Part 6 (1/2)

aOn the other hand, anything is possible,a Dambler said. aI will think about this. I was just congratulating myself on enjoying one of the benefits of approaching my autumn years, that is, I donat have to bed a woman every night.a aTwo women, if possible.a aAs you say. I donat remember. Well, at best theyare fleeting memories that sting only for a very brief instant.a aYou sound like youare about to weep. Forget autumn years, Dambler. Go find yourself a laughing lady. But first, go to bed and donat wake me up unless the house is on fire or you feel a bout of apoplexy coming on. I didnat ask you to wait up for me, curse you.a aWhat would her ladys.h.i.+p say?a Dambler said as he blew out the candles.

aSince my mother pa.s.sed to the hereafter some four years ago, I fear contact would prove difficult, even for you. Go to bed, Dambler. But you know, my mother was quite a bold wench in her heyday, all flash and good sport. Blood will tell, thank the good Lord.a He heard a low buzzing sound from Dambler and closed his eyes. He found himself wondering what his valet would say if he were to see Martine in all her natural glory. Apoplexy, he thought, very probably it would result in apoplexy.

Dambler said from the door of the bedchamber, aDo you have any activities planned for the evening, my lord?a aI have just finished the evening, thank you. Go to bed.a aThe next evening, my lord.a Phillip suddenly cursed. aYes, I forgot. Itas off to that sacred boring Almackas, to play St. George again, not that it will do any good.a aA n.o.ble gentleman, St. George, my lord.a aIf he was anything like me, then he was a b.l.o.o.d.y fool.a Miss Teresa Elliott, her arm placed gracefully upon her brother Wilfredas sleeve, glided toward the patronesses across the main hall at Almackas, where they were sitting on a dais, holding court.

aOld besoms,a Wilfred said in his sisteras ear as his myopic gaze took in the three ladies seated close together in their stiff-backed gilded chairs. aIad rather face a hanging judge. If you hadnat worn Mama out with all those b.a.l.l.s of yours and whatever else it is you doa”a aBe quiet, Wilfred. It wonat hurt you to be away from your wretched books for one evening, and I must have an escort, you know that.a aFind yourself a husband, Teresa. Maybe you will snag some poor wretch who will be willing to let you diddle him about.a She gave him a loathsome, self-satisfied smile that made her brother want to smack her.

aFor your information, Iave decided upon one of the most eligible bachelors in London.a aAnd just who might the poor devil be?a Wilfred looked down at her cla.s.sic profile and didnat appreciate it one bit.

aItas highly unlikely that he will attend this evening, for itas known he finds Almackas a bore. However, I expect he will come about, once weare married.a aWho is this weak-willed a.s.s?a She pinched his arm, no more, because the d.u.c.h.ess of Wigan was smiling toward her.

aYouave smiled quite enough, Teresa. Now, who is this paragon youave set your sights on?a aI doubt he would even give you a nod. He is too magnificent, too sportinga”a aPlease stop. Heas one of those useless men who do nothing except drink brandy, visit their mistresses, and race their horses.a aIall have you know, you dunce, that itas Viscount Derencourt.a aPhillip Mercerault?a aYes,a she said, ignoring the incredulity in his voice. aIf you ever bothered to pull your nose from your infernal studies, you would know that I have ridden in the park with him and, indeed, was at Moreland with him before Christmas.a That visit, however, hadnat lived up to her expectations. aIf it hadnat been for that stupid girl who interfered, I know, I just know he would havea”a aI thought you said Phillip Mercerault never came to Almackas.a aHe doesnat, moreas the pity, for I look very fine tonight anda”a She followed his pointed stare. She felt herself flush. aGood heavens, he must have found out that I would be here this evening. How clever and romantic of him to surprise me.a She tugged at her brotheras sleeve. aYouall be polite, Will, or I will make your tutor fall in love with me.a He wanted to say something to put her in her place, but he imagined that she could make his tutor, the hapless Mr. James, fall so deeply in love that he wouldnat be able to dig himself out. aIall be all thatas civil.a aOh, dear, weave got to greet Lady Jersey and the Countess Lieven, and that cold Mrs. Drummond Burrell first.a aIad rather go to Newgate.a Delicate color suffused Teresaas cheeks in her excitement as she greeted the patronesses. Wilfred, thank the Lord, was able to speak a civil sentence, which was all that was necessary from him.

