The Miser of Mayfair (A House for the Season Book 1) by M. C. Beaton

Author:M. C. Beaton [Beaton, M. C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780795314926
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2014-01-16T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter

Six

The only talent I could ever discover in this beau (George Brummell) was that of having well-fashioned the character of a gentleman, and proved himself a tolerably good actor; yet, to a nice observer, a certain impenetrable, unnatural stiffness of manner proved him but nature’s journeyman after all; but then his wig—his new French wig—was nature itself.

—Harriette Wilson’s Memoirs

Mr. Sinclair was surprised to receive a call from the Earl of Harrington the following afternoon. Fiona had disappeared to “a little tea party” with Mrs. Carrington. Mrs. Carrington had in fact called to lure Fiona to a new gaming house for ladies in St. James’s where Mrs. Carrington was allowed free refreshments if she brought in new blood. Although she was still a very wealthy woman despite losing thousands at the tables, Mrs. Carrington prided herself on her economy—which meant saving on everything other than cards.

For some reason Fiona had not told Mr. Sinclair where she was going, or rather she did not give the lie to Mrs. Carrington’s mendacious statement that it was nothing more than a ladies’ tea party.

On seeing the earl again, Mr. Sinclair thought afresh that his poor Fiona had certainly no hope in that quarter. The earl looked hard and handsome and austere. He seemed almost relieved to learn that Fiona was gone from home, merely saying with chilly civility that he had come to present his compliments to the Sinclairs and make sure there had been no further assaults.

Mr. Sinclair assured him there had not, and then, to the earl’s extreme irritation, added with surprise, “Gossip certainly travels fast in London. How did you come to learn of the attack on Fiona so soon?”

“I was there,” said Lord Harrington frostily. “In fact, I pursued the assailant and subsequently entertained Miss Sinclair to refreshments in my home.”

“She didnae say a word to me,” said Mr. Sinclair. “Ah, weel, it probably slipped her wee mind.”

Not knowing Mr. Sinclair became more Scottish in accent and bluff of manner when he was embarrassed or distressed, Lord Harrington began to feel that his rank and fortune were as of little consequence to Mr. Sinclair as they were to his daughter. He asked Mr. Sinclair many polite questions about his London experiences and began to form a picture of a lonely old man who was longing to return to Scotland as soon as possible.

The refreshments offered him were surprising in view of Mr. Sinclair’s reputation as a miser. The wine was of the best, and the cakes were as light as thistledown.

“Shall I see Miss Sinclair at Almack’s?” he asked, rising at last to take his leave.

“I should not think she would get vouchers,” said Mr. Sinclair. “I have only just applied, but I do not know any of the patronesses of the assembly rooms and the Season has already started.”

“Perhaps I might be able to do something to help,” said the earl lightly, and then cursed himself as soon as the words were out because he was sure he had no wish to know the Sinclairs further.

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