Gavotte

by Marina Oliver

  'That is unfair,' Clare retorted, by now as angry as Isabella. 'I had no desire to come to London and be so insulted, and I care not if I have no offers, for I want none but Edward's!'

  By now they had reached the stall where Frances had just completed her purchase, and she turned, surprised at the angry voices. After a swift glance at their stormy faces, she suggested calmly they must hurry to be in time for dinner, and chatted unconcernedly on the way home.

  Isabella's anger, which never lasted long, had disappeared by the time they reached Great Queen Street, and she determined to forget the incident. Unpleasant though it had been, no harm had been done. But she discovered this was not easy, and to her intense irritation found herself continually thinking of the handsome face and elegant figure of the gallant, blushing as she recalled the admiring look in his eyes. At length she convinced herself her preoccupation was due to the fright she had had at discovering Clare in such a situation, a fright that had been aggravated by her sense of guilt at leaving Clare alone. Soon, she thought hopefully, she would forget the incident in the excitement of the social life Lady Lyndon was arranging.

  *

  Chapter 3

  After dinner Lady Lyndon set her two sewing maids busy with the materials the girls had bought, and they were soon fashioning dresses for the dance. The heavy baggage had arrived during the morning, so Clare and Isabella spent the rest of the afternoon trimming their gowns for that evening. Clare's was of pale blue taffeta, the overskirt looped back to show a pink embroidered petticoat. The delicate colours showed up her extreme fairness to perfection. Isabella, darker and more vivid with her golden hair, wore a dress of two shades of green trimmed with velvet ribbons, and Frances appeared young and fragile in a white dress trimmed with gold.

  Lord Belvedere arrived first that evening. A tall, distinguished looking man, dressed in sober grey, he greeted the Vaughans in friendly fashion, and Isabella inspected him carefully. She estimated his age at about forty, and already knew from Frances that he was a bachelor. But he looked too serious ever to evince an interest in Clare, she decided after her first scrutiny.

  'I have just been complaining to Lord Belvedere about Jason,' Lady Lyndon said, smiling ruefully at Frances. 'He sent me his apologies that business had called him out of town. He is most aggravating,' she continued, turning to her sister, 'for one never knows whether he is going to appear at one's parties or not.'

  'I will scold the rascal when I see him,' Lord Belvedere said with a slightly forced laugh, 'but I fear 'tis not like to do much good. Jason goes his own way.'

  Lady Lyndon smiled. 'He might mend his ways when he is married, but I do not rely on't. Fortunately Thomas mentioned he had a friend coming to stay with him, and when I sent round to his lodgings, he said his friend had arrived this morning, and he would be happy to bring him along.'

  At that moment Barbara and Robert Edes were announced, followed almost immediately by Thomas Barnes and his friend, Gilbert Meadowes. Both were good looking, assured men in their early twenties, extremely fashionably attired, and casting appreciative glances at the four pretty girls. Sir Arnold Easton was the last to arrive. About thirty, he was attired in fashions even more extravagant than those of the two younger men, and produced a flow of witticisms and anecdotes about the Court that soon had everyone laughing merrily.

  Supper was announced, and they moved into the dining parlour. The first course consisted of delicious young roasted lamb, boiled capons, a shield of brawn with mustard, neat's tongue, and side dishes of salads.

  'We have heard so much about the Court,' Isabella remarked as Thomas helped her to some lamb. 'I can scarce wait to see it for myself.'

  'I want to see the King. Have you seen him, Frances?' Barbara asked eagerly.

  'Yes, I was presented to him last June, and have been to a few Court entertainments.'

  Thomas looked across the table towards her. 'These Court entertainments have not been so merry or so frequent as planned, unfortunately.'

  'No,' Frances agreed. 'How sad the Princess Royal and the Duke of Gloucester should have died so soon after their brother regained his throne.'

  Sir Arnold joined in. 'There was much gaiety in November when the Princess Henrietta was at Court. Did you see her?'

  'Indeed I did,' Frances answered. 'And when we heard she was sick too, I was most afraid.'

  Sir Arnold nodded. 'Fortunately 'twas only measles, and she recovered.'