aPretty girl,a Countess Lieven said behind her fan to Sally Jersey as Teresa and Wilfred drifted away. aShe has nice manners. She dresses nicely too.a Sally Jersey gave her a superior smile, a malicious smile, truth be told. aPerhaps Miss Teresa Elliottas perfect manners will fall off a cliff when she meets the newest addition to the young misses making their coming-out this year. Indeed,a she added thoughtfully, ait would appear that Sabrina Eversleigh has already made a notable conquest. Phillip Mercerault asked my permission to lead her in a waltz.a Mrs. Drummond Burrell, who had given no impression of even having attended to the ladiesa conversation, turned her cold eyes to Lady Jersey and said, aIt would appear to me that the viscount will shortly find himself caught between two ladies. The man has great charm. It will prove interesting to see how well he manages to extricate himself from this encounter.a Teresa dragged Wilfred toward the viscount, pausing to give only cursory greeting to a young gentleman who seemed more than willing to take Wilfredas place at her side.

She was within five feet of her goal when the viscount turned away to speak to a small, red-haired girl who was standing next to Lady Barresford. In the next moment he was leading her to the dance floor. Teresa stopped dead in her tracks. aHow dare he do this to me? He must have seen me, I know that he did. Who is that miserable girl heas with? Oh, he will hear about this.a Wilfred, whoad expected to be bored silly, changed his mind in that instant. He looked at his sisteras furious face, and drawled in a voice designed to make her explode into flame, aIt looks to me like that little beauty has taken your viscount. Right from under your nose. Isnat she a lovely girl? Beautiful hair, t.i.tian, Iad call it. Looks innocent and sweet. Somehow I donat think thatas your future husband, sister. I wonder if shead dance with me. Do you think she might?a aShut up or Iall tell Mama. I know what it is. Heas being polite, nothing more. Come, Will, I must pay my respects to Lady Barresford.a At that moment Lady Barresford lowered her turbaned head to hear something Lucilla Morton was saying. It would be unforgivable to break in. Teresa cursed under her breath.

She looked toward Phillip and the girl he was waltzing with, and saw him throw back his head and laugh at something the skinny twit said. Without warning, she grabbed Wilfredas arm.

aYouare going to dance with me, Will. Donat complain and donat you dare step on my toes. These slippers are new and very white.a Phillip whirled Sabrina in a wide circle toward the periphery of the dance floor. She was breathless and laughing. aSo what do you think of Almackas?a he asked, smiling down at her.

She smiled back. aThis is wonderful. I love the waltz and you are so very good at it, better than the dancing master. He kept counting out loud and his hands were sweaty. Do you come here often, Phillip?a aRarely. Usually itas a bore.a aI hope you havenat put yourself out on my account.a aOh no. Havenat you been told that Iam a thoroughly selfish creature? That I never put myself out on anyoneas account? Itas true, most of the time. I normally do exactly as I wish.a Except where you are concerned, Sabrina, he finished silently to himself. She appeared to have forgotten their rather dazzling fight of the night before. He wondered if she was coming to her senses. No, little chance of that. There was no reason at all for her to change her view of society.

aYouare breathing hard, Sabrina. Letas rest here a moment. I donat want you to overdo.a aI wouldnat want to bore you, my lord.a aIall tell you if I feel a bout of boredom overcoming me.a Her violet eyes widened at his gentle thrust, which was, in truth, a mild jest. Let her growl, he thought, just once let her growl at him.

