June Calvin (13 page)

Chapter Fourteen

T
hey make a handsome couple, don’t they?”

Lady Elspeth Howard turned reluctantly to find Harrison Curzon standing at her side watching with her as Lord Pelham and his new fiancée, Miss Davida Gresham, completed the receiving line gauntlet at the Fitzwilliams’ ball.

Elspeth pasted a determined smile on her face. “Indeed! Charming. So glad Monty found someone to suit.”

“And where is your current fiancé, Lady Elspeth? Not retired to the card room with his gambling cronies already, has he?”

Elspeth bristled. “Certainly not! Donald does not gamble! He and several other young Tories are in the library discussing how to pass tougher corn laws, if you must know.”

“Ah, a worthy cause, grinding down the poor! Well, at least Whit’s
politics
suit you better than Monty’s.” Curzon’s grin was insinuating.

“Oh! Odious man. Everything about him suits me better!”

“But of course. I was forgetting. ’Twas you jilted Pelham.”

“Twice, in effect.” Elspeth raised her chin proudly. “I ought to thank that scheming little minx. She meant to have him all along, you know. Chasing after you was just a tactic.”

Curzon looked thoughtful. “What makes you say that?”

“She caused our quarrel at Almack’s didn’t she? And at the picnic. Twice she threw herself at him. You were there.”

“Yes, I was there, Elspeth, and that won’t fadge. Davida could hardly have planted a trilobite on the grounds of Elmwood, nor have foreseen that you would make such a cake of yourself once it was found.”

The blonde sniffed disdainfully. “She started that racing madness, though. You can’t deny that.”

“Actually, I started it, as I recall.”

“Well, she urged you on.”

“I believe it was more with an eye to being entertained than upsetting you. No, Lady Elspeth, I must speak plainly. Your own self-righteousness pushed Pelham away from you, just as my foolish impulsiveness pushed Davida away from me.”

They watched gloomily as Pelham led Davida onto the floor for a waltz that was just beginning. Completely forgetting that she had denied all interest in him a few minutes ago, Elspeth muttered through clenched teeth, “Well, she can’t have him, the conniving little witch. Oh! Don’t let us stand here gawking like this. Dance with me, Harry.”

Obediently Curzon swept her onto the floor, though they were an awkward pair, she so petite, he so tall.

“You still care for him, then,” Curzon ventured once they’d entered the rhythm of the dance.

“Yes, and I know he loves me, too. It’s obvious, isn’t it, that he just got himself engaged to her in retaliation for my engagement to Whit.”

“You may be right. How came you to do so cork-brained a thing, anyway?”

“My parents were urging me to forget Monty, since he upsets me so, and praising Whit to the sky. I had some vague notion that it would punish Monty. It would shock him so much that he’d come and apologize and say he’d never make me unhappy again and then I’d forgive him. But now he’s engaged to her and everything is so complicated, and . . . and I’m sorry.”

“No one is sorrier than I at your momentary weakness.”

For the first time Elspeth really looked at Curzon. “You truly care for her?” A crafty look came over her. “What did you mean when you said you’d driven her away?”

“Never mind. It’s too late now.”

“No, it’s not too late. He loves me, and I’m going to get him back.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps you could help me.”

Curzon studied her critically for a few minutes. “You are a willful, selfish baggage, but if you could succeed in breaking up that engagement, I would be eternally grateful.” They circled the floor a few minutes without talking as Elspeth plotted.

“I know! You could compromise her.”

“No! I don’t want an unwilling wife. What folly! And you’d regret it if you trapped Monty with such a trick, too.”

“Well, I must do something!”

“I have an idea. I think you are right that Monty offered for her out of spite, or out of a prideful wish not to appear to have been spurned. I am very much afraid that something I said to him gave him the idea.”

Elspeth turned the looked of an avenging fury on him. “You! Why?”

