by Alec, Joyce
Miss Addington, who had remained entirely silent thus far, now glanced up at him. Her face was very red, and there was something in her eyes that seemed to speak of embarrassment. Percy felt his heart soften just a little, realizing that this was all Lady Preston’s doing and, for whatever reason, she was bringing a great deal of trouble, not only for him but also for her daughter.
“I thank you,” she murmured, handing him her dance card. Her gaze dropped to the floor and she stood quietly as he quickly looked over her card. There were three dances remaining and he put his name down for one, making certain not to claim the supper dance. He did not want Lady Preston to have any particular impression of his interest in her daughter. “There,” he murmured, handing it back to her. “I hope that has contented you, Lady Preston.”
Lady Preston lifted her chin and turned her head away, looking at Lady Frederica.
“I am sure that both Lady Frederica and my daughter are both a little put out by your lack of awareness, Lord Wetherby,” she stated, before linking arms with her daughter and practically dragging her from Percy’s side. Percy was left standing alone, staring into the faces of Lady Frederica and the duchess, both of whom appeared uncertain as to where they ought to look. Much to Percy’s disappointment, Lady Frederica did not immediately denounce Lady Preston’s final remark and once more, Percy felt a great weight settle over him as he looked back at them both. Evidently, despite his very best efforts, he had convinced Lady Frederica that he was not a gentleman of good character. First, he had appeared entirely foxed when he came to demand a dance from her, then he awoke to find himself in her uncle’s townhouse, and now, to her mind, it seemed as though he had chosen to dance with her and then given his word to another. More than a little frustrated, Percy bowed his head and chose to take his leave.
“I do hope that you enjoy the rest of your evening,” he said, thinking that there was nothing more for him to say that might improve his standing with them. “Do excuse me.”
“But of course, Lord Wetherby,” the duchess murmured as Lady Frederica said nothing, choosing only to incline her head. “Good evening.”
7
“I did think that Lord Greenford was very attentive to you last evening.”
Frederica chuckled as her uncle lifted an eyebrow at his wife’s remark.
“You will be glad to hear, Uncle, that I have no inclination toward Lord Greenford,” she said as the duke let out what appeared to be a long breath of relief. “He is attentive, yes, but I believe he is so with many other ladies also.”
The duke nodded his head and picked up his cup of tea. “That is quite so,” he agreed, throwing a look at his wife, who only laughed. “And yes, I confess that I should not be particularly pleased if Lord Greenford was the one you considered, Frederica. As kind as he is, he is not at all inclined toward business matters, from what I have heard.”
“I have heard that he spends a good deal on his clothes,” Frederica replied with a grin. “More than some of the ladies.”
“That would not surprise me,” the duchess replied with a smile of her own. “Might I ask if there are any gentlemen who have caught your attention as yet?”
Frederica shook her head, ignoring the fact that she was, for whatever reason, continually thinking of Lord Wetherby. She had done very well for a day or so in making certain not to think of him, but since then, had struggled terribly to remove all thoughts of him from her mind. Given the strange nature of what had occurred last evening, those thoughts had lingered all the more.
“There is Lord Blakely,” she said after a moment. “I do not know him particularly well, but he certainly appeared to be eager for my company.”
“Lord Blakely?” the duchess mused, only for her expression to clear. “Ah, yes, I recall him. He was very tall, was he not?”
Frederica smiled. “Yes, he was rather,” she agreed, laughing quietly to herself as she recalled just how she had found dancing with him to be a little difficult. “Although he did express his regret that he was so very tall compared to me and that our dance was a little more…trying than it might have been.” She picked up her teacup and took a sip, thinking quietly to herself about just how much she had enjoyed both her dance and her conversation with Lord Blakely. “He did ask if he might call upon me at one time and I agreed without hesitation, certainly.”
The duchess’ brow lifted. “Indeed?”
“I do not think that he will do so anytime soon,” Frederica replied hastily. “It was meant as a kind remark, I think, that is all.”
