Twelve

The day of the Duchess of Sherbourne’s ball arrived at last. Belinda was as excited as they’d ever seen her. She’d been out driving with the duke several times and attended a theater party of his arrangement as well as the Vauxhall expedition. Elisabeth was beginning to think that she expected an offer and was becoming more and more convinced that she was right.

Belinda, Lavinia, and Elisabeth gathered in the drawing room at eight, attired for the ball. Tony was not yet in evidence. All three looked splendid in their new gowns. Lavinia wore amber crepe trimmed with ruched ribbon of the same hue and carried a fan of white ostrich feathers which pleased her greatly. Belinda had outdone herself. Her dress was of white satin with a net of floating silver gauze over the whole, from the tiny puffed sleeves to the ruffled demitrain at the back. She had found silver ribbon to tie at the high waist and thread through her blond curls, and Elisabeth told her honestly that she looked angelic.

Elisabeth had chosen to wear a gown made up from a length Belinda had found for her. The color, somewhere between blue and violet, exactly matched her eyes. The cut was very simple, round-necked and short-sleeved, with a deep wide ruffle about the hem. They’d trimmed it with bands of deeper blue velvet, at the waist, above the ruffle, and in narrow strips around the neckline and sleeves. Elisabeth carried a bouquet of iris, violets, and white rosebuds, procured with much difficulty and expense, and Belinda pronounced her complete to a shade.

They stood about the drawing room, restlessly adjusting a ribbon or a flounce, for quite half an hour, and still there was no sign of Tony. “Where can he be?” repeated Belinda petulantly at ten-minute intervals. “It is excessively unkind of him to keep us waiting. I’ve told him that the duchess asked us to arrive in good time.”

“Oh, I do hope the dear boy has not met with an accident,” replied Lavinia to Belinda’s fifth repetition of this complaint. “He drives that curricle in such a deleterious fashion.”

“It’s more likely he’s forgotten the ball entirely,” answered Elisabeth dryly. “He drives to an inch.”

Belinda turned from the mirror. “Let’s go without him,” she said to the two older women. “He has no consideration for us. I don’t see why we should wait for him.” She gazed at them defiantly.

Elisabeth sighed. “I suppose we must,” she replied. “We shan’t arrive before nine, as it is, and we did promise the duchess to come early.” Belinda’s face cleared as Elisabeth went to ring for Ames.

They arrived to find the duchess awaiting them. She immediately hurried them to the head of the stairs, hardly giving them time to greet her son, and sent Lavinia off into the ballroom with the duke, saying, “I’m the chaperone tonight, my friend. You may toddle off.” Then she turned to the young ladies. “You stand here, Elisabeth, and Belinda, you stand just beside her. I shall introduce Elisabeth first, of course; she is oldest. You both look fine as a fivepence. I’m pleased with you.”

Elisabeth’s eyes twinkled. “Thank you, ma’am,” she said meekly, dropping a slight curtsy.

The duchess’s lips curved in response, but she shook her finger at Elisabeth. “You, miss, must be on your best behavior tonight. You’re going to meet a great many very stuffy people, and I don’t want to see any of your impertinence.” She smiled. “If you do as I say, you will be a huge success, I promise.”

Elisabeth laughed. “Such a promise must command my obedience.”

“I hope so,” answered the duchess. Just then, the first guests were announced, and soon the only conversation possible was greetings and polite responses to countless introductions. The duchess had gathered the cream of the ton in her house this night, and even Elisabeth felt a little awe at the brilliant crowd. She met three of the powerful patronesses of Almack’s, including the haughty Princess Lieven. As the duchess had predicted, her friend Lady Jersey readily promised them vouchers. The Wincannons were present, as were Lady Darnell and her son, and many others whose names Elisabeth strove to remember. It was nearly an hour before the duchess released them to the ballroom.

