The Headstrong Ward by Jane Ashford Page A

was gone, the two girls settled on the sofa. “How is everything?” asked Arabella anxiously. “Are you getting on with the Debenhams?”
    â€œWell enough. They are not quite…what I expected.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Anne frowned. “It is hard to say.”
    â€œWell, what did Lord Wrenley say about the parrot? Has he been horrid?” She smiled. “Augustus, I mean.”
    â€œHe said almost nothing. I think I made a mistake buying Augustus, Bella. It was a very childish thing to do.”
    The other stared at her, astonished to hear this from the madcap Anne Tremayne.
    â€œIn fact, I am rapidly coming to the conclusion that the Debenhams need my help,” continued Anne. She grinned. “They have made a shocking mull of things without me.”
    â€œWhat can you mean?”
    â€œI think—though I am not yet certain, mind—that I shall set the family in order.” Her dimples showed again.
    â€œAnne! What are you planning? You know it is disastrous when you try to interfere in other people’s lives. Remember Miss Trevor!”
    â€œThat wasn’t my fault. I bought her those books because she longed for them so. If she had not told the headmistress, she would not have been reprimanded.”
    â€œBut she was asked where they came from. And everyone knew she hadn’t the money to get them herself.”
    â€œWell, she should have said her uncle sent them, or something.”
    â€œThe headmistress knew she hadn’t any family either. Anne…”
    â€œWell, it doesn’t matter now. And besides, this is completely different.”
    â€œYes. You are likely to get in much more trouble this time. Think how angry Lord Wrenley would be if he knew you planned to interfere.”
    Anne looked thoughtful. “I wonder.”
    â€œWhat precisely do you mean to do?” asked Arabella anxiously.
    Her friend eyed her. “Have you met a Miss Lydia Branwell?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œWell, I think I shall wait until you do to tell you.” Anne rose. “Now I must go, Bella. I haven’t decided what I will wear tonight, and Crane must do my hair, which takes so long. I shall see you at the party.”
    â€œBut, Anne…”
    â€œGood-bye.” Waving a hand, Anne fled. Only when she was walking down the stairs did she remember that Laurence was to fetch her. “He can take a hack,” she murmured to herself. “I want to go home.” And giving these instructions to the Castletons’ butler, she climbed into the carriage and did so.
    ***
    All three of the Debenham brothers gathered in the town house drawing room that evening, prepared to escort Anne to her first London party. And their mood was much lighter than they had predicted only three weeks ago. Indeed, Edward was ebullient, Laurence quietly optimistic, and even Charles blandly pleasant. Anne, pausing unobserved in the doorway to look at them, thought what a fine picture they made in their evening dress. Though Charles was by far the most elegant, Laurence was very handsome, and Edward had a certain careless grace that almost rivaled his oldest brother’s austere perfection. The three seemed more in charity with one another than Anne had ever seen them as they stood before the fire discussing the latest political clash between supporters of the Regent and those of the poor old King.
    Anne took a breath, smoothed the skirt of her dress, and said, “Good evening.” The brothers turned as one and surveyed her. Crane had dressed her red-gold curls in an airy cloud around her head, with tendrils floating beside her face and softening it. She wore a gown of deep rich violet satin with an overdress of silver tissue and silver and violet ribbons. This combination, which had come to her dressmaker as a “revelation,” echoed the shifting tints of her eyes admirably and set off the warm hue of her hair. Around her neck she wore