Alissa Baxter

by The Dashing Debutante

  Idling up to her, Mr Ponsonby said unctuously, “My dear Miss Grantham. How lovely, indeed how beautiful you are looking this evening. Your creamy skin, your strawberry lips, and the peaches of your cheeks, overwhelm my senses.” His avid gaze dipped offensively to Alexandra’s cleavage.

  Glaring at him, Alexandra remarked icily, “My dear sir, you must be extraordinarily hungry to liken my face to a fruit platter. If I am not mistaken, the buffet is next door, not in here.”

  Mr Ponsonby’s jowly face became a dull brick red, and he turned peevishly away from her, looking apprehensively at the stern face of the tall dark man who had come up behind Alexandra, before scuttling away.

  A quiet, amused voice said in Alexandra’s ear, “My dear girl, you are developing the art of delivering a good set-down. You will soon begin to rival me in depressing the pretensions of toad-eating mushrooms.”

  Alexandra turned, and smiling up at the Duke, said, “I do not think anyone could quite do that, your grace. I quell with mere words — all you need do is raise a lordly brow, and your assailant cowers in fear before you!”

  “Baggage!” the Duke said, chuckling. “You make me seem a veritable ogre.”

  “Oh, not an ogre, your grace,” Alexandra said, eyeing him consideringly. “Merely an imperious nobleman far too used to getting his own way.”

  Smiling lazily, the Duke murmured, “You would do well to remember that in your dealings with me, my dear.”

  Before Alexandra could respond, Sir Charles appeared with her promised drink. Handing it over to her with a smile and a bow, he said with mock severity, “I do hope, Miss Grantham, that you are not allowing Robert to turn your head with his compliments. His devastating effect on impressionable young ladies, you know, is legendary.”

  Alexandra raised her brows in surprise. “Really, Sir Charles? I have failed to notice that — thank you for the warning, though.”

  Crowing with laughter, Sir Charles said in delight, “Miss Grantham, I congratulate you! That comment is bound to render our noted Corinthian here speechless with shock.”

  “Hardly speechless, Charles — merely a trifle put down,” the Duke said mildly, although with an unreadable expression in his eyes that made Alexandra wonder rather nervously about the prudence of her provocative remark. The Duke of Stanford was not a man to take a challenge of that nature lying down. Before she could wisely temper her comment, an acquaintance of Stanford’s hailed him, and with a glinting smile and a bow, he moved away.

  “Cool devil, ain’t he?” Sir Charles said, looking at the Duke’s retreating back.

  “Hmmm,” Alexandra murmured distractedly, her mind occupied with thoughts of Stanford. She was becoming more and more confused about her feelings for this enigmatic man. At one moment she could swear that the Duke was flirting with her; the next he was playing the role of dictatorial older brother. Alexandra could simply not figure him out, and she was becoming more and more at a loss as to how to treat him. What she did know, and resolved to remember on all occasions, was that it would be to her peril to take Stanford at all seriously. If she started to do so, she knew that she would be like a drowning woman grasping at straws and Alexandra, more than anything, desired to stay afloat.

  A few minutes later, Letty and Amelia joined them, and the conversation turned to more general topics. Glancing across the room a while later, Alexandra saw that her brother was no longer conversing with Miss Fenworth, and looking around, she realised that he was nowhere to be seen. He had probably tired of the party after all, she reflected, and escaped to the library.

  However, contrary to Alexandra’s expectations, John was not in Lord Rigby’s library at that moment, but had retired instead to a small antechamber to escape the crush. He was standing at a window, breathing in the cool night air, when he heard the door open behind him. Not welcoming this interruption to his solitude, he turned reluctantly around to face the intruder.

  “Oh, I was not aware that this room was occupied. I — I shall leave,” Emily Hadley said from the doorway.

  John frowned as he observed the girl in front of him. She seemed vaguely familiar, and then he remembered who she was. “Good evening, Miss Hadley, is it not?”

  “Yes,” Emily said, looking down at her hands.

  John studied her closely, noticing her red-rimmed eyes, and pale cheeks. “May I help you in any way, Miss Hadley?” he asked diffidently.

