Lucy Muir (8 page)

Anne, unaware of the close scrutiny she was under, enjoyed the remaining two acts of Handel’s
Giulio Cesare
thoroughly. She had a genuine love of music, and appreciated the beautiful voice of Gertrude Mara, who was playing the part of Cleopatra. Melissa, in common with most of the patrons, was more interested in observing the people.

Anne and Melissa returned home that night full of their success, feeling that the major hurdles to their establishment in Society had been overcome and that their success was assured.

Chapter Six

Lord Stanton put an expression of impenetrable politeness on his face and allowed his thoughts to drift, attempting to get through the musicale with the least possible pain. His sister had taken him up with a vengeance on his offer to escort her to functions, he thought. He also suspected that Lord Brookfield had taken advantage of his impetuous offer to spend evenings at his club. Yet so far his sacrifice had been for nothing, because he had not seen Anne and her cousin at any entertainments, except of course, the opera, where he could not approach them without seeming to single them out. Well, the Season had just begun, and perhaps Anne did not have access to circles as exalted as the one in which he and his sister moved. He had made it his business to find out who the couple were whose box Anne and Miss Amberly had been in at the opera. Military family, of course. He should have foreseen that would be the avenue by which Anne would try to enter Society.

Lord Stanton’s hands clenched involuntarily as the soprano performing hit a particularly high and off-key note. The Season was not turning out to be as entertaining as he had hoped. It was quite the opposite, in fact, despite the company of Lady Parnell. Most of his set were still in Brighton with Prinny, and the enjoyment he had anticipated from watching Anne and her ward striving to be accepted in Society had not materialised. Perhaps he should use his influence to have Anne and Miss Amberly invited to some affairs in the upper echelons of Society. He debated whether it would constitute interfering with the terms of the bet. No, he decided, because it would benefit Anne, not hinder her. Although it would mean allowing his sister to guess of his interest in them.

The singer finished, and Lord Stanton applauded politely before turning to his sister.

“When are you holding your first entertainment this Season?” he asked.

“You
are
interested in the Season, aren’t you?” Lady Brookfield replied, smoothing her mauve silk gown. “I was planning a ball for this next week.”

“There is someone I would like you to invite.”

Lady Brookfield’s eyes gleamed with interest. Perhaps at last she was going to find out who the mysterious woman was who had brought Harry to London so early. So far she had not been able to discover who it was. There was Lady Parnell, of course, but she did not think it was she.

“Who?” she asked.

“It is two people, in fact. Miss Amberly and Miss Southwell.”

Lady Brookfield recalled meeting both of them at a small rout party she had attended. Miss Amberly, of course, was one of the Season’s new Incomparables, but she had difficulty placing Miss Southwell. It must be Miss Amberly Harry was interested in, which was surprising, since she was so young.

“I have met them,” she said aloud. “If you will give me their direction I will see that they receive an invitation.”

“I believe you should also include her sponsors, Colonel Halcott and his wife.”

“Of course,” she replied, determining to observe the two women very closely the next time she saw them. This was the first time Harry had made such a request of her. There had to be a reason.

Satisfied, Lord Stanton prepared to listen to the next performer with fortitude.

* * * *

Mrs. Halcott was somewhat surprised when they received their invitations to Lady Brookfield’s ball.

“It is really something of a
coup,
my dear,” she said to Anne as they rode together in the Halcott’s carriage the night of the ball. “Invitations to Lady Brookfield’s entertainments are much sought after. I wonder why she included us? Perhaps she noticed Melissa’s beauty and invited us so the young gentlemen would have their Toast of the Season.”

“I am sure I don’t know,” Anne replied. “I don’t even recall meeting Lady Brookfield, do you, Melissa?”

“No, although I have heard her name before,” Melissa answered.

Whatever her reason for inviting them, Anne found that Lord and Lady Brookfield welcomed them most graciously and genuinely. Lord Brookfield was a well-looking man of middle age who appeared rather uncomfortable in his full evening dress. Anne felt he would be more at home among the sporting set or at his club. Lady Brookfield, in contrast, appeared to be in her element. She was exquisitely gowned in white satin lavishly embroidered in violet and wore a magnificent necklace of diamonds. Her dark good looks seemed somehow familiar to Anne, but she decided that she must have remembered her from other entertainments, and chose not to dwell upon it.

