Inside was a receiving line. Their hosts made her feel welcome. Apparently Lady Fenton had seen to the posting of a marriage announcement and word was spreading. Clarissa was thankful. She was starting to realize that London was very much like Maidenshop, just bigger. The announcement gave their marriage an air of legitimacy. Especially when Lady Harrison declared to one and all, “You can see why he married her, she’s lovely.”
Lady Fenton swooped in on them the second they left the line. “I have been waiting for you,” she announced. She stood out in a red-and-silver gown. “I have people you need to meet, Marsden. Come this way—”
She stopped and stared hard at Clarissa as if just noticing her. Regal brows lifted in mild approval. “You’ll do,” she pronounced, and Clarissa had to hide a smile. Surprising Lady Fenton made the whole evening worthwhile. “Now, follow me.” Both Clarissa and Mars obeyed.
For the next hour, Lady Fenton introduced Clarissa to so many people, she stopped trying to keep track of names. They were not young people but of Lady Fenton’s age or older and obviously very important. So important they were somewhat rude.
Mars had no trouble aping their disinterest. They liked him and made a point of welcoming his vote.
Clarissa asked where Lord Fenton was.
Lady Fenton made a frustrated sound. “In the card room.”
“So he is a player?” Clarissa said, making conversation because it seemed silly to have a card room at a ball.
“No, it is where he hides.” She didn’t sound terribly disappointed.
Soon, Clarissa could commiserate with Lord Fenton. The event was a complete crush. Just when she felt there was no room to move, more people joined their number. Wine and strong punch flowed. There was dancing although most of the attendees were milling about and gossiping. It was all a bit much.
Mars leaned close to her ear. “Not as enjoyable as the Cotillion Dance.”
She agreed. “And if the matrons set up a card room, there wouldn’t be a man on the dance floor for the reels.” He laughed his agreement.
At one point, Clarissa had the opportunity to glance inside the card room. She was surprised to see a good number of women in there and they appeared to be playing in earnest.
That is when she noticed Lord Fenton. He was in a chair in a corner by himself and sound asleep. In the room’s candlelight one could see his skull beneath his graying thin hair and he looked so tired and aged, Clarissa felt sorry for him.
Meanwhile, Lady Fenton had plenty of energy, but Clarissa was growing weary of her jibes and quips about others. The woman was too critical for comfort. It was a wonder she had any friends.
Suddenly, Lady Fenton reacted to some sort of signal from someone across the room.
She turned to her son. “Lord Roker and Sir Charles wish to have a meeting with us.”
“I barely know Roker and who is Sir Charles?”
His mother made an impatient sound. “They are very important whether you know them or not. Come, we will go someplace private.” She started to lead Mars away. Clarissa held his hand to follow when Lady Fenton stopped.
“Clarissa, you don’t mind waiting out here? Of course not. Let me introduce you to some friends of mine who will help you feel comfortable while we see to important matters.”
“She will stay with me—” Mars started, except his mother overruled him.
“This is the battle of our lives,” Lady Fenton said. “If my husband is voted out, then all will be lost to Dervil. Is that what you wish?”
“I will be fine,” Clarissa told Mars, not wanting to be a bother. The sooner they were done with this nonsense, the sooner they could leave London.
“What a wise woman you are,” Lady Fenton said approvingly before steering Clarissa away from Mars. He started as if to follow but a man of about his age called his name, claiming his attention.
“I appreciate you letting me have him for a moment,” her mother-in-law said.
“Will Lord Fenton be in the meeting?” Clarissa asked.
“I will tell him what happened. That is usually how it works. Now, here we are.” Lady Fenton had delivered Clarissa to friends who sat in the matrons’ section of the room. Every ball had them. A group of mothers and older women who were shuttled off to the side andout of the way. They amused themselves with gossip.
Lady Fenton made several quick introductions of names Clarissa didn’t catch and then left for her meeting, the one she was attending for her husband who was sleeping in a chair.
Feeling awkward, Clarissa turned to the woman closest to her to exchange a pleasantry and found herself facing the woman’s back. Apparently, Clarissa had been dismissed. After all, what was one more countess in a room full of them?
Besides, they had their conversations well established and they weren’t going to change the topics because she was there. This woman was complaining about one of her maids, a subject those around her apparently found interesting.
