Tempting Sarah

by Gayle Buck

  Lady Frobisher also laughed. “Oh, I understand perfectly now! It is a case of too many suitors. Or perhaps, one who is not so well-favored?”

  “That’s it precisely. How glad I am to see you, my lady,” said Sarah.

  “Indeed, we always enjoy your visits,” said Lady Alverley, also shaking hands with their visitor. She glanced behind Lady Frobisher. “Er--you did not bring your delightful children with you today, my lady?”

  Lady Frobisher’s eyes twinkled. “No, my lady.”

  “What a pity. Pray sit down. Lady Frobisher,” said Lady Alverley.

  Lady Frobisher sat down. “Thank you. Lady Alverley. The truth of the matter is that I have stopped by for just a moment. I was on my way home when it occurred to me to inquire whether any of you would be interested in a small outing late this afternoon. There is a lovely exhibition of watercolors being shown at those splendid showrooms in York Street. Please understand that I have not gathered a large party, for this is quite an impromptu. It will be only Lord Frobisher and myself, my brother, and perhaps one or two others.”

  “It sounds quite delightful, my lady. However, I usually lie down to rest in the afternoons and so I shall decline. But certainly Sarah and Margaret may go if they so desire,” said Lady Alverley.

  “I should very much like to accompany you, my lady. I have heard of the exhibition and had hoped to be able to see it,” said Sarah.

  “Wonderful! And you, Margaret? Will you accompany us, too?” asked Lady Frobisher, turning to the younger lady.

  Margaret shook her head, a smile touching her lips. “Do pray excuse me, my lady! I had already made plans to go shopping with some of my particular friends.”

  Sarah glanced at her sister, a little surprised. It was the first time she had heard that Margaret was going out. But then, Margaret often traipsed off with Penelope Lawrence and Barbara Darton, so really it was not so unusual. She supposed that Margaret simply had forgotten to mention it to her.

  An amusing thought suddenly occurred to Sarah. She knew that Margaret was not keen on such outings as Lady Frobisher had proposed. Margaret preferred to participate in more active amusements. Perhaps this shopping trip was but the inspiration of the moment to free her from the obligation.

  Lady Alverley directed a penetrating, thoughtful glance in Margaret’s direction. “You will naturally take your maid with you, Margaret.”

  “Yes, Grandmama.”

  “I am sorry that you are unable to join us, Margaret, but I perfectly understand. As I said, this is quite an impromptu party. Miss Hanson, I would be delighted to take you up in my carriage as well,” said Lady Frobisher.

  “I appreciate your thoughtfulness, my lady. However, I believe that I should remain here and finish some correspondence this afternoon,” said Miss Hanson.

  Lady Frobisher nodded. She smiled at Sarah. “I shall return for you in about a half hour, if that is acceptable.”

  “Perfectly acceptable, my lady. I am looking forward to it,” said Sarah.

  Lady Frobisher started to her feet. “I must be going now. No, pray do not get up, Lady Alverley! I know my way out, I assure you.” She gracefully took her leave.

  Lady Alverley looked over at her eldest granddaughter. Her expression was almost derisive. “A high treat indeed, Sarah!”

  “Yes, I shall enjoy the exhibition,” said Sarah, flashing a smile. “I used to watercolor often and I miss my paints.”

  “Well, I am glad that I have something else to do. I cannot imagine anything duller than walking about looking at a great lot of watercolors,” declared Margaret.

  “Perhaps that is true, Margaret, but Sarah will also be enjoying Lord Eustace’s company,” said Lady Alverley. She turned again to Sarah. “I am certain that you will make the most of your opportunity, my dear. Now kiss me and run upstairs, for I know that you will wish to change into a more appropriate gown.”

  “Yes, Grandmama,” said Sarah, obediently kissing her grandmother’s cheek.

  “I am going upstairs also, Grandmama. I must tell Holby that she is to accompany me,” said Margaret. She bent to kiss her grandmother. There was bright laughter in her eyes. “Then I must send a note round to Penelope and Barbara to inform them that they are to go shopping with me!”

  “Minx,” said Lady Alverley indulgently.

