“Gracious, Lady Montague,” Mrs. Hemming said, “that headdress sets off your featuresveryfinely.”
Lily pressed her lips together. Apparently, her aunt had the same notion to flatter. Lily knew perfectly well that Mrs. Hemming thought ostrich feathers ridiculous outside of a court presentation. Further, Lady Montague’s features were of a heavy and broad sort and no feather could set them off to be anything other than what they were.
“Let me take you round, my dears,” Lady Montague said, grasping Lily rather firmly by the elbow.
Lily had no choice but to allow herself to be led, though she had a great urge to throw off Lady Montague and run from the house. Whatever scheme was at work here, it could not be to her benefit.
In somewhat of a daze, she was introduced to various people. They all seemed to find her of interest, in particular Mrs. Layton, who had to be persuaded to give her up. With every introduction she came closer to the far side of the drawing room. And Lord Ashworth.
Lord Montague had very civilly greeted her. Though most seemed to understand she was the lady who had challenged Lord Ashworth, he’d not seemed to know anything about her recent wager over piquet. He’d wondered if a young girl such as herself might not be bored with an evening of cards and he was under the impression that the young ladies preferred to find themselves on a ballroom floor.
Lily had not answered these opinions, though she might have responded in the affirmative. She would much prefer to find herself in a ballroom at this very moment.
She’d at least had her aunt by her side, but even that was not to last. Lady Montague very determinedly directed Mrs. Hemming to speak to Mr. Dresher. It seemed the gentleman had a number of questions about cultivating roses and Mrs. Hemming must share her expertise.
Lily was certain it was the flimsiest of excuses to get her aunt away. If one wished to speak to a person with expertise in roses, one ought to speak to one’s own gardener. Further, she was sure her aunt was one of the last people to claim special knowledge. Her garden, small in dimensions, was a most decidedly practical kitchen garden.
She felt some trepidation in the knowledge that Lady Montague wanted her separated from her aunt.
“Ah, Lord Ashworth, Lord Dalton,” Lady Montague said. “Here is Miss Farnsworth. Ashworth, I understand you are already acquainted?”
“Yes,” Lord Ashworth said.
Lily could not help but note the curtness of the reply. One would expect a gentleman to answer such a query in the manner of,Indeed, we met at so-and-so’s dinner last week,or some other pleasantry.
“Of course you have met,” Lady Montague said smoothly. “One could not avoid hearing of the wager over piquet in Lady Blakeley’s drawing room.”
“One could alwaystryto avoid hearing of it,” Lord Dalton said quietly.
This momentarily paused the lady’s stride, but she speedily regained her footing.
“We are to be a small party this evening,” Lady Montague went on, “but that does not mean we shall be dull. After all, a rematch between our Miss Farnsworth and Lord Ashworth? Too diverting.”
“But I—” Lily stuttered.
“Do oblige me, dear,” Lady Montague said. She turned on her heel and set off to greet her other guests.
Lord Ashworth looked to Lord Dalton, who only shrugged. Lily felt rooted to the spot, mortified. This was why she and her aunt had been invited. To become some sort of entertaining spectacle for Lady Montague’s friends. Of course, there was no thought to how it might affect Miss Farnsworth.
She could see now how Lady Montague managed people and got her way. The lady did not stand still to hear an argument or opinion. She simply said what she wanted and walked away, confident she would not be defied in her wishes.
“I am afraid I will not be able to oblige Lady Montague,” Lily said. After all, the lady could not force her to a card table. At least, she did not think so.
“You’re a brave lass, to cross the dragon,” Lord Dalton said.
“I do not mean to cross anybody,” Lily said, beginning to wonder what the precise consequences of crossing Lady Montague might be. As her aunt had explained to her, the trick to the lady was not inviting her notice, much less her ire.
“You need not cross her, I will do it,” Lord Ashworth said. “She is fully aware of my opinions about ladies and gambling. She may be made unhappy by my lack of cooperation, but she will not be surprised by it.”
Lily felt a great sense of relief wash over her. The difficulty had been effortlessly lifted from her shoulders. She would not have expected Lord Ashworth to be so helpful, but then she supposed he did not wish for another opportunity to be found wanting.
Though, what did he mean, hisopinions about ladies and gambling?
“Lady Montague,” Lord Ashworth said, loud enough to get her attention. “A word.”
The lady left the party she had been speaking to and walked toward them, ostrich feathers swaying over her head. Lily thought she looked like nothing so much as a peacock strolling a lawn. A determined peacock, as it happened.
She reached them and Lord Ashworth said, “I am afraid I will have to decline your amusing scheme to once more play against Miss Farnsworth. You are aware of my opinions on females doing any serious gambling.”