  Emily continued to look at her hands. “No — I just wanted to be alone. I shall leave...”

  “You cannot return to the ball, looking like you do, Miss Hadley, if you do not wish to draw attention to yourself,” John said, frowning. “Would you like me to call your stepmother for you?”

  Emily looked at him in horror. “Oh no! Please do not do that, Sir John. She... she — I cannot speak of it,” she mumbled, trailing off into tears.

  Seeing that the situation was beyond his control, John decided that it would probably be best to leave Miss Hadley alone. But something of the naked desolation he saw in her face, touched a compassionate chord in him, and he hesitated. Finally, feeling a trifle uncomfortable, he said, “My sister has always spoken of you as a friend, Miss Hadley. Would you perhaps like to talk to her?”

  Emily gulped on her tears, then nodded her head. “Please,” she whispered, advancing a few steps into the room.

  John patted her awkwardly on the shoulder, then left the antechamber. Entering the ballroom, he saw Alexandra on the far side of the room conversing with a group of people. Walking over to her, he tapped her on the arm, and when she looked up at him with a smile of greeting, he drew her aside, and explained the situation. When he had finished speaking, Alexandra frowned. “Poor Emily! I must go to her. Where is this antechamber, John?”

  “I shall lead you to it.”

  Alexandra nodded, and after making her excuses to the group, followed her brother out of the ballroom.

  When they entered the antechamber, Emily was standing in the centre of the room, clutching a lacy handkerchief in one hand. She turned around when the door opened, and smiled tremulously at Alexandra. “I — I am sorry to bother you, Alexandra,” she said in a small voice.

  Alexandra walked quickly over to her, and taking her arm, led her to a couch that was situated near the window. “You are not bothering me at all, dear Emily. Now, how may I help you?”

  Emily sat down, and when Alexandra had taken a seat beside her, she murmured. “This is to be my last ball, and next week I am returning home with Stepmama and Jane.”

  Alexandra looked at her friend sympathetically. “I heard from my grandmother that you had failed to obtain vouchers for Almack’s, Emily. I am sorry.”

  Emily shook her head. “But, that isn’t correct, Alexandra. It is true that Lady Jersey refused to grant me vouchers initially, but when Lady Sefton heard of Lady Jersey’s decision, she asked her to change her mind. You see, Lady Sefton and my Mama were bosom bows at school, and Lady Sefton feels some kind of responsibility towards me. So she and Lady Jersey have agreed to grant me vouchers after all.”

  “How wonderful, Emily!” Alexandra smiled, but after a moment her brow creased, and she continued in a puzzled voice, “But why then are you leaving London?”

  Emily sighed. “Lady Jersey dislikes my Stepmama intensely and she is adamant in her refusal to grant vouchers to her and Jane. Stepmama is so angry... and — and I am afraid to return home with her and Jane, Alexandra. They — they feel as if they have been doubly slighted and I’m afraid that I shall be the target of their wrath.”

  Alexandra’s eyes widened in comprehension. Mrs Hadley had always treated Emily as a poor relation, accepted in her household only on sufferance. Nothing would be more guaranteed to incite her fury than the knowledge that her stepdaughter had been admitted to the highest circles of Society while she and her daughter had not. Putting an arm around her friend’s shoulders, Alexandra said in a gentle voice, “You cannot return home with them, Emily. They will make your life intolerable. Is there no
one else here — a cousin or an aunt perhaps — with whom you could stay?”

  Emily shook her head. “I have no family in London — except my uncle, and he is unmarried.”

  Looking across at John, who all the while had been standing in the doorway, Alexandra said quietly, “Do you think that Grandmama would agree to having Emily stay with us, John?”

  “You could certainly ask her, Alex,” he said thoughtfully.

  Emily gasped. “But — but I could not impose on your grandmother in that way!”

  “Hush, dear. And try not worry about this. I shall speak to my grandmother after the ball.”

  “You are a dear friend, Alexandra,” Emily said, looking slightly bemused. “Thank you for trying to help me. But rest assured that I shall perfectly understand if your grandmother does not extend an invitation for me to stay with her.”

