Belle Of The Ball

by Joan Overfield

  Only by calling on her years of control was Belle able to hide her shock. "You and Mr. Flanders have discussed this?" she asked, wondering if she was already too late.

  "Only vaguely," Julia admitted artlessly. "The matter is much on his mind because of Colford's difficulties, but I assured him I didn't care for such things."

  "Colford is having financial difficulties?" Belle asked, seizing on the one item of interest to her.

  "Oh dear." Julia winced in chagrin. "I shouldn't have said anything. Toby swore me to secrecy."

  "You needn't think I will say anything," Belle assured her, startled by her reaction to the revelation. Last year . . . last week, and the news that Colford was in the suds would have her rubbing her hands in glee. Now she was aware of an unsettling emotion that was more than concern and less than pity.

  The assurance was all it took to loosen Julia's tongue as she revealed everything Toby had told her. "Well, it was none of Colford's doing, poor man," she said, leaning forward in a confiding manner. "His wastrel father squandered what blunt there was on the gaming tables and his ladybirds, and by the time his lordship came into the title, there was nothing left to inherit. Toby says he has been selling off his smaller properties for the last year or so, but it still isn't enough. That is why he is making a marriage of convenience."

  "Toby?"

  "Colford, silly! He has set his cap at the duke of Bingington's widow, and Toby says they are certain to marry by Season's end. He says he is praying it is so, otherwise he will be forced to throw himself on the matrimonial altar."

  Belle was too stunned to speak. She remembered her conversation with Miriam at Almack's, and her heart sank to think of her proud adversary lowered to such a point. "Are things truly so bleak?" she asked, studying Julia through worried eyes.

  "Worse," Julia continued eagerly. "Toby told me—in all confidence, mind—that Colford has had to sell off his stables, and that it is only by practicing the strictest economies they are to keep out of Dun territory."

  "I see," Belle said quietly, her mind going to her own fortune. If she thought he'd accept, she would offer to lend him the necessary sums, but she knew such an offer would mortally offend him. Still, there had to be something she could do, she thought, turning her agile mind to the problem.

  Seeing her cousin's dark expression, Julia gave a sudden cry. "Oh, no, Cousin!" she exclaimed, grasping Belle's hand. "It is nothing like that, I assure you!"

  "Nothing like what?" Belle responded, wondering if she could buy up the earl's vowels and then arrange an equitable manner of payment. It could be done, and if she was very discreet, it was doubtful he would ever know.

  "Toby holds me in the highest regard. He would never marry me for financial gain!"

  Belle blinked in confusion. "I never thought he would," she said, and was unsettled to find it was so. Considering what she had just learned, the possibility should have been uppermost in her mind.

  "I would never be so foolish as to allow myself to be used by a fortune hunter," Julia confessed with surprising heat. "Simon has been warning me against such creatures since I began putting up my hair, and if I even suspected Toby of harboring such aspirations, I should cut him dead in a heartbeat. But he is nothing like that, Belle, nothing."

  Gazing into those earnest blue eyes, Belle felt her heart melt with sympathy. "I am sure he is not, my dear," she said, praying it was so. "But . . ."

  "But what?"

  Belle hesitated, hating to cause her ward the smallest pain, but knowing it was also her duty to prepare her for the cruel realities of a greedy world that measured so much by the contents of one's pockets. "But I feel it is something you must consider," she said at last, her tone gentle. "You are a wealthy young woman, and care must be taken to protect you from those who would seek to use you. I would be remiss in my duties if I were to fail to warn you, and that is what I am doing."

  Julia's eyes filled with tears and she pushed herself back from the table. "You are wrong," she whispered, rising shakily to her feet. "Toby cares for me, not my money, and if it is the last thing I do, I shall prove it to you!"

  "Julia, I didn't mean—" Belle broke off as Julia fled from the room with a sob. She watched her go with a feeling of dismay. Now she knew how Lady Capulet felt, she decided, reaching up to rub her throbbing temples. She'd always regarded the haughty woman as the villainess of the piece, but now she felt a certain kinship with her. Children, she decided with a heavy sigh, were the very devil.