“Not intentionally. I was a bit cast-away. Told him I’d court Davida again once he was safely leg-shackled to you. Had no idea what you were up to, did I? Anyway, if we’re right, and he does still love you, then you must go to him and apologize. Tell him why you did what you did, and beg him to forgive you.”

Elspeth quivered indignantly. “I can’t do that!”

“You can if you want him badly enough.”

After another long, thoughtful silence, she began hesitantly, “With your money, you could hire someone else to compromise her, or abduct her or something. You could rescue her, and then she’d be willing . . .”

“Absolutely not! I don’t want a wife whose name has been sullied any more than I want one who is unwilling. Listen to me, you virago. If you manage to besmirch Davida Gresham’s name or harm her in any way, I’ll see that you are paid back in the same coin.”

Elspeth shuddered at the intense look on Curzon’s face. “Don’t get in such a pelter. Oh, all right. I will do as you ask. But what good will convincing Monty do? He is honor-bound to marry her now, and she’ll never let him go.”

“I’m betting that she will. I doubt Davida would hold on to an unwilling man.”

Hope dawned in Elspeth’s eyes. “Then help me maneuver Monty into dancing a waltz with me, and I will begin the campaign.”

Curzon’s features relaxed. “That’s more like it. I’ll find out when the next waltz is to be played and . . .”

While the two conspirators plotted, Lord Pelham and his fiancée looked to be thoroughly enjoying their waltz together.

A period of activity more intense than anything Davida had ever known before had commenced with her betrothal to Lord Pelham. Every morning she and her mother were up early, hard at work on the myriad details necessary for a wedding, from invitations, to gown fittings, to catering arrangements. All of this was in addition to the ongoing preparations for her and Sarah’s come-out ball.

Early mornings they paid or received calls, and their callers were many once the engagement was placed in the papers. When weather permitted, Pelham took her for a drive every afternoon. On the several rainy days during that period, he planned some sort of indoor recreation for them. They visited the British Museum yet again, Lord Threlbourne accompanying them, to see the Elgin Marbles. Of course they attended Madame Tussaud’s wax collection, which was in London for the season.

One bitter-sweet outing resulted when Monty had the brilliant idea of viewing the Royal Academy’s exhibition of paintings again. Davida noted Curzon’s three splendid paintings with a feeling of sadness, but said nothing to her escort about her experience there with Curzon.

Davida’s favorite outings were to see the private fossil collections of several members of the Royal Society who were friends of Pelham.

In short, he had been a most attentive fiancé. They selected together their evening’s activities, whether it be a ball, opera, musicale, or route, or sometimes all three!

Gilbert complained loudly after the first week, “Never see you in White’s or at Gentleman Jackson’s anymore. Can’t get near Davie to take her driving. D’you mean to live in her pockets all the time?”

“If she’ll let me. I rather like it,” Pelham had responded, lifting a questioning eyebrow at Davida.

“I like it, too, but you know I don’t require it.”

“No, that’s one reason I like it.” He had given her that wicked wink that never failed to cause her heart to flutter.

They had encountered Elspeth and her new fiancé at Almack’s the Wednesday after the banns were first cried. The two couples were excessively civil. The men exchanged handshakes and congratulations. The women admired one another’s rings and discussed wedding dresses.

That ritual observed, they had since carefully avoided one another, though present at many different events. This evening’s ball at the Fitzwilliams’ seemed no different. Yet beneath the surface there were undercurrents. Davida was painfully aware whenever Elspeth was present. On this particular evening she had seen the looks the blonde cast their way at times, and correctly interpreted them. She was quite sure that Elspeth regretted giving up Pelham.

This was the first dance at which Curzon had been present since their fateful drive home from the picnic, and she was uneasily aware of him, too.

As for Lord Pelham, he was more aware of Davida’s uneasiness than its cause. He had taken note of Elspeth and Curzon, but saw no reason why either should disturb his and Davida’s enjoyment of the evening. He was prepared to do the polite and otherwise ignore them.

