"Calm yourself, Horace," said Lord Francis. "Miss Paley was no more than polite and no less than charming during my stay in her home. I was merely observing that a woman of her beauty and wealth might do as she chooses."
"Well, I say she has more wealth and beauty than anyone has a right to," said Mr. Worth. "Tell me, Francis, how did you achieve that with your neckcloth? I can never make mine look as elegant as yours."
"If I shared my sartorial secrets with you, Horace," observed Lord Francis, "I would no longer be unique." He bowed to his friend and strolled away, observing Miss Paley as he did so. She sat across the room from him, fanning herself, as her partner conveyed to her a glass of lemonade. She looked up and saw him; an unusual expression which he could not interpret sprang into her eyes. He bowed politely but did not approach her, and joined a small group of his friends who were lounging nearby.
Isobel immediately turned back to her partner and greeted his conversation with rather more animation than it deserved. He was eventually displaced by her companion for the next dance, and as she was escorted out onto the floor she saw that Lord Francis was also joining the dancers, his partner a lively blonde with sparkling blue eyes and a modish dress of mull muslin.
For some reason, Miss Paley found her satisfaction with the evening was growing less. The rooms were stuffy, the music inferior, and she found her dance partners clumsy. When Letitia sought her out some little while later, she found her friend somewhat out of temper.
"What a pleasant evening I am having, to be sure. I am so grateful that you brought me to London, Isobel; I am having a splendid time," she said.
"If you are enjoying yourself, I am pleased. I am afraid that I am finding the entertainment sadly flat," said Isobel.
"No, Isobel, you must not say so," protested Letitia. "Everyone has been most amiable and I have seen you dancing with what appeared to be great enjoyment."
"Perhaps I am merely tired," said Isobel. "I find myself growing weary of the proceedings."
"Then we should leave immediately," said Letitia. "I will fetch Harriet and we shall depart."
"Pardon me," interjected a light, drawling voice. "I could not let the evening pass without greeting my kind benefactress. Your servant, Miss Paley, Lady Morgan."
The ladies turned to see Lord Francis Wheaton bowing deeply before them. Letitia greeted him with a pretty smile.
"Lord Francis! When I did not see you earlier, I had thought perhaps you would not be in attendance tonight."
"How could I resist Almack's?" asked Lord Francis. "For a man such as myself, who has been long away from England, Almack's is a fond memory and a reminder of home."
"What a pretty sentiment," said Letitia. "I, too, have been remembering my past evenings here. I am afraid that Isobel is not as pleased as I am, however."
Lord Francis turned a questioning gaze on Isobel and she was forced to respond.
"I do not have the advantage that both you and Lady Morgan possess of having been some years absent from London," she said. "I fear that the atmosphere here grows tiresome to me."
"Yes, Almack's may be less than glittering, but I find it does have its own peculiar charm," said Lord Francis. "And here, of course, are to be found all the most lovely young ladies, newly launched into Society. I would be doing them less than justice if I did not attempt to make their acquaintances."
"Many of them are quite charming," said Letitia. "I hope you have been enjoying their company."
"Greatly, I assure you," said Lord Francis. "However, I do not intend to neglect my old friends. Would you care to dance, Lady Morgan?"
"You have asked too late, Lord Francis," she said. "I already have a partner."
"He will have to step aside for one with a longer acquaintance," said Lord Francis. "Come and dance with me, Lady Morgan, or I shall fear you do not like me. If your partner objects, he will have to answer to me."
Letitia cast a worried look at Isobel. "Isobel is not feeling quite the thing," she said, "and we were talking of leaving. Perhaps I should not..."
"Don’t be silly, Letitia," said Isobel. "Please dance with Lord Francis. I am sure you will look charming together."
Letitia allowed herself to be led away by Lord Francis and they joined the throng. Isobel was soon claimed by her partner, a Mr. Braithwaite, and had perforce to dance as well. This individual, a spindly young man with pointy features, dressed in a wasp-waisted coat and striped waistcoat, attempted to engage her in conversation, but found her inattentive. Halfway through the dance she confessed to being weary, and begged him to allow her to be seated and fetch her a lemonade.