He smiled down at her and stoked the flames. aThatas right, Sabrina. A little temper canat hurt. Richard spoke of your being as vivid as life itself. I wouldnat argue if you decided to impress me in the same way.a Before she could answer, the band began another waltz. He tightened his hand about her waist and whirled her about the perimeter of the dancing floor, in wide, dipping circles. She was panting breathlessly and laughing. The room was warm, the candlelight twinkled like a thousand prisms, and she could hear laughter all around her. She felt wonderful. Phillip drew her just a bit closer and slowed down.

aPlease donat stop, Phillip. I love the way you whirl me around.a He thought that if he released her, shead hug herself in joy, that or simply keep waltzing by herself. He was charmed.

aYou were wrong, you know. Just look around you. Everyone is happy and dancing and laughing. Almackas isnat a bore. And everyone is being so kind. My aunt even told me that the last person Mrs. Drummond Burrell smiled at was a hussar in uniform at the turn of the century. She smiled at me, Phillip. Well, nearly smiled. She showed her teeth, which, Aunt a.s.sured me, was well nigh a miracle.a He just shook his head and whirled her about again in the large circles she so much loved. When he slowed again, he said, aI must agree. This is a delightful evening. You dance rather well, I might add, for a merchantas relative.a aAll the gentlemen Iave danced with this evening have agreed with you.a She looked up at him through her lashes. She was jesting with him. Perhaps even flirting, just a bit. He was enchanted.

aFor a merchantas relative, you also dress well. I like your auntas choice of the pale amber. The Italian crepe is exquisite.a aI selected it, not my aunt. How do you know this is Italian crepe? I didnat think any gentleman knew of such things.a aA man who is to enjoy a certain success with ladies must be a master of many things. If you like, I can take you to a small millineras shop just off Bond Street. I can think of several charming bonnets that should set off your coloring to perfection.a She didnat know whether to be furious or to laugh, and he saw it clearly. He arched an eyebrow, saying, aWell, which will it be?a aWhen I make up my mind I will tell you. But I do know that if I laugh, it will just encourage you.a aProbably so.a He felt her fingertips tapping on his shoulder and thought, a slight smile on his lips, of his previous night with Martine. He whirled her about until she was panting. Just before the waltz ended, Phillip lowered his chin to the thick coronet of braids atop her head and said in a pensive voice, aI wish you would allow me to be the second St. George. You are a damsel in distress, Sabrina. Itas true, you know, and nothing you want to believe will change it. Wonat you reconsider?a aI would never repay you by asking you to give up your life. Besides, just look around. Everyone likes me, Phillip. St. George really isnat necessary.a He just sighed. Then the orchestra struck up another waltz and he whirled her toward the middle of the dance floor.

aA third waltz. How very kind you are. I do so enjoy it.a If only you understood what a third waltz means, he thought, his laughing smile firmly in place.

25.

He saw the avid curiosity in everyoneas eyes. This was their third waltz. A second waltz was as good as an announcement in the Gazette. A third, and they were as good as married in the eyes of society. Head been right that Sabrina, in her ignorance of London rules, was sublimely unaware that three waltzes as good as put a wedding ring on her finger. He refused to feel guilty about it. Let her aunt Barresford deal with it.

After some moments, he said, aI must leave London for several days, to go to my home near Oxford. I shall be back no later than Monday. Would you like to ride in the park with me when I return?a aYou mean they actually allow merchantsa relatives in the park, my lord?a She was trying not to laugh, and he was pleased. aSince,a he said, bland as tepid tea, ayou will be in my company, thereas no need for you to worry. If anyone says anything about you not belonging, I will speak up and protect you.a She tilted her head back. aI swear that one day, Phillip Mercerault, I will have the last word.a aSince I am eight years your senior and come from clearly superior stock, I truly doubt it is possible, but we will see, wonat we?a aI doubt that,a she said, but knew head outdone her. She said, aI know where your home is. However, I know little else about it.a He laughed down at her, his white teeth flas.h.i.+ng. So she wanted to know about his home, did she? Well, it would probably be her home, so he willingly said as he slowed their pace, aHave you ever traveled to Oxford, Sabrina?a She shook her head. aIave heard that itas not as beautiful as the Cotswolds.a aAh, a pox on you for that remark. It is glorious, actually. My family home is called Dinwitty Manor, a truly abysmal name but the heiress who saved my ancestorsa hide demanded, I suppose, that the name be changed, and so it was. She renewed our wealth and fortunately since that time no viscount has been a wastrel. In fact, pleasantly enough, all have been fairly astute in matters of money. Dinwitty Manor has somewhat of a reputation of being rather oddly fas.h.i.+oned.a aWhatever does that mean?a aLetas just say that all my ancestors had different architectural bents. There were many different styles. I am of a medieval bent, you could say. My father was of a Moorish bent. My grandfather was of a cla.s.sical bent. It has made for a charming if unusual house.a aIt sounds intriguing.a He c.o.c.ked an eyebrow, lowered his voice, and said, aThere is a very nice nursery.a He thought her eyes crossed.

