Lady Amelia flushed with pleasure. “Yes, I should like that exceedingly, Miss Amberly,” she replied.
As the two girls arranged a time, Anne felt some remorse. Why had it not occurred to her that Melissa must have felt the lack of a friend her own age? Well, Melissa seemed to have supplied the lack herself. In her pleasure, Anne smiled brilliantly at Lord Millbank, who preened in the light of the smile, feeling sure it was his new canary and cerulean-blue-striped waistcoat that caused it.
The vehicles soon had to pull away from each other, and they continued on their slow progress around the Park. The next acquaintances they encountered were Viscount Woolbridge and Lady Conliffe, in a shiny blue phaeton drawn by beautifully matched bays. Lady Conliffe, dressed attractively in a pink cambric dress with a waistcoat bosom, a velvet pelisse and a becoming cottage bonnet, looked smug in her place beside the viscount. As the occupants of the two vehicles exchanged greetings, Anne’s eye was caught by a familiar-looking form in a black curricle not far away, and she failed to respond to a question from Captain Leslie. Captain Leslie followed her gaze.
“Ah, I see you are not immune to the appearance of Lord Stanton, better known as ‘Hell-born Harry.’”
“Is he so dreadful?” inquired Anne innocently. “And who is his beautiful companion?” she asked, looking at the woman beside him, a fair beauty whose hair was so pale as to appear silver.
“That is Lady Parnell. Really, Miss Southwell, you should not show so much interest in the premier rake of the realm,” he teased.
“Indeed not, Miss Southwell,” interrupted Lady Conliffe from the phaeton beside them. “It would be thought unbecomingly fast, even in one of your years.”
Anne smiled at Lady Conliffe’s gibe, but did not allow herself to retaliate.
“Thank you, Lady Conliffe. I will try to keep your warning in mind,” she replied, turning her attention away from the glossy black curricle, at least outwardly. Inwardly, however, Anne found herself consumed with curiosity about Lord Stanton’s ravishing companion, as well as strangely hurt. She scolded herself. After all, Lord Stanton had made it very clear that it was for their benefit he would not acknowledge them in London. But the joy had gone out of the day for Anne, and she was relieved when they completed their turn about the Park to return home.
The next day, Anne remained at home while Melissa went for her drive with Viscount Woolbridge. The viscount had gravely assured Anne of his driving abilities while he was waiting for Melissa to appear, and promised to return her safely. Anne just as gravely assured him of her confidence in his skill, thinking what a handsome appearance he made in his blue coat, buff vest and buckskins. The viscount appeared no less impressed by the appearance of Melissa when she came into the room clad in a chemise-dress of dotted muslin trimmed with lace and tied under her breasts with a red ribbon. A gypsy hat with a white veil sat rakishly on her curls, and a white sarcenet scarf was draped gracefully about her shoulders. The viscount gazed at Melissa adoringly a full half minute before he was able to bid her good-afternoon.
Anne stood in the window as the two departed, watching the viscount hand Melissa carefully into his curricle. She turned to Sanders, who sat quietly working on a muslin morning gown for Melissa.
“Melissa and the viscount make a handsome couple, do they not?”
“I still say you should have gone with them for propriety’s sake,” Sanders replied with some asperity.
“Perhaps I should have,” agreed Anne, “but his interest in Melissa seems quite respectable. He treats her like a piece of delicate porcelain. And Melissa appears to return his regard.”
Sanders stopped sewing and looked at Anne more kindly.
“I think Melissa is enjoying her first Season too much to make any decisions as to marriage. The Season has just begun. She may meet other gentlemen yet. But you have done very well for Melissa, so far,” she acknowledged.
“Not I, but Mrs. Halcott,” Anne said fairly. “I know I should not be making plans so soon, but I do so wish Melissa to make a good match. I cannot afford a second Season,” she added, thinking, nor will I be a proper person to chaperone her if she does not make a match this Season.
Sanders looked at Anne with some concern. “I hope you are not jeopardizing your own income to present Melissa this Season. There is no need. A girl of Melissa’s beauty and breeding will make a good match despite her lack of money.”
