"Chater, Elizabeth - The Marriage Mart" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chater Elizabeth)

THE MARRIAGE MART
Elizabeth Chater

Chapter 1

To say that Sir Umphrey Long was a nodcock, as his wifeТs motherfrequently did, was perhaps too severe. His understanding was justsufficient to get him through his life as a country squire withoutserious entanglements or difficulties. He was a big, handsome man,universally liked for his cheerful good nature.His wife, Dulcinia, a feather-brained female, had been as pretty as shecould stare, and had had, within a month of her come-out, several flatteringoffers. УFortunately,Ф her Mama often said.Dulcinia chose Umphrey, and had, in due course, two sturdy sons theimage of their Papa, and a daughter even prettier than her Mama. The exasperatedGrandmother was often heard to remark that they were all beautiful,all cheerful, and all abysmally stupid. This unnatural acerbity upon the partof so fortunate a grandparent was not resented by the good-natured Longs,who admired Lady DeliaТs rapier witeven when they were its target.And then a fourth child was born, a daughter. Dulcinia, whose favoritegoverness had once given her a book on Greek mythology (possibly the onlybook Dulcinia ever read), had intended to call her fourth child Theodora.Aftera few puzzled looks at the solemn little baby, she changed her mind.УShe is different,Ф Dulcinia ventured to her doting husband and herlong-suffering mother.Umphrey took a closer look. УWell, my dear, she doesnТt look like myside of the familyЧnor yours, for that matter,Ф he added, assessing thethatch of black hair and the tawny-brown eyes. УAphrodite, Achilles, andJason have golden hair and bright blue eyes, like yours, my dearest love.They also have bigger noses and smaller mouths than this baby.But we shalllove her just as dearly as though she were beautiful like Aphra and Killy andJase,Ф he said gently, putting a comforting large arm around her shoulders.His wife accorded him a doting smile.His mother-in-law took a closer look at the huge, golden-brown eyeswhich were staring at her with the cool intensity of a well-bred kittenТs. Areluctant smile tugged at Lady DeliaТs lips.УI like this one,Ф she said decidedly. УSheТs got presence! Possibly evenbrains. She looks like my father.ФUmphrey and Dulcinia appeared worried, but since Lady Delia made nofurther comment, they were soon happy to forget the odd remark about brains.It was only as the little girl, called Athena at her grandmotherТs request,grew into a quiet, intelligent young woman,that her worried parents perceivedthat they had produced a changeling. Where her amiable siblings hadto be hauled and pushed into learning to read, write, and cipher, AthenaLong could read at five, and write a legible hand at six. Her alarmed parents,nobly refusing to assign blame to the Scottish governess Lady Delia hadprovided, informed her ladyship of the result. The grandmother, skepticalabout the reports of the prodigy, came to scoff and remained to praise thebrilliance and directness of the childТs mind. Athena took to learning as aneaglet takes to the shifting currents of the skyЧwith joyous competence.For the next twelve years, Tina Long expanded her mind with quiet, ifsolitary, pleasure, while her golden siblings were very gentle with their littlesister. For one thing, she didnТt look like the family. Her hair, though longand lustrous, was black and straight. Her huge golden eyes had a solemn,contemplative stare. Aphrodite whispered to her dear Mama that so muchstudy was making poor Tina near-sighted, and shouldnТt they do somethingabout it?Dulcinia sighed. She was a little ill at ease with the quiet young daughterwho tended to go off into some world of her own when the rest of the Familywas happily discussing important matters like hunting and new clothesand the latest interesting on dits. Perhaps the poor child was beginning to recognizethe difference between herself and the beautiful sister and brothers?УWe must all be especially kind and loving to poor Tina,Ф was the bestDulcinia could come up with. So they all, even Killy and Jase, did their bestto compensate for their little sisterТs differences. Dulcinia and Aphra insistedthat she accompany them on social calls to all their neighbors to drink teaand gossip; Killy and Jase wheedled her into joining them when they wentout with The Hunt. And the whole Family dragged the reluctant Tina toevery ball and assembly the County hostesses provided.It was a letter from Tina, detailing some of the rigors of her social life withwryhumor and a trenchant, if slightly bitter, turn of phrase, that alerted hergrandmother to the dangers of the situation. She made one of her infrequentvisits to the modest Long estate. Watching her granddaughter as the girltranslated a poem from Frenchinto English, Lady Delia said, with grim warning,УYour sister has just received a flattering offer from Lord Marpole.ФTina raised glorious tawny-brown eyes and smiled at her grandmother. УIam happy for Aphra. They should suit very well.ФУSince Roger Marpole is eager to marry a beautiful, well-bred woman whowill be easily managed, and Aphra is eager to marry, period, they should haveno problems,Ф her ladyship said tartly.УShe cares for him as much as she is able, I think,Ф offered Tina. УAnd heis a kind man.ФУOh, IТve no doubt theyТll make a comfortable match of it. Which bringsme to something I must say to you, dear child.ФAthena gave her grandmother a long, considering glance. УDo not tell meyou have an itch to match-make in other quarters?Ф she teased. УYouТll catchcold at that!ФУWretched girl,Ф scolded her grandmother, Уthat is the trouble! YourЧahЧfame is growing, your Mama tells me, to such an extent that it has frightenedoff every eligible parti in the county! Have you not noticed that the localyouths are shy of you? I have been informed that Lawyer CopeТs carrottoppeddaughter Maddy was besieged at the last Assembly, whilst you, my poppet,sat out half the dances!ФУCloser to three quarters,Ф Tina shrugged. УThey are stupid and boring,after all.ФУThe Assemblies? Yes, I grant you they are, butЧФУThe young men,Ф Tina corrected her.Her grandmother looked aghast at such plain speaking. УNever, I repeatnever, let such words be heard from your lips, I beg of you! To be told they arearrogant, self-willed, hard to handle, delights the male sex, while to have ithinted that they are philanderers or libertines quite sets them up! But to statethat you find them boring and stupid will drive them away faster than thethreat of the plague!Ф LadyDelia fluttered her elegant little fan as she contemplatedher Bluestocking granddaughter with grave concern. УI see I musttake you in hand. I had thought to thank Heaven that you are not a simpleton like every other member of your family, but it seems I may have been mistaken.At least they have enough nous to value the really important thingsЧФУSuch as?Ф AthenaТs attention was fully attracted now. She was smiling thatdevastating, heart-catching smile which Lady Delia privately thought irresistibleЧand quite wasted upon oneТs grandparent.УSuch as MarriageЧand Men,Ф she retorted, Уsince we cannot have onewithout the other.ФУHavenТt you forgotten love?Ф teased the girl.УNo, but I am afraid you have,Ф riposted Lady Delia, regarding the piquantlittle face with a frown. After a moment she spoke again. УHave you thoughtof what you will be doing ten or even twenty years from now, if you continuein this fashion? Nose forever in a dusty volume, eyes straining and squintingto decipher fine print, shoulders continually bent over a deskЧ?ФTina chuckled. УIТll have a dusty nose, red-rimmed eyes, and round shoulders,Фshe suggested.Lady Delia was not amused. УYouТll be alone with your nose and your eyesand your shouldersЧand no one will care what you look like in any case!ФУMy family would care,Ф objected Tina, losing a little of her amusementwhen presented with this undeniably gloomy picture.УAre you content to live with those amiable moon-calves for the rest ofyour life? I think I know you better than that, dear child,Ф answered LadyDelia. УYou must make a life of your own. And that means marriage, for awoman of our class.ФTina frowned. УWhat do you suggest, Grandmama? That I attend the nextAssembly and try to charm some man by flirting like Maddy Cope?ФУYou would not succeed,Ф replied her grandmother succinctly. УIn the firstplace, you do not know how to flirt in spite of, or perhaps because of, all yourerudition. In the secondФЧshe overrode TinaТs effort to interruptЧФin thesecond place, my poor girl, you have so terrified all the eligible young menwith your learning and aloofness that you could not get near enough to anyof them to flirt with him.ФУYou paint a dark picture,Ф said Tina at length. УI must suppose that thereare ways to overcome my handicaps, and that you have some such in mindalready.Ф She sighed. The idea of remaining at Malong Hall for the rest of herdays was a daunting one. She loved her cheerful family, but had to admit thatthey were as stimulating intellectually as a litter of new puppies. She shookher head at the prospect. УI will do whatever you advise. I am thought to bequick to learn,Ф she offered bravely.Lady Delia nodded. УI believe it can be managed. But you must placeyourself in my hands, girl, and you must work as you have never done before!And I must work,Ф she added grimly. УI trust I shall be able for it.ФTina chuckled. УI would wager my blunt that you are capable of anything,Фshe said with real admiration. УWhen do we start?ФУAt once! First lesson: you must not use terms like Сwagering your bluntТand Сcatching cold at something.Т Such masculine cant from a young girlТs lipsmust disgust a man of fastidious taste.ФTina frowned. УExactly what did you have in mind for me, Grandmama?If it is to become a mealy-mouthed, niminy-piminy miss, sighing and languishingand flying up into the boughs at the slightest mention of anythinginterestingЧ!Ф She pulled a long face. УI could not, nor would I wish to. Betterto wither on the familial vine!ФLady Delia, who had been looking grim, unbent with a reluctant smile.УDevil!Ф she said affectionately, and ruffled TinaТs thick silky hair with anindulgent hand. УPerhaps you are right. The worthwhile catches would probablyscorn a prudish miss. I do have one Prize in mind, but heТs been avoidingParsonТs mousetrap for so long heТs probably uncatchable.Ф She sighed. УIfonly I were forty years youngerЧ! Oh well, perhaps our first concern shouldbe, as you suggest, to decide what sort of female you should be.ФУI suppose I cannot just be myself?.Ф asked Tina wistfully.УQuite ineligible,Ф said Lady Delia briskly. УA Bluestocking, mouthingFrench poetry and, I have no doubt, Latin maxims!ФУOmnia vincit Amor?Ф murmured Tina naughtily. She chuckled at her grandmotherТsshocked expression. УIt just means СLove conquers all,Т Уsheexplained. УI thought it appropriate to our discussion.ФУJust as I said!Ф observed Lady Delia. УCompletely ruinous!ФTinaТs eyes began to sparkle. УI have it! A femme fatale! What I believe mybrothers call a Regular Dasher!ФLady Delia rolled her eyes heavenward. УWe are not seeking to establishyou as some rakehellТs light-oТ-love, my girl!Ф The elderly woman was, it mustbe admitted, a little in alt at the idea of creating a New Athena who shouldtake the Beau Monde, and one member of it in particular, by storm.УThen if not a female pedant, nor even a femme fatale, will do, what role doyou propose I should play?ФУHow about a Woman of Mystery?Ф suggested Lady Delia, eyes glinting.УWould a Man of Consequence wish to marry a Woman of Mystery? It seemsunlikely to me,Ф said Tina doubtfully. УHe might be letting himself in for someunpleasant surprises.ФУYou are right,Ф Lady Delia admitted. УI am permitting myself to be carriedaway by theЧerЧchallenge. Make no mistake about it, my dear child,it is a challenge! Your fatherТs estate is not such as will provide a dazzlingdowry for two daughters. For one thing, he had to buy two commissions eachfor your brothers!Ф She frowned at TinaТs gurgle of laughter.УIf you could have seen their faces when Papa came home to announcewhat he had done!Ф she chuckled. УPoor Papa intended Achilles, as the firstborn,to be the warrior, and follow in the illustrious footsteps of PapaТs ownfather in the HussarsЧor should I say the horse-shoe tracks?Ф She was laughingopenly, her eyes alight with mirth. УI had to point out to him that Killy invariablythrew out a rash when in the company of his beloved horses! The huntingseason, much as he loves it, is always a wretched time for poor Killy! ThenPapa admitted to us that he had planned for Jason to follow Uncle Martin intothe Navy, until Jase reminded Papa of our ill-fated trip to Brighton, when aboating excursion upon even a calm ocean invariably made Jason dog-sick.Papa realized that to condemn Jase to a life at sea would be excessively cruel!ФУYour father is a widgeon,Ф stated Lady Delia. УOne would have thought,however, that even the most totty-headed of fathers would have discovered hissonsТ unfortunate failings before attempting to launch them upon the onlycareers completely impossible for them to pursue,Ф snorted their grandmother.УWell, he has it straightened out now,Ф the girl soothed her. УJason is madabout horses, and Killy seems to be enjoying his life on shipboard. AllТs wellthat ends wellЧas Shakespeare said.ФУShakespeare may have said it. You should not,Ф criticized her grandmother.УAre you going to be sensible or not? Lacking a generous settlement, youmust not flaunt your eccentricities!ФThis was too much for the high-spirited girl. УI would not wish for ahusband who had to be paid to take me,Ф she said with the first anger shehad shown.УWhat kind of a husband would you like?Ф her grandmother asked withreal interest.Tina smiled. УAn intelligent one who could talk to me about somethingother than hunting, gaming, and the latest mill between Prides of the Fancy.ФShe hesitated, then continued steadily, УAnd one who loved me more thananything else in the world.ФLady DeliaТs eyebrows rose almost to her hairline.УMy poor child!Ф she murmured pityingly. УYour wits have been addled byall that scholarship! DonТt you know that no personsЧfemale at least!Чof ourorder of Society marry for love?Ф She enunciated the word as though it wereslightly obscene. УOh, I grant you, if the woman is fortunate, a strong affectionmay in course of time develop. Your grandfather and I became quitegood friends when he grew tired of gaming and pursuing his bits of muslin!But no member of the Haut Ton would admit to marrying for love. Quite mawkish!Absurd! Theatrical!ФУThen I must choose someone from the Bas Ton,Ф retorted Tina grimly, УforI shall never marry for any other reason.ФУA Romantic!Ф breathed Lady Delia with such an expression of horror thatTina was forced to laugh.УWell, according to you and Mama, I shall never be able to get closeenough to the local swains to find out whether I could love them or not! Doyou dare to show your face in London with such an unlikely debutante?ФLady Delia rose to the challenge. УI shall not only take you back with meto Portman Square, Athena, but I shall find you a suitable parti. And you hadbetter be prepared to fall in love with him, for I warn you now, at the outset,that I do not intend to be wasting my time!Ф

