Lucy Muir (13 page)

Anne felt her nervousness increasing as Lord Woolbridge’s carriage approached Carlton House. Her life had not prepared her for entrance into such rarified society, and her first view of the brightly lit residence through the screen of Ionic columns on Pall Mall was almost intimidating. There was a huge crush of carriages, and it seemed an eternity before Lord Woolbridge’s carriage was able to pull up before the classic porch.

The four descended from the carriage, and as they worked their way through the crowds of people up the carpeted stairs and into the great octagon-shaped hall, Anne began to lose some of her nervousness in her anonymity. It was so crowded it was impossible for people to notice many of the others attending. She was also surprised to find that Lord Millbank’s elaborate toilette was not at all out of the way in Carlton House. Most, although not all, of those present were in court dress.

Lord Woolbridge and Lord Millbank proved to be excellent guides, and showed Anne and Melissa through some of the open rooms of the Prince’s residence. The interior was tastefully decorated, and Prince George’s art collection was justly famous. They were admiring a particularly beautiful painting by a Flemish artist when a sudden hush of conversation indicated the Prince’s arrival.

Anne and Melissa had never seen Prince George, and craned their necks trying to get a glimpse of him without appearing too obvious. The Prince and his entourage moved slowly through the crowd, the Prince stopping frequently to greet friends. Anne saw Beau Brummel among those with him, but did not recognize the others. As the Prince approached their vicinity, one of his entourage spoke into his ear, and the Prince looked at their small group. Then to the astonishment of Anne and Melissa, he walked directly up to them.

“Present me to your beautiful companions, Mill-bank,” he commanded, as the two women sank into deep curtsies before him.

The Prince first greeted Melissa, complimenting her on her beauty, and then turned to Anne. Anne found herself looking into a pair of bright and admiring blue eyes. She had heard the Prince was becoming quite corpulent, and was surprised to find him still a very handsome man. His well-cut coat hugged his shoulders, and if his brightly embroidered waistcoat strained about the middle, his breeches outlined a pair of still-shapely legs.

“Miss Southwell, your father would have been proud indeed to see what a beautiful woman you have become. Although Miss Amberly is enchanting, it will be a few years before her beauty reaches the maturity and perfection of yours.”

He took her hand and pressed it warmly. Anne’s heart quickened, and as she continued to look into his admiring eyes, she found that she was not immune to the legendary charm of Prince George. No wonder Mrs. Fitzherbert would tolerate so much and still love him.

The Prince released Anne’s hand and moved on, leaving Anne and Melissa in a daze. The Prince’s attention to them had been very marked, and they felt quite overwhelmed. Several people who had noticed the Prince’s interest in them came forward and asked to be presented. Anne and Melissa found themselves the centre of a flurry of attention until the guests began to move up the great double staircase to the room where the dinner would be served.

The experience of Lord Millbank and Lord Wool-bridge was invaluable in finding their places. Anne wondered how it had been arranged for Melissa’s and her cards to be placed next to their escorts, and then dismissed it. No doubt one of the two had so notified the Prince’s secretary. Servants began to place the dishes of the first course upon the tables, which became so heavily laden with food that Anne thought they must surely collapse. The Prince was at his most democratic, and did not sit apart, but joined the guests at a table not far from theirs.

The dinner had nine courses and lasted for several hours. Anne and Melissa were only able to sample a few of what appeared to be hundreds of dishes placed on the tables through the dinner, but what they did taste was delicious. The talk of Prinny’s good chefs was not exaggerated. Anne ate a dish of eels in truffle sauce with a feeling of bliss, and Melissa helped herself to chicken quenelles several times. After two hours they were quite full, and unable to sample any of even the most tempting dishes, but the dinner continued for several hours longer.

Finally the Prince had eaten his fill and rose from his table. This signaled a general exodus, and they once again fought the crush of people to leave the palace. Their driver was eventually able to manoeuvre their carriage up to the portico, and the four climbed into it with relief.

“Wasn’t it wonderful?” enthused Melissa as they drove slowly down Pall Mall. “Imagine, the Prince of Wales picked you out of all the beautiful women present to notice. Anne.”

Anne could not believe it was that simple, but she kept her suspicions about Lord Stanton to herself.

