The Belle Dames Club (12 page)

The Belles Dames Club was much affected by Mr Sharp’s impassioned lecture and it was the subject of conversation for days afterwards. However, the ladies could not think how best to promote the cause of anti-slavery, and with the exception of Lady Gaunt, who declared that she was sending little Samuel away to school in preparation for making him a free man, the
cause was largely forgotten by the time the ladies convened at Lady Maramond’s rout. They had slipped away into a small ante-chamber provided by their hostess to discuss the much more pressing problem of Lady Wyckenham’s letters.

‘I must not stay long,’ said Augusta Maramond. ‘I must attend to my guests, and my cousin, Neville Shirley has arrived most unexpectedly. He is a sea captain,’ she added, with a touch of pride. ‘We see him but rarely, since he sails out of Bristol, but occasionally he comes to town on business.’

‘Very well,’ said Lady Wyckenham, sinking down on to a sofa. ‘Let us be as quick as we can. After all, we do not want to raise any more speculation than necessary.’

‘So, what news do we have?’ asked Lady Gaunt, looking around the room.

A depressing silence fell until Lady Maramond lifted her hand.

‘I have discovered Lord Ullenwood’s bankers,’ she said. ‘It was purely coincidence, for we were dropping our cousin at Coutts today and as we pulled up in the Strand, the marquis appeared at the door to the bank. He was being shown out by an
important
-looking gentleman and there was much bowing as he left.’ Lady Maramond gave a little laugh. ‘Neville said that Lord Ullenwood must be making a deposit, because he would not get such treatment, since he would be taking money
out
.’  

Lady Gaunt nodded.  

‘Good. So we know he banks with Coutts. How can we gain access to his account do you think?’  

‘If Augusta’s cousin is a client there perhaps he can help us,’ suggested Lady Sarah.  

‘No, no, Neville is not a client, Sally. He merely had letters of introduction from one of his investors. Apparently they need a few days to verify the papers before they will hand over any money.’  

‘Are there any other ideas?’ asked Lady Gaunt.  

This time the silence was complete.

‘Perhaps we could make more enquiries,’ offered Letitia Leighton-Kettering.

‘And just what do we do then?’ demanded Lady Wyckenham, spreading her hands. ‘Even if we found someone who worked for Coutts Bank we could not ask them to break open Lord Ullenwood’s strongbox. It is hopeless.’

‘There is another plan.’

All eyes turned to Lady Gaunt. She paused to take a pinch of snuff.

‘We will make the marquis think that you agree to his terms, Helen. He will give you the letters and once you have destroyed them, you will be free.’

‘No.’ Lady Wyckenham shook her head sadly. ‘Lord Ullenwood will not give me the letters until he is sure of me.’

‘Then you must persuade him that you are in earnest. Once you have the letters safe we will ensure that you do not fall into his clutches.’

‘And how will we do that, Dorothea?’

‘With force, if necessary,’ returned Lady Gaunt. ‘We will kidnap you.’

Lady Sarah laughed, but Alicia Greynard gave a little moan.

‘Oh do not worry, Alicia, there will be no danger,’ said Lady Gaunt. ‘It is quite simple: Helen will agree to elope with the marquis on the understanding that he hands over the letters at the start of the journey. As soon as the letters are destroyed we will strike. Which of you can ride astride? Georgiana, Emily? Good, I thought as much.’

‘I can,’ said Julia unexpectedly.

‘Excellent. That will be four of us.’

‘I have never done so,’ murmured Lady Maramond, looking anxious. ‘I do not think I could do so now.’

‘It will not be necessary, Augusta. I think four will be
sufficient
for what I have in mind.’

‘And just what is that, Dorothea?’ demanded Lady
Wyckenham
.

‘We will dress as highwaymen and hold up the coach to rescue you.’

‘Impossible!’ declared Lady Wyckenham.

‘Is it?’ asked Lady Gaunt. ‘If you play your part convincingly, Helen, we can trick the marquis finely.’

‘But I would have to – to
lie
to him.’

Lady Gaunt’s finely pencilled brows rose.

‘Is that too high a price to pay for your freedom?’

‘N-no, but … I am not happy about it.’

‘Well I think it is a capital plan!’ declared Lady Sarah and was noisily supported by Mrs Flooke and her sister, who declared themselves very ready to don men’s clothing.

