Emily Hendrickson (15 page)

“Do your best to persuade the ladies we need them.”

Dru made no reply, thinking it unnecessary. Within minutes she was out of the house and had the reins in hand, tooling down the avenue in the direction of the Swithin place. It took several minutes for her senses to calm.

Lady Swithin was home to the early call from Miss Herbert come on an errand for Lady Brentford. Her curiosity was evident when Dru entered the morning room, where Lady Swithin received her.

Dru came right to the point. “I am on an errand of mercy, dear lady. I am hoping you can help us.”

Her ladyship preened slightly.

“Lady Brentford is having a small birthday celebration, and several of her London friends are in residence as well as Lady Felicia Tait and Lord Ives. Then yesterday we unexpectedly received more company, Mr. Gregory Vane, heir to a viscount, I believe, and Mr. Harry Metcalf. He is a particular friend of Lord Brentford’s. I fear the gentlemen outnumber the women. I was hoping you would allow Belinda to join the party. Her ladyship would be so pleased.”

Dru could almost see Lady Swithin’s mind at work. Several wealthy peers, premier gentlemen of the sort rarely seen outside London were near to hand, and it wouldn’t cost her a cent to send her yet-to-be-presented daughter over to Brentford Court. “That would be lovely. How soon would you wish Belinda to join you?”

“The gentlemen are out shooting today, so I was thinking it would be excellent for her to come over as soon as might be. She could be all settled before they return.”

“A fait accompli?” Lady Swithin was thinking rapidly.

“Precisely.”

“She could come in short order. And if there is anything she requires, it can be sent over in a trice. By the bye, how is Lady Brentford?”

“She is improved,” Dru replied with caution. “She still tires easily. Fortunately, her old friends understand and retire for naps or quiet intervals.”

“Well, it is important to see these unexpected guests are kept amused. How tiresome for you.”

Surprised at the sudden sympathy, Dru smiled. “I do my best to assist her ladyship, you may be sure. She is such a very dear lady.”

Dru left shortly after that with Lady Swithin’s assurances ringing in her ears that Belinda would present herself at the Court as soon as she was dressed and packed.

The drive to the Percy house took a little time, but the day was mild, with sun shining and only a little wind to ruffle Dru’s gown as she tooled along the lane.

Mrs. Percy was all agog to receive a caller from Brentford Court. When Dru explained her mission and the interesting fact that Belinda Oaks would be taken over as soon as she was packed, Mrs. Percy nodded, waiting.

“Could Lydia join us, please? I have been impressed with what a charming young woman she is and I feel certain she will blend in with the group very well.” Dru went on to explain all who were there.

Obviously not wishing to be too eager, Mrs. Percy appeared to cogitate a few moments before beaming a smile at Dru. “It will be our pleasure to send Lydia to join you. It will give her a chance to pick up a bit of polish.”

“Indeed.” Relieved, Dru rose from her chair to depart.

Lydia hovered in the central hall, eyes wide with curiosity.

“You have been invited to join the party at Brentford Court. Tell your maid to pack up appropriate garments for you.” Mrs. Percy smiled fondly at her eldest daughter.

Eyes wide, an ecstatic smile on her pretty face, the girl bobbed a hasty curtsy, then dashed up the stairs with unseemly dispatch.

Mrs. Percy exchanged a resigned look with Dru and thanked her for coming. She watched from the portico as Dru climbed into the gig to drive back to the Court.

The house was empty and silent when Dru entered the front door. She made her way to the kitchen to see how matters went with Mrs. Simpson and Cook.

“As long as I don’t have to climb those dratted stairs, I do fine enough,” Mrs. Simpson said with a sigh.

Dru turned to Cook. “And you?”

“Bless your heart, all be fine here.”

“Miss Oaks and Miss Percy will arrive shortly. I suspect it will be the fastest that either of them has been packed and bundled out of the door in their lives.” Dru walked to the door, pausing to add, “I will go up to check on their rooms. Has Lady Felicia appeared as yet?”

“No, miss. All is quiet from that room.” Mrs. Simpson gave Dru a significant look, before returning to her work in the stillroom creating sweets for dinner.

With more guests, the dining table would require extra attention. Dru paused to check the epergne, noting what would be needed. Mrs. Simpson apparently had everything well in hand on the main floor.

