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‘An evasive answer if ever I heard one,’ Mark said.
They finished drinking their tea and the men took their leave, walking swiftly in the direction of South Audley Street. ‘You have been a constant visitor to Mount Street, I believe,’ Mark said.
‘I go to enquire of the invalid and, in your absence, to see if I can be of service to the ladies. Is there anything wrong with that?’
‘No, of course not, but I did notice Isabel referred to you as Drew.’
‘A slip of the tongue, no doubt. She often hears you call me that. I do not mind it, if you do not.’
‘No, we are all friends. Will you come to the soirée tomorrow evening?’
‘Indeed I will. I think Miss Cavenhurst will need all the support she can get. I fear she is going to be disappointed—there are too many people, like the good Duke, who think the problem is for others to solve.’
‘I doubt His Grace ever saw Jane’s letter.’
‘You are probably right, but it is not only that. There have been rumours...’
‘What rumours?’ Mark asked sharply.
‘That Miss Cavenhurst is using whatever funds she gathers, not for the benefit of orphans, but to help solve her father’s financial difficulties.’
‘Good God! Who is spreading such tales? No, let me guess. Hector Bolsover.’
‘You are right. He is saying that none of the Cavenhursts can be trusted with money.’
‘I was right, was I not? This is not about Teddy and his debts. Have you managed to discover what is behind it?’
‘No, but I think Toby Moore might know something, so I am cultivating the gentleman. He is a very poor card player.’
Mark laughed. ‘It is more the case that you are an exceptionally good one.’
‘However, when he owes me a great deal of blunt I shall magnanimously offer to waive it for information. I have undertaken to play tonight. Do you come?’
‘No, I have Jane’s figures to check and suggestions to make ready for tomorrow.’ He tapped the folder of notes he carried. ‘I want to give her the best possible chance, especially in view of what you have told me.’
They parted on the corner of the road. Mark walked half the length of South Audley Street, dwelling, not on Jane’s figures, but on Isabel and Drew and wondering if Bolsover, for all his nastiness, had been right in his insinuation. He should have felt angry and jealous, but surprisingly did not, or only in so far as the gossip would harm both families if the engagement were broken. It would be decidedly dishonourable to consider breaking it himself and so he must remain passive and await events. The alternative would be to tackle Drew and call him out. But what would that achieve? The death or injury of one or the other and a great many unhappy people. And maybe he was reading more into it than was actually there. He shrugged his shoulders and entered his house.
* * *
The following evening, with wine and refreshments ready in the dining room and the drawing room cleared of most of its furniture and ornaments to make room for people, Jane prepared herself for what she knew would be an ordeal. Her gown was a pale sea-green silk of a plain design, trimmed with dark green velvet ribbon. Bessie, who dressed her hair, threaded it with more green ribbon and she wore the pearls her father had bought for her on her twenty-first birthday.
Her head was buzzing with the speech she meant to make, which she intended to be brief in favour of circulating among the guests and speaking to them individually. Mark arrived early so that they could take a last look at her figures and the notes she had made. At eight o’clock friends of Lady Cartrose began arriving and, being plied with refreshments, stood about eating, drinking and gossiping. They were followed by others, less well known, and by nine o’clock the room was full. It was then Isabel made her entrance, wearing her sari and causing something of a stir, which, of course, she had known it would. Jane could do nothing about it as her sister drifted over to Drew and asked him if he approved. Neither Mark nor Jane heard his reply.
‘Let us make a start,’ Mark said, turning away from the sight of his fiancée flirting with his friend. He called for attention and said a little about the reason they were gathered together and introduced Jane. Then he helped her stand on a stool so that she could be seen and heard.
She was shaking with nerves, but was so passionate about her subject, she forgot everything else and was soon in full spate. At first the audience were silent, but as she went on the murmurs grew until she was forced to stop to deal with them. ‘You have questions?’ she asked. ‘I will answer them in due time.’
