with her and several were left disappointed when her card was full. She was astonished to overhear Lady Jersey remark that the Hampshire Heiress would be well-served if she were to be ousted from society’s favour by her step-sister. It seemed Lucy had unwittingly gained the approval of the main patroness.
Lady Fanthom, the person who had made it possible for them to attend Almack’s, was also present this evening with her husband. He seemed good-natured and jovial, but intimidated by his formidable spouse.
Lucy had the opportunity to observe more closely just how proud and disagreeable Lord Devlyn’s sister was. She was on good terms with Countess Lieven, another woman with an overwhelming sense of her own importance. The two sat together, whispering as they surveyed the scene. Lady Fanthom acknowledged the Sinclairs with a curt nod but nothing more. This provided the only sour note of Lady Sinclair’s evening, as she indignantly explained to Lucy later.
“For you know, I meant to have a comfortable talk with Lady Fanthom and no sooner had I sat down than she must remember a pressing matter elsewhere. I was never so annoyed in my life. And she is Lord Devlyn’s sister! He is reserved, but Lady Fanthom is as rude a woman as ever lived. If she were not such a notable figure, I would return her snub!”
“I wonder how she was prevailed upon to provide vouchers if she does not like us?” pondered Lucy.
“She cares only for dukes and royalty! Lord Devlyn must have asked her - he is so taken with Belinda that he would go to any lengths to be of service. I am surprised he is not here this evening - Belinda is disappointed - but the gaming tables are tame and gentlemen often prefer higher stakes.”
In spite of his absence and Lady Fanthom’s snub, Lady Sinclair and Belinda still declared the evening a success. Lucy was relieved that Lord Sneyd had also failed to appear; his animosity made her extremely uncomfortable.
***
At Brook’s club, Sneyd was discussing this matter with Sir Oswald, his frayed temper intensified by the wine he had consumed.
“I’ll wager the elder chit is to blame! She dislikes me and she has seen to it that her sister has doubts about my offer.”
Sir Oswald nodded. “Must be the way of it. The girl seemed keen enough before. Something must have happened.”
“I’ll not have my plans ruined!”
“Maybe she will come up to scratch in a few days,” argued Sir Oswald. “Females are contrary creatures; they keep you in suspense when they have every intention of accepting.”
“Perhaps, but I have no intention of waiting. I shall, of course, continue to act the lovelorn suitor, but I must make arrangements in case she does not come up to scratch. The old vulture will not stand idly by and neither can I. Listen, I may need your help.”
Sir Oswald listened with incredulity as Lord Sneyd outlined his plans, which, in spite of his befogged state, he considered bordered on madness. “Can’t be done,” he announced, when his companion had finished. “Passes the bounds of decency! You’d be ostracized for good.”
“The mother would be anxious to hush things up and any gossip would die down. It might be necessary to lay low in the country for a while, but there would soon be a new scandal. Then I could return to town a respectable married man. Memories become conveniently short when one is flush in the pocket.”
Sir Oswald was unconvinced and gave his opinion again more bluntly. “Still sounds a damnable set-up to me and I want no part of it!”
Lord Sneyd’s expression turned ugly. “If you refuse, it may be necessary for some unpleasant rumours to emerge about you.”
Sir Oswald scowled but said nothing.
“Good,” said Sneyd, taking his silence as agreement. He curled his lip in derision. “I knew I could rely on you, Hen.”
***
Across St. James’s at White’s, Lord Devlyn was enjoying a rubber of whist when he saw Toby enter with Gil and George.
Lady Fanthom, the person who had made it possible for them to attend Almack’s, was also present this evening with her husband. He seemed good-natured and jovial, but intimidated by his formidable spouse.
Lucy had the opportunity to observe more closely just how proud and disagreeable Lord Devlyn’s sister was. She was on good terms with Countess Lieven, another woman with an overwhelming sense of her own importance. The two sat together, whispering as they surveyed the scene. Lady Fanthom acknowledged the Sinclairs with a curt nod but nothing more. This provided the only sour note of Lady Sinclair’s evening, as she indignantly explained to Lucy later.
“For you know, I meant to have a comfortable talk with Lady Fanthom and no sooner had I sat down than she must remember a pressing matter elsewhere. I was never so annoyed in my life. And she is Lord Devlyn’s sister! He is reserved, but Lady Fanthom is as rude a woman as ever lived. If she were not such a notable figure, I would return her snub!”
“I wonder how she was prevailed upon to provide vouchers if she does not like us?” pondered Lucy.
“She cares only for dukes and royalty! Lord Devlyn must have asked her - he is so taken with Belinda that he would go to any lengths to be of service. I am surprised he is not here this evening - Belinda is disappointed - but the gaming tables are tame and gentlemen often prefer higher stakes.”
In spite of his absence and Lady Fanthom’s snub, Lady Sinclair and Belinda still declared the evening a success. Lucy was relieved that Lord Sneyd had also failed to appear; his animosity made her extremely uncomfortable.
***
At Brook’s club, Sneyd was discussing this matter with Sir Oswald, his frayed temper intensified by the wine he had consumed.
“I’ll wager the elder chit is to blame! She dislikes me and she has seen to it that her sister has doubts about my offer.”
Sir Oswald nodded. “Must be the way of it. The girl seemed keen enough before. Something must have happened.”
“I’ll not have my plans ruined!”
“Maybe she will come up to scratch in a few days,” argued Sir Oswald. “Females are contrary creatures; they keep you in suspense when they have every intention of accepting.”
“Perhaps, but I have no intention of waiting. I shall, of course, continue to act the lovelorn suitor, but I must make arrangements in case she does not come up to scratch. The old vulture will not stand idly by and neither can I. Listen, I may need your help.”
Sir Oswald listened with incredulity as Lord Sneyd outlined his plans, which, in spite of his befogged state, he considered bordered on madness. “Can’t be done,” he announced, when his companion had finished. “Passes the bounds of decency! You’d be ostracized for good.”
“The mother would be anxious to hush things up and any gossip would die down. It might be necessary to lay low in the country for a while, but there would soon be a new scandal. Then I could return to town a respectable married man. Memories become conveniently short when one is flush in the pocket.”
Sir Oswald was unconvinced and gave his opinion again more bluntly. “Still sounds a damnable set-up to me and I want no part of it!”
Lord Sneyd’s expression turned ugly. “If you refuse, it may be necessary for some unpleasant rumours to emerge about you.”
Sir Oswald scowled but said nothing.
“Good,” said Sneyd, taking his silence as agreement. He curled his lip in derision. “I knew I could rely on you, Hen.”
***
Across St. James’s at White’s, Lord Devlyn was enjoying a rubber of whist when he saw Toby enter with Gil and George.
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