  Belle spent the afternoon going over account ledgers. Unlike most ladies of the ton, she believed in keeping a sharp eye on her money, not wishing to leave her independence to the honesty of others. And if truth were told, she enjoyed the challenge of deciphering her solicitors' scratchy handwriting.

  She was adding a column of figures detailing her charitable contributions when she suddenly sensed she was no longer alone. She glanced up, her eyes widening at the sight of the slender brunette standing in the doorway, regarding her with mischief-filled green eyes.

  "So this is how you conduct yourself when I am not here to keep an eye on you," the woman said, advancing toward her with a smile. "I might have known."

  "Phillipa!" Belle exclaimed, tossing her quill down as she rushed around the desk to meet her friend. "When did you get back into town?"

  "This morning," Phillipa, the viscountess St. Ives, said, returning Belle's embrace with a laugh. "Alex went rushing off on some mysterious errand, and so I thought I'd come over to see you. You look wonderful."

  "So do you," Belle replied, holding her friend's hands as she stepped back to study her. "Wedded life would seem to agree with you."

  Pip raised her eyes heavenward. "Not you, too," she grumbled as Belle led her to the settee set before the fireplace. "My aunt came to spend the holidays with us, and she had the nerve to say I glowed. Alex looked so pleased with himself, I was tempted to box his ears. Can you imagine?"

  Belle laughed at her friend's disgruntled expression. Lord, it was good to have Pip back, she thought, her spirits soaring with pleasure. "Indeed I can," she teased, ringing for tea. "Looking at you, I am reminded that only last year you were quoting your favorite axiom at me. 'Better the shroud than—' "

  " 'The veil.' " Pip concluded, wrinkling her nose. "I know. But I still say I had the right of it. Not every man is as remarkable as Alex."

  "So I have heard."

  "Smugness ill becomes you, Arabelle," Pip said, her tone haughty. "Now, tell me how the Season is progressing. How is Julia doing? Surrounded by a dozen beaus, I daresay."

  The maid appeared with the tea cart, and Belle waited until she'd closed the door behind her before answering. "Actually, Julia has several beaus, but there seems to be only one whose regard she returns." She paused for effect. "Tobias Flanders."

  Pip promptly choked on her sip of tea. "Toby Flanders?" she gasped, staring at Belle in disbelief. "You cannot be serious!"

  "Unfortunately I am." Belle sighed, staring down into the amber depths of her tea. "She adores the silly creature, and he seems to be equally infatuated."

  "Well, what do you intend doing about it?" Pip demanded, setting her cup aside with a scowl. "I can't imagine your wishing to have him as a member of your family!"

  "Heaven forbid," Belle said, "but for the moment Colford and I have decided it may be wisest to do nothing."

  "Colford?"

  Belle was hard-pressed not to laugh at Pip's expression. "You needn't look so horrified," she drawled, her golden-brown eyes sparkling with amusement "His lordship and I were able to come to an agreement without killing each other. Although I must admit 'twas a near thing," she added, remembering her fury at the high-handed way he had dragged her off last evening.

  "I can imagine," Pip said, studying Belle with interest. "Tell me everything."

  Belle obliged her, describing Julia's regard for Toby and his apparent passion for her. She concluded by explaining the plot she and the earl had hatched, and was surprised when Pip gav
e an approving nod.

  " 'Familiarity breeds contempt,' " she quoted, looking thoughtful. "How like a rake to think of something like that."

  Belle picked up her cup of tea, confused by her urge to correct Pip. "I am taking Julia to the Royal Exhibition today," she said instead, her eyes not meeting her friend's. "Colford will be there with Toby, and we'll arrange it so he and Julia can meet. An exhibition sounds like a rather respectable place to conduct a courtship, don't you agree?"

  "If you say so." Pip made a face. "Personally I cannot see anything respectable about those garish pots of Prinny's. He gave us one as a wedding present, and Alex is having a cabinet built for it."

  Only Pip would sniff at a priceless Ming vase, Belle thought, shaking her head in mock despair. "How many times must I tell you you need to develop other interests?" she teased. "One cannot live and breathe politics alone, you know."

  "I don't see why not. Alex and I do," Pip responded tartly, then gave a sudden grin. "Well," she admitted, her green eyes shining with a woman's knowledge, "perhaps we allow a few other things to take precedence."

