“I don’t know yet.The first thing is to talk to Ralph.”
“Well, I told them I was moving back over here with you, now that you were home, and we are both invited to dine at the big house.”
Tabitha wrinkled her nose, for she went there as seldom as possible.On this occasion, it would have to be done.She changed the subject as though the last one was of little account.
“Well, we shall be off again in a couple of days, if you would still like to attend Lady Hawthorn’s party with me?”
“Oh, of all things!”Lily declared, brightening immediately.
At eighteen, she was eager to go out into Society, to meet other young people, wear pretty clothes, dance, and enjoy herself.Ralph and his wife, on the excuse of mourning some distant relative, had postponed her debut this Season, refusing even Tabitha’s offer to present Lily to the Queen and to the ton at her own expense.Of course, Tabitha could have taken her anyway, but she chose not to quarrel over it, instead reaching a compromise that they would introduce Lily gradually, via a few house parties this summer and autumn, with a view to a formal presentation next Season.
Tabitha wondered now if Ralph’s reluctance had anything to do with this ducal betrothal that no one else seemed to know anything about.She began to roll up her metaphorical sleeves for the fight.
***
DRESSING WITH CARE, while Lily watched from the bed, fascinated, her chin resting on her clasped hands, Tabitha said, “You will be the perfect young lady, if you please, no defiance or arguments.”
Lily shifted to display her demure white muslin gown.
“Yes, very suitable, but you’re crushing it,” Tabitha pointed out, and the girl hastily jumped up and shook out the gown, looking guilty.
“I suppose I have a good deal to learn,” she said humbly.
“Don’t learn too much,” Tabitha said.“Natural manners are more appealing.You just have to find your own balance between propriety andyou.But I know you will not disgrace yourself.”It was not in the girl’s nature or her upbringing.Lively and even mischievous she might be, but she was neither silly nor ill-natured.
Tabitha fastened her earrings and regarded herself in the mirror.Allison, her maid, who always stood back to allow her mistress to finish her own toilette, nodded and stepped forward to twitch a fold of her gown.She then adjusted Lily’s gown and handed both ladies their reticules and shawls.
“Thank you, Allison,” Tabitha said.“We shan’t be late.”
Since it was a fine night, they walked up to the house with no outer-wear but their shawls draped from the elbows and were soon ushered into the dining room where it was the custom to gather at the opposite end to the great mahogany table.They did not sit in the uncomfortable chairs grouped there, but stood by the window until the countess chose to breeze in.
“Cousin Portia” as Tabitha had always known her, thoroughly enjoyed being countess and taking precedence at last over Tabitha.But today, she was at her most gracious, actually welcoming the dowager countess home and going so far as to kiss the air close to her cheek.
“How was your journey, my dear?”Portia asked, standing back as though examining Tabitha’s health.She was a handsome woman inclined to stoutness and unfortunately addicted to frills and bold prints.Her slightly protuberant eyes were sharp, and her thin mouth pinched in repose.
“Not as eventful as it might have been.I was glad of my outriders to scare off a highwayman yesterday.”
“Oh, my dear!What happened?”Portia demanded.
“You never told me that!”Lily exclaimed at the same time.
Cousin Ralph, Earl of Sark, chose to make his entrance at that point, very conscious of his own dignity and value—though financially speaking, Tabitha had begun to suspect that value was not high.Which may well have been the catalyst for reviving this bizarre betrothal, if it had ever existed.
“Highwaymen?” he exclaimed, pursing his lips as though the very word was an insult to his name.
“Oh, just the one,” Tabitha said carelessly, “and the outriders only had to face him with their pistols for him to ride on—laughing, the impudent rogue.But then he had just had a spot of luck robbing some other poor devil, even taking his horse.I reported the incident to Sir Hubert at Cogglesworth, though I don’t expect to hear any more of it.I merely mentioned it to Portia to make sure you don’t decide to economize on outriders when you travel.”
“Let us sit down,” Portia said.“Dinner is about to be served.”
Since every meal was served with tedious formality, the servants were present throughout and it was impossible to talk of anything more confidential than the weather, Brighton gossip, and the prospects of Lady Hawthorn’s approaching party.During the last discussion, Tabitha was aware of the earl and countess exchanging glances and knew there would be difficulties extracting Lily.Difficulties, but no impediments, she promised herself.
At last, after the indifferent and rather meagre meal, the ladies left his lordship to his solitary port, and repaired to the drawing room where at last, as Tabitha’s brother Barty might have put it, the gloves came off.
“I suppose Lily has already told you the news of her stunning betrothal?”Portia said, smiling with proud delight although her eyes remained hard.
“It certainly stunned me,” Tabitha said mildly.“How on earth has this oddity come about?”
“Oh, it was all agreed before your time, Tabitha.And of course, his grace and our Lily are old friends.”
