* * *
A week later Alex was still no nearer solving the dilemma and such was his distraction that he almost walked past Gervase Wollerton in Jermyn Street without a word.
‘By Jove, Alex, I don’t know when I last saw you looking so blue-devilled,’ observed his friend, when Alex had stopped and begged his pardon. ‘Something amiss? I was going to look in at White’s, but if you want to talk...’
‘No, I don’t,’ said Alex. ‘I am on my way to see Lady Frances, if you want to give me your arm.’
Mr Wollerton lifted his eyeglass and surveyed Alex.
‘Thing is,’ he said slowly, ‘not sure I can do that, my friend. Not with you in that coat. In fact, if it wasn’t growing dark, I would hesitate to acknowledge you.’
Alex’s lips twitched.
‘Gammon,’ he said rudely. ‘Have you been listening to Brummell again, Gervase? What is it this time, are the buttons too large, is my coat not plain enough for the Beau’s taste?’
‘No, no,’ Mr Wollerton assured him. ‘It ain’t the buttons and the coat’s plain enough. It’s the cut. Shouldn’t be surprised if you can shrug yourself into it.’
‘Of course I can shrug myself into it.’ Impatiently Alex took his arm and urged him on. ‘I am happy to follow Brummell’s lead when it comes to clean linen and simple, dark coats, but I’m damned if I’ll spend hours each morning letting my man dress me.’
‘Which is why the Beau will never be seen in the street with you, dear boy.’
Alex gave a bark of laughter. ‘I shall live without that privilege.’
‘I think you will have to,’ murmured his friend. ‘But at least you have come out of the sullens.’
‘I was not in the sullens,’ Alex objected, preparing to cross Piccadilly. ‘Are you coming with me to see Frances, or would you rather retrace your steps and go to White’s?’
‘Happy to call upon Lady Frances.’ Mr Wollerton coughed delicately. ‘If I won’t be de trop?’
‘Good God, no. What makes you think that?’
Wollerton gave a slight shrug.
‘You seem to be getting mighty close, taking her out to Chantreys and all that.’
Alex frowned.
‘I haven’t taken her to Chantreys.’
‘Well, she has seen it at all events.’
‘What? How can she have done so?’
‘She drove out to view the place recently, heard her telling Anglesey about it at the assembly last night.’
‘The devil she did.’
Gervase brushed a speck of fluff from his sleeve as he said, ‘I think she aspires to be your countess, old friend.’
Alex scowled. ‘I thought I had made it very plain I am not yet in the market for a wife.’
‘So you are not meeting her tête-à-tête tonight?’ asked Wollerton, looking relieved.
‘Great heavens, no. She has invited all the world and his wife.’
Mr Wollerton protested mildly, ‘The world might turn up, but not so sure about the wives. Not the high sticklers, at any rate.’
‘Thank God for that,’ muttered Alex. ‘That’s one of the main reasons I go there, to get away from the single females and their mamas on the hunt for every eligible bachelor. This Season has been particularly grim, having been obliged to escort Lady Hune and her protégée to just the sort of parties that I most abhor.’ He quickened his pace. ‘Come along, it’s starting to rain.’
* * *
Lady Frances’s soirées were comfortable affairs where one could expect good conversation and excellent refreshments. The company was predominantly male but at least a man could relax and enjoy himself without falling prey to a matchmaker. Alex and Gervase stepped indoors before the rain had sullied their coats and since they were familiar with the house they went directly to the card room set up in one of the spacious salons. Their hostess appeared in the doorway as they approached and held out her hands to Alex, smiling.
‘Welcome, my lord, and to you, Mr Wollerton. You are set upon cards, I see. What will it be for you this evening?’
‘Whist,’ said Alex. ‘If you and Wollerton will join me.’
He noted the little flicker of surprise and wondered if Frances wanted to keep him to herself. If Gervase’s observations were correct, Frances had aspirations Alex had no intention of fulfilling for a long time yet. It was reassuring to see her smile without any hint of disappointment.
‘Of course,’ she said smoothly. She looked about her. ‘We will need a fourth... Sir Charles, you are free? Do join us for a rubber of whist.’
Alex had no great opinion of Sir Charles Urmston and when they moved to an empty table he chose to sit opposite Gervase, leaving Lady Frances to partner Urmston. As they made themselves comfortable Alex glanced up and surprised a look pass between Urmston and the lady. It was fleeting, but there was an intimacy that made him wonder if they were more than friends.
The first rubber went to Frances and Urmston. Alex threw down his cards.
‘I beg your pardon, Gervase. I was not concentrating.’ He glanced at Lady Frances. ‘You did not tell me you had seen Chantreys. When was this, ma’am? When did you go there?’
Her eyes widened but her smile did not falter.
‘I did not exactly go there, my lord. I was on my way to Upminster to visit friends and I glimpsed it from the road.’
‘You must have driven a long way around the perimeter,’ he said sardonically. ‘As far as I am aware there is only one spot where you have a clear view of the house.’
‘I was curious to see the place that holds such happy memories for you, Alexander.’ Her fingers touched his arm. ‘I am now in a rage to visit Chantreys in the summer.’
‘That will not be possible. My wards will be in residence.’
She looked up at him, her finely arched brows rising.
‘But you were looking forward to holding a party there for all your friends.’
‘You were looking forward to it, Frances.’ His glance was mocking. ‘As I recall the idea of a ball to shock the ton was yours.’
The lady brushed this aside with a smile.
‘Nevertheless, my lord, I thought you had decided to send the children to school.’
‘The decision is not solely mine to make.’ The admission rubbed at his pride. ‘Miss Grensham is also their guardian and she is against the idea.’ He continued, deciding it would be best to get the whole thing over with. ‘She is also against moving from Chantreys for the next twelve months at least.’
‘And have you no say in the matter?’ murmured Urmston, unwrapping a new pack of cards.
‘We discussed it,’ said Alex shortly.
Lady Frances put her hand on his arm. ‘My dear Alexander, you should have left her in no doubt of your wishes in this matter. I thought we were agreed that the girls would be better off at school.’
‘Unfortunately when it comes to the girls’ education, my brother decreed that the final decision should belong to Miss Grensham, as the...er...“most fit and proper person to attend to it”.’
Gervase laughed. ‘James certainly had your measure, then, my friend!’
‘It