“Cousin, would you be kind enough to obtain a vase for the flowers and order tea for his Lordship?” Clara asked, maintaining her composure.
“Of course.” Milly left the room, leaving the door open.
Clara knew she would have only a few moments, so she was determined to make every word count. “Thank you for returning my brother to me two nights ago, My Lord, but pray, why have you visited today?” It was impertinent to be so forthright, but Clara did not have the luxury of time to waste words.
Edmund smiled; he had wondered how she would react to his appearance, and she had not let him down. “No niceties, Miss Baker?” he asked with a drawl.
“I have one opportunity before I’m forced to mutter inane nothings; I thought it was important to come straight to the point,” Clara replied directly.
“I was curious to see how you both were,” Edmund responded. “I had the pleasure of making your brother’s acquaintance yesterday and informed him I would be paying my respects to you both today. He is a pleasant boy.” He was doing what Henry had suggested, but he was not going to give the chit false hope by letting her think he was seeking her out; he was not about to play the besotted lover when the result could be marriage. He would do much for King and country, but that did not include getting leg-shackled. That went above and beyond duty.
“I’m fine, no adverse effects to my foolish escapade,” Clara responded with a rueful smile, returning to her chair. She was not going to give any sign she had been kept awake by memories of his kisses.
“Good,” Edmund responded, sitting at Clara’s request. “And your brother?”
“Charles is a completely different matter,” Clara replied with a sigh. “A perfect example is before us; even though you say he had knowledge that you would be visiting, he is missing once more. It is so typically Charles.”
No further communication was possible due to Milly’s return. Edmund changed the subject, and they spent the next fifteen minutes discussing the usual topics of conversation that made up morning visits. Edmund rose after drinking more tea than he liked and made his bow.
“If you are attending the Thurston’s ball tonight, I would be honoured if you would keep the first two dances for me,” Edmund said to Clara.
“We are if my brother still wishes to,” Clara said, not actually knowing if they would attend after Charles had refused to go to the Stamford’s ball.
“If you would be so kind as to tell him I will be in attendance and will look forward to sharing a drink or two with him, I’m convinced he will be there,” Edmund said with surety.
“In that case I will save the first two for you. You obviously are more confident about my brother’s reliability than I am,” Clara said with feeling. Her words were inappropriate for so new an acquaintance, but their shared experience made it feel as if they were a lot more familiar than would appear to anyone else.
Edmund smiled at Clara, enjoying seeing the curiosity on her face. “Don’t fret, Miss Baker; we were all young once, you know,” he said, bowing once more to her curtsey before leaving the room.
Clara sat down once the door had closed behind her and picked up the sewing she had cast aside as soon as their visitor had been announced.
“Are you going to explain why an Earl, who has obviously met you previously but not while you’ve been in my company has brought you flowers today, or am I supposed to guess about this new acquaintance?” Milly asked trying to sound prim.
Clara’s eyes flew to her relative, and she blushed. “Is there any point in my trying to make up a tale?” she asked woefully.
“No, not at this time,” Milly responded. “But I think you’d better explain yourself; my thoughts are running all over the place!”
Clara told Milly about the masquerade and being saved by Edmund. She left out the part about being thoroughly kissed; Milly was open-minded, but Clara did not think it prudent to acknowledge just how wanton she had actually been.
Milly sat quietly for a few moments when Clara had stopped talking. “Are you completely disgusted with me?” Clara asked, hating the silence even though she knew Milly was not one for speaking rashly or without consideration.
“No, but it was a great risk,” Milly finally said.
“I know,” Clara acknowledged. “I didn’t see any alternative, but I admit to my heart sinking when his Lordship said that he could easily tell who was behind the masks. I’d hoped it wasn’t true but as soon as he walked into this room I knew he was my saviour.”
“Strange that he should be there but not taking part in what a den of iniquity has to offer, or was he intent on ungentleman-like behaviour when he approached you?” Milly mused.
“No!” Clara flushed. “He actually rescued me from someone else. I did wonder why he was there and queried that during our conversation, but I’m sure he was in the carriage when Charles was brought home.” Clara could not express the relief she had felt to think that he had not indulged in the pleasures offered in a place like that, trying to push away the jealous thoughts.
“I wonder why he was in attendance then. It doesn’t sound the type of evening one would enter into unless one had mischief in mind,” Milly said, her mind as curious as her cousin’s had been.
“I’ve no idea and, when I asked, he said I shouldn’t ask such questions,” Clara admitted.
“And now he’s visiting us, wanting to secure dances with you.”
“Is that such an odd request?” Clara asked teasingly.
Milly smiled. “You know I think you are one of the best that society has to offer, so don’t go all missish on me! It just seems odd that’s all.”
“If it keeps us away from Joshua Shambles, all the better!” Clara said with feeling. “I would rather Charles be associating with Earls than gentlemen of uncertain character any day!”
“Just because he’s an Earl doesn’t mean his good character is guaranteed,” Milly said reasonably.
“I know, but he’s nothing like Mr Shambles; surely you can see that?”
“Yes, he was every inch the gentleman,” Milly acceded. She was a little uncomfortable that a man so much older than Charles should suddenly want to associate with him, and that he was aware that Clara had risked her reputation did not settle well with the sensible Milly. She determine to reserve judgment on the Earl of Chertsey until she had seen more, but she was not convinced his motivation was honourable. The astute lady was not easily blinded by good looks and charming words as it seemed her cousin was.
Chapter 5
Clara took care in choosing her outfit for the Thurston’s ball. She did not try to make excuses to herself; she wanted to look her best for Lord Chertsey. He had affected her like no other man had ever done, although she would never admit to that. She was surprised he had sought them out after that evening; she was sure he found it amusing, the thought of which annoyed her; Charles’ escapades and over indulgence were very real to her.