Anne wondered uncomfortably if Sanders suspected something from the day at the bank. She wished she had not begun the conversation, or that Sanders were not quite so familiar in her speech. Somehow Sanders always made Anne very aware of her shortcomings as a chaperone.
“No, I have not endangered my income,” she replied rather shortly, and left the room with the excuse of conferring with the cook about the week’s menus. Sanders looked after her thoughtfully, convinced something was worrying Anne, and hoping it was nothing serious.
Friday, Anne and Melissa dressed for the opera with great care, aware that they would be on view to much of the haut ton, which they would have few opportunities to meet elsewhere. Anne chose a trained evening gown edged in trim of an Egyptian motif worn over a petticoat of white satin trimmed in gold. She wore a gold net on her hair, and at her neck was her simple amber necklace. Melissa was clad in a high-waisted gown of white sarcenet which fell about her slender form in classical folds. She carried a large white swans-down muff and wore a fillet of amethysts in her curls. Sanders looked her charges over critically, making several minute adjustments to their costumes before she was satisfied.
The Halcotts called for the cousins in their large town carriage, Mrs. Halcott looking well in a purple velvet robe and modest tiara of diamonds on her elaborately dressed hair. Their party arrived at Covent Garden unfashionably early so that Anne and Melissa might have the opportunity to look about the opera house before the performance began. As they entered the box, Anne was grateful for Mrs. Halcott’s foresight, for she found herself hard put not to gawk at the magnificence like the provincial she was. Gleaming chandeliers illuminated the interior brightly, and the tiers of boxes and galleries decorated in crimson, white and gold looked quite majestic.
Soon, however, Anne’s attention was diverted from the furnishings by the people. The other boxes began to fill with women wearing glittering jewels, and the pit filled with rowdy young bucks and people from the lower classes. Mrs. Halcott informed them in a low voice of the identity of some of the other patrons, pointing out the many titled gentlemen present. A familiar head of silver-blonde hair in a box across from theirs caught Anne’s attention.
“Who is the beautiful woman with the pale hair across from us?” she asked Mrs. Halcott, knowing quite well what the answer would be, and avoiding looking at Melissa.
“She is Lady Parnell. And that is Lord Stanton, the Marquess of Talford, who has just joined her. He is quite rich and is very well-favored, but he is also very dissolute. Oh, dear,” she fretted, “he appears to have noticed Melissa and is looking this way.”
Anne could not resist a glance to ascertain if Lord Stanton were indeed looking their way. She was not prepared for the thrill that went down her spine as she found herself looking directly into his eyes. He was standing behind Lady Parnell, and Anne could see he was impeccably clad in the requisite black silk knee breeches, white waistcoat, and black coat, a chapeau bras beneath his arm.
“I hope he doesn’t ask to be introduced to Melissa between acts,” worried Mrs. Halcott. “I don’t know what I should do. Many of the highest-ranking hostesses don’t receive him, although he is close to the Prince.”
Anne doubted that Lord Stanton would come to their box but, perversely, found herself wishing he would. Let him see that she was establishing Melissa in Society.
This last became very clear after the first act, as the Halcotts’ box became full of Melissa’s admirers. Several gentlemen asked to be presented to her, not a few of whom were of the nobility. When she dared, Anne stole looks at Lord Stanton’s
box, but he seemed totally absorbed in his beautiful companion, and never again did she catch his eye upon her.
Anne was unaware that her stolen glances at Lord Stanton’s box had caught the attention of a dark-haired beauty sitting not far from Lord Stanton. Lady Conliffe, furious at seeing much of her usual court stopping in the Halcotts’ box, was observing them very closely, and noticed Anne’s apparent interest in Lord Stanton and his partner. Lady Conliffe had a very thoughtful look on her face when the second act began, and it remained throughout the opera.
Anne, unaware of the close scrutiny she was under, enjoyed the remaining two acts of Handel’s Giulio Cesare thoroughly. She had a genuine love of music, and appreciated the beautiful voice of Gertrude Mara, who was playing the part of Cleopatra. Melissa, in common with most of the patrons, was more interested in observing the people.
