Cassandra laughed. “Surely not.”
As the butler did not seem to be engaging in any sort of levity, Cassandra quickly crossed the room and examined the paper. It was indeed addressed to her.
“Why?” she said. “Whatever for?”
Maidencraft did not appear to have an answer for the peculiar circumstance, but merely held the tray out and when she had taken the letter, bowed and closed the door behind him.
Cassandra sank down onto a chair, while George and May settled round her feet. She opened the letter.
The royal crest topped the paper. Underneath, she read:
It is the Prince Regent’s pleasure to request the attendance of the Dowager Duchess of Carlisle, Viscount Trebly and the Honorable Cassandra Knightsbridge to an evening ball to be held on 16thof April at nine o’clock at Carlton House in recognition of Miss Knightsbridge’s service to the crown upon defending our Dowager Duchess of Carlisle at great risk to her own person.
The ball is further sponsored by the dukes of the realm: Carlisle, Gravesley, Dembly, Bainbridge, Wentworth, and Glastonburg.
George P R
The paper fluttered to Cassandra’s lap. Before she could think through what the invitation meant, the dowager herself barreled into the room.
“Maidencraft informs me we have had an unusual letter delivered?” she said. “He was so overcome by it that I almost sent a footman for smelling salts.”
“I might need them myself,” Cassandra said quietly.
The dowager crossed the room with her usual energy. “Let us see,” she said.
She scanned the invitation. “Most excellent,” she said softly.
“But it is not excellent!” Cassandra said. “I have no wish to be made a spectacle of. It is most strange that the Prince Regent should think of such a thing. As well, why should the further sponsors, as they are called, be the fathers of the gentlemen of the pact? I do not even know what the termfurther sponsorsmeans!”
“It means nothing at all,” the dowager said, “other than to apprise people of the support you have garnered from those gentlemen.”
“I will have to send my regrets and certainly my father will wish the same. Of course, I am honored that such a great personage should take an interest in me, but I could not bear it.”
“My dear,” the dowager said kindly, “one does not send one’s regrets to the Regent. This is less an invitation and more a summons. I am afraid you have no choice but to attend.”
Though Cassandra knew the dowager was correct, she still searched her mind for a way out of going. It was one thing to know that letters flew hither and thither proclaiming her innocence, but she did not feel up to presenting herself for inspection.
“Now, I would like to have a look at your dresses before we make our way to London. Oh, and I’d rather not go to the bother of opening up my house and I have no particular wish to stay with my grandson at this moment. Do you suppose Lady Marksworth would mind my staying at Marksworth House? Will you see to it, my dear?”
Despite Cassandra having no wish to go to LondonorCarlton House, it seemed she would go. The dowager raced ahead with plans and it rather struck her as a galloping horse. There did not seem to be a way of slowing the lady down.
At least she had a week before she must go and face down theton.
Chapter Fifteen
The gentlemen ofthe pact who had found it convenient to absent themselves from London had all been tracked down and been delivered a directive. It was not one that any of them could have anticipated, its bizarre nature too far removed from any kind of prediction.
They had gathered at Dalton’s house to see what could be done about it, though Edwin was certain nothing could be done. Once Prinny got an idea into his head, it was near impossible to get it out, and the Regent did enjoy a good joke.
The gentlemen who had gathered round the table in Dalton’s library generally enjoyed a good joke as much as their Regent, though perhaps not as jovially when the joke was upon themselves.
“It cannot hold,” Lockwood said. “I expect that once he’s had his amusement, we will be delivered of the real invitations.”
“It will hold,” Edwin said. “Mark me, it will hold.”
“It’s outrageous,” Dalton said, downing his brandy. “How is an earl expected…”
“Just like the rest of us, I would guess,” Ashworth said.
