A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(17)
Verity stirred. “I beg your pardon for being such poor company. I will not be so overset another time. I am glad you help these people, Charles.”
He felt an unexpected glow at her praise. “It is little enough I do, but it is a start.”
“I see now why you are always working. What do you do this evening? Julia and I are going to a soiree at Lady Fitzgilbert’s house. The music will be indifferent, but our main purpose is to support Lilith in the face of her stepmama’s guests and discuss a programme of rational occupation for me.” She gave a small, unhappy laugh. “I hardly feel I need it after today. That child’s face. I cannot believe I will ever be frivolous again.”
Charles straightened up so fast his head nearly hit the roof of the carriage. Lady Fitzgilbert. Well now, see where virtue got you. He could hardly believe his good fortune. Even if Fitz was not at home, he could ask a footman to take a note to his study. “I agree, it is difficult to be cheerful in the face of the misery at the Old Bailey, but I would be sad never to hear you laugh again. Does my mother go tonight, or shall I accompany you and Julia? Would that please you?”
She looked at him, astonishment writ so plain on her face that he felt a twinge of guilt at dissembling. “Very much, but it will please Godmama more. She says she has given up on you visiting with the fashionable set in the evenings and behaving like a gentleman. I do not think she quite understands the value of an income and how much more pleasant it is to have money than not to have it, nor how hard you work to achieve an equable state.”
He laughed, amused. “Finances have never been my mother’s strong suit. At what time is the soiree?”
“I do not know. Timing means very little to Julia. You had best dine in Grosvenor Street. Charles, you do understand the soiree is being given by Lady Fitzgilbert? She has the best of intentions, but an ear for music is not generally counted to be amongst the most plentiful of her gifts.”
“I feel I should make amends to you for taking you to the Old Bailey this afternoon.”
“Fudge. You have another purpose in mind. Oh, of course, how silly of me. I should advise you that it is by no means certain Lieutenant Crisp will be present.”
Charles sat back, content to leave that idea in Verity’s head. “I will endeavour to bear the disappointment.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“Charles is to accompany us? Good heavens. You cannot have explained the evening to him properly.”
Verity was curled up on her friend’s bed, watching her complete her toilette. She did not see how anyone could stigmatise Julia as bubble-headed when her attention to the details of her costume and hair was so devastatingly accurate. She must have nestled the pearl sprig amongst her blonde curls quite half a dozen times until she was satisfied.
“I did explain. I even warned him about the music. Julia, you are so beautiful. Why are you still unwed and not queening it as London’s top political hostess?”
“No title. Small dowry. Nobody has asked me, or not that I know of. Also, there is my slight handicap...”
“Which you nevertheless manage to hide from the polite world.”
“With the help of my friends.” She blew Verity a kiss in the mirror. “This is really very unlike Charles. I am quite intrigued. Did you also tell him of Lilith’s aunt’s Italian poet?”
“I may have neglected to mention that. Have you thought Charles might be escorting us in order to observe Lieutenant Crisp?”
“Now that would be underhand indeed,” said Julia. But she spoke absently, paying more attention to the precise size of her satin bow and the fall of her pale pink gauze overdress than to the prospect of her brother rending her supposed swain limb from limb during the evening’s recital.
Verity noted her unconcern, more than ever convinced that her friend had another scheme in train entirely. “Who else will we meet tonight?”
“Everyone who is not going to the Athertons’ party or the Silverwood ball. You will be able to tell the ones who did not receive cards for either. They will put on a simpering expression and say earnestly that there is something so uplifting about listening to music in quiet appreciation, rather than shouting to make yourself heard over the crush in the refreshment room. That is the ladies, you understand. The gentlemen will play cards wherever they are.”
“Lady Fitzgilbert is not so eccentric as to ban the card room then? That at least will please Charles.”
“Heavens, no. She’d never attract anyone. Besides, Benedict wouldn’t let her. It is his house since his father died and though Lady Fitz may think she orders things still, it is Benedict and Lilith who see to it all. Lilith says it is not so bad when it is only her stepmother inviting starving artists to dinner, but when her aunt sends her own dreadful protégés to London for the family to promote, it is the outside of enough..”
Verity frowned. “The protégés do not live in the house?”
“No, Benedict is a baron now, don’t forget. There are limits. But the protégés call on Lady Fitz and frequently neglect to leave. And with her and Lilith’s aunt being bosom friends...”
“Goodness, and I thought I had problems with Reverend Milsom laying siege to Mama. No wonder Lilith was looking oppressed yesterday. It explains why she was so eager to join in with my rational-behaviour programme.”