Anne and Melissa returned home that night full of their success, feeling that the major hurdles to their establishment in Society had been overcome and that their success was assured.
Chapter Six
Lord Stanton put an expression of impenetrable politeness on his face and allowed his thoughts to drift, attempting to get through the musicale with the least possible pain. His sister had taken him up with a vengeance on his offer to escort her to functions, he thought. He also suspected that Lord Brookfield had taken advantage of his impetuous offer to spend evenings at his club. Yet so far his sacrifice had been for nothing, because he had not seen Anne and her cousin at any entertainments, except of course, the opera, where he could not approach them without seeming to single them out. Well, the Season had just begun, and perhaps Anne did not have access to circles as exalted as the one in which he and his sister moved. He had made it his business to find out who the couple were whose box Anne and Miss Amberly had been in at the opera. Military family, of course. He should have foreseen that would be the avenue by which Anne would try to enter Society.
Lord Stanton’s hands clenched involuntarily as the soprano performing hit a particularly high and off-key note. The Season was not turning out to be as entertaining as he had hoped. It was quite the opposite, in fact, despite the company of Lady Parnell. Most of his set were still in Brighton with Prinny, and the enjoyment he had anticipated from watching Anne and her ward striving to be accepted in Society had not materialised. Perhaps he should use his influence to have Anne and Miss Amberly invited to some affairs in the upper echelons of Society. He debated whether it would constitute interfering with the terms of the bet. No, he decided, because it would benefit Anne, not hinder her. Although it would mean allowing his sister to guess of his interest in them.
The singer finished, and Lord Stanton applauded politely before turning to his sister.
“When are you holding your first entertainment this Season?” he asked.
“You are interested in the Season, aren’t you?” Lady Brookfield replied, smoothing her mauve silk gown. “I was planning a ball for this next week.”
“There is someone I would like you to invite.”
Lady Brookfield’s eyes gleamed with interest. Perhaps at last she was going to find out who the mysterious woman was who had brought Harry to London so early. So far she had not been able to discover who it was. There was Lady Parnell, of course, but she did not think it was she.
“Who?” she asked.
“It is two people, in fact. Miss Amberly and Miss Southwell.”
Lady Brookfield recalled meeting both of them at a small rout party she had attended. Miss Amberly, of course, was one of the Season’s new Incomparables, but she had difficulty placing Miss Southwell. It must be Miss Amberly Harry was interested in, which was surprising, since she was so young.
“I have met them,” she said aloud. “If you will give me their direction I will see that they receive an invitation.”
“I believe you should also include her sponsors, Colonel Halcott and his wife.”
“Of course,” she replied, determining to observe the two women very closely the next time she saw them. This was the first time Harry had made such a request of her. There had to be a reason.
Satisfied, Lord Stanton prepared to listen to the next performer with fortitude.
Mrs. Halcott was somewhat surprised when they received their invitations to Lady Brookfield’s ball.
“It is really something of a coup, my dear,” she said to Anne as they rode together in the Halcott’s carriage the night of the ball. “Invitations to Lady Brookfield’s entertainments are much sought after. I wonder why she included us? Perhaps she noticed Melissa’s beauty and invited us so the young gentlemen would have their Toast of the Season.”
“I am sure I don’t know,” Anne replied. “I don’t even recall meeting Lady Brookfield, do you, Melissa?”
“No, although I have heard her name before,” Melissa answered.
Whatever her reason for inviting them, Anne found that Lord and Lady Brookfield welcomed them most graciously and genuinely. Lord Brookfield was a well-looking man of middle age who appeared rather uncomfortable in his full evening dress. Anne felt he would be more at home among the sporting set or at his club. Lady Brookfield, in contrast, appeared to be in her element. She was exquisitely gowned in white satin lavishly embroidered in violet and wore a magnificent necklace of diamonds. Her dark good looks seemed somehow familiar to Anne, but she decided that she must have remembered her from other entertainments, and chose not to dwell upon it.
