Chapter Twenty-Five
“The premiere event of the winter months was held at Apsley House when the Marquess of Wellesley hosted a ball. The marchioness was notably absent, but the host didn’t lack for female company. And shockingly, Lord M__ is now openly escorting the untitled Miss S__. As expected, many noblemen’s daughters gave her the rump.”
-The Morning Post
Dear Miss Sudbury,
May I escort you to the last ball of the year at Apsley House? Lord Wellesley will be hosting. I assume Mrs. Zebodar can accompany us.
Yours truly,
Marshfield
“An invitation?” Sarah remarked. “From the Earl of Marshfield? Does that man have no shame?”
Only then did Julia realize her sister was looking over her shoulder as she read the afternoon mail. Snapping the piece of fine stationery upon her lap, she turned to Sarah who was poised behind the sofa, a book in her hand, making her way past to the better lighting of the wing-back chair by the fire.
“A coveted invitation to an exclusive ball is not shameful,” Julia said, “especially when I’ve all but made myself an outcast.”
Sarah pursed her lips. “I thought he was linked with Lady Violet Rearing at present, and yet he invites you. What do you make of that?” Sarah continued.
Julia’s heart had already sped up accordingly with excitement. “I make of it that you are walking too quietly and snooping dreadfully.”
Sarah frowned and took her seat by the fire. “I had no intention of snooping. I let you open all the mail. It could as easily have been a missive meant for me.”
“From whom? Are you seeing Lord Denbigh again?”
“No,” Sarah insisted. “And all I meant was that your last invitation from the earl was ages ago and suddenly out of the blue, he is sniffing around your skirts once more.”
“That’s a very unpleasant picture you’re painting. Anyway, if you recall I saw him at the Stridewells’ dinner party a few nights ago.”
She’d already told Sarah about the ring fiasco and been duly reprimanded for her terrible handling of it, although she’d skipped over the worst bits of the tale.
“Alone?” Sarah asked.
“Of course not alone,” Julia snapped. “There were other guests at the dinner.”
“I knowyouweren’t alone with him, you ninny,” Sarah gave it right back to her. “I meant washealone or escorting his latest prize?”
