Love is Triumphant (8 page)

He lowered his voice before he went on,

"I hear they have parties almost every week. That is what you would enjoy, I am quite certain."

"Actually I enjoy being with you," Rosina replied. "I think we will find it difficult to concentrate on anything else until the election is over."

Her father laughed.

"You are quite right, darling," he said. "But I think you have had rather a difficult and unhappy time recently, and now I want you to enjoy yourself. So if they ask you to come again, you must accept."

Before they left, Arthur Woodward sought her out. After their brief conversation, she had turned away, giving him no time to reply, and she could tell that he had been agitated ever since.

He uttered the conventional words of farewell, but his anxious eyes seemed to bore into her, as if, in that way, he could seek out her true meaning.

It was with difficulty that she shook him by the hand.

"It has been a great pleasure to meet you and your parents," he said to her. "I wish for your father the same success that I long to have myself."

He paused for a moment.

Rosina knew that he expected her to give him words of encouragement and flattery.

Instead, without speaking, she walked away. She could sense him staring after her, wondering why his charm did not seem to work. Or perhaps fearful that the reason was the one he suspected.

"Is Sir John not accompanying us?" she asked when she and her parents were in the carriage.

"I saw him deep in conversation with the Holdens," Lady Clarendon replied. "No doubt they will convey him in their carriage."

So the Holdens were determined to get their claws into him, Rosina thought. On the other hand, it was a relief, as she wanted to speak about Mr. Woodward without alerting Sir John.

"Do you think that Mr. Woodward is likely to win in

South Gradley?" she asked her father.

"I think he is going to have a tough time," her father replied. "A new constituency is always difficult. Don't tell me he took your fancy. I thought your manner to him was rather cool when we said goodbye."

"He most certainly did not take my fancy. I have no wish to meet him again."

"Perfectly right, my love," her mother said.

Rosina was tired, and went to bed as soon as they reached home. But she did not, as she had expected, fall asleep at once. She lay awake until nearly two o'clock, when she heard the sound of a carriage in the street below. Getting out of bed, she went to the window and looked down to where Sir John was just entering the front door.

Strangely enough, after that it was even harder to get to sleep.

*

The following morning Rosina and her mother settled down to the serious business of planning her debut ball.

The guest list was glittering, since Papa knew not only the Blakemores but almost all the great titles in the House of Lords.

"The Duke of Allion will be there, with his eldest son whose engagement has just been broken off," Lady Clarendon said with satisfaction.

"Mama, that is going much too far," Rosina said, laughing. "You can't marry me to a Duke, not unless I had as much money as the Holdens."

"Ah yes, the Holdens. They must be invited for John's sake. You do well to remind me."

"I didn't mean – "

"And the Blakemores will bring their eldest son whom

you have already met – "

Rosina gave up, convinced that her mother was beyond reason.

"Now Miss Kennington will be here this afternoon to discuss your dress, and then – yes, Amesbury?"

"Mr. Woodward has called, Your Ladyship," the butler informed her.

"Indeed?" Lady Clarendon did not look pleased at this visit by a penniless man. "Very well, show him in please, Amesbury."

"Surely you cannot have encouraged him?" she asked when the butler had gone.

"No, Mama. He doesn't please me at all. But he's so obviously seeking to ingratiate himself in society that I suspect he's calling on everybody."

"Let us hope that it is no more than that."

He entered, apparently at ease, smiling, full of practised charm, uttering words of thanks to those who had been 'so kind' to him the previous evening.

But Rosina was not deceived. She saw his pallor, his dismayed glance at her mother. He was on edge, longing to find out more from herself, but unable to speak unless he could see her alone.

Lady Clarendon spoke to him politely but without warmth, and she did not offer him refreshments. Rosina replied to his questions as briefly as possible.

He grew paler still as he realised that he would not be able to talk to her alone.

Then, just when it seemed that he had no choice but to leave, Sir Elroy walked in and greeted the young man cordially.