  Belle blushed at the daring remark, but she wisely refrained from comment. She and Pip began discussing their favorite subject and were arguing whether Castlereagh's new peace proposal for Italy would work when the butler announced an unexpected visitor.

  "The earl of Colford, Miss Portham," he intoned with a bow. "He is in the drawing room asking if he might speak with you."

  "The earl, hm?" Pip shot Belle a speculative look. "I knew you had made your peace with him, but I had no idea you were allowing him to run tame."

  Belle blushed furiously, aware Gibson was listening to the exchange with well-bred interest. "He doesn't run tame," she muttered. "This is the first time he has been here since last year when he and St. Ives came looking for you."

  "If you say so." Pip's eyes danced with merriment. She never thought to see the day her friend and the earl would end their hostilities, and she couldn't wait to share the news with Alex. "Well, why are you standing there, Gibson?" she demanded of the butler with a roguish grin. "Go and fetch the earl. It doesn't do to keep a peer of the realm cooling his heels, you know."

  "As you say, my lady." Gibson bowed ponderously. "I shall . . . er . . . fetch his lordship at once."

  After he had withdrawn, Pip turned to Belle. "I adore Gibson. Would you be angry if I were to steal him from you?"

  "Furious," Belle replied, wondering if there was enough time to dash up to her rooms and change her gown. She didn't mind Pip seeing her in her rather worn gown of blue and rose merino, but it did pique her vanity that she should appear in front of his lordship looking less than her best.

  She was about to excuse herself when Pip said, "That reminds me, Belle, where is your companion? In all the years I've known you, this is the first time I can recall seeing you without one of your ladies."

  Belle thought of the succession of young women she had employed as her companion since coming to London. Her intention had been more to provide them with training and to avoid the scandal of living alone than out of a need for companionship. "Since I have Julia and Georgiana living with me, I've decided a companion would be superfluous," she said, crossing the room to stand in front of the mirror hanging above the mantelpiece. She could feel her chignon slipping and was attempting repairs just as the door opened.

  "Miss Portham, Lady St. Ives." Marcus included both ladies in his graceful bow. "How delightful to see you again."

  "My lord." Belle managed a polite smile. She could see Pip's expression as she glanced from Colford to her, and she longed to give her friend a pinch.

  "I saw St. Ives as I was leaving Whitehall," Marcus said, addressing his remark to the viscountess. "He said I would probably find you here."

  "Did he?" Pip tilted her chin at a defiant angle. "And pray how did he know where I might be? The wretch went tearing out of the house while I was still being presented to the staff. For all he may know, I could be sitting patiently at home awaiting his return like a dutiful wife."

  A slashing dimple appeared in Marcus's lean cheek. "Somehow, Lady St. Ives, I much doubt such a thing even crossed Alex's mind," he drawled, amused at the notion of the little hellcat behaving with anything approaching propriety. "His exact words, and I am quoting, were 'When you see Miss Portham, pray tell my wife that I will be home for tea.'"

  "Hmph." Pip pretended to be offended, an effect that was spoiled by the love glowing in her jewel-colored eyes. "By that I suppose he expects me to be there waiting for him. He is such an inconsiderate beast, Belle, you would not credit it."

  "I am sure I would not," Belle answered, her eyes meeting the earl's over Pip's head. He was smiling, and for a moment a look of shared amusement flashed between them.

  Pip gave a loud sniff, still piqued with her handsome husband. "You say you saw Alex at Whitehall," she said, turning an accusing look on the earl. "I take it then that he was gone there to discuss the Trade Acts? The devil, and after he promised to wait until after the debating session."

  "Actually, I believe he only wished to call upon Lord Whitton," Marcus soothed, still amused. "His Grace had several items he wished to discuss with your husband."

  "Pompous, deceitful Tory," Pip grumbled, not making it clear whom she was referring to. "So he thinks to have everything neatly sewn up before the debates even begin, does he? Well, we shall just see about that! Belle?" She glanced at her friend for support and was not disappointed.

  "A tea?" Belle suggested, feeling a stir of interest. She had once sought to become a political hostess, and she was anxious to lend Pip any help that she could.

