Society's Most Disreputable Gentleman (18 page)

‘No, it was quite interesting, actually.'

Stepping back, her hostess inspected Amanda from hem to bonnet. ‘What a charming young lady you've become!' she concluded. ‘With such a look of your mother about you, it's almost as if I were seeing Lydia again, arriving for our début Season! But enough of that; you will be feeling her absence a hundredfold more than I,' she said, giving Amanda's hands a sympathetic squeeze. ‘You didn't come here to wallow in grief, but to be diverted and to settle your future. With my girls married and breeding, I can't think of anything more delightful than finding you a husband.'

‘I hope it won't prove too much of a burden.'

‘With your beauty and dowry, I shall have to beat away the suitors! Although, clever girl, you have made one conquest already.'

‘Conquest?' Amanda repeated, puzzled.

‘Don't be coy,' Lady Parnell said, wagging a reproving finger. ‘I've already heard from Jane Trowbridge that you made quite an impression on her son, Lucien. In fact, we are bid to dine with the Trowbridge family, as soon as we make you presentable.'

A purely feminine satisfaction buoyed her spirits at that confirmation of her appeal to the eligible Lord Trowbridge. With Lady Parnell's help, there was no reason she should not make exactly the sort of sterling match her mama and grandmama had always envisioned.

She only need follow her mentor's expert advice and put
her whole heart and mind into the effort, which meant burying memories of a certain gentleman and the indiscretions of the recent past.

‘When do you think I will be “presentable”?'

‘Naturally, you can't appear in public, certainly not at anything as important as a dinner at Ravensfell House, until you've acquired a new wardrobe. You, my dear, must set styles, not merely follow them. Fortunately, your papa can afford it!'

‘You don't think society will find me…too old?'

Lady Parnell chuckled. ‘My dear, you're not past your bloom yet! But here I am, chattering on, when you must be exhausted after rattling around in a coach for hours. Let me show you to your chamber. I thought you would prefer to have a tray in your room tonight and retire early.'

With the excitement of her arrival fading, Amanda found fatigue replacing it. ‘Thank you, I am rather weary.'

‘Ring when you're ready and Kindle will bring up a tray. I took the liberty of ordering several garments from my favourite modiste, Madame Clotilde, who will bring the gowns by tomorrow morning; keep what you like, and she'll measure you for more. I still had the copies of
La Belle Assemblée
with the designs your Mama circled.'

The memory enveloped her, vivid, piercing: sitting with Mama in the sunlit south parlour overlooking the garden, fashion periodicals spread around them as they discussed styles and colours. A sudden pang of longing for Mama swept through her, closing up her throat so she couldn't reply.

Her distress must have shown on her face, for Lady Parnell's eyes sheened with sympathetic tears. ‘I'm so sorry,' she murmured, pulling Amanda into a hug. ‘How unfair to be robbed of the chance to share this Season with your mama, something we'd planned since you were an infant!'

‘However,' she said, setting Amanda back at a distance, ‘the best remedy for distress is to fill your head with pleasant
thoughts, like gowns and parties and beaux. So, enjoy this quiet evening in your chamber. After tomorrow, you will have very few such, for I mean to launch you into a full schedule of activities right from the start!'

The image of Ashton Grove, gilded in late afternoon sunlight—and a certain gentleman's golden smile—tugged at her mind again. If she wished to make a success of her Season, better to begin displacing that image as soon as possible. Firmly pushing it away, she said, ‘I'm ready and eager to begin.'

And with that, Amanda was escorted by her hostess to a charming blue-and-cream bedchamber that, she was told, had been the abode of the eldest Parnell daughter—the one who'd snared a marquess. For luck, her hostess said with a conspiratorial wink, before sending in Amanda's maid and abjuring her to rest, bathe and relax.

Amanda was female enough to be excited about the prospect of spending a few hours acquiring the loveliest gowns she'd ever owned. Knowing she looked her best would help squelch the nervousness that fluttered in her stomach at the thought of meeting Lord Trowbridge again…when the stakes were no longer just an idle flirtation in the country, but perhaps the settling of her future.

Trowbridge was a handsome and extremely eligible
parti
—but he was not the only attractive single gentleman in London.

