Ice Angel (6 page)

‘I
T
is not what I wanted, Portland: I asked particularly for a diamond brooch. You forget that I have been used to the finest jewellery and I refuse to manage, as you so charmingly phrase it, even for a short while with this – this trinket.’

Lady Portland addressed this frank statement to her bemused spouse, but it was overheard by several other customers in the genteel, hushed surroundings of Rundell, Bridge & Rundell, jewellers to the
ton
. She was unimpressed with the amethyst brooch that her husband had sought to purchase for her and passed the item back to the astonished manager with a contemptuous flourish.

Lord Portland sighed. ‘Very well, my love – of course, you shall have exactly what you wish but you will have to wait, since Sheridan here tells me that he will need to order to your specific requirements.’ Lord Portland gave Mr Sheridan a glance of pained resignation, a consequence of having suffered his young wife’s displeasure for the third time that morning.

‘Hurry up, then, and give the man the details so we may go to the milliner’s – I am already late for my appointment. I’ll wait for you in the carriage,’ Felicity replied.

Lord Portland gave another sigh and gratefully removed himself from his wife’s environs into Mr Sheridan’s office. Lady Portland swept outside, and was helped into a luxurious carriage. As she waited for her husband, she idly and rather dismissively observed those members of London society who passed by in their curricles and phaetons, acknowledging those she knew and delighted by the number of admiring glances she received from the gentlemen. Suddenly, at the approach of a smart curricle with two occupants, her attention became acute and she studied with a great deal of interest the tall,
dark-haired
man handling the ribbons of the matched bays. Lord Bramwell did not notice her immediately – his attention was focused on driving his high-spirited thoroughbreds through the busy street and he was also deep in conversation with the petite, dark-haired young woman at his side.

‘Julia has grown into quite a beauty,’ murmured Lady Portland, pleased that his lordship was, today at least, only in the company of his sister. As Lord Bramwell’s carriage drew nearer, Felicity smiled and slowly inclined her head towards its occupants; she had every intention of being recognized and appreciated by its driver.

When Julia, who had persuaded Hal to take her to Rundell, Bridge & Rundell to collect her new ear-rings after leaving Isabella, observed the striking redhead in the carriage outside number 32 Ludgate Hill, she cried, ‘Goodness! Do you see that woman, Hal? I swear it is Felicity Portland.’

‘It is,’ he said grimly. ‘Freddy told me that she was back in London. Forgive me, Julia, but I’m going to drive on – I prefer to avoid Lady Portland today.’

They drove past and Julia, glancing at her brother’s stern profile, raised her brows in surprise. ‘But why has she returned? I thought she was living on the Continent for the sake of Portland’s health.’

‘She must have her reasons and they are probably selfish ones: Felicity always put her wishes above those of anyone else. Now she is back among the
ton
, I’ll be civil if our paths cross, but no more. I feel nothing for her and know now that I never did.’

‘Well, she is still very lovely, but shockingly
de trop
– that muslin was entirely unsuitable for a carriage dress,’ observed Julia tartly.

‘She always encouraged attention.’ Lord Bramwell frowned, flicked his whip at his wheelers and muttered under his breath, ‘Damn her to hell!’ Lady Portland had proved herself in the past to be a spoilt, vindictive woman and Hal was not sanguine that Lord Portland would have subdued her manipulative nature. An easy-going man by reputation, Portland would be no match for his wife when she was determined to get her way. Hal sincerely hoped that he could avoid Lady Portland during her stay in London.

His frown was replaced by a smile as his thoughts returned to Isabella. He found that he loved simply watching her: her innate grace, the movement of her lips as she spoke, the curve of her cheek, her profile, the sound of her voice. To his relief, her manner had not been as frosty as at their first meeting and Hal had even been conscious of her tension ebbing away until
something
had caused it to return. Julia, it seemed, had not noticed this, but Hal had sensed her retreat instinctively.

He wanted to know what was in Isabella’s heart, to earn her trust and to somehow ease the burden of her unhappiness. Was she still mourning her late husband? Perhaps she had loved him dearly, or perhaps her marriage had been an unhappy one which held painful memories. Having watched Isabella, Hal thought it more likely to be the latter; her sadness did not seem to be the desolation felt from loss of a loved one, but rather the brittle, bleak anguish of torment.

