Rake's Progress by MC Beaton Page B

tastes. Being a poor relation, she was used to fitting quietly into different households. She was one of those ladies who have absolutely no taste whatsoever when it comes to dressing herself but have a sharp eye for what will best flatter someone else. Esther was persuaded to cancel several gowns because of what Miss Fipps described as ‘an unfortunate choice of colour’. She was highly flattered when Esther bowed before her superior wisdom and cancelled two pink gowns, one of dark purple, and another one in a depressing shade of mud-brown.
    All seemed set fair for Rainbird’s campaign.
    And then, just after the butler had left that morning, Lord Guy was summoned to Horse Guards.
    â€˜What do they want?’ asked Mr Roger.
    â€˜Might be out to try to get Wellington. These military men in Horse Guards always think theycan run battles from London better than the commander on the spot,’ said Lord Guy. ‘Or, of course, it could be that scandal of his brother’s.’
    Wellington’s brother, Richard, Lord Wellesley, had caused a royal fuss when he had taken out to Spain, in great pomp and circumstance, in a separate ship hired for the purpose, a common whore called Sally Douglas.
    â€˜I only hope I am not kept kicking my heels,’ said Lord Guy. ‘It is General Warren Thomson who has sent for me. He is an old man, and the old men still think Wellington a young hothead.’
    When the two friends reached the military headquarters at Horse Guards, Lord Guy was told he must wait. After pacing up and down an ante-room for an hour, Lord Guy was eventually summoned through to the general’s office. Mr Roger settled himself down to wait. His eyes were beginning to droop and his head to nod when he thought he saw Manuel standing with his ear pressed to the door.
    He jerked bolt upright and opened his eyes wide. But Manuel was standing over by the window, moodily staring out.
    Mr Roger looked at the Spanish servant. Surely he could not have moved that quickly. He, Tommy Roger, must have been imagining things. But just to be sure . . .
    â€˜Hey, Manuel,’ he said. ‘Run out and buy me some cheroots. Looks as if it’s going to be a long wait.’
    Manuel stood quite still, his eyes blank. For one minute Mr Roger thought he was going to refuse to go. Then, with a little shrug, he bowed and left.
    Mr Roger picked up his chair, carried it over to the general’s door, leaned it against it, and settled himself comfortably. He really must have a word with Guy about that Spaniard was his last thought before he fell asleep.
    On Rainbird’s instructions, Esther had invited five ladies and their children. The children, ranging in age from three to fourteen, numbered twenty. Lady Partlett had five, Mrs Havers-Dunese, six; the Countess of Resway, two; Mrs Dunstable, four; and the Honourable Clara ffrench, three.
    All five ladies were extremely modishly dressed, although brittle-voiced and evasive of eye. Their glances slid this way and that as they assessed the value of the furniture, the curtains, and Esther’s new gown – a becoming green crêpe. Esther’s hair had been dressed a la Grecque. With her great height and her beautiful, if somewhat stern, features, she looked more like the goddess of Lord Guy’s dreams than ever.
    The children were herded into the downstairs saloon and told to behave themselves and enjoy the entertainment. Esther, who wanted to stay to watch Rainbird’s performance, found to her disappointment she was expected to entertain the mothers in the drawing room.
    The five ladies exclaimed with many flatteringcoos of delight over the splendour of the delicacies prepared for them and the excellence of the champagne. Then they turned their attention to their hostess. They clustered around her like so many elegant and exotic birds of prey, particularly as feathers were in fashion that Season. The Countess of Resway, her scrawny neck rising