Lady Elizabeth's Comet (28 page)

Anne was not best pleased, but I blackmailed her by threatening a migraine and she gave
in. "You'll spoil them, Liz. What will they have to look forward to when they make their
come-out?"

I fell into the whoops.

Even Anne had to acknowledge that her political dinners were not the height of
fifteen-year-old social phantasy. She conceded a reluctant grin. "Oh, very well, Lisbet.
Let 'em come down this once."

I knew by her use of my childhood nickname that she was in a fair way to forgiving me
for refusing Bevis. I felt some relief at that. I prefer to be on good terms with Anne. We are not
much alike but we have always been friends.

As I made my tedious and elaborate toilet that evening my spirits sank. Why had Anne
invited Bella? They were not friends. At least they hadn't been used to moving in the same
circles, for Bella wasn't political-minded. I fancied Anne knew something that I did not.

Not to put too fine a point upon it, I feared that Bella and Clanross had become objects
of matrimonial speculation among the Ton. Why else would my sister, who always selects her
guests for their influence or their political acumen, have pulled in an outsider like Bella?
However charming she might be, she could serve no political purpose.

I worried the puzzle over in my mind as Dobbins, who had watched M. LeFleche's
efforts with breathless attention, attempted to recreate his modish effects with my stubborn
hair.

"Ha!"

"Satisfied?"

"It will have to do, my lady. There was just something..." She darted at me with the
comb. I restrained myself from leaping out of range. "Ahhh, that's the ticket. I beg pardon, my
lady, I'm sure."

I looked at my reflection. A stranger with a glossy cascade of chestnut curls gave me
back an unwinking hazel stare. "Lawk a mercy, this is none of I," I muttered. I hoped Clanross
wouldn't laugh too hard.

Dobbins beamed. "There, my lady. You look a fair treat."

"I look like mutton dressed as lamb," I corrected tartly, "and we both know it. Well,
where is Madame Millamant's ludicrous creation? The gown, Dobbins, the gown."

Dobbins eased me into the gown, holding her breath. Madame's creation was made up in
shades of apricot, nicely subdued by touches of cream lace at the wrist. It was cut severely. I'd
wanted lace at the neckline, too, but both Madame and Anne had shrieked at that, so the
décolletage was too extreme for my taste. I could feel the draughts already.

"Your diamonds, my lady?"

"No. Mama's gold chain."

Dobbins moaned and obeyed. The gold chain was delicate but old-fashioned. It had no
stones at all. I made her loop it twice and stared at the result. "The topaz earrings."

She groaned again. They, too, were vaguely passé, but they looked very well
with Monsieur's coiffure. I'd thought they might. I settled the lace shawl across my elbows and
consented to Dobbins's nearly tearful pleas that I also don a bracelet. "The plain gold, if you
please."

"But my lady..."

"Do hush. I know what I'm about." I didn't, but I knew better than to wear a diamond
bracelet with topaz earrings.

There was a scratch at the door and Anne entered. "Stand up."

I rose, staring at her mutinously. She stared back. She looked very handsome, in blonde
lace and three and a half pounds of diamonds.

"Well, Liz, at least no one will take you for a frump. Come along, we're stayed for."

I took my reticule from Dobbins's faint grasp and followed my sister's lead.

As we descended to the first floor I searched for a way to ask Anne why she had invited
Bella, but she was so busy filling me in on the political connexions of her lesser guests I couldn't
squeeze a word in edgewise. Perhaps it was just as well.

I sailed into the salon determined to give Bella a run for her money.

She had not yet come. Clanross had.

He and Featherstonehaugh had been talking, low-voiced, by the hearth. They turned as
Anne hailed them and came forward.

"Ah, Clanross, a signal occasion tomorrow. Have you run Dunarvon to earth yet?" My
sister extended her hand brusquely.

Clanross bowed over it. He looked a trifle dazed and did not answer her.
"Elizabeth?"

I held out my hand, surprised to find it was steady. I believe I said something. I know I
flushed.

Featherstonehaugh beamed at us. "Upon my word, you ladies are handsomely tricked
out this evening. Handsome, indeed."

I could have slain him. Tricked out, indeed. I felt the veriest imposter. My face flamed
and I could not meet Clanross's eyes.

