rather proves my point, does it not?”
Vespasia kicked Charlotte just as she was about to explode in defense of Pitt in particular, and the police in general.
“Your logic is impeccable,” Vespasia said with a wry smile. “I should do away with doctors also. They are clearly quite useless. They could not even save the Prince Consort. In fact when I come to think of it, absolutely everyone I ever knew of died in the end.”
They all turned to stare at her, none of them except Charlotte quite sure how to take this last, totally ridiculous remark.
Vespasia’s face was marvelous. Not a muscle moved and there was not even a glimmer of humor in her beautiful silvergray eyes.
Charlotte waited with her breath held. She would not spoil the delicious moment.
“Ah… er,” the sapphire lady began, then stopped. Everyone looked at her hopefully, but she had exhausted her aplomb for the moment and fell silent.
The pink lady fidgeted, opened her mouth then changed her remark into a cough.
At last Vespasia took mercy on them.
“It is a hard world,” she said sententiously. “The surgeons and physicians cannot prevent mortality, they can only ease pain and help a few accidents and diseases here and there; and the police cannot get rid of human iniquity, they can only apprehend some of the perpetrators and see they are punished, which discourages the rest.” She avoided meeting Charlotte’s eyes. “Even the Church has not got rid of private sin. The pity of it is I cannot think of a better idea.”
“I… er… I-” Again the sapphire lady did not know what to say.
“Has anyone seen Gilbert and Sullivan’s latest opera?” Charlotte came to the rescue, but did not dare look at Vespasia.
“Ah indeed,
“Women should be educated in the gentilities, nothing more,” the sapphire lady said decidedly. “Academic subjects are of no use and only disturb the mind. We are not designed for such things, either by God or by nature!”
“Are they not the same?” Charlotte inquired.
“I beg your pardon?”
“God and nature,” Charlotte explained.
The sapphire lady’s eyebrows shot upward. “I hardly think-”
In the distance the band had begun the valse.
“If you will permit me?” Charlotte seized the opportunity to abandon the subject and move away.
But they would not permit her to escape so easily.
“Did you enjoy it, Mrs. Pitt?” the pink lady inquired with great interest.
“I beg your pardon?” Charlotte was totally confused.
“I regret I have not seen it,” Charlotte admitted. “I wonder-”
“Oh you must! I am sure-”
“Of course.” Vespasia cut across and took Charlotte by the arm. “We are monopolizing you, my dear. Come with me, I shall introduce Lady Byam to you. I am sure you will find her most agreeable.” And without permitting anyone to interrupt her again, she swept Charlotte away.
“You did that on purpose,” Charlotte whispered fiercely.
“Of course,” Vespasia agreed without a shred of remorse. “Laetitia Fox is a fool and not a particularly pleasant one. She bores me silly. But you will like Eleanor Byam, and her husband is a most important man. He has great power not only in the Treasury, but within political circles in general. His approval will help Jack. Although of course Lord Anstiss is the one whose patronage you really need.”
“Tell me more about him,” Charlotte requested. “I know he is a great patron of the arts and has benefited many galleries and theaters, and that he has also given a great deal of money to charities of all natures, but what is he like as a person? What are his tastes, his likes and dislikes? What shall I speak to him of?”
“You want a great deal, my dear.” Vespasia nodded courteously to people as they passed. She knew and was known by almost everyone who mattered in society, although few of them could claim more than an acquaintance with her.
Charlotte glanced at the band, who were still playing vigorously; the center of the floor was swirling with dancers.
“Regina Carswell,” Vespasia said absently as they passed the Carswells engaged in conversation with a group of elderly gentlemen. “Agreeable woman, and more sense than many, but three more daughters to marry, and that is no easy task, especially when they are all much the same.”
“But she has both position and money,” Charlotte pointed out as they skirted around a general in scarlet and two subordinates.
“Indeed. Addison Carswell is a magistrate,” Vespasia agreed. “But three daughters is still a formidable task. It is to her credit that she has kept any sense of proportion at all.”
“Lord Anstiss,” Charlotte prompted.
“I heard you, Charlotte. He is a man used to great power, great wealth and the respect that those things bring with them, the ability to support arts and sciences as he wishes.” Vespasia accepted a glass of chilled champagne from a footman in livery. “To patronize individuals and causes,” she continued, “which of course means people court his favor. All this considered, he is remarkably gracious and restrained.” She nodded to an acquaintance. “There is nothing vulgar about him and he abhors ostentation, although he does enjoy good company and is not so noble as to despise admiration.”
“Very good,” Charlotte said softly. “Do you like him?”
“That is irrelevant,” Vespasia replied.
“You don’t.”
“I neither like nor dislike him,” Vespasia said in defense. “I know him only publicly. He has qualities I admire, and his acts I certainly approve. Personally I have spoken with him little.” She sipped her champagne. “Although he has intelligence, and that always appeals. No my dear, you will have to make up your mind yourself. Just remember he has great power, never forget that, and at the moment it is Jack who matters.”
“I shan’t.”
Vespasia smiled.
“Thank you,” Charlotte said sincerely.
“Then you had better be about your duties,” Vespasia prompted, and Charlotte obediently took her leave, at least temporarily. And since Emily had also stressed his importance, she felt it obligatory to make a specific effort to speak again to Lord Anstiss and assure as far as it was possible that he was in good company and aware of his welcome.
She found him with little difficulty, standing with a wineglass in one hand and talking with Lord and Lady Byam and a thin woman with flaxen fair hair and a marvelous emerald necklace. They moved aside to include Charlotte as soon as she approached them.
“An excellent affair, Mrs. Pitt,” Anstiss said courteously. “Of course you know Mrs. Walters?” He inclined his head slightly, indicating the woman with the emeralds.
Charlotte had no idea who she was.
“Of course,” she murmured; she would not admit to ignorance, it would be too insulting. “How charming to see you, Mrs. Walters.”
“How kind,” Mrs. Walters replied noncommittally. “Lord Anstiss was speaking of the opera. Do you care for music, Mrs. Pitt?”
“Indeed I do,” Charlotte answered, hoping they would not ask her for a list of the performances she had seen lately. Such things were quite beyond her finances. “I enjoy all forms of music, from one person singing to please himself through to the grandest choruses.”
“I had great voices in mind, rather than merely large numbers,” Mrs. Walters said coolly, and it crossed
