The Scandalous Confessions of Lydia Bennet, Witch by Melinda Taub

Author:Melinda Taub [Taub, Melinda]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Quercus
Published: 2023-10-02T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

I found out later that the normal folk didn’t even like the punch. To them, the seawater tasted foul. It became a running joke among the men of the regiment: Move heaven and earth to go to one of Lady Herrington’s parties, but bring your own flask. Funny, isn’t it: One silly woman tries to set a new fashion in refreshments, and unwittingly rocks the magical community to its foundations.

After I’d laid the best glamours I could on Wickham and myself, and tied them on so hard it hurt, I dived back into the ballroom. Immediately I was waylaid by Colonel Forster. “There you are, my dear!” he said. “Haven’t seen you in an age. Care for a reel? You know I love a reel, child, and the wife’s tied up with that cub Carteret again.”

Indeed, Harriet was dancing with Carteret for at least the third time that evening. Her smile was as brilliant as ever.

“My own fault,” said Forster good-naturedly. “Told the men, you know, that if they could not get a partner they were to apply to her. Doesn’t do to look like men of my regiment can’t get partners! But that fluff-brained Carteret always fails to get his name down with any girl till it’s too late, so poor Harriet’s got to stand up with him again and again.”

This was a truly startling read on the characters of both Harriet and Carteret, but there was nothing I could say, so I merely said, “I would love to, sir, but I don’t think I shall dance anymore tonight. My feet hurt awfully.”

His look shifted immediately to one of bluff concern. “Poor child! Of course, of course. Just you talk to Harriet after this dance and we’ll see about getting you home.”

“Thank you, sir, but I must make sure Miss Lambe is all right first.”

He shook his head. “You really needn’t! Girl’s got her own chaperone. But go on, little chick, play mother hen.”

Colonel Forster was a dear man, but the way he treated me like a child could be rather trying. I was only a few years younger than his wife, after all. But then, he sometimes treated her rather like a child, too.

I left his side and went to stand by the dance floor, staring until I managed to catch Harriet’s eye as she whirled past. She saw instantly that something was wrong, and murmured in Carteret’s ear. He obligingly pulled them out of the dance and led her over to my side. Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes starry. The effect of the punch was still on her. However, it didn’t seem to be as strong as it was for me, for her gaze sharpened when I explained the effects of the drink (though not what it had led me and Wickham to do) and she understood immediately.

“We’ve got to get out of here,” she said. “Go on, tell the footmen to call for our carriage. I’ll collect Forster and meet you by the door.

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