‘I am afraid that I share Helen’s doubts,’ said Lady Maramond.

‘And I,’ said Mrs Leighton-Kettering. ‘It is fraught with
difficulties
.’

Clarissa found Lady Gaunt’s attention fixed upon her.

‘What is your opinion, Clarissa, are you too squeamish for this adventure?’

‘Oh, I have no qualms about using tricks upon this villain.’ She sighed. ‘What other choice do we have?’

‘Then it is agreed: we will hold up the coach.’

‘And what of the rest of us?’ demanded Augusta. ‘If you four are dressed as men, what shall
we
do?’

‘You will be needed as look-outs: but you must stay out of sight.’

‘There is no need for you all to be there,’ said Lady Wyckenham.

There was a general outcry at this, and Clarissa was touched by the way the ladies wanted to support Mama-Nell, even those who had reservations.

‘No, Dorothea, I cannot let you do this,’ said Lady Wyckenham. ‘There is too much risk.’

‘But Mama-Nell,’ said Clarissa, ‘there is no other way.’

My lady looked helplessly at her stepdaughter. Lady 
Maramond rose.

‘Well, you know I do not like the plan, but if we can think of nothing better then we must attempt it. In fact, it will be quite exciting! Now, I must go. Let me know what you decide.’ She slipped out of the room and the other ladies looked at one another.

‘We must not delay too long,’ said Mrs Leighton-Kettering. ‘We should leave here one or two at a time, to avoid suspicion.’  

‘So are we agreed?’ demanded Lady Gaunt.  

There was a general murmur of assent and the ladies rose to leave. Only Lady Wyckenham looked unsure. Mrs Leighton-Kettering came forward and took her hand.  

‘Helen? It really is up to you, you know.’  

‘Oh Letitia, I know, but it is such a risk! What if you were caught?’  

Lady Gaunt snapped open her fan.  

‘Even if Lord Ullenwood should suspect the truth, do you think he would let it be known that he was bested by a group of females?’  

‘Quite true,’ Letitia nodded. ‘From what I know of the marquis he is very proud – if he were to have the authorities pursue us then he may be sure we would make known his infamy. Come, ma’am, we want to help – you know you would do as much for any one of us.’  

‘Oh … very well.’  

‘I knew you would see sense in the end, Helen.’ Lady Gaunt kissed her cheek. ‘You must leave everything to me. We will meet tomorrow to decide upon a suitable spot for you to meet the marquis. Shall we call on you?’  

‘No, it is best perhaps if we meet somewhere else, while William is staying with me. I know he is rarely at home, but I would not have him discover our plans.’  

‘New Bond Street then,’ suggested Lady Sarah. ‘There can be nothing suspicious in a group of ladies meeting
there
.’  

‘So Lord Wyckenham is still with you,’ said Georgiana,
casting 
a pitying glance at Clarissa.

‘Yes, although why I do not know,’ said Lady Wyckenham bitterly. ‘Unless it is to spy on me! He insists there will be no more meetings at Charlotte Street. Except of course, for my little party next Thursday; not even William can object to you all coming to that.’  

‘Well, Helen, it
is
his house,’ Letitia Leighton-Kettering reminded her gently.  

‘Perhaps you should set up our own establishment, my dear,’ suggested Lady Gaunt.  

‘If I decide to stay in town, Dorothea, I think I shall. However, I have a mind to go abroad again.’ She threw a
resentful
look towards the viscountess. ‘If we survive this escapade I may be
obliged
to leave the country.’

The ladies went back to the main reception rooms and Clarissa tried hard to be amused. The rooms were hot, crowded and noisy and apart from the members of the Belles Dames Club there were few people she knew well. She turned to Lady Wyckenham standing beside her.

‘You are not in spirits, Mama-Nell.’

‘Oh dear, is it so apparent?’

‘Only to me, my love, because I know you so well. I wish Sir Robert were here to cheer you.’ Her stepmama did not
contradict
her and she added gently, ‘We need not remain: order your carriage as soon as you wish, Mama-Nell. I shall not object.’

‘Thank you Clarissa, but I think we must stay a little longer.
I see Sir Howard Besthorpe is here: look how he glares at poor Julia.’

