Lucy Muir

by The Imprudent Wager

  “By God, I won’t have it, Stanton,” the Prince said suddenly, lowering his glass of cherry brandy and banging his fist on the table. “Can’t have the lives of daughters of our loyal officers being ruined by scurrilous lies.”

  “Perhaps if you were to invite them to a supper at Carlton House…” Lord Stanton suggested.

  “Capital idea! If I am seen to notice them, all but the highest sticklers must accept them.” The Prince looked at Lord Stanton shrewdly. “How d’ye come to know so much about them, Stanton? Didn’t know you were interested in young misses.”

  “The older cousin is not a young miss, but a beautiful woman,” said Lord Stanton.

  “Oh, so that’s the way the wind blows, is it? Well, I’ll help you out Stanton,” he agreed, and added under his breath, “particularly if it will serve Lady Conliffe a bad turn.”

  Chapter Eight

  The arrival of the thick cream-coloured invitation with gold edges sent the whole household at Half Moon Street into a tizzy. When Benton realised it was from Carlton House, he delivered it to his young mistresses with a flourish. Anne and Melissa could not believe that it had not been issued by mistake. Mrs. Halcott was summoned immediately.

  “Carlton House,” Mrs. Halcott breathed, fingering the invitation almost reverently.

  “Yes, but why would we be invited?” Anne asked. “Particularly now, when the new rumours are going about.”

  “Don’t question your good fortune. It’s the very thing. Do you realise that this invitation could put you back into good standing with the ton? No one will dare countenance the rumours if the Prince shows that he does not.”

  “But why?” Anne repeated perplexedly. “We are neither of the aristocracy, nor have we ever seen the Prince. Why should he condescend to take notice of us?”

  “You must have a supporter among the haul ton who has access to the Prince’s ear.”

  “Who?”

  “Don’t refine upon it too much, Anne. Just be thankful,” Mrs. Halcott advised sagely. “Now, we must inspect your wardrobes to see if you have any clothes that will be suitable to wear there.”

  Anne dropped the subject as she and Melissa led Mrs. Halcott upstairs to inspect their gowns, but she continued to turn the puzzle over in her head. The only person she knew who had access to the Prince’s ear was Lord Stanton. But why should he help her? The rumours might have ensured his winning the bet. Yet he had helped her before by having them invited to his sister’s. Or was he hoping she would put a foot wrong before the exalted company at Carlton House? Or was Lord Stanton not involved at all? She gave up guessing. Perhaps Mrs. Halcott was right, and she should not refine upon it too much. She turned her full attention to Mrs. Halcott, who was discussing with Sanders the merits of two of Melissa’s gowns. They were able to find gowns for both that would suit, which was a relief to Anne. She did not want to dig deeper into her rapidly dwindling funds.

  Later that morning, Viscount Woolbridge came to call upon Melissa and asked her if she wished to ride with him in the Park that afternoon. Melissa accepted happily, and then, unable to keep their good fortune to themselves, showed the viscount their invitation.

  “Carlton House? That is of all things wonderful!” he exclaimed, and then lest his enthusiasm seem to indicate that he was thinking of their besmirched reputations, he added, “I mean to say, I am invited that evening also, and would be happy to serve as your escort, Miss Amberly.”

  “Thank you, Lord Woolbridge,” Melissa said. “I should be grateful for your escort.”

  As Anne watched the two converse, she felt it would not be long before the viscount approached her for permission to pay his addresses to Melissa. The gossip had not kept him away, and the devotion to Melissa, so plain in his hazel eyes, had never wavered. Melissa, looking demure in her simple rose sarcenet morning dress, was harder to read. She had not confided her feelings about her beaux to Anne. For the first time, this struck Anne as rather odd. She did not have long to reflect upon it, for Lord Millbank and his sister arrived. Melissa immediately made them acquainted with their good fortune in being invited to Carlton House.

  “Pleased to be your escort, Miss Southwell,” Lord Millbank said when it became apparent she had none, waving his scented handkerchief gracefully. He leaned against the mantelpiece, looking quite happy with the tippy figure he presented in his canary coat, striped waistcoat and red neckcloth.

