A Rational Proposal (Furze House Irregulars Book 1)(19)

She stiffened, outraged. That was why Charles had accompanied her and Julia tonight. It was not out of regard for herself or concern for his sister or duty to Uncle James’s bequest. He had some sort of covert understanding with Lilith’s brother whilst pretending all along that they were barely acquainted. It took her a moment to recognise the emotion that beset her as chagrin. Well really, Verity Bowman. How perfectly ridiculous.

The violin stopped wailing, much to her relief. Verity blinked to clear her vision and focused on Julia at the centre of a laughing group, having her hand kissed, presumably in response to some pleasantry she had made about the music. Her admirer was the officer who had given her that long look at the waltz practice. Julia withdrew her hand and let it flutter chastely over her bodice.

Verity’s eyes sharpened for a second moment of disbelief. Unless she was very much mistaken, a scrap of paper had been tucked inside the neckline as Julia’s fingers had rested there. Was everybody in this salon passing notes to each other? She stood abruptly and was taken by surprise when Charles appeared back at her elbow.

“You were right,” he said, toasting her with a glass of deep ruby wine. “We must thank Julia.”

“Charles, are you using me?” demanded Verity, too jolted to be subtle.

He did not pretend to misunderstand. “Ah. Only as much as you are using me. I apologise. I must be losing my touch. Did anyone else notice?”

“I do not believe so. It was not you who gave it away. I saw Lilith’s brother hide the note.”

“How very clumsy of Fitz. I must tell him you rumbled us. That will hurt his pride. Verity, I have no right to ask this of you, but could you perhaps forget anything you might have seen in that corner of the room tonight?”

She looked at him, even more hurt by this request than by the original deception. “You have no need to ask it of me either. I will forget until it suits me to remember.”

“I beg your pardon. I should have known. And now may we discuss programmes of rational study with your friend before we leave?”

Verity glanced across the room to where Julia and her mysterious suitor were now talking to other people. “I think that would be a very good idea,” she said.

Just then, Lady Fitzgilbert gave another of her sharp claps.

“Oh dear,” said Verity, turning to look. “I am very much afraid we must wait until after the poet has had his turn.”

Charles grasped her elbow. “Not on any account. I have listened to his utterings for ten full minutes already,” he said, and towed her masterfully across the room. “Miss Fitzgilbert, I wonder if I might trouble you for a morsel of food for Miss Bowman. She has been overcome by the quality of the performances tonight and requires a quiet seat and some sustenance, the better to reflect on them.”

“Charles, you are completely shameless,” said Verity, once the supper room was attained.

“But wonderfully enterprising,” added Lilith, looking at Charles with approval, “I can now be solicitous towards Verity and not have to look interested in that wretched Italian’s outpourings. I suppose it is too much to hope that you will come to all our soirees this season, Mr Congreve?”

Verity opened her mouth to say something caustic about only if Charles wanted to contact Lord Fitzgilbert, but closed her lips in time, wondering at herself both for the near-loss of discretion and for the idiotic way the circumstance rankled. Charles’s regretfully evasive reply answered the tone of the exchange far better.

She took refuge in a glass of lemonade and a selection of patties from the refreshment table. At least Charles did not seem to be making a play for her friend, she thought, then stopped, appalled at herself. Charles would make an excellent husband for any lady. She should be encouraging him if he liked Lilith. Was she was still out of sorts from this morning? Surely she was not such a poor creature? With an assumption of enthusiasm she gave her full attention to her friends and enquired about the Somerset House exhibitions.

“So this is where you have got to,” said Julia, dropping down into the chair next to Verity as the doors were opened signalling a wave of people coming through from the other room. “Glorious voice, your poet,” she added to Lilith, “but substance sadly lacking, I feel. Not that I am an expert in the Italian tongue.”

“You spent a deal of time talking to him, Miss Congreve.” The lazy observation was made by the older lieutenant. It was clear he was the leader amongst Julia’s escort of officers.

“I was listening to him, Lieutenant Neville. There is a difference. Now, who will fetch me a... oh, thank you, Lieutenant Crisp, how very thoughtful. I declare I am quite parched. Are you as quick with all your military duties?”

Verity listened affectionately as her friend teased the young men. Even here, in this undistinguished company, she had a light address and a way of drawing people in that made the occasion sparkle.

Charles did not appear so impressed. “Are you still overset, Miss Bowman? Would you rather we took our departure as soon as my sister is ready?” His tone was so attentive that Verity would have been touched were not for the fact that she had not felt unwell in the first place and her role here was clearly to opt for a swift exit.

“Oh, pray do not leave so early,” said Lilith. “I’m sure Verity is much recovered. Look, here is my brother come to join us. Benedict, you know Mr Congreve, I feel sure. Will you take him off to the card room as a reward for bearing with the proceedings so far and play a rubber or two of piquet together? I am depending on Julia to hasten everybody away at the end of the evening. She does it with a far more natural air than I ever manage.”