  Thomas turned to Isabella who sat next to him. 'Do you know the King, Mistress Vaughan?'

  She nodded. 'We saw him occasionally when we lived in Brussels. He came to our house two or three times, some years since. He was always charming to us, despite his preoccupation with his dream of regaining the throne.'

  'You are like to find him less preoccupied now,' Lady Lyndon observed. 'He has been accepted by the people, and is happy and confident.'

  'Is he truly accepted?' Robert Edes asked quietly.

  'What can you mean?' Lady Lyndon turned to him, frowning slightly.

  'I was thinking of the riots in the City in January. They caused much anxiety at the time, people fearing they might spread to other parts of the country.'

  'I do not think there is much likelihood of any rebellion now,' Lord Belvedere stated firmly. 'The incidents in the City were isolated disturbances caused by a few fanatics. Many of the republicans may find it hard to accept a monarch again, but the majority of the people welcome the King's return.'

  'Methinks they will not be in a hurry to start another conflict,' Captain Vaughan said. 'I am sure Charles will retain his throne.'

  'He will need gifted diplomacy to reconcile the diverse factions in the country,' Robert remarked soberly.

  'Do you mean the religious questions?' Lord Belvedere asked.

  'That is but one of his problems. There are so many groups wanting irreconcilable things, he will not be able to satisfy the half of them.'

  'Let us hope he can keep some of them content,' Lady Lyndon said.

  'The people will be diverted by the Coronation, and later, we assume, by a royal wedding,' Sir Arnold remarked cheerfully.

  'Aye. Charles is acceptable as a suitor now he has regained his throne,' Captain Vaughan commented dryly. 'Before that no ruler would so much as consider him.'

  'Were there not rumours he is already married?' Mistress Vaughan asked. 'I heard something a month or so back, that he had wed a niece of the Prince de Ligne.'

  Lady Lyndon shook her head. 'I know not how that rumour started, but 'twas never seriously believed. There have been several wild rumours circulating claiming he had married even more unsuitably during his exile.'

  Captain Vaughan laughed. 'He had many adventures, but contracting an unwise marriage was not one of them. Charles is well aware of his value, and will not throw himself away.'

  *

  Isabella cast a glance at Clare on this, to see how she took the remark, but saw, much to her annoyance, that Clare was listening so intently to Gilbert Meadowes she did not seem aware of the conversation absorbing everyone else.

  'It seems most likely he will marry with Portugal,' Lord Belvedere was saying. 'There is much to commend it, despite the Braganza Princess being Papist. 'Tis rumoured she would bring a large dowry.'

  Robert looked across at Lord Belvedere. 'I heard the Dutch sent a large gift of money to prevent it a few days ago,' he said. 'Was that so, my lord?'

  'I am sure it was,' Lord Belvedere answered, 'but I do not think the King can be bribed in that fashion. He will make what alliances he wishes, and as I believe his chief concern will be the good of the country, I have few fears for England under his reign.'

  The second course was brought in, ducks and a turkey, rabbit pies, marrowbone pie, stewed eels and baked carp, fruit tarts, and syllabubs of delicious frothy lightness. The conversation became more general, and Isabella saw Gilbert Meadowes still paying assiduous attention to Clare. Discreetly she set about questioning Thomas.

  She soon learned Thoma
s was the third son in a large family, and had few prospects. He had obtained a minor post at Court, but it was not, he admitted ruefully, lucrative. Mr Meadowes, he implied, was in even more need of a post than he himself.

  'He has at last persuaded his father the only way for a young man to get on in the world is to win favour at Court. His family lost much under the Commonwealth.'

  Isabella glanced worriedly at Clare. It was clear she would acquire many admirers. Isabella recalled the gallant of the Exchange, and frowned so fiercely Thomas wondered what he could have said to annoy her. She was beginning to realise the difficulty she would have in discouraging Clare's ineligible suitors.

  After the third course, consisting of a variety of sweetmeats, fruit, and several cheeses, the guests withdrew to the parlour. Lady Lyndon settled the older Vaughans with Lord Belvedere at a card table set up in a corner to play ombre, and then turned to Barbara, who had been somewhat quiet during supper.