  Margaret had already left the town house before Sarah returned downstairs to the drawing room. Sarah had attired herself in one of her new walking dresses, a pale lemon gown that complimented her coloring. The upstanding bonnet charmingly framed her face and was tied with matching ribbons under her chin. A deep-fringed paisley shawl was arranged over her elbows. Soft kid gloves and a knitted reticule completed her outfit.

  Sarah did not have long to wait before Lady Frobisher arrived. The ladies greeted one another and then went out to the carriage. Sarah held out her hand to Lord Frobisher with easy friendliness, having discovered in weeks past that she was comfortable in his lordship’s company.

  Sarah turned then to Lord Eustace and smiled as she gave her hand to him. “Lord Eustace, I was glad to hear that you were making one of this party. Do you like watercolors, then?”

  “Yes, I do, Miss Sommers. Does that surprise you?” he said, glinting a smile at her.

  Sarah thought that he looked every inch the gentleman. There was nothing pretentious or dandified about his lordship’s dress. His well-cut blue coat perfectly fit his broad shoulders and was open to reveal a silk waistcoat and frilled shirt. The biscuit-colored pantaloons that he favored were smoothed into glossy top boots.

  Sarah laughed. “I have ceased being surprised by what anyone in London likes or dislikes, my lord! In all honesty, I leaped at the chance to see this exhibition, for watercolors has always been a passion of mine.”

  “Then I am certain that you will enjoy this outing,” said Lord Eustace. He handed her up into the carriage.

  There was another lady besides Lady Frobisher, a Miss Justin, whom Sarah had briefly met a number of times during the Season. Miss Justin was a cousin of Lord Frobisher’s. She had recently accepted an offer and was going to be wed in June.

  Sarah and Miss Justin greeted one another civilly. “I have not previously had the opportunity to offer my good wishes on your approaching marriage,” said Sarah.

  “Thank you, Miss Sommers. I am very happy, indeed,” said Miss Justin, a blush of attractive color coming into her face

  Lady Frobisher entered the carriage after her guest and gaily told her driver that they were ready. The two gentlemen rode behind the carriage.

  The exhibition was located only a short distance away and was quickly reached. The ladies were handed down from the carriage and the gentlemen escorted them inside. Lord Eustace gallantly offered an arm both to Sarah and to Miss Justin. However, in a very few minutes Lady Frobisher had called Miss Justin’s attention to a particularly lovely piece and effectively detained her while Lord Eustace and Sarah walked on.

  The watercolors were beautiful and Sarah enjoyed slowly walking past each of them, discussing the pictures with her companion. She was at first conscious that she and Lord Eustace had been skillfully paired by Lady Frobisher, but very soon her faint sense of embarrassment faded away. His lordship was a very agreeable companion. Sarah discovered that they had many similar tastes in art and politics. Their opinions on any number of subjects were substantially the same and when they did differ, it was without rancor.

  For virtually the first time since she had known him, Lord Eustace did not make mention of her sister. Sarah was therefore able to put out of her mind the fact that he had a preference for Margaret and simply enjoyed herself. It was a very rare afternoon.

  When it was time to return to the town house, Sarah was regretful. She did not think that she had ever enjoyed anything more than the opportunity to bask in Lord Eustace’s attentions. Of course, she knew that Lord Eustace, as a gentleman of honor, was bound to be considerate and polite and attentive. But just for a little while, Sarah pretended that
he had another, more personal motive. Just for the duration of the afternoon, she pretended that she was entertaining a suit from Lord Eustace.

  Sarah knew it was foolish. She knew that she was indulging in a dangerous fantasy. But just for a little while, she allowed herself to dream. Then when she walked up the steps and entered the town house, she let the dream slip away.

  But the memory of it was one that she meant to treasure for a very long time.

  * * *

  Chapter 14

  The weeks flew by. The dismal winter gray had entirely disappeared. Spring burst into bud with fluttering green leaves and sweet-smelling flowers. The red and brown chimney pots of London, once hidden by thick fog and weather, now contrasted sharply with the blue sky. Everywhere colors glowed in the sun and the shops gleamed. Ladies put off their velvet bonnets, preferring instead the large upstanding straw hats adorned with flowers and ribbons.

  Through the weeks it slowly dawned on Sarah that a vague discontent had begun to settle in Margaret’s expression. Sometimes her sister made odd little comments that also pointed to dissatisfaction. It surprised Sarah because her sister had always been of a sunny disposition. It was unlike her to fall into these bouts of moody reflection.