  "Perhaps." Pip tapped a finger against her lip as she considered the matter. "Although a dinner party might be better. Politicians are much easier to charm once their bellies have been filled, don't you agree, my lord?"

  "Much easier," Marcus replied, amused by her rather belligerent attitude. He'd thought Alex quite mad when he'd wed the fiery little bluestocking amidst a storm of gossip, but now he was beginning to think Alex had done precisely the right thing. There was something to be said for marrying a woman who shared your interests, he thought, his eyes resting on Miss Portham's classic features. He wondered if she would be as supportive as her outspoken friend.

  "It would take some doing," Pip was saying, ignoring the earl's silence, "but with help, I think I shall be able to think of something. Belle, may I count upon your assistance?"

  Belle swallowed uncomfortably. She truly wished to help, but she did not see how she could find the time. Her school and other charities took up a great many of her hours, and then there was the ball she was planning to officially launch Julia into Society. That would take place in less than a month, and there was still a great deal left to be done. On the other hand . . .

  "Of course I shall be delighted to help you, Pip," she said, with a forced smile. "What is it you would like me to do?"

  While the three adults were discussing the dinner part, Toby and Julia were meeting secretly in the library. "Had a devil of a time getting here without being discovered," he told Julia as he pressed a kiss to the back of her hand. "Colford almost saw me a dozen times. Now, what is this nonsense about your cousin trying to part us, eh?"

  "Oh, Toby, it is all my fault!" Julia cried, raising tear-drenched eyes to his face. "I told her your cousin was sailing in deep waters, and now she thinks you mean to marry me for my money!"

  "Devil you say!" Toby bristled with indignation. "No such thing; I'm a poet, not a blasted fortune hunter."

  "I know that, but she doesn't," Julia said, raising a handkerchief to dab at her eyes. "It's not her fault, of course, for you wouldn't believe the way she has been courted for her fortune. The stories I could tell you. . .! Why, Simon told us our own uncle attempted to seduce her in order to get his hands on her fortune, and she was scarce sixteen at the time."

  "The blackguard!" Toby exclaimed, properly shocked. "No wonder she's such a cold fish."

  Julia g
ave a miserable nod. "Yes, and that is what makes it so difficult to be angry with her. She is only doing what she thinks right to protect me."

  "Rather like a guardian dragon, what?" Toby chuckled and tilted his head to one side. "A dragon," he said slowly, "like in an epic poem. The lovely maiden locked in her tower and guarded by a fierce dragon . . ." His voice trailed off and he began composing stanzas in his head.

  "Toby!" Julia recognized the faraway gleam in his eye and gave his arm an impatient shake."What are we going to do?"

  "Do?" He blinked down at her. "About what?"

  "My cousin!"

  "Don't think there's much we can do, my love," he said, eager to be gone so that he could write while the poem was fresh in his mind. "Besides, I don't see why you're enacting such a tragedy over this. Miss Portham ain't your legal guardian, and she can't forbid me to pay court to you. At least, I don't think she can," he added thoughtfully, wishing he'd paid more attention to such niceties.

  "Are you certain?" Julia was gazing up at him with worshipful eyes. "I couldn't bear to be parted from you, even for a day."

  Her words made Toby's chest swell with pride. "Never think that, my love," he said, patting her hand and feeling rather like the hero in one of Byron's cantos. "Comes to it, I daresay I could have m'cousin speak to your dragon. An earl, even if his pockets are to let."

  Julia considered that for a long moment. "It might work," she conceded, "although I am not so certain. Sometimes I have the impression she doesn't care for him overly much. I shall have to ask Lady St. Ives while she is leaving. If anyone would know—"

  "St. Ives!" Toby blanched. "Lord, I didn't know that she-devil was here! I'd best take my leave before that jealous fiend she is married to decides to arrive. A madman, you know. He threatened to put a bullet through me on more than one occasion because of her."

  "But, Toby . . ."

  "Later, my dear." Toby pulled his beaver hat down about his eyes and began edging toward the door. "Not a word about my visit, eh? Wouldn't want that bluestocking to know I was here. There's a girl." He cracked open the door and, after a furtive glance about him, slipped from the room.