“That is our other problem,” Shrewsbury said.
“There are plenty of young women who aspire to be governesses,” Elise said. “I should think at least some of them would find a post such as this a step up from that kind of drudgery. You simply need to advertise. Sophie and I could interview them.”
“And depending upon what the future brings, I might make a creditable music mistress,” Sophie added. “It would certainly be a more useful life than my living at Ruisdell Palace. In fact, I think I would quite enjoy it.”
Elise looked distressed, Shrewsbury thoughtful. The duke said, “Somehow I do not think that you were meant to live out your life in Chipping Norton, my dear.”
Raising her chin, Sophie said, “We shall see.”
{ 30 }
FRANK FOUND THE ROUT DULL. In fact, life was dull without at least the idea that Sophie was in London. Lila could not be dislodged from his side.
“Oh look, Frank, dear, there are the Carstairs! They are looking about for someone. Is it you?”
“Possibly. They will want news of Sophie.” Happy to see his friends, he walked toward them.
“Bella,” he said once he reached them, “you look stunning in red. Joseph, it is good to see you, my friend.”
“Likewise,” Joseph said. Looking at Lila, in possession of Frank’s arm, he seemed confused. “What is new with you, Frank?”
“You have not heard of my engagement?”
“No!” said Bella. “We are sadly behind on the gossip. We have been in the country since Sophie took ill. Congratulations! When are you to be married?”
“In three weeks’ time. But you should know—” He paused to give Lila a significant look, but she did not remove her arm from his. “—It is not Miss Edwards whom I will wed, but Lady Melissa Aldridge.”
Bella’s eyes grew wide. “Have you known her long?”
Lila interrupted the exchange. “It is very painful for poor Frank. He compromised the gel. She is Miss Edward’s best friend, worse luck.”
Sparks shot from Bella’s eyes at Lila’s careless words. Taking her husband’s arm, she turned, giving Frank and Lila the cut direct.
“Thank you for that, Lila,” Frank said, his voice full of venom. “Now they think that I have become a shockingly loose fish, and not content with behaving badly toward Lady Melissa, I have taken you on as mistress, to boot. All that in addition to breaking Sophie’s heart. Will you kindly loose my arm!”
Lila laughed and moved away from him with her accustomed grace. Frank decided he needed to find his erstwhile fiancée in case others in the room may begin thinking like the Carstairs. It was the first time it had occurred to him to do so.
Lady Melissa was standing with Lord Donald, conversing in a most flirtatious manner with Lord Oaksey. Raising his eyebrows, he decided that this was not a conversation he wanted to interrupt. Going to the refreshment room, he poured himself a glass of punch, put a number of crab sandwiches on a plate, and helped himself to a small branch of grapes.
Oaksey. What can I do to encourage Oaksey?
Though it was unlike him, he sought out a quiet corner to think the matter through.
Nothing. If I appeared to be trying to slough off my engagement to Lady Melissa, Oaksey would think there was something badly wrong with her and would balk. Devil take it!
When at last the young lord left her side in company with Lord Donald, Frank approached his affianced. Her look was cold with disdain.
Pulling her hand from his grasp, she said, “Is it not enough that I must marry you without being publicly humiliated by your carrying on with your mistress? If my father were here, he would cut my dowry by half!”
“She is not my mistress!”
“Do you not know that the truth does not matter? All the ton is here. And you can wager what you like, but I know that the on dit is that you have taken up with her again. ‘Poor Lady Melissa.’”
She was right. Frank was reduced to sheer misery.
{ 31 }
UPON HER PARTY’S RETURN to London on Thursday evening, Sophie wrote a note to the Carstairs, telling of her return and her desire to once again set about their rehearsals. She wished to get the concert scheduled for the near future. Though she was very glad that the ton knew nothing of her feelings for Frank, she still did not think she could abide attending his wedding, if it came to that.
Fanny was overjoyed to have her home. “It has been deuced dull without you around,” her sister said, employing her favorite unladylike slang. Sophie smiled. Fanny only used it when she truly meant what she said. “Buck has gone down to Kent to settle a problem with his workers. Apparently, his new estate agent is having some difficulties. Possibly he should not have tried to employ one of his seamen for the job.”