by Jenny Hambly
“No, thanks to Miss Edgcott’s quick thinking, he was not given the opportunity to do so. Now, what is it that I can do for you?”
“I was going to ask if you would take Miss Bantam in to supper, but I have already found her another escort. What trouble was it that Miss Edgcott averted?”
“I hate to disoblige you, Mama, but I do not intend to disclose that information to you. You are an angel, but you are not always in command of your tongue!” His words were softened with a smile.
Lady Brigham did not look at all angelic as indignation flashed through her eyes, but she was silenced by the arrival of Lady Bassington.
“Miles, I am quite parched and cannot see Charles anywhere. Stop putting your mama all on end and take me in to supper.”
“With pleasure,” he said, offering her his arm and joining the throng of people heading for the supper rooms. He grinned fondly down at her. “I imagine gossiping with your friends is thirsty work.”
She chuckled. “Rudesby! Very few of my friends are in Town and talking about a host of people you know nothing about is tedious, but I have been adequately entertained.”
“I am pleased to hear it, Aunt. Who entertained you?”
“You. I have been observing you closely; your interests are far nearer to my heart than anyone else’s here, after all, apart from Charles’ of course, but he is still too much of a flibbertigibbet to settle down yet.”
“And dare I ask what conclusions you have drawn from your observations, Aunt?”
“You terrified Lady Selena, but that is hardly surprising; she is a shy little mouse. She lives not far from us you know, at Sheringham Court. I did wonder if she might do for Adolphus, but Bassington pointed out that he would need someone with a bit more rumgumption about her, and I will admit that Caroline has more than her fair share of that.”
Miles laughed. “I told Mama that it was she who had driven you from the house. Has she been disturbing your peace by turning everything upside down?”
“Lord, yes,” Lady Bassington said without rancour. “But I’m quite happy for her to furbish things up a trifle if it keeps her occupied. But I will not be sidetracked, Miles. I could see you were amused by Miss Crabtree and she by you.”
“Do not get your hopes up, Aunt Frances; she is merely going through the motions and is determined to marry a country squire.”
“Perhaps it is just as well, for I do not think she would do for you; she is not nearly pretty enough to hold your interest. I noticed you chose Lady Barbara as your next partner. I will admit she is extremely pretty.”
“Surely you mean beautiful?”
“No, she falls short of beauty; even the most perfectly drawn face requires a spark of something to render it beautiful. Lady Somerton is most definitely a beauty. You were wondrous great with her; it is a pity she wouldn’t have you.”
He frowned. “Mama should not have told you.”
“Oh, do not blame Julia. I worried the bare bones of the story out of her but even then, she refused to give me the name of the young lady you abducted. But there is a lack of restraint between you two that hinted at shared adventures. I thought you did very well to tread upon Miss Edgcott’s gown, by the way; I did not like the look of her partner at all. I am glad you got rid of him. Now she has a very animated countenance.”
Miles laughed down at her. “Aunt, how on earth have you been able to observe me so closely in such a crowded room?”
Lady Bassington patted her reticule. “Forward planning, Miles. I have my opera glasses with me and chose a chair with a good view of the dance floor. Now, introduce me to Miss Edgcott; I noticed Charles enjoyed her company very much. She is just over there with Lady Somerton and some other sweet-faced chit. They make a pretty picture, don’t they?”
Miles glanced at the three dark heads that were crowded close together. “They seem to be enjoying a private conversation, Aunt.”
“Nonsense. You can’t have a private conversation at a ball.”
Chapter 8
Eleanor had had the good fortune to meet Lady Somerton and Lady Cranbourne at her first society party soon after she arrived in Town. Although they were a few years younger than her, they had hit if off immediately, which was not perhaps surprising for they were all enjoying the delights of London for the first time and had soon discovered that they shared a quick intellect and an irreverent sense of humour.
She had found neither of them to be tittle-tattles and so, when Marianne gently enquired as to the cause of the awkwardness between Eleanor and Lord Sandford, she leaned towards her friends and explained the situation to them in a hushed voice.
