So had Marissa.
Magnificently coiffed in a gown of pale gray silk, Lady Pendleton sidled into the room like an overdressed crab. Pale skin stretched taut across the sharp bones of her face, drawing attention to the sunken hollows of her cheeks. Lips thinning, Lydia took in the assemblage gathered in the room.
Marissa smiled. Lydia had little charity in her heart for anyone. How annoyed she must be, forced to attend with Lady Higgins, a woman Lydia most certainly considered beneath her.
Next to Lydia and Lady Higgins stood an unremarkable looking young girl, several years older than Jordana. Simon’s intended bride was perfectly suitable at first glance. She was incredibly average in every way possible. Slender, but not painfully thin. Dark brown hair like dozens of other girls. Wide blue eyes above gently rounded cheeks. Tiny rosebud of a mouth.
Lydia said something to Miss Higgins and the girl immediately looked down at her slippers as if studying the stitching across the top.
A frown tugged at Marissa’s lips. Horribly docile. Probably lacks the ability to think on her own. Exactly the sort of young lady Lydia would deem perfect for her precious son.
If nothing else, I need to save that poor girl from having to endure Lydia as a mother-in-law.
Lydia gave a roll of her shoulders, one of her patent disingenuous laughs filling the air while her head tilted back as if horribly amused. Her head jerked sharply as she caught sight of Marissa sitting across the room, Arabella at her side.
“Oh, dear. She doesn’t look happy to see you, Aunt. I can’t imagine why,” Arabella said with a small laugh. “I do hope she simply detests meeting me and realizes she cannot so much as give me a sour look. Lady Higgins holds this charity very near and dear to her heart. And I’m the largest donor in attendance, besides Lady Higgins.”
“Are you? I didn’t realize you’d found miners to be worthy of your charity, Arabella. You’ve never shown concern for their plight before.”
“Well,” Arabella nodded in the direction of Lady Higgins, “Cornwall is full of miners and also mine owners, most of whom do business with Sir Richard Higgins through one of his banks. Lady Higgins considers herself to be quite the philanthropist, as evidenced by her support of the Chenwith Society, to which I am now a generous contributor.”
“Clever girl, aren’t you, Bella?”
“My husband thinks so. Besides, Rowan has interests in Cornwall.”
Of course he did. Arabella’s husband had his hand in a great many interests, the multitude so great, Marissa found it boggled the mind. How in the world did anyone think Rowan merely a lovely gentleman who charmed the ladies of the ton and drank scotch with their husbands?
“I am not surprised at the news of Rowan’s interests in Cornwall.”
Arabella gave a soft chuckle.
Lady Higgins’s gaze landed on Arabella, fairly beaming when Marissa’s niece inclined her head in the woman’s direction. It was clear Lady Higgins was thrilled to see Arabella attending a gathering of the Chenwith Society.
As well she should. The patronage of the Duke of Dunbar’s sister would give Lady Higgins and her projects, including the Chenwith Society, a great deal of support and attract the patronage of other wealthy ladies.
Taking her daughter’s arm, Lady Higgins whispered to Lydia before proceeding toward Arabella.
Face soured with displeasure, Lydia peered around the room as if looking for a way to exit gracefully before her eyes fell on Marissa again. She stiffened her narrow shoulders, resigned to the inevitable.
Marissa wanted to giggle at her discomfort. This was most enjoyable.
Arabella stood gracefully to greet Lady Higgins.
“Lady Malden.” Lady Higgins bobbed politely upon reaching them. “Pardon the intrusion.” She looked at Marissa in apology.
“Not at all, Lady Higgins.” Arabella bestowed a gracious smile. “May I present my aunt, Lady Cupps-Foster.”
Lady Higgins was a perfectly lovely woman whose dark brown hair and blue eyes were the same as her daughter’s. She was well-dressed in a simply cut dress the color of amethyst, her jewelry tasteful and not ostentatious. Lady Higgins, though visibly impressed with Arabella, did not seem inclined to pander to her niece, and Marissa liked her all the more for it.
It was a shame she would have to ruin her daughter’s courtship.
“A pleasure, Lady Higgins.” Marissa greeted her with a touch of her hand. “My niece was just mentioning to me your work with the Chenwith Society. I find your interest in the welfare of others to be inspiring.”
Lady Higgins colored with pleasure at the thought Arabella had been speaking of her.
Lydia’s mouth pursed and wrinkled, clearly displeased.
“My daughter, Miss Clare Higgins,” Lady Higgins continued, “and our dear friend, Lady Pendleton.”
“A pleasure.” Arabella greeted them both politely. “I adore your dress, Miss Higgins. Very becoming.”
The girl blushed prettily. “Thank you, my lady.”
“Lady Pendleton,” Lady Higgins said, “is visiting us all the way from Derbyshire. You may be familiar with her son, Viscount Pendleton.”
“I am indeed as I am with the lady herself,” Marissa said. “How lovely to see you again, Lady Pendleton.” At Lady Higgins’s surprise, she said, “My late husband’s estate borders that of Viscount Pendleton. We are old friends, aren’t we?” She placed a hand on Lydia’s forearm as if in affection, gratified when the old witch flinched as if Marissa had seared her with a poker.
“A pleasure to see you, Lady Cupps-Foster.” Lydia sounded brittle, as if chips of ice were lodged in her throat. She stepped back just enough for Marissa’s fingers to drop from her sleeve.
Marissa gave her a sweet smile.
“Lady Malden,” Lady Higgins started, “I wanted to thank you personally for your generous donation to the Chenwith Society. Your patronage has come as such a pleasant surprise. We are a small organization and there are those who feel our charity isn’t needed, but we do very good work.” Lady Higgins beamed, her passion evident. “So many of our miners lack proper food and medical care, as you will hear when Dr. Linwood speaks. Worse, if they perish while toiling away, their families are
