Page 34 of The Undaunted
“Richard,” Lady Easton said in a controlled fury, “you are to know that your uncle and Miss Upton dined with an actress last evening.”
“Surely not,” Richard said.
“It was not just any actress,” Lord Easton put in, “it was Mrs. Jordan. She is quite renowned, you know.”
“Renowned for being the Duke of Clarence’s mistress!” Richard said.
“I rather think that might be over,” Lord Easton said, “at least, I have heard so.”
“What difference would that make?” Richard asked imperiously. “My God, they have heaps of children between them. How many? Ten? A dozen? More?”
Lord Easton shrugged, as if he was not concerned over the precise number of illegitimate offspring that might have been produced by that union.
“I have told your uncle about the dinner we planned,” Lady Easton said. “We will have the right people. And from now on, only the right people.”
Lord Easton sighed, as if he knew well enough that the right people would not be nearly as entertaining as the wrong people.
*
Caroline had beenat the top of the stairs and intending to go down to breakfast when she heard the ruckus going on in that room. Lady Easton had just been apprised that Mrs. Jordan had attended Lord Alvanley’s dinner.
She was not surprised that the lady did not take the news very well. It was indeed unusual that an actress should have been there. But then, Caroline had convinced herself that it must be all right on account of the Regent’s approval. And Lord Easton’s approval, too.
She tiptoed back to her bedchamber and found Bemmy sorting through pairs of gloves.
As she entered, Bemmy shook her head. “I can hear ’em from here. What do they think? A swell will turn to stone by breathin’ the same air as them that tread the boards? I reckon we ought to slip out of the house and be on our way.”
“I think so too,” Caroline said. “But it is too early for the boxing practices, where shall we go?”
“Down to the seaside,” Bemmy said. “You ain’t been there yet and it’s a mite strange, seeing as you’re living in a seaside town.”
Of course, itwasstrange, and Lady Easton thought Caroline had been to the water’s edge several times when in fact she’d gone to the tower to watch the boxing.
“I’ll change my shoes,” Caroline said. “Mrs. Belle had a pair made specially for walking the beach as she says it is hard on one’s feet. They are grey in color so as not to show the dust and they have a strap across the instep.”
Bemmy rummaged through a trunk, softly chuckling. “Fancy types,” she said, “they got shoes for every occasion.”
Caroline had never imagined herself particularly fancy, but then she supposed having special shoes for one particular part of the geography of England might make it seem so.
Their intent was to quietly descend the stairs and out of the house without being observed. It was now a set thing that they walked in the mornings and so it would not be necessary to inform Lady Easton of it.
Their first foray to the top of the stairs was unsuccessful, as Lady Easton was in the front hall speaking to Bramley in low tones. Caroline could not hear all of what was said, but just bits and pieces:outrageous, ill-considered, vexed, nonsense, wit’s end.
All of those things were said by Lady Easton, as Bramley only lent a sympathetic ear and nodded in grave agreement.
Finally, the lady exhausted herself of her outrage and wandered into the drawing room while Bramley looked toward the breakfast room with something like steely determination and strode through its doors.
Bemmy took Caroline’s hand and they flew down the stairs and out the doors.
It was a glorious morning—the sun was bright, the breeze gentle and bringing the scent of salt with it. They turned a corner and then took East Street toward the King’s Road.
As they strolled along, they passed by two matronly ladies, one of which Caroline had seen at the Prince’s rout but had not been introduced to. Caroline smiled in acknowledgement.
The lady whispered to her friend and then they passed Caroline by without meeting her eye.
“What did you go and do to those two stiff-necks?” Bemmy whispered.
“Nothing,” Caroline said. “I do not even know them.”
