“No. No, Melanie,” Lady Louisa said hastily, for it would never do if that exaggeration was put around. “Great Aunt Agatha’s granddaughter,” she improvised quickly. “A very remote connection. But when I needed someone to make the journey with me, Great Aunt suggested Felicia, as she thought the change would be beneficial.”
“So prettily behaved, too,” Melanie continued approvingly. “I can quite see her capturing a few hearts this Season. Not a large fortune, I don’t expect, if she is from Agatha’s side.”
Lady Louisa shook her head as she wondered what trouble her one lie would lead to.
Melanie, who had two sons of marriageable age, was in no way put out that another beauty had arrived on the scene. Her only regret was that Felicia did not have a large dowry. She sighed. What a pity that face and fortune seldom accompanied each other.
“Did you say you knew Felicia’s mother, Melanie?” Lady Louisa asked vaguely, afraid that she had lost her friend’s attention. “I never met her myself. She must have been in London during my confinement with Ian.”
“Richards, you said, was the last name?” Melanie frowned in unaccustomed concentration. “I do believe I met Arabella once or twice, but that was years ago. ’Twas not the done thing at all, as I recall, to speak to her for she had eloped with a gambler. It was just a rumor, which I never did set much store by, of course…that he was a gambler, I mean. They dropped out of sight as he had supposedly won a small fortune from one of the York’s. But you know how it was in those days, ladies were never included in any of the really interesting conversations. That didn’t stop us from speculating though.” She smiled at her own recollections.
“Of course,” Lady Louisa agreed. She quickly took a sip of the tepid tea as the excitement she felt at uncovering the name of Felicia’s mother threatened to overwhelm her. “Whatever became of Mr. Richards? Great Aunt always did refuse to talk about him.”
Melanie’s barely concealed yawn indicated she was getting bored with the topic. “Lord only knows,” she answered carelessly. “As I said, they both vanished. Although, perhaps I did hear something to the effect that he was consumptive. Mayhap he died.” She glanced around the room and espied another acquaintance of hers. “Aha! I see Lady Gordon has arrived. What a wretched hat she is wearing! You would think she would know better than to dress herself up in all those feathers.”
Lady Louisa glanced toward the unfortunate lady in question. “I don’t know, Melanie, dear. I think she looks quite becoming. Besides, feathers are so fashionable nowadays, even though they do make one sneeze.” Disappointment at not being able to pursue her conversation about Felicia caused her to speak unthinkingly, and it was only when Melanie sniffed loudly and moved away, her voluminous taffeta underskirts rustling like a galleon in full sail, did Lady Louisa remember that one should never disagree with the Honorable Mrs. Courtney.
She sat back in reflective silence as she pondered Felicia’s parents. Her instinctive reaction was to protect her from the truth, but she knew that was an impossibility. “Poor child,” she murmured to herself. “I do hope she will be all right.”
“Louisa!” Lady Jersey’s voice boomed. “How absolutely divine you look! Positively radiant! Whatever made you stay away for so long? I swear you are a wonderful tonic to us all.”
Lady Louisa smiled sweetly at Sally Jersey’s friendly compliments, and pushed her meditations away. “Sally dear, it is so good to see you after such a long time. Though with your looks and vigor, you are in no need of
a
tonic. Nay, ’tis you that remind us that health and happiness go together. You make me feel quite ashamed for staying away for so long.”
“Seriously, my dear Louisa, it is truly wonderful to have you back in our midst. I cannot tell you how much your gentle good humor has been missed. Without your restraining arm, we were turning into a bunch of savages.”
“I am thankful I have returned in time, then, Sally,” Lady Louisa laughed. “For I would hate to be thrust into the position of a missionary!”
“Who is the young lady you are chaperoning?” Lady Jersey asked abruptly. “Do I know the Richards family? A comely girl.” She stared rudely at Felicia as she gave her voice of approval. “A credit to you. I suppose you are looking for vouchers?”
Lady Louisa nodded, glad that on this occasion Felicia was not within earshot. For she had been most adamant this morning about not wanting vouchers or any other such nonsense that would end up costing more than she could ever hope to repay.