Chapter 2

His Grace the Duke of Renfrew had not reached his thirty-sixthyear without acquiring a very good knowledge of his world andhis own position in it. Even his enemiesЧand he had a numberЧwere forced to admit that there was reason for the arrogance withwhich he depressed pretension in his inferiors. Wealthy as a nabob, a superbsportsman, darkly handsome as a corsair, more elegant than Beau Brummell,John Alexander George Stone, the most Noble Duke of Renfrew, was at oncethe challenge and the despair of every female in the Beau Monde. The factthat he quite frequently absented himself from that small and glittering companyof his peers, and that few even of his intimates knew where he went, orfor what purpose, served only to make him more fascinating to well-bornfemales. The men of his own class were sure they knewЧif not where hewent, then certainly with what sort of companion. Such libelous on dits merelyserved to enhance His GraceТs desirability.It is also fact that His Grace had not reached his thirty-sixth year withoutacquiring the companionship of a small but dazzling succession of birds ofparadise. Being a sensible nobleman, he had not sought his diversions amongwomen of his own class, where matrimony was the obsessive interest. Greengirls held no allure for him; and the calculated enticements to which he wassubjected by fashionable matrons were enough, he often told himself, todestroy any romantic notions a man might have. He felt no need to securethe succession, since he had a nephew who was his heir. He did not like theboy overmuch, and tried to see as little as possible of him and his annoyingMama, the widow of his younger brother Theodore. Lucy Stone, DowagerCountess of Bodiam, had never forgiven herself for having married theyounger son. That she had not beenЧand never would have beenЧasked tomarry the firstborn son did not seem to occur to her. Her manner was a combinationof self-pity and envy, which made her unacceptable company for allbut a few cronies and hopeful hangers-on. Even her sixteen-year-old sonHarry, who had inherited, through the death of his father, the title of Earl ofBodiam, and who was the heir presumptive of his uncle the Duke, avoided hismotherТs company as much as possible, preferring to attend mills and cockfightswith a scaff-raff company of like-minded young noblemen. HarryStone saw as little of his daunting uncle as he could manage. This usuallymeant that he nerved himself for an encounter with the sophisticated andscornful Duke only when in need of financial assistance.The Duke suffered him, as he did all fools, without pleasure, and paidonly those debts which, unsettled, would have embarrassed the family name.For the rest, he adamantly refused to advance so much as a goat, and remindedHarry of his ample allowance, paid from the estate at Bodiam, and disbursedquarterly until Harry Stone should reach his majority.His Grace the Duke was also cumbered with an older sister. Lady SophiaRate never allowed herself or anyone else to forget that if she had been borna male, she would have been the Duke. Her two sons by her negligible husband,Sir Cecil Rate, were constantly reminded by her of their noble progenitorson the distaff side of the family. Her older son, George, who liked tobe called Gogo, was a weak and sullenly envious youth who entered into allhis MamaТs animadversions against her younger brother the Duke, and endlesslyfantasized himself holding the title. Young Nigel, and Flora, the onlydaughter of the house, thought their UncleJohn a pretty sound apple, a regulartop-oТ-the-trees fellow. Flora told Nigel that there wasnТt much tochoose between their Mama and Lucy Stone, both of whom, she averred,were sour-tempered old jaw-me-deads. Nigel agreed, chuckling, and commiseratedwith the Duke, vowing it not at all strange they saw so little ofhim. Flora agreed.In this opinion, Society concurred. Elegant and sophisticated ladies titteredbehind their fans, murmuring that it served John Stone right to beblessed with Sophia and Lucy.The men shook their heads, asking one anotherhow poor Stone endured it, saddled with the two most notorious shrewsin the Ton. Through it all: attack, commiseration, mockery, the Duke borehimself with imperturbable calm, and let no one share his private counsels.The only member of his immediate family for whom the Duke felt anydegree of warmth was his nephew Nigel Rate. On the rare occasions uponwhich the two met, there were friendly exchanges of opinion upon the latestPride of the Fancy, the qualityof the nags up for the Derby, the probabilityof decent weather at Epsom Downs on the relevant days, and similar issuesof importance. Their brief meetings were usually concluded by the unobtrusivepassing of a comfortable handsel from uncle to nephew. After which, inperfect charity with one another, they went their separate ways.The DukeТs bestЧand jealous people said, his onlyЧfriend was a cheerfulyoung nobleman named Charles Vernell. This handsome, charming, andwealthy marquess could have been the darling of London Society had hedesired to be so. Instead, he seemed to prefer to accompany John Stonewhenever he received the least encouragement. The Duke found so muchquiet pleasure in CharlesТs optimistic, light-hearted company that he permittedtheyounger man to share most of his social activities. He evenallowed him to go along on one of his frequent disappearances from London.Charles, surprised and deeply impressed at the revelation of hisfriendТs complex nature, and the passion that burned behind the imperturbablefacade which was his friendТs countenance, found himself watchingthe dark, handsome profile as the two men drove back to London froma week spent at Renfrew Castle.УI would never have suspected, John! The face you present to Society isso different!Ф The younger man shook his head, grinning.The Duke took his eyes from the road long enough to cast a challenginglook at his friend. УAnd exactly what face is that?ФCharlesТs bright blue eyes sparkled, his generous mouth curved withamusement. УWhy, a very domineering, high-nosed, damn-your-eyes,arrogant phiz, to be sure! And never a hint of yourЧshall I say?Чotherinterests! How the clubs and the boudoirs would buzz if they knew what IТvejust learned!ФУBut you are going to say nothing,Ф suggested his host, silkily.Charles grinned. УNothingЧbecause no one would believe me! I can justhear the quizzes murmuring, СPoor Vernell! Ripe for Bedlam! It must be thecompany he keeps!ТФ The youthТs face was alight with fun. The Duke foundhimself grinning in sympathy.УRipe for Bedlam? You should have been there years ago!ФAs he tooled his curricle expertly through the crowded streets of London,the Duke frowned down his aristocratic nose at the malodorous clutter, andasked himself again why he had allowed Vernell to persuade him to leave thefresh countryside for this stinking midden. If it had not been that a certainscheme of his necessitated his appearing before the House of Lords, he mightwell have ignored CharlesТs pleadings and remained at his estate, to continuethose projects which currently so absorbed his interest. But there was thedebate to attend, and booksellers to question.УIs Flora to attend the Ball tonight?Ф Charles ventured to break thelengthy silence.His Grace sighed. УI suppose so, SheТs too young, and not out yet, but theDowager mentioned her specifically.Ф He groaned. УWhy did I permit you toremind me of the invitation? I might have avoided the wretched crush!ФУAnd found yourself persona non grata with the most powerful hostess inLondon,Ф advised Charles. УYou owe me a debt of gratitude!ФHis Grace was understood to say that he knew exactly what he owed theyoung spoilsport, and it wasnТt gratitude. Charles beguiled the rest of theirjourney with comments upon the charms of the new dщbutantes, contrastingthem favorably with last SeasonТs Diamonds and Reigning Beauties. TheDuke endured these eulogies with the chilly smile that depressed female pretensionso effectively. At length Charles favored him with a quizzical smile.УYouТre a cold fish, John! Have you never suffered a tendre for any female?ФУDo you think I should talk about it if I had?Ф queried the Duke with hauteur.Charles had the grace to color. УNo, of course not, John! Do forgivemy brashness.ФRenfrew unbent enough to say, quietly, УI have never met a female inwhom beauty and intelligence combined in equal measure. The Sex seems tohave one or the other, so that I find myself either bored by their stupidity ordaunted by their ugliness.ФCharles greeted this wholesale condemnation with an incredulous grin,and hastened to cite several of the SeasonТs charmers who possessed a goodmeasure of both wit and beauty. The Duke, however, would not allow hisyoung friend to convince him, and found so many flawsin each lady namedthat Charles finally gave up with a laugh.УNone so blind as those who will not see!Ф he suggested.The Duke forbore to answer, but his face showed so clearly his opinionon the matter that Charles admitted defeat, and began to discuss his chancesof finding a new hunter worthy of the name at TattersallТs.

Chapter 3

At this very minute, Tina was staring at herself in a large, gilt-framedmirror in Lady DeliaТs comfortable Town House. She had to admitthat she liked what she saw. Lady CamdenТs dresser had beendelighted to be told to give the child some alamodality. It was HuggetТsbelief that the little country-girl could be madeЧunder the proper guidance,which of course meant that of HuggerЧinto a veritable Diamond of the firstwater.The wily old dresser had been performing miracles with her elderlymistress for years, and fairly ached to apply her undoubted expertise upon ayounger, more promising subject. She stood back now, as the awe-strickenTina stared at her metamorphosis in the tall cheval glass in the charming bedroom.Wonderingly, the girl breathed.УHugget, you are a witch! I cannot believe that this dazzling creature youhave conjured up is the daunting Bluestocking who has driven all the youngmen away.ФHugget regarded her smugly.УI could see the possibilities in you, Miss TinaЧif youТll pardon the plainspeakingЧas soon as I clapped eyes on that hair and your figure! To saynothing of the colour of your eyes. Most unusual they are, changing to matchwhatever costume you put on.Ф She bent, peering a little. УSee? TheyТre adeep gold tonight, while youТre wearing that lovely yellow silk the mistresshad made for you.ФTina had to admit that her eyes, huge and sparkling with the excitementof it all, were indeed a fascinating shade of tawny gold. She preened at herself,fluttering her lashes. УEffective! And I do not squint!Ф she muttered,remembering the often-expressed fears of her siblings.Hugget pursed her lips. She, like all excellent servants, was well aware ofevery problem suffered by her employers, and agreed wholeheartedly withAthenaТs family that her stubbornly adhered-to program of study was suicidalin a young lady hopeful of conquering the Ton. Hugget felt obliged to issuea warning.УMiss Tina, I have only your best interests at heart when I urge you neverto mention those foreign languages you are forever reading in, and especiallynot thatЧthat book you are writing!ФTina flashed the woman a startled glance, then smiled, shaking her head.УI should have known better than to think I might try to bamboozle a goodservant as to anything which happens in the household! Does everyone knowof myЧmy effort?ФHugget considered the question. УI would say, every member of the staff hereat Lady DeliaТs establishmentЧpossibly excepting the groomsТ boy, who is deaf.ФTina digested this unwelcome intelligence in silence. УI am sure my grandmotherdoes not knowЕФ she began hesitantly.УNo, IТll warrant you she does not, else you would no longer be workingupon it,Ф conceded the dresser. УIf it were even one of those fripperyromances which wellborn ladies divert themselves with, I should not haveventured to speak, for it is possible that some men might find it amusing in awoman that she dreams of romanceЧФ Catching sight of TinaТs offendedexpression, Hugget chuckled grimly. УWe both know why Lady Deliabrought you to London, Miss Tina, and I should think a girl of your brainpower would be awake on all suitsЧФ Hugget paused, coloring slightly underTinaТs teasing glance.УСAwake on all suitsТ, indeed! Better not let Lady Delia hear you mouthingcant, Hugget!ФThe dresser sniffed and advised her charge to go to her grandmotherТs suitebefore Lady D had to send for her. УFor you know, Miss Tina, her ladyship hasgreat hopes oftonightТs Ball. You would not wish to fail her, Miss, when shehas done so much to make your dщbut a success?Ф she urged wistfully.УYou are a slyboots, Hugget, a wily manipulator,Ф Athena said severely,but she caught up her little reticule and the shawl of fine silk and ran lightlyalong the hallway to her grandmotherТs bedroom.Lady Delia was waiting impatiently for her. She was, Tina admitted,impressive in black velvet and diamonds. The women scrutinized one anotherТscostumes carefully, then shared a smile.УWe shall certainly not present a dowdy appearance at Her GraceТs Ball,Фdimpled Tina, swishing her silk skirts in an elegant curtsey. Her shining eyesclearly revealed her pleasure in the fashionable new clothes.УJessica is an old martinet, but sheТs a clever hostess and will help me tofire you off suitably in the Ton,Ф Lady Delia said. УIТve known her for moreyears than either of us wishes to admit. You liked her granddaughter whenyou met her yesterday, did you not?ФУJennifer Nairn is a darling,Ф said Tina warmly. УSheТs very young, though.I shall feel like Methuselah beside her.ФLady Delia frowned thunderously. УThere you go again! Classical referencescan do nothing but harm to our campaign!ФУEven Biblical ones?Ф teased the girl.Lady Delia set her lips. УYou will promise me, Athena, before either of ussets foot outside this house, that there will be no literary comments, no politicalarguments, and NO speaking in foreign tonguesЧ!ФУExcept when I indicate which of the gourmet dishes I wish to samplefrom the buffet,Ф teased Tina. УYou will never convince me that so famous ahostess as the Dowager Duchess of Nairn employs any but a French chef!ФУYou may speak of pтtщs and gelinottes, although I trust you will exercisejudgment in your consumption of pтtisseries, since we are not trying to fattenyou for marketЧФ snapped Lady Delia.Tina could not control her laughter. УBut darling Grandmama, that isexactly what you are trying to do!Ф she gasped.Fuming, the old woman glared at her recalcitrant grandchild. УI despairof you,Ф she managed, finally. УFirst it is an excess of scholarship, and nowcrude badinageЧ!ТУOh,Ф gasped the girl, Уyou are speaking in the French language, Grandmere!It will put all the beaux off you!ФWithout another word, Lady Delia led the way past the footmen and thebutler and out to the waiting carriage. But in her mind was a fierce hope thatone certain nobleman, whom she most devoutly desired for her granddaughter,would be present. Renfrew is the wiliest bachelor in London, she thought, but Idefy even him to resist Tina in that get-up!Three hours later, assured of her beloved grandchildТs complete acceptanceby those members of the Beau Monde present at Her GraceТs Ball, LadyDelia allowed herself to be persuadedto join the Dowager Duchess and twoelderly beaux for a refreshing game of cards in the library. The Ball wasalready an acknowledged success; everyone predicted that the two dщbutantes, Miss Athena Long and Miss Jennifer Nairn, would be Ornaments ofthe coming Season. For her own part, Tina was discovering that the elegantand witty London gentlemen were vastly more interesting than the rathercallow young Bloods who had graced the county Assemblies. Here was rapierwit to challenge her own, and a knowledgeable attitude which put her onher mettle to hold up her side of the conversations.Her mother had made very sure that Athena was instructed in all thesocial skills, so the girl had no hesitation in accepting invitations to dance.She was, indeed, rather besieged by dapper smiling men who claimed her asa partner with gratifying alacrity. This social life is not so dull after all, thegirl decided, sitting for a moment between dances and refreshing herself witha cup of cold, delicious punch. She was searching the room for a glimpse ofher new friend, Jennifer, when her glance fell upon a massive man who wasjust entering the room.Tina stared. It seemed to her that all the other men, whom she had beenthinking to be so attractive, suddenly faded into commonplace before thesubdued splendor of the new arrival. He was accompanied by a muchyounger man, a slender laughing fellow whose eyes were eagerly scanningthe company. Discovering his objective, he led the older man firmly towardJennifer Nairn. Tina felt a quite unaccustomed urge to seek out her new friendherself, so that she might be introduced to the fascinating newcomer.In the event, this was not necessary, for great-hearted Jennifer at once ledthe new arrivals to meet the other dщbutante.УOh, Tina, we are so honored!Ф she said, a little flustered by her awe of theolder guest. УHis Grace the Duke of Renfrew has come to our party, and is soeager to meet you! Your Grace, may I present Miss Athena Long? Tina, thisother gentleman is Lord Charles Vernell, aЧa childhood friend of mine.ФУVery prettily done, minx,Ф laughed Charles, his dark eyes smiling intothose of his old friend. УNow you must promise us all the rest of the dances,for we have arrived too late to speak for ourselves.ФJennifer attempted a haughty stare and then dissolved into giggles.УWicked creature! It would serve you right if we refused you even one singledance, coming so tardy! But for old timesТ sake you may have the next, whichwe had intended to sit out, to recover our breath. It has been such adeplorable squeeze!Ф Her glance roved enthusiastically over the beautifullydressed, bejewelled, laughing throng.Charles grinned at her. УObviously a great success! You are to be felicitated,Jenny!Ф His eyes sparkled at her look of outrage at the old nickname.As the two old friends brangled happily, Tina was able to study the faceof the big man beside her. It was a cold face, she decided, and made itsownerТs boredom evident. His eyes went past her to scan the crowded ballroom. He was quite obviously uninterested in the prospect of joining thecrush of dancersЧand equally uninterested in the young woman to whom hehad just been introduced. A little flame of anger began to burn in TinaТsbreast. She could see no sign of the eagernessto meet her which Jennifer hadmentioned. On the contrary, the wretched man had spoken exactly oneword, on being presented to her: УCharmed.Ф And looked away.Then a cold fear blew upon TinaТs anger, rousing it to a sharper response.Was her failure to charm the male sex at home to be repeated, more humiliatingly,upon this larger stage, before this more sophisticated, glittering company?At once rage shook the girl, frightening her by its intensity. Ignore her,would he? She spoke directly at the averted face, her voice a little high andshrill, her manner ingenuous as JenniferТs had been.УOh, Your Grace, you must forgive me! I have not a single dance left foryou! Such a pity, is it not?Ф A ripple of mirth.The big manТs head turned sharply, and a pair of very disconcerting grey eyesscanned her flushed features intently. Tina bore his stare bravely, keeping thewide social smile pinned to her lips. As she took in the harsh male beauty of hisdark countenance, her heart misgave her at the program she had so hastily andangrily chosen to enact, but it was too late. Jennifer and Charles were staring ather too, and the girl at least could not hide the dismay in her youthful features.УBut TinaЧФ she began to protest.УOf course I must not force myself upon so popular a young dщbutante,Фsaid the Duke, his smile even colder and more artificial than TinaТs. УIf youwill forgive me, MissЧerЧMiss Long? I must seek out some old friends I seehere.Ф Bowing slightly, he turned and strolled away.УI think John won that round,Ф said Charles lightly. His bright blue eyeswere kind on the girlТs face, taking in its quiet beauty and the flush of embarrassmentwhich now mantled her cheeks. УJenny, why donТt you and I joinMiss Long at the buffet? You can ply me with ratafia or whatever dangerousvintages your Grandmama has provided, and you both can bring me up todate on all the London gossip.ФTina answered his well-meant gesture with the sweet smile which had sostruck Lady Delia. She had no intention of playing gooseberry at the reunionof two good friends. She also felt a little faint at the icy incivility of the snubshe had just received. She said, in her normal gentle voice, which was so differentfrom the high, gushing tones she had used to the Duke, УWhy thankyou, My Lord, but I think I shall repair to the conservatory to snatch amomentТs respite from this frenzied activity.Ф She turned gracefully and leftthem before Jennifer could offer her own persuasion.The younger girl looked at her companion ruefully. УThey definitely didnТthit it off, did they?ФLord Charles shrugged. УRenfrewТs impossible. Heart of Stone. But yourfriend really didnТt put her best foot forward, either. I suppose she was nervousat meeting the Great Man.ФУWell, I donТt think heТs so great,Ф fumed Jennifer, loyalty to her newfriend uppermost. УHe was cold and rude, and deserved to be put off! IТmgoing after her!ФCharles took her arm with the easy familiarity of one who had pulled herout of scrapes in her childhood. УBetter leave her tonurse her wounds alone,I think,Ф he said gently. УShe seems a charming and attractive girl, when sheis not endeavoring to cross swords with John Stone.Ф At which, alas, she willundoubtedly catch a very bad cold indeed, he ruminated. He knew thatclosed, arrogant look which John had given the girl as he left. It was a declarationof warЧa war that His Grace the Most Noble the Duke of Renfrewnever lost.As she walked swiftly into the spacious conservatory, TinaТs mind was in awhirl. How could she have let that arrogant man drive her into such stupidbehavior? She had less poise than the veriest adolescent! A sensible femalewould have made a push, at least, to charm him out of his indifference, or atleast could have taken her leave of him without such a childish display! Heavenpermit that Grandmother had not witnessed the confrontation, and her own miserable partin it! She found a seat behind a fragrant bank of flowering plants, and tried torelax in the soft light provided by groups of fairy lights.After a few minutes, the soft splashing of the fountain, which was a centralfeature of the conservatory, began to work its special gentle magic upon hertroubled spirits. Perhaps she could recoup the situation. Surely having offendedone man would not be enough to set all Lady DeliaТs plans at a loss? She lether mind consider the man as she had observed him in those few tensemoments. He was very large, with broad shoulders and a massive torso abovewell-muscled, long legs. There did not seem to be a superfluous ounce on hispowerful frame. When she recalled his face, Tina felt a curious little stab thatwas neither fear nor anger. His Grace was such a handsome man, but not with theeffete, soft-skinned smoothness of most of the gentlemen she had been introducedto that evening. He was hard, as though he had pushed his body to itslimits of strength and endurance. And yet his garments were more elegant, ifless showy, than those of most of the other male guests. Tina sighed. Definitelya man to be reckoned withЧand she had dared to toss him the gauntlet! Sheshivered with a chill that was not quite physical. Then she pulled back into theshadows as movement near the doorway resolved itself into two male figuresstrolling slowly into the conservatory. She recognized the quiet voice at once.УI shall just slip away without further ado. I have made my courtesy to ourhostess, and there really isnТt anyone here I care to linger for.ФУYouТll not go without a word to the other guest of honor, surely, John?ФCharlesТs voice came clearly to the girt in the shadows.УThat little virago?Ф There was no mistaking the edge of contempt in theDukeТs words.УYou forced her to it with your blasted arrogance!Ф his friend protested. УBarelyacknowledging the introduction, treating her with complete indifferenceЧ!ФУWhat else?Ф Renfrew came back wearily. УShe is like so many of her type;pretty enough to be spoiled by young bucks with no sense of discrimination,ignorant, bad-mannered, stupidЕФ His disgust was clear in his deep tones.УBut she isnТt like that at all!Ф protested Charles. УJenny tells me sheТsquick-witted and bright, full of funЧ!ФУI beg you will spare me any further details of MissЧahЧLongТs girlishcharms tonight,Ф said the Duke in a voice that made TinaТs hackles rise. УSheis just such an one as I have always dislikedЧa passably pretty face withnothing behind it but vanity and malice! It is to be hoped that her sponsorswill be able to catch her a husband quickly, before her charms become tarnishedby her bad temper!ФWith which parting shot, the Duke strolled out of the conservatory, hisyoung friend at his shoulder still protesting.Tina rose slowly to her feet. So that was what His Grace the Duke of Renfrewthought of MissЧahЧLong? She was actually torn between a strongdesire to slap his cold, sneering face, and an equally strong wish to prove tohim that she was good-tempered, intelligent, and charming. Then, catchinga glimpse of her own small, clenched fists, Tina took her temper in hand andsought to regain her lost poise. When she had herself under control again,she returned to the ballroom and proceeded to captivate the younger menwith a dash and sparkle that quite opened the eyes of her grandmother, comeat last to check upon the progress of her fledgling. The child was a Success!Whirling gaily about the huge room, Tina thought that this would proveto the arrogant peerЧeven in absentiaЧthat she was not the poor wretch hedeemed her!

