‘And you shall know, but not yet.’
‘To return to the Grishams’ invitation,’ Mrs Pridham broke in, before Natalya could press her husband further. ‘Your lessons will be completed by noon so there is no reason you should not go. However, it must be in our carriage and with your maid in attendance. Come, Natalya, we are not being unreasonable.’
Natalya observed how her aunt’s mouth stretched to a smile, but it never reached her eyes. She had learned that the expression meant there would be no more discussion and she gave in.
Two days later, she set off in the carriage with her maid for Royal Crescent.
As she expected, the Grishams’ drawing room was crowded with familiar faces, mainly young ladies, although a smattering of gentlemen were in attendance, including Freddie. Those who did not wish to draw were expected to pose for the others, but recalling the confrontation with Tristan when he had seen her portrait of his nephew, Natalya chose this time to make a likeness of Mrs Grisham, who was good-natured enough to sit in the corner for the whole of the afternoon, demanding only that she should be supplied with tea, cake and conversation.
Freddie did not appear overly put out by Natalya’s choice and he happily agreed to sit for Jane Grisham to take his likeness. It seemed to Natalya that they were getting on very well and doing far more talking and laughing than sketching. However, when the groups reformed after stopping to partake of refreshments in the form of tea or lemonade and cakes, Natalya’s friends conspired to prevent her drawing anyone except Freddie. He cast her a laughing, rueful glance and suggested they should take the vacant seats by the window.
‘Your friends are determined to throw us together,’ he murmured as they sat down.
‘Yes, and I am very sorry for it. I beg your pardon, Freddie, I would not wish to make you uncomfortable.’
‘I am not, I assure you.’ He was silent for a while, then said, ‘I am quite reconciled now, you know. To not marrying you.’
‘I am glad of it, but pray, hush now. After my last, deplorable effort to capture your likeness, I am determined to do much better this time!’
Her pencil was flying over the paper as she concentrated, taking frequent glances at his profile as the drawing progressed.
‘I am resigned to the fact that you cannot love me,’ he told her, his eyes fixed on a spot across the room. When Natalya followed his glance she realised he was looking at Jane Grisham and a smile tugged at her lips.
She said, ‘Admit it, Freddie, I have not broken your heart.’
He looked for a moment as if he would argue, then he gave a long sigh. ‘You must think me very fickle.’
‘No, merely a trifle impetuous. You offered for me far too quickly, you know.’ She sketched a few more lines before sitting back and looking at him. ‘Next time you should wait a little longer. Make sure of your feelings before you speak.’ She stopped, her pencil poised in mid-air and gave a little crow of laughter. ‘Good heavens, I sound very much like a maiden aunt!’
He grinned at her. ‘But the advice is sound, Lya!’
She sobered. ‘Then let us make it clear to everyone that we are not going to be married and as soon as possible. I have not forgotten those threats against you, Freddie.’
‘That is one very good reason to carry on with the pretence,’ he retorted, frowning. ‘I’m dashed if I will let anyone think I have given in!’
‘No one will think that at all, but the Pridhams might be more comfortable about your attending my party!’
He smiled at that, but it was a little forced.
‘Actually, I am not sure I should attend,’ he told her. ‘I received a letter from my mother today. She has heard from an old friend of hers who lives in Bath that we are to be married.’
‘Oh, no!’
‘Alas, yes. Mama is distraught. She is very angry with Tristan, too, for she knows he is in Bath and thinks he has been keeping this from her. Which is true, but only because he was convinced the whole thing would fizzle out.’ He added without rancour, ‘And he was right, too, damn him.’
‘Oh, dear, we should not have kept up the pretence.’
‘No, that’s not it, Lya. The lady in question saw us at the Assembly Rooms, the night Mrs Ancrum escorted you.’
‘When we danced together several times.’
‘Yes.’ He nodded. ‘She put two and two together and, well, that was it. She dashed off a letter to Frimley immediately, assuming that Tristan’s presence at the ball meant the match had the family’s blessing.’
Natalya put a hand to her cheek. ‘Oh, Freddie!’
He sighed. ‘Mama is a widow, you see, and not in the best of health. She depends upon Tristan to look out for me and this letter has put her in quite a pelter.’
‘Oh, your poor mama. You must go and reassure her that there is no cause for concern.’ She hesitated. ‘And you should tell Lord Dalmorren so, too. Before you leave Bath.’
‘Thank you, yes, I think it would be best. After all, he will know soon enough.’
‘I really think you should go to Frimley as soon as maybe,’ she urged him. ‘If you wait for my party, it will be another full week before you reach your mother. Just think how anxious she will be by then.’
‘Do you really think I should do that? You would not mind?’
Recalling the threats made against him, Natalya was relieved that he was leaving Bath, but she thought it best not to say so.
‘I do not mind in the least,’ she told him. ‘I shall miss you, but I truly believe you should make all haste to speak to your mama in person.’
‘You are right,
