The Unaccomplished Lady Eleanor by Wendy Burdess Page B

expression and whisking a round to face Lady Carmichael and her daughter.  ‘ Looking quite … decorative , I see. ’
    ‘ Well , one must make an effort for s uch a grand event, ’ tittered Lady Carmichael.  ‘ Dear Felicity has spent days deliberating over which gown to wear. ’
    ‘ Has she indeed? ’ sniffed the d owager , casting an incredulous eye over Felicity’s hideous frilly pink creation dripping with lace and ribbons.
    ‘ This gown was purchased from Madam e du Faut, one of the most celebrated modistes in Conduit Street, ’ informed Felicity haughtily .  Her eyes roved over Eleanor’s gown .  ‘ I don’t suppose you will be acquainted with her, Lady Eleanor? ’
    Eleanor flashed her an ingenuous smile.   ‘ Thankfully , I am not , Miss Carmichael . ’
    Felicity’s pale - blue eyes narrowed spitefully.  But, b efore the girl had a chance to reply , James appeared at her side. 
    ‘ Ah, the beautiful Carmichaels, ’ he beame d, bowing courteously.  ‘ And dressed , yet again, in the most exquisite gowns , I see . ’
    As Lady Carmichael giggled girlishly, Felicity flashed Eleanor a very discomfiting look.   Thankfully, her godmother, keen to progress her search for a prospective husband, quickly whisked her away .  The round of incessant introductions that followed, however, was not quite so welcoming.  Despite the huge crowd , Eleanor was amazed to discover that their conversation consisted of only three topics: the weather, the latest fashions , and past o r future social events.  She stifled a yawn as a girl of around her own age with a dreadful stutter, by the name of Cecily or Celia - she could no longer remember - was trying to ascertain her opinion on the recent level of rainfall.  Lady Ormiston had been commandeered by the girl’s mother – a woma n equally as formidable as the d owager herself . 
    Never one to miss an opportunity, Eleanor chose her time well .  M aking an excuse to the girl that she had an instruction to pass to a member of the staff, she slipped away unnoticed by her guardian. 
    Despe rate to escape the tedious crowd and unable to bear one more prosaic conversation, she headed t owards the wood which ran along one side of the grounds.  A lmost upon her destination, she noticed a group of ten or so men gathered there .  As she got nearer, her spirits soared as she saw that they had with them a number of bows and arrows and appeared to be in the throes of arranging an arche ry competition – something she often engaged in at home wi th Zach, the farmer and his sons.  A short, stout man with a black beard seem ed to be the organiz er .  He started slightly as he spotted E leanor.
    ‘ We ain’t doing nothing wrong, miss, ’ he explain ed.  ‘ Just a bit of fun for the gamekeepers and us farmers .  Lady O rmiston knows all about it . ’
    ‘ I see, ’ beame d Eleanor.  ‘ Well , it certainly looks a deal more fun than the wretched garden party.  Would you allow me to join in? ’
    The man raised his eyebrows in astonishment.  ‘ You her ladyship’s goddaughter, miss? ’
    ‘ That’s right ,’ nodded Eleanor .  ‘ And you are? ’
    ‘ M ickey Humphreys, miss .  Local farmer. ’
    ‘ Well, Mickey Humphreys local farmer, do you think I could take part in your competition? ’
    Mickey removed his cloth cap and scratched his head, which, in contrast to the hair on his chin, was completely bald.  ‘ I don’t know, miss.  Archery ain’t no sport for young ladies. ’
    Eleanor’s eyes widened with pleading.  ‘ Oh, please, Mickey .  I am going out of m y mind with boredom . ’
    Mickey’s mouth stretched into a wide grin .  ‘ Oh, all right then, miss, but just make sure you don’t hurt yourself. ’
    ‘ Oh , I won’t.  I promise.’
    Mickey introduce d Eleanor to the rest of the men , all of whom were s hocked and amused at the unexpected addition .  Of the group, only t hree of the farmers and three of the gamekeepers were