Further, if she ever did decide to exit the house in some unusual manner, that fellow would hardly be able to stop her. He had no more weight on him than a grasshopper.
Lord Gresham thought he was so very clever, and yet he’d managed to hire the most incompetent watchman in England.
Grace leaned her face close to the window, knowing the fool was attempting to watch her surreptitiously. She laid her forefinger on the outside of her eye and then she pointed at him. That would let him know that she knew what he was there for.
Clearly, he understood her signal, as the absurd fellow had just thrown himself into some shrubbery.
Betsy came in to dress her and Grace apprised her of the development. Fortunately, she could always count on her maid to be firmly in her camp. Betsy went to the window from time to time and opened it, then left it for a few minutes before closing it again. Let the fellow be certain she was making an escape, and then not, and then doing it again.
That ought to keep him awake at his post.
Between those amusements, Betsy regaled her with the doings below stairs. It seemed Mr. Ranston had taken her words and embellished them somewhat. It was now understood among the servants that Miss Yardley had declared that Ranston would have been derelict in his duty if hehadn’ttaken a shot at her.
Betsy was prepared to challenge him on it, but Grace thought not. If that idea gave the butler any kind of peace of mind, let him have it.
When Lady Heathwaywas not looking, Grace had waved to the watchman as they left in the carriage. He had taken to concealing himself in the shrubbery and now, in the darkness, he looked like just another lump of greenery. She knew he was there, though.
They were not in the carriage long, as Lady Redfield’s house was in Grosvenor Square. It was the sort of distance that Grace might have easily walked in the countryside, but of course in London one arriving on foot to a party would appear exceedingly odd.
The house itself, while looking quite usual on the outside, was rather interesting on the inside. As Lady Heathway had explained, the now deceased baron had been an avid collector of Indian art and furniture. He felt the English mode of decorating was too staid and that India knew how to style a house with color, liveliness, and exuberance.
Lady Redfield, herself, did not prefer the liveliness and exuberance. However, she was of such a nature that she could not bear to make the baron unhappy, even though he was dead. So, it all remained, just as he’d liked it when he lived.
In the drawing room, ebony wood chairs upholstered in bold colors and patterns fought one another for attention. What might have begun a simple table had been embellished with inlaid metals and its legs carved as peacocks. Intricately carved statues of gods seemed to be everywhere and in every size, including an alarmingly large statue of Ganesh. Even the bookcases had ornate carved edges. All of this sat upon a carpet of orange and red gone positively dizzy with geometric patterns. It was only the pianoforte that appeared usual and it looked like a dowager sat in the corner, frowning at boisterous high spirits.
The whole effect of the room was wonderfully lively and Grace was delighted with it.
The guests were not to be above forty and were rather a conglomeration of people—mamas and their daughters, single gentlemen, and older couples who were no doubt long-standing friends of the baroness. Of course, the ladies of the society were there—Lady Easton, Lady Mendleton, Lady Featherstone, and the duchess.
Lord and Lady Langley had come in, looking a dashing couple, and Lady Mendleton had hurried Lady Langley across the room to Grace.
“Miss Yardley,” Lady Mendleton said, “I finally have the opportunity of introducing you to my daughter, Georgiana, Lady Langley, she is married to my son and so is my daughter-in-law. That is, technically she is my daughter-in-law, but really my own daughter.”
Grace curtsied. Lady Langley said, “Dear Louisa has quite taken me into the family. Now, shall we take a turn round the room, Miss Yardley? There is a rather wonderful statue of Ganesh at the far end.”
Grace nodded and Lady Langley held out her arm. As they strolled away, Lady Mendleton called after them, “I knew you should be friends, of course I knew it. I understand Georgiana as I do my own mind.”
Lady Langley smiled over her shoulder at Lady Mendleton. “She is such a dear, is she not? I was the first project of the society, and here you are the second,” she said. “I had hoped things might go smoother for you than they did me.”
Grace was taken aback by the lady’s directness. But she found she also welcomed it.
“I did not realize that things didnotgo smooth for you,” Grace said. “Well, except for some idea of being attacked by footpads? And perhaps an unfortunate encounter with a pianoforte? But I see you have heard of my own embarrassment.”
“I have,” Lady Langley said. “And your own pales in comparison to mine, though mine remained…more shrouded in mystery, I suppose. Among other things, if anybody at all suggests I play tonight you might fully expect my mother-in-law to throw herself over the pianoforte and claim it broken, such is my alarming lack of skill. Andthatwas really the least of it. Do not lose heart over this little bump in the lane. I understand Mr. Jacobs has been sent packing and I am certain nobody will miss him. But I must know—did youreallyattempt to leave the house via window andwherewere you going?”
They had reached the statue of Ganesh, which Grace could not decide was either frightening or friendly-looking. She said quietly, “I thought to make my way to Kent as I was under the impression that my mother did very poorly, and I knew I would not be given leave to go and see her.”
Lady Langley seemed very approving of this idea. “It was not Gretna Green, so that is excellent.”
“No, certainly, there is not anybody…and even if there were I would hardly…”
They had turned to face the room, preparing to make their way back to the party. Grace’s heart skipped a beat as she saw Lord Gresham enter.
Lady Langley glanced at her and whispered, “Are you certain there is notanybody?”
Chapter Nine
George would likelyhave to find a new watchman for Lady Heathway’s house, as Melberry appeared on the verge of collapse.
