The Belle Dames Club Read online

  ‘So are we agreed?’ demanded Lady Gaunt.

  There was a general murmur of assent and the ladies rose to leave. Only Lady Wyckenham looked unsure. Mrs Leighton-Kettering came forward and took her hand.

  ‘Helen? It really is up to you, you know.’

  ‘Oh Letitia, I know, but it is such a risk! What if you were caught?’

  Lady Gaunt snapped open her fan.

  ‘Even if Lord Ullenwood should suspect the truth, do you think he would let it be known that he was bested by a group of females?’

  ‘Quite true,’ Letitia nodded. ‘From what I know of the marquis he is very proud – if he were to have the authorities pursue us then he may be sure we would make known his infamy. Come, ma’am, we want to help – you know you would do as much for any one of us.’

  ‘Oh … very well.’

  ‘I knew you would see sense in the end, Helen.’ Lady Gaunt kissed her cheek. ‘You must leave everything to me. We will meet tomorrow to decide upon a suitable spot for you to meet the marquis. Shall we call on you?’

  ‘No, it is best perhaps if we meet somewhere else, while William is staying with me. I know he is rarely at home, but I would not have him discover our plans.’

  ‘New Bond Street then,’ suggested Lady Sarah. ‘There can be nothing suspicious in a group of ladies meeting there.’

  ‘So Lord Wyckenham is still with you,’ said Georgiana, casting a pitying glance at Clarissa.

  ‘Yes, although why I do not know,’ said Lady Wyckenham bitterly. ‘Unless it is to spy on me! He insists there will be no more meetings at Charlotte Street. Except of course, for my little party next Thursday; not even William can object to you all coming to that.’

  ‘Well, Helen, it is his house,’ Letitia Leighton-Kettering reminded her gently.

  ‘Perhaps you should set up our own establishment, my dear,’ suggested Lady Gaunt.

  ‘If I decide to stay in town, Dorothea, I think I shall. However, I have a mind to go abroad again.’ She threw a resentful look towards the viscountess. ‘If we survive this escapade I may be obliged to leave the country.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  The ladies went back to the main reception rooms and Clarissa tried hard to be amused. The rooms were hot, crowded and noisy and apart from the members of the Belles Dames Club there were few people she knew well. She turned to Lady Wyckenham standing beside her.

  ‘You are not in spirits, Mama-Nell.’

  ‘Oh dear, is it so apparent?’

  ‘Only to me, my love, because I know you so well. I wish Sir Robert were here to cheer you.’ Her stepmama did not contradict her and she added gently, ‘We need not remain: order your carriage as soon as you wish, Mama-Nell. I shall not object.’

  ‘Thank you Clarissa, but I think we must stay a little longer. I see Sir Howard Besthorpe is here: look how he glares at poor Julia.’

  ‘At least he makes no effort to accost her. Come, Mama-Nell. Since we are here, let us find some entertainment.’

  ‘Augusta’s cousin is over there,’ murmured Lady Wyckenham. ‘We could join his admirers.’

  Clarissa glanced across the room: a sandy-haired gentleman was holding forth at great length on the dangers of the sea.

  ‘No, I thank you. I heard more than enough from Neville Shirley when we were introduced earlier. He is a man very much in love with his own voice, and a very loud one it is! Besides, I did not care for the way he held on to my hand and positively leered at me.’

  ‘He could not have done so if William had been with you,’ opined Lady Wyckenham. ‘I am quite cross with William for crying off this evening. Since he is determined to stay in town, I feel the least he could do is to escort us to such an evening as this.’

  ‘For my part I am glad he did not come,’ declared Clarissa. ‘It might have been difficult to explain to him why we should be closeted with our hostess for more than half an hour. It would have been sure to arouse his suspicions.’

  ‘If he is so suspicious then he should be here with us,’ retorted Lady Wyckenham. ‘Oh, I am sorry, Clarissa, I do not mean to snap at you. If it were not for those tiresome letters I am sure I should find William’s prosy ways amusing.’

  ‘I know, my love and I see someone who will coax you into a better mood – good evening, Sir Robert – did you know I was just wishing you would be here?’

