Chapter 3
Antoinette had seated Lady Lushington at the dinner table between Lord Fenton and Lord Quamby.
Mr Morley sat opposite his former love, and, with Antoinette seated between her sister and Colonel Shankshaft, she had a good view of the two youngest guests, while being close enough to discuss proceedings with her matchmaker-in-arms only a whisper away.
Unfortunately, for the moment, Fanny was in deep conversation with Quamby, meaning that for the moment Antoinette had no choice but to respond with suitable delight and vacuity to the Colonel’s dubious wit.
“I declare, your unexpected houseguest has revived my spirits. Why, Lady Lushington is a beauty... and more so in the flesh than was the word around the club.” With a somewhat lecherous look in Arabella’s direction—who was, fortunately, out of hearing—the Colonel raised one eyebrow as he took a hefty draught of his claret, then added, “and she’s been a widow these past ten months.
No doubt looking for a replacement for old Lushington who was no oil painting, I tell you. ”
“No, I think there would be little disagreement about that,” responded Antoinette, her eyes glued to the newcomer. Lady Lushington had barely glanced in Mr. Morley’s direction for the whole of the fish course.
What wonderful restraint she thought. For she could see the young lady was doing her best to contain her feelings. The tightness around her eyes and the way she gripped her wine glass attested to that. Clearly, she was quite overwhelmed at being so unexpectedly reunited with her one true love.
“And he was a good deal older, too,” the Colonel went on, oblivious to Antoinette’s fixed interest. “With quite a substantial fortune, which of course must have been the reason she broke off her previous attachment.” He sent a knowing look at Antoinette before inquiring, “You did know that she was betrothed to someone else? Not that I recall who it was, but word was, she was quite happy to put fortune above affection.” The Colonel rubbed vigorously at his luxuriant grey moustache.
“Reckon I might fancy my chances, eh, Lady Quamby?” With a raucous laugh, he brought his hand down on Antoinette’s thigh and squeezed it.
“Handsome and eligible though you are,” Antoinette said with a sweet smile as she deftly removed the Colonel’s hand, “I believe her heart is already engaged elsewhere.”
The last thing Antoinette needed was the Colonel complicating matters by pressing his, no doubt unwelcome, suit.
No, dear Nicholas would re-engage the young lady’s heart before the night was over.
A glance at his stony face near the end of the table indicated that he was doing his best to remain visibly unmoved by Arabella’s presence.
He sat rigid in his chair, cutting his roast with distracted precision while studiously avoiding looking in her direction.
He didn’t know that Antoinette was a master at interpreting hidden emotions and reading faces.
Oh yes, it was quite clear that Nicholas Morley was entirely knotted up with love and could not wait to declare himself once the pudding had been cleared away and he and the former Miss Arabella Beecham could be alone.
“In fact, Colonel,” whispered Antoinette, “I believe there will be quite a romantic reunion before this snow melts.” She flicked a meaningful look between Arabella and Mr Morley, then gave a theatrical shiver.
“Why, I can practically feel the passion crackling between them like lightning in a thunderstorm.”
The Colonel, after glancing at the stony-faced pair, snorted. “If you say so, my lady. Though from where I sit, they look more like two people who’d rather be anywhere else on earth.”
“Precisely!” Antoinette exclaimed softly, her eyes sparkling with triumph. “That is exactly how one behaves when consumed by overwhelming emotion. The poor young things are both fighting their feelings so desperately.”
As the Colonel shook his head in bemusement and returned to his dinner, Antoinette finally turned to her other side, where Fanny had concluded her conversation with Quamby.
“Fanny!” she whispered urgently, leaning close to her sister’s ear. “Have you observed the effect our new houseguest has had on Mr Morley. Do you see? The romance is positively blooming before our very eyes!”
“You really believe that?” Fanny murmured dryly, glancing across the table where Nicholas was staring fixedly at his plate while Arabella appeared to be fighting back tears. “And what evidence of this blooming romance am I meant to be observing?”
“Look at the exquisite tension! The way they’re both trembling with suppressed desire! Nicholas can barely keep his hands steady! See how he grips his fork? And poor Arabella is so overcome she can scarcely eat a morsel.”
Fanny followed her sister’s gaze with considerably more skepticism. “Antoinette, I really don’t think?—”
“No, I absolutely know !” Antoinette breathed, practically vibrating with excitement.
“And I have the most marvellous plan. The moment we retire to the drawing room, you must insist that Arabella play the pianoforte. Then I shall contrive to have Nicholas turn her pages. The proximity will be quite delicious, and before you know it, they’ll be lost in each other’s eyes! ”
Fanny opened her mouth to protest, but Antoinette was already turning back to the Colonel, her mind spinning with romantic possibilities and completely oblivious to the very real anguish playing out across her dinner table.