Chapter 4

On the day following the Nairn Ball, the Duke set out with greatreluctance to answer a querulous message from his sister, LadySophia. Her note had been delivered very early, but His GraceТs butlerhad rightly decided not to trouble his master with the missiveuntil after he had taken his breakfast. Since the Duke invariably rode for an hourbefore eating, this meant that the whining demand from Lady Sophia for herbrotherТs immediate presence in her drawing room was not delivered into hishands until nearly eleven oТclock. Sighing, the Duke set out for Portland Place.His sister was waiting for him, frozen faced. This then was to be a prolongedsession, during which she would ring the changes on her grievances,disappointments, rancours, until she wore him down into agreeing withwhatever scheme or demand shehad in mind.Sophia surprised him: first, by springing to the attack without preliminaryskirmishing; second, by the nature of her demand.УFlora must come out this Season, Renfrew. I shall need funds and yourpresence. I had thought we might move into the Town House.ФУImpossible,Ф stated the Duke firmly. The one thing that made his sisterendurable to him was the fact that he need seldom, if ever, be in her compa-ny for more than half an hour. To make a move from the quite adequate housethat Rate had provided for her, into JohnТs own much more impressive mansion,had been her driving obsession for years. John relaxed. This was just anew move in the old battle.Sophia surprised him again. УFlora needs a manТs strong hand. She hasbecome quite unmanageable. I cannot control her. I fear a scandal.ФFine dark eyebrows elevated above sceptical grey eyes. УYou are telling meyou cannot control your daughter?ФLady Sophia brazened it out. УI am saying that the chit is completelyunbiddable, headstrong, and devious to boot! For example: she informed mymaid that she was going with her abigail to the Lending Library yesterday. Idiscovered that she had, in fact, gone into a most undesirable section of thecity to purchase a ticket forЧФ she paused for effectЧФa stage performance!ФThe Duke frowned. For a well-born woman, even attended by her maid,such behavior would have been hazardous to her standing in Society. For agirl of fifteen, not yet out, the action courted disaster. Young Flora would belabelled a hoyden, hot-at-hand, perhaps worse, if the report circulated.УYou have of course told no one but myself of this?ФУDo you think me a dim-wit?Ф snarled Sophia. УNaturally the servantsknow, but perhaps if you gave them moneyЧ?ФУIs that how you secure your servantsТ loyalty?Ф asked her brother.Lady Sophia glared at him. УI had thought you cared a little for the child!I should have realized that you hate all my children! Had I been a man, theywould have been heirs to a DukedomЧ!ФУFlora wouldnТt,Ф John reminded her. УAs it is, your own nephew is myheir. We are both aware that you can bullock him and his silly Mama. Cannotyou content yourself with that, Sophia?ФУBut it may be years!Ф Anger and jealousy were removing the guards Sophiausually placed on her tongue. УAnd everywhere I go, I hear nothing but praisesfor your appearance, your wealth, your charm! And endless gossip aboutyour romantic exploits! I live in constant fear that you will forget your obligationsand marry some wretched female quite unworthyof our name!Ф Hervoice rose.УEnough, Sophia!Ф commanded her brother, striding toward the velvetbell-pull. УI shall summon your maid. You are quite overwrought. Have thechild brought to me this afternoon about four. No, do not bring her yourself.Let Nigel attend her. I shall talk with her, and decide what is to be done. Perhapsyou might consider removing with her to the Castle at Bodiam?Ф heasked hopefully. УOr to RateТs family seat?ФSophia glared. УAnd leave London just as the Season is beginning? Youmust be joking!ФУIf you are indeed so concerned over FloraТs behavior, it would seem thata prolonged rustication away from the treats and temptations of the citywould be beneficial,Ф John said firmly. УI shall know better after I have talkedwith the girl.ФLady Sophia was so dissatisfied with the result of her attack that she lethim go without further harangue.At four oТclock that afternoon Cullon announced Miss Flora Rate and Mr.Nigel Rate.УBring em in,Ф ordered the Duke, settling back in the chair behind his deskwith a stern countenance. He was going to have to do something aboutSophiaЧher endless whining was bad enough, but he could usually avoid listeningto it. But if she intended foisting off all her problems and responsibilitiesupon hisshoulders, he would be compelled to take charge of matters,assert his authority. He had been reluctant, for many reasons, to play the roleof Head-of-the-Family, but he was, in simple truth, its head, and must accepthis own responsibilities for the nameТs sake, if nothing else.The two children marched in, apprehensively, obviously expecting aroyal and thunderous set-down. The Duke motioned them to chairs placedin front of his desk, and sat regarding them with an impassive glance.Nigel plucked up courage. УHello, Uncle John,Ф he said.Flora, smiling nervously, echoed, УUncle John.ФThe Duke fixed his eyes upon her young, flushed face.УI am told,Ф he said softly, Уthat you are displaying an interest in the theater.ФУOf course Mama has tattled!Ф snapped the girl, going a deeper red.УWas there any reason why she should not mention the matter?ФУIt was nobodyТs businessЕФ began the girl, mutinously. Then, at hisraised eyebrow and quizzical look, she muttered, УI have nothing to do.Mama never lets me go anywhere interesting! If I have to listen to one moresour old woman babbling gossipЧ!ФУIt does sound dull,Ф agreed her uncle, surprisingly. УWhat would you wishto do?ФFlora drew a deep breath. УI would go riding in the park, attend operas,dramatic performances, balloon ascensions, races,Ф with another deep breath,she continued, eagerly, Уtour the Tower, visit AstleyТs AmphitheaterЧФУStop!Ф commanded the Duke with a grin. УYou have given us enough tofill the next thirty days! Are you sure that all these delights are actually available?I seem to have lost touch with the richness of London life.ФBoth youngsters were staring at him incredulously.УYou donТtЧyou canТt mean it?Ф gasped Flora. УYou will really take us to allthese places?ФУOr see that you are taken,Ф qualified their uncle. He scrutinized theyoung faces with some affection. They were, without doubt, the pick of hisnumerous and mostly boring relations. Perhaps he might arrange to takethem to some of the entertainments Flora had mentioned. Certainly theirwhining, selfish mother had never bothered to put herself out for their pleasure.He rose, walked to the mantel, and pulled the bell cord.УWe shall have a good tea, and then you will go back to your home andawait my summons.Ф This rather autocratic pronouncement was softened bythe warm and attractive smile that lit his face. Both young people respondedto it, and the next half-hour was spent most pleasantly in eating the tastymorsels provided by His GraceТs chef, and discussing the treats to come.It did not occur to the Duke to warn Flora not to use the ticket which shehad apparently purchased for the play.