  “I shall see what can be done. I think, though, that we should return to the ballroom now before Grandmama comes looking for me.”

  Emily nodded. “Do — do I look presentable, Alexandra?”

  Alexandra smiled as she stood up. “Your nose is a trifle red, and so are your eyes, but only if one looks closely at your face.”

  Emily also stood up, and said shakily, “Well, I hope that no one looks too closely.”

  They walked towards the door, and when they came to John, he offered them each an arm. “May I escort you ladies back to the ballroom?” he asked gravely.

  “Thank you, John. You are most kind,” Alexandra said.

  They returned to the ballroom, and later that evening when they were driving home in the carriage together, Alexandra reflected that her brother had indeed been most kind. He had devoted the rest of his evening to Emily, dancing with her twice, and had looked after her carefully until it was time for her to leave the ball.

  When they returned to Beauchamp House, Alexandra asked her grandmother if she and John could speak to her privately.

  “Certainly, my dears,” Lady Beauchamp said. “We can speak in the Drawing Room.”

  When they were all comfortably settled, Alexandra explained Emily’s problems to Lady Beauchamp, saying in conclusion, “She is so very unhappy, Grandmama, and I am convinced that if she returns home with Mrs Hadley and Jane that they will make her life unbearable.” She looked at her grandmother beseechingly. “Could you not speak to Mrs Hadley, Grandmama, and offer to have Emily stay with us?”

  “I would, of course, like to help Emily, Alexandra, but you must be aware that your suggestion is a trifle irregular,” Lady Beauchamp said, frowning a little. “We have no connection to her, and it is rather a large undertaking for me to chaperone another débutante.”

  “But, Emily will be no trouble at all, Grandmama. She is two years older than I am, you know, and unlike me, is very sweet and biddable!”

  Lady Beauchamp smiled, but she still looked doubtful. “I’m not sure, my dear.” She looked across at her grandson. “What do you think of this, John?”

  “I am in agreement with Alexandra, Grandmama,” John said slowly. “Miss Hadley appears to be a gentle soul. I do not think that she has the necessary armour to withstand Mrs Hadley’s cruel treatment of her.”

  Lady Beauchamp sighed. “You children have made it difficult for me to refuse — my conscience will not allow it. I shall call on Mrs Hadley tomorrow.”

  “Oh, thank you, Grandmama!” Alexandra said, her eyes shining.

  “I only hope that Mrs Hadley agrees to allow me to take Emily under my wing. She is a spiteful woman, I believe, and may not want to give Emily the chance of having a London Season.”

  The next morning, when Lady Beauchamp called on Mrs Hadley, she found that she had been mistaken in her belief that Mrs Hadley may not wish to release her stepdaughter.

  “Take Emily into your home, Lady Beauchamp?” Mrs Hadley said, after Lady Beauchamp had put the suggestion to her. “I would be happy for you to do so. I do not wish to see the little minx again.”

  Lady Beauchamp raised her brows. “Indeed?”

  “Yes!” Mrs Hadley said, her eyes narrowing. “That child is full of airs and graces, and has always looked down her nose at me. Merely because her mother was the granddaughter of an earl! For years I have had to have That Woman’s child living in my home. The sight of her sickens me.”

  “I only hope then that Emily quickly finds an eligible husband in view of what you say.”

  “You must force her to accept any offer she receives, Lady Beauchamp. I do not wish to have her under my roof again. She is parading around with the most smug expression on her face at this time, because she has received those wretched vouchers and we have not. It is unjust. Terribly unjust. I cannot abide it.” Her fists clenched tightly in her lap, until her knuckles whitened. But, after a moment, she seemed to collect herself and she rang for the butler.

  When the man entered the room, she said, “Send Miss Hadley to me, Forbes.”

  The butler bowed, and withdrew, and a few minutes later, Emily crept into the room.

  “You — you wish to see me, Stepmama?” she asked.

  “Yes. Be seated.”

  Mrs Hadley nodded in Lady Beauchamp’s direction. “Her ladyship has been so kind as to offer to take you into her home. You will leave here as soon as possible, and take up residence for the remainder of the Season with her.”