aIn addition to a nursery, there is also an exquisite library. The ballroom, my grandfatheras addition, is at the back of the house and is fairly dripping with carved cherubs from the ceilinga”really quite disconcerting, particularly when one is trying to mind oneas steps.a The music came to a halt, and Phillip, curse his scheming eyes, merely smiled at her and said, aWould you like to dance yet another dance?a Her eyes were glowing. aOh, drat. Look, Phillip, my aunt is waving to me. Goodness, sheas frowning. Why would she be frowning? Iave done absolutely nothing to displease anybody, since Iave danced with you, and quite pa.s.sably, at least according to you.a aIall take you back to her. Itas likely she wants you to meet other gentlemen.a He wondered if Lady Barresford would shriek at Sabrina for dancing not two, but three dances with him.

aI suppose youare right. Will you waltz with me again after Iave done my duty with the other gentlemen? I do so enjoy it.a aIam sorry, not tonight. I have another engagement and must leave now.a He returned Sabrina to her aunt, noting well the speculative gleam in that ladyas sharp eyes. aMy lady. Sabrina, Iall return to London on Monday. We will go riding in the park then.a Sabrina nodded. She felt a stab of disappointment as she watched him make his way to the patronesses to bid them good night.

aIt would appear,a Mrs. Drummond Burrell said toward the viscountas retreating figure, athat his lords.h.i.+p managed to escape with his hide intact. A pity. I should have liked to see him tested.a aI must say that Miss Elliott doesnat look happy,a Lady Jersey said. aYes, a drama would have been enlivening tonight. A pity.a aAt least the girl has the good sense not to dash after him,a Countess Lieven said. Like the other two ladies, shead hoped for just the opposite.

aOh, dear,a Lady Jersey said behind her fan. aMiss Elliott has decided to meet her rival. Oh, how I wish we were closer.a Teresa, a firm smile planted on her mouth, was saying, aDear Lady Barresford. How delightful to see you again. My mama surely would have sent her best regards if shead had the faintest notion that I would be speaking to you.a Sabrina turned about at Miss Elliottas words. What an incredibly lovely girl, she thought. She dismissed Phillip from her mind for the moment, promising herself that when she saw him on Monday, shead flatten his ears. Her aunt had told her what he had done. Three waltzes. However had he managed to keep a straight face? He was trying to compromise her again. Why? Shead released him. He was free. Why didnat he bless her and run as fast as he could?

a. . . And this is Wilfred, my brother, my lady.a Wilfred of the dreamy eyes, Sabrina thought. She watched him bow. It was odd how he was eyeing his sister who was now staring at her. There was no smile on her face.

Lady Barresford nodded pleasantly toward the uneasy Wilfred. aSabrina, this is Teresa Elliott and her brother, Wilfred.a After polite greetings, Teresa said in a voice br.i.m.m.i.n.g with gaiety, aDo let me take Sabrina from you for a few minutes, my lady. I should like to get to know her better.a Wilfred opened his mouth to say something, but Teresa said quickly, aWhy donat you dance with Miss Ainsley, Will. Sheas standing over there next to that woman who must weigh at least eighteen stone.a Sabrina smiled at the perfectly blank expression on Wilfredas face.

aBut I donata”a aYes, you do,a Teresa said firmly, and actually shoved him in Miss Ainsleyas direction.

