Jane Ashford (22 page)

When the meal was over and the rest had gone back to dancing, Thalia took Mary aside. “Let us find a vacant sofa and have a good talk,” she said. “It seems so long since I saw you, though it has been only a few weeks.”

“I don’t want to keep you from dancing,” said Mary.

“Nonsense.” They went back into the ballroom and sat down. “Now, tell me how you are and how you like London,” Thalia went on. “Do you find the season exciting?”

Mary sighed. “I fear I find it more daunting. I can’t seem to get the knack of chatting with strangers.”

The older girl looked sympathetic. “But surely you know some people. Some of your friends must be coming out this year also. Euphie said she met you at, ah, the Warringtons’, was it?”

Mary blushed bright red.

“Euphie told me what occurred,” Thalia added quickly. “You needn’t worry about sparing me.”

“Agnes Crewe is horrid,” responded Mary.

“Undoubtedly. But do you know the Warringtons?”

Surprisingly, Mary’s flush deepened as she nodded. “Yes, our families have been acquainted forever.”

“So you know the children. There are a daughter and a son, I think.”

“Y-yes. And another boy still at school. Charlotte Warrington is my age. She is coming out this season. And… and Alan is two years older.”

She struggled so as she said this that Thalia was puzzled. “Don’t you like them?”

“Oh, yes! That is, Charlotte and I have always gotten along well, and… and…”

Thalia dimpled. “And you and Alan Warrington?”

Impossibly, Mary became redder still.

“Aha! I see.”

“I… I don’t know what you mean. I… of course, I have known Alan since we were children, but…”

“Indeed. I understand you.”

“You don’t. There is nothing… he doesn’t…”

“What is this, an old school gathering?” said a cool voice beside them. The two girls looked up to find Lady Agnes Crewe standing there. “How charming.”

“Hello, Lady Agnes,” said Thalia without enthusiasm. Mary murmured something unintelligible.

The blond eyed her measuringly. “I suppose you are very pleased with yourself. You have managed very well indeed. No doubt you’ll get what you want now.” She smiled thinly. “If you still want it, of course.”

“What I want?” Thalia had some idea what she meant, but she refused to understand.

“Well, Mrs. Elguard is telling everyone what friends you and her son are. The inference is obvious. But will a ‘competence’ look as tempting now, I wonder?”

Mary gasped audibly. “How… how dare…?”

Lady Agnes laughed. “Dare? You’d be surprised. We aren’t all quiet little mice, you know, Mary. Ask Alan.” And with this she turned and walked away.

“Alan,” echoed Mary automatically. She swallowed and stared at the floor.

Thalia looked at her. She was reluctant to speak, yet she wanted to find out more about this situation. “Does Lady Agnes know Alan Warrington, then?”

Mary laughed shortly. “Know him?” She laughed again, but she did not sound amused.

Thalia opened her mouth to speak, then shut it. She understood enough, and she could get more information without upsetting Mary further. But at that moment, she made a vow. If she could do anything for Mary in this case, she would. There was a short pause; then Thalia said, “May I meet your mother, Mary? You promised me an introduction, you know.”

The younger girl brightened at once. “Oh, yes. She would like it above all things. I have told her about you.” She rose. “Come.”

They walked across the floor toward a group of older ladies opposite. On the way, they passed Aggie and the Wellfleets taking a brief rest from the dancing. Thalia smiled and nodded.

“I can’t take it in,” said Anne Wellfleet. “How can you all be so beautiful and talented? It doesn’t seem fair.”

Aggie smiled. “I am not talented.”

“Nonsense. Of course you are. You are the most soothing person imaginable. Your talent is making people feel happy and at ease.”

Aggie looked a little surprised.

“Doesn’t she, Alex?” said Mrs. Wellfleet.

Her husband merely smiled.

“Darling Alex.” Anne turned back to the ballroom. “And there is your youngest sister dancing with Lord Cranleigh. She is quite charming, too. Very lively.”

Looking at Euphie, Aggie smiled and nodded.

Anne Wellfleet, watching her face, looked concerned. “How do you like London, Aggie? Is it all you hoped for?”

“Hoped for? Oh, yes, I suppose so.”

