Daniel went down to dinner before his new valet ended up needing a few more false teeth.
Lady Cora kissed his cheek. I must be the luckiest mother in England.
Susanna clapped her hands. And I must be the luckiest sister. Now the evening is perfect. She was so excited she couldnt eat dinner. Just think, new gowns, a new horse, my first night out in London, with an escort every woman would envy.
Miss Abbott yawned. She was far too exhausted from the days outing to go with them, she said. She would stay home to keep Lady Cora company, she said. And he was far too handsome, she did not say.
Daniel had no trouble eating, only in swallowing his disappointment. He thought hed be relieved. He wasnt. He thought shed notice his new haircut. She didnt. He thought she did not matter one whit.
She did.
The Royce House carriage stopped to fetch Clarence Haversmith at his lodgings. He bounded into the coach to sit across from Daniel and his sister, almost as excited as Susanna about this nights entertainment. He was dressed in yellow Cossack trousers that billowed around his spindly legs, a spotted kerchief, a cerulean coat that was tighter than Daniels and padded at the shoulders, and a puce waistcoat crisscrossed with ribbons and fob chains. And rings, a lot of rings.
Disgruntled, Daniel asked, Lud, who dressed you, Haversmith? A blind pirate?
Clarence looked crestfallen, noticing Daniels sober colors. Butbut its all the rage. Mtailor said this was perfect for the circus.
Susanna scowled at her brother. I think he looks magnificent.
As do you, Miss Stamfield. Your brother did not do you justice. Your hair, those wondrous eyes. Even by the carriage lamps I can see your
I told you that gown was still too low-cut, Daniel groused. He was annoyed with Susannas clothes, Haversmiths clothes, and his own clothes. He was more annoyed that he was even thinking about fardling clothes! So he grew more aggravated as he listened to Clarence Haversmith pour the butter boat over Susanna, and watched the little peagoose lap it up.
Dont go getting starry-eyed over the sweet talk, he warned her. Master Haversmith has seven sisters in Suffolk.
Actually, thats five in Norfolk, Mr. Stamfield.
And eight old aunties.
Thats three, if you count Grandmama, but she never leaves her room. He tapped his head. Empty in the attics, dont you know.
Daniel did not mention the pregnant dairymaid, but he meant to ask the lad about that later, to see if he was doing the decent thing by her. Daniel knew many men did nothing but walk away, leaving the unfortunate woman to bear the babe and her shame alone and often in poverty. He doubted Haversmith would marry the girl, but a real gentleman helped findor funda husband among his tenants or villagers. At worst, hed pay for a foster family for the infant, and an education if it was a boy. Uncle Royce had done everything for his illegitimate son except take Harry into his own home. Any fornicator who did less was the true bastard and no gentleman. He was not fit to touch a decent females hem, much less share a carriage and a night out and empty flattery.
Clarence wanted to share more than that. He reached for a flask in his pocket, until Daniel kicked him. Theres a lady present, not one of Babcocks, ah, ladybirds.
But Susanna wanted a taste, which Daniel disallowed, of course. Theyll sell lemonade.
And nuts? Clarence wanted to know, sitting forward.
Susanna was watching out the window, as if her wishing could get them there faster. Maybe boiled sweets?
Clarence rubbed his hands together, clacking his rings. Rum balls are my favorite.
Lord, Daniel thought, was he ever that young?
Susanna watched the horses, Clarence watched the bareback riders in their short spangled skirts, and Daniel watched both of them, who were so entranced, so rapt in the show. Usually he enjoyed the well-trained horses, the sparkling women, the daring male riders. Tonight he felt old, old and jaded.
He wondered what Miss Abbott would have thought about the performance. She was no flighty juvenile, despite being fresh on the Town; nor was she a staid matron, although she tried to look prim and proper. He wondered what she did enjoy, what would bring a smile to her lips. Her soft, warm lips.
Damn, his wits had gone begging again. The intermission had come and Haversmith had gone to fetch refreshments. Susanna seemed more enthralled with the ringmasters twirled and waxed mustache, thank goodness, than Haversmiths baby-smooth cheeks. While they waited for him to return, Daniel asked, Does your friend ride? I bought the chestnut in case Miss Abbott wants to accompany us to the park, or perhaps to Richmond to see the famous maze.
Susanna was fanning herself, overheated with the excitement. She used to be an excellent rider before her accident.
She had an accident?
She does not like to speak of it, but she seldom rides now. Sometimes she walks with her maid, but mostly her father sends her everywhere in a carriage, with a driver and a groom. Id learn to drive a gig myself. Or a curricle. May I, Daniel? Please? You could teach me while we are here and lend me yours, and then I could cut a dash in the park and . . .
Squire Abbott did not trust his daughter, it seemed. Daniel had no way of knowing if that mistrust was warranted. For all he knew, she had another soldier in her sights, waiting to make a run for the border. Her fathers vigilance might be all that kept Miss Abbott from another elopement, or another affair. Damn, now the watch was on his shoulders. Daniel wondered if thered been an accident at all.
There was one . . . and there wasnt.
His mother declared they needed one more day of shopping before being ready for company. With his bureau and his clothespress overflowing, Daniel took himself to Jacksons Boxing Parlour. He might be old, but the devil take it if hed get fat and out of condition, too. He tried to convince Deauville to accompany him, citing the mans paunch, but the valet wasnt about to jeopardize his teeth, or his employment if he managed to land Mr. Stamfield a solid punch.
Please do not let anyone land you a facer, monsieur, he called after Daniels retreating back. Black eyes are the devil to hide, and a split lip will be off-putting at Lady Coras table.
