A Little Bit Sinful(28)

“He was, but I know he was not treated as a son.” She remembered hearing him saying such things when he’d come over as a young man. He had confided in Marcus, and she’d overheard their discussions.

Ella started to clap. “Oh, look at Mr. Rodale now, he is positively charming Lady Primrose right out of her knickers.”

“Ella, honestly,” Clarissa said. But she followed her friend’s gaze across the ballroom and there was Justin talking to Lady Primrose, her plump figure bobbed as she laughed at something he said. She placed her fan on his forearm, he said something, and then she laughed again.

“What is he doing?” Clarissa asked.

“Talking to her. Blending in quite well, I might add,” Ella said.

“What do we have here, Lady Ella and Lady Clarissa,” a woman said as she walked up. “What are you two gossiping about?”

Clarissa eyed the woman. Lady Benchly was a notorious gossip and had a reputation for being rather mean-spirited as well. Clarissa had never cared for her.

“Lady Benchly,” Clarissa and Ella said in unison.

“No gossip here,” Ella said.

Lady Benchly smiled. “I suppose that is for the best. Clarissa here certainly knows how damaging gossip can be, don’t you dear?”

“I don’t believe I do,” Clarissa said, deliberately being obtuse.

“Oh, don’t be daft girl, certainly you must know that tongues are wagging about a clandestine meeting between you and the owner of that gambling establishment. Positively scandalous. And to think he’s been invited here, among us.” Lady Benchly clicked her tongue and shook her head.

“I hadn’t realized that coordinating with a family friend about a brother’s return to London was scandalous. If so, I suppose I am rather guilty,” Clarissa said with a smile. “Seems if I were planning a clandestine meeting, I would have been more discreet than speaking to a gentleman on the street. Then again perhaps it is only the people who have intimate knowledge of clandestine meetings who imagine the worst. I admit to being naïve about such matters.”

Lady Benchly pursed her lips. “I don’t know what you’re insinuating, Lady Clarissa, but I do not appreciate your attitude.”

“You know I hadn’t realized that particular shade of yellow had returned to fashion, Lady Benchly,” Ella said. “But you always have been above reproach,” she said brightly.

Lady Benchly’s expression pinched her features. “Good evening to you ladies,” she said, then strolled away.

“Ella, you shouldn’t have insulted her like that.”

“She deserved it.” Ella crossed her arms over her chest. “She was positively horrible to you. And she does look really ugly in that color.”

“That color would be ugly on anyone.” Clarissa said. Just then George and Ella’s brother, Victor, stepped over to them.

“I believe I’d like some lemonade. Refreshment table?”

“Sounds delightful,” Ella said. “Of course, anything would be delightful after conversing with that old bag.”

“Ella!”

“It’s true.” She smiled. “You know you can’t even argue with me on that.”

“Good evening ladies,” George said. “Clarissa, would you dance with me?”

She handed him her dance card. “Of course.”

He shook his head. “No, right now, this dance.”

“Yes, certainly.”

Ella frowned, but Clarissa left her standing there with her brother. The music began and Clarissa realized it was a quadrille, not one of her favorites because you had to keep switching partners, but it was lively. She began standing across from George, moved forward, they touched hands, she tried to think of something to say, something clever or engaging, but nothing came to mind.

“Clarissa, you look quite lovely this evening,” George said.

“Thank you,” she said and then was whisked off to another partner, and another. She wanted to ask George about Franny, demand he tell her the truth about his intentions, but she didn’t dare do such a thing. She wasn’t even supposed to know about the wager.

“Are you having a pleasant evening?” he asked again once they were back together.

“Indeed and yourself?” Oh these pleasantries were enough to drive her to madness. She wanted to have a real conversation with him, talk about something that mattered. But even if she could do such a thing, this particular dance was not conducive to such a discussion.