The Courtship Caper (Scandalous Miss Brightwells 6)

Lady Fenton glanced over her shoulder, as if concerned they might be overheard. Sebastian waited a trifle impatiently. He wanted only to bathe and dress and, quite simply, wallow in his own miserable company.

If it weren’t for the fact that Libby depended on his dubious ability to champion her tonight with regard to making it clear to their father that she would wait no longer for his approval of her decision to wed Mr Clayton, he’d have forgone tonight’s entire festivities.

It was doubtful Venetia would be there in any case for she had nothing to wear.

But, since she’d made it abundantly clear that her acceptance of his peccadilloes could not stretch to accepting that he might have fathered a child on Mrs Compton, he really had no idea how he might soften her feelings or change her mind.

Venetia was fiercely stubborn. After she had insisted she could not marry him as he was duty-bound to obey his father and marry Dorothea, it had been impossible to change her mind. Venetia had a very clear idea about honor and integrity.

And clearly, his affair with Barbara was beyond what she could tolerate.

***

“Now, Antoinette, do you really think it was a good idea to choose such an extravagant creation for Miss Stone? What if Signor Boticelli does have his sights set on her? He’ll think her out of his orbit.” Fanny paused at her sister’s side at the juncture of the corridor that led to Lady Indigo’s bedchamber.

“Signor Boticelli can make up his own mind as to where he takes his pleasure. Antoinette raised one eyebrow as she smiled at Fanny. “And he is not awed by fine ladies; I assure you,” she added with a suggestive giggle. She brushed the silver net gown reverently. “I have decided to take pity on Miss Stone, for no prospective suitor above three hundred pounds a year will look twice at such a plain little thing, and I would like to help her prospects by outfitting her so finely. I predict she can do much better than the dancing tutor. Perhaps I shall push her under the nose of some worthy elderly gentleman looking for a second wife.”

“I really don’t know what to think, Antoinette. Is it unkind to elevate Venetia’s hopes beyond what is reasonable?” Fanny felt suddenly doubtful. “By the same token, are we wrong to support Arabella when, for my own part, I think she’s far better suited to Lord Yarrowby than to Sebastian. Perhaps we have no right to meddle.”

“No right to meddle?” Antoinette sent a horrified look at her sister. She seemed more scandalized by this than anything else Fanny had said this evening. “We were born to do this, Fanny. And we are doing our very best by Venetia out of the kindness of our hearts, wanting to make her shine to advantage. Whether it’s Signor Boticelli or...or Lord Yarrowby whom she entrances, she can make up her own mind, can’t she? As for Arabella, if she loves Sebastian, then her father should not be the one who says she cannot marry him.”

Despite Fanny’s concern over their meddling, as she termed it, she was humbled by Venetia’s reaction to the gown they brought her.

“Why, it’s the most beautiful creation I’ve ever seen,” the girl murmured, stroking the folds of silver net reverently.

“And I’ll send my dresser to attend to your hair,” said Antoinette. I’ve not seen your hair before now, and while it looks a very ordinary dark brown, it has rather a fine gloss to it.”

As Venetia hesitated, Fanny was struck by what fine features the young woman possessed. Her eyes were bright and intelligent, and of a very fetching blue, while her complexion was clear and, with the right colored gown, would be shown to best advantage.

“You shall resemble a lady born,” Fanny declared, wondering why she’d overlooked Venetia’s attractiveness before.

“And I shall feel it. Thank you,” Venetia said, appealing to Lady Indigo as Antoinette shook out the gown which twinkled in the light. “Is it not the most beautiful gown you’ve ever seen?”

“Beautiful,” Lady Indigo agreed without enthusiasm from her chair by the fire. “But wasted on you, my girl. Whom do you wish to impress? You are overreaching yourself. Everyone will say it.”

“I’m not wearing it to impress anyone.” Venetia sounded offended. “I’ll be wearing it because it will be a pleasure to wear something that I would choose to wear if I had the funds. And I don’t care what anyone says.”

“Well, as long as you please old Mr Wells, I’m sure that’s all that matters,” muttered Lady Indigo who was staring into the fire and seemed out of sorts. “He wanted to do you a kindness, and you will tell him how grateful you are to him.” There was a warning in her tone, and Fanny was reminded of her own forceful mama’s strictures.

And of how hard she’d worked to escape. She glanced again at Venetia. The girl was still in the first flush of youth, though, in a few years, when she’d passed her early twenties, she’d have little chance of escape.

“Of course, ma’am.”

Fanny didn’t miss the flint in the young woman’s eyes. Clearly, she didn’t like taking orders from Lady Indigo who now added, looking up suddenly like a blackbird who has come upon something bright and shiny, “So, there is to be an announcement, I hear, between pretty Arabella Reeves and the suitor she once rejected, Lord Yarrowby. For that reason alone I must make myself ready to appear for at least that auspicious moment. I knew Lord Yarrowby’s father, you know.”

“She’s not marrying Lord Yarrowby,” Antoinette corrected her.

Lady Indigo paused as she reached for her glass of brandy. “Are you accusing me of lying?”

Fanny hid her surprise, while Antoinette soothed their guest.

Was that the rumor flying around Quamby House? That an announcement was to be made regarding a betrothal between Miss Reeves and Lord Yarrowby?

Mr Reeves had a reputation for making his wishes felt, but Fanny didn’t think he could possibly make such an announcement without Arabella’s agreement.

She tried to change the subject. “Lord Quamby is also going to make an announcement. On Libby Wells’s behalf. She’s here with her suitor, Mr Clayton.”

“Lord Quamby is going to make the announcement? What about the gel’s father, old Mr Reeves?” asked Lady Indigo.