Exchanging greetings, Emma introduced Gabby to Pandora, who acknowledged the girl’s diffident curtsy with a nod before returning to her vigilant perusal of the ballroom.
Thea gave Gabby’s hand a squeeze. “How nice to see you.”
“It is areliefto see you and Emma,” Gabby said with feeling. “I thought I was going to have to muddle through another one of thesetonaffairs alone. Papa secured me the invitation, you see. He’s donated oodles to this charity since he’s been friends with Uncle George forever—”
“Uncle George?” Used to Gabby’s free-flowing conversation, Thea knew the other didn’t mind being cut off now and again.
“Well, he’s not really my uncle, not by blood, but he and my father are old cronies. They’ve done business together forever. Papa says Uncle George is the best solicitor in London, and every banker needs a good solicitor. And vice versa. Uncle George is Millicent’s—I mean, Lady Davenport’s—papa, so I’ve known Lady Davenport for ages, too. When she was Millicent Clemens, that is. Now I don’t see her all that much.” Gabby’s brow pleated. “At all, actually.”
“It must be nice to see an old friend,” Thea said.
Gabby sighed. “Papa says I must model myself after Lady Davenport. After all, she caught a title, and in two Seasons all I’ve attracted are fortune hunters.”
“It can’t be as bad as all that.”
“Believe me, it’sworse. Most of them are as old as Papa, missing their teeth and hair, and they all have a depressing tendency to forget my name.” Gabby mimicked an aged, aristocratic voice. “You there, the ginger-haired chit. Pass me my walking stick, won’t you?”
Chuckling, Thea said with sympathy, “I know the feeling. You must take care, however. I hear fortune hunters are clever at getting what they want.”
“Not as clever as my father. When it comes to money, Papa knows best,” Gabby said cheerfully. “He’s protected my inheritance with a trust.”
“What’s a trust?” Thea asked.
“I’m not sure exactly. Some sort of legal rigmarole that Uncle George helped with. The gist of it,” Gabby said brightly, “is that I’ll retain control over my own money after I marry.”
“How extraordinary,” Thea mused. “That sounds like something every woman should know about.”
Before Gabby could reply, a thin, brittle voice cut through the conversation. “Ladies, how lovely to see you!”
Lady Davenport was thin and short, and what she lacked in stature, she made up for with the voluminous layers of lace on her gown. Her hair was a mousy shade, her dark gaze beady and assessing. She gave an impression of twitching energy.
“La, aduchess,” she exclaimed in tones that carried, “at my own little luncheon! You honor us with your presence.”
“Thank you for having us, Lady Davenport.” Looking discomfited, Emma said, “Um, may I introduce my sister, Miss Dorothea Kent?”
Thea made her curtsy.
Gabby opened her mouth to speak but was cut off.
“A pleasure, Miss Kent, I’m sure.” Their hostess hooked her arm through Emma’s. “I’m sopleasedto have you here, Duchess. I feel as if we are kindred spirits, and I know we shall simply be the best of friends.” To Lady Blackwood, she said, “And my dear marchioness, how exquisite you look! I simply adore your necklace.”
“Your own is very fine. New?” Pandora said casually.
Lady Davenport preened, brushing her fingers over the rope of large, unblemished pearls dangling over her scant bosom. “As a matter of fact, yes. Davenport spoils me terribly, you know.”
Thea thought a necklace such as that must cost a pretty penny. And the lady’s gown looked expensive too. If the Spectre was indeed in need of money, then Lord Davenport might not be a likely suspect after all.
“I’m about to give a few words. You must take the place of honor next to me, Duchess,” Lady Davenport said. “I insist.”
“Um, hello, Lady Millicent,” Gabby blurted.
Lady Davenport’s brows formed thin arches. “Miss Billings. I didn’t see you there.”
Gabby’s face turned scarlet.
Turning her back to the girl, Lady Davenport said, “Ladies, shall we proceed to the head table?”
Thea was aghast at the lady’s rudeness. Seeing Gabby’s bottom lip tremble, she said firmly, “Miss Billings is in need of a seat, too.”