The duke chuckled and made to say something, only for a knock at the door to interrupt him. Calling for the butler or footman to enter, Frederica watched in surprise as a footman appeared with a bouquet of flowers.
This was not a remarkable or surprising thing, however, given that she had received a few gifts such as these after balls or soirees and indeed, three had arrived already. She had not expected another, however. It was almost time for afternoon calls.
“My lady.”
The footman set down the bouquet beside her and handed her the card that had come with it.
“Goodness, that is a very lavish one,” the duchess commented as Frederica opened the card. “Someone must think very highly of your company, Frederica.”
“Why should they not?” the duke asked, a teasing grin on his face. “Who has sent it, Frederica?”
Frederica read the note quickly, finding herself a little surprised at the name there. “It is Lord Blakely,” she replied, her brow knotting together as she saw the duke and duchess exchange a glance. “He hopes to call this afternoon.”
“Just as he said,” the duchess remarked, a knowing look in her eye. “It seems that Lord Blakely wishes very much to continue his acquaintance with you, Frederica. That bouquet states it.”
“It is just as well that I will be glad to further my acquaintance with him, then,” Frederica replied, knowing that there was no reason to be coy with her aunt. “I do not know him particularly well, as I have said, and this shall be a good opportunity to further our acquaintance.”
The duke nodded, his smile no longer teasing. “That is wise, Frederica,” he agreed, reaching to pour himself more tea. “Take your time when it comes to the gentlemen of the ton. I will not be likely to simply accept the very first gentleman that shows an interest in you, my dear, simply because he wishes to.”
“Nor I,” Frederica laughed, gently touching one of the roses, already able to smell the scent that came from them. “I assure you, I shall be considerate and careful in all these matters, Uncle.” Her smile softened. “Just as you were when it came to Louisa.”
* * *
Frederica could not hide the frisson of excitement that ran through her as she sat expectantly, waiting for Lord Blakely’s arrival. She had not thought more highly of him than other acquaintances she had made the previous evening. However, now that he had sent such a beautiful bouquet and had expressed such an eagerness in coming to call upon her, Frederica wondered if there was a genuine interest in her from him. That was, of course, much too difficult for her to know for certain but it did make her feel a little more interested in his arrival.
She had already had visits from three other gentlemen and, thereafter, one Miss Brownly and her mother, Lady Salford. Surely Lord Blakely would arrive soon, else the afternoon would be over.
A knock at the door announced the next of their afternoon callers and Frederica sat up quickly, calling the butler to enter before the duchess could say another word. The butler did as he was asked and handed the duchess a card, which the duchess took, read, and then handed to Frederica.
Her heart lifted, only to fall once more as she read the name on the card.
“Lady Preston?” she queried, looking at the duchess, who nodded. “And her daughter, I presume.”
“Miss Addington,” the butler intoned. “Shall I send them in, Your Grace?”
There was no reason for the duchess to refuse and so, with another quick look
toward Frederica, she nodded.
“How very strange,” the duchess said quickly as the butler quit the room. “I am not well acquainted with either of the ladies and our conversation last evening was not exactly friendly.”
“No, indeed,” Frederica replied, a little confused. “In fact, I do not think that Lady Preston spoke even a word to you, Louisa. She was much more inclined toward throwing angry words toward Lord Wetherby.”
The duchess frowned. “A strange circumstance,” she murmured, just as the door opened, and both she and Frederica rose to their feet, ready to greet their guests. Lady Preston and Miss Addington walked in one after the other, and Frederica was struck by just how different in appearance they were from last evening. Instead of the angry expression that had clouded Lady Preston’s face, she was now smiling gently, the hard lines on her forehead now smoothed. Miss Addington, who had appeared nervous and upset, appeared almost serene as she curtsied, standing tall and with an uplifted face rather than lowering her head as she had done yesterday.
“Good afternoon, Lady Preston, Miss Addington,” the duchess said, and Frederica murmured a greeting also. “Thank you for calling upon us.”
