Part 16 (1/2)

Miss Dit ton said, looking about to faint dead away.

'/ had not heard that rumour,” the Dowager d.u.c.h.ess said, a little irritably.

”Is it certain?”

Mr Dit ton shrugged elegantly.

”Dear madam, who can say? But it would give a great deal of help to Chapman and his cronies to have a wealthy supporter! And not just that, but a man who has the entree to ton functions--why, such a person could advise on the subject for a robbery with violence, he could--' ” You're frightening the ladies, Dit ton,” Lord Henry said gently.

Polly looked at him. He was wearing the same, languid look of boredom that was his habitual expression in general company and yet for a second she could have sworn that there had been keen interest in his face, as though he were absorbing all that Tristan Dit ton was saying.

”But are you not concerned, March night?” the Dowager d.u.c.h.ess demanded.

”Do you not fear for your life?”

Lord Henry smiled.

”Alas, no, ma'am. I have no energy to waste worrying about criminals and agitators. The set of my coat, the quality of my linen-- those are the matters that preoccupy me! Excuse me!”

And he strolled away into the card room.

”Well!” the d.u.c.h.ess said explosively.

”Was there ever such a man-milliner!

I am thankful we do not have to depend on the likes of Henry March night to defend us from the common people! ” ”Of course,” Mr Dit ton said, a sly look on his equine face, 'it may all be a facade, ma'am!

What if--' he leaned forward avidly '--Lord Henry is our man?

The pose of dandy would be a fine way to dispel suspicion! ” This time there was a shocked gasp from his audience. Even the d.u.c.h.ess seemed uncertain how to react. Polly stood up. The candlelight seemed suddenly to make her head ache and she was aware of a constriction in her throat. Everyone seemed to have forgotten the presence of Lady Laura March night, who was looking so pale she looked in danger of fainting.

”Perhaps you will be so kind as to accompany me to the refreshment room.

Lady Laura,” Polly said firmly, taking the younger girl's unresisting arm.

”I feel in need of some lemonade. No, thank you, Mr Dit ton,” she said sharply, as Tristan Dit ton leaped to his feet, ”Lady Laura and I will do very well on our own!”

”Lord Henry is far too lazy to put himself to the trouble of planning insurrection!” the Dowager d.u.c.h.ess said, meaning well, but almost undoing all of Polly's good work.

Mr Dit ton's eyes gleamed.

”You may be correct, your Grace,” he said smoothly, 'but how can we know? I tell you, I shall be regarding Henry March- night with the greatest suspicion from now on! ” Laura gave a faint moan.

”Poppyc.o.c.k, Dit ton!” the d.u.c.h.ess said, pinning her colours to the mast.

”You should have more care, slandering a man like that! Lucky for you March night's too idle to call you out!”

Polly did not wait for matters to get worse. She practically dragged Lady Laura along the edge of the ballroom towards the door. In the background the music continued to tinkle and a few couples were attempting the cotillion in desultory fas.h.i.+on.

Polly found that she was very upset and chided herself for her foolishness.