Part 70 (1/2)
”Circ.u.mstances,” he began, his voice low, 'have changed. ” He raised his head and his eyes met hers. His brows rose, faintly challenging.
”Haven't they?” Lucinda stared into his eyes and said nothing at all; she wasn't about to gainsay him. But had things truly changed? She was no longer so sure of that.
Heather came skipping down the stairs, followed, more circ.u.mspectly, by Em.
Amid the bustle of finding cloaks and gloves, Lucinda had no further chance to question Harry's new tack. The short trip to Mickleham House in Berkeley Square was filled with Heather's bright prattle and Em's reminiscences.
Lucinda remained silent; Harry sat in the shadows opposite, equally quiet.
The ordeal of the crowded stairway left no opportunity for private converse.
Lucinda smiled and nodded to those about them, aware of the curious glances thrown their escort. For his part, Harry remained impa.s.sively urbane but as they neared their host and hostess, he bent his head to murmur, very softly, in her ear,
”I'll take the supper waltz--and I'll escort you into supper.”
Her lips setting, Lucinda shot him a speaking glance. Take the supper waltz, indeed! She inwardly humphed, then turned to greet Lady Mickleham.
As Harry had foretold, her ladys.h.i.+p's rooms were full to overflowing.
”This is ridiculous,” Lucinda muttered as they. forged a path towards one side of the ballroom, hoping to find a chaise for Em.
”It's always this bad at the end of the Season,” Em returned.
”As if building to a frenzy before summer sends everyone home to the country.”
Lucinda stifled a sigh ~as thoughts of the country--the grotto by the Lester Hall lake, the peace and serenity of Lestershall Manor--returned to her.
”Well--there's only a few weeks left to go,” put in Heather.
”So I suppose we should make the most of them.” She glanced at Lucinda.
”Have you decided where we'll spend the summer?”
Lucinda blinked.
”Ah...”
”I dare say your stepmother feels such decisions are a trifle premature,”
Harry drawled.
Heather's lips formed an innocent
”O'--she seemed perfectly content to accept the uninformative statement.
Lucinda let out a slow breath.
Em found a place on a chaise with Lady Sherringbourne; the two ladies promptly fell to exchanging revelations on the alliances forged that year.
Lucinda turned--to find herself all but engulfed by her court, who, as she was rapidly informed, had been awaiting her reappearance with hated breath.
”A whole week you've been away, m'dear. Quite desolate, we've been.”
Mr Amberly smiled benignly.