by Anne Herries
‘Well, it certainly becomes you now, my love,’ Mama said. ‘I feel proud of you this evening, Amanda. I do not think I have ever seen you look better.’ She glanced at the posy her daughter carried. ‘Are those the roses Lieutenant Phipps brought for you?’
‘Yes, Mama. Was it not lucky that they matched my gown? I have had as many as twelve floral tributes today, but these are my favourites.’
‘Yes, I know,’ Mama said, perfectly understanding why equally lovely tributes had been set aside in favour of this simple posy. ‘Well, it is time to greet our guests. Are you ready?’
Amanda said she was and they went to the head of the impressive staircase to join Lord Hamilton and prepare to greet their guests.
* * *
Amanda was conscious of how very kind people were to her that night. Her gown was admired, and she was asked who had made it for her, but her hairstyle was much remarked on.
‘I declare I should not have known you, so elegant as you appear,’ one matron said a little rudely. ‘You are much in looks tonight, Miss Hamilton.’
Amanda smiled and made a slight curtsy to thank her, but other ladies were kinder and told her that she looked both elegant and pretty. Some of the gentlemen went further and made her the kind of compliments she had been used to hearing Cynthia receive, but, realising that Jane’s cleverness in altering the gown to flatter had made the difference, Amanda merely smiled. Since she knew she was not beautiful, it was clearly the gown that had made the difference. She wished that she might place the credit where it belonged, but to do so would embarrass her friend, for the girl would not wish it known how clever she was with her needle.
However, when Jane arrived Mama released her to take her friend into the reception rooms, though she herself remained at the head of the stairs to receive the latecomers.
‘You do look lovely,’ Jane whispered to her. ‘I’m glad you decided to sweep your hair up in that way; it is so elegant.’
‘I have been told I look elegant this evening,’ Amanda replied with a laugh. ‘That is to your credit, Jane. Had I been able, I could have sent you a dozen ladies eager for your services tonight.’
‘I have often thought I might become a stylish dressmaker,’ Jane said, looking thoughtful. ‘For I shall not have another chance to visit London and I dare say I shall not marry—unless I take old Colonel Ruston, and he is too stout and too pompous for me to care for him as I ought if we were to marry. I feel as if I should be a nurse before ever I was a wife.’
‘Yes, you shall come to town again,’ Amanda said generously. ‘I will ask Mama to bring you next year, if we come, and, if I should marry before that, you shall be my guest. In any case, we are sure to visit Bath before then and you shall come with us there, too. It is my hope that we shall see each often in future, dear Jane.’
Jane squeezed her arm gently. ‘You have been so kind to me. Oh, do look, Lieutenant Phipps and Major Brockley are coming this way.’
‘Yes, I see them,’ Amanda said. ‘Is he not handsome?’
‘They are both handsome,’ Jane said and giggled. ‘You meant Lieutenant Phipps, of course.’
‘Yes, I confess I did. Major Brockley is a little too stern for my taste, though when he smiles—then he is handsome, too.’
‘He can be very kind and has been to me,’ Jane said with a little blush.
The two gentlemen came up to them, their mission to secure dances. Phipps asked Amanda which waltzes she had allotted him and was told the first and the last. He smiled and thanked her, then solicited Jane’s hand for the next set of country dances. Brock asked Jane for a waltz and a country dance later and then enquired if Amanda would stand up with him. She gave him her card and he wrote in his name against the second waltz of the evening.
‘Who have you chosen to open the dancing with?’ he asked.
‘Papa,’ Amanda said and smiled as her father came towards her. ‘Here he is now... I think that means the dancing is about to begin.’
‘Do not forget my dances,’ Phipps said and offered his arm to Jane, following Amanda and her father into the ballroom.
The musicians struck up a tune and Lord Hamilton led his daughter on to the floor as the couples began to form lines.
‘You look happy and quite lovely, my dear,’ Papa told her. ‘I was saying to your mother earlier that this visit has done you a great deal of good, Amanda. I like to see my daughter with so many charming friends about her. I must say that until this evening I had not quite understood how popular you have become. I have been complimented on your manners more times than I can count. Your mother may wish you had more beauty, but I am content to know that you have a beautiful nature.’
