She opened it and Cassandra noted her brow furrow.
“What is it, Aunt?”
Lady Marksworth said, “Lady Montague writes that she cannot attend after all. I am not surprised by it, or even disappointed, but Iamsurprised by her wording.”
“Why?” Cassandra asked in alarm. “What surprises you?”
“That she would have the nerve to reference gossip for one thing,” Lady Marksworth said, “and for another, she addresses me overly formally considering our long acquaintance. The thing is meant to insult and I believe I may cut her the next time I see her.”
“May I?” Cassandra asked, holding out her hand.
Lady Marksworth handed over the note and Cassandra scanned its contents.
Lady Marksworth,
In light of recent unfortunate events, it is of course impossible for me to attend you this evening. My sincerest regrets,
Harriet Downing
Cassandra understood the lady’s intent instantly. The wordsrecent unfortunate eventswere clearly a reference to the gossip. Lady Montague wished to say that she could not see her way clear to notice a girl who had been so talked of.
Though she had been certain Lady Montague would not attend, and equally certain the lady would not approve of her, seeing it so clearly spelled out on paper was humiliating.
“Never mind, Cass,” Lady Marksworth said. “Do not allow bitter old Harriet to ruin your evening. She has spent a lifetime ruining countless evenings for countless other people and I should not like you to join that sad company.”
Cassandra considered her aunt’s view and was cheered by it. It was true the note was humiliating, but it was not public. Nobody would miss the lady, and nobody would know what she’d written.
The clatter of horses at a fast trot caught Cassandra’s attention. A carriage barreled down the road, the coachman pulling on the reins in front of the house. Lord Burke jumped down to the road before the vehicle had barely come to a stop.
He bounded up the steps breathless.
“Dear Lord Burke,” Lady Marksworth said, laughing. “Do not hurry so, you are in good time.”
“My haste is for good reason, Lady Marksworth,” Lord Burke said. “I must insist on a private interview with you and Miss Knightsbridge this instant. It is quite urgent.”
Cassandra felt her knees go weak. Never had she seen Lord Burke in such earnest. “Is it my father?” she cried.
“No, God no, nothing like that,” Lord Burke said hurriedly. “Where can we speak privately?”
Lady Marksworth paled. Racine said, “The small drawing room, my lady. I will make your excuses at the door and show your guests to the ballroom.”
Her aunt nodded, and Cassandra dazedly followed Lord Burke and Lady Marksworth into the small drawing room. After the door was closed, Lady Marksworth said, “Whatever is it, Lord Burke? Do not keep us in suspense.”
Though the lord had been in such a hurry to get them away to the drawing room, now that he had them away, he seemed not to know where to begin.
“It is not my father or any other terrible news from Surrey?” Cassandra asked. News that her father had been taken ill, or worse, was the only news she thought could absolutely terrify her. Though the lord had already denied it was so, she must have a confirmation.
“I have had no news at all from Surrey,” Lord Burke said, rubbing his hands and looking decidedly uncomfortable. “I come on another matter entirely. One that I was apprised of only a half hour ago. My mother sent for me and showed me a note that was delivered to one of her friends. That friend is not as highly placed as she, was terrified of its contents, and planned to acquiesce to its demands.”
Lord Burke pulled a folded piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Lady Marksworth. Cassandra leaned over and read it along with her aunt.
Jemima,
As I have informed others of my acquaintance, anybody being so reckless as to pay notice to a girl who has involved herself in three engagements behind the back of her father can no longer be noticed by me. I have full confidence you will not attend the girl’s ball at Marksworth House.
Harriet Downing
Chapter Eleven
