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‘It seems you have been kind enough to promise Olivia a sight of your sketch-books, Freshford. Would it be convenient if we return with you now?’ Sir Henry agreed immediately, but Decima narrowed her eyes and her brows drew together in a fleeting frown. If he was not careful, she would overset his entire scheme. This called for more dramatic action than he had at first contemplated.
Chapter Eighteen
Decima fretted all the way back to the Freshfords’ house, but Olivia’s presence in the barouche prevented her giving tongue to anything but careful comment on the exhibition. Olivia had quite naturally climbed into their carriage, only realising as she sat down that perhaps she should have gone with Lord Weston. But he seemed indifferent about the matter, causing Decima even greater anxiety.
Was he so blind? Should she say something? But to do so would be to suggest that Henry might act in a dishonourable manner—and that, of course, was unthinkable. With a sinking heart Decima decided that she would have to have an intimate talk with Olivia.
She was still brooding on exactly what form this embarrassing conversation should take when they arrived back to find Lady Freshford and Caroline entertaining in the green salon.
‘Decima, my dear, see who is here!’ Lady Freshford welcomed her with a smile that only Decima and her children would have recognised as desperate. ‘Your brother and dear Lady Carmichael.’ She smiled at her son, who hastened to introduce Olivia and Lord Weston.
Blushing, Olivia protested that she had no wish to disturb Lady Freshford whilst she had company, but Adam accepted the offer of a chair and a cup of tea with alacrity, urging Olivia to sit down beside him. Decima saw the light of unholy glee in his eyes and shut hers in horror. Adam was settling down to become fully acquainted with Charlton.
But Charlton, with his usual single-minded concerns for his own priorities, rapidly returned to what he had obviously been discussing before they had arrived.
‘I was just saying to Lady Freshford, it is most kind of her to look after you, Dessy, but now we are in town there is absolutely no need for her to be troubled. In fact, if you pack now, you may return with us immediately.’
‘But—’
‘But, Lord Carmichael, I would be most distressed if dear Decima were to leave us,’ Lady Freshford cut neatly across Decima’s protest. ‘In fact, I would find myself quite at a stand, for in making my plans to bring Caroline out, I had no idea that Decima would not be able to stay with me for the entire Season.’
‘Dessy? She is assisting with Miss Freshford’s come-out?’ Hermione regarded her hostess blankly.
‘Why, yes. I am not strong,’ Lady Freshford said, with a brazen disregard for the robust health she enjoyed. ‘And dear Decima is able to take much of the burden of chaperonage from me, besides being such a help in showing Caroline how to go on.’
‘Dessy?’ Charlton interjected.
‘Why, certainly.’ That was Adam, leaning back in his chair and smiling benignly on the astonished Carmichaels. ‘Miss Ross’s style on the dance floor is much admired—I am sure it is not just Miss Freshford whose mama is pointing her out as an example of grace and deportment.’
‘My mama is always very happy when she knows Miss Ross is with me,’ Olivia chimed in with her sweet smile.
‘But Dessy is single and—’
Adam cut in before Charlton had the opportunity to display his crashing lack of tact. ‘But of mature years.’ Decima forgot to be grateful for his interjection and glared at him. ‘And she has such poise and judgement.’
Charlton spluttered, ‘That’s as may be…’ The glance he shot Decima plainly said he did not believe a word of it and had wandered into a house full of lunatics. ‘…But I am afraid I must insist. Hermione will depend upon Dessy for her companionship and support, and, as family, that is where she belongs.’
‘No,’ Decima said baldly, knowing she should have waited to discuss the matter until they were alone. But if she did, she had the terrible fear that Charlton would simply sweep her away with his bullying and she would feebly agree. ‘No, I am afraid that would not be convenient. I am fixed here, I promised Lady Freshford; in any case, I have so many engagements I really would be of little use to Hermione.’ She smiled at her sister-in-law. ‘Would Cousin Gertrude not be free?’
‘Engagements? What, pray?’
‘Four balls during the next sennight, a luncheon engagement—’
‘Lady Hale’s At Home,’ Caroline chimed in. ‘And you promised you would take me for my court-dress fittings because Mama finds that too fatiguing,’ she announced inventively.
‘And Miss Ross will be chaperoning Miss Channing on an expedition to Richmond,’ Adam added. It was the first Decima had heard of it, but she nodded in agreement.
‘Then there are my own fittings, and so forth,’ she improvised. ‘I am sorry, Hermione, not to be able to oblige you at such short notice, but I am sure Cousin Gertrude would be only too happy to join you.’
Charlton surged to his feet, his face red. Decima feared an outburst, but at the last moment he seemed to recall that he was in company and refrained. With a stiff bow to Lady Freshford and a curt nod to the rest
of the company he took his leave, Hermione anxious on his heels.
There was silence, then an almost collective drawing of breath. Adam put down his cup and tactfully took his leave, Olivia pressing Decima’s hands and assuring her she was looking forward to seeing her again at the Laxtons’ ball tomorrow.
When the door shut behind them Lady Freshford regarded Decima anxiously. ‘Did I do right, my dear? Somehow I did not think that you wished to leave us, but if I am wrong, please do not hesitate to say so.’
‘I am delighted to stay, if you wish me to, ma’am,’ Decima assured her, clasping her hands tightly in her lap to quell their shaking. She would not have heard the last of this from Charlton, and, thankful though she was for the support of her friends, she could have wished for that unpleasant little encounter to have been in private.