  For a moment Anne’s heart sank. She didn’t want to go to Carlton House in the company of this young Tulip of Fashion. What if Lord Stanton were to see her with him? Then she was heartily ashamed of her reaction. Lord Millbank and his sister had been two of their staunchest supporters and best friends since they had arrived in London.

  She accepted graciously and they made plans to go together in the viscount’s large town carriage. The two gentlemen then departed, leaving Amelia, who wished to discuss the plans for her coming-out ball to be held the next week. Anne left Lady Amelia and Melissa happily deciding what they were going to wear, and took Sanders with her to walk to Hookam’s for a new volume of poetry.

  The evening of the supper at Carlton House, Sanders began dressing her charges a good four hours before they were due to leave. Her efforts were successful, for neither of them had ever appeared to such advantage. Melissa wore a gown of white silk richly embroidered in blue around the train. It clung to her slender figure gracefully, giving her an almost fairy-like appearance. Her sapphire necklace complimented the blue of the embroidery, and she wore blue-dyed ostrich feathers in her ebony hair. Anne wore a tunic of gold over a petticoat of white satin trimmed with a Spanish net of gold. The tunic was fastened in the front with a diamond broach Mrs. Halcott had insisted on lending her, and a headdress of five ostrich feathers rested on her golden hair.

  They knew their toilettes were successful by the look of admiration in their escorts’ eyes. Lord Woolbridge bowed quite low over Melissa’s hand, and Lord Millbank, after looking Anne over with one of his quizzing glasses, lowered it and declared himself satisfied with her appearance.

  The men were quite magnificently appareled themselves. Lord Woolbridge wore a blue velvet dress coat embroidered in silver, plain breeches of silk, a white satin waistcoat and the buckled shoes that were de rigueur for court dress. His chestnut hair was neatly dressed, but unpowdered. As fine as he appeared, however, he could not compare with the magnificence of Lord Millbank, who had quite outdone himself. The young lord was clad in a green velvet coat embroidered in gold, a white waistcoat elaborately embroidered in a rainbow of colours, velvet breeches edged in gold lace, white silk clocked stockings, and a heavily powdered wig. Anne felt quite underdressed beside him, and began to feel rather nervous about her coming debut with royalty.

  Anne felt her nervousness increasing as Lord Woolbridge’s carriage approached Carlton House. Her life had not prepared her for entrance into such rarified society, and her first view of the brightly lit residence through the screen of Ionic columns on Pall Mall was almost intimidating. There was a huge crush of carriages, and it seemed an eternity before Lord Woolbridge’s carriage was able to pull up before the classic porch.

  The four descended from the carriage, and as they worked their way through the crowds of people up the carpeted stairs and into the great octagon-shaped hall, Anne began to lose some of her nervousness in her anonymity. It was so crowded it was impossible for people to notice many of the others attending. She was also surprised to find that Lord Millbank’s elaborate toilette was not at all out of the way in Carlton House. Most, although not all, of those present were in court dress.

  Lord Woolbridge and Lord Millbank proved to be excellent guides, and showed Anne and Melissa through some of the open rooms of the Prince’s residence. The interior was tastefully decorated, and Prince George’s art collection was justly famous. They were admiring a particularly beautiful painting by a Flemish artist when a sudden hush of conversation indicated the Prince’s arrival.

  Anne and Melissa had never see
n Prince George, and craned their necks trying to get a glimpse of him without appearing too obvious. The Prince and his entourage moved slowly through the crowd, the Prince stopping frequently to greet friends. Anne saw Beau Brummel among those with him, but did not recognize the others. As the Prince approached their vicinity, one of his entourage spoke into his ear, and the Prince looked at their small group. Then to the astonishment of Anne and Melissa, he walked directly up to them.

  “Present me to your beautiful companions, Millbank,” he commanded, as the two women sank into deep curtsies before him.

  The Prince first greeted Melissa, complimenting her on her beauty, and then turned to Anne. Anne found herself looking into a pair of bright and admiring blue eyes. She had heard the Prince was becoming quite corpulent, and was surprised to find him still a very handsome man. His well-cut coat hugged his shoulders, and if his brightly embroidered waistcoat strained about the middle, his breeches outlined a pair of still-shapely legs.