She refused to be rushed. While interested in getting to know Trowbridge better, she also wished to meet other gentleman. After all, her eventual husband must please her, as well as her pleasing him. Besides, after waiting so long, she meant to wring every ounce of enjoyment from this Season.

After helping her out of her travel-stained garments, Betsy assisted her into a steaming tub. Settling back into the scented water with a smile, Amanda turned her thoughts to browsing through street after street of shops and attending musical and
theatre productions presented by the foremost performers of the age. She would make her entry into ballrooms glittering with bejewelled guests, dance every set on the arm of some charming partner, her progress across the room followed by admiring male glances and envious female ones.

And finally, one day soon, she hoped, she would find a gentleman whose ardent gaze would fill her with the same sense of desire and anticipation as Greville Anders's.

T
he next afternoon, garbed in a smart new gown of jonquil crepe, Amanda stood admiring herself in the glass, lighter of heart than she'd been in a long time. It was impossible for anyone with a particle of interest in fashion not to be delighted after having spent several hours trying on the half-dozen new gowns now hanging in her wardrobe, each one lovelier than last. Betsy was still busy putting away the accompanying gloves, bonnets, slippers, reticules, pelisses and delicate, lacy undergarments.

A knock at the door interrupted her preening. Turning to see Lady Parnell enter, impulsively she ran over and gave her a hug. ‘Thank you so much for all you arranged! I feel like a fairy princess.'

‘And so you look! Lord Trowbridge will be bewitched for certain,' her sponsor predicted with a smile. ‘I came to carry you off for tea, so we might go over the invitations and decide which to accept.'

Amanda took that lady's arm and the two descended to the parlour. After they were seated, tea cups filled, Lady Parnell
said, ‘First, I've just received a note from Lady Ravensfell, Lord Trowbridge's mama, promising an invitation to dine next week. As I expect you know, the earl occupies a very prominent place in the cabinet. There are certain to be many government officials there—though perhaps not any other eligible gentlemen. If Lady Ravensfell favours her son's suit, she'll not wish to include much competition!'

‘How could she have decided that already?' Amanda asked, an uncomfortable feeling of pressure settling on her chest.

‘You are my protégée, of course, and she trusts my judgement.'

The discomfort eased. Naturally, all doors would be open to Lady Parnell's ward.

Her sponsor ticked off on her fingers a list of the government officials who might be in attendance, complimenting Amanda as she responded with the appropriate names and titles. ‘I should hope I would be knowledgeable,' Amanda turned aside the praise. ‘Papa has subscribed to all the London journals for years, so Mama, Grandmama and I would be able to follow the developments at Court and in government.'

‘You shall make an excellent political wife!' Lady Parnell pronounced. ‘London is still a bit thin of company, some families not arriving until after Easter, but the important society hostesses are now present. There's always the ballet or theatre if no more interesting entertainment presents itself. I think we shall start with Lady Ormsby's rout tomorrow.'

Before Amanda could respond, Kindle appeared at the door. ‘My Lady, we have callers. Although I know you are not receiving, I didn't wish to turn these visitors away without consulting you.' The butler presented a card to Lady Parnell.

‘Thank you, Kindle, you've done just as you ought,' she exclaimed after reading it. ‘Will you see that refreshments are brought to the Blue Parlour?'

‘They've already been ordered, my lady. Shall I tell the visitors you will be down directly?'

After an affirmative response, the butler bowed himself out. Lady Parnell turned to Amanda, her eyes bright with excitement.

‘A conquest indeed! Our callers are none other than Lady Ravensfell and her son! Obviously Jane couldn't wait to meet the girl who so impressed Trowbridge…and he couldn't wait to see you again.'

‘How did they even know I'd arrived?' Amanda asked, receiving the news with mixed emotions. Of course, she was flattered that Trowbridge had lost no time fulfilling his promise to have his mama call, but she was also a bit apprehensive to see him again—and to be subjected to his mother's appraisal.

Wasn't being sought after the point of this journey? And what better way to ensure she met all the eligible young men of the
ton
, than to have it known one of the biggest prizes on the Marriage Mart was paying her particular attention?

