The Belle Dames Club by Melinda Hammond

I gave for stealing you away, I think we really must admire the orchestra.’

CHAPTER FIFTEEN
    As the ladies of the Belles Dames Club made their way back to their carriages, they tried unsuccessfully to learn Lady Gaunt’s plans for the following night but she would tell them nothing, promising to reveal all only when they reached Norwell House.
    ‘But that is no good to me!’ cried Mrs Leighton-Kettering. ‘You know I am holding a dinner tomorrow night, so I cannot join you.’
    ‘Nor I,’ added Alicia Greynard. ‘Really, Dorothea, it is too bad of you to arrange these things before asking the rest of us.’
    Lady Gaunt waved one languid hand.
    ‘Well, it could not be helped, the opportunity was too good to miss.’
    Lady Wyckenham tapped her arm with her closed fan.
    ‘Come, Dorothea, surely you can give us some hint of what you mean to do?’
    But Lady Gaunt was not to be moved and the ladies went their separate ways, still grumbling at their friend’s secretive nature.
    Lady Wyckenham’s frustration was still simmering when they at last reached Charlotte Street.
    ‘It is just too bad of Dorothea!’ she complained. ‘I would very much like to know just what she expects to do. I cannot say that I like this. Dorothea can be so impetuous, and is apt to be a little wild at times. Good evening, Simmons, how good of you to wait up for us.’
    ‘Good evening, my lady. I thought I should, seeing as there’s a letter for you.’ He indicated a sleepy-looking footman standing behind him.
    ‘A letter?’ Lady Wyckenham held out her hand for it, tore open the seal and unfolded the crackling sheet as she walked across to the console table at one side of the hall, where a cluster of candles gleamed in a silver holder. Clarissa removed her domino and handed it to the butler, all the time keeping her eyes upon her stepmama. Lady Wyckenham read the note, her face impassive, then folded the sheet. She turned to the footman .
    ‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘There is no reply.’
    The servant bowed and Simmons opened the front door to let him out. Clarissa frowned.
    ‘What is it, Mama-Nell? What was that letter?’
    ‘Nothing to worry you, my dear.’ Lady Wyckenham set off up the stairs.
    Clarissa followed her.
    ‘But it has worried you, madam.’
    Lady Wyckenham laughed.
    ‘Mama-Nell, was it from a man – is he, is he importuning you?’
    My lady’s steps faltered but only for a moment.
    ‘Yes.’
    ‘Like Sir Howard Besthorpe and Julia?’
    ‘Not quite like that, my dear.’
    She hurried up the stairs to her room, but at the door Clarissa stopped her.
    ‘Mama-Nell, will you not tell me? Perhaps I may help you.’
    ‘Bless you, child. It is nothing, a mere inconvenience that I must resolve.’
    ‘But Mama-Nell—’
    Lady Wyckenham flashed her a brief, mischievous smile.
    ‘Do you know, I find I can be quite as secretive as Dorothea Gaunt? Go to bed, Clarissa, and do not worry yourself over me.’

CHAPTER SIXTEEN
    It had been arranged that Lady Gaunt would collect Clarissa and Lady Wyckenham in her carriage the following evening, and shortly before the appointed hour Clarissa walked into Mama-Nell’s dressing-room.
    ‘Lady Gaunt said to wear something dark, so I thought this riding habit would suit, since it is midnight-blue. What do you think?’ She stopped, blinking in surprise to find her stepmother still seated at her dressing table. ‘Madam? You are not ready, you have not changed.’
    ‘Oh, Clarissa, my love – you must give my apologies to Dorothea. I am not able to come with you tonight.’ My lady didnot turn from her mirror, but her voice sounded unnaturally bright.
    Clarissa crossed the room and stood behind Lady Wyckenham, staring at her reflection in the mirror.
    ‘Mama-Nell, what is this, what is wrong?’
    Lady Wyckenham did not meet her eyes.
    ‘Why, nothing, my love. My, how suspicious you are grown! No, I-I have an appointment that I had overlooked and I cannot break it, so you will