  When Sarah asked Margaret about it, her sister looked at her, her expression almost startled. Then Margaret laughed. “Why, nothing is wrong, Sarah. How could it be? We are so very busy and happy.”

  “I thought that perhaps you were not enjoying yourself as much as you did at first,” said Sarah.

  Margaret shook her head, a smile on her lips. There was a guarded look in her eyes. “Oh, I like it as much as I ever did, Sarah. It’s just that I get the headache from the oppressive heat at these routs. And I feel a bit tired some days.”

  Sarah accepted her sister’s explanation. She nodded. “It can be frightfully hot, can it not? I feel it myself.”

  Margaret shifted restlessly on the settee. “I only wish that I could go riding more often. I feel so stifled. We seem always to be indoors.”

  “Why do we not send a note around to Elizabeth this very moment?” asked Sarah. “I don’t believe that Grandmama will mind if we slip away for an hour or two. We are usually shopping at this time, in any event.”

  Margaret’s face lit up magically. “Oh, that would be lovely, Sarah!”

  Sarah sent round the note to the town house in Sloane Street, with the request of a reply. In short order, they received word that Mrs. Jeffries would be delighted to join them for a ride. Margaret bounced up from the settee with all of her old enthusiasm and dashed upstairs to change into her habit. Sarah followed more sedately, glad that she had been able to provide such a simple solution for her sister’s obvious bout of boredom. She paused only to leave word with the butler about their plans before she also retired to her bedroom to change.

  With a groom accompanying them, Sarah and Margaret rode over to Sloane Street. They did not need to dismount, for Mrs. Jeffries was obviously on the lookout for them. That lady came out of the front entrance, the hem of her riding habit thrown over one arm and her whip and gloves clutched in her hand. “I am very glad to see you!” she called. “My groom is bringing round the horses now. Henry was sitting with me when your note arrived and he has asked to be included as our escort. I hope that you do not mind?”

  Captain Jeffries stepped out behind his sister-in-law. “Pray do not hide your true feelings behind any false civilities, I beg you.”

  Sarah laughed. “You may join us with our goodwill, Captain Jeffries. Isn’t that right, Margaret?”

  “Oh, yes. Quite,” said Margaret, offering her hand to Captain Jeffries as he came up to them. Her vivid blue eyes were bright and her smile swift.

  “Thank you, Miss Margaret,” he said, smiling up at her and then at Sarah. “I was bored this afternoon. I now see how fortuitous it was that I decided to pay a visit to Elizabeth.”

  The groom brought up horses for Mrs. Jeffries and Captain Jeffries. They were swiftly mounted and the party started out. The park was reached and the riders turned into its gate, the two grooms coming sedately behind. At first they all rode abreast, but then as the bridle path narrowed, Mrs. Jeffries and Sarah dropped back and left Captain Jeffries and Margaret conversing with merry abandon.

  Mrs. Jeffries nodded toward her brother-in-law’s broad back. “I am exceedingly proud of Henry. He was telling me only a few minutes before your arrival that he is shortly to be promoted.”

  “That is wonderful news!” exclaimed Sarah.

  “Yes, it is. Henry is an up-and-coming officer. If this war continues, and he is fortunate to get through it unscathed, I have great hopes for his continued rise,” said Mrs. Jeffries. “Of course, Henry already possesses a comfortable living, so that is not really a major consideration. He could easily support a wife if he so chose.”

  “Has he expressed an interest in anyone of late?” asked Sarah, her gaze traveling to her sister. Margaret was turned in the saddle to look up into Captain Jeffries’s face and she was laughing at something he had said. Sarah had noticed that her sister seemed to enjoy being in the dashing cavalry officer’s company perhaps more than that of any of her other admirers.

  Mrs. Jeffries shook her head. “If Henry does have anyone in mind, he has not confided it to me, which makes me think that he has not given thought to any such thing. Henry and I are very close. I am confident that I would be the first to know.”

  “No doubt,” murmured Sarah, still regarding at her sister. She wondered what Margaret actually thought about the cavalry officer. Margaret had commented now and again about certain admirers, but she had never mentioned Captain Jeffries.