At an imperceptible signal from his wife, Alex Wellfleet excused himself to speak to a friend. When he was gone, Anne continued, “Of course, you didn’t hope for very much, did you? You didn’t want to come at first.”

Aggie looked at the floor and made an uneasy movement.

“But now that you are here”—Anne indicated the ballroom—“you are having a good time?”

The other followed her gesture, “Of course,” she replied.

There was a short pause; then Mrs. Wellfleet said, “We saw John Dudley just before we came to town. He is very involved with a new drainage project and talked of nothing else.”

“Really? He is, ah, very taken up with such things.” The tone of Aggie’s response was clearly unnatural, though she tried very hard to sound as usual.

“He always has been. But for some reason, I felt his heart was not in it this time.” Anne Wellfleet continued to watch her companion closely. She already knew what she thought, but she wanted a bit more confirmation before she did anything about it.

Aggie had nothing to say to this. And she could not entirely hide a look of distress.

With a small nod, the other woman changed the subject, and a bit later Aggie went off to dance once again. Anne Wellfleet remained where she was, looking after her, then turned to find her husband.

The sisters danced and talked with a host of new acquaintances, both male and female. Toward the end of the evening, they stood with a group of young people near the doorway, and laughter rang across the ballroom. A tall rangy blond girl approached them and stopped uncertainly beside Thalia. She looked acutely uncomfortable and seemed unable to summon the resolution to speak. Finally Thalia said, “Did you want me?”

The other girl nodded. “Yes. I beg your pardon, but my mother wishes to speak to you.” Seeing Thalia’s surprise, she added, “I am Amanda Elguard, you know.”

With this Thalia recognized her. This was the girl who had come in with James Elguard’s mother. She sighed.

Hearing this, Miss Elguard stiffened. “You needn’t, of course. I told her so.”

Thalia turned to look at her more closely. She couldn’t decide whether the other girl was embarrassed or angry. “No, I’ll come.” She followed Miss Elguard over to a sofa by the wall and sat down beside her mother. The daughter at once left them alone.

“How delightful this is,” began Mrs. Elguard. “Now we can have a proper chat. I haven’t been able to get near you all evening, too many eager young men.” She smiled.

Thalia looked at her with a mixture of puzzlement and amazement. She could not help thinking of the last time they had faced one another and how different that had been.

“I think I can promise that James will be among them next week,” the lady was continuing. “He was
very
disappointed when you left Bath so suddenly, you know.” She shook a finger at Thalia while the girl wondered at her effrontery.

“He may wish to attend to his studies,” she replied discouragingly.

“His studies? Oh, no!”

Thalia surveyed Mrs. Elguard. Her complete change of manner was too marked to go without comment. “I take it you no longer object to my friendship with your son?” she said.

“My dear Miss Hartington, I was just about to apologize for that terrible misunderstanding. I admit to allowing myself to be swayed by malicious gossip. I regret it immensely. I beg you will forgive me.”

Her simpering expression was almost more than Thalia could bear, but she was too polite to say what she really thought. “Of course,” she choked out.

“You are kind, but I knew you would be. And now we are all in London and shall see each other constantly, I do so hope that you and Amanda may become friends.”

Thalia swallowed. She turned to look about the room, then said, “Oh, I believe Lady Fanshawe is looking for me. You will excuse me, Mrs. Elguard?” And without waiting for an answer, she got up and escaped.

Soon after this, guests began to take their leave, as it was by now quite late. In half an hour, only the sisters and Lady Fanshawe remained in the ballroom.

“Well, my dears,” said the latter, “I am half-dead with fatigue, but what a triumph we have had!”

“It was great fun,” agreed Euphie, and her sisters nodded.

“And it was only the beginning, mark my words. But now, we must go to bed. Come along.”

Together, the four women walked out and up the stairs. As they separated, Lady Fanshawe repeated, “A positive triumph,” and the girls walked on, smiling at one another.

The following morning was pleasantly spent exchanging memories of the ball. The Hartington sisters gathered in the drawing room after breakfast for one of their customary talks, each telling whom she had met and what they had said. “How cozy this is,” exclaimed Euphie after a while. “Just like we used to do at home. I wondered, you know, if we should ever be together in this way again.” She sighed happily.