As she sat by the wall, fanning herself and awaiting the return of her partner, she watched Letitia and Lord Francis. They looked to be enjoying themselves. A pair of dowagers standing behind her also seemed to find them of interest.
"How pretty Lady Morgan looks with Lord Francis Wheaton," said one. "But what a pity that such an eligible bachelor should be spending his time with a married lady. I am sure that my Amabel would make him a better partner."
"I have heard that he is hanging out for a wife," said the other. "I certainly regret that Maria is not yet out. He has not a penny less than seven thousand a year, I am told, and the older brother is not well. If he inherits the title, his income will be forty thousand a year. And he is extremely handsome and has such charming address. I wonder why he is dancing with Lady Morgan and not an eligible miss?"
"Why, have you not heard?" said the first. "This past winter he injured himself near Miss Isobel Paley's home in the Cotswolds and spent some time convalescing there. I believe Lady Morgan was a guest there at the time; certainly they came to know one another, and perhaps there is more than meets the eye to this situation. Lord Morgan remains in Wales, after all, and Lady Morgan resides with Miss Paley."
"Is it so? How fascinating. But surely Lord Francis would be more interested in Miss Paley, who is, after all, unwed and an heiress."
"What man would dare aspire to the hand of Miss Paley?" was the response. "Lord Francis could surely find a more amenable female elsewhere. He has certainly been cutting a dash here tonight."
"I must make sure that he is presented to Amabel. Come along; perhaps I can put her in his way after this dance."
Lord Francis brought his dance with Letitia to an end in front of where Isobel sat fuming at the overheard conversation, and restored her to her friend with a friendly smile.
"You are the most delightful partner I have had this evening, Lady Morgan," he said. "You do not so much dance as float."
"If you speak so to all your partners, Lord Francis, you will earn the reputation of being a sad flirt," said Letitia.
"I am in great earnest, ma'am," said Lord Francis. "And I do not compliment anyone's abilities unless I am sincere."
"Such flattery," said Letitia with a laugh. "You have earned your reputation, my lord."
"What reputation is that?" asked Lord Francis plaintively. "I defy you to find a single lady whose affections I have trifled with!"
Letitia greeted this statement with merriment and the conversation would have continued but for the arrival of her next partner to lead her out onto the floor. Lord Francis relinquished her with protestations of disappointment and then turned to Isobel.
"May I have the honor of dancing with you as well, Miss Paley? I have admired your prowess this evening."
"I fear that I am weary from my earlier exertions, Lord Francis," said Isobel coldly. "I believe I will sit this dance out."
"Then I will keep you company," he said, immediately seating himself next to her. At that moment her hapless partner returned with the requested glass of lemonade and Lord Francis neatly relieved him of it.
"Thank you so much for assisting Miss Paley," he said genially. "But I believe we can now dispense with your company."
Mr. Braithwaite looked offended. "Miss Paley requested that I bring her a lemonade—" he began, but Lord Francis waved one elegant hand.
"I’m afra
id my old acquaintance with her requires that you must indulge us," he said. "Please forgive us if we seem unmannerly."
Mr. Braithwaite appeared as though he was about to become argumentative. "I don't see why you should be allowed to cut me out," he protested.
Isobel decided to put an end to this little comedy. While she was nervous about spending too much time under Society’s eye with Lord Francis, she had discovered Mr. Braithwaite was dull enough that the thought of his company was even less enticing. She extended him a friendly hand.
"Do please forgive Lord Francis," she said placatingly. "But we do indeed have much to discuss. If you would do us the courtesy of excusing me, I would be most grateful."
Mr. Braithwaite looked from Isobel to Lord Francis and seemed to decide that he would only look the fool if he continued to protest. He kissed Isobel’s hand with ill grace and departed, leaving a strong air of annoyance behind him.
"Your lemonade, Miss Paley," said Lord Francis, presenting it with a flourish. "I am sorry that you are feeling fatigued. You do not seem to be a lady who would be worn out by dancing."
