Crossed Quills by Carola Dunn

Author:Carola Dunn [Dunn, Carola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Rgency Romance
Publisher: Belgrave House
Published: 1998-08-16T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 11

“Almack’s!” squealed Millie, bursting into the ladies’ sitting room. “Pippa, we have vouchers for Almack’s! All of us.”

Hastily slipping Lord Selworth’s papers into the desk drawer, Pippa swung round as Kitty followed Millicent. Bina and Mrs Lisle came in after them.

“It is quite true,” Bina confirmed. “Maria Sefton, Emily Cowper, and Silence managed to overcome the scruples of the high-in-the-instep set.”

“Silence?” Pippa asked vaguely, striving to disentangle her mind from the starving children of out-of-work weavers in the Midlands.

“Sally Jersey,” Bina explained, “whose tongue runs on almost as much as Millicent’s.”

“Fortunately Lord Jersey is a Whig,” said Mrs Lisle, “and, though hardly a Radical, he was quite well acquainted with your father.”

“Pippa, did you know Lord and Lady Jersey were married at Gretna Green?” Millicent asked. “Is it not romantic? And only think, her mama eloped to Scotland, too! She was a banker’s daughter, and she ran off with the Earl of Westmorland, though he wasn’t the earl yet, which is—”

“Millie!” protested her sister. “Pippa is not at all interested in such vulgar gossip, and I trust you do not mean to rattle on about Lady Jersey in company. She is one of the most important hostesses, besides being a patroness of Almack’s. Her history is no secret, but if she were to learn you had been raking up the past, I daresay we should find our Almack’s vouchers withdrawn.”

“I shan’t say another word,” cried Millicent, horrified. “Miss Pendrell told me, so I did not—”

“Come and take off your bonnet, Millie,” said Kitty, pulling on her friend’s hand. “At the musicale last night, at least five gentlemen begged permission to call today.”

“You sang charmingly,” said Bina, “and the sort of songs gentlemen appreciate, not Italian arias like the rest. “

“It is fortunate that they like country airs,” Kitty said frankly, “for I do not know any Italian arias.”

“Only two of the gentlemen left cards while we were out,” Millicent reminded her, “so the other three may turn up at any moment. Let us hurry.”

The girls went off. Bina sank into a chair.

“What energy the young have!” she sighed. “Do sit down, ma’am. They can manage without a chaperon for a few minutes, however many gallants arrive. Kitty is vastly popular, and Millicent profits from her friendship.”

“Kitty does seem to have a great many admirers,” said Mrs Lisle with quiet satisfaction, “though how many are willing to take a wife without a portion remains to be seen. But there are those who prefer Millicent.”

“One or two of those who have nothing to say for themselves,” Bina agreed with a laugh, “though the most silent of all, Mr Chubb, languishes after Kitty. I wonder if it is his doing that Wynn is so assiduous at doing his duty. I must confess I doubted he would attend more than the bare minimum of parties to launch Millie, but he goes with us everywhere.” She gave Pippa a sly glance.

Pretending not to notice, Pippa reminded her, “Lord Selworth is anxious to turn us up sweet—us Lisles, that is—for fear of giving offence to Prometheus.

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