Meanwhile, Lady Portland, who was observing with
impatience
her husband’s attempts to climb into the carriage without causing further discomfort to his gout-ridden foot, felt a shiver of anticipation. Seeing Lord Bramwell again had hardened her resolve. She had already determined that it was high time she embarked on a serious affair. Her marriage had palled long ago, and she yearned for more excitement than her husband could provide. Lady Portland had enjoyed flirtations while living in Europe, but always with men anxious to enjoy her delights. There was no thrill of the chase. Now, Felicity had glimpsed a tempting challenge: Hal had grown into a handsome, virile man who presented her not only with a target, but stirred feelings of desire which she thought had vanished from her heart long ago. How delightful it would be to make Lord Bramwell beg for her favours and then enjoy an illicit affair to enliven her dull
existence
.

Portland could offer nothing any more. She despised him for being so easily cuckolded and for being eager to pander to her whims; she deplored his spreading girth; his increasing
ill-health
irked her beyond reason, and even the power of his wealth had lost the edge of its attraction. She did not regret her marriage – after all, she enjoyed the comforts and deferential treatment that extreme wealth brought – but after glimpsing Lord Bramwell’s handsome profile and impressive physique, she had felt a sharp stab of disappointment when she recalled that once he could have been hers. However, there may still be some recompense. She had the protection of being a married woman and, as long as the participants were discreet, affairs were not merely countenanced but encouraged; and she had heard Bramwell was still unmarried, so there would be no need to deceive a wife as well as a husband.

Lady Portland smiled as she listened to her husband’s attempts to restore her good humour as they returned to their house in Mayfair: her thoughts were pleasant ones and concerned Lord Bramwell.

In the days that followed, Lord Bramwell called frequently in Curzon Street and Julia often accompanied him. Isabella found his patience towards Dominic surprising; she had thought his enthusiasm for indulging a small boy would soon wane. However, a mutual appreciation seemed to have developed – Dominic saw Lord Bramwell as a source of fun and a fount of knowledge, while in return his lordship seemed to enjoy his companion’s enquiring mind and artless chatter. They had visited the Royal Menagerie, seen the animals at the Royal Exchange, and even explored Madame Tussauds famous waxworks.

Isabella was unsure how to deal with her son’s new
friendship
. She was pleased that Dominic enjoyed Lord Bramwell’s company, but she could not feel happy that he was forming a strong attachment to a man whose presence in their lives would be fleeting. She had seen enough to know that as well as possessing a sense of humour, Lord Bramwell was intelligent and articulate, and that his affection for Dominic was sincere. However, the glow of sensual awareness that she felt whenever he was near had intensified and, sharply disarmed and discomfited by this, Isabella’s demeanour remained distant. His extraordinary ability to affect her meant that she dreaded being alone with him … and God knows what would happen if he touched her – she must avoid that at all costs.

Despite this, she could not help being intrigued by him. He spoke only of inconsequential matters in conversation, offered her no false flattery and had not threatened to kiss her again. He had made a few gentle enquiries about her past which she had politely rebuffed. He had invited her to drive with him in Hyde Park which she refused, even though her traitorous heart had wanted to accept, but, having raised his brows in surprise at her stammered refusal, he made no further comment. Indeed, his lordship made no obvious attempts to ingratiate himself and yet, if he did not appear in Curzon Street because of other engagements, Isabella found herself longing to hear his voice.

Sir Seymour also visited regularly, but while she found Sir Seymour amusing and was flattered by his attention, Isabella felt disappointment when his arrival was announced rather than Lord Bramwell’s. In contrast, Harriet entered with relish into discussions on Sir Seymour’s various ailments and his tailor’s recommendations, and when Sir Seymour suggested a trip to the theatre, Harriet had accepted before Isabella could think about refusing. Edmund Kean in
Macbeth
was not to be missed, observed Sir Seymour, and he promised to book a box.

However, Sir Seymour found conversing with Dominic beyond his scope. He merely tickled Dominic’s chin or ruffled his hair, and referred to him as a ‘charming little fellow’. This treatment was greeted afterwards with disgust by Dominic, who complained that Sir Seymour was the most bacon-brained gudgeon that ever was and he talked fustian. Isabella, biting her lip to cover her amusement, chastized her son, to which Dominic replied that Sir Seymour was very kind but not as great a man as Lord Bramwell.