The duke immediately solicited Belinda for the first dance, and Lord James Darnell was not slow to ask Elisabeth. As the music struck up, Elisabeth felt an unfamiliar excitement rise in her. She might be four and twenty years of age, but this was her very first ball, and she experienced the sensations any young girl with a new gown, an admiring partner, and a fresh perspective might have felt. She threw back her head, looking into Lord James’s eyes, and laughed.

“What is it?” he asked.

Elisabeth shook her head. “Just high spirits.” Her smile became mischievous. “Your mother must be very pleased with you for dancing with me.”

“I refuse to talk any more about my family. Isn’t it enough that you’ll meet them all this week at dinner? How am I to captivate you if we talk constantly of my relatives?”

“But I’m fascinated,” replied Elisabeth. “Your family is quite out of the ordinary. Tell me again about the duck race.”

“Absolutely not,” he said firmly. “I don’t want you getting the idea that the Darnells are all dashed loose screws. You’re looking bang up to the knocker tonight. Where did you get your posy? Did Wincannon send it to you?”

Elisabeth raised her eyebrows. “Why, no. I bought it myself, and at great expense, I may add.”

Lord Darnell grimaced. “That’s telling me. I meant to send a bouquet, but the truth is, it slipped my mind. I was sitting at the Daffy Club last evening, thinking I must get flowers, and then someone said something to me and it went clean out of my head.”

“I’m beginning to get a clear notion why you haven’t yet captured an heiress,” replied Elisabeth with some amusement. “They usually require these little attentions, you know.”

“Lord, yes,” he sighed. “But I was persuaded that you would understand.” He gave her a winning smile. “I wouldn’t have found such a bang-up posy in any case.”

She laughed again.

The rest of the set passed agreeably, and the duchess introduced her to eligible partners for the next three as well. But when the orchestra struck up a waltz, Elisabeth could not participate, not being officially approved by one of the patronesses of Almack’s. As she walked around the edge of the ballroom, she encountered Jane Taunton for the first time that evening and greeted her warmly. “I didn’t think to see you here, after all,” she told the other girl. “You arrived late?”

Jane nodded. “As late as I could manage without arousing the duchess’s wrath. A ball is what I dislike more than anything.”

“Do you?” asked Elisabeth a bit wistfully. “This is my first, and I must admit that I’m enjoying it excessively.”

“Of course you are. So should I if I had partners clamoring for my hand at every dance. But it is very unpleasant to have only partners forced to ask one by the hostess.”

“Well, most of the young men here are more interested in my fortune than in me,” said Elisabeth.

“Perhaps a few,” agreed Jane. “But not so many as you think.”

“Oh, I must tell you what happened. I nearly forgot,” exclaimed Elisabeth. “I had a very unusual visitor.” And she told Jane about her mysterious caller and his warning.

“That is strange,” said Jane when she’d finished. “He wouldn’t tell you his name?” Elisabeth shook her head, and Jane looked thoughtful. “Very strange,” she repeated meditatively.

“I’m even more determined to find out about Mr. Jarrett,” said Elisabeth. “He seems quite gentlemanly, you know, not like the sort of person my caller described.”

“Perhaps he was exaggerating. If his sister was hurt, he would naturally be vehement in blaming the man involved.”

At this moment, Belinda and the duke came to join them, and further talk of Mr. Jarrett was impossible. Belinda seemed very excited, and after a while it became clear that she wished to speak to Elisabeth privately. Jane excused herself and left the three alone.

“Oh, Cousin Elisabeth,” blurted Belinda as soon as she’d gone, “John has asked me to marry him. I hope you will approve.”

Elisabeth must have looked rather surprised, because the duke spoke quickly. “I know it is rather early in our acquaintance, but I’m certain of my feelings, I assure you. We needn’t announce it just yet, if you do not care for it, but…”

Elisabeth held up a hand. For some reason, she felt rather old suddenly. “You have no need for my permission,” she said. “Belinda isn’t my ward. I wish you every happiness.”