He was somewhat surprised when Curzon and Elspeth approached them quite pointedly later in the evening. He was not pleased when Elspeth suggested they waltz together for old times’ sake, but she asked if Davida would mind in such an insinuating tone that there was nothing for either of them to do but acquiesce.

Pelham was unaware of the full extent of Davida’s aversion to Curzon, however. She stood half in shock as the handsome giant held out his hand, obviously expecting her to dance with him. Her father had not seen any necessity to accompany them with Lord Pelham as their escort, and her mother was nowhere to be seen.

“I . . . um. If you don’t mind, Mr. Curzon, I’d rather not . . .”

“Shall we promenade, then?”

“No, I . . .”

“Then let us sit with the chaperons. Surely you know I can’t ravish you there.”

Davida sensed the underlying anger beneath his bantering tone, but agreed to sit with him, not knowing what else to do. They watched the swirling couples in silence for a few moments.

“He’s going to break your heart, you know.”

Davida turned with a gasp to see the ice blue eyes trained on Monty as he danced with Elspeth. She followed his line of vision and stiffened. “They dance very well together,” she responded primly.

“His proposal was prompted by Elspeth’s engagement.”

“I am aware of that.”

“Are you aware that he hadn’t a notion of doing so until I inadvertently let it slip that you had a
tendre
for him?”

Davida lifted her chin. “I suspected as much. This conversation is unwelcome to me, Mrs. Curzon.”

“I don’t doubt it, but not half so unwelcome as an unhappy, leg-shackled husband is going to be. Don’t do it, Davida. Give me another chance.” He had taken her wrist in a fierce grasp.

“You forget—I would say yourself, but this seems to
be
yourself—you forget where you are!” She stared pointedly at his strong hand.

Immediately he loosened his hold with a groan. “Forgive me. I do seem to forget my self around you. I love you, Davida Gresham. Can Montgomery Villars say the same?”

Tears came to Davida’s eyes; she turned her head away.

“I thought not. Let me . . .”

“How I feel about him, or he feels about me, has nothing to say to what I feel for you.” Davida’s anger overcame her tears. She spoke sotto voce, for the people around them were beginning to stare, but her determination showed in her eyes. “I do not love you, I cannot love you, Harrison Curzon.

“At one time I thought I might. I liked you, and I thought I might learn to love you. But I now know that liking and loving are entirely different. I would appreciate it if you would not embarrass me like this again, or I will not even be able to say that I like you.”

Curzon stared away, out onto the dance floor, or into infinity, for what seemed an eternity. Then he rose rather wearily from his seat and gave her a formal bow. “Then it would seem that I am
de trop.
Good evening to you, Miss Gresham.”

She watched pensively as he made his way around the ballroom and out the door, then swung her glance back around to where Elspeth and Monty were just ending their waltz. They were laughing together like the best of friends.

“He’ll break your heart,” Curzon had said. The way it made her feel to see those two so obviously enjoying one another’s company, Davida recognized the very real danger that his prophecy could come true.

She was saved from having to confront Monty and Elspeth immediately by the for-once fortunate appearance of Sir Ralph Moreston, who presented himself as her partner for the next dance, a cotillion. By the time she was reunited with Pelham, she had herself well in hand. She said nothing to him about his dance with Elspeth, and he did not bring it up. But the unseen tension was there, and both felt it. When Monty drew her back as her mother left the carriage, hoping for a good-night kiss, he wasn’t too surprised that Davida turned her head, offering only her cheek.

As he rode home alone, Lord Pelham contemplated Elspeth’s behavior tonight in some perplexity. She had been more like the young woman he had originally courted, full of light, pleasantly flirtatious chatter. She was lovely as usual, and her grace as they danced together could not be denied.

He was pleased that she had decided to hold out the hand of friendship to him, as it would make their life in the
ton
more agreeable. It was a pity that Davida felt so threatened by Elspeth, for while he still recognized his former fiancée as a supremely attractive female, he no longer felt any inclination to make her his wife.