Fortunately, Anne's butler announced the first of the guests almost immediately, so poor
Clanross was not required to concoct compliments. He said nothing.

Bella did not arrive until the others, Willoughby included, were milling about and
rumbling their anticipation of the speech from the throne or Anne's menu, according to their
interests. I was soon cut off from my sister by a young MP who insisted on telling me the gist of
his maiden speech. I believe it dealt with the Corn Laws.

I could see Bella's entrance. She came properly escorted by an ancient personage I
vaguely recognised as the member for Hull, a cousin of the late Lord Whitby. Aunt, thank God,
was not present. I don't think I could have borne Aunt
and
Bella.

Bella looked as if every woman ought to be the widow of a Nabob. She was stunning in
pure white. Even my MP paused in his recitation as she entered. The blazing simplicity of her
gown made me look like a basket of hothouse fruit. I was momentarily numbed by defeat.

My parliamentary captor rambled on beside me, unhindered by my lack of interest.
When I had gathered my wits and courage, I edged off in Bella's direction. I don't know what I
meant to do--throw ink on her? I was forestalled by the dinner announcement.

As Bella and her escort moved to take their place in the line, she caught sight of me and
gave me a wide and totally friendly smile. I believe I caused my lips to shape a smile in
response. I hope so.

Dinner dragged on and on. I was stuck between my MP and an elderly, very deaf baron
who controlled two rotten boroughs. I ate
very
little.

At least Anne had not placed Bella beside Clanross. Bella sat by Willoughby, and the
two of them carried on a long, low-voiced conversation.

As befitted his station, Clanross was placed at Anne's right hand, and he conversed
amiably with her and with the plump matron on his right, and only looked my way twice, so far
as I know. He did smile at me. That was over the savoury. I don't recall that I had the wit to smile
back.

At long last, Anne signalled the ladies to withdraw. I abandoned my dinner partners
without regret.

The twins were pretty-behaved under the trying circumstance of meeting upwards of a
dozen curious matrons, most of whom exclaimed over them as if they were a pair of dolls and
not two intelligences with different interests and temperaments. I was glad we had decided not to
dress them alike.

I was relieved when the girls and Miss Bluestone made a smooth exit. So relieved that I
did not catch the low-voiced conversation that had resumed between two of the matrons until I
heard the words, "Mrs. Forster, my dear. I understand the announcement will be in Wednesday's
Gazette.
I have seldom been so surprised."

Oh dear God, I thought, numb. They're betrothed. What shall I do?

I broke in on the ladies without preamble. "I could not help overhearing, ma'am. Whose
betrothal were you speaking of? Arabella Forster's?"

The younger of the two stared. I had crept up on them. The elder smiled. "Yes, indeed,
Lady Elizabeth. I daresay you know all the details. Arabella Forster and Willoughby
Conway-Gore. He is your cousin, is he not?"

Willoughby! "Are you sure?" I croaked.

"I had it from Lady Haverford." The matron looked offended that I should cast doubt on
her word.

I found I was gripping the back of a vacant chair. My shawl had slipped down from one
shoulder. I daresay I looked a guy, but I felt like a soaring balloon. I felt like my own comet.

Dear Willoughby. No, I must not succumb either to hope or the vapours, not on the basis
of mere rumour. I mumbled something to the matrons by way of excuse, my eyes frantically
searching the room. Where in the world was Bella? Ah, there. She smiled at me and
beckoned.

I made my way to her as gingerly as a cat on hot tiles. "Bella..."

"Hullo, Liz. Have you heard my news?" She was so lovely she glistened. "Won't you
felicitate me?"

"I have heard," I said very carefully, "that you mean to marry Willoughby
Conway-Gore. Can it be true?"

She gave a delightful gurgle of mirth. "Yes, indeed. Isn't it famous? The poor boy
doesn't know whether he's on his head or his heels."

I sat beside her on the ivory brocade of the sopha--very carefully. "Famous." My voice
sounded hollow.

She took my hand. "We'll be cousins, Liz. Do say you're glad."

I tried to bring some order to my reeling senses. "Glad? I'm delighted! But Bella, are
you sure? Willoughby?"

She withdrew her grasp, her brilliant eyes dark and a little hurt. "Why yes, of course.
Willoughby. Whom else..." Her eyes narrowed.

