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‘I suppose it must have been,’ she sighed. ‘Has it shocked everyone?’
‘I shouldn’t think so. Well, Lady Elizabeth wasn’t shocked, was she? And I can tell you of two others who aren’t: Barny, and Dauntry! They think Felix is as game as a pebble – but I’ve told ’em not to put that notion into his head!’
‘So I should hope! Harry, I do hope Endymion Dauntry isn’t haunting the house?’
‘No such thing! Haunting it, indeed! But why you should prefer that fribble, Navenby, to Endymion I’m dashed if I know! If I were you, Freddy, I’d give him my blessing! I don’t say it’s a brilliant match, but it’s perfectly eligible. And if Charis don’t care for his being a nodcock why should you? At least he’s a right one, and not a man-milliner!’
‘And if he were removed from her sight she would forget him within the month,’ Frederica answered. ‘Don’t let us fall into a dispute! We shall never agree on that subject. Tell me instead what Charis is doing today! Is she with Lady Elizabeth?’
‘No, but she’s not alone. Chloë Dauntry is spending the day with her, and they were going to walk in the park this morning. I daresay they have been pittle-pattling all the afternoon!’
‘And I wish your idiotish cousin may not have been their escort!’ Frederica said, later, when recounting this to Alverstoke.
He was amused. ‘I imagine that their escort – if they had one – may quite as well have been my far from idiotish secretary. Is that affair likely to prove lasting?’
She glanced quickly up at him. ‘Are you opposed to it?’
‘My dear girl, what possible concern is it of mine? I own I think Charles might do much better for himself, and I am very sure that he will meet with formidable opposition from Chloë’s fond mamma. I am even of the opinion that he would be well-advised not to rivet himself before his feet are firmly set on his particular ladder; but I haven’t the remotest intention of meddling.’
‘I’m glad. I agree with you, too – and Chloë is too young to be thinking of marriage – except, of course, that she is thinking of it! Too young for a formal engagement. But I fancy that their attachment will prove to be lasting. As for Mrs Dauntry, I know exactly how she may be brought to consent to the marriage. In fact, I have an excellent scheme in my head!’
The Marquis eyed her with foreboding. ‘If your scheme involves me, Frederica, – ’
‘Well, it does, but only a very little! How long is it since you saw Diana?’
‘I should think it must be a very long time, for I can’t immediately recall anyone of that name,’ he confessed. ‘But you know how wretched my memory is! Who – er – is Diana, and in what way is she concerned in the business?’
‘Alverstoke!’ she exclaimed. ‘She is Chloë’s sister, of course! How can you have forgotten that?’
‘Oh, easily!’ he assured her, adding, with an air of mild triumph: ‘But now that you’ve put me in mind of it I do remember that there were three of them!’
Her eyes danced, but she said severely: ‘You know, sir, you are an abominable person!’
‘Yes, indeed I do! You have frequently told me so, and I have complete faith in your judgment.’
She choked on one of her involuntary chuckles. ‘Moonshine! Do, pray, be serious for a minute!’
‘I am utterly serious.’
‘And I cut my eye-teeth years ago!’ she retorted. ‘Stop joking me, and pay attention! Unless I very much mistake the matter, Diana will become the rage when she makes her come-out. My dear sir, she is the most promising girl! She and Endymion favour Mrs Dauntry, and if you mean to tell me that Mrs Dauntry was not a diamond of the first water when she was young, you may spare your breath! Furthermore, it is of no consequence at all when a female is bird-witted –’
‘Is she?’ he interrupted.
‘Oh, yes! a lovely widgeon!’ She paused, and said carefully: ‘That is to say, her understanding is no more than – than moderate! It doesn’t signify: she will take just as Charis has, and will very likely achieve a splendid alliance – with just a very little help from you! You will naturally give a ball for her –’
‘I beg your pardon? Did you say naturally?’
‘Certainly I did! You gave one for Chloë, remember!’
‘I remember nothing of the kind. I gave a ball for you and Charis.’
‘Yes, and with the most ignoble motive! However, I am too much obliged to you to say more on that head. The thing is that you were thought to have given it for Jane Buxted, and for Chloë Dauntry, so naturally you will do the same for Diana!’
‘And shall I naturally do it for Jane’s sisters?’ he enquired.
She wrinkled her brow, considering this. ‘I must own,’ she acknowledged candidly, ‘that that is a very daunting thought! But recollect that they have a brother who is well able to provide for them, and – to do him justice! – would much prefer to do so. What I wish you will do, cousin, when the time comes – and assuming that Chloë is still of her present mind – is to suggest to Mrs Dauntry that it is of the first importance to dispose of her, before she fires Diana off! Which it will be, if Chloë has formed no other attachment at the end of her second season. So do bear it in mind, I beg of you!’
He looked down at her, with his glinting smile. ‘I can’t. You must remind me, Frederica. But why do you care?’
