Calypso Magic (Magic Trilogy 2)

"I do wonder if it's true what one hears --- the dreadful morals of supposed ladies in that uncivilized place?"

"One mustn't forget that she is Lady Cranston's guest."

"But how could she walk about in the sun like that? I tell you, her face is the color of a berry?"

Oh, dear, Diana thought as she paused at the partially open door. Why would they care about me? She unconsciously touched her fingertips again to her cheek. No more powder. In fact, there was a light sheen of perspiration on her skin. Yes, she was probably as brown as a berry.

She heard the swish of silk, the buzz of conversation coming closer, and quickly moved down the corridor. Five ladies came out of the withdrawing room and walked away from her toward the staircase. Relieved, Diana pulled back her shoulders and went in.

There was but one lady there, seated in front of a mirror. Her mouth was open, her fingertip rubbing her front teeth.

Diana merely nodded to her and continued on her way. Once she had returned, she was surprised to see the lady still there, standing now, tapping her foot, her fingers out of her mouth.

"You are Diana Savarol, I presume."

"Why, yes. And you?"

"Charlotte Moreseey, Lady Danvers. I understand that you and Lyonel are cousins of a sort."

Charlotte! This was the young lady who had severely ruptured Lyonel's heart? She felt a surge of envy and wondered at herself. It was doubtless the effects of the champagne.

"Yes," she said. "Of a sort."

"I also understand that Lady Cranston is to bring you out?"

Diana heard the tone of vexation in Charlotte's voice and wondered at it. "Yes, that is correct."

"Are you not a bit old to have a first Season?"

"Probably. I am nineteen, soon to be twenty."

"Dear me, I am only twenty, but, of course, a married lady."

"My congratulations, my lady."

Charlotte frowned, just a bit. Was this little twit being sarcastic? "Of course you know that Lord Saint Leven is not interested in ladies at the present time."

"I doubt that sincerely."

Charlotte gave a thin laugh. "Ladies, my dear, ladies. Gentlemen, you know, will have their little amours hidden away."

Little amours? Goodness, it sounded as if Lyonel was secreting away some sort of small rodent.

"Take my advice and avoid your cousin of sorts. He is not a nice man. In fact, that is why I broke off my engagement with him. He is most violent-natured. Really rather vile, as a matter of fact. I shouldn't trust him if I were you."

"He seems most mild-mannered," Diana said with great and instant untruth. "Quite the gentleman."

"Trust me, my dear." Charlotte patted her arm and said abruptly, "My, how very large you are! It is unfortunate that gentlemen prefer smaller, more gently endowed ladies. But of course, if you have a decent dowry, there will be some who will willingly overlook your ---"

"My immense number of inches?"

"Well, yes, perhaps."

"Or perhaps hands, as in a horse?"

"Your humor is most odd, Miss Savarol. You will be thought rather fast if you do not moderate your opinions."

"It was not an opinion, merely an alternative so that you could be precise in your observations, my lady. Did you mean rather fast, as in a racing horse?"