I gave up any pretence at dissembling. "Clanross."

She regarded me a moment with her head cocked. I daresay my relief was written all
over my face. I didn't even blush.

Bella said softly, for the musicians had begun, "We must talk. When may I call?"

"Tomorrow. Oh, Lord. Parliament."

She gave a snort of laughter. "Never tell me you're going to sit through the speech from
the throne! Dear Liz, too patriotic."

I smiled at her, or perhaps I beamed. "My sisters were anxious to attend and I'd best go
with them. I promised. Come to me on Wednesday morning. Anne and the girls are going to
Mme. Tussaud's. I'll beg off."

"Done," she whispered. We both gave our attention to the sonatina. It sounded, to me at
least, curiously like the music of the spheres. Wonderful, wonderful, most wonderful.

By the time the gentlemen joined us I had returned to a kind of sanity. Clanross was not
to wed Bella. That did not mean he wished to marry me, I told myself several times. I even
brooded a bit over the possibility that Clanross was wearing the willow for Bella. They'd been in
each other's company all the way to Dublin, time enough for him to fall under her spell. If he
had, her betrothal to Willoughby of all men must cause him pain. How tenderly would I console
him. At that point I caught a bubble of laughter as it tickled my throat and converted it to a cough
just in time.

In the next interval Bella brought Willoughby to receive my congratulations. He looked
as sheepish and defensive as it is possible for a gentleman of fashion to look.

My heart went out to him. "I felicitate you, Willoughby. You're a lucky man."

"Now, Liz..."

I couldn't resist one small gibe. "How very happy your mother must be, cousin."

"Mrs. Conway-Gore--I must learn to call her
maman
--has
said
everything that is kind," Bella interposed smoothly. "Ah, here is Clanross. Tom, I hope you won't
stumble tomorrow in all that velvet and ermine."

"Are you casting aspersions on my sobriety?"

"On your sense of balance."

"Physical or political?" Clanross asked dryly. "You look dashing, Bella."

She chuckled. "I look bridal. I couldn't resist white."

Willoughby snorted. "One in the eye for all those old cats. Sorry, 'Lizabeth." He was a
trifle foxed.

"Think nothing of it. How do you, Clanross?"

"Well enough, considering all the velvet and ermine. I saw the girls on the stairs."

As I was telling him of the twins' social venture, Anne came up and captured Bella and
Willoughby for a round of congratulations. I saw the whites of Willoughby's eyes. Bella
favoured me with a wink. Clanross caught the byplay and looked puzzled.

"Jean and Maggie are impatient to hear you speak," I said hastily. His brow cleared.
"Are you staying that long?"

"It will be Tuesday of next week, Featherstonehaugh says."

"With luck. More likely Wednesday."

"Never tell me you're suffering from stage-fright!"

"For you won't believe me." He sighed. "It can't be much worse than storming a breach.
I daresay I'll survive. At the moment I'm more grievously afflicted with political indigestion than
nerves. Your brother-in-law and I don't see eye to eye."

"Mercy, if Featherstonehaugh troubles you, how can you stick Dunarvon? His opinions
make even Aunt Whitby sound like Mr. Cobbett."

Clanross's eyes lit and my heart lurched. "My dear Elizabeth, nothing could make your
aunt sound like William Cobbett."

I laughed. I felt light as a bird and twice as flighty. "What think you of Willoughby's
matrimonial plans? Speaking of Aunt Whitby."

"Why Lady Whitby?"

"You must know she meant to cast Bella in your path. You weren't taken with her?"

"I found her charming and handsome." He wasn't smiling. "Should I have been taken
with Bella Forster?"

I had gone too far. My face felt hot. "As you please, of course, Clanross. She would
make an excellent countess, however."

"You said as much of Cecilia Wharton. I'd be pleased if you and Lady Whitby would
allow me to know my own mind."

That was rather sharp. I found myself at
point non plus,
confused, and a little
frightened.

Perhaps he sensed my confusion. He said quietly, "I read your article."

"You've seen it? I saved a copy for you."

"Thank you. It reads well. I followed it as far as my limited understanding of the art
would take me. Why did you not sign your name?"

"I beg your pardon?"

"I thought you meant to take responsibility for it."

"I do." I was thrown off balance. "Most such articles are signed with the author's
initials."