  “Miss Southwell, your father would have been proud indeed to see what a beautiful woman you have become. Although Miss Amberly is enchanting, it will be a few years before her beauty reaches the maturity and perfection of yours.”

  He took her hand and pressed it warmly. Anne’s heart quickened, and as she continued to look into his admiring eyes, she found that she was not immune to the legendary charm of Prince George. No wonder Mrs. Fitzherbert would tolerate so much and still love him.

  The Prince released Anne’s hand and moved on, leaving Anne and Melissa in a daze. The Prince’s attention to them had been very marked, and they felt quite overwhelmed. Several people who had noticed the Prince’s interest in them came forward and asked to be presented. Anne and Melissa found themselves the centre of a flurry of attention until the guests began to move up the great double staircase to the room where the dinner would be served.

  The experience of Lord Millbank and Lord Woolbridge was invaluable in finding their places. Anne wondered how it had been arranged for Melissa’s and her cards to be placed next to their escorts, and then dismissed it. No doubt one of the two had so notified the Prince’s secretary. Servants began to place the dishes of the first course upon the tables, which became so heavily laden with food that Anne thought they must surely collapse. The Prince was at his most democratic, and did not sit apart, but joined the guests at a table not far from theirs.

  The dinner had nine courses and lasted for several hours. Anne and Melissa were only able to sample a few of what appeared to be hundreds of dishes placed on the tables through the dinner, but what they did taste was delicious. The talk of Prinny’s good chefs was not exaggerated. Anne ate a dish of eels in truffle sauce with a feeling of bliss, and Melissa helped herself to chicken quenelles several times. After two hours they were quite full, and unable to sample any of even the most tempting dishes, but the dinner continued for several hours longer.

  Finally the Prince had eaten his fill and rose from his table. This signaled a general exodus, and they once again fought the crush of people to leave the palace. Their driver was eventually able to manoeuvre their carriage up to the portico, and the four climbed into it with relief.

  “Wasn’t it wonderful?” enthused Melissa as they drove slowly down Pall Mall. “Imagine, the Prince of Wales picked you out of all the beautiful women present to notice. Anne.”

  Anne could not believe it was that simple, but she kept her suspicions about Lord Stanton to herself.

  “You’ll be overwhelmed by invitations now, don’t you know,” Lord Millbank said with satisfaction. “I say, Miss Southwell, few doors will be closed to you.”

  Anne smiled and reflected on the capriciousness of Society as the others discussed the evening. False words could cause their fall from grace, a smile and compliment from a dissolute if charming Prince could reinstate them. It was quite confusing. Anne had enjoyed the Season so far despite their difficulties, but she would be glad when Lord Woolbridge made an offer for Melissa and she could return to a more uncomplicated life in Medford.

  After the singular attention paid to them by the Prince at Carlton House, Anne and Melissa found that they were indeed catapulted back into favour as quickly as they had been out. Invitations once again poured in, although the doors of Almack’s remained closed, as did those of the highest sticklers of the ton. The Halcotts and their other friends were pleased with their return to favour. Anne continued to accept Captain Leslie’s escort and her respect and affection for him continued to grow, but she was still unsure what to do once she won the bet and was free to entertain thoughts of marriage. A pair of dark eyes kept intruding on her thoughts of Captain Leslie’s blue ones. Lord Stanton did not call again at Half Moon Street, but she saw him at Drury Lane, again in the company of Lady Parnell, and he always sought her hand for one dance at balls.

  Anne took advantage of one such dance after the dinner at Carlton House to thank him for what she was sure was his part in re-establishing their credit.

  “Why should you think I had anything to do with it?” asked Lord Stanton, amused at Anne’s perception. “The Prince disliked seeing the daughters of loyal officers who died in his service treated so unfairly.”

  “Perhaps. But who brought the situation to his attention?”

  “Now why should I do that when it would be to my disadvantage?”

  “Your sense of fair play?”

  “Very well, Miss Southwell, if you wish to think so,” he replied as he escorted Anne from the dance floor.