“You’ll be overwhelmed by invitations now, don’t you know,” Lord Millbank said with satisfaction. “I say, Miss Southwell, few doors will be closed to you.”

Anne smiled and reflected on the capriciousness of Society as the others discussed the evening. False words could cause their fall from grace, a smile and compliment from a dissolute if charming Prince could reinstate them. It was quite confusing. Anne had enjoyed the Season so far despite their difficulties, but she would be glad when Lord Woolbridge made an offer for Melissa and she could return to a more uncomplicated life in Medford.

* * * *

After the singular attention paid to them by the Prince at Carlton House, Anne and Melissa found that they were indeed catapulted back into favour as quickly as they had been out. Invitations once again poured in, although the doors of Almack’s remained closed, as did those of the highest sticklers of the ton. The Halcotts and their other friends were pleased with their return to favour. Anne continued to accept Captain Leslie’s escort and her respect and affection for him continued to grow, but she was still unsure what to do once she won the bet and was free to entertain thoughts of marriage. A pair of dark eyes kept intruding on her thoughts of Captain Leslie’s blue ones. Lord Stanton did not call again at Half Moon Street, but she saw him at Drury Lane, again in the company of Lady Parnell, and he always sought her hand for one dance at balls.

Anne took advantage of one such dance after the dinner at Carlton House to thank him for what she was sure was his part in re-establishing their credit.

“Why should you think I had anything to do with it?” asked Lord Stanton, amused at Anne’s perception. “The Prince disliked seeing the daughters of loyal officers who died in his service treated so unfairly.”

“Perhaps. But who brought the situation to his attention?”

“Now why should I do that when it would be to my disadvantage?”

“Your sense of fair play?”

“Very well, Miss Southwell, if you wish to think so,” he replied as he escorted Anne from the dance floor.

“Do you think your credit is good enough to be seen speaking to me a moment,” he asked, taking advantage of their temporary isolation.

“Yes,” Anne replied, seating herself on a chair next to the wall.

“Green becomes you,” Lord Stanton said, looking admiringly at the picture she presented in her green silk gown, a half handkerchief trimmed with flowers over her beautiful hair.

Anne found herself very aware of his presence, and a remembrance of a January evening at Longworth brought a blush to her cheeks.

“Now what caused that blush, I wonder,” he teased. “You must govern your countenance more carefully or we shall be noticed.”

“Of what did you wish to speak to me?” Anne asked, trying to will the blush away.

Lord Stanton’s expression and attitude changed subtly, the smile leaving his dark eyes.

“I only wished to tell you that I have not despaired of winning our wager yet, so do not become overly confident. I am referring to Captain Leslie.”

At the mention of Captain Leslie, Anne’s good humour disappeared. “My friendship with Captain Leslie is my concern. In any event, I don’t see how I can lose now. Melissa has several suitors.”

“Do not forget that the marriage must take place before July and that the groom must be a member of the nobility,” he said, looking meaningfully at the dance floor, where Melissa was partnered with Lieutenant Halcott.

Anne schooled her countenance to reveal nothing, but inside she seethed. Lord Stanton had as good as told her not to entertain thoughts of marriage since she was bound to become his mistress. The utter gall! She looked at the dancers and saw Melissa laugh at something Lieutenant Halcott said. Melissa looked very happy and carefree.
Could
she lose, she wondered. Was there more between the two than she had been aware of?

“Ah! You see I may be correct, Miss Southwell,” Lord Stanton said as he watched the thoughts flit across her face. “Don’t delude yourself that I shall let you off the hook should your cousin choose to make a match with an untitled gentleman.”

Anne made no response, and Lord Stanton rose with a sardonic smile. He bowed and left her.

Anne remained frozen on her chair, staring into the couples on the dance floor unseeingly. Her thoughts towards Lord Stanton had softened over the past weeks. She had come to think, somehow, that despite the two thousand pounds and his reminders of the wager, he would not really hold her to it. Particularly after his aid in re-establishing them in Society. His words showed that her conclusion had been incorrect. He
was
the rake Hell-born Harry. The charm was part of that, she realised. How could he be a successful rake if he did not have charm? The dance ended, and Anne awoke from her daze as the couples left the floor and walked around her. Captain Leslie approached and took the chair Lord Stanton had vacated.

