Page 25 of Echo in the Wind

She admired any artist who could work in such a medium to sculpt such wondrous figures. “They are quite remarkable, but then Cornelia has a penchant for the unusual.”

With the desserts, the footmen also served wine, port, brandy and chocolate.

Joanna accepted a glass of wine. She noted Donet drank brandy but ate no dessert.

“Lady Danvers is a superb hostess,” she observed to her dining companions. At the men’s nods between bites of sweetmeats, her mind drifted back to Chichester and the villagers who scraped out a living as best they could.

Guilt assailed her as she thought of how much she and her aristocratic friends had in contrast to the poor, who existed mostly on bread and gruel. Because they lived near the coast, the villagers in Chichester ate fish, too. She thought of the Ackerman family and hoped the money she had sent with Zack would carry them through the summer.

When the guests began to take their leave, the comte stood. “Did you enjoy yourself, Lady Joanna?”

She rose from her chair. “I did. ’Twas a marvelous breakfast and my companions entertained me with some interesting tales.” With a smile, she added, “You featured prominently in them.”

He laughed. It sounded nothing like a nobleman’s laugh, but the hearty laughter of a lusty pirate. “I can only imagine.”

She shivered. The man’s presence was disconcerting.

He bowed and departed, telling her he would see her again and soon. She watched him walk away wondering what he could mean.

She and Tillie thanked Cornelia for a delightful morning and then returned to Richard’s townhouse. Tillie went up to her room.

Richard, who had been waiting for Joanna, asked her to follow him into his study.

Once there, he poured himself a brandy, offered her a glass of claret, which she declined, and presented her with an envelope.

Before she could open it, he said, “It seems Lady Danvers is having a party for Monsieur Donet. Did she mention it?”

“No, but at the reception for Pitt she did say she’d be having parties when she came to London.” Joanna opened the invitation and began to read. The words confirmed Richard’s description and the reason behind the comte’s telling her he would see her again. “Might you and Tillie attend without me? I will only be in London for a few more days.”

Aunt Hetty could act as chaperone for their sister for one evening. It would be good practice. But as Joanna thought more of it, she decided perhaps it was best she attend to guard her sister. Tillie was too enamored of Donet to resist him and Aunt Hetty would not be much of a hindrance should he lead Tillie to a darkened terrace.

Richard frowned. “I had been hoping you would stay for the Season.”

“I cannot spend months in London, but I will attend the soiree. Then I must see about returning to my work in the village. Besides, Freddie is at The Harrows alone while you are here. And, if I stay overlong, I will be subjected to bouts of sneezing from Aunt Hetty’s cat. At least at The Harrows I am free of that for a while.”

“Oh, very well,” said Richard. “If it must be only one party, make it this one. I believe Lord Hugh will attend. There might be an opportunity for you to catch his eye.”

Joanna lifted her gaze to the ceiling and let out a sigh. “I hardly think we would suit, but since it will ease my return to Chichester, I will go.” She looked again at the invitation. “It’s tomorrow.”

“Yes, plenty of time for you and Tillie to decide which of your gowns to wear.”

“I have some shopping to do tomorrow morning. If you have no objection, while Tillie and Aunt Hetty make their afternoon calls, I will see to those tasks.” Joanna’s shopping, ostensibly for Freddie, would allow her to buy some better-fitting breeches than the ones she had borrowed from her younger brother. “The day after tomorrow, Cornelia has asked me to go with her for some adventure.”

Richard’s shoulders relaxed. “I’ve no objection; however, I have a request. Nay, a condition.”

She looked at him expectantly.

“Before the party, Lady Danvers has asked us to attend a concert with her and Lord Danvers. More like the concert of the Season. With the invitation for the soiree, she sent three tickets for you, Matilda and me to attend the Commemoration of Handel at the Pantheon.”

At that, Joanna’s ears perked up. She loved Handel’s music.

“This is much like the performance recently held at Westminster Abbey that all of London is talking about. You know how involved Lady Danvers is with her charities. This performance at the Pantheon will benefit several of those for musicians.” Richard did not wait for her to answer. “I have already sent her our grateful acceptance. The soiree will occur immediately after.”

Raised to love music, Joanna answered quite truthfully. “I would love to attend.” That the comte would likely be there as well added to her excitement and her trepidation.

The next morning, mist settled over the waters of the Thames and flowed across the deck of la Reine Noire, rendering it near impossible for Jean to see the other ships, much less the people on the quay, though he could hear them.

Émile had arranged an appointment for the two of them with an agent at The Devil’s Tavern. Determined to reach it on foot, Jean stuffed his hands in his coat pockets and headed down the gangplank with Émile at his side.