Page 58 of The Undaunted
Bramley came in with the tea. Richard thought the butler carried himself with some new sort of aplomb. It was due to the pineapple’s recent success no doubt.
The butler set the tray down and motioned for the footmen at the door. Charles walked sedately into the room with a silver salver holding a letter. Even the footmen had taken to walking round like they served in the palace.
Lady Easton took the letter. Before she could open it, Bramley said, “Delivered by hand from the Marine Pavilion, my lady. One prays that a certain Prince does not experience envy over a certain fruit originating in the tropics that was served at a certain dinner in a certain house.”
With that, Bramley turned on his heel and serenely departed the room.
After the door shut, Richard said, “I had no idea a pineapple would invite bold speculations from Bramley.”
“Oh dear, itisfrom the Regent. What does he want? You don’t suppose it could be about the pineapple? Perhaps he does not like that we went to the baron for it?
“You’d best open it and find out, though if the Prince thinks he can start telling people where they can buy things, he’ll find he’s made a fool of himself.”
Richard watched with interest as his aunt perused the letter. She sighed a great deal and then her lip positively quivered, so perhaps it was some condemnation over the pineapple after all. Quite ridiculous if it was.
“Well,” he asked, as she laid the letter down.
“I’m too distraught. You’d better read it for yourself,” Lady Easton said, wringing her hands.
Richard picked it up, preparing himself to be aggravated and reminding himself that his temper, so recently having escaped from its box, had been securely locked up again. It must stay locked regardless of whatever nonsense the Regent had written to his aunt that had upset her.
Lady Easton,
I had previously sent an invitation to your household to my ball on Tuesday next and find myself aggrieved that I have not yet received a favorable reply.
I firmly believe that were you, Lord Easton, and Miss Upton to fail to attend, it will give fuel to the talkers. As those flames have recently been tamped down on account of Miss Upton’s regrettable illness, that would be unfortunate. In fact, I cannot allow it. I am determined to show the world that Miss Upton is highly approved of by their Regent and future king.
I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday. And Bertridge too, if he likes to come.
George PR
Richard’s temper tapped on the sides of his box, trying to get his attention.
And Bertridge too, if he likes to come.It was written as if he were some poor relation that must be reluctantly accommodated. The Prince would be well-advised to know that Bertridge did not, in fact, like to come.
“Do you see?” Lady Easton said. “He commands us to go.”
“Apparently though,” Richard said drily, “he does not commandme.”
“It is the most nonsensical thing in the world,” Lady Easton said fretfully. “To reestablish Caroline, we must avoid the Prince’s set, not go to his ball.”
“Well, it won’t be just his set, will it?” Richard said. “I suppose everybody in town was invited. Or at least off-handedly asked if they’d like to come too.”
“Perhaps,” Lady Easton said, not quite catching his irritation upon discovering himself an afterthought in the prince’s letter. “Though I will wish to keep Caroline well clear of Alvanley and his friends.”
“Especially Mr. Landon,” Richard said. “Keep her well away from that fellow.”
“I do not know him, is he unseemly in some way, or just poor?”
“Worse than unseemly, though I won’t go into detail. And a poor second son, though he has his own unique hopes on the subject.”
“But you will be there to help, will you not?”
“Certainly not. The Prince has practically said he does not wish it and with the state of my eye, I do not wish it. Nor do you need me. You and your friends will be well able to manage one young lady at a ball.”
Though he said he would not go because the Prince would not prefer it, that was only part of the reason. Being such an afterthought on the invitation did have its sting, but mostly he did not wish to go on account of Miss Upton.
He found he did not wish to view her dancing with other gentlemen or being as gay and happy as he was certain she would be at a ball. She would be surrounded by those who approved of her and she would have no interest in being watched by her scolder. He would be, he knew, a wet blanket on the whole proceeding. A ridiculous wet blanket, as he was certain would be made use of by Alvanley.
