The plain girl smiled, and it certainly improved her appearance. Ariana couldn’t help mentally choosing a better wardrobe for her as they spoke. Nothing frilly...
“He took Della into supper at Lady Lieven’s,” the girl said. “That was thoughtful of him.”
Soft greens and blues to pick up her eyes. Which weren’t as glorious a blue as her brother’s.
“You seem surprised,” Ariana said.
Lady Phyllis blushed slightly. “I didn’t mean that, but I’ve been in the schoolroom and he’s been abroad in recent years. We’re only just becoming reacquainted. He’s my half brother, you know.”
Ariana should have suspected that. There must have been ten years between the two.
“So you’ve never known each other well.”
“He was my only family when I was young. Our father died when I was in the cradle, and when my mother remarried, she left me at Delacorte.”
It was said in a prosaic way, but Ariana felt for the small child who’d been, in effect, orphaned, and had only an older half brother to call her own.
“Of course I had servants,” Lady Phyllis continued, with no hint of self-pity. “My old nurse is still at Delacorte and fusses, and in time I had an excellent governess, Miss Truscott. I wouldn’t have minded her staying on, but she’s a truly dedicated teacher and preferred to seek new pupils.”
“I confess to having been happy to see the back of my governess,” Ariana said. “But my father had always guided my education, and continued to do so.” None of this was to the point. “Did you take lessons with your friend Miss Weathersted?”
That brought a smile to the girl’s eyes. “Not at all. In any case, she went to a school.”
Generally the choice of less wealthy families, and most schools did a poor job of educating girls. Neither mattered. Norris wouldn’t be best suited to a bluestocking, and he didn’t need a bride with a large dowry.
“Are you both enjoying Town?” Ariana asked.
“Cessy is in alt over the company and the shops, but not so interested in London’s history. I suppose it’s unfashionable of me to want to visit the Tower and Westminster Abbey.”
It was, rather, but Ariana felt in sympathy. “I’m sure visiting such places at least once is acceptable. If no other opportunity arises, perhaps we could go together.”
Lady Phyllis’s eyes brightened. “That would be delightful. Perhaps your brother would escort us?”
Ariana remembered too late that the girl had shown signs of admiring Norris. However, she could only say, “Or if not him, some other gentleman.”
“Kynaston would oblige, I suppose,” Lady Phyllis said, but without great enthusiasm.
They were in accord on that, at least.
The next reading was announced and conversationcame to an end as everyone found a seat. Ariana’s mother beckoned, indicating an available seat by her side. Once she was settled, her mother introduced the blond gentleman on her left with rather the air of an angler showing off a prize trout.
Lord Wentforth!
And a very praiseworthy trout indeed! Wentforth had good looks without being showy, and a relaxed, agreeable manner. He took part in an easy flow of conversation, and didn’t blanch if Ariana revealed knowledge or opinions.
They listened to a lady reading her own poem about dead babies, which Ariana thought unhelpful in the present mood of mourning. She didn’t say so, and the next reading was a nice relief, being about travel to Norway.
That was followed by a scholarly lecture on the various forms of sonnets, which almost had Ariana fidgeting in her seat. However, when it was over, Wentforth took up the subject with enthusiasm. Heavens, he was a true enthusiast for poetry. How much analysis of sonnets could she bear in a lifetime? She put aside her qualms, but then a little later he rose to read a work of his own, which turned out to be on admiration of an unnamed lady. He frequently looked at Ariana as he declaimed. Perhaps it wouldn’t be too distressing to have poetry composed in one’s honor.
This poem couldn’t have been written with her in mind, but it seemed as if he found phrases such as “splendid as the rising sun” and “ocean-deep in nobility” suited her. But then the description “dainty” occurred three times, followed by praise of the lady’s tiny dancing feet. Not only wouldn’t he suit her; it was obvious that she wouldn’t suit him!
She returned home and crossed Wentforth off the list, beginning to feel anxious. Time was passing, and she might have to wait until their Wednesday entertainment to meet Lord Sellerden and Sir Arraby.
“Down to two,” Ethel said, glancing at the list. “You need to get some new names.”
“Perhaps there aren’t any.”
“I hear tell there are a million people living in London.”