“I know him to be a dreadful flirt,” Georgianna said. “He tried to flirt with me when he first met me. I gave him short shrift, and then Cranbourne, who knows all about him, had a word in Somerton’s ear and he never came near me again.”
“I expect Lord Somerton warned him off; I do not think there are many men who would wish to get on the wrong side of your husband,” Eleanor said. “It is a pity that I cannot ask him to do the same for Diana, but I do not think it fair on Haverham for you to say anything about it to him.”
“I will not, of course, but it is a pity you have such scruples for I am sure he would do so if I asked him,” Georgianna said.
“Thank you, but it would not do, and I cannot say anything more to my cousin. I do not wish to upset all the progress that has been made between Frederick and Diana this evening.”
“There is no need for you to do so,” Marianne said. “I have a plan.”
Georgianna groaned. “Do not listen to her, Eleanor. Marianne’s plans nearly always go awry, especially if there is an animal involved. Thus far, a dog, a cat, and a fox have all got her into a scrape.”
Eleanor smiled. “Do tell.”
Marianne laughed. “Another time. I cannot imagine that any animals will be involved in this plan. We do not need a man to keep Lord Sandford away from Diana, Eleanor. All we need do is coordinate which events we shall be attending and between the three of us we should be able to keep him away from her.”
“It might well work,” Eleanor said slowly. “Three pairs of eyes are certainly better than one. We will make him very angry between the three of us, however.”
“Pooh!” Marianne said. “What can he do in a public place, after all? And it may well be that once Lord Sandford realises we are on your side, he will give up chasing Lady Haverham, for he will wish to upset Cranbourne as little as he would Somerton. My husband may not be as large as Somerton, but he is known to be an excellent practitioner of the art of boxing.”
“I see Lord Allerdale is bringing someone over to us,” Georgianna said quickly. “Let us meet in the park tomorrow to coordinate our calendars.”
“I cannot,” Eleanor said. “I have a prior engagement. Would you ask Diana? Then you can mention which events you are attending and suggest how pleasant it would be if she did also. She would like that; I think that she is beginning to realise that Lady Langton is not quite the friend she thought her.”
“Yes, of course,” Georgianna said. “And if you are not engaged tomorrow evening, perhaps you would both like to join us at the play. It is something by Milton and has been well received, I believe.”
“Thank you.”
All three ladies rose and made a little bow as Lady Bassington came up to them, their confidences at an end.
Once Lord Allerdale had introduced Lady Bassington, she waved him away.
“We will do very well without you, Miles.”
“Very well, Aunt. I shall go and procure some refreshments for you.”
“Good boy,” she said, lowering herself into the chair next to Eleanor. “Take your time; I believe I will not die of thirst in the next ten minutes or so.”
Miles’ smiling eyes swept over the small group. “Do not be fooled by my aunt’s sleepy exterior,” he said. “Nothing passes her by.”
“Do not worry, girls. I shall not try to wheedle out of you whatever it w
as you were all discussing.” Lady Bassington looked at Eleanor. “But if it was about Sandford, let me reassure you, Miss Edgcott, that you will not need to endure his company again this evening.”
Eleanor smiled. “No, I do not think he will seek me out again tonight.”
“Gave him a set-down did you? Good girl. He has a sort of sneering arrogance that I cannot like. It seems Miles did not like it either for he persuaded Sandford to leave whilst you were pinning up your gown.”
“Oh? How did he do that, ma’am?” Eleanor asked.
“I’m not perfectly sure,” Lady Bassington admitted, easing her opera glasses a short way out of her reticule. “These can only tell me so much and unfortunately I cannot lip read, but Sandford certainly said something to anger him.”
“Then I am not surprised Allerdale persuaded him to leave,” Georgianna said, a small smile playing about her lips. “He can be quite ruthless when his ire is roused.”
“You would know, of course.” Lady Bassington chuckled as Georgianna stiffened. “Do not worry, child, I may be nosy, but I am not a gossip.”