  “Do you think your credit is good enough to be seen speaking to me a moment,” he asked, taking advantage of their temporary isolation.

  “Yes,” Anne replied, seating herself on a chair next to the wall.

  “Green becomes you,” Lord Stanton said, looking admiringly at the picture she presented in her green silk gown, a half handkerchief trimmed with flowers over her beautiful hair.

  Anne found herself very aware of his presence, and a remembrance of a January evening at Longworth brought a blush to her cheeks.

  “Now what caused that blush, I wonder,” he teased. “You must govern your countenance more carefully or we shall be noticed.”

  “Of what did you wish to speak to me?” Anne asked, trying to will the blush away.

  Lord Stanton’s expression and attitude changed subtly, the smile leaving his dark eyes.

  “I only wished to tell you that I have not despaired of winning our wager yet, so do not become overly confident. I am referring to Captain Leslie.”

  At the mention of Captain Leslie, Anne’s good humour disappeared. “My friendship with Captain Leslie is my concern. In any event, I don’t see how I can lose now. Melissa has several suitors.”

  “Do not forget that the marriage must take place before July and that the groom must be a member of the nobility,” he said, looking meaningfully at the dance floor, where Melissa was partnered with Lieutenant Halcott.

  Anne schooled her countenance to reveal nothing, but inside she seethed. Lord Stanton had as good as told her not to entertain thoughts of marriage since she was bound to become his mistress. The utter gall! She looked at the dancers and saw Melissa laugh at something Lieutenant Halcott said. Melissa looked very happy and carefree. Could she lose, she wondered. Was there more between the two than she had been aware of?

  “Ah! You see I may be correct, Miss Southwell,” Lord Stanton said as he watched the thoughts flit across her face. “Don’t delude yourself that I shall let you off the hook should your cousin choose to make a match with an untitled gentleman.”

  Anne made no response, and Lord Stanton rose with a sardonic smile. He bowed and left her.

  Anne remained frozen on her chair, staring into the couples on the dance floor unseeingly. Her thoughts towards Lord Stanton had softened over the past weeks. She had come to think, somehow, that despite the two thousand pounds and his reminders of the wager, he would not really hold her to it. Particularly after his aid in re-establishing them in Society. His words showed that her
conclusion had been incorrect. He was the rake Hell-born Harry. The charm was part of that, she realised. How could he be a successful rake if he did not have charm? The dance ended, and Anne awoke from her daze as the couples left the floor and walked around her. Captain Leslie approached and took the chair Lord Stanton had vacated.

  “What was Lord Stanton saying to distress you? I noticed your agitation from the dance floor.”

  “Nothing, Captain Leslie.” Anne smiled with an effort. “It is only that the room is a little close and I have developed a headache.”

  Captain Leslie was immediately all concern and offered to notify her cousin and Mrs. Halcott of her indisposition. They made their excuses to their hostess and left soon after. Anne found that her imaginary headache had become all too real as she worried about her wager, and she went immediately to bed. A soft knock sounded at her door.

  “Come in,” Anne called, sitting up in bed.

  Melissa entered and sat on the edge of the four-poster.

  “How are you feeling now? I asked Sandy to make a tisane, and she’ll bring it up shortly. It will help you sleep.’’

  “It is only a headache,” Anne protested. “I shall be fine in a little while.”

  Melissa looked doubtful and stroked Anne’s forehead, her face showing concern. Anne closed her eyes, not wishing to look at Melissa’s sweet face. If what Lord Stanton had hinted at were true, could she stand in her ward’s way? She could, of course, simply refuse permission for Melissa to marry Lieutenant Halcott. She was Melissa’s guardian and, until she came of age, Melissa could not marry without her permission. But that would do her no good, anyway, since part of the wager was that Melissa must marry by July. Anne could not force her to marry a nobleman. And could she be that heartless, anyway? No. The wager was none of Melissa’s doing. It was hers, and she must be the one to suffer its consequences. A line from a poem in a book she had borrowed from the circulating library recently came to mind—”The best laid schemes o’mice an’ men gang aft a-gley.”