“But of course, Your Grace,” Lady Preston replied, her voice thick as honey. “After our conversation last evening, I thought it best to come to speak to you again this afternoon. After all, there was so much that was not said yesterday that I should very much like the opportunity to clarify.”
The duchess glanced at Frederica, who rang the bell quickly for tea, before gesturing for their visitors to sit down. She had no idea what Lady Preston had meant by what she had said but, nevertheless, it appeared that they were going to soon discover it.
“Last evening was a most enjoyable one, I thought,” the duchess began as Frederica took her seat. “Did you have a pleasant time, Miss Addington?”
The young lady started gently, as though she had not been expecting to be spoken to directly.
“Yes—yes, of course,” she said quickly as Lady Preston smiled gratifyingly. “It was an excellent evening.”
“And did you dance often?” Frederica asked, wondering if this was to do with Lord Wetherby and the situation that Lady Preston seemed to have taken upon herself to create. “I think I danced almost every dance and was rather fatigued by the end.”
Miss Addington’s smile was so brief that had Frederica blinked, she would have missed it entirely.
“I danced some, yes,” she replied, her voice a little thin. “Not as much as I should have liked, however.”
“Well, it is only the very beginning of the Season,” Frederica replied cheerfully. “I am certain that we shall both be heartily sick of balls come the end of the summer.” She laughed, as did the duchess, but Miss Addington barely smiled whilst Lady Preston looked at Frederica as though she were the most ridiculous creature in all of the world. Frederica’s laughter died away, the sound fading and making her feel a little embarrassed as she looked toward the duchess, not certain what she ought to say next.
Thankfully, the maid arrived with the tea and refreshments, meaning that Frederica herself had a responsibility now to pour the tea and make certain that their guests were taken care of. The duchess quickly picked up the conversation, talking about the ball that she and the duke intended to host in a few weeks’ time and making Lady Preston’s eyes round with excitement and anticipation.
“We must hope that there will not be a repeat of Lord Wetherby’s behavior then, must we not?” Lady Preston asked, clearly now warming to the subject that she had come to speak about. “I must apologize profusely, Lady Frederica, for the way in which it all came about. There was some misunderstanding, certainly, but I am sure it was not on the part of my dear daughter.”
Frederica put a small smile on her face and picked up her teacup. “There is no requirement for any apology, Lady Preston,” she replied, finding the entire conversation a little bizarre. “There was no harm done.”
Lady Preston’s expression darkened, as though the sun had just been covered by a thick, grey cloud. “I am afraid there was, Lady Frederica,” she said, her voice now holding some anger. “My poor Tabitha was left standing alone, having expected Lord Wetherby to attend her, only to see him dancing with you.”
Feeling a little attacked, as though Lady Preston held her entirely to blame for the matter, Frederica set down her teacup gently. “As I have said, Lady Preston, there is no need for any apology in this,” she stated, as calmly as she could. “I do hope that your dance with Lord Wetherby was quite perfect, Miss Addington,” she finished, smiling at the young lady.
“Yes,” Miss Addington said, just as her mother drew in a deep breath, her shoulders lifting as though she intended to explode with whatever it was that frustrated her so. “It was most satisfactory.”
“But his behavior was not!” Lady Preston exclaimed, making Frederica look at the duchess, seeing how her brow was furrowed in much the same way as Frederica’s was. “I do hope, Lady Frederica, that you do not intend to continue developing an acquaintance with that particular gentleman. He is not at all the sort of gentleman I think any young lady ought to consider.”
Frederica hesitated, wanting to tell Lady Preston that she did not think that such a matter should be of any importance to her, but chose to remain silent rather than speak, thinking that to do so might only infuriate Lady Preston all the more.
“Lady Frederica is always careful when it comes to her acquaintances, I assure you,” the duchess said softly, finally garnering Lady Preston’s attention. “However, in matters such as this, I think that there was nothing more than a momentary confusion and therefore, we do not think poorly of Lord Wetherby.”