Lady Brookfield’s ball was quite the most elaborate ball she and Melissa had yet attended. Lady Brookfield had lavishly decorated the large yellow-and-white ballroom in the Oriental fashion. Eastern draperies were hung upon the walls, and exotic ornaments of brass had been placed about the room. The servants were all dressed in brightly coloured Oriental costumes, and altogether Anne felt as if she had just stepped into a seraglio in Turkey.

There was a great crush of people present, most of them unknown to Anne and Melissa, although there were a few familiar faces. Lord Millbank was in attendance, as were Lady Conliffe and Viscount Woolbridge. Mrs. Halcott pointed out several others whose names the cousins had often heard, but whom they had never seen. Lady Sefton and Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, two of the patronesses of Almack’s, were present, as was the famous political hostess, Lady Melbourne. Anne thought the two patronesses looked very haughty and superior, and was glad she did not have to worry about being approved by them in order to gain entrance to Almack’s. Lady Melbourne, on the other hand, appeared quite charming and approachable.

The guest Anne and Melissa were most interested in, however, was Beau Brummel, the arbiter of men’s fashion. Anne could see why his word was law, for his sartorial style was faultless. He was clad in a perfectly fitting blue coat, white waistcoat, tight black breeches, striped silk stockings and a cravat that was an absolute marvel of starch and intricate folds. He was not dancing, but held court with a circle of admirers that included most of the fashionable gentlemen present. Having heard many tales of his sharp wit, the cousins were just as glad there was little likelihood of being presented to the Beau.

Melissa was soon swept away to the dance floor by Lord Woolbridge and Anne, elegant in gold velvet, did not lack for a partner long. Lord Millbank minced up to her and, bowing carefully so as not to disarrange his attire, solicited her hand for the boulanger. He was dressed all-the-crack in a purple coat with velvet collar, canary waistcoat, high stock, shirt points up to his ears and a huge ruby shirt broach. Anne accepted, wondering why the young sprig of fashion continued to seek her out. She would have thought one of the young girls in their first Season would be a better partner than she. But the earl danced well, if cautiously, and his notice of Anne moved several other men to request dances. As the evening progressed, many gentlemen she had not met before asked to be presented, and Anne had no premonition when she heard her hostess’s voice behind her.

“Miss Southwell, another gentleman has requested that I make him known to you.”

Anne turned with a gracious smile upon her face, which froze upon her lips. For the first time since she had left Longworth she found herself face-to-face with Lord Henry Stanton. He was even more handsome than she had remembered, and rivalled the Beau’s elegance in his tight-fitting olive green coat, cream waistcoat, drab-coloured kerseymere breeches and perfectly tied cravat.

“May I present Lord Henry Stanton, Marquess of Talford. And also,” Lady Brookfield added with a smile, “my brother.”

She looked curiously at Anne, watching her reaction to her brother. Although she had thought her brother already knew Miss Southwell, he had asked her to present him. Yet the look on Miss Southwell’s face seemed to indicate that she already knew him. Or perhaps she had heard of his reputation.

“Lord Stanton,” Anne faltered. Lady Brookfield was his sister. That explained why she had seemed familiar.

“I am at your service,” Lord Stanton replied, lifting her hand to his lips, most improperly, since Anne was unmarried. “May I have the pleasure of this dance?” he continued.

Anne accepted, if somewhat hesitantly, and Lord Stanton led her out for the quadrille. As their fingers touched, Anne once again felt the thrill that seemed to invade her very being, and she pulled back imperceptibly.

“There is no danger to your reputation in being presented to me at my sister’s,” he assured her, mistaking the reason for her hesitation.

“I did not realise Lady Brookfield was your sister,” Anne said, trying to collect herself. A new thought occurred to her. “You had something to do with us being invited here, didn’t you?” she accused.

“I confess. But I am not hindering your chances of winning the bet. To be seen at my sister’s can only enhance your credit.”

“Perhaps,” Anne agreed, before the steps of the dance separated them.