‘At least he makes no effort to accost her. Come, Mama-Nell. Since we are here, let us find some entertainment.’

‘Augusta’s cousin is over there,’ murmured Lady Wyckenham. ‘We could join his admirers.’

Clarissa glanced across the room: a sandy-haired gentleman was holding forth at great length on the dangers of the sea.

‘No, I thank you. I heard more than enough from Neville Shirley when we were introduced earlier. He is a man very much in love with his own voice, and a very loud one it is! Besides, I did not care for the way he held on to my hand and positively
leered
at me.’

‘He could not have done so if William had been with you,’ opined Lady Wyckenham. ‘I am quite cross with William for crying off this evening. Since he is determined to stay in town, I feel the least he could do is to escort us to such an evening as this.’

‘For my part I am glad he did not come,’ declared Clarissa. ‘It might have been difficult to explain to him why we should be closeted with our hostess for more than half an hour. It would have been sure to arouse his suspicions.’

‘If he is so suspicious then he should be here with us,’ retorted Lady Wyckenham. ‘Oh, I am sorry, Clarissa, I do not mean to snap at you. If it were not for those tiresome letters I am sure I should find William’s prosy ways amusing.’

‘I know, my love and I see someone who will coax you into a better mood – good evening, Sir Robert – did you know I was just wishing you would be here?’

Sir Robert Ingleton was obliged to stop as Clarissa stepped in front of him, but he did not appear to object and turned to greet Lady Wyckenham with his lazy smile.

‘I was looking for you earlier,’ he said, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. ‘Are you this minute arrived?’

‘N-no, we were – ah – in the card-room.’

‘Losing your fortune, ma’am?’

My lady gave him a roguish smile.

‘I rarely lose at cards, Sir Robert.’

‘Then perhaps you should try a fall with me – at cards,’ he added as she raised her brows at him. He held out his arm. ‘Well, madam?’

‘Yes, do go, Mama-Nell,’ Clarissa urged her. ‘But beware sir; my stepmother has been learning some new tricks.’

‘Has she now?’ Sir Robert looked intrigued. ‘Then I hope she will practise on me.’

Laughing, Clarissa stepped back and watched Lady Wyckenham go off happily with Sir Robert to the card-room. She did not doubt they would flirt shamelessly but neither did she doubt that it would lift Mama-Nell’s spirits to be in such pleasant company, and if she should divulge her
troubles
to Sir Robert at the same time, so much the better, for Clarissa thought him eminently capable of dealing with any problem.

With Lady Wyckenham thus engaged, Clarissa was free to join the group around the pianoforte, including several members of the Belles Dames Club. Lady Sarah was seated at the
instrument
, accompanying Julia Norwell and her husband as they sang a duet. This was followed by one of the other young ladies playing a lively air and after this it seemed quite natural for the younger members of the party to call for dancing. Lady Maramond raised no objection, the carpet was rolled back and a country dance was soon under way. Clarissa preferred to watch the proceedings and retreated to stand before the series of long windows, where she could observe without being pressed to join in. She was so engrossed that she did not see the Marquis of Ullenwood approaching.

‘All alone this evening, Miss Wyckenham? Where is your dear stepmother?’

His soft words made her jump and it was a moment before
she could command her voice to reply calmly.

‘Lady Wyckenham is here, my lord. We did not think it
necessary
in such a gathering as this to be constantly together.’

Until
now, she added silently. Lord Ullenwood’s mocking eyes ran over her.

‘You seem ill at ease, Miss Wyckenham. You are not afraid of me?’

He stepped closer. Clarissa fought off a desire to move away. She raised her chin.

‘No, my lord. Should I be?’

He leaned towards her until she could feel his breath on her cheek.

‘Oh no,’ he said softly. ‘I have only one woman in my sights, Miss Wyckenham.’

Indignation seared through Clarissa. Her eyes blazed.

‘If you mean Lady Wyckenham—’

His straight black brows rose.

‘Yes?’

She closed her lips. It cost her a great deal to bite down the retort that hovered on her tongue, but she knew that to oppose the marquis could jeopardize Lady Gaunt’s plan. She was aware of someone approaching and turned her head to see Lord Alresford standing at her elbow. Lord Ullenwood looked up.

‘Ah, Lord Alresford.’