Chapter 5

The London Season was rapidly gaining pace. Night after night, rivalhostesses opened their doors for all manner of exotic fъtes, ridottos,galas, grand balls, and revels. The Season bid fair to become one ofthe great, memorable ones in the history of the Beau Monde. TinaLong and Jennifer Nairn were deluged with invitations, sometimes attendingas many as three affairs in a single evening, but Lady DeliaТs satisfaction was,to TinaТs quick intellect, shadowed. The girl challenged her Grandmama.УWhat is worrying you? Am I not taking well enough in the Ton?Ф Shewaved a thick bundle of invitations, just arrived. УI did not know there couldbe so many parties crowded into a few weeksТ time.ФLady Delia bestowed a grim smile upon the radiant girl. УYou know verywell you have Сtaken,Т Miss! I have already fended off three separate gallantswho wished to be informed of your fatherТs address, so that they might applyfor your hand. And there are two othersЧDallan and MontgomeryЧwhowill find their way to Umphrey without my permission. Do you have a tendrefor any of them, my child?ФTina sighed. УNo, Grandmama. They seemed at first to be much superiorto the callow youths I met at the county Assemblies, but underneath themodish clothes and the dashing manner there is only the sameboringЕmale.ФDelia Camden tried to look scandalized and only succeeded in smiling.УNaughty girl! What else would you expect to find under the modish clothes?No, donТt tell me! IТm sure it will be something quite shockingЧor else aLatin tag!Ф She chuckled.But Tina was not to be diverted. УWhy do you have that shadow in youreyes, dearest Grandmama?Ф she persisted. УAm I doing something toembarrass you?ФLady Delia pursed her lips. УNo, child, youТve provided a most interestingproject, and quite enlivened these last weeks. It isЧФ she grimacedЧФAlmackТs. I have not been able to wheedle any of the Patronesses into givingyou a voucher! Oh, they are courteous enough, but they manage to put meoff when I make even the slightest of suggestions. They are past mistresses atputting people off,Ф she concluded waspishly.Tina stared at her. УThey do not wish me to attend their parties? But whyis this? Am I not eligible by birth and behavior?ФLady Delia uttered a sound which was almost a groan. УI managed to coaxa hint out of Lady Jersey last night at the PrinceТs dinner. It seems that a certainnobleman has been making remarksЕФTina drew herself up proudly. УAbout me? What could he possibly say tomy detriment? Surely one does not have to have a title or a flawless beautyto receive a voucher to AlmackТs? Who is this noble back-stabber?ФУIt is the Duke of Renfrew, drat him! You wouldnТt have seen him, Tina.He dropped in at the Nairn Ball that fired you off, but apparently stayed onlylong enough to greet his hostess. I cannot for the life of me imagine why heshould have taken you in dislike, for youТve never even met the creature!Ф Shefrowned. УI will admit to you, Tina, I had hopes that your particular blendingof brains and beauty would pique his interest, but it seems he has actuallyspoken disparagingly of you.ФУOn what grounds?Ф The girlТs voice was quiet, her tone level, but hergrandmother glanced up sharply. TinaТs face was whiteЧwith anger?Shock? Indeed, it was a shocking thing to have ill will expressed from sucha powerful source.УIt seems,Ф admitted Lady Delia, Уthat he considers you tobe spoiled, ignorantand bad tempered. I cannot conceive how he should have gotten suchnotions! It must be that he observed some other young miss behaving badlyand was given your name in mistake.ФУI have met His Grace,Ф said Tina slowly. УVernell introduced us. TheDuke ignored me, and then when Vernell and Jennifer tried to force him toask me for a dance, IЧI struck back at him.ФLady Delia was regarding her with a horror-stricken expression. УYoustruck back?Ф she repeated faintly. УIn what way?ФTina shook her head in exasperation. УIЧerЧadopted a sort of high girlishvoice and told him I hadnТt a single dance left for him. And laughed.ФLady Delia sucked in a breath. УLaughed at him? Fatal!ФУHe was also arrogantЧso pompous and uncaring,Ф protested Tina.Lady Delia shivered. Then she forced a smile. This went beyond ordinarysetting-to-rights. To make mock of the most powerful male figure in LondonsocietyЧ! УMy dear,Ф she told her granddaughter, УI am quite at a stand! I donot know how to advise you.ФTina had become aware of what she had done. She had placed herbeloved grandmother in a very difficult and embarrassing position. If a dщbutantefailed publicly, her sponsor was discredited also. Anger began to burndeep inside the girl. Why should their social success be threatened by thepetty malice of one man? I hate him! she thought bitterly. How carelessly he humiliatesmy grandmotherЧand destroys me!The older woman was speaking. УWe shanТt give up, of course. Invitationskeep coming in, and so far, none of the leading Hostesses have blacklisted us.We shall just have to ignore AlmackТs. ItТs a dull place, and the food is beneathcontemptЕФ Already her agile mind was busy with the campaign. УIf anyonementions AlmackТs to you, child, you must just smile prettily and say youhave been so busy accepting delightful invitationsЕ! Finish with a delicate shrug,and then give your inquisitor that big-eyed look that young Jennifer oftenadopts. Conduct yourself as though AlmackТs was the least of your worries.ФУWhich it is,Ф declared Tina stoutly. She was filled with admiration for herMachiavellian grandparent, and walked over to hug her impulsively. УYouout-rival Napoleon as a Little General,Ф she smiled lovingly. УI would backyou against a dozen Dukes!ФУWe havenТt won yet,Ф warned Lady Delia, but it was clear to Tina that shehad pleased her grandmother. In perfect accord, the two ladies began to sortthrough the thick pile of invitations.During the next few weeks it really seemed that the Beau Monde hadtaken Tina to its glittering heart. She danced her graceful way through severalpairs of silken shoes, smiling roguishly, flirting discreetly, demurelycharming the dowagers as well as the strutting males. It appeared that darkhairedTina and honey-blonde Jennifer, enhancing foils for one anotherТs specialbeauty, were becoming the darlings among the dщbutantes. Jennifer, whowas an excellent horsewoman, soon had her own devoted coterie of admiringyoung gentlemen to attend her on her canters throughthe parks. Tina, puton her mettle by the disparaging comments of Renfrew, set out to disprovethem. So successful was she that she became the most sought-after dщbutanteon the dance floor, with all her dances promised days in advance of each ball.Lady Delia thought the chit was looking lovelier every day, and was pleasedto learn that Miss Athena LongТs charming yet gentle wit was much praised.Lady Delia began to hope that they might weather the DukeТs disapprovalafter all.And then, one day, two things happened that changed the picture completely.Lady Delia had awakened with one of her headaches, notorious amongher devoted staff. On this occasion it might have been caused by her horrifiedperception, the previous evening, that their only invitation for the followingnight was for a very boring poetry reading at the salon of a womanwho wished to be known as a Patroness of Literature.УIt is as I feared,Ф she confided to her alarmed grandchild. УEveryone whocounts is to attend a Gala evening at AlmackТs. The Prince is invited, with halfa dozen other notables. Several hostesses have planned dinners beforehandfor those going on to AlmackТs. We had better put it about that I am ill andyou are unwilling to leave my bedside.ФTina tried for a joke. УYou must not have anything that cannot be cured intwenty-four hours, for we are already promised to the Dowager Duchess ofNairn for tomorrow evening.ФУMy migraines are notorious,Ф Lady Delia advised her. УI once failed toappear at Buckingham Palace for dinner when I had such a headache, andTheir Majesties forgave me. No one will wonder at our remaining at home.ФThat, however, was just what Tina had no intention of doing. She hadbegun to find even her acknowledged success in the Ton a little unsatisfying,and had returned, while her Grandmother was dozing or otherwise occupied,to certain reprehensible habits of her pre-London days. Forays to the bookshopsand to museums gave her stimulation of both mind and body, and shehad even gotten several further chapters completed of the secret book-projectthat absorbed her interest. So, having been summarily dismissed by aworried Hugget from her grandparentТs darkened bedroom, Tina put on acharming jade-green walking dress and a modish little hat, and, accompaniedby her maid, walked down to her favorite bookstore. There she purchased adozen volumes, of which six were novels, two of them in French. Since LadyDelia routinely discouraged any such obvious indications that her grandchildwas a Bluestocking, this secret extravagance pleased Tina and set a sparkle inher fine eyes.These eyes today had a fascinating green cast, reflected from the modishwalking dress she was wearing. She stepped lightly along the pavement, dutifullyfollowed by her maid, who was pleased to be on the strut behind sopretty a lady, and did not for a moment resent the parcel of books she carried. Driving past in his curricle, the Duke of Renfrew caught sight of theextraordinarily attractive girl, striding along so gracefully, and turned hishead to watch her progress. Surely he had seen that beguiling little facebefore? Such open happiness was seldom displayed by the correct youngwomen of his class.Roused by a hoarse cry of warning, the Duke returned his glance to theroad just in time to avoid a collision with a dapper man in triple-caped drivingcoat. Possibly stimulated by his anger at his own carelessness, the Dukesuddenly recalled where he had met the girl, and the circumstances surroundingthat meeting. He had, by now, come to regret the malice withwhich he had commented upon Miss Long to Mrs. Drummond-Burrell. Itshould have been beneath his dignity to strike back at the girl who was soplainly trying to depress his pretensions! He could chuckle at it now, in retrospect.She had been like a tiny spitting kitten, and although her voice hadbeen shrill and her manner gushing, her fine eyes, ablaze with anger, stillstayed in his memory.Quite unaware that she had passed so close to her enemy, Tina quicklymade her way back to her grandmotherТs home. Upon learning that LadyDelia was still laid upon her bed with Hugget in attendance, jealous of hermistressТs peace and quiet, Tina said softly, УI shall not try to bother her,Hugget. I may take a drive out after dinnerЧin a closed carriage, of course.I am a little restless, and as there is no party to go toЧФHugget, quite aware of the invitationless evening, merely nodded understanding,and returned quietly to take up her vigil in Lady DeliaТs dressing room.Tina accepted a light snack on a tray in her bedroom. Then she sent awayher maid, and slipping money into her reticule, pulled on a black, hoodedcape and slipped quietly downstairs while the servants were at their dinner.Smiling gently at the small page left to attend the door, she went into thestreet and down to the cab stand beyond the square. There she engaged avehicle, and asked the driver to take her to the theater in which the popularcomedy-drama was currently being presented.УBy Mr. Sheridan,Ф she added hopefully. УDo you know the theater?ФУThatТll be Drury Lane, Miss,Ф the cabby said.Tina was too much interested in all the fascinating sights of London toworry much about the gross impropriety of the step she was taking. To gounescorted to a London theater was quite beyond permission. Still, she waseager to see the performance of which she had heard so much from her partnersat recent balls. If she engaged a box, and sat well back, with her hoodaround her head, she would surely not be recognized.In the event, it proved impossible to engage a box, since the performancewas most popular. The ticket seller did promise her that only one other person, and that another lady, occupied the box she was to share. УI shall takeall the rest of the seats, then,Ф Tina informed him. УAnd you are not to bepushing any more patrons in with me, sir!ФThe youth grinned appreciation of her strategy, and said rather saucilythat he might just be along later to make sure she was comfortable. Tina gavehim a minatory glance and went to find her place.When she reached the designated box, Tina opened the door slowly andmoved into the darkened space. A girl was leaning over the rail, her attentionfixed upon the crowded, loud-talking audience below her. At thesound of the door closing, this girl turned rapidly and eyed the newcomerwith some alarm.At once Tina understood what was happening. The very youthful countenance,now marred with a look of wary defiance, told her that this girl,like herself, was attending the performance without parental approvalЧorknowledge. The clothing was that of a much-cosseted young lady, but theelaborate black lace shawl draped over the girlТs bright red hair obviouslybelonged to an older woman. Tina found the childТs attempt to present amature image rather pathetic. Certainly, she reminded herself, she was inno position to carp at a girl who so loved the theater that she would riskpunishment to attend.She said gently, УGood evening! I am so glad I have not missed thebeginning of the play.ФThe tenseattitude of the other girl relaxed a little, as with a gallant effortat sophistication she said, УOh, you are in good time, maТam! Pray be seated!ФAnd then, blushing as she realized she need not play the hostess in a publicbox, she colored and turned away almost angrily.УThank you,Ф said Tina gently. УThis is the first time I have entered a publictheater in London. I am glad to have a knowledgeable companion.ФThe girl turned back to her slowly, her face a little pale and her mannertentative. УYour first performance! That is an exciting moment.ФTina came toward her and took a seat near hers. She opened the cloak butdid not remove the hood from her head. The younger girl watched curiously.УPerhaps I should tell you I am thought to be taking a soothing drive in aclosed carriage. I am not known to be at the theater.ФThe other girlТs face softened into a mischievous grin. УSo you are a runaway,too!Ф she teased, her whole pixie face bright with laughter. УMy unclewould flay me alive if he knew I was here. I really wouldnТt have come exceptthat IТd already bought the ticket, and I donТt have much pocket money. MyMama is a pinchpenny,Ф she ended her random speech resentfully.УPerhaps youТd better move back a little from the rail,Ф Tina suggested.Hereyes had caught sight of several young male faces turned admiringly upto watch the younger girlТs figure, draped over the edge of the box. УBy theway, my name is Tina Long,Ф she added, conscious of the frown on the childТsface at her assumption of guidance.Her companion, mollified, smiled back at her. УI am Flora Rate,Ф sheoffered. УWhy donТt you take off that cloak? You look warm.ФУI do not wish to be recognized,Ф admitted Tina. УI am in quite enoughtrouble already!ФFlora chuckled. The confession seemed to remove the last of the stiffnessfrom her manner, and she sat back in her chair and turned eagerly towardTina. Whatever she might have intended to confide was lost, however, by theraising of the curtain. Both girls settled back to enjoy the play.By the time the first act was over, Tina decided she had never enjoyed aplay more. The London actors were a different breed of beings from theweary, often inept players who toured the counties, or the amateur groupswho whiled away a rain-cursed holiday with Уtheatricals.Ф The girls were discussingparticular parts of the play which had especially pleased them, whenthe door leading into the corridor was pushed open and two hard-eyedyoung Bucks came laughing into the box.TinaТs first impulse was to draw back into the shadows, but Flora rose toher feet, her young face flushed with excitement. The young men made theirbows rather flamboyantly, Tina thought, and then addressed Flora.УYou must forgive us, pretty lady, but we thought you wereЕsomeonewe knew.ФУOh!Ф FloraТs disappointment was obvious. Emboldened by it, the heavierof the two men came close to her. УBut that can be easily remedied, littleone, can it not? That is, if we introduce ourselves, then we shall knowone another!ФFlora joined in his laughter.УI am Milton. My friend,Ф he waved a hand, Уis called Thomas. And whohave we the pleasure of meeting?Ф He leered down at Flora.Tina said coldly, УWhom. Whom have you the pleasure, etcetera. Yourgrammar is as offensive as your manners.ФThree heads swivelled to face the grim, black-draped figure in the shadows.УYour chaperone!Ф said Milton sourly. УI had not noticed her.ФУBut she isnТt!Ф protested Flora, disappointed at her new friendТs spoil-sportattitude. УSheТs sneaked away from home just as I have!ФConfidence restored, Milton coaxed, УCome out and share a glass ofpunch with us, little one. IТm sure your friend will have no objections.ФSince Flora obviously had none, Tina was in a quandary. She was certainshe had never met either of the young men at any of the entertainments shehad gone to with her grandmother. Still, she did not wish to draw attentionto herself. How ironic if there should be someone in the theater who had metLady DeliaТs granddaughter!УI think it might be unwise, Flora,Ф she was compelled to say. УYour unclewill flay you when he finds out.ФWell, the child had said it herself. Perhaps it might be enough of areminder to prevent Flora from committing a folly.Indeed, the child was looking crestfallen and sober. Milton cast a disgustedlook at the dark figure. УWhatТs the harm in a glass of punch?Ф he protestedself-righteously. Flora added her pleas. Tina began to feel like the spoilsportFlora thought her. But she also knew that Flora had no business goinganywhere with the two philanderers who were trying to scrape acquaintance.She tried to catch FloraТs eye, and shook her head warningly.But Flora was drunk with her own daring. She had actually been successfulin duping her family and the servants, and gettingaway to the theater.Flushed with her accomplishments, she longed for the further excitement ofdrinking punch with two flattering male companions. She held out one handto Milton. УIТll go with you!ФУThatТs the barber!Ф grinned Milton. УComing, Tom?ФThe other man shrugged. УMight as well. ThereТs no sport in this pious bitch.ФFlora hesitated, offended at his crudity to her new friend. УWill you notjoin us, Tina? I am sure you must be as thirsty as I am, after all the laughingwe did.ФУI wish you would reconsider, Flora,Ф she urged. A wicked scheme presenteditself to her. УYou recall how your uncle acted the last time he caughtyou with a strange young man?ФThree pairs of eyes flashed to her face. Flora frowned in bewilderment.УBut heЧФ she began to object.Milton, not so sure now of the wisdom of his behavior, blustered, УСTisonly to drink a glass of punch in a public place. ThereТll be half of London inthe lobby to chaperone us.ФThis idea was naturally distasteful to the girl who was absent without leavefrom her home. She closed her mouth and looked from Tina to the men.Thomas, less aggressive than his friend, was also having second thoughts.If the forward little piece was really Somebody, or had a fire-eating relativeЧ! It seemed to him wiser to be off to easier, less dangerous, conquests.Tina observed his dampened enthusiasm with relish. Feeling stimulated by theplay-acting, she embroidered her tale. УWhy, Mr. Thomas,Ф she said sweetly, Уavery dashing young blade, somewhat of your appearance, tried to cast out luresto Flora in the Pump Room in Bath. My friendТs uncle hired two bravos to accostthe hapless fellow on his way to his rooms that evening. They battered the poorwretch into insensibility. But I am sure you will not let that prospect daunt you.ФThomas was already easing himself out of the box. Milton cast a resentfullook at the older girl. УOf course I would notЧif I were fool enough tobelieve you. But it is almost time for the interval to end, and we mustreturn to our seats. Thanks to your bloody interference, your friend haslost the chance to refresh herself!Ф With this petulant protest, Miltonswept Flora an ostentatious bow, glared at Tina, and followed his friendfrom the box.УNow see what you have done!Ф wailed Flora, dissolving into tears.Tina led her, crying, to a chair away from the railing.УWho is that lady in the opposite box?