His mother was planning a small gathering for the following night, an intimate dinner for twelve couples, at least. Most were old friends of hers and her late husbands. Most happened to have young, unmarried sons or daughters. She was not matchmaking, she swore to Daniel, just giving her girls a chance to make new acquaintances before a larger party full of strangers. This way, theyd have partners for the dances, and friends their own age to chat with.
When one of her old beaux from her own come-out conversed with Corie over the predinner sherry, instead of herself, Lady Cora was not concerned.
Daniel was. Stynchcombe was an old fool in a dark brown toupee, as if no one knew he was as bald as an egg underneath when it slipped to one side. Besides, his son was as young and silly as Clarence Haversmith, except Clarence had a chin.
Susanna had insisted they invite Clarence to the dinner party because he was all alone in London and might find himself in low company, otherwise. Low company? Daniel almost mentioned the dairymaid, but still refrained. It wasnt that his sister was too innocent for such talk, since she knew all about Harry now that he wasnt the earls dirty secret. But Susanna had a good heart, and treated Clarence like a younger brother, betting pennies on who could ride faster on their new horses, or do more tricks like theyd seen at Astleys. Thank goodness she cared too much about making a success in society to try standing on her mares bare back.
Daniel nodded in satisfaction, watching the brat converse with the gentlemen on either side of her, a tongue-tied, red-haired university student and his garrulous, red-haired younger brother. She was growing into a real lady.
Daniel himself was seated at the head of the table, with a marchioness on one side and a dowager viscountess on the other. The two were so busy pairing ones son with the others daughter, they let him eat his mutton in peace. He was considered too old, too rakish, too set in his ways for the young chits, thank heavens, and thank the gaming hells, too. A few of the matrons did appraise him in speculation, for their older nieces or a spinster sister. At least he hoped they werent eyeing him for themselves.
He breathed easier when the women left the men to enjoy their port and cigars, although he had firm instructions not to keep the gentlemen from the drawing room too long, and not to let any of the younger lads have too much to drink. Damn, now he was riding herd on a pack of schoolboys.
The night got worse as the young ladies tortured the pianoforte one after the other. Daniel pitied the poor boys who had to survive without the earls brandy. The viscountesss daughter was dreadful; the knights niece was worse. After the third girl had her turn, and Stynchcombe was snoring in the corner, Lady Cora announced an intermission for tea.
Daniel approached Miss Abbott. She was looking lovely and serene, her gloved hands in her lap, smiling across the room at the giggling cluster of Susanna and her new best friends.
Your turn will come after tea, I suppose, Daniel said, taking a seat beside hers.
Her smile disappeared. No, I do not play the pianoforte.
Lud, youre not going to drag out a harp, are you? There was nothing worse, in his opinion.
No, I do not play at all. Your mother knows that. Shell not ask me.
Come, this is not the place for modesty. I thought every chit knows one song by heart, for these occasions. It is expected of every properly educated female, I understand. If he had to suffer through the performances, then she did, too.
I do not know how to play. Her lips were pursed; her hands were clenched together.
And Daniels ear started to itch. He could swear he remembered her playing carols one Christmas, when Corie was young and the families were together, Mrs. Abbott proudly pulling her daughter forward to show off her talent.
I have heard you.
If looks could kill, hed have a hole between his eyes. As a child.
Come, even without practice you cannot be worse than that mop-haired chit who butchered the Bach piece. At least I think it was Bach. Youll be expected to perform at all the dinners and musical-evening parties, you know. Better to get the judging over with now.
She stood, so he had to, also. Then I shall fail, she said, keeping her voice low so no one else could hear her angry words. And be deemed unsuitable for a gentlemans bride. That is what you already believe, anyway.
Before he could interrupt, or deny her accusation, she went on, changing the course of the conversation: Do not worry; my shortcomings will not reflect poorly on Susanna. She plays well, and with passion.
Hed heard his sister. You mean fast and loud.
And she will look beautiful doing so. Young Clarence has already asked to turn her pages. You do know he is in danger of being swept off his feet, dont you?
No, that is the port I let him drink while the men stayed in the dining room. Then Daniel returned to the topic at hand. Really, you ought to take your turn and be done with it. It will look odd if you are the only female not stepping forward to perform.
Not as odd as arguing with my host. People are watching us, Mr. Stamfield, and neither of us will wish to give them anything to gossip about.
Something did not sit right with Daniel. Then play.
She turned her back to the company and drew off her lace gloves. For an instant Daniel thought she was about to toss them at his face, an age-old challenge to a duel. Instead she held out her hands. The knuckles were swollen and misshapen, two fingers bent out of line. She hissed at him: There, are you pleased now?
No, he wasnt pleased. He felt like a clod again and cruel, to boot, especially when she replaced her gloves, whispered in Lady Coras ear, and quietly left the room.
His mother said only that Corie had told them shed had an accident. And yes, she used to play wondrously. Whatever happened did not stop her from needlework or gardening, only from baring her hands in public. Foolish society frowns on any kind of physical imperfection, you know. We do not speak of it.
Some of them did, unfortunately. Blast, how many times did he have to apologize to the same woman?
Chapter Eleven
T
he new gowns started to arrive, along with seamstresses for the final fittings. The sister-in-law of the Countess of Royce got special treatment, especially when word went out that the Stamfields paid on time, unlike so many of their peers.
Invitations started to arrive, so many that Susannas former governess, Miss Reynolds, was rehired as social secretary. Aside from Lady Royces vast circle of friends, Lady Cora had been popular in her own youth, and had kept up correspondence with many acquaintances who wanted to welcome her and her charges to London.