Part 3 (2/2)
”Have you no pride, Polly? I a.s.sure you that the Cyprian will not drive me away!”
Polly smiled slightly. She could see her brother Peter coming into the ballroom at that very moment, threatening to put his mother's resolution to the test. Lucille had mentioned Peter's sudden descent into questionable company, but even she had apparently been unaware of this latest disaster.
For with Peter Sea grave was none other than Lucille's sister, the notorious Cyprian Susanna Bolt, in a dress of the most outrageous plunging black silk and ostrich feathers.
”Peter, what can you be doing!”
”Why, I'm talk in' to my own sister!” Lord Peter Sea grave said, with pardonable indignation.
”What could be more suitable?”
”You know that is not what I meant!” Polly looked up at him with asperity, feeling her annoyance begin to melt at the limpid innocence in those dark Sea grave eyes. It was so very difficult to be angry with Peter for long.
Whilst Polly and Nicholas had inherited something of their father's gravity, Peter had a gaiety and insouciance that was almost irresistible.
”Oh, Peter, how could you squire Susanna Bolt about and embarra.s.s Mama so?”
Peter looked affronted.
”Mama ain't embarra.s.sed by me! Why, she's nose to nose with Agatha Calvert and has barely noticed me!”
”Only because she has not seen Lady Calvert for an age!” Polly looked across to where the two matrons were chatting nineteen to the dozen.
”I.
a.s.sure you, she would not have allowed me to even speak with you else!
Supposing Lady Bolt approaches us? ” ”Lady Bolt is almost one of the family,” Peter added virtuously, but unable to repress a slight twinkle, 'and I am sure Mama would not slight a relative!
” ”Fustian!” Polly was also trying not to smile.
”Oh, this is too bad of you, Peter! I dare swear it is not for the family connection that you have sought her company!”
”Careful, Poll!”
”Well, if you are setting Lady Bolt up as your in- amorata--' ”
Polly! ” ”Oh, I collect that it is acceptable for a gentleman to have such a thing, but not for ladies to refer to her?” Polly frowned at her brother.
”And if you try to tell me that Lady Bolt has become respectable since her marriage I will count you a greater fool than I already do! What of Hetty, Peter?”
The amus.e.m.e.nt went out of Peter Sea grave's face like a candle blown out.
He studied the dancers with sudden intentness.
”Miss Mark ham and I are no longer... That is, we have agreed that we would not suit.”
”Oh, Peter!” Polly looked up at him, genuinely shocked. Peter swung gently back on his rout chair, feigning nonchalance.
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