The Mammoth Book of Gaslit Romance by Ekaterina Sedia

Author:Ekaterina Sedia
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
ISBN: 9781472111692
Publisher: Little, Brown Book Group

Mr Martin came highly recommended by the Ladislaws – ‘Their oldest girl married a duke,’ said Mama, with a significant look at Leah – and if one was to welcome a dancing master for as long as Leah required one, then he was the only sensible choice in the matter.

And he was going to come, and Leah was going to learn everything she could from him.

‘Your mother is only trying to make sure you don’t have any worries when you’re there,’ Miss Hammond had said, tucking some stray hair behind her ear and looking as young as Leah. ‘Suffer a little now, so that when you have your Season you are secure in yourself, and then you’ll be free to enjoy the evening when you’re in the ballroom. I’ll be there if you have any worries, but it’s much better to study before one recites, no?’

Leah thought about that. A moment too late, she said, ‘All right.’

Back in her own room, she had looked at her round, ordinary face in the mirror for a long time, her mousey hair and strong nose, two small dark eyes that flickered and shook until she blew the candle out.

* * *

Reg had gone into town for the morning on some pretence, and Father had declared he wasn’t in to visitors, so it was only Leah and Miss Hammond and Mama to greet him when he came.

‘Reg should have to study with Mr Martin, too,’ Leah said. ‘He promised not to make a spectacle of himself in London.’

‘He learned his manners at school,’ said Mama, as if that was an endorsement.

Leah would have been more than happy to learn dancing if it could have been part of an education in London. It would be worth suffering a mazurka every so often if you were also learning mathematics and history and articles of law.

‘Mr Charles Martin,’ announced Stevens, and Leah pushed the thought aside and stood to greet the guest.

Mr Martin was tall and handsome and had blonde hair carefully curled; he wore yellow gloves, and his blue coat was almost too sharp for the fashion, and he entered with a smile that felt larger than it was, so Leah had an impression of white teeth, though she had seen none.

‘Lady Clement,’ he greeted, with a bow one degree more formal than necessary.

Mother stepped forward with her arm held out just so. ‘Mr Martin, a pleasure to meet you. This, of course, is my daughter Leah.’

Mr Martin bowed and lifted one hand slightly, palm up, to take her hand. But Leah had laced her fingers together, and though she thought she might extend a hand and have him take it, somehow her fingers wouldn’t move, and so she just stared at him.

He blinked, adjusted his expression back to a polite smile and slid his eyes past her.

‘And this is Ms Hammond,’ Mother said. ‘My daughter’s companion.’

‘Charmed,’ said Mr Martin, turning his face to catch up with his eyes.

Miss Hammond curtseyed, and Leah watched her, for

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