‘Oh, I should never be so impertinent as to tell you how to go on anywhere!’ Sophy declared.
‘Well, perhaps it would not be necessary,’ acknowledged Miss Wraxton graciously. ‘My Mama has always been a most careful parent, and very strict in her choice of governesses for her daughters. I have felt so much compassion for you, dear Miss Stanton-Lacy, situated as you are. You must so often have felt the want of a mother!’
‘Not at all. Don’t waste your compassion on me, I beg! I never wanted a mother while I had Sir Horace.’
‘Gentlemen,’ said Miss Wraxton, ‘are not the same.’
‘An unarguable statement. How do you like my bays?’
Miss Wraxton laid a hand on her knee. ‘Allow me to speak without reserve!’ she begged.
‘Short of overturning you I can hardly prevent you,’ Sophyreplied. ‘But you had much better not, you know! I am very unbiddable, and if I were to lose my temper I might do what I should afterwards be sorry for.’
‘But I must speak!’ Miss Wraxton said earnestly. ‘I owe it to your cousin!’
‘Indeed! How is this?’
‘You will understand that he does not like to mention the matter to you himself. He feels a certain delicacy –’
‘I thought you were talking of Charles!’ interrupted Sophy. ‘Which cousin do you mean?’
‘I am talking of Charles.’
‘Nonsense! He has no delicate scruples.’
‘Miss Stanton-Lacy, believe me, this air of levity is not becoming!’ said Miss Wraxton, losing some of her sweetness. ‘I do not think you can be aware of what is expected of a woman of quality! Or – forgive me! – how fatal it is to set up the backs of people, and to give rise to such gossip as must be as painful to the Rivenhalls as I am persuaded it would be to you!’
‘Now, what in heaven’s name comes next?’ said Sophy, quite astonished. ‘You cannot be so gothic as to suppose that because I drive a high-perch phaeton I give rise to gossip!’
‘No, though one would have preferred to have seen you in some vehicle less sporting. But the habits of easy intercourse you are on with so many military gentlemen – rattles in scarlet coats, as Charles divertingly phrases it! – and in particular with that man I saw you conversing with a moment ago, make you appear a littlefast, dear Miss Stanton-Lacy, which I know you would not wish! Sir Vincent’s company cannot give you consequence, indeed, quite the reverse! A certain lady – of the first consideration! – commented to me only today upon his attaching himself to you so particularly.’
‘I expect she has an interest there herself,’ observed Sophy. ‘He is a shocking flirt! And did my cousin Charles desire you to warn me against all these rattles?’
‘He did not precisely desire me to do so,’ answered Miss Wraxton scrupulously, ‘but he has spoken to me on this head,and I know what his sentiments are. You must know that Society will look indulgently upon mere pranks, such as driving off in Charles’s curricle, for Lady Ombersley’s protection must give you countenance.’
‘How fortunate I am!’ said Sophy. ‘But do you think you are wise to be seen in my company?’
‘Now you are quizzing, Miss Stanton-Lacy!’
‘No, I am only afraid that you may suffer for being seen in such a vehicle as this, and with so fast a female!’
‘Hardly,’ Miss Wraxton said gently. ‘Perhaps it may be thought a littleoddin me, for I do not drive myself in London, but I think my character is sufficiently well-established to make it possible for me to do – if I wished – what others might be imprudent to attempt.’
They were by this time within sight of the gate by Apsley House. ‘Now let me understand you!’ begged Sophy. ‘If I were to do something outrageous while in your company, would your credit be good enough to carry me off?’
‘Let us say my family’s credit, Miss Stanton-Lacy. I may venture to reply, without hesitation, yes.’
‘Capital!’ said Sophy briskly, and turned her horses towards the gate.
Miss Wraxton, losing some of her assurance, said sharply: ‘Pray, what are you about?’
‘I am going to do what I have been wanting to do ever since I was told I must not, on any account!’ replied Sophy. ‘It is with me a kind of Bluebeard’s chamber.’
The phaeton swung through the gateway, and turned sharply to the left, narrowly escaping collision with a ponderous lozenge-coach. Miss Wraxton uttered a stifled shriek, and clutched the side of the phaeton. ‘Take care! Please pull up your horses at once! I do not wish to drive through the streets! Have you taken leave of your senses?’
‘No, no, do not be afraid! I am quite sane. How glad I am that you chose to drive with me! Such an opportunity as this might never else have come in my way!’
‘Miss Stanton-Lacy, I do not know what you mean, and again I must beg of you to pull up! I am not at all diverted by this prank, and I wish to alight from your phaeton instantly.’