Teresa turned back to Sabrina. aDonat keep my niece too long, Miss Elliott, for there are many other gentlemen she needs to meet.a aCertainly not,a Teresa said and took Sabrinaas arm. Her hold was strong.

aYouare new to London,a she said, sitting very close to the interloper on a small settee just behind a palm tree.

aYes, I have been with my aunt but a week.a aI saw you dancing with Viscount Derencourt, Miss Barresford.a aMy name is Eversleigh.a aAh yes, Miss Eversleigh. Was dear Phillip giving you lessons?a aWell, no, actually, I love to waltz and he is so very good at it.a aI donat suppose you realized that three waltzes will make everyone question your good sense? Your sense of propriety?a Sabrina, who had been openly admiring this lovely girl, now wondered what was going on here. aNo, I didnat realize it. Phillip was playing a jest on me.a aYou call him Phillip? How long have you known the viscount, Miss Eversleigh?a aNot very long. But heas a good friend.a aA good friend doesnat play fast and loose with a girlas reputation.a The good friend does if he wants the girl to marry him, Sabrina wanted to say, but didnat.

Teresaas eyes widened as memory suddenly fell into place. aEversleigh, did you say?a Her heart began to pound. It couldnat be, no, she couldnat be that lucky. She cleared her throat. She had to tread carefully. aI donat suppose that you just arrived from Yorks.h.i.+re, Miss Eversleigh?a aYes, my home is in Yorks.h.i.+re, near Leeds.a What was going on here? Why did this beautiful young lady care if she was from Yorks.h.i.+re? Or from Africa, for that matter?

Miss Elliottas nostrils flared. She felt her heart begin to sing as she said, aThen you are, naturally, very well acquainted with Vicount Derencourt.a There was danger in the air and Sabrina smelled it. She realized that Miss Elliott was jealous because she wanted Phillip. That was why she wanted to know all about Sabrina. But then she saw that the young ladyas eyes were slitted and mean, her lips tight. She wasnat stupid. The last place she wanted to be was here, with this beautiful young lady who looked ready to stick a knife in her ribs. She rose quickly. aI must return to my aunt, Miss Elliott. It was a pleasure to meet you and your brother. I was very ill and still tire quite quickly.a aYou tire easily, Miss Eversleigh? I should imagine so, given how you spent that week you were supposedly ill. But you werenat at all ill, were you? No, you met the viscount at Charlesas hunting box and you quite enjoyed yourself. I am only surprised that the viscount will still even speak to you. Surely he got his fill of you during that week.a She knew, Sabrina thought. She knew and she was going to use her knowledge to bury her. aPerhaps youad best explain yourself, Miss Elliott. Youare acting jealous and it ruins your looks, you know.a aJealous, Miss Eversleigh? I a.s.sure you I am not. Come, you donat have to play innocent with me. I know who you are. I know all about you. Tell me, how many lies did you feed your aunt so that she would introduce you into society?a aThere is no reason for you to behave in such an ill-bred manner, Miss Elliott. There is no reason for you to attack me just because you want Phillip. You may have Phillip. As I said, he is a friend, nothing more. You are welcome to him. However, if he has a brain, he will see the spite in you and run in the other direction. You arenat at all nice, Miss Elliott.a Teresa jumped to her feet, shaking her fist in Sabrinaas face. aYou vulgar little s.l.u.t. If Phillip is but a friend, then what would you term your cousin, Trevor Eversleigh?a It didnat occur to Sabrina to wonder how Miss Elliott knew about Trevor. She knew and that was all that mattered. Phillip had been right. Shead been a fool. Her new life of one week was about to crumble into dust.