  Sir Robert Ingleton was obliged to stop as Clarissa stepped in front of him, but he did not appear to object and turned to greet Lady Wyckenham with his lazy smile.

  ‘I was looking for you earlier,’ he said, taking her hand and raising it to his lips. ‘Are you this minute arrived?’

  ‘N-no, we were – ah – in the card-room.’

  ‘Losing your fortune, ma’am?’

  My lady gave him a roguish smile.

  ‘I rarely lose at cards, Sir Robert.’

  ‘Then perhaps you should try a fall with me – at cards,’ he added as she raised her brows at him. He held out his arm. ‘Well, madam?’

  ‘Yes, do go, Mama-Nell,’ Clarissa urged her. ‘But beware sir; my stepmother has been learning some new tricks.’

  ‘Has she now?’ Sir Robert looked intrigued. ‘Then I hope she will practise on me.’

  Laughing, Clarissa stepped back and watched Lady Wyckenham go off happily with Sir Robert to the card-room. She did not doubt they would flirt shamelessly but neither did she doubt that it would lift Mama-Nell’s spirits to be in such pleasant company, and if she should divulge her troubles to Sir Robert at the same time, so much the better, for Clarissa thought him eminently capable of dealing with any problem.

  With Lady Wyckenham thus engaged, Clarissa was free to join the group around the pianoforte, including several members of the Belles Dames Club. Lady Sarah was seated at the instrument, accompanying Julia Norwell and her husband as they sang a duet. This was followed by one of the other young ladies playing a lively air and after this it seemed quite natural for the younger members of the party to call for dancing. Lady Maramond raised no objection, the carpet was rolled back and a country dance was soon under way. Clarissa preferred to watch the proceedings and retreated to stand before the series of long windows, where she could observe without being pressed to join in. She was so engrossed that she did not see the Marquis of Ullenwood approaching.

  ‘All alone this evening, Miss Wyckenham? Where is your dear stepmother?’

  His soft words made her jump and it was a moment before she could command her voice to reply calmly.

  ‘Lady Wyckenham is here, my lord. We did not think it necessary in such a gathering as this to be constantly together.’

  Until now, she added silently. Lord Ullenwood’s mocking eyes ran over her.

  ‘You seem ill at ease, Miss Wyckenham. You are not afraid of me?’

  He stepped closer. Clarissa fought off a desire to move away. She raised her chin.

  ‘No, my lord. Should I be?’

  He leaned towards her until she could feel his breath on her cheek.

  ‘Oh no,’ he said softly. ‘I have only one woman in my sights, Miss Wyckenham.’

  Indignation seared through Clarissa. Her eyes blazed.

  ‘If you mean Lady Wyckenham—’

  His straight black brows rose.

  ‘Yes?’

  She closed her lips. It cost her a great deal to bite down the retort that hovered on her tongue, but she knew that to oppose the marquis could jeopardize Lady Gaunt’s plan. She was aware of someone approaching and turned her head to see Lord Alresford standing at her elbow. Lord Ullenwood looked up.

  ‘Ah, Lord Alresford.’

  ‘Ullenwood.’ The earl’s face was impassive but Clarissa felt rather than saw the suppressed anger in his rigid stance.

  The marquis laughed gently.

  ‘You wish me at the devil, eh, my lord? Very well, I am going. Miss Wyckenham: your servant.’

  As Lord Ullenwood sauntered off, Clarissa realized she had been holding her breath. She let it go now in a long
, soft sigh.

  ‘I did not know you were here, my lord.’

  ‘I have not long arrived.’ The earl’s lip curled as he glanced at the marquis’s retreating form. ‘You seem to delight in dubious company, Miss Wyckenham.’

  She shook her head.

  ‘You wrong me, my lord. I was never more glad to see you.’ She spoke without thinking, only realizing what she had said when she saw the look of surprise on his sharp features. She felt a blush rising through her body and staining her cheeks.

  ‘Would you – perhaps – like to dance, madam?’

  It was said awkwardly and Clarissa, equally ill at ease, declined. She glanced up as a footman approached, bowing.