  'Barbara, my dear, I believe you are exceptionally clever on the harpsichord. Will you play for me?'

  Barbara seemed about to demur, when Frances spoke up.

  'Oh yes, please do, Barbara. You were by far the best of us at school.'

  'Very well, if you really wish it,' Barbara agreed, smiling shyly.

  She moved over to the instrument, and Lady Lyndon bustled around finding music and talking to her about the various pieces. Isabella realised that Gilbert Meadowes had drawn Clare into a corner and she started purposefully towards them. She found her way barred by Sir Arnold.

  'I understand you lived in Brussels for some years, Mistress Isabella. A beautiful city, is it not? Will you sit here?'

  There was little alternative for Isabella and, after another worried glance at Clare, she sat on the chair Sir Arnold indicated. He sat beside her, and they discussed various places in the Low Countries which they both knew well.

  'My favourite church is St Michael and Ste Gudule, in Brussels,' Sir Arnold commented. 'Do you know it?'

  'Yes, indeed,' Isabella agreed eagerly. 'It is exquisite, in particular the stained glass windows. But there were many magnificent cathedrals in the cities we visited.'

  Sir Arnold smiled. 'No doubt you have seen few English ones?'

  'True, for I was but a child when we left England.'

  'Visit Salisbury,' Sir Arnold advised. 'You will scarce find a lovelier cathedral in the whole of Europe.'

  They chatted amiably and Isabella, absorbed in exchanging views with Sir Arnold, forgot to watch Clare. Gilbert had continued to flirt with her, and put himself out to be entertaining so successfully Clare momentarily forgot her misery and responded with a little of her normal vivacity.

  *

  At the other end of the room Thomas was standing at the harpsichord, turning over the music and joining in with a pleasing baritone as Barbara played and sang. Lady Lyndon, who loved music though she was herself an indifferent performer, sat down nearby and listened. Robert, grateful for the attention shown his sister, had seated himself besides Frances.

  'Your mother is most kind,' he said softly to her. 'Barbara is naturally shy except when she is playing.'

  Frances smiled at him in agreement. 'Yes. She was never one to put herself forward, except in her music. I confess we sometimes took advantage of her readiness to play if we wished to sing or practise dance steps.'

  'She is happy to do so. But tell me, Mistress Frances, are you enjoying this round of festivities since you left school?'

  'I have enjoyed it,' Frances answered slowly. 'But methinks it could become tedious after a while, the same people, doing precisely the same things that they were doing last year. All that changes is the scandal, and that only in the persons involved!'

  Robert laughed. 'I do not think your views would be shared by most young ladies. They seem to long to come to London and the Court.'

  'Does Barbara?' Frances was surprised. 'I know that she is interested in meeting the King, but I had not thought her overfond of such amusements.'

  'I was not thinking of my sister,' Robert answered. 'If 'twere left to her she would stay at home in the country all the time. My parents brought her, thinking it would be good for her to mix with society for a while. After all, she is like to marry well, and will need the sort of sophistication the experience of Court gives one. The fortune her godfather left her is a considerable one.'

  'Poor Barbara,' Frances commented softly, and smiled as Robert looked puzzled. 'Fortune hunters,' she explained. 'They are avid for heiresses, and no girl with more than a few hundred a year is safe from them.' She sighed slightly. 'Some men care neither how we look, nor what manner of persons we are. Many of them, I do believe, could not accurately describe the girls they praise so extravagantly, though they know the tally of their fortunes to the nearest penny! I begin to suspect all compliments and wonder if any man can be sincere.'

  'Some of us are,' Robert asserted, smiling gently at her, and Frances blushed slightly.

  'I beg your pardon, sir. 'Twas silly of me to make such a generalisation, and uncivil to you. But I fear I shall end by failing to discern the truth!'

  'Methinks you will recognise that.'

  Frances glanced up at him, but finding his steady gaze and warm smile somewhat disconcerting, quickly looked away. Robert smoothly switched to another topic and Frances speedily regained her composure. A few minutes later Clare and Gilbert joined them, and Lady Lyndon came over to suggest the young people choose some songs. They grouped themselves round the harpsichord and sang as Barbara played.