As he mounted the steps to his home, however, honesty compelled him to admit that the case might have been quite otherwise if Elspeth had continued to behave as agreeably as she had this evening. He permitted himself a moment of doubt. Had he been hasty in giving up on Elspeth? Then he slammed the door on that avenue of thinking firmly. Too late now.

Chapter Fifteen

T
he outing to Vauxhall was not one to which either Davida or Pelham looked forward, though for very different reasons. Davida had been to Vauxhall only once, with her parents, Sarah, and Sarah’s aunt. She had found it a disappointment.

Pelham dreaded going because it would remind him of the unhappy night when he had kissed Elspeth on one of the infamous darkened paths of the pleasure garden. Her slap had shaken his own love to its foundation and caused him to question whether she loved him at all.

Making it even less appealing for either of them was the fact that this Vauxhall party invitation had originally been extended when he and Elspeth were thought of as a couple. The occasion was the celebration of the eighteenth birthday of Elizabeth Montmorency, a close friend of Elspeth’s, so she would surely be there. Since the Montmorencys were longtime friends of his, Pelham still felt obligated to go.

Unspoken between Davida and him lay the question of his feelings for Elspeth, so he dreaded an outing which would necessarily throw the three of them into company. But even less did he wish to appear without Davida, when Elspeth would surely be escorted by Whitham. He hated the thought of her flaunting her fiancé when his was nowhere in sight.

When he invited Davida, she let her lack of enthusiasm show. “I will go, if you feel we must, but I have to confess it is not my favorite place,” she responded when he asked her about her lackluster response. “I do not know the Montmorencys, and I have to confess I did not much care for Vauxhall the one time I have been. It was dull and I got very chilled. These fashionable muslin dresses are not made for the night air.”

“I understand, though I am sorry you feel that way. I must attend or risk offending some very old friends. Of course, you may stay at home. A night’s rest will do you good.” He cupped her chin in one hand and tried to smile encouragingly.

His reluctance to do without her company was obvious in his face, and Davida felt enormously relieved. She had half feared he would grasp eagerly at an opportunity to be around Elspeth without her. She quickly relented. “I expect it will be much more interesting with a party of young people.”

“I will insist on your wearing a warm cloak, fashion be damned. Excuse me, but I get quite irritated over such things as adhering to fashion when it makes one ill. For instance, cosmetics with lead or arsenic in them. These young ladies who whiten their faces with blanc—and some of the dandies do the same to their hands—so foolish.”

“You won’t be ashamed of my unfashionable appearance?”

“By no means. In fact, this would be a good time to wear those infamous pantaloons.” He winked at her.

Davida was mortified. He’d never mentioned the offending undergarments before. At her pink cheeks and averted eyes he couldn’t resist a quick, tender kiss. “No need to look so abashed, Davida. I’ve always thought pantaloons an imminently sensible solution to some problems of the female wardrobe.”

Seeing that her embarrassment was only increasing, he hastened to change the subject. “And Elizabeth’s father has arranged with the Vauxhall management to have special fireworks in her honor. Should be quite spectacular.”

“In that case I shall certainly go. I love fireworks.” Davida’s spirits lifted immediately. “When we visited the gardens, Papa made us leave just as they were starting. It was a re-creation of some battle or other, and I think it brought back very unpleasant memories for him.”

On that evening, Davida was glad she had worn a warm cloak, and a very fine, lightweight woolen chemise, though she hadn’t quite dared the pantaloons. It had been a mild May day, but as she had feared, the night air was cool and there was a breeze on the water as they approached the park.

She quickly found that attending Vauxhall with a group of young people that included a handsome young man whom she adored was an entirely different experience from attending with her parents and Sarah’s aunt.

The fairy lights spread everywhere seemed romantic, as did the music wafting on the night air. She gave Pelham a delighted smile when he asked her if she was enjoying herself. They had arrived early in order to see the Cascade at nine. Davida had not seen this famous fountain on her first visit.

