The Spider's Touch by Patricia Wynn Page B

the evening to one of my drawing-rooms.”
    Isabella made a polite reply, though it was clear to Hester, who knew her cousin well, that she would rather have kept her former companions over this one who, despite all her cordiality, was only a female.
    Noting the direction of Isabella’s gaze, Lady Oglethorpe added, “You are certain to meet your friends at my house. Lord Lovett and the Colonel are often there.”
    Isabella’s interest was engaged at once, and she listened more attentively, as Lady Oglethorpe asked, “Do you follow the King to Hampton Court?”
    “We expect to go. My lord is riding with his Majesty to Guilford to see the horse matches on the seventh. He says we shall have to spend some of the summer at Rotherham Abbey, because it will be expected of us, but we don’t wish to be away from the Court for very long.”
    Hester found herself wincing at her cousin’s comment about Rotherham Abbey, since Isabella made it sound like a burden instead of the undeserved privilege it was. And Hester was kept from forgetting the blunder by the sight of Lady Oglethorpe’s knowing smile. “Of course you will not wish to distance yourself. The Court is vastly more diverting than the country. And, besides, you would not wish to lose any influence you might have with the King. Have you asked the Princess of Wales for a place?”
    “No.” Isabella could barely hide a shudder, so it was fortunate that none of the Princess’s ladies were near enough to see her. “I shouldn’t like to be in waiting—having to stand all the time would be horrible.”
    “But, ma chère, you must think of the power you could wield! The Princess does not know our country yet, and it is certain that her ladies have already helped their families with their influence, not to mention the places they have already got. Why Lady Cowper has just secured her sister’s husband a post worth three hundred pounds a year! You should really try to get a place in the Palace, my dear, though I know how difficult it can be. My Molly was refused a place, and she would have entertained his Majesty much better than Lady Cowper does, for all her virtuous airs. Or that spoiled little creature, Mary Montagu, who boasts of her intelligence to all who will hear her. But Molly would involve herself with the Marquis of Wharton and his rakish friends—which was a very grave error, and so she has learned.
    “One can never be too careful in the choice of one’s friends, madame . But with your husband well established in his Majesty’s affections, I am certain he could get you a place with the Princess, even if she took a violent disliking to you. The Prince has foisted his favourite mistress upon her, and she could not refuse you , if the King willed it.”
    Mrs. Mayfield had pushed near them to hear. She had listened to her ladyship’s advice with avid attention, particularly to the part concerning the influence Isabella could use to her family’s advantage. But Mrs. Mayfield would never allow the slightest disparagement of her daughter, even unintentional, to go unchallenged, and so she huffed, “As if her Highness would not adore my little girl, like everyone does! Why, what can your ladyship be saying? My Isabella is loved wherever she goes.”
    “ Mais naturellement!” Lady Oglethorpe was taken aback by this unexpected assault. “I did not mean to suggest otherwise, madame. You misunderstand me. I meant only to suggest that it is expedient to use the influence one has, while one still has it, n’est-ce pas? One cannot know how long a king will reign, or how long one can hold onto his affections. Your daughter and son-in-law would do well to take advantage of the chance they have been given.”
    Mrs. Mayfield inclined her head in a manner that would have been regal, had there not been too much offence behind it. “I am sure my daughter will appreciate your ladyship’s advice, should she ever need it. But she is so well placed at the moment with our