Chapter 8 #2
As a much-exalted widow of the town, Sarah could enter the most prestigious of events as she desired.
This led to ambitious parents seeking an acquaintance with her for the sole purpose of improving their offspring’s chances in the marriage mart.
Sadly, for every authentic person seeking to know her better, she dealt with a dozen artificial friends.
Georgina sympathised with her plight and did what she could to drive the more spurious people away.
“Here, hold this for me, will you?” Sarah handed Georgina her Champagne glass. “I think I have broken the button on my glove. It won’t stay fastened.”
Georgina and Sarah became so preoccupied refastening the glove that they did not notice a young lady approach from the side.
“Might I assist you, Mrs Fortescue?” a sweet voice offered.
Georgina looked up and saw Miss Emily Coombes, Arthur’s younger sister.
She had recently arrived in London for her first season, though Georgina could recall her as a child, when she was let out of the schoolroom on special occasions to visit with her parents’ guests. She always had been precocious.
This evening, she wore a gown of evening-primrose pink that quite matched her cheeks, and her sandy blonde hair was twisted into an elegant knot, nestled with pale pink flowers.
Sarah smiled and extended her slender hand. “Why, thank you, child. It is such a trial to correct with the inferior hand.”
“I am delighted to oblige you.” With a twitch of her fingers, she buttoned the glove. “Hopefully that will hold.”
Georgina passed the wine back to her friend and eyed Emily dubiously.
“It is Miss Emily Coombes, is it not?”
Emily executed a graceful curtsy, fluttering her eyelashes in a beguiling manner.
“Aren’t you enjoying the ball?” Sarah asked. “How can it be that such a fetching little thing as you are not dancing?”
Emily cast a longing look at the set forming on the dance floor. “I am not well acquainted with many people. We came to town later in the season than expected, so I fear I may have missed my chance of having a successful debut.”
Georgina rolled her eyes. Surely Sarah would not fall for such transparent toad-eating?
But in fact, Sarah’s brow wrinkled in sympathy. “I am sure you are not destined for such a tragic outcome, Miss Coombes. Let me see if I can perform a favourable introduction for you.”
Emily clapped her hand to her heart. “You are too kind, Mrs Fortescue. I am not destined to remain a wallflower forever.”
Sarah laced her arm with Emily’s and began pointing out key figures throughout the room. “Georgina, we simply must assist Miss Coombes in securing some suitable partners.”
“Must we?” Georgina returned dryly. Although she held a deep affection for Arthur, Emily’s ingratiating ways irked her.
“Naturally, we must. Now, Emily, that is Peer Ormskirk over there. They are one to dance with if you would like to secure an invitation to the best musical soiree of the season. Lady Gianna Moretti is somewhat intimidating, but if you are courageous, it might be worthwhile making her acquaintance. She will be invaluable if you wish to source vouchers for Almack’s. ”
Georgina credited Emily with at least giving her undivided attention to Sarah. That is, until the form of an attractive gentleman came into view.
“And who is that?” Emily asked, her words tumbling out in a rush of excitement.
Georgina’s eyes narrowed as she turned to follow Emily’s gaze. No surprise at who had caught her attention. Colt was slicing his way through the crowd. He cut a dashing figure in a sharply tailored gray coat, a crisp cravat and tailored knee breeches hugging his muscular legs.
“That, my dear child, is the Earl of Coulthurst. Despite his fortune, nobility and looks, he ascended to the title young and suffered a lack of guidance from a firm parental figure. Coulthurst has always shown a want of propriety in relation to the ladies. You will find that most parents warn their daughters against becoming familiar with Coulthurst. Even his friends have dubbed him ‘Colt’ as a nod to his proclivities with women. You would do well to steer clear of him,” Sarah declared.
She pulled Emily with her as she moved to get a better view of the dance floor.
Georgina agreed with Sarah’s cutting—if somewhat passionate—assessment of their dear friend. Emily was exactly Colt’s type, and the last thing Georgina wanted was to solve Arthur’s difficulties just to stumble into a new misfortune for that family.
“I see Lord and Lady Ravenscroft with Mr Lawrence Dalrymple. Now, he would make a fine dance partner for you,” Sarah continued.
“Mr Dalrymple is twenty years of age and has been Lord Ravenscroft’s ward for the last ten years.
His parents died tragically in a curricle accident, and they left their son in Lord Ravenscroft’s care. ”
Georgina caught Emily’s crestfallen expression and read in it: Mr Dalrymple is no Coulthurst. Oblivious, Sarah started through the room towards the Ravenscrofts and Mr Dalrymple. Georgina fought a desire to flee in the opposite direction.