“It would put me in your debt, Sally, for I know Felicia’s sojourn in town would not be complete without a visit to Almack’s. And I do hear talk that a certain young lady is in need of a little competition.”
“Haven’t changed a bit, have you, Louisa?” Lady Jersey laughed. “Still able to twist us all around your little finger and get us to do exactly what you want. Well, this time, it will be my pleasure. As you have so shrewdly observed, we could do with another beauty on the scene. Lady Barbara is in need of a setdown. She has become far too conceited, and the attentions of your son have only raised her expectations.” Her voice was light as she teased Lady Louisa. “What is her pedigree, did you say?”
“I didn’t, Sally, for you never gave me a chance! Great Aunt Agatha. A remote connection, but a good one.” She sent up another prayer for forgiveness for the lie, and hoped that when the truth came out her standing in Society would be sufficient for her to hold onto her position.
“I will send them to you then, Louisa,” Lady Jersey said as she moved away, chuckling to herself. She always enjoyed Lady Louisa’s company.
Felicia looked toward the awesome figure that was bearing down on them and curtsied when Lady Jersey introduced herself. After a few seconds of conversation, Felicia saw Lady Louisa beckoning to her so she excused herself thankfully and obeyed the summons.
“Enjoying yourself, child?” Lady Louisa asked indulgently. “Sally Jersey always has such interesting soirees, don’t you think?”
“This one most certainly is, ma’am, but I cannot speak for the rest, as I have never attended one before.”
“Who was that girl you were talking to? She seems to be a shy little thing. It was prodigious kind of you to sit with her so long. Even Lady Jersey remarked on it.”
“That was Miss Williams. She has been sent up to London by her wicked stepmother to find a husband.” Felicia rolled her eyes in mock horror. “And she is terrified of the fate in store for her should she return home without the necessary ring on her finger.”
“You silly chit,” Lady Louisa laughed. “With looks like that and no fortune, I fear the worse for her.”
“That is unfair, ma’am,” Felicia protested. “She does have a respectable dowry, and I swear with a change of hairstyle and a more becoming cut of clothes, she would do well enough. In fact, I have recommended she go to Miss Sophy.”
“So kind of you, my dear,” Lady Louisa murmured distractedly. She was already thinking of the note she wanted to write to Dr. Ross and was eager to get home. “But I do not think it necessary to take a more personal interest in her welfare. It would never do, my dear girl, for word to get around that you collect strays.”
Felicia giggled. “’Tis what people would accuse you of, ma’am, if they knew the truth about me. Miss Williams at least has an authentic pedigree.”
“Quite so. Quite so,” Lady Louisa rejoined unabashed. “But with me, people will put it down to mere eccentricity.” She rose from her seat, dismissing the subject. “Come. I declare I am fagged to death and, as Ian has promised to join us for an early supper, I will need to rest a while. Say your good-byes prettily to Lady Jersey, for she has been prodigious generous.”
Felicia looked at Lady Louisa blankly. “Generous, ma’am?”
“I will tell you more about that later,” Lady Louisa said hastily. “Let us go before I find myself engaged in more exchanges of gossip.”
They made their farewells and were soon ensconced in their carriage. Felicia looked out the window morosely as she felt her enjoyment of the afternoon slip away at the thought of Lord Umber’s dining with them. The last thing she wanted was an intimate meal with him, for she was afraid that the mutual antagonism they felt for each other would not go unnoticed by Lady Louisa. Perhaps she could plead a headache and yet, she was anxious to find out how his affair with Lady Barbara was progressing. She sighed unhappily. Oh! How she wished she did no find his presence so disturbing. His arrogance always seemed to anger her even though David had told her that it was a veneer and something she should try to ignore. Her thoughts drifted to the friends of Lord Umber she had met, and she decided that David was certainly the most considerate. Dr. Ross she regarded in an entirely different light, though he was probably the closest friend of the Alverston family. Her relationship with him was entirely professional, hence it precluded personal feelings. Yet she knew instinctively that she could rely on him for help if she ever found herself in trouble.