  ‘Your pardon, madam. My lady has ordered that the windows should be opened….’ Clarissa stood aside to allow the servant to reach the casement. After a brief struggle with the catch he pushed open the long window to reveal the smooth paving of the terrace. Clarissa had expected the earl to walk away, but he remained at her side. She waved a nervous hand.

  ‘The cool air is very pleasant: the room had grown warm.’

  He looked out.

  ‘There is a moon. Would you care to stroll in the gardens? It will be cooler.’ His tone was matter-of-fact, even brusque.

  There was no hint of the lover in his manner. Intrigued, Clarissa took his arm and allowed him to escort her out on to the terrace. After the overheated salon, the cool breeze on her skin was refreshing. She breathed deeply.

  ‘How pleasant to be able to escape.’

  ‘You dislike these parties, Miss Wyckenham?’

  ‘In general, no, but tonight – there are too many people, too much noise. I do not care for it.’

  ‘Most young ladies seem to revel in it.’

  ‘Do they?’ She wrinkled her nose. ‘Did – did your fiancée enjoy such gaiety?’ She noted his hesitation and rushed on, ‘I am sorry, I should not have said—’

  ‘It is no matter, it was a long time ago. No. Elizabeth had no time for such frivolous entertainment.’

  She sighed and said, ‘Recently my life seems to have been nothing more than frivolous entertainment.’ Clarissa glanced up at his profile, outlined against the night sky and she was emboldened to ask a question that had been troubling her. ‘My lord, you called me Elizabeth that day – in the wood. Do we – are we … similar?’

  ‘No,’ he said shortly. ‘Elizabeth was very beautiful.’

  She blinked. He turned to her, and even in the dim light she could see his consternation.

  ‘Forgive me, I did not mean—’

  She laughed up at him.

  ‘I believe you, my lord, but it is a just reward for my temerity. I should not have asked such a question of you.’

  He continued to look at her, then he raised one hand and gently traced the line of her jaw.

  ‘You have a different kind of beauty,’ he said softly. ‘It radiates from you, makes one happy just to be near you.’

  Clarissa stood very still. His touch on her face had caused a riot of conflicting sensations within her: an urge to run away fought against paralysis. Paralysis won. She felt very lightheaded, and as if someone had set free a sackful of moths within her stomach. She knew he was going to kiss her, and that she very much wanted him to do so. His dark head came slowly towards her until he was close enough for his lips to meet hers, his shadow blocking out what little moonlight there was. She was enveloped in darkness, and the lack of sight seemed to enhance her other senses.

  The touch of his lips shocked Clarissa. Her knees grew weak and she was obliged to lean against him, or risk falling. His lips were gentle and Clarissa found herself responding to his first, tentative kiss: it was the most natural thing in the world to kiss him back. She was aware of the roughness of his skin, the faint smell of sandalwood that clung about him. He broke away, raising his head a fraction and she could feel his ragged breath fanning her cheek. With a little cry she reached up and pulled him back to her, kissing him with a fierce hunger that frightened her. It had to end. He broke away, gently holding her away from him.

  ‘I am sorry.’ He stepped back a pace. ‘I should not have done that. It was unforgivable.’

  She gave a shaky laugh.

  ‘Only if you do not mean to repeat it.’

  Her eyes had grown accustomed to the gloom and she could see that he did not even smile at her jest.

  He said, ‘Forgive me – forgive me.’

  Then, with a stiff bow, he turned on his heel and left her.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  The dancing had finished and the rooms were beginning to empty when Lady Wyckenham came back into the salon to look for her stepdaughter. Sir Robert had wanted to escort her home. She had refused, of course, but it had been very tempting. In fact it was becoming ever more difficult to keep Robert at a distance, but the spectre of those irresponsible letters written to Lord Ullenwood hung over her: once she had destroyed them, perhaps then she could forget her foolishness and be the honest, faithful woman Robert believed her to be. So for tonight she had sent him away and now, when she felt thoroughly dispirited, she could not find Clarissa.

  Lord Ullenwood was talking with a group of friends in one corner of the room and when he saw her he excused himself and came towards her. For an instant Lady Wyckenham considered running away, but common sense prevailed: she stood her ground and accorded him a cool greeting.

  ‘Lady Wyckenham. You have proved very elusive this evening.’