Ф she asked ingenuously. УShe seemsto think she knows you, Flora.ФAt once the girl stopped crying and huddled back against Tina. УOh, Idare not look! Who is it? Do you recognize her?ФУNo,Ф admitted Tina with perfect honesty. The woman had not evenglanced in their direction, but the ploy had been a good one. Flora was bynow thoroughly frightened out of her tantrum, and turned her tear-stainedface pathetically toward the older girl.УI think I had better go home,Ф she whispered. УI have spoilt the eveningfor us both.ФУIndeed you have not,Ф said Tina gently. УIt was those encroaching fellowswho spoiled it, Flora. A shab-rag couple, with more hair than wit, as mybrother Killy would say. But you can rest assured that they will not darereturn to pester us! Shall we try to enjoy the rest of the play?ФУLady Teazle, Lady Teazle, IФll not bear it!Ф came the voice of the actor whoplayed Sir Peter. The audience was intent upon the stage. Flora, however, hadtaken fright. The unpleasant scene played out in the box was a far cry fromher adolescent fantasies, and had quite destroyed her pleasure in her stolenouting. She was beginning to realize that she had been saved from a disastroussituation by the good offices of her new friend. She insisted on leavingthe theater while everyone was absorbed in the play.Tina, who had been enjoying Mr. SheridanТs wit, was reluctant to leave inmid-scene, as it were. Still, she found herself even more unwilling to let thewilful child make her own precarious way out of the theater and home. Shedrew a deep breath of frustration, staring down into the tear-streaked, childishcountenance. Did no one care about the girl? Was there no mother to seethat she had enough activities suitable for her age to keep her from yearningafter these forbidden treats? And this uncle who was so unfeelingЧwould henot be better escorting the child to some of the functions which might be atonce interesting and relatively innocent? Men were such selfish creatures!Her angry disapproval of FloraТs heartless family prodded her into going withthe girl to see her safely home.Since the play was still in progress, there was no difficultyin securing ahackney to take them to FloraТs residence. The girl, subdued and nervous,gave Tina her address in a low voice, and clung to the older girlТs hand all theway to the oppressively elegant mansion.Tina smiled encouragingly at her as the cabby opened the door. УSo, mydear, you are safely arrived! You will do very well from now on, I feel sure.ФFlora refused to release TinaТs hand. УI do not know how to thank you,Фshe muttered.Tina pressed her fingers lightly and said with a warm smile, УIf you meanthat, I can soon tell you how to reward me for whatever little service I mayhave performed. Will you promise me that you will not again creep away tothe theater without some member of your family or an older friend in attendance?It is really much more pleasant to share the delights of the play with akindred spirit, you know.ФFlora slanted a mischievous grin under long lashes. УI have found that tobe fact! Thanks to your story of the battered betrayer, those two wretchesshowed their true colors!Ф She giggled. УOh, how I wish you were my friend!My life is so dull andЧand lonely! You made it all so jolly!ФTina tried to bring the leavetaking to an end. She was sorry for the prettychild, but quite understood how little a chance-met stranger could do torelieve her boredom and loneliness. She said, lightly, УIt was really verywicked of me to tell those creatures such a whisker about your uncle. I amsure the poor man never hired a bully in his life.ФThe cabby, standing by the door, gave them a sour glance. УBe ye ladiesplanninТ to spend the night in there?Ф he asked.FloraТs clutch tightened.УUncle John would have no need to hire bullies,Ф she said. УHe is a notableexponent of the art of fisticuffs, and would be quite able to mill those villainsdown without aid! But I loved your story. It was soЧexciting!Ф She pulled atTinaТs hand. УOh, do come in with me! We can have teaЧor a glass ofratafiaЧat least, you can,Ф she added. УI am not permitted to indulge in it yet.Oh, do say you will come in with me!ФCorrectly estimating that the urgency behind the invitation rose in greatpart from FloraТs reluctance to enter her home alone, Tina sighed and precededher out of the hackney. Paying off the driver, she smiled at Flora.УYes, thank you, I will come in with you. I owe you something for promisingme not to go unattended to the theater, do I not?ФThankfully, Flora led the way up the massive steps and plied the knocker sosoftly Tina feared no one would hear it. To her surprise, the great door swungopen almost before FloraТs hand left the kocker. A stern-faced butler frowneddown upon the two girls, then stood back and waved them into the hallway.УWhere have you been, Miss Flora? Her Ladyship is most annoyed! Comethis way at once, if you please!Ф No courtesy for FloraТs guest.Flora had deflated into a miserable posture. Gone was the air of sparklingmischief with which she had greeted the intruders in the box at the theater.Gone even the wide-eyed, pathetic little figure who had pleaded with Tina inthe hackney. This was a girl going to torment, dumbly accepting punishmentshe knew she could not avoid. Something in Tina rebelled against the transformationЧor rather, against those who had so effortlessly effected it.УI shall come with you, my dear Flora,Ф she said in her most haughty voice.She glanced arrogantly at the shocked servant. УIt is to be hoped that I shallbe received with more civility in the drawing room than I have encounteredin this hallway.ФShe threw back the dark hood, revealing her small beautiful face crownedin gleaming black hair and illumined by the huge brown eyes now blazingmagnificently. The butler was stunned by her regal appearance as much as byher words of criticism. Even Flora looked up at her new friend, the faintestflicker of hope in her frightened countenance.Tina waved a hand at the butler. Completely subdued, Groat turned andled the way up the wide stairs, past the ostentatious gold frames enshriningthe noble ancestors of this small, forlorn child beside her, now clinging desperatelyto her hand. What had they done to the girl, this family of hers? Tinahad been used to a good deal of cosseting from her own, amiable, family andwas truly shocked to observe the behavior of a girl who was reduced to muteterror at the prospect of meeting her Mama. With every step she took up thecarpeted stairway, TinaТs sense of outrage increased. Her reading, wide-rangingthrough several languages and as many centuries, had prepared her toaccept the idea of cruel parents and innocent young victims. Had notAgamemnon sacrificed his daughter Iphigenia to the goddess to appeasesome gods the father himself had insulted? Had not Creon ordered thatAntigone, his own sonТs fiancщ, be buried alive? Had not Medea murdered hertwo children? By the time Tina reached the drawing room, she had recalledJuliet and the cruel insensitivity of her parents. She swept into the ornatelyfurnished chamber prepared to do battle for poor Flora.Her somewhat tempestuous entrance was observed and then ignored contemptuouslyby the middle-aged, high-nosed dame on a satin chair by themeager fire.It is no wonder the child looks pinched! This place has the chill of a dungeon, thoughtTina wrathfully. Flora is denied physical warmth as well as love! She put an armaround the shrinking girl.The older woman, dressed in an elaborate but unbecoming gown, spokecoldly to her daughter. УThis latest example of irresponsible behavior uponyour part, Flora, has confirmed my judgment. You will return to the countrytomorrow morning, before you can disgrace the Family.Ф She shook her headat her daughterТs cry of anguish. УDo not offer excuses. I have no wish toknow in what squalid surroundings you have been amusing yourself, nor withwhat ill-bred companions.ФУMy breeding is obviously different from your own, Milady,Ф said Tina,carried away from prudence at the sight of FloraТs white, strained face. УIn myparentsТ home, a guest is treated with courtesy, and a daughter is given a lovinghearing before summary judgment is pronounced! The poet Blake trulysays: СCruelty has a human heartТ!ФLady Sophia was goggling at this impertinent set-down, when a deep,amused male voice spoke from behind Tina. УGod help us, a Bluestocking!ФTina whirled and felt her heart jar in her breast at sight of the tall, powerfulman who stood just inside the open doorway, regarding the three womenwith a sardonic smile. It was the arrogant, hateful Duke of Renfrew! Tinadrew a deep breath, more than ever ready to fly to the defence of a girl whohad this monster for a relative. But before she could frame her attack, the manlooked beyond her to the angry woman upon the chair.УThese young ladies have been attending a very properЧand I am sure,boringЧreading of verse at the home of LadyЕФ He paused as though tryingto recollect the name of their hostess, and his challenging stare mocked Tina.УLady Teazle,Ф Tina supplied composedly. УAnd theЧreadings were farfrom boring.Ф Let him handle that one, the arrogant devil!УI suppose it is all a matter of taste,Ф acknowledged the devil, with a grinthat set her nerve-endings to tingling. УIf you had proceeded with the leastmodicum of tact, my dear Sophia, you would have discovered that this ladywho accompanied your daughter this evening is Miss Athena Long, a wellknownscholar and granddaughter of Lady Cordelia Camden. She and theDowager Duchess of Nairn are firing off their dщbutantes this Season.ФУI have not seen either of them at AlmackТs,Ф objected Lady Sophia, scrutinizingTina with a jaundiced air.УI am afraid Miss Long is too busy with her studies to care for dancingЧorso I have been led to believe,Ф and his smile at Tina was as cruel as his wordshad been in the conservatory.УDoes Lady Camden permit you to go unescorted to soirщes?Ф Lady Sophiapursued relentlessly. УAnd why did you, Flora, fail to inform your maid as toyour destination when you went out? The stupid girl did not seem to knowanything of your plans when I questioned her!ФRenfrew laughed. УBut then you have such formidable manner when youare questioning anyone, my dear Sophia! Perhaps you frightened the poorfemale into speechlessness?ФLady Sophia glared at her brother. Tina could see that there was no lovelost between the pair. She hated the Duke, of course; but he had intervenedwith a wily suggestion in a moment of stress, and Tina decided to use him asan ally to help poor Flora.УHer Ladyship spoke of you tonight, Your Grace,Ф she smiled complacently.УShe said youЧФThe Duke held up one strong, lean hand. УSpare my blushes,Ф he intoned,his eyes bright and predatory, Уor I shall have to tell everyone what she saidof you, Miss Long.ФIt was a warning, clearly. Tina stared at the mocking face for a momentand then backed down. УIt was flattering,Ф she advised him, and helaughed shortly.His sister regarded the two suspiciously. УYou know this girl well,Renfrew?Ф she queried.УI was introduced to Miss Long at the Nairn Ball. We have met a few timessince.Ф His air was off-hand, discouraging comment.Lady Sophia was never content to let well enough alone. УI had not realizedyou had literary pretensions, John,Ф she sneered.Tina was seized by an irresistible urge. УBut Lady Sophia, His GraceТstriplets are famous, and his sonnets quite bring me to raptures!Ф She sighedtheatrically, and rolled her eyes heavenward.To her surprise, the Duke threw back his handsome head and laughedheartily. Then, sobering under his sisterТs vitriolic stare, he said smugly, УI amflattered to have made such an impression upon you, Miss Long.ФDrat the man, fumed Tina. He knew what he had said about herЧandalso that he had scotched her chances for a voucher for AlmackТs. Suddenlyall the fun drained out of her, and Tina wanted nothing more thanto leave this maddening man and his cruel sister and seek sanctuary inher grandmotherТs home. She turned and made a graceful curtsey toFloraТs mother.УNow that I have seen Flora safely home to you, Milady, I must take myleave. My grandmother will be waiting to hear about theЧthe reading.ФLady Sophia gave a grudging nod, and Flora thankfully escorted her newfriend out into the wide hallway and down the stairs. As they left, both girlsheard Lady SophiaТs suspicious voice saying, УI have not heard of a Lady Teazle,Renfrew! There is the dowdy Gracelle female who is forever rambling onabout poets, but sheЧФУThey are all beyond your notice, Sophia,Ф the DukeТs deep voice came tothe girls. УI advise you to forget it.ФУI would not have Flora turning into a female pedant!Ф snapped his sister.The girls hurried on down the stairs.УHow will you get home?Ф whispered Flora. УShall I ask Groat to summona hackney?ФУThat will be unnecessary,Ф the DukeТs voice advised them.УHow did you get here?Ф Flora cried out. УYou are upstairs talking to Mama!ФУI am?Ф queried the Duke silkily. УAnd I thought I was about to drive MissAthena Long back to her grandmotherТs house. For you must know that Icould not permit her to try to find a hackney at this hour. Not even a Bluestockingcould survive the scandalif it came out that she was roaming thestreets unescorted at midnight!ФBoth girls were forced to admit the truth of this. Flora hastily kissed Tina onthe cheek, pressed her hand in a speaking manner, and fled back up the stairs.УSilly little chit,Ф muttered the Duke, and offered his arm to Tina.As Groat was at this moment opening the great front door, Tina acceptedthe proffered arm with good grace and trod down the steps beside him.To her surprise, the Duke helped her up into a dazzlingly smart curricleand tucked a light robe over her knees. This was very acceptable, as the nighthad turned chilly. Without conversation, the Duke tooled his pair through thequiet night streets. It was not far from Lady SophiaТs home to that of LadyDelia, and the girl hoped the silence might be maintained for the whole journey.This hope, alas, was not destined to be realized, for the big man loomingat TinaТs shoulder took a path through a shadowy park, and turned to face her.УAnd now you may explain why you saw fit to spirit my silly niece off tosee The School for Scandal without letting her inform any of us that you weredoing so.ФUnwilling to betray Flora, Tina refused to answer. There was a strained silence.Then the Duke brought his pair to a halt. УYou had better decide to explainyour little stratagem, for I intend keeping you here until I know the whole.ФThis patronizing bullying set TinaТs teeth on edge. Wanted to know thewhole, did he? She turned and glared up into the dark face looming aboveherЧtoo close.УBut I thought the omniscient Duke of Renfrew already knew everythingЧabout everything,Ф she intoned with icy sweetness.Her antagonist threw her off again, this time by chuckling softly. УWhata strange, many-faceted creature you are,Ф he said silkily. УPedant, coquette,schemer, enigma! Which oneЧif any of themЧis the true persona? Are youshallow or wily, angelic or vicious? You will tell me now, truly, exactly whyyou took my niece to a play. Did you arrange for her to meet some of yourless acceptable friends there? Perhaps hoping to entrap the child?ФTina flung up her hand before he could continue. The smack of it againsthis cheek was loud enough to startle the high-bred team.The Duke caught at her hand.УThat was ill advised,Ф he said quietly.Tina was beyond caution. УI do not have to remain in this curricle to listento your vile insults,Ф she flamed. УI found myself in the same box with yourniece this evening, both of us having slipped away to indulge an interestwhich even you must admit isa natural one. I had never met Flora before, butit struck me at once that she was very young to be in such a place unchaperoned.In addition, her enthusiasm, quite natural in itself, might have beenmisinterpreted by a more worldly eye.Ф She paused, trying to phrase herexplanation in a way that would present Flora in a better light. She hated anddespised this man, but her own feelings must not be permitted to do harm tothe younger girl. She went on in a quieter voice.УFlora was so enchanted with the whole experience that she wasЧФ Tinasought for wordsЧФperhaps more exuberant thanЧthanЧФУShe was making a show of herself,Ф finished the Duke grimly. УWhatexactly was she doing?ФУShe wasЧerЧhanging over the railing of the box, staring at the audiencewith interest and pleasure,Ф answered Tina.The Duke groaned. УAnd of course making herself the focus of attentionfor every lecherousЧФУShe is very young,Ф protested Tina. УShe had no idea!ФThe Duke drew a breath. УWhat next did my idiotic niece do?ФУI engaged her attention, and managed to draw her away from the frontof the box. We conversed very amiably until the play started, when of coursewe both attended to the action upon stage. It was in the first intervalЧФ Hervoice faltered.The Duke raised his eyebrows. УNow we get to it. You invited somefriends to your box?ФУYou are the most insulting, bigoted, foul-minded man I have ever had themisfortune to meet!Ф seethed Tina.The Duke laughed derisively. УI know your sort! No more pseudo-virtuousbridlings, no more play-acting! I want the truthЧat once!ФTina set her teeth. УAt the first interval two men came into the box withoutknocking. I hid in the shadows, my hood over my head. No, before youask me! I had never seen either of them before. They announced to your niecethat their names were Milton and Thomas, and asked Flora who they had the pleasureof meeting. I told them I found their grammar as offensive as their manners.ФAgain surprising her, the Duke laughed. УEver the pedant!Ф he mocked.УYou cannot have it both ways,Ф Tina flared. УIf I am a pedant, I am notЧФУNot what?Ф mocked her tormentor. УYou are well read enough toknow that some of the greatest courtesans have been intelligent, evencultured women.ФУDo you want to hear the rest of the story or not?Ф gritted Tina, unable tobear his mockery.УTell on!Ф His teeth flashed in a grin.She could not understand the mood that seemed to have seized him. Hiseyes glinted with laughter, yet he had accused her of dreadful things! Tinashook her head, wishing that she had some of Maddy CopeТs understandingof the male sex. УThe proper study of mankind is man,Ф she heard herself saying,to her horror.The Duke grinned at her. УNow I wonder why PopeТs Essay on Manshould be on your mind at this moment? Can it be that there is a man youwish to understand?ФУQuoting poetry is a bad habit we Bluestockings have, so my Grandmotherinforms me. She despairs of launching me successfully. And of courseshe is right. With enemies like you, Your Grace, no woman could hope to beaccepted in Society.ФEven in the dim light, Tina could see that he was frowning angrily. УItis not my disapproval but your own immature behavior which will bar youfrom the Polite World! You have not yet told me what happened in thetheater box tonight.ФУAt first,Ф said Tina in a low voice, Уthe two men took me for FloraТs chaperone.I had my hood up, as I told you. Flora at once disabused themЧФУShe would!Ф muttered the Duke.Tina paid him no attention. УThey urged Flora to go down to the lobbywith them for a glass of punch. I tried to dissuade her. When she insisted, IЧI concocted a tale.ФУPredictably,Ф agreed the Duke provocatively.Again the girl ignored his interruption. УI reminded her of the time heruncle discovered an unsuitable youth paying court to her. Hiring two bullies,this uncle had the unfortunate youth beaten into insensibility. Thomas andMilton retreated with more haste than dignity.ФУWas I the rather inadequate hero of your tale?ФTina refused to rise to this challenge. УSince I did not then know FloraТsuncle was Renfrew,Ф she said quietly, Уyou were not.ФУOr you would have made my role in the drama even less heroic?ФTina continued doggedly. УAfter the men withdrew, Flora was alarmed atthe unpleasant possibilities of her situation. We came home in a hackney.That is the story.ФThe Duke, silent, gave his horses the office to proceed. The journey toTinaТs home was speedily accomplished. The Duke helped her out andaccompanied her to the door.УShall I ring, or do you prefer to slip in by a side door?ФDisdaining to answer, Tina plied the knocker. Then she turned to theshadowy figure beside her. УI should be grateful if you would leave at once,Фshe said quietly. УI shall have enough trouble without having to explain you.ФLaughing quietly, the Duke made her a bow and strode back to his curricle.He had driven away before her grandmotherТs butler opened the door.

