Miss Nilsson fired the opening salvo. “Have you attended the opera lately?” she asked Miss Dunston.
Never having been asked the like, Carola blinked, then shook her head. On her other side, Penny jostled against her as though nudged by another. She apologized profusely while Miss Nilsson murmured on about some scrap of gossip. Torn between the apology and the naughty gossip, Carola Dunston did the natural, concentrated on the gossip.
Penny drifted away from the conversation to where Lord Harford stood to one side, giving him a significant look and a faint nod.
He immediately made his way to her side. “Did I remember to tell you how exquisite you look this evening? Lavender and silver are definitely your colors. Although,” he added, quite destroying his compliment, “that neckline is too low. Why bother, my pet? Just invite me to sample.”
She swiftly walked down the hall and around the corner to a small room where accounts were done. She rushed inside, then dropped the purloined reticule on a table.
Harford had followed her, and he whistled when he saw what was inside the little bag. He pushed aside the usual handkerchief, bottle of scent, pins, and fan. “A vial, and two packets of powder, plus a tin of gray tablets. I suspect there is enough potion here to place our entire gathering in love. Or at least in a charitable mood.”
Jonathan reached out to stroke a finger along one gloved arm, wishing he could do as he pleased. Reluctantly he said, “I suppose you had best return that reticule to Miss Dunston. She might scream to the ceiling if missing her reticule, but she can hardly complain to anyone over the loss of the love potions, can she?”
“We are not certain it is love potions,” Penny said slowly while she complied with his suggestion, dropping in the articles to be returned one by one.
“Tell me this, would you take some of it? Any of it?” He scooped up the vial, packets of powder, and the tin, slipping them into a hidden pocket in his coat.
She shook her head, then paused by the door. “I told you before, I have no need for that sort of nonsense. I shall make my restoration at once.” While she fled from the room, she reflected she loved Jonathan to distraction but wished he might love her without such help.
She wended her way through the guests, reaching the side of her quarry without incident. It was a simple matter to exclaim, “You have dropped your reticule, Miss Dunston.”
The haste with which the girl retrieved her possession confirmed to Penny that the reticule had most likely contained what they suspected. She murmured some vague words, then turned with relief as Lord Stephen tapped her on the shoulder.
“I have not seen you dance once this evening, and the music is delightful. Come,” he persuaded.
Penny chuckled at his pleading, and walked with him to become part of a little group who were at the moment beginning a contra danse. It was a sprightly dance, and there was little time for conversation. She skipped up and back, dipped and swirled, smiling and thinking how good it was to be away from Miss Dunston and Ernest.
The Mouse’s plot had been foiled, and Penny had managed to snabble that reticule as though a practiced thief. Amazing what one could do when determined.
When the dance ended, she fanned herself, feeling rather warm. That was charming,” she told her partner in a dismissive way.
“You found that excessive. Let us find something cool to drink.”
The notion appealed, and she willingly went along with him to the next room, where refreshments awaited all.
They stood to one side after picking up glasses of what Lady Harford had said was the Prince Regent’s punch. Penny gasped when the liquid touched her throat, for along with oranges, lemons, pineapple syrup, and green tea was Jamaica rum, brandy, and arrack, not to mention champagne.
She took a few sips, then declared she was not thirsty after all. Memories of her bout with being tipsy returned to tease her.
“Lady Penelope,” Lord Stephen said after he had stopped chuckling at her, “I do not pretend to know what is afoot at Harford House, but I sense something is going on. You have looked troubled this evening. Dear lady, if I may ever be of service to you, please do not hesitate to call upon me.” He picked up her delicately gloved hand and held it to his lips. “Do not forget.”
As if she could. One never knew when help might be required; she well perceived that.
On the far side of the room, Jonathan slipped the contents of a packet into a glass of wine and then the other one into one glass of lemonade. He stirred them both, then sauntered over to where Everton stood with Miss Dunston.
“I trust you are enjoying yourselves this evening? May I say I have never seen you in better looks, Everton,” he announced to his dumbfounded cousin. “Accept my compliments with this wine. Here is a lemonade for you, Miss Dunston. These balls can become so warm, can they not? Such a crush of people.”
Helping himself to a glass of wine from a passing footman, he raised his glass to Everton, then sipped. The others drank as well, unable to give offense by refusing.
When all glasses were empty, Jonathan drifted away, a most devilish smile curving his lips. Would it not be interesting to see what developed now?
Chapter 14
The presentation of the multiple betrothals seemed to be an anticlimax as far as Penelope was concerned. The ton delighted in the novelty, however.
Lady Harford climbed the two steps to the musicians’ stand to raise herself above the crowd just a little. She had drawn Charis and David along with her, Letty and Andrew, and Penelope and Jonathan following closely behind.
“My dear friends,” she began after the curious crowd fell