The duke beamed, and Belinda sighed ecstatically. “Let us go to my mother,” said the young man. “She’ll be very pleased.”

Elisabeth smiled as she watched them approach the duchess. She wondered if her reaction would be unalloyed happiness. As she mused, someone behind her remarked, “Sherbourne appears smitten by your cousin.”

Elisabeth turned. Derek Wincannon was smiling down at her. “Yes. If you will keep it in confidence, I’ll tell you that they are just engaged.”

His eyes twinkled. “And if I will not?”

She laughed. “Then you are ungentlemanly, sir. But I daresay it will be talked of everywhere after this evening. Belinda will tell your sister or another of her bosom friends, and that will be the end of it.”

He nodded. “Well, I wish them happy. They are both nodcocks, so I daresay they will be.”

Elisabeth raised her eyebrows. “Do you associate happiness in marriage with stupidity?” she asked.

“I do not,” he replied. “But I’m glad you have at last admitted that your cousin is a silly little gudgeon.”

“I did not,” began Elisabeth.

He laughed. “No, no, you can’t retract it now. I came over to ask you to dance. Will you do me the honor?”

She looked up at him ruefully for a moment, then inclined her head, and they started out onto the floor. “Tell me,” said Elisabeth as they joined the set, “have you seen anything of Tony today?”

Mr. Wincannon gazed down at her with an odd expression. “Tony. Somehow it always comes down to that. Do you know, Miss Elham, that many young ladies would consider it an honor to be asked to dance by me? I don’t wish to sound like a coxcomb, but it’s quite true. I very rarely dance.” As Elisabeth stared up at him in surprise, he went on, “Exactly. You are an excellent antidote for vanity. To answer your question, no, I haven’t seen your young scamp of a cousin today, and I cannot say I’m sorry for it. I wish I could rid myself of the notion that you talk to me chiefly because I foolishly promised to look out for him.”

Elisabeth was considerably embarrassed by this speech. “But I…of course, I…I am very sensible of the honor…” she stammered.

He shook his head. “You needn’t try to turn me up sweet now,” he said, smiling slightly. “I see how it is. Is Tony missing, then?”

“I expect he has only forgotten the ball. He went out this afternoon and didn’t return for it. I daresay he’s at home now, wondering where we’ve all gotten to.”

Her partner looked thoughtful. “I would say you’re right. A boy of his age is not much interested in balls and evening parties, you know.”

“I’m learning,” responded Elisabeth wryly. “The interests of young men are extremely peculiar. I believe he spent the greater part of an evening last week watching two roosters tear each another apart. Ugh.”

“A cockfight? Yes, young Tony is enjoying his freedom. But he’ll come out all right.”

Elisabeth was relieved to hear him say so.

When the music ended, Derek escorted Elisabeth back to the edge of the dance floor. “May I get you some lemonade or orgeat?” he asked her.

“Thank you. I should like some lemonade. Oh, there is your father. I must speak to him.”

He bowed. “I shall join you there in a moment.”

The viscount welcomed her cordially. “I’ve just been told,” he said, “that your cousin has captured one of the greatest matrimonial prizes in London within a month of her come-out.”

Elisabeth smiled. “Has it begun to be talked of already? And Belinda swore me to secrecy.”

“Did she indeed?” said Lord Larenby. “Amelia told me as if it were public knowledge.”

“No, no. I was only funning. I see no reason why we shouldn’t announce it. I’m very happy for them. I think they will suit.”

He nodded. “I hope you will wait a while before following her example. If all the young ladies marry so soon out of the schoolroom, we old men will have no one to flirt with.”

Elisabeth laughed. “I have no ambitions of that kind. You may rest easy.”

The viscount looked at her a bit sharply, she thought, but he said only, “Will you risk dancing with an old man?”

“I should be delighted,” said Elisabeth. “Where is he?”

