‘While the reputation of actresses and officers are of lesser concern, Lady Aurelia is still enjoying her first season, and you would not wish her name to be blemished by inadvertently stirring up the same interest you are seeking to avoid.’
It was the marchioness’s turn to blanch.
‘You are quite right of course, Viscount,’ she conceded, as the captain avoided eye contact with everyone, his lips twitching.
‘Aurelia has only been out a short while, and there mustn’t be the slightest hint of scandal…’
‘Oh, Mama!’ Aurelia cooed suddenly. ‘What a fuss to be making when I have behaved just as I ought.’
She got up and slid her arms around her stiff mother.
‘I must admit to being atriflesurprised when Mrs Smith offered a brief enactment ofa romantic tragedybut I’ve never been in the company of an actress, or her cousin, before, and certainly didn’t wish to appear rude. I do seenow, of course, that it was entirely unsuitable behaviour for an Assembly Ball, no matter how innocently instigated.’
Then she fluttered her china-doll eyes so hard they actually began to water – while Phoebe stared, unsure whether to feel aghast or impressed.
‘There, there, child, I did not consider your behaviour would be anything but what it should be,’ the marchioness consoled, throwing Phoebe and the mop-head soldier a caustic look. ‘Whereas the pair of you should be ashamed of yourselves! Trying to lead my child astray with your …ignoblebehaviour!’
Phoebe flinched.
‘Count yourselves fortunate I’ve no wish to make this evening’s events public, otherwise I’d ensure no one in Bath ever opened their doors to you again!’ the marchioness proclaimed.
‘Aurelia?’
Then she swept from the room, taking Aurelia with her, while the captain finally gave in to his mirth.
ChapterEleven
Eight weeks and suspecting the captain until the wedding
‘And it wasn’t even in the least bit heroic!’ Phoebe groaned as their smaller carriage pulled up at the Sydney Hotel, behind their aunt and uncle’s comfortable chaise.
She’d recounted the full agony of the Assembly Ball, while Josephine and Matilda were safely ensconced with their kindly relatives, and Sophie was suitably horrified.
‘Which bit? The Ball? The questions? The kiss?’ she asked faintly. ‘At least it was an adventure I suppose…’
‘I never kissed the mop-head!’ Phoebe protested. ‘Though he did get a little too close for comfort.’
She closed her eyes and shuddered.
‘I’ve no idea why the universe keeps sending all the codfish my way, but it’s the kind of adventure I can be doing without!’
Sophie’s lips twitched as she eyed her sister with concern.
‘And the viscount was there … but he didn’t recognise you?’
‘He was too busy being disagreeable to the disagreeable marchioness!’Phoebe retorted, taking care not to look her sister in the eye.
The whole evening had been a disaster, but it was the viscount’s appearance that had occupied her thoughts since waking. While his attendance at the same Assembly Ball in Bath was regrettable, his appearance in a highly embarrassing situation not of her making felt misfortunate indeed. Her only consolation was that he seemed too preoccupied with protecting his betrothed from scandal, to notice thatMrs Smithwas the samehare-brained simpletonhe’d found on the roadside a few weeks before.
A dull flush reached across her cheeks as she conjured his overbearing displeasure. He seemed to have a unique ability to agitate the most peculiar mix of emotions, and currently she was unsure if she felt more chagrin, disappointment or relief.
‘So, now what?’ Sophie asked, pursing her lips.
‘Well, Mrs Mary Smith has clearly taken the polite world by storm, so the possibilities are endless…’ Phoebe rolled her eyes.
‘That was never the intention!’ Sophie laughed. ‘Besides, this arrived for you this morning.’
Phoebe stared as her sister handed over a thick, cream-coloured envelope with beautiful ornate lettering. She didn’t recognise the hand, but for some reason she knew the sender right away.