‘Oh, Papa,’ Amanda said and trilled with laughter. ‘I shall never be vain while I have you to guide me.’
He looked bewildered and then gave a great guffaw of laughter. ‘I did not mean that you were not well enough in looks, my love. You have always been beautiful to me.’
‘I know that, my very dear Papa,’ Amanda said. ‘You have spoiled me from the moment I was born.’
‘And why not, pray?’ He gazed down at her indulgently. ‘I shall be sorry when you marry, for the house always has sunshine in it when you are at home.’
‘I do not think you need to worry just yet, Papa.’
‘I am not so sure. Three gentlemen have already asked to call on me before I leave town. Since all are young men, I cannot think they have such fondness for my company that they need beg me for an interview—unless they have good reason.’
‘No, Papa!’ Amanda stared in astonishment. ‘No one has spoken to me...well, no one you would have granted the time of day and I sent them packing.’
‘These gentlemen are not fortune-hunters,’ Papa told her with a warm smile. ‘However, we shall talk of this later. I dare say I may have further news before the evening is out.’ He looked so pleased with himself that she was hard put to it not to giggle. ‘I’m sure I never expected to find myself so much in demand!’
Amanda was silent for she had not expected anything of the sort. Papa’s words had taken her by surprise and she longed to ask if one of the gentlemen was Phipps, but dared not. For a moment she was so distracted that she almost missed her step, but then recovered. Papa might be mistaken and the gentlemen had something other than marriage on their minds.
After Papa conducted her back to the spot where the matrons had gathered to watch the proceedings and gossip, Amanda had no more time to speculate. All the gentlemen she knew as friends gathered about her to ask for dances, as well as several with whom she was only slightly acquainted. It was her dance, of course, and accounted for the sudden surge in her popularity.
* * *
Having been swept into one of the country dances that were universally liked, Amanda did not speak to Jane again until the interval when they both found seats and waited for their chosen partners to bring them cooling drinks and ices.
‘Are you enjoying yourself, Jane?’ Amanda asked her. ‘Did I not see you dance twice with Lord Armstrong?’
‘Yes, I did,’ Jane said. ‘I danced the first waltz with him—and then a promenade later.’ She smiled. ‘You have danced every dance, Amanda—and you looked so happy, especially when you waltzed with Lieutenant Phipps.’
‘He is a wonderful dancer and particularly good at waltzing,’ Amanda replied. ‘Besides, he is so considerate of his partners. Did you not think so when you danced with him?’
‘I like him very well,’ Jane admitted. ‘Of course, he only asked me because I am your friend, Amanda. Indeed, several people ask me because they think I have influence with you.’
‘You have, but I am sure that most—the sensible ones—ask you for yourself. Major Brockley would not ask you because he thought you had influence with me. He likes you, Jane. I am sure he does.’
‘Yes, perhaps,’ Jane admitted, her cheeks pink. ‘Oh, they are starting up the music again. Shall we take supper together?’
‘Yes, of course. En
joy yourself...’
* * *
Neither girl had time to speak again until they were taken into supper. Jane was on Brock’s arm and Amanda had promised Phipps that pleasure—or perhaps, she corrected herself mentally, she had promised the pleasure to herself.
However, the four of them were not left long to their intimate circle for five other gentlemen and three ladies gravitated to their table, and the men were forced to draw up more chairs.
‘Miss Hamilton,’ Lord Johnston murmured, sitting as close to her as he could manage. ‘I must tell you, I have Lord Hamilton’s promise that I may call on him tomorrow.’
‘Oh...’ Amanda determinedly kept her smile in place, though her heart sank. She knew well enough that her father was about to receive an offer for her hand from Lord Johnston, despite all her efforts to prevent him coming to the point. It would mean an embarrassing interview for she must out of politeness do him the honour of refusing in person. ‘Yes, I see, sir. I must thank you for your kindness...’
