“I won’t forget,” he said. “But heed me, I am your husband and I will take care of the comte. You will do exactly as I tell you. I will take no more chances with your safety. I mean it. Obey me, Arabella.” Her chin went into the air. She pulled her hand away from his and marched up the stairs of the Talgarth mansion, Lady Ann and Elsbeth following after her. As for the comte, he already awaited all of them at the top of the stairs.
Lady Talgarth swooped down upon them before the butler could announce them formally, her overly bright, toothy smile embracing them all, except possibly, Lady Ann. “Ah, my dears, how very delightful. My dear Ann, how very exquisite you are this evening. The gray is so much less black than it should be, don’t you agree? Of course, I should never be seen wearing a color that did not show proper respect, but all of us are different, are we not?”
“Very different, thank the good Lord,” Arabella said. “Come, Mother, let us mingle.” She grabbed her mother’s hand and dragged her into the vast ballroom of Talgarth Hall. Every neighbor in the entire area was present.
Flocks of brightly colored peacocks, Arabella thought, a magnificent sight.
“Really, my darling,” Lady Ann said, laughter lurking in her voice, “you show her no pity.”
“She’s a bitch,” Arabella said, her voice indifferent. “But who cares?
You certainly don’t. I know Suzanne will be much better off when she is married and away from her. I just hope she can find someone as splendid as Justin for her husband. But I fear there is no other man to match him.”
“Spoken like a girl blindly, madly, in love,” Lady Ann said. “I am pleased, dearest. I spoke with Justin, as you have probably already guessed. He told me everything. Well, I don’t know if that’s true or not.
At least he told me enough. You and I will discuss it later.” She was already searching about her. “Has Paul arrived yet, I wonder?
Unfortunately, I was unable to see him during the day, as you know. Or perhaps you don’t, since you’re so involved with your husband.” Now that, Arabella thought, keeping her mouth firmly closed, was an understatement. “Oh look, Mama, there’s Suzanne. Isn’t she lovely? I love that shade of pink on her.”
Suzanne was soon whirling about them. She clasped Lady Ann’s hands. “How beautiful you look, Lady Ann. And you, Bella. Goodness, just look at those pearls. They’re exquisite. Where did you get them? Oh, don’t tell me. Your handsome husband gave them to you, didn’t he?” Arabella actually blushed. It was amazing, Lady Ann thought, staring at her. “I have never seen them before and they look to be quite old,” she said slowly.
“Justin said that my father gave them to him to give to me after we were married. He did, this evening.”
“Oh, my love,” Lady Ann, “you are my precious and Justin’s as well. Isn’t life grand?”
“I think so,” Arabella said slowly, for out of the corner of her eye, she saw Gervaise dancing with Elsbeth. She was not about to forget that she must keep him under view for the entire evening. Surely he would try something. She knew it as well as Justin did.
She also saw Suzanne curtsy to the earl, heard her laughing voice. “I vow a score of young ladies have been fluttering about the past hour or more waiting to meet you, my lord. You will not stick to Arabella’s side all evening, will you? No, of course you won’t, a gentleman has to flaunt himself, show the world that he doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve.”
“I am yours to command,” the earl said. Arabella watched him, her expression filled with hunger, had she but known it, when he asked a young lady to dance with him.
Arabella turned to find Gervaise at her elbow. “Monsieur,” she managed in a creditably calm voice, “Will you not join us? There are many people you must meet.” Yes, you bastard, let’s just see what you will do this evening.
There was an instant of hesitation in his dark eyes before he said easily, “But of course, Arabella, I am your servant, as always.” Arabella introduced him to Miss Fleming and watched the two of them take their places in a country dance.
“Mama,” Arabella whispered, “look over by the fireplace. Poor Dr.
Branyon, held captive in conversation by the gouty Lord Talgarth. He looks desperate, Mama. His eyes are glazing. I believe you’d best go rescue him before he takes a fireplace poker to his host.”
“By all that’s wonderful, but you are a marvelous daughter.” Lady Ann kissed her daughter’s cheek and was off, her step as light and happy as a young girl’s.
Arabella next introduced Gervaise to the quiet Miss Dauntry, the fourth daughter of a fondly doting mother. As he turned to lead the young lady to the dance floor, Arabella saw Lord Graybourn sweep by with Elsbeth on his arm. He was, surprisingly, a very graceful dancer. Elsbeth was laughing up at his face. This certainly looked promising.
Suzanne whirled by with Oliver Rollins firmly in tow. He was a chubby, well-meaning young man, whom Arabella had bullied mercilessly from their childhood. Suzanne called out to her, all gaiety, “Do not fret, Bella, I shall send one of