Standing in front of her cheval mirror when her maid left her alone, Clara turned this way and that. Her blue eyes were emphasised by the pale blue satin gown that floated around her figure to perfection. The short puffed sleeves contrasted against the creaminess of her skin. The aquamarine lace edging along the sleeves, neckline and the flounces at the base of the skirt helped the overall effect. Clara did not have a large frame, so she always chose the lighter fabrics to good effect.
Her hair was no longer in the practical plait, but curled expertly by Jess, the ever efficient maid. Dark curls framed Clara’s face, and smaller curls tickled her neckline at the back. The remaining hair was piled on top of her head, making her look slightly taller and drawing attention to the slender figure she was blessed with.
Cream gloves and an aquamarine necklace and bracelet finished off the outfit to Clara’s satisfaction, and she smiled when Charles knocked on her bedchamber door and entered.
“You look very pretty, Clara,” Charles said with a smile. “I’ll wager you’ll not sit out a single dance tonight.”
Clara smiled. “Well thanks to your new acquaintance, I’m secured for the first two.”
“Yes, I’m sorry I missed him; Joshua had something he needed help with, and I completely forgot about Lord Chertsey’s visit. If I didn’t have such a poor memory, I would have been here for certain!”
Clara was not convinced of the truth of Charles’ confession; he would not meet her gaze while he spoke, choosing to fix his neckcloth in her looking glass ̶ a sure sign he was lying. She chose to refrain from antagonising him and let the comment pass.
“I’m glad you‘re accompanying us tonight; the night will be more enjoyable with you in the room.” It was true; Charles was such a pleasant, easy-going fellow that it was a delight to be with him as long as Joshua Shambles was not watching his every move.
“Thanks, Clara,” Charles responded with a grin. “I promise to dance with you at least once for that recommendation.”
Clara laughed. “I’d prefer you to dance with Milly, I dislike having her sit out so much.” Their cousin usually sat with the other chaperones at a ball, but Clara always thought she should be dancing.
The pair left the bedchamber and joined Milly in the carriage. The drive to the Thurston’s ball on Grosvenor Square was only a short distance, being less than a mile away, but the queue of carriages waiting to deposit guests meant that it was over an hour before the group were able to climb out of their carriage at the grand doorway.
Candlelight adorned the iron railings leading up the stairs to the open doorway. All was hustle and bustle in the hallway as footmen relieved visitors of cloaks and greatcoats. Charles offered his arms to Milly and Clara and eventually they reached the crush in the ballroom.
The room was a cacophony of noise and light. Hundreds of candles lit the room, most adorned with a foliage decoration at their base to catch the wax, preventing guests being made uncomfortable by hot dripping wax, a common occurrence at functions of thriftier hosts. The smell of flowers, perfume and bodies was quite overwhelming for a moment or two when first entering the room before they became accustomed to the atmosphere, and the group moved further into the throng.
Charles greeted Mr Beresford, the father of a pretty blonde with whom Charles was smitten. She was the secret Charles wished to keep from Joshua; as much as he enjoyed his friend, he did not want Miss Beresford to meet Joshua and ridicule him for his affection. He stood chatting with the older gentleman, hoping the daughter would make an appearance at her father’s side.
While Clara and Milly joined in the conversation, they were approached by Edmund. The group paused to allow the introductions to take place. When Edmund had greeted everyone, he introduced Henry to them all.
“I have come to claim my two dances if you would be kind enough to oblige me,” Edmund said gallantly to Clara.
“Of course,” Clara responded calmly, but her heart raced a little faster at the thought of being in his company for the next hour.
Before Charles had been able to offer for Milly, Henry spoke. “If Miss Holland is not engaged, I would be honoured if she would dance the first two with me.”
Milly was surprised at the gesture. Yes, if she were a younger girl, it would be the polite thing to do: to offer to the one who was not dancing, but she was not a young girl. At eight and twenty she was becoming accustomed to sitting out at balls. The request showed an appealing characteristic on the part of Lord Grinstead.
Milly smiled at the gentleman. “I’m not engaged to dance, My Lord.”
“It is settled then!” Henry said pleasantly, his hazel eyes smiling into Milly’s clear grey ones.
The two gentlemen led their ladies into the sets of dancers being formed. Henry led Milly to a different set than the one Edmund had joined. He did not wish any of their conversations to be overheard. He was pleased that Miss Baker’s companion was an attractive lady. Although obviously on the shelf she was easy on the eyes, and Henry found dancing with pretty partners certainly helped assure his enjoyment.
“Your friend has not joined us,” Clara commented when she realised that Milly was not behind her as she had thought.
“No, he is afraid his lack of dancing skills would be more obvious with an expert in the set,” Edmund responded, knowing full well why Henry had moved away. Probing questions were best only directed to the person they were aimed at; if both family members heard the same sorts of questions being asked to one another they would more likely become suspicious.
“Are you always so confident, My Lord?” Clara asked with an arch of her eyebrow.
“I was referring to your ability not mine,” Edmund smiled in response.
Clara laughed and was glad of their separation in the set. He was charming without being fawning, and he was so handsome! She needed the space of the separation in the dance to get her racing heart under control.
As they joined each other again, Clara continued. “I’m surprised we’ve never met before. I would imagine Charles frequents a lot of the places a man like you does.” She was aware of Milly’s valid points that Charles had never attracted the attention of Edmund previously.
“A man like me?” Edmund asked. This time it was Edmund’s turn to raise an eyebrow at his partner.
Clara flushed. “Well, yes. One who enjoys the more–indulgent ̶ side of life.”
“Very delicately put,” Edmund responded wryly.