Chapter 6

TinaТs grandmother did not learn of her misadventure. Dolby, thebutler, with whom Tina hadcome to be a prime favorite, simplyneglected to mention that he had let Miss Tina into the house atmidnight, when everyone else, including Lady Delia, believed herto be safely tucked into her bed hours earlier.Dolby had a word with the girl as he served her breakfast the followingmorning. As he offered her a platter of delicious baked hamslices, the butler asked her in stern fatherly tones where she had been lastnight and with whom. Looking up at his kindly, concerned face, Tinatold him.His advice, quietly given and gratefully received, was that Miss Tinarefrain from flouting the established rules of Society, lest she become notorious,find herself unsought, and dwindle into an ape-leader.Much struck by this dismal picture, Tina assured him that she would followhis advice to the letter. He refilled her cup, presented the ham a secondtime, and expressed the opinion that the day would be fine. Tina agreed, andthey parted with mutual respect.Six days later Lady Delia came into the library, where Tina was working onher book. The girl saw at once that her grandmother was in high gig. A sympatheticsmile brightened her rather solemn face.УDo open the budget, Grandmama,Ф she coaxed. УI can see you are cocka-hoop about something!ФFor once ignoring the childТs regrettable tendency to use cant, Lady Deliathrust an invitation into her hands. Tina scanned the impressive missive withmounting interest and pleasure.His Grace the Duke of Renfrewrequests the honour of the companyof the Lady Cordelia Camdenand Miss AthenaLong at a BallЕУBut Grandmama, this is impossibleЧ!ФУAnd why do you say that, you silly girl, when you hold the invitation inyour hand?Ф Lady Delia frowned. УI wonder what caused his change of heart?I was so certain he had taken you in dislike! He is such an arrogant creature,playing Providence with everyoneТs life!ФУWhy, then, we must refuse his invitation, and teach him that he canТtdirect our lives,Ф said Tina, more cheerfully than she felt.УAre you mad?No one refuses Renfrew!Ф said her grandmother absently.She was already planning her campaign to get her beloved, if difficult, grandchildfirmly established in Society. УWe have a week. Time to get a new dressfor you, my dear. I have never felt that you looked your best in the pastelswhich seem to be reserved for dщbutantes. Pink! Baby blue! Missish. With yourlovely, unusual coloring, I think, perhapsЕapricot!ФTina could feel laughter rising within her like a warm, bubbling tide. Thearrogant Duke had sent herЧdespised double-dealer though he had namedherЧan invitation to his Ball! She chuckled softly.УApricot? Are you planning to drape me in fresh fruit?ФLady Delia rightly ignored this badinage. She went on, firmly. УYes, thatТsthe color! It will give your face warmth, and set off your beautiful hair andeyes. IТll go to Melanie. Something rather special, I think. None of this ingщnueplainness. And the Camden pearls, of course.ФTina expressed her gratitude suitably, but there had come into her expressiona little uncertainty. Lady Delia, sharp-eyed, saw it and challenged her.УI wonder,Ф asked Tina slowly, Уwhy he has done it? Could it be some plotto pay me back for my unguarded comments at the Nairn Ball?ФУHe has probably been observing your behavior at the last few functionswe have attended, and has realized that your pert remarks on the evening ofyour first meeting were due to nervousness, and were not characteristic ofyou, my dear! He may be arrogant, but Renfrew is a just man, I would swearto it! I am sure that is what has happened.Ф She stared at Tina. УCircumspection.That must be your watchword, Athena. If Renfrew is seen to have forgivenyou, the voucher for AlmackТs is in our hands!ФTina tried to master her resentment as she considered the power held bythe haughty Duke. It irked her that his slightest word should determine herfate and cut up or restore her grandmotherТs peace. Strangely enough, shestill felt that odd warm glow of happiness within her. He had changed hismind! Or,more interesting, had a change of heart, as Lady Delia had put it.Could it be that he had begun to like her? Tina frowned. It was probably justthat he was grateful for her rescue of Flora.Tina had not heard from the girl since the night at the theater. She hopedher formidable Mama had not sent her into limbo as she had threatened.Sighing, Tina watched her grandmother bustling out of the library on thefirst of many important errands connected with the invitationЧnot the leastimportant of which would be to discover whether her old friendТs granddaughterJennifer had also been invited. Tina turned resolutely back to hercomposition. The book which she had coaxed Lady Delia into permitting herto work on was the fruit of an idea she had had while watchingher maid andthe maids of her mother and sister at Malong Hall. The young servants hadbeen pathetically anxious to Уimprove themselvesФ so that they might be asknowledgeable as the Town servants who frequently accompanied their mistressesto visit withthe Longs. At one point, Athena had decided to work withthe girls, improving their pronunciation and vocabulary, as well as openingto them just a glimpse of the life of the mind.Dulcinia Long had not approved of her bookish daughterТs efforts, but shehad merely warned Tina not to lead the chits to think above their station.At which moment, in a surge of anger which quite surprised herself, Tinahad resolved to create some sort of manual which young servants could useto enrich and enlarge their mental capacity. Hence the book. Of course LadyDelia had been horrified to learn what a ruinous diversion her grandchild wasengaging herself in, but when, at the end of a particularly powerful lecture onthe evils of appearing bookish, Lady Delia saw the stubborn set of TinaТs softlips, and the mulish thrust of her jaw, the older woman stopped with adespairing shake of the head.УI can see I am not having much effect upon you, Athena! Yet you agreedto be guided by me. Do you not realize that to be known as the author of abook puts you at once beyond the boundaries of the Beau Monde? A literarytradesperson! It would be awkward enough if you wrote amusing verses occasionallyЧfor such faddish dilettantism is permissible among males and safely-married females. But a book about the education of servants! I cannot thinkwhat everyone would say! Can you not at least suspend work upon this volumeuntil youЕthat is, untilЧФУUntil I am safely wedded?Ф Tina completed wryly. УOh, Grandmother, ifyou only knew how urgently I long to put my mind to use, sometimes, uponsomething more challenging than the latest gossip! It was the dearth of mentalstimulation which drove me away from the Assemblies at homeЧand youknew it when you brought me to London.ФLady Delia nodded rueful agreement. УI cannot understand this need to beforever whetting your wits against a problem, but I will admit you have neverdeceived me about your weakness, child. Continue to work upon your tutelarytome, then, if you must,Ф and she twinkled at the now-smiling girl, Уbutas you love me, do not let anyone outside these walls know what you aredoing! I promise you, such knowledge will be fatal to all my plans for you!ФNow as she turned once more to her work, Tina wondered if, in truth,she was sensible to continue in a campaign to catch an acceptable parti.Acceptable to whom? Her parents wished only for their charmingchangeling to be happy; Grandmother had the same goal, but saw it asbeing brought about through marriage to a man with social position. Tinastared at her manuscript without seeing it, as she asked herself the question:What would make me happy? Then to her shocked surprise, the image of adarkly handsome, mocking, arrogant face rose before her inner vision.ЕRenfrew!The one man in allLondon to whom the idea of marrying Miss AthenaLong would be the most repugnant! The man who had scorned, insulted,sneered at her! Who had even frustrated Lady DeliaТs attempts to get her avoucher to AlmackТs! How could his face, his name, come so powerfully intoher mind? Tina put away her manuscript in its special drawer and went to herroom, disturbed by her own wayward heart.