She was fascinated by the elaborate cascade of water that flowed over the mountain scene. Afterward, Pelham managed to divert her briefly down a side path, where he stole a kiss that was most satisfactory to both, before escorting her to the boxes, where he introduced her to their host and wished Elizabeth a happy birthday.

As they talked with the family and guests, Pelham stood close behind her, closer than propriety allowed, and subtly tipped her off balance so that she rested against him. She was embarrassed yet felt a delightful flush run through her whole body. She should have moved away, but she doubted that anyone would remark their closeness in the packed throng of people, so she surreptitiously enjoyed the feel of his strong body against hers.

Of a sudden she felt him stiffen and from the corner of her eye saw his head turn slightly, neck rigid and jaw working. She pulled away from him and turned to follow his gaze. At the edge of the crowd was Elspeth, dancing with her fiancé, Viscount Whitham. Elspeth was wearing a gauzy white confection of a gown, low-necked and high-waisted, and as she wove about among the dancers an occasional shaft of light penetrated the thin gown to reveal that she had virtually nothing on underneath. Her charms were on display for all to see, and Pelham seemed to be taking full advantage of the occasion.

Angrily Davida turned away from him and, finding Claude Montmorency, Elizabeth’s older brother, standing nearby, she began to talk to him. Lord Eberlin was a homely but likeable man of around thirty-five, a widower with two children. Davida set herself to entertain him, finding this was easily done if she kept the conversation to horses.

When Pelham tore his eyes from Elspeth, he found Davida strolling arm in arm with Lord Eberlin, drifting away from the group. He quickly strode after them. “Making off with my fiancée, Eberlin?” he inquired in what he hoped was an amused voice.

“Oh, it’s you, Monty. Didn’t know your gel was a horsewoman. Has a mare that is a descendent of the Godolphin Arabian. Like to see her. Why did you not bring her to town, Miss Gresham?”

Davida firmly retained her hold on Eberlin’s arm and smiled up at him, ignoring Pelham. “I wanted to very much, my lord, but she foaled in February and the colt was too young to wean or make the trip.”

“How did he turn out? His sire was Thespian’s Revenge, you say?”

“He’s going to be a beauty. He is a bay, like Thespian, but with white stockings on all four feet. Papa says he has excellent conformation.”

“May just call in on your father after the season. Like to see these animals, what?”

Taking Davida’s other arm firmly, Pelham stopped her, and thus Eberlin, in their tracks. “I am sure we will be glad to show you the colt. We will be taking him and the mare with us. Her father means to make her a wedding present of them.”

“Pity. Well, perhaps I’ll call in on you. A decent interval after the wedding, of course.”

Pelham bowed formally. “You will be most welcome, Claude, and now if you will excuse us?” He drew Davida away and started down the south walk with her firmly in tow.

Davida went reluctantly, dragging back against his firm grip. She wanted no more stolen kisses with a man who panted so obviously after Elspeth Howard. “We mustn’t lose sight of our party, Monty. Our chaperon . . .”

“Hang all chaperons! What are you up to?”

“What do you mean?” Davida’s voice was somewhat shrill, and several other strollers turned to stare at the couple.

“I mean, making up to Eberlin that way. I saw you go after him like a dog after a juicy bone.”

“I am surprised that you could see me, since your eyes were glued to Lady Elspeth.” Davida tossed her head angrily.

Pelham stopped and turned her to face him. “Is that the problem? Just that I looked at Elspeth? But every male in the place was looking at her, in that scanty costume. Might as well be a cyprian, dressing like that!”

“It bothers you greatly, doesn’t it?”

“Now see here, Davida. Jealousy is a very destructive emotion. I know, I just felt it when I saw you with Eberlin. Which is what you intended, isn’t it?”

“No, I just didn’t want to stand there looking like an ape-leader, swathed from head to toe in a warm cloak, while my fiancé ogled . . .”

