Page 33 of The Meddler
She suspected that Lord Langley might enjoy her company, and even find her pleasant to look at, but he would not be so foolish as to forget his duty. She, herself, would not forget her duty. That duty was to Lady Mendleton.
Even so, she could not help wishing that he would put his name down on her card.
Chapter Ten
Georgiana and LadyMendleton had set off in the carriage, on their way to Lady Featherstone’s ball. Lord Mendleton had managed to wiggle out once more, though according to his lady the gout had changed feet again. Lord Langley was to go on horseback.
They arrived at Grosvenor Square in minutes as it was not more than a quarter mile from the house. Though they got there soon enough, the line of carriages was long and they spent some time slowly making their way forward.
Lady Mendleton filled the time, as she was quite enamored of the queen’s approval of Georgiana. Each moment seemed to suggest a new individual who might consider the news. Lady Heathway was bound to be approving. Lady Annabelle’s mother could have nothing to say against it, though the womancouldbe implacable. Though Georgiana herself knew very well she’d done nothing remarkable, she was ever so grateful that she had pleased Lady Mendleton and not particularly anxious to know what anybody else thought of it, especially not Lady Kerster.
Finally, their carriage door was opened and they went inside.
Lady Featherstone’s house was finely apportioned and the lady herself gracious. Of all Lady Mendleton’s friends, she certainly was one of the least prepossessing and she did not make Georgiana quake as the duchess and Lady Heathway did.
Georgiana’s cloak had been taken and she had received her card. As Lady Mendleton led her toward the ballroom, Georgiana saw a rather alarming sight.
The ladies of the society, sans Lady Featherstone who remained at the door greeting her guests, approached en masse like a bank of determined swans. The duchess led the way, flanked by Lady Heathway, Lady Easton, and Lady Redfield.
“Louisa,” the duchess said, grasping Lady Mendleton’s hands in her own. “We have of course heard of your triumph at the palace.”
Lady Heathway, looking the slightest bit friendly which was exceedingly friendly for herself, said, “Well done, Miss Wilcox.”
“Goodness, yes,” Lady Redfield said, “absolutely everybody is talking of it. Anybody who has been to see the queen knows what those two dogs are like.”
“Indeed,” Lady Easton said. “Lord Granger was even bit on the ankle a few weeks back.”
“Butourgirl brought them to heel,” the duchess said proudly.
Lady Mendleton was almost overcome by the approval surrounding her. Though, she managed to recover herself enough to speak. “I knew how it would be,” she said softly. “The queen was quite taken with Georgiana, just as I knew she would be.”
Georgiana did not think Lady Mendleton had ever really had hopes in that direction and had rather satisfied herself with praying they’d get through the meeting without a terrible gaffe. Still, it pleased her that Lady Mendleton was so delighted and that she had given the lady reason to crow to her friends. Even if the reason was only a bit of mutton grease on a napkin. It was certainly superior to anybody wondering why they had not yet heard her play the pianoforte or hearing how she had sailed over her horse in the park.
“Let us proceed in together,” the duchess said. “Miss Wilcox will be much in demand and we must see that she is not approached by anybody we do not find suitable.”
“I quite agree,” a deep voice said behind her. Georgiana of course knew the voice, it was a voice she sometimes heard when the person owning it was not even near. It was unmistakably Lord Langley.
“I feel I ought to step in and take Miss Wilcox’s supper,” Lord Langley went on. “We should not like the lady to have any extended conversations with a gentleman who has not been thoroughly vetted. The queen’s approval may bring in a less savory, grasping, individual.”
“Well said!” the duchess said. “We cannot be too careful.”
“Very astute to the ways of the world,” Lady Redfield said.
Lady Heathway nodded in acquiescence.
Lady Mendleton appeared a bit unsure of this plan until Lady Easton spoke.
“Louisa, it is to be commended that your son supports our society and our efforts with such vigor! I am sure I could not prevail upon my own to carry the standard so willingly. Well done!”
Lady Mendleton, helpless against any sort of approbation, began to see the charm of the scheme.
As for Georgiana, she stood silent, rather thankful that nobody had thought to ask her what her own opinion of it was. She was gratified beyond measure, but felt a bit wobbly. She was also certain it was not a sensible idea and wondered why Lord Langley had suggested it. The speech he’d given did not precisely sound like him. It sounded invented, though none of the ladies seemed to think so. Grasping individuals? What could they hope to grasp, exactly? She was no heiress, after all.
Dining with Lord Langley would be wonderful and yet dangerous. She was already having a hard enough time suppressing whatever feelings she was developing for the lord.
Lord Langley put his name down and strode off, suddenly seeming a bit gruff for all that it had been his own idea.
The duchess imperiously pointed toward the ballroom and said, “We proceed.”