When they came back together, Lord Stanton continued, “It appears you were doing quite well without my assistance, however. I see the rumours of Lord Woolbridge’s interest in your cousin are based on fact.” He nodded towards the couple dancing not far from them.

Anne could not help the look of satisfaction that came over her features as she glanced in the direction of his nod.

“Yes, Viscount Woolbridge has shown a marked preference for Melissa.”

She was unable to say more as the dance came to an end and Lord Stanton escorted her off the floor. He offered to procure her a glass of lemonade, and Anne accepted gratefully. When he returned, Lord Stanton noticed Anne was gazing at the corner of the ballroom where Brummel was still holding court.

“I see you are interested in the Beau,” he commented. “Would you like to be presented to him?”

“You are acquainted with Beau Brummel?” Anne asked, and then answered her own question. “Of course, he is an intimate of the Prince also. But I don’t think I care to meet him. I have heard too many tales of his cutting wit. I do not wish him to sharpen it on my provincial self.”

“I do not think you would give him cause,” said Lord Stanton, looking at her with admiration. “In any event, he is not always as cruel as he is made out to be. You would not credit it, but he has his soft spots. For instance, he is quite fond of animals, even mice.”

Anne looked at Lord Stanton dubiously, thinking he was making a May-game of her. She could not imagine the superior-looking Beau liking mice. She wanted to pursue the conversation, but was unable to as her next partner came toward her to claim his dance. Lord Stanton also looked disappointed at having their conversation disrupted.

“I hope we shall see each other more often, Miss Southwell,” he said. “I should like to keep a closer watch on the progress of my wager.”

Anne felt a rush of pleasure at the thought of seeing Lord Stanton more often, but she simply thanked him for the dance and the refreshment before turning to her next partner. As he walked away she felt strangely bereft, although she smiled pleasantly at Mr. Spencer, who was waiting patiently for her attention.

When Mr. Spencer returned Anne to her place by Mrs. Halcott, that lady took Anne to task for her dance with Lord Stanton.

“Oh, my dear,” she said, “how could Lady Brookfield present you to Lord Stanton? Although,” she added, “I don’t suppose she could refuse, given he is her brother. But you really should not have talked to him so long. It will cause comment. And you must refuse any other dances.”

“Don’t worry, Mrs. Halcott,” Anne reassured her friend. “I don’t think he will approach me for another, and if he does I shall make my excuses.”

“At least it was you and not Melissa,” Mrs. Halcott went on, “I don’t suppose one dance will be much remarked upon.”

Anne agreed, and her warning delivered, Mrs. Halcott left Anne to speak to a friend she spied across the room.

Anne was waiting for her next partner to claim his dance when she was surprised to be approached by Lady Conliffe, elegant in a thin yellow muslin laced with diamond chains. It outlined her slender figure spectacularly, and Anne couldn’t help thinking uncharitably that she must have been aware of it.

“I see you are ignoring my advice about Lord Stanton, Miss Southwell,” she said in a cool voice. “Lord Stanton rarely dances with unmarried women. To be so singled out by him will do your reputation no good. Or your cousin’s,” she added with a malicious edge to her voice, looking to where Lord Woolbridge was standing with Melissa as she waited for her next partner to claim his dance.

“I could hardly refuse a partner my hostess presented me with, Lady Conliffe,” Anne responded levelly.

“Then you have not met Lord Stanton before?”

“No indeed. Until this night I have endeavoured to follow your advice most scrupulously,” Anne replied mendaciously, not wishing to antagonize the woman, no matter how she disliked her.

Lady Conliffe looked at Anne sharply, and left with a cool nod, leaving Anne feeling uneasy. Lady Conliffe seemed to suspect some connexion between herself and Lord Stanton, although Anne knew it was quite impossible that Lady Conliffe could know anything of their former acquaintance. Still, she sensed the young woman’s strong antagonism and knew it would not do to underestimate her. Anne had taken Captain Leslie’s warning to heart, particularly since she had found out that Lady Conliffe had been expecting Lord Woolbridge to offer for her before he transferred his affections to Melissa. Well, there was little she could do about the situation at the moment. Anne resolved to remain on guard where Lady Conliffe was concerned.