  *

  Eventually even the card players were drawn from their game, and they all enjoyed themselves so greatly it was late before the party broke up. At last Robert said, regretfully, he ought to take Barbara home, and the other men also took their leave, thanking Lady Lyndon with great sincerity for a most enjoyable evening.

  'I especially thank you,' Gilbert said, smiling charmingly at her. 'It was most kind of you to welcome me, a stranger to London.'

  'You are always welcome here, Mr Meadowes,' Lady Lyndon assured him. 'Please call whenever you feel inclined. We shall be happy to see you.'

  'I will most gratefully take you at your word,' he replied, and glanced across at Clare.

  Isabella intercepted the glance, and was hard put to it to retain the smile on her face as the rest of the guests made their farewells.

  'Margaret, what a delightful evening! But I am exhausted!' Mistress Vaughan declared as they returned to the parlour. 'I shall in no time be a jaded wreck if town life is always like this.'

  'Do not fear, you are but out of practice,' her sister replied, laughing. 'You will soon take it in your stride. But now 'tis time for bed. Goodnight, girls.'

  The girls smilingly agreed, said their goodnights, and curtsied to their parents.

  'Your mother knows most agreeable people,' Isabella said, a slight query in her voice, as they mounted the stairs.

  'Lord Belvedere and Sir Arnold are old friends, and we have known Thomas for a long time. I am pleased his friend proved so agreeable.'

  'Mr Meadowes? Yes, he was eager to please. What do you know of him?'

  'Very little, but that he is a friend of Thomas'. But what did you think of Barbara? She was my best friend at school.'

  'I scarcely heard her speak at table. She seemed very shy, but is an excellent musician.'

  'She quite threw everyone else in the shade at school.'

  'Her brother seemed sensible, more seriously inclined than most young men.'

  'I have only met him once before,' Frances said a little hesitantly.

  'What does he do in London? Is he at Court?'

  'No. He is a lawyer.'

  'Oh, then he has not a large fortune?'

  'I think not. Barbara has a fortune from her godfather. I do not think their parents are wealthy.'

  Frances stifled a yawn.

  'I must not keep you talking,' Isabella said in remorse.

  'No, no. Have you all you need?'

  'Yes
, and our maid will be waiting. Go to your bed, Frances.'

  They parted, and Isabella and Clare were soon undressed and prepared for bed. After Isabella had blown out the candle they lay quietly for a few minutes.

  'What did you think of the men we met this evening?' Isabella asked eventually.

  'They were well enough,' Clare said, uninterested.

  'None of the younger ones have fortunes. It would be unwise to allow yourself to be attracted by them.'

  'I am not attracted to any of them!' Clare replied indignantly. 'I love Edward.'

  Isabella ignored this. 'Methought you and Gilbert Meadowes were getting along excellently well.'

  'He plagued me, if that is what you mean,' said Clare in a tight little voice.

  'He has no prospects. You must not encourage any one until we know what their fortunes are,' Isabella warned.

  'I did nought to encourage him,' Clare protested angrily. 'And I am no fortune hunter!'

  'No, no,' Isabella answered soothingly. 'But they are apt to take any friendliness for encouragement.'

  'Then you had best be less friendly towards Sir Arnold!' Clare snapped pettishly. 'I understand he is wealthy, but mayhap you intend him for yourself?'

  'What? I! That has nought to do with it,' Isabella said, astonished, realising belatedly that Sir Arnold had shown little interest in her sister.

  'No? Then let us sleep. I am tired.'

  Clare turned over and merely grunted when Isabella began to wonder aloud at Sir Arnold's age and fortune, so Isabella was soon forced to keep her reflections to herself.

  *

  Chapter 4

  On the following day, after a leisurely breakfast, Lady Lyndon took the girls into the Park near St James's Palace for a stroll. Isabella took careful note of the fashionable dresses, and enquired eagerly of Lady Lyndon about the people they saw. Laughingly her aunt tried to satisfy her curiosity, and introduced her nieces to many of the fashionable people strolling about. They had just parted from one small group of friends and turned to stroll in the opposite direction when they saw striding towards them at a great pace, followed by a pair of spaniels and several men, the King himself.