I don’t think I could be that.”
“Do you not? You are beautiful, and you have the height for fine dressing. Your carriage is extremely graceful. I am sure your mother is a great advocate of the backboard. I see no reason you should not become a standard for the rest to follow.”
Jane was quite overset. She had hoped for some appreciation, yet again he had turned to outright flattery, and she did not wish to be paid in hollow coin. She wished she could tell him it was unnecessary, that there was no doubt she would marry him and endow him with her fortune.
Instead, she had to resort to a light tone. “Lord Wraybourne, are you paying me compliments to upset me? Be assured, you will not succeed again.”
By the gleam in his eye, Jane guessed he was about to take up this rash challenge. She was grateful that they were entering the park, as Lady Harroving began to bow and wave and point out people of importance. Lord Wraybourne was happy also to be a guide.
“That lady in the gray landau is Lady Foley. She is acknowledged a beauty. Her husband is standing over there with some other men. He is commonly called Number Eleven because he is so thin, you see.”
“Does he not mind?”
“Good heavens, no. It is the aim of everyone to be distinguished for something even if only for lack of flesh.”
“Oh. For what are you distinguished, My Lord?”
The gleam in his eye warned her before he spoke. “Why for capturing the richest and most beautiful heiress in England, what else?”
She took refuge in severity. “If you continue to lay the butter on so thick, My Lord, I will refuse to speak to you entirely.”
“Many a husband would consider that a blessing,” he said mischievously and then added, “But I could be persuaded to stop for a little while by a lady who would address me as David, rather than My Lord.”
Jane smiled triumphantly. “Sophie,” she called to attract that damsel’s attention away from a group of friends too far away to actually hear her greetings. “Your brother says that he will cease pestering me with high-flown compliments if you will ask him.”
Sophie was bewildered. “Why ever would you wish him to stop? David, what are you about?”
Lord Wraybourne was laughing. “Merely being outmaneuvered in a masterly fashion. Very well, Jane. I give you victory, for now.”
Sophie regarded them in indulgent perplexity for a moment, then returned to the fascinating business of greeting old friends.
Jane relished the warmth of her victory, not acknowledging that a great part of the pleasure was generated by the admiration Lord Wraybourne obviously felt for her quick wits. She used those wits to observe and remember as her companions threw names and tidbits of gossip at her, and she only spoke when introductions were made. Despite her concentration, her head was soon spinning, and she knew that she was as likely to call Gentleman Jack-son the Duke of Rutland as to get any of the names right.
“I have forgotten every one of them,” she whispered in dismay to Lord Wraybourne as the carriage turned for home. “What am I to do?”
“Good heavens, don’t even try to remember names yet. You’ll soon get to know all the important people. Maria, Sophie, and I will be around to prompt you.”
Jane cast a doubtful glance at the older lady. It had become obvious that she had no intention of putting herself to any effort for her charges. Still, Jane made no comment. She knew her brain to be keen and had no doubt she could learn about the bewilderments of the ton with only a minimum of help. She had noticed how popular Lord Wraybourne was and how knowledgeable about Society. It would be to her advantage if he was to devote himself to her in the next few days, even if he insisted on his flattering ways. But how was she to reverse her previous order to him to cease his attentions, without losing face? There was only one way. For the first time in her life, Jane set out to flirt with a man, and
“Do you not? You are beautiful, and you have the height for fine dressing. Your carriage is extremely graceful. I am sure your mother is a great advocate of the backboard. I see no reason you should not become a standard for the rest to follow.”
Jane was quite overset. She had hoped for some appreciation, yet again he had turned to outright flattery, and she did not wish to be paid in hollow coin. She wished she could tell him it was unnecessary, that there was no doubt she would marry him and endow him with her fortune.
Instead, she had to resort to a light tone. “Lord Wraybourne, are you paying me compliments to upset me? Be assured, you will not succeed again.”
By the gleam in his eye, Jane guessed he was about to take up this rash challenge. She was grateful that they were entering the park, as Lady Harroving began to bow and wave and point out people of importance. Lord Wraybourne was happy also to be a guide.
“That lady in the gray landau is Lady Foley. She is acknowledged a beauty. Her husband is standing over there with some other men. He is commonly called Number Eleven because he is so thin, you see.”
“Does he not mind?”
“Good heavens, no. It is the aim of everyone to be distinguished for something even if only for lack of flesh.”
“Oh. For what are you distinguished, My Lord?”
The gleam in his eye warned her before he spoke. “Why for capturing the richest and most beautiful heiress in England, what else?”
She took refuge in severity. “If you continue to lay the butter on so thick, My Lord, I will refuse to speak to you entirely.”
“Many a husband would consider that a blessing,” he said mischievously and then added, “But I could be persuaded to stop for a little while by a lady who would address me as David, rather than My Lord.”
Jane smiled triumphantly. “Sophie,” she called to attract that damsel’s attention away from a group of friends too far away to actually hear her greetings. “Your brother says that he will cease pestering me with high-flown compliments if you will ask him.”
Sophie was bewildered. “Why ever would you wish him to stop? David, what are you about?”
Lord Wraybourne was laughing. “Merely being outmaneuvered in a masterly fashion. Very well, Jane. I give you victory, for now.”
Sophie regarded them in indulgent perplexity for a moment, then returned to the fascinating business of greeting old friends.
Jane relished the warmth of her victory, not acknowledging that a great part of the pleasure was generated by the admiration Lord Wraybourne obviously felt for her quick wits. She used those wits to observe and remember as her companions threw names and tidbits of gossip at her, and she only spoke when introductions were made. Despite her concentration, her head was soon spinning, and she knew that she was as likely to call Gentleman Jack-son the Duke of Rutland as to get any of the names right.
“I have forgotten every one of them,” she whispered in dismay to Lord Wraybourne as the carriage turned for home. “What am I to do?”
“Good heavens, don’t even try to remember names yet. You’ll soon get to know all the important people. Maria, Sophie, and I will be around to prompt you.”
Jane cast a doubtful glance at the older lady. It had become obvious that she had no intention of putting herself to any effort for her charges. Still, Jane made no comment. She knew her brain to be keen and had no doubt she could learn about the bewilderments of the ton with only a minimum of help. She had noticed how popular Lord Wraybourne was and how knowledgeable about Society. It would be to her advantage if he was to devote himself to her in the next few days, even if he insisted on his flattering ways. But how was she to reverse her previous order to him to cease his attentions, without losing face? There was only one way. For the first time in her life, Jane set out to flirt with a man, and
Similar Books