Lady Brookfield’s ball was quite the most elaborate ball she and Melissa had yet attended. Lady Brookfield had lavishly decorated the large yellow-and-white ballroom in the Oriental fashion. Eastern draperies were hung upon the walls, and exotic ornaments of brass had been placed about the room. The servants were all dressed in brightly coloured Oriental costumes, and altogether Anne felt as if she had just stepped into a seraglio in Turkey.
There was a great crush of people present, most of them unknown to Anne and Melissa, although there were a few familiar faces. Lord Millbank was in attendance, as were Lady Conliffe and Viscount Woolbridge. Mrs. Halcott pointed out several others whose names the cousins had often heard, but whom they had never seen. Lady Sefton and Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, two of the patronesses of Almack’s, were present, as was the famous political hostess, Lady Melbourne. Anne thought the two patronesses looked very haughty and superior, and was glad she did not have to worry about being approved by them in order to gain entrance to Almack’s. Lady Melbourne, on the other hand, appeared quite charming and approachable.
The guest Anne and Melissa were most interested in, however, was Beau Brummel, the arbiter of men’s fashion. Anne could see why his word was law, for his sartorial style was faultless. He was clad in a perfectly fitting blue coat, white waistcoat, tight black breeches, striped silk stockings and a cravat that was an absolute marvel of starch and intricate folds. He was not dancing, but held court with a circle of admirers that included most of the fashionable gentlemen present. Having heard many tales of his sharp wit, the cousins were just as glad there was little likelihood of being presented to the Beau.
Melissa was soon swept away to the dance floor by Lord Woolbridge and Anne, elegant in gold velvet, did not lack for a partner long. Lord Millbank minced up to her and, bowing carefully so as not to disarrange his attire, solicited her hand for the boulanger. He was dressed all-the-crack in a purple coat with velvet collar, canary waistcoat, high stock, shirt points up to his ears and a huge ruby shirt broach. Anne accepted, wondering why the young sprig of fashion continued to seek her out. She would have thought one of the young girls in their first Season would be a better partner than she. But the earl danced well, if cautiously, and his notice of Anne moved several other men to request dances. As the evening progressed, many gentlemen she had not met before asked to be presented, and Anne had no premonition when she heard her hostess’s voice behind her.
“Miss Southwell, another gentleman has requested that I make him known to you.”
Anne turned with a gracious
smile upon her face, which froze upon her lips. For the first time since she had left Longworth she found herself face-to-face with Lord Henry Stanton. He was even more handsome than she had remembered, and rivalled the Beau’s elegance in his tight-fitting olive green coat, cream waistcoat, drab-coloured kerseymere breeches and perfectly tied cravat.
“May I present Lord Henry Stanton, Marquess of Talford. And also,” Lady Brookfield added with a smile, “my brother.”
She looked curiously at Anne, watching her reaction to her brother. Although she had thought her brother already knew Miss Southwell, he had asked her to present him. Yet the look on Miss Southwell’s face seemed to indicate that she already knew him. Or perhaps she had heard of his reputation.
“Lord Stanton,” Anne faltered. Lady Brookfield was his sister. That explained why she had seemed familiar.
“I am at your service,” Lord Stanton replied, lifting her hand to his lips, most improperly, since Anne was unmarried. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?” he continued.
Anne accepted, if somewhat hesitantly, and Lord Stanton led her out for the quadrille. As their fingers touched, Anne once again felt the thrill that seemed to invade her very being, and she pulled back imperceptibly.
“There is no danger to your reputation in being presented to me at my sister’s,” he assured her, mistaking the reason for her hesitation.
“I did not realise Lady Brookfield was your sister,” Anne said, trying to collect herself. A new thought occurred to her. “You had something to do with us being invited here, didn’t you?” she accused.
“I confess. But I am not hindering your chances of winning the bet. To be seen at my sister’s can only enhance your credit.”
“Perhaps,” Anne agreed, before the steps of the dance separated them.
When they came back together, Lord Stanton continued, “It appears you were doing quite well without my assistance, however. I see the rumours of Lord Woolbridge’s interest in your cousin are based on fact.” He nodded towards the couple dancing not far from them.
Lucy Muir Page 6