“Well, Caroline,” Lord Easton said cheerfully, “you are a veritable vision. Too bad you don’t come, Richard, as I imagine we will have our hands full beating the gentlemen back.”
Lord Bertridge never did seem too amused by Lord Easton’s jokes, but he looked rather thunderous at that one.
“If there are such ill-mannered gentlemen,” Lord Bertridge said curtly, “I suggest you depart the place at once.”
“Nobody will dare it while I stand by,” Lady Easton said. “In any case, we purposefully arrive late and so I think the likes of Lord Alvanley will have already committed themselves for the evening.”
Caroline had not known that they were going late. She felt the slightest twinge of nervousness at the idea that she might sit out for more than one set on account of the available gentlemen having already engaged themselves.
“Now my dear, we do not go that late,” Lord Easton said to his wife. “You know you could not bear to betoovery tardy, it is not in your nature. Do not make Caroline fear that she will sit out, as I doubt that will be the case.”
Lord Easton’s carriage had rolled to a stop outside of the doors and Bramley opened them.
Late or not, they were on their way.
*
Bramley watched thefamily depart, with the exception of Lord Bertridge, who would not dignify the profligate Regent with his presence. He silently commended Lord Bertridge, as he himself would have refused such an invitation. If he had been in a position to receive one.
However, if good Queen Charlotte were to require his presence some time in the future, he would swim the channel to attend her. He would make the same heroic efforts for the king, though that noble person was currently indisposed.
Bramley had thought a great deal on how he would conduct himself, were he a great gentleman. He was nearly so, as he was a member of an exclusive social club in London, only admitting butlers and valets of fine houses and the occasional renowned chef. He was in the habit of displaying a certain gravitas he had practiced in his looking glass when he attended a dinner there. Lady Easton was highly approving of the look, as she had asked to view it and he had obliged—severe expression, chin slightly raised and presenting a profile, and the slightest furrowing of his eyebrows to indicate sober thoughts.
Lady Easton was in full agreement with him that it must elevate the demeanor of anyone exposed to it.
He had every reason to feel exceedingly dignified at the moment. He had perhaps made it a new habit to take the air in the afternoons before the tea service. He had perhaps, while strolling down the street at a dignified pace, passed by others who served as butlers in the town. He had perhaps noticed their glances and easily imagined their thoughts.That’s Mr. Bramley who served the pineapple at Lady Easton’s dinner.
They were correct. HewasMr. Bramley and hehadserved a pineapple. He’d done it with casual aplomb.
Further, the duchess had seemed to take the problematic Miss Upton in hand and he did not expect any further trouble from that quarter. Lady Redfield might lose her charge in the shops, but the duchess would not lose a farthing to a pickpocket. And so, the clocks ticked along and all was right with the house.
He would assure himself that Lord Bertridge had everything he required and then spend most of his evening in quiet recollection of the pineapple.
*
The Ship Inn’sassembly rooms were far grander than Caroline had imagined. The ballroom was at least ninety feet long and designed in the neoclassical Adam style with a vaulted plastered ceiling, and there was both a viewing gallery and a gallery for the musicians, as well as a separate room for refreshments and a card room. She supposed she expected something more modest, as her prior visit had been made through the tradesmen’s door and into the serving girls’ bedchamber.
They had entered the ballroom and stood at the edges, searching for acquaintance. Those acquaintances had presumedly been on the lookout for them too. As if they were great ships coming into port, Lady Easton’s friends sailed to her side. Lord Easton, seeing them coming, charted his own course away from this female armada.
The ladies excitedly exchanged information on who was there and who they wished was not there and something about an ear trumpet as Caroline stood on the edges of the gathering.
“Miss Upton,” a voice sounded behind her. She knew it well enough, it was Mr. Landon.
He held out his hand for her card, which she gave him, though she thought Lady Easton would not particularly favor it. While they’d been in the carriage, the lady had been definite in her opinion that they ought to avoid Lord Alvanley’s set, though Lord Easton had thought it all nonsense.
Still, what could she do, and while she felt nothing in particular while looking at him, he was a friendly enough gentleman. What more could she ask from a dance partner, if he was not to be some other person who had not come?
Just as Lady Easton turned to her, Mr. Landon bowed and walked off. It was almost as if he understood Lady Easton’s low opinion of his set of friends.
“Oh, he didn’t,” Lady Easton said, examining Caroline’s card. “And for the first, too? At least it is not for supper. That really would be a step too far. I blame myself, I was too engrossed in hearing about Lord Jarden having lost his ear trumpet in the sea and Mrs. Gunn having dived in to rescue it. My dear, have a care around Mr. Landon. Richard believes him to have done something, well I do not know what, but more than unseemly and perhaps even shocking.”
Caroline nodded. Bemmy had said as much too, but nobody seemed to know what it was Mr. Landon had supposedly done. Was it only debts, or was there something more? Did it even matter to her?
Lady Easton grabbed her hand lightly and Caroline turned to see what had startled her. The Regent, flanked by Lord Alvanley and a second as yet unknown gentleman, headed straight for them.
“Lady Easton, Miss Upton,” the prince said. “How pleased we are that you could attend us.”
Caroline curtsied and Lady Easton did too, though she knew the lady would rather not.