"Woodward!," he exclaimed, shaking his hand. "I

hear fine things about you from Lord Blakemore. Well, I expect we'll be seeing you at my daughter's ball, eh? That's right. Everyone will be there."

"Thank you, sir. I shall greatly look forward to it."

Defeated, Lady Clarendon had no choice but to murmur,

"I shall send you an invitation, Mr. Woodward."

"I shall look forward to it eagerly, Lady Clarendon."

"Come and talk to me, my boy," Sir Elroy said jovially, sweeping the visitor off to his study.

Lady Clarendon waited until they were out of earshot before saying carefully,

"I have only admiration and respect for your Papa, who is clearly going to be a great statesman. But sometimes I wish he would
mind his own business!"

*

Rosina's debut dress was glorious white silk, adorned with tiny white rosebuds. The skirt swept back to a bustle that swished elegantly as she walked, and the bosom was cut lower than any dress she had ever worn before.

With it she would wear her mother's dazzling pearl jewellery, taken out of the bank where it was normally stored, and now cleaned and reset. As well as a necklace there was a tiara, ear-rings and bracelets.

The guest list swelled every day. The Blakemores were coming, so were several other titled families, including several of the opposite political persuasion to the Clarendons. Sir Elroy was a popular man in both Houses of Parliament, and, as he said,

"This is a party, not a political convention. I shall invite all my friends, no matter what they believe."

"There's a rumour that Mr. Disraeli himself will be

coming," Sir John told Rosina.

"I can hardly believe it."

"Mr Disraeli likes a good party, and this is rapidly becoming
the
party to attend. Anybody who was excluded could never hold up their head again. You're going to be the belle of London."

"But of course," she said carelessly. "Look at who my father is."

"No," Sir John said quietly. "Not because of him. Because of yourself. I know that some men will chase you for gain. That's the way of the world. But most of them will admire you for your honesty and sweet nature."

There was a note in his voice that she had never heard before. It disturbed her obscurely and she quickly riposted,

"You're very uncomplimentary, sir. You don't say they'll admire my beauty."

He smiled.

"I thought we could take that for granted."

"Then you are mistaken," she said in a teasing voice. "Women do not like having their beauty taken for granted. They prefer it to be mentioned."

"Some women like to have their looks praised constantly," he agreed. "But I don't think you are one of them. You have a good mind and a generous heart, and you should never marry until you find a man who values them above looks, above advancement and above money."

There was something in his tone that touched her heart, and for a moment she almost softened. But the mention of money conjured up Lettice Holden and inwardly she drew back.

"Then I think I shall never marry," she said with a careless shrug, "since where is such a man to be found? Nowhere, I would have thought."

"Don't," he said fiercely. "Don't talk like that."

"I shall speak as I please. How dare you try to give me orders!"

"I do not order. I implore. You're about to enter a world where everything is for sale and all true values are turned upside down."

"Do you think you have to tell me that?" she flashed. "Haven't I reason to know it?"

"Yes, that's what makes me afraid for you. You're so full of anger and mistrust, but I beg you not to become hard and suspicious."

"No, I should be stupid and trusting like other girls, and believe everything a man tells me."

"Of course not. It's right that you remember your friend, but don't let it turn you against the world. You're sweet and gentle, and that is what makes you lovable, not – "

He checked himself abruptly. In his eagerness he had seized her hands and was holding them tightly. There was a burning light in his eyes as he looked at her, and she could feel his warm breath fanning her face.

Startled, Rosina gazed back at him so that their eyes met and she seemed to be looking directly into his soul. At the same time she had a disconcerting feeling that he too was looking into her soul.

She took fright. How dare he do this, as though every thought and feeling she had was opened up to him. How dare he understand her!

She snatched her hands back, turning away from him.

"Forgive me," he said. "I didn't mean to – what you do is none of my business."

"Indeed it is not," she said in a shaking voice.

"I wish you every success Miss Clarendon. You deserve the best that the world has to offer."

