company.’
Lady Melbourne gave a little gasp of laughter. ‘Oh, my dear, you are too direct. Please do not let your Mama hear you say such a thing.’
‘No, I shall not,’ Merry said, ‘but you are more approachable, ma’am.’
‘I take that as a compliment,’ her aunt said. ‘Tell your cousin to come, Merry. I am sorry to drag her away, but we should be leaving for I do not wish to be the last.’
Merry did as she was bid, feeling amused as she saw reluctance in her cousin’s face. It was clear that Jane was as smitten as her beau, and indeed as they rode home in the carriage, she spoke of almost nothing else but what Mr Hythe had told her.
Apparently, he had recounted amusing anecdotes about the Prince Regent and various members of society, which had made her laugh.
‘My Hythe says
that we must see the Pavilion in Brighton for is a marvel of design, though he likened the roof to a pile of huge marshmallows.’
‘Oh, Jane, did he really say such a thing to you?’ Merry asked. ‘I have been told it is very fine inside, though always too hot for comfort.’
‘He is nice, isn’t he?’ Jane said, her cheeks pink. ‘Did you like him, Merry?’
‘Yes, of course,’ Merry replied. ‘It was a happy circumstance that the Earl of Sutherland introduced him to us, was it not?’
‘Oh yes,’ Jane agreed, her face lit up. ‘Mr Hythe thinks the world of him, you know. They are second cousins and good friends, and he was pleased to be sought out by his cousin in order to attend the dance this evening.’
‘Yes, he mentioned something of the sort to me,’ Merry said looking thoughtful. She wondered why the earl had brought his cousin along that evening. Could it have been purely for their benefit? She dismissed the thought with a little shake of her head. He must have had another reason, for why should he go to so much trouble for their benefit?
* * *
John Sutherland was beginning to wonder why the deuce he had introduced his cousin to Miss Melbourne, for he had heard nothing but her name from Teddy for the past five days. It appeared that he had taken both the ladies driving, first to Richmond and then to the park, and he had taken tea with them at home twice already.
‘I am sure Miss Melbourne is a very paragon,’ he said, ‘but I cannot see why you need me to come this evening. It will be yet another dull affair, and once I ask one lady to dance I must ask others or the Ton will have it that I have plans for matrimony.’
‘But Miss Hamilton asked me if you were to attend,’ Teddy said, ‘and I promised that I would inquire. She says that her friend has arrived in town and that she would like you to meet Miss Annabel Hayes.’
‘Did she?’ Sutherland wrinkled his brow in thought. Merry Hamilton had mentioned her beautiful friend in passing. He admitted to a vague curiosity, though it was Merry herself he was more interested in seeing again. He had resisted the temptation to call when he knew the family were at home, for he did not wish to set the tongues wagging, and yet he was aware of a desire to see her once more. ‘Well, I suppose I might look in for a while. I dare say there will be a game of cards to be had somewhere if the dancing becomes too boring.’
‘I say, you are a one!’ Teddy exclaimed. ‘How can it be boring to dance when there are so many pretty girls to choose from?’
‘You are very young,’ Sutherland said and raised his brows a fraction. ‘I have never been much in the petticoat line – most of the young ladies Celia insists that I must meet are either insipid or calculating little minxes, out to find the best match they can. And if I have to rebuff one more matching making mama, I think I shall enlist in a foreign army! God save me from proper, mealy mouthed, young ladies!’
‘You cannot say that of Miss Melbourne or Miss Hamilton!’ Teddy looked offended.
‘I should not dare when you are so obviously enamoured of one and ready to defend her with your life,’ Sutherland said, much amused. It had occurred to him that his young cousin might find Miss Melbourne attractive, for she was exactly the kind of biddable girl he would like, and it seemed that he had been right. ‘And you find Miss Hamilton agreeable company I believe?’
‘She is a good sport,’ Teddy said. ‘I like her very well. She has a different way of looking at things – can’t explain it, but you must have noticed?’
‘Yes, I have,’ Sutherland agreed. ‘Very well, I shall accompany you this evening since you insist.’
He smiled to himself as his cousin went off to keep yet another appointment with Miss Melbourne and her cousin. He had fully intended to ask Miss Hamilton to ride out with him one morning, but to do so would express more than a passing interest, and he wasn’t sure that he was ready to think of matrimony just yet.
After Teddy had gone, Sutherland realised that he was feeling restless, though he could not have said why. He went out to the hall, collecting his hat, gloves and walking stick from his butler, informing him that he rather thought he would not be back until later that evening. He walked at a leisurely pace, deciding whether to seek some of his friends for a game of cards or…perhaps he would visit Cribb’s Parlour, which was the name of a sports club he frequented when the spirit moved him. It had been named in honour of the famous bare-knuckle fighter Tom Cribb and was much used by the young bucks of the Ton.