On hearing her son voice this solemn encomium, Isabella became even more concerned; it proved how attached Dominic was becoming to Lord Bramwell. This circumstance had not gone unnoticed elsewhere and had been discussed in Berkeley Square between Lady Julia and her mother.

‘For you know, Mama,’ remarked Julia one morning when her brother had gone to Curzon Street, and she was browsing through the latest issue of
La Belle Assemblée,
‘Hal has grown fond of Dominic and takes him everywhere he asks to go. My brother has had no time to visit Chenning Court, see his man of business, or indulge in any sporting wagers as he is too busy at the Royal Exchange or some such place.’ She smiled and added, ‘Dominic is a delightful child though; when Isabella and I took him to Gunthers so that he might try the ices, he soon became the centre of attention. Everyone there was enchanted by him and even Scrope Davies said he should love to introduce him to Prinny one day as he was sure the child would make him laugh.’

‘I look forward to meeting Dominic,’ replied Marguerite, looking up from the list she was perusing. ‘It seems Lady Vane’s son is as charming as his mother if he is able to arouse
admiration
in as jaded a palate as that of Mr Davies.’

‘What did you think of Isabella when you met her and Mrs Forster in the park?’ asked Julia.

‘Delightful in many ways, not least her lovely face. I only had time to exchange a few words with Lady Vane before Sally Jersey claimed my attention, but I see what Hal means by her reserve – her eyes hold wariness towards the world.’

‘Well, she will not attend Almack’s with me yet, but I have managed to coax her into society a little; we enjoyed our visit to the Pantheon Bazaar and Hal hid his boredom at shopping very well. Although he is fond of Dominic, I believe Isabella is the real reason Hal haunts Curzon Street.’ Julia chuckled. ‘He seems extremely taken with her … perhaps they need some help—’

‘No, Julia,’ intervened Lady Bramwell firmly. ‘Hal has been hurt in the past and perhaps Lady Vane has, too. It will require a great deal of patience on Hal’s part to earn her trust and you will do better to let matters take their course.’

‘You are right, Mama,’ replied Julia, sighing as she idly scanned the items in the monthly miscellany section. ‘Most of London has fallen in love with Isabella’s beauty but she lets no one near. However, I am certain that Isabella harbours a spark of deeper feeling for Hal; she is growing fond of him, I know it. Isabella is the dearest girl and I would love her to be Hal’s choice.’

‘So would I, but it will not do for us to interfere without good reason,’ said her mother, adding drily, ‘and I do not think your brother would thank us either.’

Glancing up from the periodical, Julia arched a scornful eyebrow. ‘Lady Portland has been showing interest in Hal again, and I cannot bear her.’

‘Lady Portland! Is she back in London?’

‘She and Portland have returned because of Bonaparte’s escape from Elba – they have taken a house in Half Moon Street.’

Marguerite Bramwell murmured, ‘I presume that Hal is aware of this?’

‘Yes, and he hoped to avoid her. However, I could almost believe she – Lady Portland – has been following him. She seems to be at every event and we have encountered her twice in the park.’ Putting aside
La Belle Assemblée
, Julia frowned. ‘She is so forward, Mama! She approached us yesterday and started talking as if we were old friends. She even touched Hal’s arm in front of her husband and was as flirtatious and
suggestive
as ever she was before her marriage, looking at Hal from under her lashes and wearing the most alarmingly low-cut gown.’

‘And what was Hal’s reaction to this flirtation?’

‘His expression was thunderous,’ replied Julia. ‘He obviously found her behaviour irritating, but had no intention of causing a scene. After enquiring after Portland’s health, he excused us as soon as he could from their company. Lord Portland must be very gullible – he seemed to notice nothing amiss and smiled indulgently at his wife.’ She shook her head. ‘Felicity Portland is … well, I believe she intends to pursue Hal.’

‘Indeed?’ said her mother. ‘Then she will be disappointed, Julia. Hal knows he was well rid of her and I was never more pleased than when she eloped with Portland.’