Sarah went on as they walked, “Lord Ravenscroft, you understand, is a most honourable man, and he accepted the duties of a guardian without hesitation. He covered the entire expense of his ward’s education, ensuring he completed his studies at Cambridge.
That’s not to say that Mr Dalrymple is destitute.
I understand he will come into a comfortable independence when he comes of age. ”
Emily mustered a crooked smile as they came to a halt before Mr Dalrymple, and Sarah performed a pretty introduction.
The young man possessed smooth brown skin, tight curly black hair cropped short, and expressive dark eyes that regarded Emily keenly.
He bore a lean and athletic figure, though he boasted only a moderate height.
Mr Dalrymple gazed at Emily intently, but his words failed him.
In response, the young lady sighed and rolled her eyes. Georgina had an urge to slap her. What fault could she truly find with this young gentleman, aside from a moment of flagging confidence? This was likely not the first time Emily had rendered a gentleman speechless.
Georgina stood to one side, acutely aware of the stares of both Lord Ravenscroft and Prudence. She threw the pair a curt smile, then dropped her gaze. She did not wish to hinder the young people from becoming acquainted.
“Miss Coombes …” Mr Dalrymple began. “What a … How … . ”
Emily glanced at Sarah in some alarm. “It is a pleasure to meet you.”
Mr Dalrymple smiled awkwardly.
“Do you enjoy attending balls?” Emily spoke clearly, enunciating every word.
Georgina’s eyes narrowed as she observed this exchange. Did Emily think Mr Dalrymple was of slow wit, perhaps?
When he did not reply, Emily nearly shrieked, “I LOVE to dance!” Her volume had increased to an uncomfortable level.
Apparently, Emily surmised that Mr Dalrymple had difficulty hearing.
Georgina was unsure whether to be amused or thoroughly mortified on Emily’s behalf.
As far as Georgina understood, Mr Dalrymple’s ears worked perfectly.
Besides, her deaf acquaintances got along well, speaking with their hands and reading lips. No shrieking required.
Regardless, Mr Dalrymple played along. He amplified his voice to match Emily’s. “INDEED, Miss Coombes. I enjoy DANCING. Very much, in fact.”
“Perhaps we should DANCE?” Emily shouted back at him.
“Indeed, YES,” Mr Dalrymple replied, a note of relief in his voice.
Rows of couples formed on the floor for the cotillion. Mr Dalrymple led Emily into the set nearest to where they stood.
“Why are they shouting?” Georgina whispered into Sarah’s ear.
“It’s difficult to say,” replied Sarah, looking baffled.
From where the group stood at the periphery of the dance floor, they could pick up fragments of Emily and Mr Dalrymple’s overly loud conversation.
“I understand you live with your guardians, Lord and Lady Ravenscroft?” Emily bellowed as the dance drew them together.
“Indeed, in South Audley Street.”
Her face lit up in instant recognition as they moved down the set. “We live near to you, in fact, on Mount Street!”
“You must allow me to accompany you to the park one afternoon, Miss Coombes?”
Emily cleared her throat. Georgina did not wonder at it. All that projection would strain anyone’s voice. “Certainly, Mr Dalrymple. I should be delighted to join you.”
Sarah leaned towards Georgina. “There, you see, I have promoted an amiable match.”
Georgina scoffed. “If you think that pretty little ninnyhammer will be interested in the likes of Mr Dalrymple, you need to think again. She has much loftier ambitions.” Glancing at Prudence and Lord Ravenscroft, Georgina guided Sarah away from the floor.
“I have known the Coombes family for many years now. Even as a youthful girl, Emily identified the type of partner she would seek. She’s quite uncreative: He must be a gentleman, masculine and strong, be handsome and fashionable, though not a dandy.
He must be athletic. And, above all, he must have a title. ”
Sarah wrinkled her little nose. “That is quite an extensive list of qualities for such a young lady.”
“And she is a superficial brat, to boot.”
“Perhaps you are being uncharitable, Georgina.”
Sarah’s lenient nature often made her too considerate. “See if you can keep her away from Colt. She is determined to throw herself in his path. More fool her if she does.”
Georgina followed her friend’s gaze across the crowded room. Colt appeared oblivious to their scrutiny.
Sarah frowned. “One day he will find himself shot at dawn.” She drained the rest of her Champagne.
“More likely exiled for murder,” Georgina said, also finishing her drink. “He is an excellent shot.”
The cotillion had concluded, and they watched Mr Dalrymple lead Emily back to the safety of her parents across the room.
“Shall we, my love?” Georgina offered, extending her arm.
Sarah accepted, and Georgina led her into the next dance. Dancing with the beautiful Sarah would certainly draw all eyes to her. This would assist in cementing her alibi.