She almost enjoyed her visits with him. The only thing to mar her pleasure was her inability to recall anything of importance to help him. In her many talks with him, she had discovered how dedicated he was to his mentor, Anton Mesmer, and how important solving her case had become. For Mesmer was experiencing difficulties in Vienna and Paris persuading people to believe in his methods for curing the sick. His reputation for effecting strange cures was arousing interest only with the occultists. Dr. Ross was convinced, however, that if it could be shown that serious students of medicine were able to effect similar cures using Mesmer’s animal magnetism methods, then the professional physicians and chemists might be more willing to listen and believe the practical evidence of his theories.
The opening of the coach door interrupted her reverie, and with an effort she shook off her depression. A note from Lord Umber was waiting, which the butler delivered to Lady Louisa on a silver platter. It merely informed his mother that David would be joining the party for dinner.
How typical of him, Felicia thought irritably, to invite more people without giving a second’s thought to the inconvenience it would cause. Now it would be impossible for her to cry off, for she could not leave Lady Louisa to entertain both men by herself.
Lady Louisa was anxious to see her son alone, to apprise him of her findings. So she hurried through her toilette, much to the surprise of her maid, Lucy, and was downstairs waiting when her son’s arrival was announced.
“I am so pleased that you are early for once, Ian,” she said laughingly. “For I have need to speak to you alone.”
Lord Umber bowed over his mother’s hand gracefully, pleased to see her in such high spirits. “What is this?” he joked. “A long forgotten, deep, dark secret you want to divulge. Or gossip from Lady Jersey that you want me to confirm or deny?”
“Don’t be such a goosehead, Ian, it’s nothing of the kind.” She paused dramatically. “I know who Felicia’s parents are.”
Lord Umber jerked back his head in surprise. “By Jove!” he exclaimed. “That is good news.”
Lady Louisa shook her head dubiously. “I am none too certain about that, for I do not know whether they are dead or alive.” Quickly she recounted what she had learned that afternoon.
“Perhaps Paul is right, then, Mama. Miss Richards’ parents are of the first stare.” He broke off as he heard the sound of approaching footsteps and looked toward the door. He was momentarily dazzled by the beauty he saw standing in the entrance and hesitated slightly before moving forward to greet Felicia.
“Miss Richards,” he said, making an elegant leg. “I need not ask if you are well, for ’tis obvious that you are.” His eyes strayed to her bosom, and he looked away quickly. The soft swelling of her breasts revealed by the low-cut dress was a tantalizing sight.
Felicia was conscious of his scrutiny. “Good evening, Lord Umber,” she said somewhat breathlessly, acutely aware of his gaze and annoyed that she found his approving look pleasing. She turned away from the source of her confusion and smiled at Lady Louisa. “I am sorry to have kept you waiting,” she murmured, “but Lucy took longer than I thought possible to do my hair.”
“As the result is perfection,” Lord Umber said huskily, “we will forgive you, won’t we, Mama?”
The dinner surprised Felicia by being an extremely pleasant occasion. Lord Umber, looking resplendent in an ultrafine, close-fitting evening coat of the deepest shade of plum, set off to perfection by his champagne-colored pantaloons, went out of his way to be charming. Any restraint Felicia felt because of their last meeting quickly evaporated and by the time David arrived, a pleasing harmony had been achieved.
Lady Louisa looked on indulgently and was delighted to observe her son and David so obviously enjoying themselves. Felicia, positively glowing from all the attention, seemed well able to hold her own in such company. She sighed contentedly, pushing aside the only cloud in her mind—for she had already decided that Felicia’s pedigree was good enough for her family, even though her father was a gambler.
Nine
Dr. Ross had cancelled all his appoint
ments, except for Felicia. He had a feeling that their next session would be long and productive. Felicia arrived on time, and within minutes he had put her in a deep trance.
“Tell me, Miss Richards,” he asked, “does the name Arabella mean anything to you?”
“She is my mother,” Felicia answered promptly.
“Then she is still alive?”
“Of course,” Felicia replied.