Sir Rowland was unable to seek out Miss Lound as soon as he himself returned to the party, for Lady Roxton, in blissful ignorance of what he had said to her spouse, introduced him to a shy young lady as a dancing partner.
Miss Lound watched him dance, and without any pang of jealousy, for which she commended herself, since Madeleine Banham was ‘safe’, dancing with Mr Potterne, but as the music ended she seemed to disappear into thin air. When Sir Rowland came to her after the dance, Mary Lound looked worried.
‘I saw her dancing, Sir Rowland, but now she has disappeared, and I cannot keep asking after her. It would be too obvious.’
‘I understand. Instead of you seeking her alone, place your hand upon my arm, and we will look as if we are not looking for anyone, merely moving from room to room, enjoying each other’s company.’
‘Sir Rowland, I am not just “looking” as if I enjoy your company.’
‘I am glad of that, Miss Lound.’ As she laid her hand on this arm his other hand was, very fleetingly, placed over hers. She looked up at him, not affronted, just questioning if it was real and not a dream.
Sir Rowland and Miss Lound worked their way around the room, giving every sign of nonchalance, and then into the salon set aside for refreshments.
‘She is not here, sir,’ murmured Miss Lound.
‘No, and what is worse, I have not seen Cradley.’
‘She is not so foolish as to slip away alone with him,324surely? She is naïve, yes, but I do not think she is empty-headed.’ Miss Lound sounded worried.
‘Sadly, ma’am, the art of being a “good” seducer is being able to get decent young women to cast sense and decorum to the winds.’
‘You do not think … at her own ball …?’
‘No, no, but a stolen kiss, a further assignation … Miss Lound I have a confession to make.’
‘Do not tell me you are a reformed seducer, Sir Rowland, because I will not believe it.’
‘Now, is it that you do not believe I could reform, or be a seducer in the first place?’ He gave a low laugh.
‘The latter sir, as you well know, and because of your character, not a lack of abil—Oh dear, that sounds wrong.’
‘I comprehend you, Miss Lound, and thank you.’ He was serious once more and revealed his own knowledge of Jasper Risley’s ‘seductive’ past. ‘My sister was then fortunate enough to find a very decent man who adores her, and she him, and no harm was done, but when I met Cradley I recognised him. His name I had forgotten, for it was five years ago and we had never spoken.’
‘Then all the more reason for us to find Madeleine. There is the orangery, of course. It is small, but I hardly think it would be crowded with lovers in such company as this, where most courtship is done openly and with approval.’
‘Then let us try the orangery.’325
Madeleine Banham was confused. She had agreed to Lord Cradley leading her from the main reception rooms because he had pleaded with her so earnestly, and after her second glass of champagne, and buoyed by excitement, her guard was a little down. He was a very charming gentleman, and when he was with one it was hard to see him as duplicitous. He said things which made one feel very grown up and now he was telling her how she would shine out among the ladies being brought out next Season.
He thought he had said enough to make her amenable to a little foray over the bounds of propriety, although he would not go so far as to scare her. One needed patience. He was standing very close to her, and with one hand he took hers and raised it to his lips.
‘You are the most captivating young lady,’ he purred, letting go of the hand and running the back of his finger down Madeleine’s cheek. Her eyes widened in surprise, but she did not back away. That gave him encouragement. His smile lengthened a fraction and he bent his head.
‘I hear congratulations are in order, Cradley. Will Lady Cradley be coming into Gloucestershire for her confinement?’ Sir Rowland’s voice rang clear and, however ‘congratulatory’, had a distinct edge to it. His words had immediate effect. Miss Banham pulled back, shaking Lord Cradley’s arm from her own with a horrified ‘How could you?’, and burst into tears. Cradley whipped round to see Sir Rowland with Miss Lound upon his arm.326
Miss Lound held out her hand to Madeleine. ‘Go to your mama and keep your poise as best you can. Nothing happened here.’ She spoke softly, and Madeleine, bosom heaving, nodded and half ran from the orangery. Sir Rowland wondered why Miss Lound had not accompanied her.
Cradley’s first thought was that it had been Miss Lound who had proved his nemesis, discovering his ‘secret’, for the enmity with her was thinly disguised, and he had no doubt she, like all women, pried.
‘You think yourself so very clever, Miss Lound,’ he snarled.
Sir Rowland stiffened, but Miss Lound gave him stare for stare, and then, to the surprise of both gentlemen, stepped forward and delivered a ringing slap to his cheek.
‘You, sir, are a cur, and that is from Miss Banham and all decent women. I pity your poor wife.’
For one moment Cradley’s face was murderous, and his right arm moved as if he would strike her back, but as Sir Rowland took the first pace to prevent him, he relaxed.
‘Miss Lound the hound, was it? All that sniffing about for something detrimental?’ sneered Cradley.