Without warning she found herself on the verge of tears. She took a moment to control herself, then turned back to smile at him, wanting to be friends again.

But he had gone.

*

At last the night of Rosina's debut ball arrived. The great ballroom was gloriously decorated with flowers, the orchestra was taking its place, beginning to tune up.

Rosina stood in front of the mirror, taking in the sight of herself in her fabulous white dress. Pearls gleamed softly in her hair, in her ears and around her neck.

Rosina drew a long breath, trying to believe that this vision was really her.

"My love, you look so beautiful!" her mother said ecstatically. "All the men will fall in love with you."

"I don't want to be greedy, Mama," Rosina said demurely. "Five or six will do."

Sir Elroy appeared and kissed his daughter.

"You look lovely, my dear."

"Oh Papa, if only Charles had managed to be here!"

"I know. His last letter said that he would do his best, but obviously it wasn't possible. Now we must go down to greet our guests, who will be arriving soon."

The three of them went out into the corridor just as Sir John appeared from his room. He stopped and stood looking at her as if he could not believe his eyes.

"Miss Clarendon," he stammered, "may I say that you look – magnificent?"

"Thank you kind sir. And you too look exactly right."

He was in white tie and tails and looked, she was sure,

more splendid than any man had ever looked.

"Thank you, ma'am," he said, bowing slightly.

She pulled herself together. It would never do to let him think she was gaping at him.

"I'm sure Miss Holden will approve," she said, recovering herself.

"Miss Holden?" echoed Sir Elroy, who was not quite abreast of events. "Is she – ?"

"Don't let us stand here chattering," his wife broke in with a determined smile. "Our guests await."

The four of them walked down the broad staircase just as the butler opened the door and announced the first arrival.

In a short time the ballroom was filled with all the most glittering names in London, whether political or aristocratic, or both.

To Rosina, 'Uncle William' was the greatest man in the room, since she was sure William Gladstone would be Prime Minister in a few weeks.

But Mr. Disraeli was still the Prime Minister, and to have drawn him to their house was a coup. He was in his sixties and splendidly ugly. Beside him was his wife, twelve years his senior and with an excited manner that concealed a shrewd brain.

Like everyone else Rosina was charmed by them and their devotion to each other. At the same time, she could not help viewing 'Dizzy' slightly askance.

"Everyone knows he originally married her for her money," she murmured to Sir John.

"True, but I've heard him say so openly, joking, and then announce that he'd do it again for love. However it started, it's a love match now."

He added wryly,

"Besides, aren't you trying to marry me off to a rich wife?"

She gasped at this frankness, but before she could reply, he said,

"Ah, I see her now. Excuse me."

Infuriated she watched him walk over to the Holdens, and raise Lettice's hand to his lips.

At that moment there was a small commotion by the door. Rosina turned her head just as her mother gave a little shriek of joy. The next moment they were both racing across the floor to greet the newcomer.

"Charles, my dear boy!" Lady Clarendon cried, hurling herself into her son's arms. "You managed to get here."

"I've only got a few days' leave, but I wouldn't miss Rosina's ball for anything," he said.

He kissed his mother, clapped his father on the shoulder, and then embraced his sister.

"You look wonderful, sis," he said affectionately.

"So do you," she said sincerely, for Charles was in the full dress uniform of a naval lieutenant, and it suited his tall, handsome figure.

There was a flurry of introductions. Everyone wanted to meet him, and everyone was impressed by his handsome, laughing countenance, especially the ladies.

After that the evening went by in a whirl of success. Mr. Disraeli himself begged the first dance with Rosina, then Uncle William. If Rosina had wanted to flaunt her high political connections, she was being given every chance to do so.

The young men competed for her hand. She danced with the heirs of Dukes, Marquises, and Earls. Twice she danced with Lady Doreen's brother, George, the pleasant young man whom she had met at their house.

As they twirled around the floor, she studied the other dancers and saw Sir John with Miss Holden, and Lady Doreen dancing with Arthur Woodward.