"Perhaps it would be better if you sought the company of a young miss," she said sharply. "I am sure there are plenty of ladies here who would be only too delighted to oblige a gentleman so accomplished as you."
"I believe I have done my duty by that community this evening, Miss Paley," observed Lord Francis. "I now seek out a woman whose conversation consists of more than pleasant inanities."
"I am honored that you thought of me, Lord Francis," she said with asperity.
"I think of you quite often, Miss Paley," he responded calmly. "I have discovered that you are much admired in London for the quality of your conversation as well as your beauty."
"And with whom have you been discussing me, Lord Francis?" asked Isobel, an edge to her voice.
"Why, it is not I who broach the subject. I fear that the vast majority of the ton are greatly interested in my recuperation in your home and display an almost unseemly curiosity about the time I spent there."
"How ill-mannered of them," said Isobel.
"Indeed. I try my best to be discouraging. When people are particularly persistent, I am compelled to look at them through my quizzing glass," he said, suiting the action to the words and giving Isobel a haughty stare through his glass. His gaze was so severe that it elicited a reluctant laugh from his companion.
"I almost feel sorry for someone so inquisitive as to provoke such a response from you," she said. "If you were to look at me so, I would be quite shattered."
"You, Miss Paley? I believe that you have a great deal too much countenance to be put out by a mere gentleman with a quizzing glass," said Lord Francis.
"Perhaps," responded Isobel, "but if I were the sort of person who would be so impertinent as to question you on your stay in an unmarried woman's house, I should be the more easily put in my place."
"I am sure that soon other matters will occupy the attention of the ton, and we shall be left in peace," said Lord Francis.
"If you continue to seek me out in public, Lord Francis, the tongues will doubtless continue to wag," countered Isobel.
"I will not allow the ill-nature of others to deprive me of your company, Miss Paley," said Lord Francis with mock drama. "I defy Society to keep me from your side!"
Isobel laughed. "You are ridiculous, sir," she said, but she found her mood lightening. For some reason, she was beginning to feel considerably happier with her surroundings.
"Will you not dance with me, Miss Paley, now that you have rested?" asked Lord Francis.
"I cannot, Lord Francis. I am engaged for all the dances this evening, I fear," said Isobel. "You should come to Almack's earlier in the evening."
"Behold me quite crushed. Cannot you do as Lady Morgan did, and give precedence to an old friend?"
"As an unmarried woman, that would show a quite unattractive preference, Lord Francis. I believe we wish to discourage the tales of gossips, not give them more grist for their mill," said Isobel repressively.
"I will do better in the future, Miss Paley, and arrive early at all entertainments so as to be sure of being on your dance card," said Lord Francis.
"I see my partner approaches," said Isobel, watching a determined young man thread his way towards them through the crowd. His bright blue coat and yellow knee breeches looked quite ridiculous as he stood next to Lord Francis, who was clad with elegant simplicity. "I thank you for your company, sir," she said.
Lord Francis took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. "I relinquish you with great reluctance," he said. "I will be certain to call on you soon."
Across the room Horace Worth observed this exchange with surprise.
"I say, Freddy, does Francis seem to be paying a great deal of attention to Miss Paley?" asked Mr. Worth of his friend, Sir Robert Marley.
Sir Robert turned his eyes away from the blushing damsel he had been ogling. "What?" he asked. "Do you think he has a tendre for her?"
"Well, he certainly seems to be singling her out to a remarkable extent," said Mr. Worth. "Though when I asked him about her earlier he professed nothing but disinterested admiration."
"Mere politeness, no doubt," said Sir Robert. "Spent a good deal of time in her house this spring; wouldn't do to ignore her."
"But he's doing more than the pretty," objected Mr. Worth. "He seems to be alarmingly interested in her."
"Well, she's a beautiful girl," observed Sir Robert. "With a very handsome portion as well. Lots of fellows have been interested in her."
"And look what's come of it!" said Mr. Worth. "I tell you what, Freddy, I'll lay you a monkey he offers for her by the end of the Season."