The viscount offered his arm. “Your kindness matches your beauty.” Just then, his son returned with a glass of lemonade for Elisabeth. As they walked away from him, the viscount grinned and said, “You may drink that yourself, Derek. Miss Elham and I are going to dance.” His son looked down at the glass in disgust.

The viscount, Elisabeth found, was an accomplished and elegant dancer. “Has your son told you of the party I am planning?” she asked him. “He said you would like it above all things.”

“No,” answered Lord Larenby interestedly. “What is it to be?”

“I’m going to invite all the odd people I’ve met in London to an evening party and introduce them to one another,” said Elisabeth. “I expect it to be excessively diverting.”

He laughed. “It sounds rather like one of Prinny’s fetes. But who are these odd people you’ve met?”

“Well,” replied Elisabeth, smiling, “there is a fortune hunter and his family. He calls his mother Lachrymose, but she is really quite willowy. Then, there is a Byronic hero and his pursuer.” She frowned. “Though I don’t know the latter’s name, so I suppose it will be difficult to invite him.”

Her partner was laughing.

“And there is also a wonderful literary young lady, whom I truly like. And your son.”

The viscount continued to smile, but his eyebrows lifted. “A fortune hunter, a blackguard, a bluestocking, and my son. That will be interesting. I hope you will invite me as well.”

“That is what he said you would say.”

“Dare I ask why you include Derek in this menagerie?”

Elisabeth’s smile faded slightly. “I’m only joking you, you know. Most of them are quite nice and highly respectable. I included Mr. Wincannon merely because he’s so outspoken. He has fallen into the habit of telling me all his faults before I accuse him. I thought it just a trifle…not odd, of course, but…” She trailed off in confusion.

“Does he indeed?” said the viscount meditatively. “I wonder what can be his object with that? Or if he has one?” Since Elisabeth had no idea, she remained silent. Her companion stared into space for several moments, then recalled himself. “I beg pardon,” he said. “It’s just that Derek hasn’t seemed quite himself lately. I’ve been wondering why.”

“I…I’m not sure what you mean.”

“Nor am I, actually.” He looked over her head into the crowd, then he glanced down with a smile. “Are you enjoying your first ball in London?”

“Oh, very much,” she replied. “It’s my very first ball anywhere, you see. I feel quite like a seventeen-year-old.”

Before Elisabeth knew it, it had begun to grow late. Guests were bidding their hostess farewell, and the ballroom was emptying. With some regret, Elisabeth’s family also took their leave.

When they reached the house, Elisabeth went first to Ames. “Has Tony come in?” she asked him.

The tall butler shook his head. “His valet has heard nothing, and we have received no note or letter,” he answered.

Elisabeth frowned. “I daresay he has forgotten to tell us he meant to be out late.”

“Yes, miss.” Ames’s expression was highly disapproving.

Elisabeth thought for a moment, then sighed. “I don’t see that we can do anything now,” she said finally. “I have no idea where Tony may be.” She turned and started slowly up the stairs.

Elisabeth found Ketchem waiting in her bedroom. She’d given up telling her that she needn’t wait up. “I’ve torn my hem just a trifle, I’m afraid.”

Ketchem looked down at it. “Yes, miss.”

Elisabeth made ready for bed in silence. She was thinking about Tony and that she must make certain he told them where he was going in future so that they needn’t worry like this.

Ketchem had been observing her expression, and as she brushed out her hair, she said, “Has Mr. Tony come in yet, miss?” When Elisabeth shook her head, Ketchem nodded; her expression seemed to say “I told you so,” though Elisabeth couldn’t imagine why. “At least he’s taken that animal with him,” the maid said.

Elisabeth looked up in surprise. “He’s taken Growser?”

“Yes, miss. And very glad everyone is belowstairs, I may say. That animal is a menace. Just yesterday, he chewed up the housemaid’s…”

“Never mind, Ketchem,” said Elisabeth absently, not even noticing how the dresser bridled. “I cannot think what Tony was about,” she continued to herself. “Oh, I wish I knew where he was.”