  She hunched an impatient white shoulder.

  ‘I have been well entertained, my lord. That was the reason I came tonight.’

  Lord Ullenwood’s voice crackled with irritation as he replied.

  ‘And I came here for no other reason than to find you, madam.’

  ‘How disappointing for you. Now if you will excuse me—’

  He caught her wrist.

  ‘Not yet, Helen. You try my patience. Remember, I can ruin you.’

  ‘You have threatened to do so, certainly,’ came the swift, angry retort.

  Their glances clashed, both in the grip of their anger. The Marquis recovered first. He released her.

  ‘We have trifled long enough, madam. I leave for Bath next week. You will come with me, or face the consequences.’

  She felt the heat drain from her face. Lord Ullenwood towered over her, a dark, menacing shadow.

  ‘Well, what is your answer?’

  She swallowed, and ran her tongue over her dry lips.

  ‘I have no choice.’

  ‘We all have choices, Helen.’

  ‘If – if I go with you – you will give me my letters?’

  ‘Once I am sure of you.’

  ‘I want them … as soon as we set off. Surely you can promise me that much.’

  She saw the triumph blaze in his eyes, but he answered gravely enough.

  ‘Very well. You have my word. And I always play square, Helen. You should know that.’

  ‘Very well. I will go with you.’

  She watched him step back, his head raised. He looked victorious: she could almost imagine that he would throw back that mane of black hair and howl his triumph to the skies. Instead he took her hand.

  ‘You have made me the happiest of men, my lady.’

  Her lip curled.

  ‘Then you have very singular pleasures, sir.’

  He laughed at that, and flicked her cheek with one long, white finger.

  ‘You loved me once, Helen. I will make you do so again.’

  ‘Mama-Nell – I am sorry, were you looking for me?’

  Lady Wyckenham turned to find her stepdaughter standing at one of the open windows.

  ‘I was on the terrace, Mama-Nell. You are ready to leave now?’

  ‘Yes, my love. If you please.’ She reached out and drew Clarissa towards her. ‘My love, your hands are ice-cold! How long have you been outside? It is only May; you should not be venturing out without your wrap.’

  ‘I am sorry, Mama-Nell, I did not n
otice.’

  Lady Wyckenham looked closely at her.

  ‘Are you feeling quite well, my love? You are very pale.’

  ‘Quite – quite well, ma’am. Now, by all means let us go home.’

  ‘Very well. I think we should tell Dorothea we are leaving.’

  Clarissa hung back.

  ‘Is that necessary, Mama-Nell? She is talking to Captain Shirley.’

  ‘Yes, of course we must, my love. Come, it need not delay us many minutes. Goodness, what is Dorothea about, to be encouraging him so?’

  As they approached they could hear Dorothea’s voice, but instead of her usual dry tones, she sounded warm and inviting.

  ‘… it is such a long way to Bristol, Captain. Do you tell me you make the journey alone – is it not dangerous?’

  Lady Wyckenham bit her lip to stop herself laughing out loud at Dorothea’s look of admiration.

  ‘Aye, well, it is, ma’am, and there’s many a rogue hanging around the coaching houses watching for the unwary traveller. That’s why I always sets off with no less than six outriders.’

  ‘Six! My dear captain, you must be a rich man if you can afford such an entourage.’

  The captain touched the side of his nose and winked at her.

  ‘That’s the clever part. Anyone watching thinks I travel well protected. They come with me as far as Colnebrook – past Hounslow Heath, you see, for that is the most dangerous stretch – then I pay ’em off.’ He broke off as he realized that Lady Wyckenham and Clarissa were coming up to them, and my lady prettily begged pardon for interrupting. A glance at Lady Gaunt was rewarded with the most innocent of stares. They took their leave, the captain insisted on kissing the ladies’ hands and Lady Wyckenham felt Clarissa shudder as they walked away.

  ‘To think that odious man has the power of life and death over the poor slaves on his ship: it fills me with repugnance!’ she muttered. ‘I hope never to see his smug face again.’

  They collected their wraps and as they waited in the vestibule for their carriage, Lord Ullenwood sauntered out with a party of gentlemen. As he passed he gave a little bow and kissed his fingers to them.