"Done!" said Sir Robert. "Francis wouldn't be such a gudgeon as to offer for her! Why the whole world knows she won't marry. He has more sense than that."
"What's more," said Mr. Worth, "I'll bet you she accepts him!"
"No, no, I can't do that," objected Sir Robert. "You must be foxed, Horace. Miss Paley won't marry Francis; you're a fool."
Mr. Worth considered this. "Devilish smooth-tongued devil, Francis Wheaton," he said. "If anyone could bring it off, he could."
"Well, if you want to throw your money away, I'll take it," said Sir Robert. The two gentlemen stood and surveyed the room. "Devilish flat, Horace," he said. "Tell you what, let's go to Watier's. I have a mind to take some money off you tonight, as well as when Miss Paley turns Wheaton down."
Miss Paley took it upon herself to dance with great energy for the rest of the evening. It would not do to let Lord Francis think that she was not enjoying herself. Her high spirits were apparently unnoticed by his lordship, however, for he danced twice with Miss Amabel Corning, and then retired to the card room, where he spent the rest of the evening playing whist with Miss Harriet, who was delighted to have such a handsome and accomplished player for her partner. By the time the ladies had returned to their coach and were being conveyed back to Clarges Street, they were all ready to admit their fatigue.
"It has been too long since I have danced so much," said Letitia, with a sigh. "I cannot believe what an evening I had. Lord Francis is a delightful partner; he is so very graceful."
"And a skillful whist player as well," said Miss Harriet. "Jane Woodley was positively jealous at the pretty compliments he paid me. So handsome and distinguished a gentleman he is, why, I cannot remember an evening I have enjoyed so much!"
"A dreadful flirt, that is what Lord Francis is," said Isobel rather sharply. "I daresay every woman he spent time with tonight fancied herself honored, but there were too many of them for there to be any real value in his attentions."
Letitia and Harriet exchanged a quick glance.
"That is unkind, Isobel," said Letitia. "I am sure Lord Francis did not flirt anymore than is proper, and indeed, less than many another gentleman there this evening."
"I am sorry, Letitia. I have a headache that is making me positively ill-natured," said Isobel. "I will allow Lord Franc
is to be a very proper gentleman."
Upon returning to Clarges Street Isobel fled upstairs immediately, pleading the need to lie down. She found it difficult to embrace Orpheus that night, for he seemed disconcertingly real, and endowed with golden hair, piercing grey eyes, and a magnificent physique. In fact, Lord Francis absolutely haunted her dreams, to her considerable vexation.
Chapter 9
The next day dawned gray and rainy, and when Isobel descended to the breakfast table she found Letitia and Harriet lamenting the weather, which ruined their plans to spend the afternoon at a balloon ascension.
"It is very hard," said Letitia, "for I had so looked forward to the excursion. Still, it cannot be helped. I shall seize the opportunity to write to some friends whom I have sadly neglected."
"What an excellent notion," said Harriet. "Perhaps I will emulate you, or I may begin stitching the slippers I have meant to send to Cousin Andrew for some time and which I have slighted sadly. We have become dreadful gadabouts, so perhaps this weather is a positive blessing."
"Perhaps it is," said Isobel, a smile in her eyes. "I plan to make a visit to the British Museum to view the Frieze of Bassae. It has been recently acquired, and I have been meaning to go see it, but we are so seldom unoccupied. I am eager to view such a fine example of Greek art."
"Isobel, I think you are pleased that it is raining and our expedition has been called off," said Letitia accusingly. "You would greatly prefer to spend the day viewing art rather than a balloon."
Isobel's eyes danced. "How can you?" she said with mock reproach. "I assure you that I am desolate that I must find my pleasures indoors."
Letitia laughed. "Go view your frieze, then. I am sure you will have a delightful afternoon."
Isobel smiled and departed, stopping only to collect her maid, who was anticipating with pleasure a prolonged escape from polishing and fetching, and the leisure to peruse an exciting piece of penny fiction. Thus, both young ladies, however different their stations, were well satisfied with their program for the day.
The Secret Bluestocking: Isobel's Traditional Regency Romance Page 8