The two bedrooms allocated for the girls were truly charming. Dru made a mental note to bring up a few flowers.

The door to Lady Felicia’s room opened after Dru had passed. She hurried on, not wanting a confrontation with that lady if it could be avoided. Rather than linger in the house, she sought refuge in the garden, thinking to gather a few flowers while avoiding that lady.

“Good heavens, you are in a pique. Those poor flowers are under attack!”

Amused at the remark, Dru glanced around to see Lord Ives leaning against the pergola close by. “I thought you were out shooting.”

“I became tired of it. The beaters flush out the birds, and we take aim and fire. There is little sport in such occupation.”

“But it is what is done.” Her smile warmed.

“Somehow, I believe that basking in your smile is more to my liking.”

Lord Ives was flirting with her! Dru was taken aback. Not that she was annoyed, she was surprised. While Lady Brentford might have invited him, Dru doubted anything was intended between Dru and Lord Ives. Hadn’t Lord Ives flirted with Lady Felicia quite fulsomely, and she with him? Dru wondered what Lord Brentford thought of that.

She inadvertently glanced up at the house. Lady Felicia’s room overlooked this garden. Had there been a white blur of a face in her window just now? Or was it merely a curtain?

She checked the watch she had pinned to her dress, thinking it was close to the time when the two girls ought to arrive.

“Do not tell me you have a schedule to keep! I’ll not believe it.”

“There are two guests due to arrive soon. I had best take these flowers in so I can be nearby when they come.”

“Am I apt to know them?”

Dru laughed. “Hardly. Two local girls are obliging us by balancing numbers. It did not seem fair for the gentlemen to have no one but Lady Felicia to amuse them. These are two very pretty young ladies.”

“Felicia won’t like that. She prefers to have all the attention.” He exchanged a knowing look with her that she judiciously ignored. “And two
pretty
young ladies? Not kind, dear lady, not kind at all.”

Dru wisely gave him no reply to that comment. She turned just as the lady in question came around the corner.

“Ah, just in time to amuse me, Reginald. Take me for a drive, or a walk, or something. This is a very dreary party with no one around.” She clasped his arm, sending Dru a triumphant little smile. It shifted to a more intimate look as she turned her gaze to Lord Ives.

He merely laughed and strolled off in the direction of the stables, with her clinging to his arm and chattering loudly about something absurd. Again, Dru wondered what had happened to alter his opinion of Lady Felicia. Or had he been miffed to see her making a dead set at Lord Brentford?

Dru made quick work of the flowers. She had just returned to the entry hall when Priddy opened the front door to Miss Belinda Oaks.

Dru was amused. Had she become so old that she could spot the anxiety of the very young? The desire to fit in, to be accepted and please could be read on Belinda’s pretty face. By the time she had her come-out in London, all that would be replaced by an ennui such as required in young ladies making their bow to Society.

“Welcome, Miss Oaks.” Dru shook her hand, then glanced up as Priddy went to the door once again.

Within minutes Lydia Percy entered the house in a burst of enthusiasm. “Oh, what a smashing thing to happen. I never thought to be one of a party at the Court! Thank you. Miss Herbert, for thinking of me— and Belinda as well.”

Dru chuckled. “I am very glad to see you, and I suspect the gentlemen will be happy to see two pretty faces at dinner this evening. Why do we not go up to your rooms so you may settle in? Dinner is at country hours presently. Won’t it be delightful to surprise everyone?”

And wouldn’t Lady Felicia have her nose out of joint when she encountered these two adorable fresh young women? They were out of the schoolroom, but not out yet in Society. However, Dru had observed them following church and thought them to be nicely mannered as well as pretty.

Lydia chattered all the way up the stairs while Belinda kept a reserved silence, darting looks at everything around her, no doubt committing to memory all she saw.

The girls were delighted with their rooms. Dru hoped their chatter wouldn’t reach Lady Felicia once she returned to her room. Inspired, she gathered them close to her.

“Why do we not surprise everyone this evening? Keep very quiet, and when I think it best for you to come down, I will send my maid for you.”

“You have your own maid?” an awed Lydia cried. “Mama said you are a companion to Lady Brentford. I never knew companions had maids.”

“Well, I suppose most don’t. Lord and Lady Brentford are gracious and kind people.”