Chapter 7

Lady DeliaТs dressmaker produced a triumph. The apricot gown was alland more than she had hoped. Its softly rich color gave delightfulwarmth to the pretty face; its artful draping made the most of thesmall slender figure. And it was, in truth, the perfect background forTinaТs lovely hair. Lady Delia caught her breath as the girl entered her grandmotherТsroom the night of the DukeТs Ball. She had never realized how hugeand mysteriously golden-shining AthenaТs eyes could be, or how attractivewas her youthful grace. The current fashion was for tall, stately blondes withmassive bosoms and long-nosed, classical features. This girl was the antithesisof the mode, yet she managed to radiate a kind of magic sweetness in thenew gown.УThe color suits you,Ф announced Lady Delia simply. Tina smiled. УI thinkso, too, Grandmama,Ф she said happily. УWho would have thought a simpleapricot had so much good in it!ФУIs that a quotation?Ф asked Lady Delia suspiciously. УIf so, I beg you not torepeat it.ФTinaТs joyous ripple of laughter brought the smile back to her grandmotherТsface. The older woman did herself present a noteworthy appear-ance. She had chosen brown velvet and the Camden rubies, and offered anopulent yet modish image.УI believe we shall do very well,Ф she said, leading the way down tothe carriage.Her words seemed prophetic. A veritable, crowd of Corinthians, Bloods,and petty noblemen surrounded Tina as soon as she had paid her respects toLady Sophia, acting as her brotherТs hostess. This lady greeted her with coldcivility, saying only, УAh, yes, you are the one who is interested in poetry,Ф asthough it were a gaucherie. Tina was thankful to escape to the warmth of theobvious interest of the DukeТs male guests.As for the Duke himself, she had refused to face him as she followed hergrandmother down the reception line. She had kept her eyes upon his chest,tonight elegantly robed in a shirt and cravat of finest lawn. As his large handclasped her small one, he had pressed quite hard, and turned the fingers slightly.УWhat! No ink stains?Ф he murmured wickedly, enjoying the quick rush oftender color to the girlТs cheeks.He cannot know of the manuscript! was the girlТs first terrified thought. Thenshe recalled that Bluestockings were supposed to be distinguished by inkyfingers, or at least dusty ones, and drew a thankful breath. She moved quicklydown the line, accepting introductions to the DukeТs heir, Harry, whosnubbed her; Flora, looking very subdued and unhappy, but brightening atsight of TinaТs face; and ending with Nigel, FloraТs younger brother, who hada pleasant open friendliness which soothed TinaТs exacerbated spirits.The healing continued very prosperously under the marked attentionsTina received during the evening. In fact, the only man who did not seem towant to know her better was her host, who, after his initial greeting, did notseem aware of her presence. Tina told herself that as the host, the Duke hadof course to do many duty dances, and was encouraged in this belief bycatching sight of him moving gracefully around the dance floor with hergrandmother. But after the elaborate and delicious supper, which Tina andJennifer ate with four attentive young men as their partners, Tina felt a suddenweariness possess her. Somehow the evening, so eagerly awaited, hadturned heavy and dull. Looking around the circle of animated faces at hertable, she could not understand her deep sense of disappointment. When thegroup rose to return to the ballroom, Tina found herself strangely reluctantto follow.A hard hand caught her elbow as she lagged behind.УMay I have this extra dance, Miss Long? The orchestra are playing severalshort dances while the guests are at dinner.ФBy this time, Tina and her impromptu partner were at the door of the ballroom.It was true; the musicians were rendering some dashing tunes of whicha number of young couples were taking advantage. Tina recognized Jenniferand Flora, both laughing and obviously pleased with their youthful partners.Tina turned her face up to meet the DukeТs intent gaze.УThis is the ChildrenТs Hour, I see,Ф she said with a wide, lovely smile.УThank you for indulging us.ФThe Duke swept her rather roughly into his embrace. УWe are neither ofus to be classed with the schoolroom set, Miss Long,Ф he said, irked that sheemphasized the difference in their ages.TinaТs heart fell. She had longed for this man to take her into his arms, yetnow he had done so, it seemed that they would be at odds during the briefdance. She tried another subject.УIt was good of you to ask me to your Ball,Ф she began.УFlora made my life miserable until I did so,Ф the Duke replied coolly.УShe has been forever plaguing me and my sister to ask you to becomeher companionЧФTina stiffened in his arms.УWhat arrogance!Ф she hissed, her small face flushed with anger. УI couldhave become a governess without coming to London for the Season! Do youthink Lady Camden would approve of my hiring out as a servant?ФThe Duke watched her furious little countenance with a rueful smile. УIhave said it wrong again,Ф he acknowledged, but Tina was too hurt and angryto listen. УI only meantЧФУYou meant to put the devious little schemer in her placeЧas one of yoursisterТs servants!Ф flamed Tina, a little restricted at having to conduct the quarrelin low tones. She tried to get out of the DukeТs arms, but the maddeningman merely tightened his embrace. Tina was about to create a scene when themusic ended, and the laughing young couples began to move off the floor.Jennifer and her swain came up on one side, and Flora hastened toward Tinaon the other.With a sardonic grimace, the Duke made his bow and walked away. I shallgo home at once, fumed Tina, but even as she thought it, she knew she couldnot so distress her grandmother. Making her excuses to Jennifer and Floraand their partners, she slipped away.Not to a conservatory, she advised herself. I do not have good fortune in sucha place. Opening a door, she was enchanted to discover a great library, withshelves of books on all four walls and a fine fire crackling in the grate. Tinadrew a breath of satisfaction and began to prowl along the walls. Within aminute she had found a book she had often heard of but never read, and hadsettled herself in guilty comfort at one end of the room beside a shaded lamp.She was interrupted in her absorbed appreciation of the book by thesound of the door suddenly being thrust open.Facing back into the hall, a girl with a head of blonde curls and a strikinggreen dress was speaking to someone, obviously a servant.УЕnow you will do as I instructed youЧat once! Give my message toHis Grace.ФTina, putting down her book reluctantly, was rising to announce her surelyundesired presence when the girl went on. УSend another footman here tome this instant!ФAs the girl shut the door and turned into the room, Tina found herselfsinking down into the chairwhich was facing away from the door. The girlmoved toward the fire, humming softly to herself. Tina could see her clearlyin the firelight, although the great library was poorly illuminated by twosmall lamps. Tina recalled seeing the girl several timesduring the evening, forher voice was louder than average and her dress more extreme than Tina herselfapproved. Why had she sent for the Duke? Tina was appalled to realizethat she might be interrupting a planned rendezvous, and was about to riseand make whatever awkward excuses she could dredge up, when a knockcame upon the door and a servant entered.The girl whirled to meet him. УIt took you long enough,Ф she snapped,and then went on. УGo to the card-room at once and find my father. He is SirOswald Pennet, a heavy-set man with a balding head. Tell him he is wantedin the LibraryЧand stay with him to lead him here!ФTina sank down again into the chair. There was a plan afoot, that wasobvious, but whether it would be to His GraceТs benefit was not equally clear.At this instant the door opened without preliminary warning, and theDuke strode into the room. Seeing the girl waiting for him in front of the fire,which silhouetted her figure tantalizingly, he halted and frowned at her.УMiss Pennet! What is wrong? I received an urgent messageЧФWhile he was speaking, Colinette walked toward him, lifted her hand toher neckline and tore her gown from one white shoulder. Then, smiling, shetousled the careful arrangement of curls on her head. Looking shockinglydisheveled, she began to laugh at the expression on the DukeТs face.The door opened. With a swift movement, Colinette threw her armsaround the DukeТs shoulders.A heavy-set, balding man walked into the room, observed the tableau,and roared, УYour Grace, what is the meaning of this?ФTina came forward, clapping her hands. УWell done, Colinette! You would wina place in any theatrical company, I vow! I have never seen a better performance!ФIt was hard to tell which of her three auditors was the more astounded.Then Colinette, quick off the mark, began to sob noisily. Her father stared,red-faced, from one to another. The DukeТs hard, handsome countenance hadassumed its wonted hauteur.After a moment, Sir Oswald said grimly, УI demand that someone explainthis disgraceful scene to my satisfaction!ФTina smiled serenely at him. The Duke watched her intently. УI have beenhere in the library since supper. Your daughter came in, sent a footman tofetch the Duke, and one to bring you.Ф She turned to the other girl. УColinette,perhaps you would wish to explain to your Papa what next occurred?ФColinette hissed at her. УI wish to say nothing! The situation speaks foritself!Ф She cast a languishing glance at the Duke.Sir Oswald glared at the silent nobleman who was now leaning casuallyagainst the mantel, watching the scene with an air of cynical amusement.Sir OswaldТs eyes darted from one to the other like an actor who has beengiven the wrong cue. Then he faced the Duke, blustering,УHow do you explain this, My Lord Duke? My daughterТs disarrayЕher tearsЕ?ФУI make no effort to do so,Ф replied Renfrew imperturbably. УI am as muchin the dark as you appear to be, sir. I arrived here two minutes before you, tobe greeted by thisЧahЧsituation. I can only infer,from what Miss Long says,that your daughter has been practicing for some sort of theatrical performance,and that the two of them wished toЕsurprise us.ФSir Oswald gnawed at his full lower lip. УI cannot accept that, My LordDuke! My daughterТs clothing ripped from herЧher hair falling downЧФУWhy donТt you ask her?Ф suggested the Duke, obviously bored.The baron turned upon his daughter. УWell, Colinette, what has happened?ФHe glanced sourly at Tina. УWhat is this girl doing here?ФThe blonde minx turned a furious face toward the awkward witness to herstratagem. УYou were here all the time?Ф she blurted. УWhy did you not speakup sooner?. YouТve ruined everything, you interfering little bitch!ФTina laughed. УPerhaps you had better mind your tongue, Colinette. YourPapa and the Duke will be guessing that you had some sly little plan to entrapHis GraceЧФУThatТs a lie!Ф cried Colinette, and broke into heartrending sobs.It was too late. Her father, who might have supported her ploy had it notbeen for the unexpected observer, was now as angry at his bungling offspringas he had formerly been at her supposed seducer.УPull your dress together and tidy your hair,Ф he said. УIТll get yourcape and take you home.Ф He strode into the hall, slamming the doorbehind him.In the ensuing silence, Colinette pulled up her dress and ran her fingersthrough her hair. She did not look at either of her companions. Tina peepedat the massive, unbending figure of the Duke and glanced quickly away. Hewas not frowning, buthis expression, for some reason, frightened Tina.Ye gods! she thought, with a thrill of panic, he cannot believe that I was party toany of this!Sir Oswald, grim of face, returned with his daughterТs cloak. In silence hepulled it around her.The door was thrust open again, and a stout, sour-visaged dame sweptinto the room, scanned the occupants, and said in a very loud voice, УWhatis the meaning of this?ФThe Duke lifted one cynical eyebrow. УNot again!ФLady Pennet ignored him. УColinette, why are you here in this state ofdishevelment? she began, and then her eyes returned to her well-cloakeddaughter with surprise and censure.УIt wonТt fudge, Mama,Ф said Colinette sharply. УThisЧthis little drab hasbeen here the whole time.ФLady Pennet made a quick recovery. УYou mean there has been an orgytaking place in this very room?Ф Her small eyes darted from one to anotheras she assessed her chances at some discreet extortion.Tina gave her a complacent smirk. УI am the DukeТs fiancщe. Oh, we havenot announced it as yet,Ф she said, in reply to the utter incredulity on three ofthe four faces before her. УYou will understand that arrangements must be made!I trust you will not seek to make public what you have heard here tonight? Gossipcan be so awkward,can it not?Ф And she looked meaningly at Colinette.Sir Oswald caught his wifeТs arm as she opened her mouth to continue theattack. УShut up, Ophelia!Ф he advised tersely. УThat cock wonТt fight.ФWhen the Pennets had closed the door behind them, Tina exhaleddeeply. УPhew!ФУYes,Ф agreed the Duke. He watched her as she walked over and sat downnear the fire. УI suppose you think you have done something clever?ФУAs a matter of fact, I do,Ф admitted Tina smugly. УI believe the phrase issaved your bacon.ФУAnd of course you had nothing to do with the original conspiracy,Ф hecontinued smoothly.Tina flung back her head proudly. УYour Grace, I did not!ФУI do not choose to believe you,Ф the Duke said coldly. He held up arestraining hand. УOh, perhaps you were not in the little minxТs confidenceearlier, but you were quick enough to take advantage of the situation, wereyou not? СI am the DukeТs fiancщe,ТФ he quoted savagely. УAnd you tell me youdonТt know that will be all over London by tomorrow evening?ФУBut I warned her not to gossip, lest I spread the story of her daughterТstrick,Ф faltered Tina.УAre you naive enough to think that will stop her? If she gets her story infirst, anything you may say will be taken as mere desperate defence.Ф Hescanned her appalled face sardonically. УOh, you have feathered your nestwell, little opportunist!ФTinaТs dark eyes met his steadily, although her face was pale. УYou cannotbelieve that,Ф she pleaded.The DukeТs derisive smile was his only answer.Tina set her jaw. УI shall return home at once,Ф she said quietly. УWhen Iam no longer in view, any possible gossip must die for want of an object.ФУRunning away? Is that your only response when you have suffered a setback?Фsneered His Grace. УThink a moment! If the new fiancщe suddenly disappears,what a feast that will offer to the gossip-mongers! They will be sayingI have murdered you.Ф And from the look on his face, Tina feared that wasjust what he would like to do.УNo, we must play the game as you have announced it, little schemer,Ф hesaid coldly. УI promise you, IТll make you regret your double-dealing,ФУLet us break it off, publicly,Ф pleaded the girl.The Duke laughed harshly. УYou think that will restore my prestige? To bejilted by a wretched chit of a Bluestocking?ФУThen you may jilt me, publicly!Ф urged the girl, now appalled at the situationinto which her light-hearted, well-meaning words had plunged them both.His Grace regarded her consideringly. УIt occurs to me that I might find a usefor you, Athena. What a misnomer that is,Ф he added, mockingly. УGoddess of Wisdom!YouТve scarce two wits to rub together, making such a totty-headed play as toclaim to be my affianced wife! Why did you do it, if not to feather your own nest?ФУI was trying to save you from a rather sordid little plot which that girl wassetting up under my very eyes,Ф protested Tina.УBy seeking to victimize me yourself?Ф prodded the Duke scornfully. УAlikely story!ФУWhat useЧcan you find for me?Ф pleaded Tina, seeking to end his sneeringquestions by harking back to his disturbing statement.His Grace pursed well-cut lips. УIt will suit me to permit the subterfuge tocontinue during this Season. I shall use you to fend off further attempts atforcing me to the altar.ФУAre you not afraid I might take advantage of you?Ф challenged the girl,for some reason very sore at heart.The Duke laughed harshly. УI am completely in control of the situation,Фhe said. УWhen I am safely through the Season, I shall discover that we arenot, after all, suited, and renounce the relationship. With your full agreement,Фhe added, threateningly.Tina glowered at him. Wild thoughts of vengeance pulsed in her mind.Renounce the engagement, would he? What if she were first to do so? Infront of his friends? That would serve him right!The Duke watched the angry, uncertain expression with an enigmatic smile.УGo and fetch your grandmother here,Ф he ordered. УI shall set up mystrategy with her before making theЧpublic announcement.ФУOh, cannot it wait until tomorrow?Ф urged Tina. Every minute she stayedclose to this overpowering male, her senses weakened her will. He was soЧmasculine, all the magnificent height and strength and virility of him! Shefeared to draw a breath, lest his male ambience quite unnerve her.The Duke grinned callously. УBeginning to find it is not as easy as yousupposed? Get your grandmother! I wonТt tell you again!ФIn a blaze of fury, Tina swept from the library, pursued by low,mocking laughter.Lady Delia was more surprised thanher granddaughter when the Dukeannounced his decision. After welcoming her to the room, inquiring after herhealth, asking if she had enjoyed the Ball, and receiving her gracious assurances,the wretched man cocked a derisive eyebrow at the fuming Tina.УI have asked that you meet me here in private so that we may resolve arather delicate situation,Ф he began. УIt has been agreed between your granddaughterand myself that we should announce our engagement tonight, atthis BallЧФThe normally composed Lady Camden gasped УWhat?Ф and stared incredulouslyfrom His Grace to Tina. Then, making a quick recovery, she said, УButthat is quite impossible! Her parentsЧФУIt must be tonight,Ф said the Duke portentously.УHow he is enjoying this, the devil!Ф thought Tina, seeing the flow of expressionsЧalarm, suspicion, dismayЧwhich moved across DeliaТs countenance.УThere is nothing like that,Ф Tina said austerely, and was enraged toobserve His Grace smothering a laugh.УI do not understand,Ф whispered Lady Delia. УI beg you to confide in me,dear child.ФУThere is nothing to confide, Grandmama,Ф said Tina hotly, her eyes defiantupon the DukeТs. УIt is only thatЧФУThat we have agreed to announce our engagement,Ф interposed the Dukesmoothly, Уand I should like it, above all things, to have you at my side asAthena and I face the guests in a few minutes.Ф He smiled beguilingly at theconfused older woman. УWill you not give us your blessing, Lady Delia? I amsure AthenaТs parents will be happy to be guided by your decision!ФHe slanted a mocking glance at Tina. Since you came here to London for the solepurpose of catching a husband, his smile told her. Tina had not enough nous tofence with a man of the DukeТs sophistication. Desperately she told herselfshe would explain everything to her grandmother, refuse to sanction theannouncement, rush from the mansion into the streetЧand while she wasreviewing these unsatisfactory alternatives, the Duke was bowing over thehand of a suddenly gracious Lady Camden.УThank you for your generosity and your support,Ф his deep voice soundedlike a knell in TinaТs ears. He offered an arm to both ladies, led them fromthe room, paused for a moment to speak a word to his imposing butler, andthen led his two companions slowly and witha sudden air of great formalityinto the ballroom.The musicians were resting between dances. The Duke continued hisslow and imposing progress directly across the shining floor. Gradually thesmall party was observed, and the guests stood back to provide it free passage.It had all the dignity of a royal progress, Tina thought, unable to facethe curious, envious, or startled stares of her fellow-guests.In the event, her rosy cheeks and lowered glance did her no harm withthe sticklers present. Lady Deliaalso contributed to the correctness and toneof the proceedings. The older woman was much liked in the Ton, for she wasunfailingly good natured and kind. So it was with almost universal good will,albeit with rampant curiosity, that the guests crowded in after the trio to learnthe reason for His GraceТs behavior.His announcement stunned his guests. There was a hiss of comment, severalstartled exclamations, and finally a general murmur of congratulations. CharlesVernell hastened forward, with Flora on his arm, to shake his friendТs hand whileFlora kissed TinaТs cheek. Then the Duke indicated the doorway, where the butlerappeared, attended by half a dozen footmen bearing trays of glasses.УI invite you to pledge the health of my fiancщe, and our happiness,Ф hecalled out. The footmen were busy with glasses and champagne. Lady Sophiaappeared at His GraceТs shoulder, affronted that he had not informed her ofthe step he was taking, but unwilling to remain out of the limelight at thisimportant moment. Soon the Duke had arranged an informal line of his family,Charles, Lady Delia, and Tina, to receive the guestsТ congratulations andgood wishes.Once or twice during the reception, after some particularly outrageousexpression of his happiness in his new estate, the Duke slanted a malicioussmile at Tina. She smiled back with saccharine sweetness, which unfortunatelyonly seemed to amuse the wretched creature.When the seemingly endless parade of well-wishers had finally passed,the Duke gave a sign to the leader of the orchestra. The musicians obliginglystruck up a sentimental waltz, and His Grace the Duke of Renfrew led hisnew fiancщe out onto the floor. Tina cast him an agonized glance.Through a wide, fixed smile he murmured down at her, УOh, yes, my dear,you are going to dance with me for as long as I wish. I intend to get full measurefrom thisЧthis engagement. Now smile, and donТt miss your step!ФCruel beast! Tina set her jaw, lifted her head and swung out with all the styleof which she was capable. He should not shame her in front of his curious,back-biting friends! Athena Long would prove herself equal to whatever challengethis hateful man could make.Well content with the success of his strategy, the Duke swung his littledeceiver gracefully around the floor, and a number of his acquaintances beganto think that John Stone had chosen more wisely than they had at first decided.For the girl, an unknown debutante, looked positively regalЧor at least, ducalЧin a most attractive gown, whose warm color brought a delicately becomingflush to her pretty face. All that lovely shining hair, thought some of the seasonedBucks: how erotic it would look spread across a white pillow! And those huge, golden, eyes: howchallenging they were in that sweet face! How they would melt and glow with passion!The female observers murmured their surprise and aired their conjecturessotto voce. It might be unwise, to say the least, to be overheard criticising thefuture Duchess of Renfrew. A very few dissidents openly questioned the suitabilityof the unequal match, and a few others demanded plaintively to betold who this Miss Athena Long could be, since one had never met her atAlmackТs! But FloraТs enthusiastic pleasure in the match, and Lady Delia CamdenТssmiling confidence, went far to silence conjecture.Gradually the floor filled with other dancers, and the agony of being thefocus of all eyes was reduced for Tina.УCan we stop now?Ф she muttered to her smiling partner.УDo not tell me you are tiring of me already, Miss Long? I shall expect abetter show of interest than that, for the duration of our engagement.ФУI warn you, sirЧФ began Tina in a low, husky voice, Уdo not push me too far!ФУYou warn me?Ф mocked her tormentor. УBut I am sure your greedy littleplan involves seducing me into making this sham engagement a reality!Ф Hepulled her body close to his. УDoes it not?ФTinaТs step faltered. Wide eyes fixed upon his, her face slowly drained of color.The Duke held her firmly, his own gaze puzzled and wary. УAre you tryingto pretend that you are not the hardened coquette I judged you?Ф heasked. УYouТll catch cold at that!ФУYour crudity offends me,Ф whispered Tina.УCrudity? Shall I put it in literary mode, Miss Pedant? Repeat JulietТsfatherТs command to fettle your fine joints? Did you think I would accept thisforced engagement without recompense?Ф he sneered. УIll demand paymentwhen I am ready. In the meantime, remember not to defy or anger me, andyou will find I am not so harsh a master.ФThen with a mocking smile, he returned her to the chaperonage of his sisterand Lady Delia, whence Charles Vernell swept her off immediately to dance. Andso it went for the rest of what was surely the most exciting Ball of the Season.