‘Ullenwood.’ The earl’s face was impassive but Clarissa felt rather than saw the suppressed anger in his rigid stance.

The marquis laughed gently.

‘You wish me at the devil, eh, my lord? Very well, I am going. Miss Wyckenham: your servant.’

As Lord Ullenwood sauntered off, Clarissa realized she had been holding her breath. She let it go now in a long, soft sigh.

‘I did not know you were here, my lord.’

‘I have not long arrived.’ The earl’s lip curled as he glanced at the marquis’s retreating form. ‘You seem to delight in
dubious 
company, Miss Wyckenham.’

She shook her head.

‘You wrong me, my lord. I was never more glad to see you.’ She spoke without thinking, only realizing what she had said when she saw the look of surprise on his sharp features. She felt a blush rising through her body and staining her cheeks.

‘Would you – perhaps – like to dance, madam?’

It was said awkwardly and Clarissa, equally ill at ease, declined. She glanced up as a footman approached, bowing.

‘Your pardon, madam. My lady has ordered that the windows should be opened….’ Clarissa stood aside to allow the servant to reach the casement. After a brief struggle with the catch he pushed open the long window to reveal the smooth paving of the terrace. Clarissa had expected the earl to walk away, but he remained at her side. She waved a nervous hand.

‘The cool air is very pleasant: the room had grown warm.’

He looked out.

‘There is a moon. Would you care to stroll in the gardens? It will be cooler.’ His tone was matter-of-fact, even brusque.

There was no hint of the lover in his manner. Intrigued, Clarissa took his arm and allowed him to escort her out on to the terrace. After the overheated salon, the cool breeze on her skin was refreshing. She breathed deeply.

‘How pleasant to be able to escape.’

‘You dislike these parties, Miss Wyckenham?’

‘In general, no, but tonight – there are too many people, too much noise. I do not care for it.’

‘Most young ladies seem to revel in it.’

‘Do they?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Did – did your fiancée enjoy such gaiety?’ She noted his hesitation and rushed on, ‘I am sorry, I should not have said—’

‘It is no matter, it was a long time ago. No. Elizabeth had no time for such frivolous entertainment.’

She sighed and said, ‘Recently my life seems to have been
nothing more than frivolous entertainment.’ Clarissa glanced up at his profile, outlined against the night sky and she was emboldened to ask a question that had been troubling her. ‘My lord, you called me Elizabeth that day – in the wood. Do we – are we … similar?’

‘No,’ he said shortly. ‘Elizabeth was very beautiful.’

She blinked. He turned to her, and even in the dim light she could see his consternation.

‘Forgive me, I did not mean—’

She laughed up at him.

‘I believe you, my lord, but it is a just reward for my
temerity
. I should not have asked such a question of you.’

He continued to look at her, then he raised one hand and gently traced the line of her jaw.

‘You have a different kind of beauty,’ he said softly. ‘It
radiates
from you, makes one happy just to be near you.’

Clarissa stood very still. His touch on her face had caused a riot of conflicting sensations within her: an urge to run away fought against paralysis. Paralysis won. She felt very
lightheaded
, and as if someone had set free a sackful of moths within her stomach. She knew he was going to kiss her, and that she very much wanted him to do so. His dark head came slowly towards her until he was close enough for his lips to meet hers, his shadow blocking out what little moonlight there was. She was enveloped in darkness, and the lack of sight seemed to enhance her other senses.

The touch of his lips shocked Clarissa. Her knees grew weak and she was obliged to lean against him, or risk falling. His lips were gentle and Clarissa found herself responding to his first, tentative kiss: it was the most natural thing in the world to kiss him back. She was aware of the roughness of his skin, the faint smell of sandalwood that clung about him. He broke away, raising his head a fraction and she could feel his ragged breath fanning her cheek. With a little cry she reached up and pulled him back to her, kissing him with a fierce hunger that
frightened 
her. It had to end. He broke away, gently holding her away from him.

‘I am sorry.’ He stepped back a pace. ‘I should not have done that. It was unforgivable.’

She gave a shaky laugh.

‘Only if you do not mean to repeat it.’

Her eyes had grown accustomed to the gloom and she could see that he did not even smile at her jest.

He said, ‘Forgive me – forgive me.’

Then, with a stiff bow, he turned on his heel and left her.