June Calvin Read Online Free Page A

pantaloons again?” Whereupon he not only walked away from her, but left Almack’s.”
    Sarah waited for some comment or question from her two auditors, but it was slow in coming, so she added, “I can’t wait until Saturday to see who it is, can you?”
    “No, no indeed,” Davida managed. “Did no one know her?”
    “Well, as to that, there was all sorts of speculation, everything from Lord Pelham’s truly planning to bring a fancy piece to the ball, to its perhaps being Lady Mercer. But I’ve saved the best, and funniest, for last. Guess what it is?”
    Davida shook her head. “I can’t.” But she had a strong feeling that she could.
    “Sir Charles Moresby said it was you. He said, ‘You know the gel, I daresay. Miss Gresham is a bosom bow of yours, ain’t she?’ And Lord Threlbourne thought it was you, too. Said Lord Pelham had introduced you to him in the park.”
    “What did you say?”
    “Oh, of course I said it couldn’t have been you, you scarcely know Lord Pelham.”
    Davida chuckled ruefully. “Knowing him is turning out to be more dangerous than I thought.”
    For the first time the look of glee faded from Sarah’s round face. “What do you mean, Davie?”
    “I mean, it was I who was driving with Lord Pelham in the park yesterday.”
    “Never say so, Davie!”
    “I am afraid it’s true. I was wearing my scarlet spencer. You know the one.” Then Davida told the whole story to Sarah, who clapped her hands and pronounced it famous. “And it certainly worked, for Lady Elspeth was furious.”
    “It worked, but did it help or hurt?” Davida’s brow knit in a worried frown. “It sounds to me like it drove them even further apart. I hope he does not repent it.”
    “And I hope you do not repent the day ever you laid eyes on Lord Pelham,” her mother moaned. “I should have vetoed the pantaloons. No matter how lacy and decorative they are, some
will
persist in seeing them as fast.”
    “Princess Charlotte wears them,” Sarah defended her friend staunchly.
    “And on a breezy day in the park, I think them much more apt than petticoats to preserve the decencies,” Davida insisted.
    At that moment, Perry carried in a card on a tray and handed it to Lady Elizabeth. Noting the turned-down corner, she read it, her brows lifted in surprise. “Yes, of course, Perry, show him in.”
    She smiled archly at the two curious girls, obviously enjoying their puzzlement until moments later Lord Pelham swept into the room.
    Davida felt a tightening of her breath as he drew near. Really, the man was too attractive, and especially now, for this morning he wore an air of serious purpose, rather than the boyish vulnerability she had seen yesterday.
    “Lady Elizabeth, Lady Sarah, Miss Gresham.” He greeted each one and seated himself across from Davida.
    Davida felt a curious little flutter to her heart’s rhythm as she looked at Pelham, so handsomely attired in a form-fitting brown morning coat. His neck stock was rather casually tied, and he wore the fashionable trousers.
    “Lady Sarah has perhaps told you something of what happened at Almack’s last night?”
    “Yes, it seems I am become a fancy piece. I should have known better than to wear that scarlet spencer.” Davida smiled archly at him.
    Pelham frowned. “’Tis no laughing matter, I fear. Her careless words have unleashed a storm of speculation. Betting at White’s, scandal broth likely being served with tea this morning. You know how the
ton
loves a scandal. The last thing I wanted to do was to risk your reputation.”
    “And the last thing I wanted to do was to make things worse between you and Lady Elspeth.”
    Sadness softened Pelham’s features for an instant, but then he returned to his purposeful mien. “I wish to request the opportunity to escort you to the Stanhope ball. My mother will be accompanying us.”
    “Bringing up the siege guns, Lord Pelham,” Lady Elizabeth observed.
    Pelham smiled grimly. “We shall need the