‘Trowbridge is obviously a determined young man. I wouldn't put it past him to have tipped a groom or footman to let him know when your carriage arrived. One must admire his ingenuity.'

If Trowbridge had that strong an interest in her, she might in the next few moments be meeting her future mama-in-law. Trying to master the nervousness that observation generated, Amanda accompanied Lady Parnell to the Blue Parlour.

Their visitors rose as they walked in. Tall and blonde like her son, Lady Ravensfell had obviously been a Beauty in her youth, and was exceedingly lovely still.

After greeting Amanda's sponsor affectionately, she came to take Amanda's hands. ‘I'm delighted to meet you, Miss Neville! Lucien was so eloquent in his praise of your person and character, I confess I couldn't wait to make your acquaintance.'

‘You are most kind, Lady Ravensfell, though I fear Lord
Trowbridge must have exaggerated my charms most dreadfully.'

‘Oh, I am sure he did not! But first, let me offer you my sympathies on the loss of your dear mama. How distressing it must be for you to make your bow without her at your side!'

Touched by her sincere sympathy, Amanda replied, ‘Thank you, ma'am. It is difficult. But Lady Parnell has done everything to make me feel at home and comfortable.'

‘You must count on me for assistance as well, should you ever need it. If Maria is occupied, I should be happy to act as your sponsor in her stead.'

A bit alarmed by the implications of that remark, Amanda said, ‘How very generous of you.'

‘Not at all. But I see Lucien glowering at me for monopolising you, so let me cede my place to my son.' That said, she settled on the sofa beside Lady Parnell, allowing Trowbridge to take the place beside Amanda.

‘My mama is a lovely lady, as you can see,' Lord Trowbrdge said, bringing her gloved fingertips up for a kiss.

She waited…but felt no zing of response to his touch. Distracted by that unfortunate observation, Amanda missed his next few words before she forced her attention back to his speech.

‘You see, as I assured you at Ashton,' he was saying, ‘you can count upon Mama's help as well as Lady Parnell's in making you welcome to society.'

‘She is being most obliging.'

‘Do I not receive thanks as well? For encouraging Mama to display her natural kindness?'

She had to smile at the ingenuousness of that ploy. ‘Very well. Thank you, Lord Trowbridge, for inspiring your mama to exhibit her gratifying generosity.'

He shrugged modestly. ‘A wise stratagem, I hope. I'm only a man, lack-witted where ladies are concerned, but even I know
enough to recognise a gentleman's access to a young maiden is strictly controlled by her chaperon. I'll have a better chance of seeing you more often if Mama makes you a frequent guest.'

‘My lord, that's quite diabolical!' Amanda reproved. ‘Are you already so sure you will wish to see me more often?'

‘Absolutely convinced. And when I see something I want, Miss Neville, I pursue it relentlessly.'

‘You make me sound like a military objective,' she protested, an uncomfortable feeling of being hunted stealing over her.

‘Certainly an object I greatly desire to take,' he said in a murmur. As her eyes widened at the possible double meaning of that phrase, he continued smoothly, ‘A diplomat can be as direct as a
navy man
, when the situation demands it. But you needn't fear I mean to monopolise you…too much. Particularly after the sad summer just passed, this Season should be for you to enjoy the entertainments and revel in the adulation you are sure to excite among society. Time enough later to concern yourself with more weighty matters. As long as I am one of those escorts who see to your entertainment, I shall be content…for now.'

Did he mean what she thought? she wondered, both gratified and perplexed. That though his intentions were serious, he would allow her time to enjoy herself before he pressed his suit?

She could not help but also notice his slight emphasis on the nautical, as if he were remembering without pleasure his unsuccessful verbal skirmish with Greville Anders.

A slight smile lifted her lips as she recalled it, too. While remaining perfectly polite, how cleverly Greville had deflected Trowbridge's assault!

‘Why not begin at once?' he said, jolting her back to the present. ‘I'd be happy to escort you and Lady Parnell to the
theatre tomorrow night; there's a particularly amusing comedy at the Theatre Royal.

She had to laugh. ‘For a gentleman who does not mean to monopolise me, you are certainly getting off to a quick start!'