  Mrs. Jeffries noticed the direction of Sarah’s gaze. She laughed. “My dear Sarah! As though Margaret has ever entertained any such notion. Why, she is a babe yet! And Henry knows it. Believe me, he is too experienced not to recognize the signs of a schoolgirl crush and know, too, just how to gently set aside such inappropriate overtures. Has Margaret ever said anything to you about Henry or, indeed, any other gentleman?”

  Sarah’s brow creased slightly. “No, she has not. She has made an observation here and there about our admirers, but she has never appeared particularly attached to any of them. Though I do think that she harbors a hint of partiality for Captain Jeffries.”

  “Is it any wonder, Sarah? Henry is ambitious and strong and honorable, everything that his brother Ambrose is not,” said Mrs. Jeffries, with a sudden twist of her lips.

  “Ambrose?” asked Sarah, looking at her companion in inquiry.

  Mrs. Jeffries glanced quickly at her. “Surely you have met the scion of our house by now, Sarah, the Marquis of Yarwood?”

  Sarah was shocked and astonished. ‘The marquis is Captain Jeffries’s elder brother?”

  “Yes; and he was also the elder to my departed husband. A pretty gentleman, is he not?” asked Mrs. Jeffries, her nose wrinkling in distaste.

  “I own, I did not care overmuch for the marquis when we met,” said Sarah. She glanced again at the gentleman riding ahead of them. She found it difficult to associate Captain Jeffries with the heavily scented fop whom she had met so very briefly.

  “Ambrose is not well liked,” said Mrs. Jeffries. “He is a ridiculous poltroon.” There was an undercurrent of revulsion and bitterness in her voice. “When my husband was wasting away with his last lingering illness, Ambrose scarcely acknowledged our existence. He feared contagion. When I had exhausted all of our own resources, he refused my appeals and would not send monies to enable me to pay for the doctors.”

  Captain Jeffries gave a loud crack of laughter and Mrs. Jeffries smiled suddenly. With a warmer note in her voice, she said, “Dear Henry did what he could, of course. He was overseas, but still he managed to send funds to me whenever he could. I don’t know what I would have done without him.”

  “I can understand why you hold Captain Jeffries in such high esteem,” said Sarah quietly.

  Mrs. Jeffries gathered her reins and set spur
to the side of her horse. “As I said before, it is a pity that he was not the heir. Of course, Ambrose has not married and is not likely to, so one may hope, can’t one?” She started forward to catch up with the couple ahead of them. Sarah followed suit, very thoughtfully.

  * * * *

  That week, a stir was caused by the introduction of the waltz at Almack’s. The waltz had already become established on the Continent and certain sophisticates privately learned its steps. But none had yet dared to flaunt their skill in the new dance when Lord Palmerston and Madame de Lieven, one of the patronesses of Almack’s, took to the floor. Until Lord Palmerston and the haughty Russian countess seized the initiative, the waltz was considered to be too risqué for polite society. However, once the waltz had invaded the inner sanctums of Almack’s, it swiftly and inevitably became all the rage.

  Lady Alverley was scandalized. It was her ladyship’s opinion that the waltz was outrageous. “The gentlemen actually encircle their partners’ waists,” she exclaimed disapprovingly. “I cannot countenance it.”

  Mrs. Philby shook her finger at Lady Alverley. “Adelaide, you simply must give way. Your functions will soon be considered too insipid for words if you do not allow the orchestra to strike up a waltz or two during the course of the evening. And as for Sarah and Margaret—why, at least think of them! They will be left as wallflowers each time a waltz is played if you continue to forbid them to dance it.”

  Annette Lozanger had called in company with Mrs. Philby and she added her voice. She was a forthright personality who had no difficulty speaking what was on her mind. “You will not like to damage their chances with the gentlemen, Adelaide.”

  Lady Alverley frowned, rather annoyed by the unsolicited advice. But she prided herself on being an intelligent woman. As well as anyone, she knew how fickle was the favor of the society in which they lived. Reluctantly, she accepted the validity of her friends’ arguments. “Since it is obvious that the whole world has gone mad and embraced this—this scandalous dance, I suppose that I am forced to concede. Margaret has already appealed to me for lessons any number of times.”