“I am becoming increasingly desirous of hearing what happened between you,” Eleanor said.
Lady Bassington looked surprised. “I apologise, Lady Somerton, it seems I am not such a knowing one as I had supposed. You all seemed on such friendly terms that I thought Miss Edgcott would know all.”
“I have not told her yet, ma’am, as I did not wish to prejudice her against Lord Allerdale. I did not think it fair for her to know his bad points before she had seen his good ones.”
“Very commendable of you,” Lady Bassington said. She raised a questioning eyebrow. “Have you discovered any good points, Miss Edgcott?”
“I have barely exchanged two words with Lord Allerdale, but the kind attentions he has shown you, ma’am, his friendship with Lady Somerton, and his timely intervention during my dance with Lord Sandford, not to mention his subsequent dealings with the man, have certainly done him no harm in my eyes.”
“Then you had best tell your tale, Lady Somerton, before he returns,” Lady Bassington said dryly. “I feel Miss Edgcott should know who she is dealing with.”
“But I am not dealing with him,” Eleanor pointed out. “And I am certainly not on the catch for him or anyone else.”
“As you have already turned down Ormsley, who I wouldn’t know from Adam but have heard is very eligible, I do not doubt you. Now, do you wish to know Lady Somerton’s story or not?”
And so Eleanor learned the story of Lord Allerdale’s gambling debt of the summer before and his father’s insistence that he marry and settle down almost immediately. Her eyes widened as she heard of a spurned offer of marriage, an abduction, and a trip to the border. A look of deep appreciation came into them as she discovered how Georgianna had escaped from a locked room, was pursued, and finally delivered safely back to Brigham by a sheepish Lord Allerdale.
“I do not think he would have done it,” Georgianna said, “if the gentleman who had cheated at cards had not sent a letter to his mother, hinting at Allerdale’s imminent loss of face and honour and suggesting she take a hand in the affair. That enraged him; he does not like to see his mama upset and feared she might sell an heirloom or fall into some sort of scrape trying to extract him from his. And I fanned the flames of his temper by the scathing way I spoke to and of him.”
Lady Bassington, who had been much entertained by the full story of Miles’ failed abduction, looked at Georgianna approvingly, before regarding Eleanor intently.
“You do not seem very shocked, Miss Edgcott, although you have listened to a tale that would not appear out of place within the pages of a novel!”
“I am not easily shocked, ma’am,” Eleanor said with a smile. “And Lady Somerton told her story with a dry amusement which somehow robbed it of its serious nature, and there was a happy ending, after all. Does Lord Allerdale frequently lose his temper?”
“He has never done so when he has been under my roof,” Lady Bassington said. “But he is very protective of his family and particular friends. And then, you know, gentlemen often behave in very odd ways when they are in their cups. Charles told me once that there is no one better to have in your corner if you are in a tight spot. I believe Miles has saved his bacon on more than one occasion when they have been on a spree.”
“It is what Cranbourne told me when I asked him about Lord Allerdale,” Marianne said. “Although he would not explain to me what situation he was in that made him need his help. I expect it was something quite disreputable for I believe my husband was not a pattern card of respectability before he met me.”
“In my experience, gentlemen who have always been a pattern card of respectability are dead bores,” Lady Bassington said. She sighed. “My son, Adolphus, is a prime example. I’m very fond of him, but there’s no getting away from it; he is undoubtedly a slow-top.”
“At least he can never have caused you a moment’s anxiety,” Eleanor said, amused.
Lady Bassington laughed. “Oh, none of my brood do that. Charles is the only one who might do so, I suppose, but he seems to lead a charmed life. He’s been in so many battles I’ve lost count, but he always seems to come out of them with only the most trifling of injuries.”
Lord Allerdale, Lord Somerton, and Lord Cranbourne just then came up to them, laden down with refreshments. Once Lord Allerdale had put the glass and plate he held onto the table, he offered his arm to Eleanor.
“Lord and Lady Haverham wish you to join them, Miss Edgcott. Allow me to take you to them.”