“What was Lord Stanton saying to distress you? I noticed your agitation from the dance floor.”

“Nothing, Captain Leslie.” Anne smiled with an effort. “It is only that the room is a little close and I have developed a headache.”

Captain Leslie was immediately all concern and offered to notify her cousin and Mrs. Halcott of her indisposition. They made their excuses to their hostess and left soon after. Anne found that her imaginary headache had become all too real as she worried about her wager, and she went immediately to bed. A soft knock sounded at her door.

“Come in,” Anne called, sitting up in bed.

Melissa entered and sat on the edge of the four- poster.

“How are you feeling now? I asked Sandy to make a tisane, and she’ll bring it up shortly. It will help you sleep.’’

“It is only a headache,” Anne protested. “I shall be fine in a little while.”

Melissa looked doubtful and stroked Anne’s forehead, her face showing concern. Anne closed her eyes, not wishing to look at Melissa’s sweet face. If what Lord Stanton had hinted at were true, could she stand in her ward’s way? She could, of course, simply refuse permission for Melissa to marry Lieutenant Halcott. She was Melissa’s guardian and, until she came of age, Melissa could not marry without her permission. But that would do her no good, anyway, since part of the wager was that Melissa must marry by July. Anne could not force her to marry a nobleman. And could she be that heartless, anyway? No. The wager was none of Melissa’s doing. It was hers, and she must be the one to suffer its consequences. A line from a poem in a book she had borrowed from the circulating library recently came to mind—”The best laid schemes o’mice an’ men gang aft a-gley.”

Sanders entered with the tisane, and she and Melissa stayed to be sure Anne drank it all, Sanders with dire warnings about the effects of too much merrymaking at her age. After they left, Anne fell into a deep but troubled sleep.

* * * *

The next morning Anne felt more optimistic. She dressed in a simple print frock and ate a good breakfast, then joined Melissa in the drawing room. Early that afternoon, Lieutenant Halcott paid a short call, and Anne observed his manner with Melissa closely. He and Melissa did seem very comfortable in each other’s company, but she could detect none of the adoration in Lieutenant Halcott’s eyes that was so obvious in Viscount Woolbridge’s when he observed Melissa. Melissa became aware of Anne’s close scrutiny, and looked at her questioningly. After Lieutenant Halcott had taken his leave, she came and sat next to Anne on the sofa.

“May I speak to you about something?” she asked.

“Of course.”

“It is only that—well, what do you think of Lieutenant Halcott?”

Anne’s heart sank at her cousin’s words. Lord Stanton was right. He was more observant than she. She forced herself to overcome the panic she felt and answer truthfully.

“He is a fine gentleman and officer.”

Melissa twisted her hands in her lap and looked at the floor. “It is only that I know you have your heart set on my marrying a title. You have done so much for me, I hate to disappoint you. But you see, I love Lieutenant Halcott.”

“Has he spoken to you of marriage?” Anne asked practically, willing herself to appear calm.

“No, of course not. He would approach you first in the correct form. But I can tell...” she trailed off.

Melissa was looking at her anxiously, and Anne forced herself to smile.

“Yes, I did have hopes you would marry a title,” she admitted. “But your happiness is most important. If you love Lieutenant Halcott and he returns your love, that is what matters. But I would ask that you make no firm decisions until the end of the Season. Things can change, and you may find that your feelings for Lieutenant Halcott are not as strong as you think.”

“Oh, thank you,” Melissa cried out. “I shall wait until the end of the Season, I promise. But I will not change my mind,” she added.

Melissa looked at the mahogany clock on the mantelpiece.

“I promised to go walking with Lady Amelia,” she said, “and if I do not hurry I shan’t be there in time.” She rose, and then bent down to drop a kiss upon Anne’s cheek. “Thank you, best of guardians.”

A short time later Anne heard Melissa and Sanders leave. Her thoughts in a turmoil, she rang and asked for some tea, and instructed Benton she was not to be disturbed. She needed time to think things out. Anne began to pace the room as she had done that day in February. She had succeeded, and yet she had failed. It had never occurred to her that Melissa would choose to marry someone without a title. Melissa was so beautiful, her nature so sweet, that it had just seemed
right
that she marry a title and be pampered and spoiled the rest of her life. If she married Lieutenant Halcott her life would be very different.