A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(11)
“At what time do we go to the Heywards?” she asked, helping herself to a roll from the plate and spreading it with butter. She lowered her voice. “And will I meet this vexatious new suitor of yours there?”
Julia’s eyes twinkled wickedly as she passed the damson preserve. “Harriet made a point of asking her brother if any of his regiment were free to help us practise,” she murmured. In her normal tones she went on, “At one o’clock. Afterwards, if you wish, we could call in at Hatchards so you can purchase an improving book to impress Charles.”
Mrs Congreve looked up from where she was conversing with Verity’s mother. “Such an odd clause. Was the dear admiral perfectly sound when he stipulated it?”
“We will never know, Godmama. It was added in Newmarket, according to Charles, so possibly he had just had a reverse on a horse. However, it has impelled us to London, which is a very good thing for Mama, and I intend to bother Charles dreadfully with instances of serious behaviour so he will become exhausted long before the six months are up and make over Uncle James’s estate to me without a murmur. Mama and I can then abandon the dower house with all haste and take a nice property at the other end of the town from Kennet End.”
“Speaking for myself, I hope Charles will do no such thing,” said Julia.
“Well, you are a poor excuse for a friend. Why, pray?”
“Because as soon as your object is achieved, you will be leaving us for Newmarket again. Life is never tedious when you are here. Do you know how few people I can converse with without becoming bored? One cannot be forever picking apart the gossip and learning new dance steps.”
“Oh, you poor creature. I had no idea all the shops in London had ceased trading,” said Verity sympathetically.
Julia spread her hands. “With what am I to shop? I am at penury’s door until the quarter. Why was I not born as wealthy as Lilith Fitzgilbert? She will also be at the Heywards, incidentally.”
Verity stared in disbelief. “You are not telling me Lilith needs to practise the waltz?”
“No, of course she does not, no more than we do. But she hankers for bosom friends to whom she can unpack her troubles in private. Her aunt has sent them an Italian poet that her stepmother may introduce him into society. The wretched man is presently haunting the house and has fallen madly in love with her.”
“Poor Lilith. Well, I shall be very glad to see her again. I daresay she knows all the best galleries where I might improve my mind by viewing important paintings and studying ancient artefacts.”
Julia’s lips curved into a smile. “I have very little doubt of it, and it will enable her to leave the house with impunity. What a happy thought of yours, Verity. With no money to my name, we shall become culture hawks together. I foresee a most instructional autumn.”
Julia, thought Verity, was most definitely up to something.
As soon as the officers entered Mrs Heyward’s saloon in their uniform coats and faultless breeches, Verity predicted which one was Lieutenant Crisp and immediately saw very clearly why Julia’s father opposed any sort of match between them. What was not so clear was why Charles had stigmatised him as a puppy. The gentleman in question bowed over Lady Heyward’s hand, sent a lazy look at Julia with the merest hint of a smoulder to it, then fell into conversation with the elder Miss Heyward.
Goodness, thought Verity, suddenly very glad she was wearing a high-necked bodice with her pale grey silk. Her friend had certainly caught a lively suitor here.
Engaged in making conversation with the other young ladies and watching the door for Lilith Fitzgerald, she was unaware of Julia’s movements until her perfectly modulated voice said, “Verity, may I present Lieutenant Crisp? Lieutenant Crisp, this is my oldest friend, Miss Bowman. Our cradles were side by side in the nursery.”
Verity gathered her defences and looked up... into the disingenuous, freckled face of a very young officer. “Oh,” she said, taken aback. “Good afternoon.”
“I am pleased to meet you,” he replied, and bent an adoring look on Julia. “Any friend of Miss Congreve’s needs no other recommendation.”
“How absurd you are,” said Julia indulgently, and from that moment on, Verity knew her friend’s family had nothing to fear from Lieutenant Crisp. The other officer, however, who she could see raising a blush on Harriet Heyward’s cheek, was different matter entirely.
The Honourable Lilith Fitzgilbert entered the room at that moment and gave a cry of delight at seeing Verity, so she was able to smile in a civil, uncommitted way at Lieutenant Crisp and cross to greet her.
“Lilith, how fortunate. I find myself in great need of your counsel - or more particularly, your blue-stocking tendencies.”
“How lovely to see you, Verity. Pray do speak a little louder. I am not sure all the marriageable gentlemen in the room heard you.”
“Fiddle, none of them are worth wasting the price of a good cultural guide on. I cannot imagine why Julia fills her days with such fribbles. I require knowledge, Lilith.”
Lilith linked her arm in Verity’s. “Now I know you are back in town. How may I help? And, more to the point, perhaps, why?”
“The most tiresome thing. I have to prove to Charles that I am spending six months in a rational manner before I can gain access to my uncle’s legacy and take a nicer house for Mama and me to live in. We have seen the very one and I am now in a fever lest someone else takes it. It is a little shabby to be sure, but that means it is a bargain. Even Charles reluctantly admits it to be a good investment, if rather too large for us. What I need is to draw up a programme of cultural recreation that I might impress him with my seriousness, and then I am sure Furze House is as good as mine.”