Walking in, he stood watching for a moment as a rather excellent bout took place between an ex-pugilist and a young gentleman. It was a moment or two before he realised that the gentleman giving such an excellent account of himself was Viscount Wrexham. He certainly stripped to advantage, and he was skilled in performance.
‘Bravo!’ he called as the fight ended with the honours squarely in Wrexham’s court. ‘Well done, sir. Well done indeed.’
Wrexham was wiping his face on a towel. He acknowledged Sutherland’s praise with a stiff nod of his head as he climbed out of the ring, but Sutherland moved forward before he could walk off.
‘I have seldom seen any of George’s sparring partners give him such a good workout. Tell me, Wrexham, do you also engage in the art of fencing?’
‘Yes, though I am in need of further lessons,’ Harry Wrexham said, eyes narrowed as he wondered what was behind the question. ‘Boxing comes easily to me, but fencing is an art I believe?’
‘Yes, certainly. If you are serious about taking further lessons I shall introduce you to a friend of mine. I can vouch for him as being the finest swordsman I know.’
‘Are you making a genuine offer? Harry was still a little suspicious for he had found that true friendship was hard to find amongst the proud gentlemen of the ton.
‘Certainly. I shall wait and we will go there together when you have changed. And then perhaps you would care to dine with me at my club?’
‘Yes, thank you,’ Harry said and smiled at him. ‘I think that would be an excellent way of spending the day, sir. If you do not mind waiting I shall not keep you long.’
‘Oh, I’ll have a word with George,’ Sutherland said easily. ‘I dare say he will tell me that I am in need of a workout and I shall engage myself for another day. Please, take your time, sir. I have all the time in the world.’
He watched as Wrexham went off to put his head under the pump before dressing. The stories circulating concerning that young man varied from person to person, some of them distinctly unkind. But from what he had seen of him he was decent enough – and a few words in the right places could help the doubters make up their minds in a proper fashion. A smile touched his mouth as he considered putting him up for some of his own clubs. A tall order perhaps? Yet he would see what a show off friendship could do; it would be interesting to see how far his own consequence would do the thing.
* * *
‘Mr Hythe says that the Earl of Sutherland is to attend the dance this evening,’ Jane said as she came in from her drive with Teddy. She had grown confident enough to drive as far as the park alone with him now, apart from his groom and her maid, of course, and Merry had made other arrangements to meet with her friend that morning. ‘Is Annabel pleased to be here?’
‘Yes, she is,’ Merry said, but frowned slightly. ‘She is looking forward to this evening, though she says that her aunt expects too much of her.’
‘Mama said that your mother is coming up for our dance,’ Jane said. ‘But you will not mind that I suppose?’
‘I must always be pleased to see Mama,’ Merry said and sighed. Sir George Rowe had become a persistent addition to their party wherever they went, for he did not seem to be aware that he was not truly welcome, and though Merry had made many friends, as yet she did not have a devoted admirer. She rather envied her cousin, for it was already obvious that Jane’s future was all but settled. Lady Melbourne would not force her daughter to look elsewhere, and if Mr Hythe came to the point, which he surely would quite soon, Jane would accept him. ‘I just
hope that Mama will not try to force me to take the first man who offers…’
‘Surely she would not?’ Jane said. Her own mother was strict but fair and she had known from the start that she might be guided by her mother, but not forced into an unwelcome match. ‘Mama would not let her. She is very fond of you, Merry.’
‘And I of her,’ Merry said. ‘But you look happy, Jane. I think you are enjoying your visit?’
‘Yes, very much so,’ Jane said. ‘I was nervous as you know – but Teddy…Oh, I mean Mr Hythe, says that I have no need to be. And he is always there when I need him, of course. He tells me things that make me laugh, and he helps me when I am not sure what to do.’
‘Yes, he is very kind,’ Merry said. ‘Well, we must get ready for we are bidden to tea at Lady North’s this afternoon.’
They parted to change their clothes for the afternoon, each of them selecting a gown from the variety that hung in their dressing rooms. Merry chose a peach silk with a modest neckline that frilled about her throat, adding a pair of kid shoes and an embroidered reticule. Her pelisse was white and her hat was a white velvet bonnet trimmed with roses to match her gown.
She glanced at her appearance in the mirror. She looked well enough but she knew that she was not as beautiful as Annabel, and sighed inwardly. She had never cared much for her looks, but now she could not help wishing that she was beautiful. She had met quite a few gentlemen in the past few days, and though some of them were pleasant to her, and she was always part of a group, had as yet found no one who made her heart beat faster. The one person whose company she really enjoyed and not been present at anything she had attended these past few days, and, if truth were told, she had begun to find the constant round of entertainment a little dull. Indeed, once or twice she had slipped away to the library for a short time. However, that evening would be different for she would have Annabel’s company.