Lord Gilbert by Mary Kingswood

Author:Mary Kingswood [Kingswood, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sutors Publishing
Published: 2018-05-14T16:00:00+00:00

17: A Grand Ball

There were fewer grand balls at Drummoor than in times past, for Connie liked to do most of her entertaining in London during the season. Two or three times a year, however, the great hall was cleared of extraneous suits of armour and odd items of furniture awaiting a new home, and given over to dancing for a few hours.

Gil tracked down Connie in a side room, giving orders to the flower arrangers.

“Gil! Are you coming tonight?” she said, a large urn in her hands. “I suppose Genista will not wish to.”

“I imagine not, but you may depend upon my attendance. Connie, is Lord Wetherbourne to be here?”

“Aunt Emma’s second cousin? He is invited, certainly, and I am fairly certain I have received an acceptance from him.”

“Then I give you fair warning that I shall do something this evening that will embarrass you. I intend to give him the cut direct.”

“Oh!” She almost dropped the urn in shock. Grabbing Gil’s arm she led him out of the room, away from the interested ears of the servants. “But why? Is it something to do with Genista? Oh, her sister! I remember now. Well, at least you are giving notice of your scandals this time. It will be a scandal, you do realise that? Lord Wetherbourne is received everywhere.”

“Then he should not be,” Gil said firmly. “He is a loose fish, who should not be allowed to mix in good society. I am no paragon of virtue, God knows, but I would never abandon a lady under those circumstances. No gentleman would.”

“And is it quite certain that this happened so? He was betrothed to the elder Miss Hamilton, he took her virtue and then left her ruined?”

Gil nodded.

“Then you must cut him, beyond all question. But must it happen in the great hall?” she said nervously. “Perhaps if it were to happen in one of the card rooms…”

“Which would materially reduce the effect, do you not agree? No, it must be done, Connie, and it must be in as public a place as possible. I accounted him a friend, you know, and I cannot possibly keep up the acquaintance under such circumstances.”

“No. No, I do see that, dear. I wonder if—” She stopped, frowning. “There was a young lady last season, a Miss Hyde, who was supposedly on the brink of a betrothal to Lord Wetherbourne. It never seemed very likely to me, since she had neither connections nor fortune, and one felt that that he was hanging out for a rich wife, but so it was rumoured. And then she disappeared, and I heard she was married very quietly to a cousin not long after. Oh dear! I wonder if Miss Hamilton is not the only unfortunate young lady to fall victim to the baron. How dreadful! But I am very glad you have told me of your plans, Gil, for there is nothing more fatal to a successful event than a surprise.”

~~~~~

Gil spent the afternoon with Genista, playing backgammon and, when they tired of that, listening to her play the spinet.

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