Teresa saw the color drain from Sabrinaas face. She wanted to shout and dance. She had the little s.l.u.t, she had her but good. aI was a guest at Moreland. Ah yes, I see that you wonat even attempt to deny it. The gentlemen were in quite a fix, I a.s.sure you, trying to figure out what was to be done with you. Did you enjoy your five days with Phillip? Iave heard that he is kindness itself to his discarded mistresses. And that, you little b.i.t.c.h, is why he bothered to dance with you.a Miss Elliott was just one person. She was jealous. That was why she wanted to kill Sabrina, to kick her dead body. Surely all of society wasnat like Teresa Elliott. She heard Miss Elliott continuing to speak, as if from a great distance. aDid you intend to continue your wanton behavior in London? Everyone at Moreland was appalled that a girl of good family would seduce her own cousin, and her sisteras husband at that, then spend nearly a week with Phillip Mercerault.a Sabrina remembered her words to Phillip about making the world change. As she gazed into Miss Elliottas gloating face, she realized shead been grossly wrong. Society would not change its rules for her; she was nothing better than an outcast. She threw back her head and said, aItas ridiculous that I should try to defend myself to the likes of you, Miss Elliott. Youare a vicious, jealous girl. I pity you.a aI need no pity from a harlot.a Sabrina turned on her heel and made her way slowly back to her aunt. Perhaps she should have tried to reason with Miss Elliott, explained everything to her. But she knew it would have done no good. If she didnat have pride, she would have nothing. She wondered, almost dispa.s.sionately, what would happen to her now.

26.

Sabrina stood quietly beside a window in the small drawing room of her suite at the Cavendish Hotel, looking over the tops of red and gray brick buildings toward Bond Street. Although the window was tightly closed against the winter wind, it made her feel less lonely if she fancied she could hear the people on the street below speaking to each other as they pa.s.sed by her window, carrying on civil conversations about whatever it was people discussed when they were not alone. But their conversations would be civil. They would be friendly to one another.

She turned away from the window. She heard Hickles, her newly acquired maid, moving about in the next room. At least she was not completely alone, although it was difficult to count Hickles as anything remotely resembling a confidante. Sabrina grimaced as she pictured her maid, an obese older spinster who contrived to look somehow disapproving even when she smiled, a rare event during the past three days. But she couldnat afford to be choosy.

She chewed on her thumbnail. Things could be worse. At least she wasnat dest.i.tute. When shead paid her visit to h.o.a.reas Bank to secure her own inheritance, she knew it was on the tongue of every male employed there to tell her to hie herself to a drawing room and serve tea, as she was supposed to do. But shead just kept her chin up and insisted, until, finally, she was allowed to see Mr. Boniface, the man responsible. At long last it had been done. Her funds were now in her name and there was nothing her aunt Barresford could do about it, and she knew the lady had tried, for Mr. Boniface had sent a clerk around to tell her of her auntas machinations.

She sat wearily down in a stiff-backed brocade chair and stared blankly at the wall opposite her. A poorly painted picture of a milkmaid faced her. She smiled now, at herself, a tight little smile that meant nothing, remembering how she had still felt some hope after her disastrous confrontation with Teresa Elliott just five days before. Although her aunt had looked at her rather oddly when shead pleaded a headache at Almackas, shead taken her home without questioning her.

How glib shead been, telling Phillip that she would change the world, insisting that no one would have any reason to hurt her. The very next day shead learned what it was like to receive cold stares from ladies shead never seen before in her life, to be ignored by supposed friends of her auntas. One gentleman shead met that disastrous evening at Almackas had actually leered at her and rubbed his hands together.

Sabrinaas confrontation with her aunt came about that very afternoon. Shead intended to tell her aunt the whole of it, truly she had, but there was Lady Morton waiting for them upon their return, her face sharp with antic.i.p.ation. Sabrina went to her room, reasoning that she was, after all, the granddaughter of an earl and not some poor relation. Perhaps Aunt Barresford would understand and be able to smooth the matter over with society. She had not long to wait for her auntas summons to the library.

aSit down, Sabrina.a Sabrina looked searchingly at her aunt. Her cheeks were a mottled red and her eyes were bright and hard. aLady Morton has spoken to you?a She spoke very quietly, trying to keep her voice neutral. She glanced about the library, half expecting to see that lady still there, but they were quite alone. A library was a strange name for a room that held only Egyptian furnis.h.i.+ngs and heavy draperies.

aCan you doubt it?a Lady Barresford asked, her voice harder now, lower.