Part 74 (1/2)

”How extraordinary! Are you sure, Eustacia?”

”Well...” Mrs Dit ton had the grace to retract a little 'it is only the d.u.c.h.ess and Lady Laura. I understand that they have been in Bath these four weeks past. ” again her brown eyes twinkled with gleeful malice 'but Laura is being pursued by a most unsuitable young man and the d.u.c.h.ess is at pains to remove her from his company!”

There was a gasp of speculative interest from the a.s.sembled ladies.

Lady Laura; only eighteen and the sweetest of debutantes, was the perfect target for scandal.

”How delicious,” Miss Dit ton breathed in excitement.

”Lord Blakeney was paying her particular attention in Town--I wonder if he followed her to Bath--' '/ had heard,” Lady Sea grave said a little tartly, 'that Lady Laura is delicate and that Sarah March- night was thinking of a sea break even before they left Town, for the good of Laura's health. But why they have chosen Wood bridge. ” and she frowned at the thought of her hegemony of Suffolk society being under threat.

”But the most piquant part,” Mrs Dit ton finished triumphantly, 'is that they are to be escorted here by Lord Henry. Lord Henry March night is coming to Wood bridge! ” This time the gasp contained a fris son of excitement as well as interest.

Almost every one of the ladies present had a deep interest in discussing and deploring the activities of so notorious a rake. That he might be about to create a stir in their little backwater was almost too stimulating to consider. Lord Henry might be condemned as being quite beyond the social pale, but he remained one of the most eligible and un.o.btainable prizes on the marriage mart.

Polly, despite having had foreknowledge of Mrs Dit ton's words, jumped and spilt a little tea on her lilac silk dress. Miss Dit ton's sharp brown eyes, so like her mother's, noted Polly's pallor.

”Lud, Lady Polly, the news has quite overset you!” she said, with spurious sympathy.

”I do so sympathise. How can you face the strong rescuer who saved you from the mob? How can you look him in the eye after what you have been through?

I know I should be quite overcome!”

7 shall face him with grat.i.tude,” Lady Sea grave said trenchantly, wading in before her daughter could even speak.

”Regardless of my previous opinion of Lord Henry, I cannot but be profoundly grateful that he was pa.s.sing that night. Such good fortune!

And he was truly courageous in facing down that mob and risking his life to help us! I shall not hear another word against him!”

Polly raised her eyebrows at such a staunch defence of a man her mother had previously dismissed as a dissolute wastrel.

”I vow,” Miss Dit ton said archly, ”Lord Henry has achieved a champion in you, has he not, ma'am! But I would wager all my pin money that it will not be long before he does something truly dreadful,” her eyes sparkled at the thought of it '--and we are all deploring him for a villain! ” She cast a spiteful sideways look at Polly.

”After all, remember the incident at Richmond! I am sure that Lady Polly will never forget it!”

Someone t.i.ttered behind their hand. Polly felt the familiar fury rising at this denouncement of Lord Henry, mixed with the pain that the memory of that day could still occasion her.

”Lord Henry would no doubt be flattered to think that his activities could command such interest, Thalia,” she said coolly.

Miss Dit ton, reddening, sought to sharpen her claws.

”It must be very pleasant to have your brother and sister-in-law back at Dilling ham,” she said, smiling at Polly.

”And I hear that your brother Peter has been intent on getting to know Lady Bolt much better! Such interesting family connections the Sea graves have!”

Polly knew better than to rise to that. Miss Dit ton derived all her pleasure from the little pin-p.r.i.c.ks and sharp words that could discommode her listeners. She yawned, as though somewhat bored with the topic of conversation.

”Oh, as to that, Peter has always been a most sociable creature! I am blessed with two very amiable brothers. Miss Dit ton. No doubt I am the envy of all about me!” Polly's gaze lingered just long enough on Tristan Dit ton to make her point. In no way could Mr Dit ton be coveted as a brother.

A tiny frown of annoyance marred Miss Dit ton's narrow forehead and Polly was grateful when Mrs Fitzgerald came across to join them and dilute the conversation. She was afraid that she was about to be very rude to Miss Dit ton.

The Dowager Countess and her daughter left soon after, with the Dit tons coming out on to the front steps to wave them off in state.