“Of course,” she said, rising quickly to her feet, her wide smile dawning as she looked down at Lady Bassington. “I have enjoyed your company, ma’am.”
“The pleasure was all mine, child,” that lady said, taking Eleanor’s free hand for a moment and pressing it lightly.
“Has my aunt been routing out all your secrets, Miss Edgcott? I do not know how she does it, but she has a way of extracting information from a person without them really being aware that she is doing it, if she can rouse herself enough to do so. She is very like my father in that respect.”
Eleanor looked up at him and wished she hadn’t. His lopsided smile made her catch her breath, but she paused only for a moment before saying, “What secrets could I possibly have, sir?”
“I have no idea, Miss Edgcott, but you have led such an interesting life that I am sure you must have some.” He grinned wickedly at her. “Save the next dance for me and I will try to discover them.”
His flirtatious smile countered the effects of his more natural one, and Eleanor found herself able to reply with perfect calm. “I will certainly dance with you, sir. I am very grateful to you for coming to my rescue earlier but do not hope to discover anything shocking or you will be disappointed.”
“Eleanor,” Diana said, coming towards them. “I really do not wish to curtail your pleasure, but would you mind very much if we left after supper? I find myself a little tired.”
Eleanor felt a little disappointed at these words but saw that Diana was indeed looking pale.
“As you wish.” She glanced at Lord Allerdale. “I am sorry, sir, but our dance will have to wait.”
“Until next time, then,” he said, bowing. “I hope you are not sickening for something, Lady Haverham.”
“I am sure I am not,” Diana said, smiling prettily at him. “Please thank your mama for a splendid evening.”
It was only a short carriage ride to South Audley Street and as they entered the house, Diana begged Eleanor to come to her room before she retired for the evening.
Lord Haverham cleared his throat. “I thought I might pay you a visit, dear. That is, if you are not too tired.”
Diana blushed. “Oh, yes, of course, please do. You wish to discuss the ball, no doubt. I will not keep Eleanor very many minutes.”
Diana dismissed her maid and clasped Eleanor’s hands. “Dearest cousin, thank you.”
“Whatever for?” Eleanor said. “
I did not mind leaving early. I could see you were a little fagged.”
Diana embraced her. “You are always so kind, so thoughtful. But it is not that, or at least not just that. I meant for saving me from Sandford. I have been such a fool. I had not realised quite how much Frederick cared, you see, but tonight he said such pretty things to me. He even said that he was pleased I had not yet produced an heir, for he was not yet ready to share me with anyone else, not even another child.” She gave a tinkle of laughter. “He admitted that he was a little jealous every time I danced with another man. Do you think that is why he does not often accompany us to balls?”
“Perhaps it is,” Eleanor said, silently congratulating her cousin on his address. “I hope your dance with Lord Carteret was not too unpleasant?”
“Although I did not think it at the time, I am even grateful to you for that. It was a little difficult, at first, but I felt so grateful to him for not humiliating me by claiming that you were mistaken or some such thing, that I thanked him and said I was sorry that he had been put in so awkward a position. I explained that you were only trying to protect me from Lord Sandford.”
“And how did he respond?”
Diana coloured. “He looked surprised and asked if I wished to be protected from the marquess. I think he may have seen that unfortunate event at Lady Battledon’s ball, in fact, I know he did, for he told me. He looked so cold and haughty that I almost ran from the floor, but he saw my distress and then suddenly smiled so sweetly at me, in the way he used to, that I managed to gather myself. I ended by telling him all and how shocked I had been, for I was, you know, and he said he quite understood, and I must not fear he would breathe a word about it.”
“How very gentlemanly of him,” Eleanor said. “Perhaps you will both go on more comfortably now. You may expect a note from Lady Cranbourne or Lady Somerton tomorrow. I believe they are to invite you to go for a walk or a drive in the park.”
“Me?” Diana said surprised. “But they are your friends.”
“Yes, but I have agreed to go for a drive with Mr Pavlov tomorrow. I met him at the Countess Lieven’s salon, and they said they would invite you in my place.”