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‘That didn’t stop you, Freddie, trying to feather the bend and almost overturning the old parson’s gig in the process.’
‘Well, I did manage to overtake you through Clapham Common. We were going like the wind. There were these coves lurking amongst the trees on some havey-cavey business, but we were flying, weren’t we, Val? No one could catch us.’ So continued the happy reminiscences.
Sybella, however, excused herself to see to James, and Lady Godley, aware that she needed to chaperone her goddaughter, picked up her embroidery and sat by the fire as if usefully employed, but really snoozing quietly over her silks.
Sybella came back into the room just as the party was breaking up. ‘Mrs Lovatt, we’re off. Thank you so much for your hospitality.’ Lord Lynwood had taken her fingers in a light grasp and bowed. She looked at the dark tousled head bent over her hand and then as he straightened up met his lustrous eyes, lively with amusement. ‘Come on, Val.’ He turned to his friend, who was in conversation still with Lucie. ‘You ought to drop in on your papa. He would want to know you are safe.’
The two young men walked towards the door, continuing their conversation. ‘My doting papa? He’ll be out at White’s or Watiers. I might just drop in on my club.’
‘No, Val, go home to bed. It’s been a long day.’ Lord Lynwood took his arm.
‘Freddie, you’re as much an old goose as my father!’
Lord Lynwood laughed in exasperation. ‘We both care for you more than you do for yourself.’
‘I have warned you, my friend, I choose to drive my chariot too close to the sun.’
‘Oh, Val,’ Lord Lynwood sighed. ‘You’re such a first-rate horseman, for our sakes, turn back before you burn.’ Both men clasped each other’s shoulders. They glanced towards Lady Godley, who was still dozing over her embroidery, and chose not to wake her. Instead, Lord Lynwood grasped Lucie’s hand and kissed it, holding it with both of his and gazing into her enquiring eyes. ‘And you, ma sauveuse douce, thank you.’ He bowed. The two young lords grabbed their driving coats, swung out of the front door and together tripped down the stairs into the street.
Lucie flung herself into her sister’s arms. ‘Oh, Bella, I love them both. They are such good friends. They make me so happy, I can’t imagine living without them.’
Sybella hugged her back, slightly surprised by Lucie’s vehemence. ‘They are charming, I know.’ Then she added gently, ‘Don’t forget, though, that Lord Lynwood’s guardian is determined on him asking for Lady Cleome Stafford’s hand.’
Lucie extracted herself from her embrace. ‘I forgot to tell you. While I was in New Bond Street walking up from Hookham’s, I came across Captain Fortescue waiting in his curricle for a lady. And that lady was Cleome Stafford!’
‘Oh-oh. Her mama is not going to be pleased.’
‘The Beauty was looking exceedingly pleased. Is that what love looks like, Bella? She was glowing.’
‘It’s certainly what love can feel like, my dear. But she has a fearsome mama, you know. And she’s an heiress whose choices they guard jealously.’
‘She seemed to be anxious about her family too. She told me that the Captain had asked her to write to him in the Peninsula. He’s rejoining his regiment tomorrow, but her mama must not know about her attachment. I felt so sorry for her. She was close to tears when I said she could count on our understanding and support.’
‘Of course. How can we not extend our sympathy to any woman who has to see her Hussar leave for the war?’ Sybella answered in a distracted way and then turned to the personal impact of Lucie’s news. ‘I wonder if Mr Brabazon is aware of what’s abroad to spoil his plans.’
‘He’s down in the country for the next couple of days and Captain Fortescue will have left by then.’
‘Does Freddie know about the Captain?’
‘I mentioned coming upon them this morning and he seemed perfectly sanguine. I can’t quite understand him, Bella. Do you think he looks on me as anything more than a friend?’
‘Lucie, dearest, I think he does. But how do you feel about him?’
‘I think I love him. But I love Val too.’ She looked out of the window onto the darkening street and the expression in her face was pensive. ‘But, Bella, it’s not quite the same.’
‘Come on, darling. Let’s wake up Lady Godley. We all need to go to our beds and things will become clearer in the morning.’
7
A CHARMED LIFE IN THE SHADE OF DEATH
The following morning, Sybella was not woken by her son but by Lucie, who tapped lightly on her door and without waiting for an answer crept into bed beside her. ‘Oh, Bella, I haven’t slept well.’ She pulled the quilt over her head.
Sybella struggled from a deep sleep and put out her hand to take her sister’s. ‘What’s the matter?’
‘I don’t know. I feel uneasy, as if something’s wrong and I can’t work out what.’ Her voice was muffled.
‘Is it your health?’ Sybella propped herself up on one elbow and ruffled down the quilt to see Lucie’s face.