Thalia nodded. “Yes. I am very grateful to be here.”

“I should think so. That horrid school! And what are we to do about Lady Agnes Crewe?”

“Do about her?” Aggie turned puzzled eyes to her youngest sister. “What can you mean, Euphie?”

Euphie looked mischievous. “Well, you know, she has been so rude and awful, we must do something.”

“Nonsense. We shall simply ignore her. Shan’t we, Thalia?”

“I suppose we should, but let me tell you something else.” She explained her suspicions about Mary Deming. “I think she likes this Alan Warrington very much. And perhaps, who knows, he likes her too. But Lady Agnes is clearly interfering in the affair. Out of spite, I imagine.”

“She may like him also,” offered Aggie.

“So she may.” Thalia grimaced. “But I find I care very little whether she does or not.”

Euphie grinned. “So we shall cut out Lady Agnes and make sure that Mary Deming gets a chance at this Warrington. Splendid, Thalia!”

The two younger girls exchanged a glance of guilty glee.

“I don’t know,” answered Aggie slowly. “It doesn’t seem quite right to push in. I mean, Mr. Warrington may—”

“If he is so stupid as to prefer Lady Agnes to Mary Deming,” snapped Euphie, “then he
needs
our help. We cannot allow him to make such a mistake.”

Thalia smiled, but she added, “There is something in that, Aggie.”

The oldest girl looked from one to the other, a reluctant smile dawning on her lips. Finally, her deep blue eyes twinkled. “But how will you manage this miracle? From what you have told me, Mary Deming is almost too shy to speak to the man.”

Two pairs of sparkling green eyes met hers. “That is what we must see,” said Thalia. “We require a plan.”

“Ha,” said Euphie. “You will think of something first-rate.”

“I hope so. As yet, I have not done so.”

“You always do, Thalia.”

Her sister’s amusement at this complacent certainty was punctuated by the entrance of Lady Fanshawe. “Girls!” she exclaimed as she walked in. “Only look at this!” She held out a double handful of envelopes. “Already! Only the day after our ball.”

“What is it?” asked Euphie.

“
They
, my dear. They are invitations, of course. You have been asked to every important event of the season. And vouchers for Almack’s! By the very next mail. I told you it was a triumph.”

The sisters all laughed. “We owe it to you, Lady Fanshawe,” replied Thalia. “You arranged the whole.”

“I began it, yes. But you three carried it off. My arrangements would have been nothing without your efforts. And now, we shan’t be home one evening in ten, I suppose. Just look. A rout party, a Venetian breakfast, another ball, two musical evenings, a party for Vauxhall…”

“I don’t even know what most of those are!” wailed Euphie.

“You will, my dear. You will.”

Thalia cast a bright glance at her sister and said, “I hope you won’t be completely exhausted by all this, Lady Fanshawe. I know you don’t care to go out much.”

Euphie, who had told her sisters all about her former employer, looked sharply at her sister, then grinned.

“Nonsense,” answered the countess. She avoided their eyes, turning back toward the door and adding, “I must go and look through these to see which to accept. I merely wanted to show you.” And with this, she was gone again.

Euphie burst out laughing. “Wicked, Thalia! You shouldn’t tease her so. She has been so kind to us.”

“Of course she has. And I am immensely grateful. I didn’t mean anything by it. And she knew it, too.”

Euphie nodded. “I think she did. But it is exciting, is it not? All these invitations.”

“It is what you have always wished for.”

“I? What about you, Thalia, and Aggie, too? You cannot convince me that you have never longed for a little gaiety.”

Thalia smiled. “I shan’t try. I am quite pleased, for my part.”

“Aggie?”

The oldest Miss Hartington started visibly and looked up. “What?”

“You have been somewhere far away,” laughed Euphie. “I only asked if you are not pleased to be going out at last, after Aunt’s restrictions.”

“Oh. Oh, yes, of course. It is very pleasant.”

Her tone was so forced that Euphie stared, and Thalia watched her with real concern. There was a pause; then Thalia said, “What is it, Aggie? You have not been yourself since we came to London. Is there something wrong?”

“What could be wrong?”