The two girls exchanged looks. Dru decided it was as well she hadn’t put the two of them in together to share a room. They would chatter half the night.

Two maids came from the servant’s stairway, edging into the rooms behind their mistresses.

“I can see you will be ready in time now that your maids are here. What shall you wear?” Dru was only mildly interested. She stalled for time because she intended to keep out of Lady Felicia’s path if possible. Lord Ives couldn’t entertain her forever. Or could he?

The girls chatted on, relating what gowns they had and going so far as to seek Dru’s advice. She was touched, and surveyed the gowns with a kind eye.

Eventually she decided she could no longer hide away and neglect her duties such as they were. Surely Lady Brentford was downstairs with her friends by now.

Leaving the two young women to make final decisions, Dru braced herself for a possible encounter with Lady Felicia and returned to the ground floor. She would look in on Lady Brentford to see how she fared.

Her fortitude wasn’t tested, as no sign of Lady Felicia could be seen. Perhaps Lord Ives took her on a drive to a nearby village? Dru, in spite of liking his company, devoutly hoped so, and that her ladyship would be agreeably tired, sufficiently so that she would not pick on Lydia and Belinda out of pique. She suspected Lady Felicia could be nice if not competing for the attention of a gentleman.

“Drusilla, my dear, have Belinda Oaks and Lydia Percy arrived?” Lady Brentford said from where she had been chatting with her friends.

“Indeed, they have, my lady. Is there anything you wish?”

Before the marchioness could reply, voices rang out in the entryway. The fluting tones of Lady Felicia soared over the subdued bass of Lord Ives. There was a brief silence, then within minutes the pair entered the drawing room.

Lord Ives looked bemused. He studied the woman at his side, as though he didn’t know quite what to make of her.

Lady Felicia shot Dru a triumphant glance. “We have had a perfectly lovely drive. What a charming village you have nearby. Quite picturesque! What a pity you are tied to your duties. Miss Herbert. You must long be out and about in this pleasing countryside.”

“Actually, I was out this morning.” At the doubting stare from Lady Felicia, Dru added, “I took the gig for a short drive. I suspect you were still abed.” Dru gave Lady Felicia a pitying look before turning to Lady Brentford. “I shall check the dining room for you, then see how Mrs. Simpson does.”

“Very well. I trust you to handle everything.”

It was amusing to see how that simple remark appeared to vex Lady Felicia.

In the entry hall Dru found the gentlemen returning from a day’s shooting.

Lord Brentford immediately came to her side. “The young ladies were able to come? They are here?”

“Indeed, their mothers were pleased to come to our aid. Belinda and Lydia are in their rooms, changing for dinner.”

“Ah, indeed, I expect we had all best do the same thing.” He had addressed the men as a whole.

Dru wondered at the curious expression on Mr. Metcalf’s face. He had watched Lord Brentford as he spoke with her, then kept an eye on her while she replied. He wasn’t close enough to hear what had been said, but why the curiosity?

“Have you thought of a clever means of entertaining them?” He stepped close to her as he had done this morning.

And again she felt a quiver shoot through her. It played havoc with her thinking. “Not exactly. We always play games, silly ones that children love. Adults can find them equally hilarious. Snip-Snap-Snorem is much enjoyed. My brother likes a game of Brag. I imagine Lady Felicia would enjoy a game of Matrimony.” Dru gave him an innocent look.

“What a devious girl you are.” He took another step, almost touching her. She felt as though she was suffocating, finding it difficult to breathe. Her heart was beating much too fast. She searched his eyes, wondering what he was thinking.

The other men had all gone to their rooms, and Dru was alone with his lordship in the entry hall.

“I like a joke now and again,” she said in a whisper. From the look in his eye, she wondered if he was about to kiss her. Again, he lightly touched her on her arm.

“Well, what have we here?” Lady Felicia drawled. “Amusing yourself with the help, Adrian?”

His face revealed nothing. He stepped away from Dru, turning to the other woman with a respectful bow. “We were discussing what manner of amusements you all might like. Do you have a suggestion?”

Dru admired his politeness in view of Lady Felicia’s behavior. How he could tolerate the thought of marriage to this creature was beyond Dru. He deserved better.

“Why not attitudes?” She struck a pose that Dru imagined had something to do with mythology. It certainly showed her figure to advantage.