“What is this, the lovebirds quarreling already?” Davida recognized Curzon’s voice immediately, and turned to see him standing nearby, a very lovely, very immodestly dressed young woman on his arm.

Pelham turned, too, and his frown deepened when he saw the girl. “Just a discussion. No concern of yours, Harry.”

“Well, now, I rather think it is. After all, I in a sense played Cupid to you two, didn’t I? Don’t like to think of my handiwork failing.” There was a smile on Curzon’s lips, but the ice blue eyes glittered dangerously, and Davida backed up against Pelham.

“Run along, Harry, that’s a good boy. Your companion there is not fit company for Davida, as you well know.”

As if he had forgotten her existence, Curzon turned and surveyed the young woman at his side for a moment. Then he gave her a little push on the shoulder. “Run along, my dove. I’ll catch up momentarily.” The girl gave Davida a resentful stare before walking away.

Davida’s eyes widened with curiosity as well as dismay at this, her first encounter with the “muslin company.” She felt a little sorry for the cavalier treatment the young woman was receiving.

Turning back, Curzon bowed to Davida. “Beg your pardon, Miss Gresham. Do you require any assistance? Shall I escort you back to your party?”

Davida, pressed against Pelham’s side, could feel him draw in an indignant breath. Before he could get a word out, though, she rushed into speech. “No, no, Mr. Curzon, all is well. Please do not concern yourself . . .”

“You will always concern me, Miss Gresham.”

“That will do, Harry.” Pelham stepped forward, anger suffusing his features.

“Yes, I suppose it will. For now. I bid you good evening, Miss Gresham.” He bowed again and walked on.

Davida found that she was trembling uncontrollably. Pelham felt it and put his arm around her shoulder, drawing her a little way down a side path, less brightly lit, on which a convenient bench welcomed them.

“Sit down, Davie. Why are you trembling?”

She shook her head. “He looks so . . . so . . . dangerous. I was afraid he’d hurt you.”

“Hurt me? Davie, I’m not afraid of Harrison Curzon.”

“Perhaps you should be.”

“Look at me!” So unfamiliar was such a tone of command from her fiancé that Davida flinched a little as she met the deep blue eyes, now narrowed and as hard as Curzon’s ever had been. “I repeat. I am not afraid of Harrison Curzon. I can protect you from him or any other man, nor do I require you to protect me from him!”

Davida felt the strong force emanating from the young man she had thought of as the soul of gentleness. It alarmed her, yet at the same time it made her feel very secure to know that he stood able and determined to protect her.

“What did he do to you, Davie?” Pelham had not discussed with Davida the reason for her breakup with Curzon. Now his curiosity—and his suspicions—were aroused. “If he has molested you in any way, I’ll make him pay!”

“Nothing. It’s just that he . . . he was not at all happy that I refused his offer. He was very jealous of you, and I think he’s capable of violence.”

“Most men are, if it comes to that. But you can’t live your life fearing Curzon. If ever he bothers you, I will put a stop to it instantly. Nor can you live in fear of Elspeth, for that matter. You still haven’t told me why you abandoned me for Eberlin.”

“Oh, Monty, give over. I know you still care about her. The minute you spotted her, you quivered and went stiff, like a bird dog on point. And your indignation about her costume is a bit too like that of a jealous lover, frankly.”

“She means nothing to me.” Her eyes reproached him for his dishonesty. He looked down for a moment, and then lifted his compelling gaze to hers. “Old habits die hard, I suppose. I was used to concern myself with her welfare, and I cannot think it best for her to display herself so. But it’s none of my concern.
You
are, Davie. Are you still trembling out of fear, or are you cold?”

“I . . . I’m feeling chilled.” Davida wasn’t sure why she was trembling, but she felt much better when he drew her near, chafing her arms through her cloak.

“Should you like to go home now?”

Davida quickly agreed. The magic had gone out of the evening for her. She walked with him along the lighted walkways, seeing nothing of the whirl of humanity around her, seeing only Pelham’s eyes riveted to Elspeth.