“I don’t know. But I would like to help you. You know that.”

“I too, of course,” said Euphie.

“There is nothing wrong,” said Aggie firmly. “I don’t know why you say so. I suppose all this unaccustomed activity has rather tired me, that’s all.”

The younger sisters exchanged a glance. Thalia shook her head briefly, and after a moment turned the subject to some indifferent matter. But a resolve formed in that moment, and she determined to act upon it at the first opportunity.

At luncheon, Lady Fanshawe was full of plans. She had gone through the pile of invitations and chosen those she liked best. She now described the whirl of gaiety they represented to the sisters, while they smiled and shook their heads. She also enumerated the new gowns, slippers, gloves, and other wardrobe items they would need and suggested an immediate expedition to Bond Street.

“What about your rest?” asked Euphie.

“I am not the least tired,” retorted her ladyship. “I never sleep in any case, you know, I simply lie down and read a bit. But today there are more important things to do. We must order you all new ball gowns; it will take some time to make them.”

“But we just had new dresses for last night,” protested Thalia, who hated fittings.

“You cannot wear those again! What are you thinking of?”

Thalia begged pardon with a rueful smile, and it was agreed that they would go out after their meal. At that moment the dining room door swung open and Jenkins came in, followed by two of the footmen. All three bore as many bouquets as they could carry, and the sight was astonishing. “These began to arrive half an hour ago, my lady,” said the butler. “I have not had a moment to bring them in until now.” As he finished, there was a ring at the front door, and he sighed. “Excuse me.” Still carrying the flowers, he turned and went out. The footmen remained, rigid and uneasy.

Euphie burst out laughing. “What are they all for?”

“Why, for you, goose,” answered Lady Fanshawe. “And your sisters. The gentlemen you met last night are expressing their admiration.”

This was signal enough for a descent on the footmen. The sisters found the cards among the flowers and began to open and read them. After a moment, Jenkins returned with yet another bunch added to his load, and they investigated these as well.

“Twelve!” exclaimed the countess when they had been counted. “Wonderful. Though not in the least odd. I expected as much.”

“But I am the winner!” cried Euphie. “Six are mine, four are for Thalia, and Aggie has only two. You must try harder, Aggie.”

The oldest girl shrugged good-naturedly. “You are welcome to my share.”

“And mine,” agreed Thalia. “These roses are from Mr. Charles Dunne, whom I recall as one of the stupidest young men I have ever had the misfortune to encounter. He talked of horses all through our dance. And not particularly knowledgeably, either.”

“Well, I am pleased,” said Euphie. “You are just jealous.”

This teasing accusation brought her sisters down upon her with laughing denials, and before the uproar died away, Jenkins had returned with yet another bouquet. This one was not as large as some of the others, but it was by far the most beautiful, composed of white roses and carnations among sprigs of fern and dark leaves.

“Oh,” breathed Euphie, reaching for the card.

“Shall it be seven?” teased Thalia.

“No,” answered her sister in a queer voice. “This one is to all of us. It is from Lord Fanshawe.”

“Giles?” replied the countess. “How charming of him.”

Euphie nodded, though some of her gaiety seemed to have evaporated. She handed the card round so that the others might see the general congratulation written on it.

“Jenkins can put these in water,” said Lady Fanshawe then. “I don’t know where we will find room for them all. But we must go if we are to do any shopping today. Come, get your hats.” And the four ladies filed out of the room and up the stairs.

Their shopping was very gay, but it was also tiring, and Lady Fanshawe went straight to her room to rest when they returned. Euphie took her purchases to her bedchamber to look at them all again, and Aggie went to the breakfast room, to write letters, she said.

Thalia didn’t believe her. But as the excuse left her alone, she didn’t question it. Rather, as soon as everyone else had gone, she picked up her hat once more and went into the hall. Jenkins was still there, and she went up to him. “I understand one can hire carriages to take one through the city,” she said.

He looked surprised. “Yes, miss. But if you wish to go out, I can send round to the stables. Her ladyship’s barouche will hardly be—”

“No, no. I am going only a short distance, to visit the Wellfleets, who were here last night. So if you could find me…”

“A hackney, miss,” finished Jenkins.

Thalia nodded.

