The Belle Dames Club Read Online Free Page B

him, I see it is his natural way.’
    My lady patted her hand.
    ‘Then let us forget him, for I see Julia Norwell sitting over there, by the window, and I must introduce you.’
     
    Lady Wyckenham led her towards a fair-haired young woman in orange silk, sitting alone on a sofa in one corner of the room. A stout gentleman in mulberry satin stood at her side, bending to address some remark, but Clarissa did not miss the look of unease on the young woman’s face, or the way she shrank away from the speaker. They were now too close for Clarissa to enquire who the gentleman might be, and as they came up to Julia, he turned and sauntered off, the blue string fastenings of his knee breeches bouncing around his legs. Lady Wyckenham made the introductions but almost immediately her attention was claimed by a group of friends and she turned away, leaving Clarissa and Mrs Norwell smiling shyly at one another.
    ‘Won’t you sit down beside me, Miss Wyckenham?’ Mrs Norwell patted the sofa. ‘I understand you have been living with your sister?’
    ‘Yes, I have been her companion for the past few years while her husband has been away with the army. However he is now returned, and my presence is no longer necessary – they are as inseparable as a pair of newlyweds!’
    ‘Your sister is fortunate to have such a husband.’ Mrs Norwell sounded a little wistful, but observing Clarissa’s puzzled look she smiled brightly. ‘Tell me what you mean to do in town. Is Lady Helen – Lady Wyckenham I mean – to present you at Court?’
    ‘Goodness, no. She was kind enough to present me years ago, but that visit was cut short by the death of my father. I am here now merely to enjoy a little society with my stepmama. She has promised to take me to Paris with her next year. You know that Mama-Nell can never be in one place for very long.’
    Mrs Norwell smiled.
    ‘She has a great deal of energy. But I will not hear a word against her: she is a very good friend to me, and if she does go abroad I shall miss her sorely.’
    A young gentleman approached and shyly reminded Mrs Norwell that the next dance was promised to him. Clarissa watched her new friend go off to dance and hoped that she might find at least one more partner before the evening was over. Hardly was the thought formed than she saw Mama-Nell bringing another gentleman over to meet her, and after that she did not sit down at the side of the room again.
    It seemed to Clarissa that her dance with Alresford was her entrée into Society. Her hand was solicited for every remaining dance. Several turbaned matrons smiled and nodded at her as she passed, but she did not recognize them and could only surmise that they were members of the Belles Dames Club. Thoroughly enjoying herself, Clarissa was alive to the bustle and movement of the room. She noticed Mrs Norwell dancing once with her husband, her flower-like countenance glowing with happiness, a look which had quite disappeared the next time Clarissa saw her, for she was dancing with the gentleman in the mulberry coat. Upon enquiry, Clarissa’s partner informed her that the gentleman was Sir Howard Besthorpe. The name meant nothing to Clarissa, but she was aware of a moment’s anxiety for Julia. However, her partnerwas speaking, and Clarissa gave him her attention, resolving to seek out Julia later in the evening.

CHAPTER SEVEN
    Lady Wyckenham watched her stepdaughter’s progress with growing approbation. How right she had been to bring the girl.
    ‘So that’s Wyckenham’s daughter.’
    The quiet voice at her side made her turn quickly, a wide smile lighting her face. She held out her hands.
    ‘Robert! Robert – is it really you? Oh my dear friend, I thought you were still at sea. I did not expect you for another two weeks at least.’
    Sir Robert Ingleton laughed as he lifted first one hand then the other to his lips.
    ‘We had a fair wind and favourable tides. Besides, I could stay away no longer, madam, and you do not