Lady Preston put one hand to her heart. “You mean to say that you do not think his action deliberate?”
“Deliberate?” Frederica repeated, all the more astonished and unable to keep her surprise to herself. “No, indeed not, Lady Preston. Why ever should he do such a thing?”
It seemed that Lady Preston could not answer Frederica’s question, for try as she might, she could not give any response to her. Her mouth opened and closed, she looked toward Frederica and then away from her, and still, no answer was given.
“Now, do tell me, Miss Addington,” the duchess continued quickly, changing the subject from Lord Wetherby to something entirely innocuous. “Are you to attend anything of interest this evening? A dinner party, mayhap?”
Miss Addington, whose cheeks had faded to a dull pink, turned to the duchess with what Frederica presumed was an attempt at a smile. As she spoke about the small soiree she hoped to attend, Frederica could not help but glance at Lady Preston. The lady was now a little hunched as she sat, her hand holding her teacup and her shoulders pulled forward. Her eyes were fixed to the table before her, her lips thin and her eyebrows low over her eyes. She appeared to be muttering to herself, as though the conclusion that Frederica and the duchess had come to was not at all satisfactory.
Why should she wish to keep me from Lord Wetherby? Frederica asked herself, sipping the last of her tea and praying silently that the visit would soon be over. Why should she wish me to think so poorly of him?
There came no easy answer and Frederica was forced back into the conversation, smiling at Miss Addington warmly in the hope that the poor creature would not feel as though she herself was being badly thought of. Thankfully, after some more minutes, Lady Preston rose to her feet and made to take their leave, thanking the duchess graciously—just as a knock came at the door.
“Do excuse me,” the duchess murmured, calling the butler to enter. He came in with another card held in his hand, which he handed to the duchess at once. Frederica did not miss how Lady Preston’s eyes followed the card, noting that the lady was overly interested in all their goings-on.
“It is our next caller,” the duchess smiled, looking up from the card and handing it to Frederica. “Thank you both for calling and please do so again.”
Lady Preston did not move. �
��I do hope we have not intruded on your time and that your next…visitor—” she looked pointedly at the card in Frederica’s hand, “has not been waiting long.”
“Lord Blakely has only just arrived,” Frederica replied quickly, growing all the more irritated with Lady Preston and choosing to speak his name aloud in the hope that this would hurry the lady’s departure along. “I do hope to see you again, Miss Addington.”
Miss Addington, however, had gone a very pale shade. Her eyes were fixed to the card in Frederica’s hand, her lips a slash of red against the greyness of her cheeks. Frederica found herself rather startled by the change in the young lady’s appearance, wanting to ask her whether or not she needed to sit down again.
But then, Lady Preston turned about and took her daughter’s arm, pulling her along toward the door. Miss Addington stumbled once but Lady Preston held on doggedly, making Frederica all the more concerned for the lady’s welfare.
“Good afternoon,” Lady Preston cried as the door was opened for her. “And thank you again for your hospitality.”
With the door closed behind them, Frederica turned to the duchess and stared at her in confusion, blowing out her breath in exasperation. “Whatever was that?” she asked as the duchess laughed and shook her head. “Most extraordinary.”
“Quite ridiculous also,” came the reply. “To think that she can come to speak to you and practically demand that you leave Lord Wetherby’s company?” She shook her head as Frederica laughed. “Foolish and foolhardy.”
“I do wonder at her vehemence,” Frederica replied, sitting back down even though she knew she would have to get up again in a moment. “It was very odd. I know that she appeared to be most upset with Lord Wetherby, but I am certain that he could not have agreed to dance with me and then gone on to make the very same arrangement with Miss Addington.”
“Indeed,” the duchess replied, smoothing down her skirts just as there came another knock at the door. “I do not think that such a visit will be repeated again, however. Now, do smile and get to your feet. Lord Blakely has arrived.”