And Philip criticized Maude’s lack of control over her stepdaughter. He made no allowances for the fact thatHarriet was a mere three years younger than Maude, andthat she was a girl who had always been allowed her ownway. His disapproval showed now, Rebecca thought. Hestood beside Maude, looking very handsome with his slimheight and blond good looks. But he looked unyielding.He was talking to Maude, yes, and giving her his fullattention. But there was no warmth, no charm in hismanner.
Rebecca sighed inwardly, while holding the thread of her conversation with Mr. Carver. Marriage to Philip wasnot going to be a smooth and comfortable experience. Hefound it so hard to make allowances for people’s weaknesses.He appeared to have none of his own. He really was aremarkably dedicated and hardworking man. He had agreat deal of self-discipline. Perhaps it would have been tohis advantage if he did have a weakness. It might makehim more sympathetic to the shortcomings of others.
Julian and Primrose wandered over to the pianoforte to watch Harriet play, Julian leaning on the instrument andwatching her face. It must have been his idea that theyorganize a dance, because he was the one who claimedHarriet first as a partner. The group playing cards waseagerly commanded to stop as the services of Mrs. Sinclairwere required as accompanist. Anyway, the table wouldhave had to be moved so that the carpet could be rolledback a sufficient amount to allow several couples to dance.
They all danced several country dances except Mr. Sinclair, who suffered from the gout, and Lord Holmes, who declared that such physical exertion would be bad for hishealth. Rebecca danced with Mr. Bartlett and with Philip.She had danced on a few previous occasions with herbetrothed and had found him surprisingly graceful on hisfeet. She would almost have expected that he would disapprove of dancing, yet he considered it an acceptable socialpastime.
Harriet was soon flushed with excitement. Christopher, Julian, and Mr. Bartlett had all vied for her hand as apartner. She turned to Mrs. Sinclair at the end of the thirdset.
“Do let us have a waltz,” she said. “I have not waltzed since Papa and I were in London, and it is a quite divinedance.”
“But I don’t know how,” Ellen and Primrose chorused almost in unison.”
“No, really, Harriet,” Julian protested. “Most of us here have never even seen the waltz. You would have todance almost alone.”
“I have heard that it is all the rage in London,” Philip said. “I must say it sounds like a quite improper dance. Iconsider it not quite appropriate to the present gathering,Miss Shaw.”
“Nonsense!” that young lady retorted, tossing her head with disdain. “Everyone in London does it. Even Prinny. Iwish to waltz. Mr. Sinclair, shall we show everyone howit is done?” She smiled dazzlingly at Christopher and heldup her arms, inviting his partnership.
“Perhaps we should call on Lady Holmes to act as arbiter,” he said, smiling at Harriet and then turning andbowing in the direction of Maude. “Will you permit waltzingin your drawing room, ma’am?”
Maude flushed. “Indeed, sir,” she said, “I have never danced the waltz myself. I was in London for such a shorttime before my marriage that I never had a chance to beapproved by the hostesses of Almack’s. But I have seen itdanced, and I consider it to be very graceful and proper. Ishould be honored to see it performed in our home.”Christopher smiled at her, and the smile reached right tohis eyes and crinkled their corners. Rebecca felt her stomach lurch. For a moment he had looked exactly like the oldChristopher—warm and friendly.
“Come then, Miss Shaw,” he said, turning back to Harriet. And the expression was gone, Rebecca saw withrelief. “Let us waltz and give a lesson to those who do notknow the dance. And then everyone can take the floor andtry it. How do you like the role of dance mistress?”
Mrs. Sinclair began to play a tune that fit the rhythm of the waltz and Christopher took one of Harriet’s hands inhis and clasped her waist with the other. She placed herfree hand on his shoulder. Rebecca felt her cheeks flushhotly, and she stepped back so that she was partly shadowed by the giant figure of Mr. Carver. But she could notkeep her eyes from the couple as they twirled gracefullyaround the very small dancing space that had been cleared.It was a graceful dance, and both partners moved withlightness and confidence. But it was also an intimate dance.She might have felt quite faint had it not been for Christopher’s voice counting the rhythm, explaining the steps andthe movements to his small audience.
“Now,” he said as the music came to an end and he and Harriet laughingly acknowledged the applause aroundthem, “it is time for everyone to try. There are only twopoints to remember: count in threes, preferably in time tothe music, and try to keep your feet from beneath those ofyour partner.”
He smiled and turned to Maude. “Will you try it, ma’am?” he asked. “I promise not to tell the patronesses.”While Maude protested and gave in to the temptation totry a dance she had always admired, Mr. Bartlett appropriated Harriet, Julian grabbed Ellen, and Mr. Carver turnedto Rebecca.
“Would you care to try, Miss Shaw?” he asked. “I assure you I’ve done it before. Nothing to it, really.”Rebecca laughed nervously. “I am not at all sure I shalldo well, sir,” she said, “but I am willing to try.”
There was much laughter as the dance proceeded. Mr. Bartlett and Harriet were the only couple who dancedwithout apparent effort. But they were both experiencedwaltzers. Mr. Carver was an accomplished dancer, Rebecca found to her surprise. Despite his giant stature hemoved with grace and provided a firm enough lead thatshe could follow him without tripping all over him. Afterthe first minute she even found it easy to pick up therhythm and to relax somewhat.
Julian and Ellen were having troubles. Scoldings from him and giggles from her finally erupted into a shortquarrel when he trod heavily on her foot. Before the dancewas half over, Primrose had replaced her sister in Julian’sarms and they proceeded in relative peace.
Maude looked anxious, Rebecca noticed when she felt confident enough to glance around her from time to time.Her lips were moving; she was obviously still counting outher steps. Christopher was smiling down at her, his facesoftened again. When she glanced a second time, Maudewas just stumbling at a turn, and he pulled her against hischest for a moment until she had regained her balance. Helaughed into her dismayed face, but his own expressionwas gentle. Rebecca swallowed and turned her head sharplyback toward her own partner.
Philip joined her when the set came to an end. “I am sorry you had to be subjected to that indignity,” he said,looking down at her with concern.
“Indignity?” she said. “You do not really think the dance improper, Philip, do you?”
“Perhaps not at a London ball,” he said. “But I cannot think that it is right at a country home. For you, especially, Rebecca, it was an embarrassment. You are to bethe wife of a vicar.”
“I was not embarrassed, Philip,” she said, touching his arm lightly. “We are among friends here.”
“I blame Lady Holmes,” he said. “She could quite easily have refused to allow the dance in her home. Yetagain she has given in to the will of her stepdaughter,when she should be setting the example.”
Poor Maude, Rebecca thought. She could do nothing right in Philip’s eyes.
“Oh, that would be quite splendid!” Harriet was saying in a voice that was almost a shriek. “We have not had apicnic for an age. Not this summer at any rate.”
“We thought the river would be a suitable site,” Mrs. Sinclair said. “If the weather stays as it has been for morethan a week now, we will be glad of the shade of thetrees.”
“Everyone must come,” Ellen added, her voice as penetrating as Harriet’s. “We decided that this afternoon. It will be no fun at all if anyone is absent. Lady Holmes, youwill be there? And Mr. Bartlett?” She blushed as sheturned to that gentleman.
He bowed and smiled at her. “How could I resist an invitation from such a charming young lady?” he said. “Ishall assuredly attend your picnic, Miss Sinclair. And I amsure I speak for my sister too. Maude?”
