‘I am sorry that I had to be the bearer of the information, for it has soured my visit.’ Sir Rowland sighed.
‘No, sir, “your” visit has been very welcome, and if the message is unpleasant, it is not the fault of the319messenger.’ Miss Lound held out her hand, and he took it, and clasped it firmly.
‘Tonight you will dance with me?’ He made it half command, half entreaty.
‘Yes, Sir Rowland, if you are that brave, I shall.’
‘Then I will leave you ladies to your preparations. Until tonight.’
He left, wondering if she waltzed.
Whilst Mary hoped she would not disappoint Sir Rowland, what occupied her mind most was finding the opportunity to take Madeleine Banham to one side, before she might put Lord Cradley’s name on her dance card. As the daughter of the house, she would be in the receiving line. When Madeleine had made her curtsey to Lady Damerham she beamed at Mary, her eyes alight with delight.
‘I am so very glad you have come. Everyone is here, all our friends, and Lord Cradley and Sir Rowland and his brother, and although we know everyone it is my first ball and so exciting.’ There was nothing false about the degree of her anticipation.
‘I am sure everyone will have a lovely evening,’ replied Miss Lound, though what she must tell the innocent Miss Banham would tarnish that pleasure. She passed on into the large room created by folding back the panels that divided the morning room from the drawing room. It was already quite full, and she judged that there must be about forty persons present.320It was the sort of evening she could enjoy, since it was small enough for everyone to know everyone else and thus to be at ease, not playing roles, which was how it always felt in large gatherings.
She saw Sir Rowland Kempsey at the far end and with his back towards her. She did not ask herself how it was that she espied him so quickly, but made a conscious effort not to approach him and cause gossip.
‘I wonder, ma’am, if your “pupil” will seek entertainment rather than education this evening,’ Lord Cradley murmured from just behind her left shoulder. ‘Will you dare reprimand him? I am not sure it would be wise.’ His drawl was more noticeable than usual, but there was nothing soft about his voice. It was, Miss Lound felt, as though it was shot through with shards of ice, hard, cold, unfeeling. She refused to turn and look at him.
‘You are determined to persist in your misconception, sir. Perhaps you think it amusing, but I am sure what amuses you would not amuse most other people.’
‘How little you know the world, Miss Lound.’ He smiled.
She so wanted to turn and confront him with his perfidy and denounce him in front of everyone, see how ‘the world’ would recoil from him, but it was not her house, her ball, and making a scene would be unthinkable. She clenched her gloved hands, and Lord Cradley, believing he had scored another hit, smiled the more.321
Sir Rowland turned at that moment, but though he saw Miss Lound and her expression, he could not go to her, for he had just seen Lord Roxton enter the room, and he needed to speak privately with him as soon as possible. He made his excuses to the young lady with whom he and his brother were conversing, and worked his way, avoiding any appearance of undue haste, towards his host. Lord Roxton was naturally rather taken aback to receive a request for a private interview at a ball, but seeing Sir Rowland’s expression, agreed at once. Ten minutes later it was a host whose outward manner remained congenial, but whose eyes were implacable, who emerged from his library.
It was thus Harry Penwood who ‘rescued’ Mary from Lord Cradley, who noted the angry look in the young man’s eyes.
‘Here comes the dependable Sir Harry, in the guise of, yes, a faithful dog. Do you think he will bite me, Miss Lound?’ Lord Cradley did not await an answer, but acknowledged the very curt nod he was given with a bow.
‘Penwood. What a pleasant evening, and with such a delightful “Belle of the Ball”.’ He could almost hear Sir Harry’s teeth grind, and his eyes narrowed with amusement. ‘Now, I really do think I will withdraw and avoid bite marks. Miss Lound, I do hope you find someone to dance with you this evening.’ He stressed the ‘someone’ as though they would be the only one.322
‘I would rather not dance at all than dance with you, sir.’
‘Indeed, ma’am.’ He turned away, apparently very amused.
‘How dare he—’
‘No, really, Harry, I am not hurt by it.’ Mary did not want to draw attention, and it was almost true.
‘He is quite the centre of attention,’ grumbled Harry, glaring after him.
‘Well, he has novelty value, and of course some people like to think the “town bronze” will mean he is fascinating. It is just a veneer, though. Never fear, for his true colours, which are those of an adder, will soon be shown. I cannot say more just now.’
‘That sounds cryptic.’
‘Mmm.’ She was glaring at Lord Cradley’s back at that moment. ‘Poisonous man.’ she declared, and reverted her gaze to the honest face of Harry Penwood. ‘Did you think I needed rescuing?’ An eyebrow was raised.
‘Not exactly. I have been practising the boulanger since you reminded me of the steps, so, dear Mary, would you favour me by putting me down as your partner for the first one?’
‘So it is perfect before you ask Miss Banham?’ She smiled at him, and he blushed.
‘No, no. Stop roasting me.’ Harry paused. ‘You look lovely, by the way.’
‘Thank you.’323
