Now that would interest Evangeline. She looked around in real hope. “How fascinating. Who is he?”
“His name is Campion,” said Fanny. “Swiss, and extremely handsome, did I mention it?”
“Twice, as a matter of fact,” Evangeline replied.
Fanny grinned. “Let us beg an introduction.”
Evangeline laughed and agreed.
Arm in arm, they made their way through the crowd. Fanny had embraced her reputation as an eccentric, knowing the vast Woodville fortune made her a highly favored eccentric. Tonight she wore peacock feathers in her turban and a gown of spangled green silk that blazed brightly in the candlelight. Evangeline aspired to be so dashing.
Lord Allen appeared in front of them. “Lady Woodville! How do you do?”
“Very well, sir, although I was anticipating the soprano, and I hear you refused to have her.” She turned away from his suddenly pinched face to scan the room. “Where are our guests of honor?”
“Mr. Cambridge, the geologist, is with Lady Allen,” said their host, recovering his poise. “And Lord Michael Layne, the famed astronomer, is just by the windows there.”
“I’ve no interest in geology or astronomy,” she told him bluntly, even as he raised one hand as if to lead her to meet either man. “Where is the explorer?”
“Ah, Richard Campion!” Lord Allen rocked on his heels, looking pleased with himself. “The king has just bestowed a knighthood upon him.”
Fanny raised her brows. “Excellent! Allow me to present Lady Courtenay toSirRichard, then. She’s been longing to make his acquaintance—quite fascinated with the Nile, don’t you know.”
Discomfort flitted over Allen’s face as he was finally forced to speak to Evangeline. “Lady Courtenay. How good of you to come.”
“Thank you, sir.” She smiled, ignoring his strained expression. “I hope we shall do a great deal of good tonight for the children’s home.”
“What? Oh yes, yes.” He cleared his throat. “I see Campion now, Lady Woodville. If you’ll pardon me, I shall bring him to make your acquaintance.” He gave a quick bow and shot off through the crowd.
“Do you think he’ll come near us again tonight?” asked Evangeline in amusement.
Fanny snorted. “He wants two hundred pounds from me tonight. He’d better come near, and bring that explorer with him, if he intends to collect it.”
“I know you’ll give it anyway, for the children’s sake,” said Evangeline.
Her friend gazed at her in affront. “Of course I will. But there’s no reason I can’t make Allen work for it, is there? It was his decision to throw a party instead of simply asking forsubscriptions.” She went back to studying the room. “Besides, he’s too young for me, but I do believe you will like him.”
“Lord Allen?” Evangeline shuddered.“Never.”
“No, the explorer!” Fanny tapped her arm with her fan. “Mark my words, he’s a fine one.”
“I’ve no need of a man, thank you.” This was an old conversation between them.
“Need! Who said anything aboutneed?” Fanny scoffed. “I speak ofwantinga man.”
“It sounds to me as though you want him for yourself.”
“Don’t be ridiculous! I’m far too old for him.” Fanny’s keen gaze swept up and down Evangeline. “But you’re not.”
Fanny was only twelve years older than Evangeline, but sometimes she took an excessive delight in imagining various romances and love affairs for her. “I feel twenty years older just hearing you say that,” she said tartly.
“At least you don’t look it. Here he comes.” Fanny arranged her face into a welcoming expression as Lord Allen approached, a tall, sandy-haired man barely visible behind him. Evangeline finished her champagne and glanced around for a servant or table where she could dispose of the glass. It was advisable to consume more wine, rather than less, before speaking with members of the ton, but it was always so awkward navigating introductions and conversation while holding a glass. A footman whisked up beside her and she gave him the glass with a grateful look.
“Lady Woodville, Lady Courtenay, allow me to present to you Sir Richard Campion,” Lord Allen was saying.
Evangeline was smiling, her hand already extended, when she looked into Campion’s face.
Oh Lord,she thought with a sinking heart.