‘Indeed, any other young lady would have guessed long ago that I meant to ask for her,’ he said. ‘Your modesty is one of the things I particularly like in you. But we shall not speak of this again until I have spoken to your father.’
Amanda thanked heaven for his manners, which would not allow him to speak to her more openly until he had formally offered for her to her father. She prayed fervently that his was not the only offer Papa would receive for she was determined to decline it and did not wish to cause offence or disappointment to her family.
‘Miss Hamilton.’ Phipps came to her rescue almost immediately. ‘I believe it is our dance next. Shall we return to the ballroom?’
‘Yes, I thank you, sir,’ she replied and stood up, once again leaving her supper almost untouched. Since she’d eaten only a bite of one little pastry, she was surprised to discover that she was not in the least hungry, even though she had eaten nothing since nibbling on an apple and a slice of bread and butter for luncheon.
‘What did Johnston say to you?’ Phipps asked as he took Amanda’s hand and led her to the dance floor. ‘Did he distress you?’
‘Only a very little,’ Amanda murmured, her cheeks warm. She hesitated, then decided that this was the time for speaking out. ‘It was nothing...only that he—he means to speak to Papa for me.’
Phipps glanced at her, a hint of alarm in his eyes, which made Amanda’s heart jump. ‘Is he likely to succeed?’ he asked.
‘No, not at all,’ she said faintly, hardly knowing where to look. Her behaviour in provoking this outspoken remark was really quite shameless. ‘I should not wish it.’
‘I am glad,’ Phipps murmured, in a husky voice that set her spine tingling. ‘I had hoped to speak to your father before he leaves town myself.’
Amanda’s eyes flew to his and she knew that he must see her question. Indeed, it was imperative that she forced him to answer, for her happiness depended upon it. ‘Is it truly your intention to...to ask Papa...?’
‘It is,’ he replied a little awkwardly. ‘I have been slow, but I was not sure that I had the right... I have little to offer...’
‘You have everything to offer,’ she replied impulsively, then, as a fiery blush rose in her cheeks, ‘if you truly want to...?’
Phipps laughed down at her and her heart caught. ‘I should not have spoken if I did not,’ he replied. ‘I have been tardy only for your sake, Amanda.’
‘Oh...’ She breathed and was lost for words. ‘I thought... I hoped... But...’
‘I wish I might take you off somewhere so that we might be alone,’ Phipps said, a hint of frustration in his voice. ‘But I know that you are engaged for every dance.’
‘Yes, I am,’ Amanda said and she might have swooned for sheer happiness had she been the kind of girl inclined to such fancies. ‘You have said enough for now, sir. We have an understanding. Speak to Papa at the end of this dance and I shall expect you tomorrow.’
‘Amanda...’ Phipps seemed as if he could hardly contain himself. ‘You know I... But, no, I shall speak to you tomorrow, my very dear Amanda.’
The music was drawing to a close. Amanda felt his hand clasp hers in what she could not but feel was an intimate gesture and which was accompanied by a look that made her want to melt into a puddle of pure pleasure.
When Phipps released her to her next partner, she knew a violent wish that he would cast convention to the winds and sweep her off to a private room where he could embrace her and tell her everything she wished to hear, but it would not do, of course. He was a complete gentleman and that was one of the things she so admired about him. Only a violent passion on his part could have prompted such action and Amanda was not so lost to dreams that she had forgot the likely reason behind his sudden declaration.
He was asking for her hand, but she could not expect him to love her, as she loved him. The thought swathed through her with a slash of pain that almost caused her to cry out, but she resolutely controlled it.
Phipps was her friend. Amanda knew that she could rely on both his friend Brock and Phipps if she needed help, but she had not seen any sign of warmer feeling than friendship on his part. Indeed, she knew that she had deliberately prompted him, urged on by a sudden need to provoke him into speaking. She felt a little prick of guilt, but banished it immediately. Had he not been intending to speak, he would not have reacted as he had.
It would be fatal to allow herself to doubt the wisdom of making a marriage of convenience—for that was what it must be on his part, Amanda knew. Yet many people found happiness in such a marriage, and she believed she could—if she were sensible.
