Page 39 of The Cornish Inheritance

Mrs. Treloar approached them first, with Trefusis, who seemed to be brimming with confidence at his inclusion in the party. Caroline watched the bows and curtseys, noting the discontented expression on Mrs. Treloar’s face, and the appreciative one on Trefusis as he took in the young Mrs. Beauchamp.

Ysella had always been a pretty girl, but now, as a woman, she’d blossomed into a beauty. Small and dark, delicate as a fawn, she still possessed that ability to charm, despite her previous experiences.

She spotted Caroline. “Caro! You came! I was not sure you would.” She bestowed a radiant smile, and a confiding hand, upon sour Mrs. Treloar. “Thank you so much for bringing my dear friend to see me. You have no idea how much this means.”

Mrs. Treloar was forced to return the smile, which must have pained her. “As it is thanks to you we have her as governess for my nephew, and you invited her, how could we not bring her with us?”

Caroline couldn’t help but smile. The meaning behind these words would be wasted, as it would sail straight over Ysella’s head.

Ysella seized Caroline’s hands. “I have so missed you! And I have so much to tell you.” She laid a hand across the hint of a rise in her stomach. “Not least this.”

“Another child?” Caroline squeezed her hands. “I’m so happy for you. Your nursery will be quite full!”

Ysella pulled Caroline toward her and kissed her cheeks. “Sam is hoping for a boy this time,” she whispered in her ear, then raised her voice again. “And who is this?”

Hetty, a little shy in front of all this friendship, blushed.

“This is Miss Henrietta Treloar, for whom I act as companion. Of course, my other charge is asleep in his nursery tonight, being too young, to his relief, to attend balls.” A tiny nudge of worry nagged at her, that she’d abandoned Yves all on his own and unprotected. But at least Bridget wasn’t there.

“We will talk later,” Ysella said. “I must welcome our other guests, I fear.”

Sam shook hands with Nat. “Glad to see you’ve chosen to accompany your ladies.”

And they progressed into what seemed to be the main ballroom, although it wasn’t large, and further rooms stretched beyond it. A good few couples were already dancing, and around the perimeter of the room others stood talking, watching the newcomers as they arrived, the ladies fanning themselves in the rather stuffy warmth, the gentlemen, even the old married ones, eyeing up the young women on display.

Caroline glanced at Nat. There was nowhere here he could turn his face to in order to hide his scars. But he seemed oblivious to the attention he was receiving, as though he’d determined to brave it out. Her heart momentarily went out to him, as he headed off toward the card room, before she remembered that it would be he who would benefit if something happened to Yves. She mustn’t allow herself to feel any sympathy for him. He was probably as coldhearted as his mother.

A handsome, but quite short, young gentleman approached. His hairstyle, which seemed set to defy gravity, had been teased up into many artful curls to add to his height. It bore some semblance to the Grecian style young men about Town affected nowadays, but something more than goodwill must be maintaining its buoyancy.

He made a smart bow to Mrs. Treloar and then to Hetty and Caroline. “William Pendennis, at your service.”

Introductions were made all round, as it seemed the Treloars knew his family well, and he procured himself a dance with Hetty and escorted her onto the dance floor.

Trefusis, ignoring the dancing, headed for the refreshment room with Mrs. Treloar gripping his arm in what looked to be a vice, leaving Caroline to keep a weather eye on Hetty. She stood for a few minutes enjoying the music, one foot tapping along, the colorful whirl of dancers and the heady mingled scents of men and women alike.

“Do tell me how you are getting along in your new position.” Ysella’s voice cut into her thoughts. “Now your employer has absented herself.”

She turned around. Ysella, a possessive hand resting on the imperceptible rise of her stomach, stood beside her. Caroline would never have known her condition if Ysella hadn’t revealed it.

“I’ve abandoned poor Sam to greet our guests. I had to find you as it feels like so long since you and I last saw one another. Tell me everything.”

“Well,” Caroline said with a smile, “Hetty is a lovely girl who reminds me somewhat of you. A little headstrong, a lot vivacious and lively.” She paused. “Quite unlike her mother.”

“And the child? Is he biddable? When I talked with Mrs. Treloar, she told me he is sickly and a little backward. I felt the implication was that he isn’t expected to live.” She shivered. “As a mother now, that is a sentiment I would dread, although she didn’t at all seem upset by it. Although I suppose he isn’t her child.”

Caroline shook her head with some asperity. “Not at all sickly. He’s as robust as any boy his age. As robust as Kit himself was as a child. I keep hearing it said that he’s sickly, and yet there’s nothing at all wrong with him. I find it very odd that this is said of him.”

Ysella’s eyes widened. “I suppose no child is entirely safe, is he? With sickness all around that can strike a little one down so easily. I worry for my daughter all the time.”

Caroline shrugged. Best not to confide in Ysella any of her concerns about Yves. Not yet, anyway. After all, she had very little evidence to prove anything and was going on what could be construed as merely an educated guess, or a hunch. “He’s a charming, quick-witted boy, who likes all the normal things boys like. And he’s good at his studies as well. Not in the least bit backward. A bright child who’s a pleasure to teach. I’m enjoying my employment as his governess. So far.” Although this wasn’t strictly true. But she didn’t want Ysella to know, at least, not like this, in public.

“Come,” Ysella said. “Shall we get ourselves a glass of lemonade?”

Caroline shook her head. “No. I’m afraid I can’t, as it’s my job to watch Hetty and make sure she doesn’t do anything untoward.” She smiled. “You know very well what mistakes young ladies make where dashing young gentlemen are concerned.”

Ysella had the grace to blush, as she’d made a mistake like that herself and paid dearly for it.

“Then I shall fetch you a glass myself,” she said, and spun away into the throng.

Caroline went back to watching Hetty, who seemed to be having a wonderful time with young William Pendennis. Her enchantingly flushed face was wreathed in smiles every time the dance brought them back together, and young William seemed very taken with her. His shortness didn’t seem to have put her off any.

However, over on the other side of the ballroom, Mrs. Treloar and Trefusis had returned from searching out their refreshments and were part of a small group chatting together. And Trefusis had his acquisitive gaze on Hetty as she twirled about the dance floor. Now Caroline had two people to keep safe.