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Maidie’s flush died, and she bit her lip. “You are detestable! But I suppose I was provoking.”
Delagarde grinned. “Very. Never mind. Will you give this unfortunate man permission to tell me the extent of your fortune, Maidie?”
Maidie nodded, conscious of a glow of pleasure at hearing him use her pet name. “Yes, of course. Tell him, Mr Bagpurze.”
The lawyer pursed his lips, but had perforce to do as she asked. “The bulk is in investments, but the income yield is substantial. Lady Mary has the benefit of several thousands of pounds per annum—say between six and ten, depending on the percentage returns.”
Delagarde blinked. “But that must mean a fortune in excess of one hundred thousand!”
“That is correct, my lord.” The lawyer’s tone was non-committal, as befit his profession.
“And the allowable settlements upon marriage?”
“Less than half. Forty-five thousand, to be precise.”
Delagarde very nearly clutched his head. Forty-five thousand pounds? And he had made himself responsible for the wench! How in Hades had he become embroiled?
Chapter Six
Contrary to his avowed refusal to do any such thing on the day Maidie descended upon him in Charles Street, Delagarde not only accompanied his great-aunt and her protégée on an introductory round of morning calls, but, to Maidie’s chagrin, stuck so close at her side she had scarce an opportunity to open her mouth.
He would not allow her to respond to the most innocuous of questions. While Lady Hester was engaged with another visitor, their hostess this Tuesday, Lady Wingrove, inquired of Maidie pleasantly how she came to be residing at Charles Street.
“Oh, that is because—” Maidie began, and found herself ridden over by Delagarde.
“That is readily explained, my dear Lady Wingrove,” he said, with an engaging smile which successfully diverted that lady’s attention. “Aunt Hester had long been informed of Lady Mary’s orphaned state, and wrote on many occasions to the late Lord Shurland—her friend, Reginald Hope, you must know—begging him to send the child to her. You may imagine how delighted she is to have the opportunity at last of introducing our little relative about.”
Lady Wingrove, murmuring suitably, expressed the hope Lady Hester would forgive the impromptu nature of the invitation and bring the child to her projected evening party on Thursday night. Then she promptly lost interest in her, embarking instead on a conversation with Delagarde which, to Maidie’s critical eye, looked suspiciously like a flirtation. She was obliged to sit there and watch, taking no part in the interchange, wishing the Worm had not thankfully given place to Lady Hester and rejected all invitations to make one of these social outings.
“Why did you do that?” Maidie demanded, the moment they were all reseated in Delagarde’s town coach.
“Do what?”
“You would not let me speak to that woman. Also, I should like to know what you mean by referring to me as yourlittlerelative.”
“Is that what he did?” asked Lady Hester, amused. “Depend upon it, child, Laurie is only intent upon planting the story we have concocted.”
“No, he is not. He is afraid if he lets me say anything at all, I am bound to say something to disgrace him. Aren’t you?”
“The thought had crossed my mind,” admitted Delagarde. “However, I am far more concerned you should not inadvertently let out any hint of your ghastly fortune.”
“Of course I shall not. Do you think me incapable of keeping a secret?”
“I think you have a very unguarded tongue. You don’t care what you say, nor to whom you say it. I shudder to think of the possible consequences of some ill-considered remark.”
“Come, come, Laurie,” cut in Lady Hester, before the indignant Maidie could respond to this. “You cannot expect the poor girl to sit mumchance through every social encounter. She must be allowed to make her own impression.”
“That is exactly what I am afraid of!”
“Besides,” pursued his great-aunt, unheeding, “unless you mean to remain glued to her side in a fashion that can only serve to make you ridiculous, she is bound at some point to manage on her own. She may as well do so from the start.”
“Thank you, Lady Hester,” said Maidie with gratitude. “What is more, Lord Delagarde, it is not in either of our interests for you to stay so close to me. No gentlemen will be able to approach me if they imagine you to be so strict a guardian. You had much better go away and indulge your own amusements, and leave me to Lady Hester.”
But this the Viscount would by no means agree to. Although he refrained on the next occasion from interfering in quite so obvious a manner, Maidie was aware of him hovering in her vicinity, and felt that every utterance she made was subject to his critical scrutiny. By the time she made her first appearance at Lady Wingrove’s party on Thursday evening, she was feeling so much out of charity with his lordship, her frustration could not but find expression.
As they entered on the announcement of their names into the bower of sea-green and gilt which comprised the two adjoining saloons on the first floor of the Wingrove house, Maidie was relieved to see Delagarde was immediately hailed by two gentlemen.
“How fortunate!” whispered Lady Hester in her ear, as the Viscount went over to greet them. “Those two are Laurie’s particular friends. Let us hope, between them, they may keep him so occupied he leaves you alone for once.”
