‘And …?’
‘Oh, I do not know, Helen, but he gets everywhere.’
‘He is universally invited, of course.’ Lady Godmanchesterfrowned. ‘Why should he not be. He is terribly good ton.’
‘No,’ Elizabeth whispered, brows knit. ‘I did not meansocially. He gets into my thoughts.’
‘Oh.’ There was no other reply that Helen Godmanchester felt able to make to this admission. It might mean several things, and jumping to conclusions, however pleasant, might mar all.
129
CHAPTER TEN
Lord Easby took things slowly. Rushing one’s fences never led to anything but a sore head, as he had found from bitter experience, and besides, this was a chase worth savouring. Those of a suspicious mind, and Sir Lucius Radstock was of their number, thought he ‘prowled’, but Elizabeth saw only the hand of disinterested and amusing friendship. For all her suspicion of men, she had very little experience of them, and certainly none of experienced rakes. She did not encourage him, as she thought, but her refusal to send him to the right about fuelled comment, and thosewith unofficial wagers on his success took heart.
He took her driving, not every day, but twice a week or so, always with a groom, but as she improved, more in public. Tongues wagged, quietly, though impropriety was not mentioned, except by one gentleman, who averred afterwards that he had been more than slightly foxed at the time, and who had been grabbed by the throat so tightly that he thought his windpipe would snap, shaken until his130eyes boggled, and informed in no uncertain terms that to make such comments about a lady was not the mark of a gentleman.
Those who pulled Sir Lucius away from the unfortunate fellow thought this might be considered a challenge, but the shaken gentleman was in his cups enough to make forcing the point excessive.
‘No, no, Lucius, can’t you see the fellow’s top-heavy? Let it go. Far more embarrassing to the lady to make it something that is bound to get out.’ Lord Bensthorpe gripped his arm.
Sir Lucius’s eyes were very hard, and he whispered between lips drawn thin with anger, ‘Then get him out of my sight, before I succumb to the urge to break his neck.’
Lord Bensthorpe spoke soothingly, and jerked his head to speed others in leading away the now garrulously apologetic offender.
The incident was witnessed by only a few, but enough of what took place spread about among the gentlemen to give some food for thought. Sir Lucius was not numbered among the ‘Forlorn Hope’, as Miss Ashling’s admirers were becoming known, but he did seem to possess a very guard-dog-like attitude to her wellbeing. A couple of gentlemen decided to become less attentive, and Mr Escott, emerging from his poetic seclusion, was heard murmuring about Nemesis. Lord Easby, when it reached his ears, merely raised an eyebrow and smiled. Lucius Radstock might have a way with horses, but he had never tried to keep a filly in skirts up to the bit. As a rival, he could be discounted.
It was in this mood of superiority that he attended Lady131Manningham’s ball. He danced with Elizabeth, just once, though it was a waltz, and was as amusing as always, animadverting upon several nearly innocuous subjects, and leaving her looking almost relaxed.
Sir Lucius, watching, wondered if she would appear so pleased when she danced with him. He had secured the waltz before supper, and had the distinct impression that she would have made some excuse and refused him, had she not been with the Godmanchesters.
Lord Easby, having made his bow to his dancing partner and returned her to Lady Chalford, did not make the mistake of watching her overtly thereafter, but did so covertly, and with a glitter in his eyes. She did not know it but she was weakening. This thought so pleased him that he smiled to himself, and did not notice Lady Rendlesham at his shoulder.
‘I had not thought you would be one to join the throng, my lord.’ Her voice had a bite to it, and her eyes glittered. ‘After all, she is but the failure of Seasons past, wearing the fresh garb of disdain and flaunting her spinsterhood. What could Elizabeth Ashling possibly have to attract you?’
‘You mean, my dear, what could she have to draw my attention from you? What a beautifully vain and selfish creature you are, Aurelia. As one myself, I cannot but admire your self-worth. However, you forget two things. The first is purely practical: you are already married.’
‘You do not intend, I hope, to spout morality at me. It would seem rather too late.’ She looked at him, her eyes half veiled by the heavy lids, her smile very knowing.
‘Not in the least. What we had, and I use the past132tense intentionally, was entrancing, entertaining, infinitely amusing. But if you think I would remain single out of devotion, you are deluding yourself, and if you believe I am seeking to play the cuckoo, and see my brats in other men’s nurseries, you are sadly mistaken. Miss Ashling is beautiful,’ he raised a hand as she opened her mouth to comment, ‘and I know how little you like that epithet applied to others, my sweet. She is deliciously dark, not unlike you of course, but she is also wealthy enough to restore my dwindling assets, at least for a time, and single. What more could a man wish for in a mate?’
‘If it is money you are after, why content yourself with her, when Lady Maria Gillingham is worth twice as much?’
‘That is unfair, to suggest I would pursue such an unappealing prize. She has money, but that is all. A man would have to be drowning in debt to court so plain a face and discordant voice, and I am not that far gone, I assureyou.’
‘Then why not me, three years ago?’
‘Ah’ – he smiled – ‘but then neither debts nor the march of time seemed so pressing that I should contemplate having to become leg-shackled, a state to which I admit I am temperamentally unsuited. Also, married women are so much more interesting, unencumbered by the veil of maidenly modesty, no longer having to pretend they do not understand one’s intentions. You knew mine from the first.’
She coloured.
‘Besides, what hope would I have had, a mere earl, against the advantages of Rendlesham, excepting, of course, wit, charm, figure and age. You chose the bed with the best133coronet above it, my love, and if lying in it is unexciting, well, you have proved you are not averse to …’
‘Stop it.’ She averted her face.
‘Oh no, you are the one who said it was too late for morality, my dear.’ He paused. ‘And there is the second reason why the Unassailable attracts my attentions: pure masculine pride. The thought of succeeding where so many others fail, of my conquest being applauded by the disinterested and resented by the defeated, is a prospect that fires my ambition.’
‘And if she does not crumble before your assault, what then, my lord?’
