The Georgian Rake by Alice Chetwynd Ley

Author:Alice Chetwynd Ley [Ley, Alice Chetwynd]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical, Fiction, romance, Women's Fiction
ISBN: 9781912546800
Amazon: B07D6NJ89D
Publisher: Sapere Books
Published: 2018-05-19T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter XII: The Ball

The days slipped past, and no more was said of Charles Barsett between the sisters. Once or twice he came to the house, though not nearly so often as Roger Thurlston. It seemed that Isabella had put her doubts and fears resolutely behind her, and was now completely reconciled to the match. However this might have been, she appeared in excellent spirits, entering into the business of choosing bride-clothes with suitable enthusiasm. Amanda had her own reasons for avoiding the subject: at any time now, she was expecting Mr. Thurlston to tell her that their plans were ready to be put into execution. Moreover, for some reason that she could not quite define, she found herself reluctant to speak of Charles Barsett to anyone. She could not altogether avoid meeting him, but whenever she did nothing but the barest civilities passed between them.

A few days before Amanda’s ball, John Webster returned to Town. He paid a formal call upon the Twyfords which passed off without undue awkwardness. Isabella was politely distant, Lady Twyford watchful, and my lord and Amanda warm and welcoming. Lord Twyford asked John to dine with them; it was perhaps fortunate that Isabella had an engagement which took her from home that evening.

During the course of the evening, Amanda managed a few words in private with John.

“Mama said you would be sure to return for my ball,” she began, “but I had almost given up hope of it.”

“You may be certain I should not miss that occasion!” he replied gallantly: then added, with irrepressible honesty — “But in any case, I could not bring myself to stay longer away!”

She lowered her voice. “I am glad of it, because before long I hope to embark on an enterprise that will need your help to ensure its success. You are arrived just in the nick of time!”

“What enterprise?” he asked, suspiciously. “If it is anything akin to those others — egad, I almost blush now to recall them!”

She shook her head. “No, this one will be more certain, for it is not being planned by myself alone. I have aid, this time —”

“What are you talking of, Amanda?” asked Lady Twyford, across the tea-cups. “I am sure it must be vastly disagreeable, for John looks so very serious!”

“We were speaking of my ball, Mama,” replied Amanda, hastily and not altogether untruthfully. “John is to lead me out for the first dance.”

“Very suitable,” approved my lord. “I was thinking that the duty might fall on me, and I fear my dancing days are over. But this is better; who will look to dance with her father, when she may command a fine young fellow to partner her? Eh, miss?”

He pinched Amanda’s cheek, and she dimpled at him roguishly. Lady Twyford produced something between a smile and a frown; she rated John’s claims very low as a suitor for either of her daughters.

Talk nowadays tended to revolve around the forthcoming ball. Dress was discussed with a frequency that

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