  Emily stared wordlessly at her benefactress for a few moments. Finally, she took a deep breath, and murmured, “Thank you, Lady Beauchamp. I — I am most grateful. I shall try not to be a burden to you.”

  “It will be my pleasure to have you stay with me, Emily,” Lady Beauchamp said gently.

  “I have told her ladyship that it is imperative that you find a husband, Emily,” Mrs Hadley said, frowning at her stepdaughter. “You are virtually on the shelf now and must not turn up your nose at any offer of marriage you may receive. I trust I make myself clear?”

  Emily swallowed nervously. “Yes, Stepmama.”

  “Very good.” Looking at Lady Beauchamp, Mrs Hadley continued, “The house that we are staying in is a hired one, and we are giving it up within the next day or so. Will you be able to receive Emily into your home tomorrow?

  “Certainly, Mrs Hadley. The sooner that Emily can come to stay with me, the better.”

  Rising from her seat, Lady Beauchamp nodded coolly. “Good morning, Mrs Hadley. I trust that your journey home will be a safe one.”

  “I hope so indeed,” Mrs Hadley said, standing up as well. “Thank you, Lady Beauchamp, for taking Emily for the Season. I give you my permission to deal with her very strictly if need be. What that girl needs is discipline.”

  Lady Beauchamp gave Mrs Hadley a measuring look, but said nothing in response, merely smiling at Emily as she left the room. Reflecting later on her distasteful conversation with Mrs Hadley, Lady Beauchamp resolved that she would do whatever she could to find Emily an eligible husband during the course of the Season, because if anyone needed rescuing from a dire situation, young Emily Hadley did, she thought grimly.

  Chapter Twenty

  A way from the domineering presence of her stepmother, Emily blossomed in the congenial atmosphere of the Beauchamp household. Alexandra took Emily firmly under her wing, and as the days passed the already close friendship between the two girls deepened. However, being of a far less energetic nature than her friend, Emily was more than content to live life at a slower pace, preferring to stay at home, working on her embroidery or playing the piano forte, than accompanying Alexandra and Letitia on the their numerous shopping and riding expeditions.

  John became a frequent visitor to Beauchamp House, and after a while, Lady Beauchamp and Alexandra began to suspect that his presence there owed less to any duty he may feel towards them as a grandson or brother, and far more to his obvious appreciation of Miss Hadley’s charms. He treated Emily with unfailing gentleness and courtesy, and Emily responded to his attentions like a flower opening to the warmth of the sun.

  Lady Beauchamp began to suspect t
hat a betrothal was in the air, and chided Alexandra about it when they were comfortably ensconced in the Rose Salon one rainy day. “At this rate, my dear, your brother will be betrothed before you are!”

  Alexandra laughed. “Oh Grandmama! You must not concern yourself over my unattached state. I am perfectly happy, I assure you!”

  “You are far too independently minded, Alexandra,” Lady Beauchamp said, pursing her lips a little.

  “I prefer it that way, Grandmama. It makes life far less complicated, you know.”

  “But why are you still so intent on remaining unmarried, my dear?”

  Alexandra considered her grandmother thoughtfully. “I grew up with a father who treated me as an intelligent individual, Grandmama, which ill prepared me for the attitude that so many gentlemen have towards women in our Society. I cannot bear being treated as if I have no mind of my own.”

  “Your father was indeed an exceptional man, Alexandra. But not all men believe women are inferior beings, you know. You must not think that. Your dear Grandpapa, for one, treated me with the greatest deal of respect and consideration.” Lady Beauchamp paused for a moment, before continuing delicately, “What of your friendship with Robert, my love?”

  Alexandra smiled. “You, yourself, warned me against him, Grandmama. I would never be so foolish as to take his attentions seriously. He is merely amusing himself by keeping me in fashion.”

  Lady Beauchamp stared at her granddaughter blankly, at a loss for words. Finally, she murmured, “So you are in no danger of losing your heart to him then?”

  Alexandra rolled her eyes. “Of course not, Grandmama. I would be a fool to do so.”

  “Your defences are much stronger then than most women, my child. Robert’s deadly effect on impressionable young ladies is legendary.”