Amanda Scott - [Dangerous 04] by Dangerous Lady Page A

unexpected train of thought both startled and dismayed her, for she could not imagine what attracted her so to a man like Raventhorpe. Not only was he arrogant and dogmatic, but he was a Whig, his politics thus guaranteed to run counter to those of her family and friends.
    Determined to overcome her odd attraction, she managed by the time they reached the street outside the house to persuade herself that his allure lay in nothing more than that he had been the only person at court to pay her any heed. Doubtless she was grasping for friendship with anyone, out of sheer loneliness and isolation.
    During the next few days, she did manage (for the most part) to put him out of her mind. The riding school proved interesting, although it was not a particularly stimulating arena for one who was an expert horsewoman. Letty soon discovered that Queen Victoria did not love riding like she did, that the royal rides were sedate and generally boring. Attending the royal chapel proved no less so. Most people clearly attended only to see and be seen.
    By Sunday afternoon she was more than ready for a second visit to Upper Brook Street, but when she sent her card round to inquire if the ladies would be at home, she received a polite reply from Mrs. Linford, informing her that they would be out all afternoon. They would, however, be happy to receive her on Monday at one, if that would suit her.
    Letty decided that it suited her perfectly, even if she had to send word to the palace of an incipient illness. As it transpired, however, although the queen required her presence again at the riding school, Victoria intended to spend the rest of the day closeted with her ministers. Thus Letty was free to do as she pleased.
    At one o’clock precisely, she and Jenifry stepped down to the pavement in front of the Mayfair house. Shifting the large muff she carried, and petting its small, furry occupant, Letty said, “You need not knock, Lucas. I want you and Jonathan to take the carriage round to the back. There are coach-houses in the mews, I’m told, and I want you to see if they are well tended.”
    The front door opened as they approached it, and the porter, Jackson, greeted them politely. “The mistress is expecting you, my lady. She is presently entertaining the vicar, but I am to take you straight up, so perhaps you would like to leave your cloaks here in the hall. Ah, Lady Sellafield,” he added when that lady appeared in the stair-hall doorway, “I’ve sent for your carriage, ma’am. It’ll be round directly.”
    While Letty exchanged pleasantries with Lady Sellafield, Jenifry took off her own cloak then moved to help Letty with hers. As she did, the porter reached for Letty’s muff, but she said, “I’ll keep it, thank you. I think we should go up now.” Smiling at Lady Sellafield, she added politely, “if you will excuse us, ma’am.”
    “Indeed I will, for Aunt Miranda will be glad to see you,” Lady Sellafield said. “She finds conversing with Vicar somewhat tedious, I’m afraid, but I could not lend her my support any longer, for I am to take tea with my mama-in-law at two. It is pleasant to see you again, dear. You must come to Sellafield House to visit me.”
    “Thank you, ma’am.”
    Lady Sellafield smiled. “I’m giving a dinner party soon. I shall send you a card. Take them up now, Jackson. I’ll watch from the window for my carriage.”
    “Yes, my lady,” the porter said, draping their cloaks over the one chair and leading the way into the stair hall.
    Letty and Jenifry followed him to the first landing, but when he turned toward the doorway through which he had taken them before, a feline hiss and snarl startled them all. At the sound, Jeremiah came to life inside Letty’s muff and with a shriek, slipped free before she realized his intent. The cat, with another snarl of fury, gave chase; and, chattering wildly, the little monkey sprang to the banister and leapt to the next landing, disappearing with the cat