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‘Yes, sir, as I understand. Mr Mills has been good enough to christen me the Milkmaid, and to declare that no one of fashion could tolerate my – my person.’ She tried to speak lightly, but only succeeded in letting her indignation peep through.
He drew up a chair. ‘Let me assure you, Miss Taverner, that there is not the least need for you to let Mr Mills’s insolence distress you. May I sit down?’
She signified assent; she could only be glad that he should want to. He might not wear a green-spangled coat, and lead all London by the nose, but she had rather be talking to him than to any dandy. She said frankly: ‘I know I should not – and indeed, it doesn’t distress me. It only makes me angry. You see, we – my brother and I – have never been in London before, and we wanted very much to – to enter into Polite Circles. But it seems that Society agrees with Mr Mills – though a great many people have been very kind, of course.’
‘Do you know, Miss Taverner, you make me feel that I have been out of town longer than I realised?’ said the gentleman, with one of his comical looks. ‘When I left London for Cheveley Mr Mills was not leading Society, I assure you.’
‘Oh,’ she said, ‘you must not think I do not know who does that! I have had the name of Beau Brummell dinned into my ears until I am heartily sick of it! I am told that I must at all costs win his approval if I am to succeed, and I tell you frankly, sir, I have not the least notion of trying to do it!’ She saw a slightly startled look in his eyes, and added defiantly: ‘I am sorry if he should be a friend of yours, but I have made up my mind I neither wish for his good opinion nor his acquaintance.’
‘You are quite safe in saying what you think of him to me,’ replied the gentleman gravely. ‘But what has he done to earn your contempt, ma’am?’
‘Well, sir, you have only to look at him!’ said Judith, allowing her eyes to travel significantly towards the gorgeous figure at the other end of the room. ‘A spangled coat!’ she pronounced scornfully.
His gaze followed the direction of hers. ‘I am in agreement with you, Miss Taverner,’ he said. ‘Though I should not myself call that thing a coat.’
‘Oh, and that is not all!’ she said. ‘I am for ever hearing of his affectations and impertinences! I am out of all patience with him.’
She had the impression that he was laughing at her, but when he spoke it was perfectly solemnly. ‘Ah, ma’am, but it is Mr Brummell’s folly which is the making of him. If he did not stare duchesses out of countenance, and nod over his shoulder to princes he would be forgotten in a week. And if the world is so silly as to admire his absurdities – you and I may know better – but what does that signify?’
‘Nothing, I suppose,’ said Judith. ‘But if I cannot succeed without being obliged to court his approval I had rather fail.’
‘Miss Taverner,’ he replied, the smile dancing in his eyes again, ‘I prophesy that you will become the rage.’
She shook her head. ‘How can you think it, sir?’
He rose. ‘Why, I don’t think it, ma’am. I am sure of it. Every eye is even now upon you.You have held me in conversation for close on half an hour.’ He made his bow. ‘I may do myself the honour of calling on you?’
‘We shall be glad, sir.’
‘I wonder?’ he said with a quizzical look, and moved away to where Lord Alvanley was standing against the wall.
Miss Taverner became aware of Mrs Scattergood at her elbow, in a twitter of excitement. ‘My love, what did he say to you? Tell me at once!’
Judith turned. ‘Say to me?’ she repeated, bewildered. ‘He asked if he might call on us, and –’
‘Judith! You don’t mean it? Oh, was ever anything so – Well! And you was talking for ever! Pray, what else was said?’
Judith looked at he
r in a good deal of surprise. ‘But what can it signify, ma’am?’
Mrs Scattergood gave a suppressed shriek. ‘Mercy on us! You hold Mr Brummell by your side for half an hour and then ask me what it can signify?’
Judith gave a gasp, and turned pale. ‘Ma’am! Oh, good God, ma’am, that surely was not Mr Brummell?’
‘Not Mr Brummell? Of course it was! But, my dearest love, I particularly warned you! What have you been about?’
‘I thought you meant that odious creature in the green coat,’ said Judith numbly. ‘How could I imagine –’ She broke off, and looked across the room at Mr Brummell.
Their eyes met; he smiled; unmistakably he smiled.
‘I declare I could positively embrace him!’ said Mrs Scattergood, avidly drinking in this exchange of glances. ‘You are made, my dear! What a set-down for John Mills! Brummell must have heard of what he said of you, daring to try to set people against you! Such impertinence!’
‘He did,’ said Miss Taverner dryly. ‘I told him.’
Six
TWO DAYS LATER MR BRUMMELL CAME TO CALL IN BROOK Street, and stayed for three-quarters of an hour. Miss Taverner offered him a frank apology for her unwitting rudeness, but he shook his head at her.‘A great many people have heard me say rude things, ma’am, but no one has ever heard me commit the folly of apologising for them,’ he told her. ‘The only apology you should make me is for having mistaken Mr Frensham for me. A blow, ma’am, I confess. I thought it had not been possible.’