Banishing both her doubts and her surging excitement to the backwaters of her mind, Amanda gave herself up to the enjoyment of the dance and smiled sweetly at her partner, who happened to be a young subaltern on leave from the Army.
‘I say, Miss Hamilton,’ he confided to her. ‘I was told you was a bit stuffy, but I think you a jolly decent girl, and I’m glad I came this evening even though he said I should find it a bore.’
‘Oh, dear.’ Amanda could not help laughing up at him, for he was a rather shy young man with ginger hair that stuck out at all angles and a freckled complexion. ‘Who did I upset, sir? I must have done so for I am not generally thought stuffy, I believe.’
‘Oh...’ A blush rose up his neck. ‘I think he was put out because he did not receive an invitation... He is a cousin of mine, you see. Shearne...’
His awkward confession betrayed his youth for he should never have told her. Amanda felt coldness at her nape, because she knew that she had made an enemy out of the marquis. Mama had decided not to invite him, partly because they already had so many guests that the house could not hold any more and partly because of his unsavoury reputation. He had the entrée almost everywhere, though a few of the high sticklers steadfastly refused to receive him. Papa had told Mama something that made her take against the marquis, though she would not repeat it to Amanda for she said it was shocking.
‘I see...’ Amanda was a little uncertain. ‘Yes, the marquis and I are not friends, for he distressed a friend of mine, you see.’
‘Yes, I do see,’ her partner replied. ‘I should not have mentioned him, Miss Hamilton; he is a shockingly loose screw, to own the truth, and Mama does not care for him. Though she is obliged to acknowledge him, she warned me not to trust him.’
‘Well, no harm done,’ she said and forced herself to smile again. ‘When do you return to your unit, sir?’
‘Next week,’ he said. ‘Mama is holding a dance herself next week—just a small affair, nothing on this scale. I suppose it is too late to invite you and Lady Hamilton?’
‘We are committed to friends all next week and then I fear we leave town,’ Amanda told him. ‘Why do you not ask Miss Field? Have you met her?’
‘I’m not sure,’ he replied. ‘Perhaps you would introduce me?’
Amanda promised she would and when their dance was ended, she took him to meet Jane, who had
just returned from dancing with Lord Johnston.
Glancing round the room as she waited for her next partner to arrive, she saw that Phipps was talking with Papa and, to her relief, they seemed to be getting on well.
The next set of dances was the last of the evening; Lord Armstrong, who had written his name in the space on her card, arrived to claim her. He smiled down at her as he led her into the set of lively young people who were still eager to dance.
‘I think you may say that your dance has been one of the most successful this Season, Miss Hamilton.’
‘Oh, do you say so?’ Amanda glanced up at him. ‘How kind you are, my lord. I have seen rooms more crowded than this, I do assure you. Mama invited only those people she thought our friends so that it should not be too much of a crush. I think that perhaps some of them brought guests of their own, for I had not thought we possessed so many acquaintances.’
‘My mother was sad to miss your dance, but she has some friends to dine this evening, you know. Small intimate gatherings are more to her taste these days, though at home we entertain more than forty families at Christmas, for the great hall is large enough to accommodate them. Mama has nothing to do but sit and be a queen amongst us.’
‘Do you have a very old house, sir?’
‘Yes, positively medieval and boasts a priest hole and secret passage, perhaps a ghost—though I have not seen it. Very uncomfortable parts of it can be in the winter, too,’ he said with a laugh. ‘However, the family rooms are more modern and the chimneys do not smoke so we can be cosy on chilly evenings.’
‘I love to visit old houses for they are full of nooks and crannies,’ Amanda replied. ‘But I do not think I should care to live in one—unless part of it had been modernised. Secret rooms and gloomy passages are very well within the pages of a Gothic novel, but less so in reality, I believe.’
‘You are not a romantic, Miss Hamilton?’ He sounded a little disappointed, which made her smile inwardly. Had he thought his description of his home and a possible ghost would make her shiver with anticipation and delight?
