Worse, once the men made an appearance, Miss Purley, accompanied by Lady Julia, was to perform a few song selections she had chosen. Gwendolyn idly listened to Miss Purley, her mother, and her friends gathered around the pianoforte, furiously whispering last-minute concerns and instructions. If they thought warbling a tune or two would impress Lord Ellisfield, then Gwendolyn believed they would be sorely disappointed. Ellisfield didn’t impress her as one to be lovestruck by an amateur musical performance.
Nor was it lost on Gwendolyn that, in spite of her parents’ and, apparently, Lady Middlebury’s hopes, Miss Purley seemed to have swung her interest from his lordship to Mr. Steele. She’d madecow eyes at him all through dinner. Of course, Lord Ellisfield hadn’t shown much interest either. His gaze had wandered toward Gwendolyn.
Meanwhile, except for that moment before the company had taken their seats, Mr. Steele had appeared to ignore Gwendolyn. She wondered if she’d done something to vex him.
Suddenly Lady Orpington burst through the door, Magpie under her arm. She charged straight for Gwendolyn and plunked herself upon the settee, taking the space that Gwendolyn had been hoping to save for Mr. Steele. Magpie sat in her lap.
“She is refusing to let us play,” Lady Orpington said in a whisper that could have been heard across the room.
“It is her party,” Gwendolyn pointed out. “She is allowed to make decisions about the activities her guests enjoy.”
Lady Orpington snorted her response. “I need to knowwhyshe is refusing us. I will get to the bottom of this. Wewill be playing. Be ready.”
On those words, she picked up Magpie and came to her feet. Her personality changed from outraged cardplayer to serene gentlewoman. She smiled at Gwendolyn. “I will have everyone won over to my side by morning.” So saying, she waved one of Magpie’s paws at Gwendolyn and walked over to the table loaded with sweetmeats and drinks. She began making small talk with the women gathered there while Magpie leaned over and, sticking out her tongue, triedto snag one of the small cakes. The other guests listened respectfully, but Gwendolyn didn’t sense they saw a prevailing need for a whist tournament.
Or appreciated Magpie eating the desserts.
She turned an impatient eye to the door again. Where were the gentlemen?
Gwendolyn was now very glad that she had requested a horse to go riding in the morning. She needed the freedom. Fresh air would clear her head. She sensed she was being watched all the time. Lady Middlebury would stare at her in the most discomforting way, and the servants all seemed too aware of her—
Lady Rabron plunked herself down on the settee in the space Lady Orpington had abandoned. “I hope you don’t mind if I sit here?” she asked. Her red-gold curls caught the light and created a halo of sorts around her head.
“Of course, please,” Gwendolyn answered, because she had little other choice. However, if Mr. Steele walked into the room, Gwendolyn would be tempted to elbow the woman off the settee. She instinctively did not trust her.
“We were introduced earlier. I’m Violet Rabron.”
“Gwendolyn Lanscarr.”
Lady Rabron smiled, her gloved hands folded in her lap.
There followed an awkward moment of silence. Gwendolyn sensed the woman had a purpose in searching her out. She waited.
“Have you heard Miss Purley sing before?”Lady Rabron asked as if she’d been racking her brain for a topic of conversation other than her true purpose.
“Unfortunately, I have not,” Gwendolyn replied politely.
“It shall be a first for both of us.”
“That is so.”
“This is also my first visit to Colemore,” Lady Rabron said. “Have you been here before?”
Gwendolyn shifted in her seat. They had discussed this earlier when they were first introduced. Did Lady Rabron have no recollection? “This is my first visit as well. I’m Lady Orpington’s whist partner.”
Lady Rabron’s eyes widened in mock horror. “I’m shocked that our hostess has refused to allow anyone to play whist. I’d understood it was an important game at Colemore.”
Remembering her husband’s earlier rudeness, Gwendolyn decided to let the topic be. “The weather is nice this evening.”
Lady Rabron nodded. “I suppose.” She fell silent.
Gwendolyn didn’t choose to fill the void. Polite conversation was so trying.
Suddenly Lady Rabron asked, “Is there a connection between you and Mr. Curran?”
Lady Rabron was finally showing her purpose, and Gwendolyn was vastly annoyed. Was there any woman in this room uninterested in him?
“We are friends,” Gwendolyn answered, hoping she sounded somewhat cool and detached.