“I’ll send Tom out for one.” He summoned one of the footmen and did so. “But the barouche would be more suitable.”

“No. You see…” Thalia struggled to find a plausible explanation. “The Wellfleets and I are preparing a surprise for my sister; it is a secret between us. So I do not want everyone to know. In fact, Jenkins, I was going to ask you not to mention that I have gone out or where. Unless Lady Fanshawe should ask you, of course.”

Jenkins eyed her sternly, then relented. “Yes, miss. Unless her ladyship should ask.”

“Thank you.”

Tom returned with a hackney and helped Thalia into it. As she sat back in the vehicle, she wondered if she were doing the right thing. But the memory of Aggie’s uncharacteristic despondence made her shake her head. Something had to be done.

The Wellfleets’ townhouse was not far away, and Thalia was fortunate in finding them at home. She was taken up to the drawing room at once and greeted effusively by Anne Wellfleet.

“Miss Hartington! How lovely to see you. But, are you all alone?”

Thalia nodded. “I wanted to speak to you about something.”

At this, her husband rose. “I have some business to see to.”

Thalia looked uncomfortable, but his wife said, “Yes, dear, do run along.” Neither of them seemed the least put out, which made their visitor feel better. “Now,” continued Anne Wellfleet when the door had closed behind him, “let us sit down and be comfortable.”

They did so. There was a short awkward pause.

“I don’t know quite how to begin,” said Thalia then. “I’ve come to speak to you about a rather delicate matter, and I don’t know…”

“Perhaps I can help. Is it about Aggie?”

Thalia stared at her.

“Well, it was not so hard to guess.”

“You’ve seen, then, that she is not… oh, not herself. Since I first went home, I have noticed it. Something is wrong, but she won’t tell me what.”

Mrs. Wellfleet nodded. “I thought so too. I am glad to have your opinion on the matter. And I think I know the problem.”

Thalia leaned forward eagerly. “What is it? I do so long to help.”

The older woman nodded again and looked thoughtful. She seemed to be considering how best to frame her explanation. “Did Aggie mention a young man named John Dudley to you?” she asked finally.

“Certainly. We were all struck by the coincidence of their meeting. We knew him when we were very small, you know.”

“Yes. She said nothing else about him?”

“No. Only that they sometimes met at your house and that he was a pleasant man.” She smiled. “Greatly improved, in fact, since his grubby schoolboy days.”

Anne smiled back. “Indeed. Well, in my opinion, he is the problem.”

“John Dudley?”

“Yes. Aggie spent far more time with him than she told you. I was certain he was about to make her an offer, and she to accept him. And then, something happened. I don’t know what. And all was at an end. Aggie went away, and John will say nothing about it.” Her pretty lips pouted. “I tried to make him, but Alex said I mustn’t.”

Thalia sat back, pensive. “You think Aggie is in love with John Dudley?” The notion was so odd that she needed a moment to take it in.

“I do. And that there is some obstacle. The thing I can’t see is what. They seem perfect for one another.”

“Tell me all about him,” commanded Thalia.

Anne Wellfleet thought for a moment, then embarked on a description of John Dudley’s character. Thalia was surprised at the detail and depth. She had more or less dismissed Mrs. Wellfleet as a pretty widgeon, but she saw now that her understanding of people was significant.

“I see,” said Thalia when she finished. “And you think they were getting on very well? No quarrels or anything like that?”

“None.”

“Hmm. Let me think.” She went back over all she had been told, and tried to fit it with her observations of her sister. “You say you expected him to offer for Aggie on the night of your party?”

“Yes. His manner was unmistakable.”

“And then she got the letter from Mr. Gaines?”

“Yes.”

Thalia nodded. “I think I see. John Dudley sounds to me like the sort of man who would draw back from Aggie’s sudden wealth.”

“You mean if he had asked beforehand…”

“Then all would have been well. But he would not offer
after
she heard about the money, for fear of being thought a fortune hunter.”

Mrs. Wellfleet considered this. “It could be, though John seems too sensible for such ridiculous scruples.” She frowned. “I wonder if he also felt that Aggie should have a chance to try her riches. Perhaps he thought she would feel differently about things once she did.”