‘I did warn you I'm very determined. As I'm sure Lady Parnell has told you, the theatre is the place to see and be seen. If you accompany me tomorrow, Lady Parnell and I could point out influential members of society and tutor you on their background and interests, before you end up seated beside them at dinner or partnered with them at a ball.'

‘An introduction before the introduction?' she said, impressed both by his consideration—and his cleverness. ‘That would be helpful.'

He grinned. ‘I'll settle for “helpful” now—and work my way towards “indispensable”.'

Before she could reprove that audacious remark, he said, ‘I see Mama nodding; it is time to depart.' He gave her fingertips another kiss. ‘What time shall I call for you tomorrow?'

She shook her head at him. ‘As you very well know, I must first consult with Lady Parnell. I will send you a note.'

Unrepentant, he bowed to her. ‘I shall hope my luck is in, and I can escort you tomorrow. In any event, welcome to London, Miss Neville. I hope you will like it even half as much as it will adore you.'

After courtesies were exchanged and their callers departed, Amanda related Trowbridge's invitation to Lady Parnell. ‘Obviously his lordship wants to steal a march on the other young men,' her sponsor said, ‘but I've already committed us to attend a rout. Besides, it's not a bad thing for you to be unavailable. To be sure, Trowbridge is eminently eligible, but I wish you to become acquainted with many gentlemen before I allow any particular one to press his suit.'

‘I would like to see more of London and society before I am pressed to bring some suitor up to snuff.'

‘Of course you do, and you will. The tragedies of the last few years have made you too serious; I mean to plunge you into such a whirlwind of frivolous activity that you forget your cares and become the carefree young girl I remember. There'll be no shortage of offers when the time comes, and I have little doubt Lord Trowbridge's will be among the first. I've known him since he was in short coats, and I've never seen him make such a dead-set at anyone. You must have impressed him indeed!'

‘Or the size of my dowry did,' Amanda replied drily.

Lady Parnell waved a dismissive hand. ‘Naturally Trowbridge is interested in your dowry; a young man intent on a career in government must entertain, and, praise God, it will be years before he inherits. But you must not belittle the attractions of your person and lineage. So, what do
you
think of Trowbridge?'

Amanda shrugged. ‘How could any girl not be flattered by the attentions of such a well-born, well-spoken and handsome young man? I'm quite happy to get to know him better. In many respects, he seems almost ideal.'

Except you feel no automatic pull to him, nor does he spark in you the immediate physical response Greville Anders does.

‘I think so, too,' Lady Parnell was saying. ‘Society boasts many attractive gentlemen, some with forms more attractive than their prospects. In addition to his handsome face, Trowbridge has an excellent future and a sterling character that makes him admired by all of society. Marry him and you will achieve your mama's fondest hopes!'

‘Believe me, I have no intention of throwing away my dowry or my person on some unsuitable gentleman, simply because I've conceived a sudden violent passion for a handsome face.' She
ignored the acerbic voice reminding her how close, during her indiscretion in the Neville Tour, she'd come to doing just that.

She'd be more circumspect in future. Starting with Lord Trowbridge. Although observing the proprieties would be easier with the earl's son, for whom she felt none of the fluttery excitement and stirring of the pulses Greville Anders's nearness inspired in her.

‘'Tis nearly time to dress for dinner. Come to my sitting room when you're ready, and I'll tell you about everyone you will meet at the rout.'

Watching her hostess walk out, Amanda's thoughts returned to the clever, amusing and flatteringly attentive Lord Trowbridge. She was…interested, but despite his handsome face, easy charm and undeniable eligibility, she'd not felt for him anything like the instantaneous pull of attraction she'd had to Greville Anders upon meeting
him
for the first time weeks ago.

A pull that had only strengthened with time.

But her knowledge of what happened between men and maids was so limited. Aside from the rogue at the Exeter assembly, Greville was the only man she'd ever kissed. Perhaps passion didn't always ignite immediately. Perhaps desire could grow with acquaintance, too.

As attentive as Trowbridge promised to be, she should have ample opportunity to discover the truth of that theory. In the meantime, she would look forward to all the other delights promised by the Season—and push away the lingering image of Greville Anders's smile.