Chapter 8

The last guest had hardly disappeared through the massive frontdoors before Lady Sophia turned on her brother in furious confrontation.УYou will explain thisЧthis preposterous, degrading rigyou are running!ФFlora and Charles, who had been laughing together at some incident thathad occurred, were instantly silent as the virulence of Lady SophiaТs attackregistered itself upon their attention.The Duke endured his sisterТs furious glare calmly.УWhat rig is that, my dear Sophia?ФУThis shameful, hurried announcement of your marriage, made withoutconsultation with meЧФУWhat have you to say about whom or when I marry?Ф asked the Duke in a voicewhose coldness would have warned a more sensitive woman than Lady Sophia.УIf I had been born a man!Ф she raged, the old, festering wound driving herto dangerous outspokenness.УThank God you were not,Ф snapped her brother, for once losing hishabitual composure. УFor a worse representative of ducal dignity I couldscarcely imagine.ФAstonished by this sudden flare-up of antagonism, Charles and Floraexchanged anxious glances.Sophia was not yet routed. УPerhaps you will condescend to enlightenme,Ф she sneered, Уjust when the decision to wed this country miss was discussedwith the family? I have heard nothing of it!ФУYou heard it tonight, when I made the announcement.ФУThat does not satisfy me! To be left ignorant and embarrassed before agaping crowd of my friends, all of whom demanded to know why they hadno hint of thisЧthis amazing developmentЧ!ФУI am afraid the satisfaction of your friendsТ curiosity is not a matter ofmoment to me,Ф the Duke advised her frigidly.УBut you have consistently refused to consider wedding any of a numberof highly acceptable young females in the last ten years!Ф shouted Sophia,beside herself with anger and resentment. If he did indeed intend to marrythis girl, he would assuredly come up with an heir within the yearЧand then,alas for all her hopes!УPerhaps I have fallen in love,Ф suggested the Duke in the silky toneswhich so enraged her.УLove! Pah!Ф she snorted. УNo matter how poorly you fulfil the Ducal role,I had considered you superior to such middle-class fustian!Ф She paused,shocked out of her tantrum by the sudden implacable contempt on theDukeТs features.УI shall forget this entire conversation, Sophia.Ф He stared her down untilher gaze fell before his. УYou would be well employed checking GogoТs currentactivities,Ф he advised coldly. УHe has borrowed against next quarterТsallowance twice already, and my secretary tells me he has debtsЧand greedymistressesЧall over town. I will subsidize his extravagances no longer!Ф Hisvoice had softened toward the end of this rebuke, but it was clear to his listenersthat his decision was inflexible.УIЧI had not known,Ф faltered Lady Sophia. УIt is not a motherТs businessto be prying into what her grown son is doingЧФУBut it is a sisterТs right to dictate her brotherТs behavior? To accuse him offailing his duty in front of witnesses?ФSophia looked abashed as she realized exactly what she had said, butthe glare she gave her brother as she swept out to her carriage was hostileand unforgiving.УWell!Ф breathed Flora uncertainly. УIt appears that Mama has forgottenshe has a daughter.ФУCharles will see you home,Ф said the Duke absently.УDelighted,Ф said his friend, Уand then I shall return here.ФThe Duke raised a quizzical eyebrow.УAs Your GraceТs best man, I shall need to be familiar with all the arrangements,Фexplained Charles with his most engaging grin.The Duke shrugged. УI suppose it was inevitable. Well then, return if youmust. I shall await you in the library.ФHalf an hour later, the Duke was pouring a glass of brandy for his friend.Silently he raised his own glass.Charles was not permitting that. УMay I offer my sincerest congratulations,old fellow?Ф he asked, his expression appropriately solemn while hiseyes glinted with amusement.The Duke looked sceptical. УThank you,Ф he responded. A rueful smiletwisted his lips.УIt was a trifle sudden, was it not?Ф Charles continued. УI mean, I distinctlyrecall your saying that nothing on earth could get you to the altarЕthatall women could beЧahЧdivided into two classesЧФIt seemed the Duke had not wasted his time while he waited for hisfriendТs return. He gestured with his empty brandy glass and correctedCharles solemnly. УAll women, like all Gaul, can be divided into three parts.ФHe poured more brandy into his glass.УWhich are?Ф prodded Charles, grinning.УBeautiful and stupid; bookish and ugly; and my sister Sophia. Who is,thank God, unique.ФУInto which category are we to place your fiancщe?Ф persisted the younger man.When the Duke refused to answer, Charles went on more seriously,УFloraТs in alt over the whole affair. She seems devoted to Miss Long. I gatherthey have met?ФУYes. Athena rescued the silly little noddy when she got herself into apickle at the theaterЧФCharles frowned. УFlora was at a theaterЧalone?ФThe Duke nodded. УGot some maggot in her brain and crept off by herself.Got a seat in a box which later was invaded by a couple of loose-screws,as Athena gave me the tale.ФThe younger man was appalled. УBut John! The risk Flora took!ФThe Duke frowned. УAll ended well, thanks to Athena. It seems she alsowas eager to enjoy SheridanТs comedy, and found herself sharing FloraТs box.MyЧahЧfiancщe managed to discourage the interlopers, and brought Florasafe home.ФShocked into sobriety, Charles whistled a thankful sigh. УNo wonder youare grateful to Miss Long! I take it you were able to conceal the little adventurefrom your sisterТs knowledge?ФУHappily, yes.ФWhen it appeared that the Duke had no intention of saying more,Charles persisted rashly, УWas it from gratitude that you asked Miss Long tobe your wife?Ф Meeting his friendТs icy stare, he went on, УNo, donТt pokerup on me, John! I know you too well. You cannot keep telling me for monthson end that you despise the whole Female Sex, and then suddenly presentus with a wifeЧ!ФУI am not married yet,Ф said the Duke grimly. УWhat is more, I have nointention of discussing it further. If you have had enough brandy, Vernell, IТllbid you goodnight!ФQuite unruffled by this rude dismissal, Charles laughed, clapped his oldfriend on the shoulder, and said, УIТve often heard it said that a manbecomes prey to mental disorders at the thought of entering the weddedstate. I had not expected to find the imperturbable Duke of Renfrewreduced to such a pitiable state!ФУOh, go home!Ф snapped the imperturbable Duke with a snarl.After Charles had taken his leave, still laughing, the Duke sat in thelibrary glowering over his empty brandy glass. He told himself that MissAthena Long was a cheap opportunist, a wily schemer, and made severalother disparaging judgments. Then his conscience reminded him how quicklyand cleverly she had come to his defense, even after he had delivered adevastating snub and some insults whose crudity surprised himself. Why didthe female get under his guard so deeply and so successfully? She had savedhim when the unspeakable Pennet minx had sought to trap him. Her parentswere probably in it, too; at least the mother was. The Duke set his noble jaw.The harridan had probably put her daughter up to it! What a disaster such amarriage as that would have been! The Pennet woman was another Sophia.At least he had Athena Long to thank for getting him out of that trap! For agrim moment he wondered how he could have extricated himself if the Longgirl hadnТt popped out of the shadows.Another thought, even less pleasant, struck him. Could the two girls havebeen in an alliance to run a rig on him? It hardly seemed likely. ColinettePennet had looked shocked and then infuriated when Athena appeared. TheDuke was forced to give Athena the benefit of the doubtЧat least until hecould marshal some real evidence against her.He tried again to think of another course of action which might haveЧhow had the chit phrased it?Чsaved his bacon. There didnТt seem to be one,except for the line Athena had taken. It had been neatly done, actually. TheDuke grinned reluctantly. Little devil! She had played her role with intelligenceand self-possession, letting the minx and her precious father know therehad been an impartial witness to the attempted entrapment, then introducinga note of amusement that might have disarmedschemers less determined thanthe Pennets. Her gesture had even given them a way out, if they had wishedto take it. All a silly joke! Quickly forgotten! A grin of reluctant admiration softenedhis harsh expression.Athena. She had her wits about her, the little Wise One!At this thought, the Duke frowned again. She did indeed have her witsabout her. Could a country miss, in her first Season, act with such savoir faire,such instant comprehension and mastery of the PennetТs attack? And towhatЧor whoseЧactual benefit? For the result of her play-acting had been tosecure for herself the Catch of the Season.The DukeТs well-cut lips drew into a sneer. She had probably believed hewould be gratefulЧor stupidЧenough to let her get away with her trick! Well,John Stone would show the little plotter just what sheТd won by her wiles! Andmake damned sure she didnТt enjoy it! At the end of the Season, heТd drop herso firmly that sheТd never dare to show herself in London for a second Season.Somehow the idea of having Miss Athena Long in his power for thenext few months was a surprisingly enjoyable one. Getting up from hischair, the Duke walked over to pour himself another glass of brandy. Suchaction had become a necessity, for John Alexander George Stone, twelfthDuke of Renfrew, now well over halfway drunk, most reluctantly foundhimself listening to the very small voice of his Conscience, which wasfirmly reminding him that his only evidence for the girlТs duplicity was hisown jaundiced opinion of women in general. His Conscience was also presentinghim with a vivid picture of a pair of amazing golden eyes whichhad met his in open honesty, her very outrage at his charges disprovingthose same charges. In vain His Grace reminded himself that females wereconsummate actresses; that they were prone to duplicity; that they were atthe same time wily and stupid. And quite incapable of loyalty to anyoneor anything but themselves.It was no use. He could not get those lovely eyes, so open and honest,out of his memory. In a quite uncharacteristic act of fury, the Dukeflung his brandy glass against the fireplace and smashed it into pieces. Allright! Athena Long was not a schemer! The Duke prided himself uponbeing a pretty acute judge of his fellow menЧand womenЧand to thebest of his knowledge and belief, Athena Long was neither dishonestnor self-seeking.And so he would still continue to enforce the control he had gained overher. He would use her as a shield against the scheming little Pennet and herilk. And at the end of the Season, he would give Athena a rare treat (at themoment unspecified), and perhaps even assist her toward that suitable matchfor which she had undoubtedly come to London.The thought pleased him so little that the Duke, completely exasperated,staggered upstairs to his ducal bedchamber in a fury all the blacker forbeing incomprehensible.Drunk as a wheelbarrow! judged the footman, putting out the hall lightsthankfully. He did not blame his master. Any man, caught at last, was entitledto drown his sorrows.Driving home in her luxurious town carriage, Lady Delia beamed at hersurprising grandchild. It would seem that, in spite of several severe handicaps,the child had, virtually unaided, captured the finest Prize in theMarriage Stakes.УAre you going to tell me how you did it?Ф she demanded, when she couldwait no longer.Tina showed no disposition to be coy. УI was trying to save him from ascheming femaleЧand he let me,Ф she said morosely.Naturally Lady Delia could not rest until she had discovered the wholestory. Then, sitting back against the squabs, she began to chuckle. УI mightbe tempted to comment that СFools rush inЧТ except that no one who haspulled off the coup of the Season could be labelled a fool. How do you andyour fiancщe intend to proceed?ФTinaТs sore heart misgave her. The DukeТs scarcely veiled threats, his crudeinsinuations, had left her with no desire to prolong their association. Surelyhe had not meant what he implied? He had been angry, of course. He hadrightlyresented the manipulations of the Pennet girl and her parents. Butsurely he had seen her own action for what it was? An impulsive, perhapsfoolish, but never self-seeking gesture to defend an innocent man from beingblatantly victimized? She sighed.УLet us wait and see what His Grace wishes to do,Ф she begged. УI amsure he will have a fine plan to get us all out of this entanglement. Youknow, even better than I, how absurd it is to think of him wishing towed me!ФLady Delia was smiling. УWe must burn your manuscript at once,Ф shedecided, in a characteristic non sequitur. УDo not mention your book, I begof you! It would be more than enough to wreck everything if it were evenhinted that youЧwrite.Ф The last word was a whisper.Some unconquerable spirit within the girl caused her to admit with a wrysmile, УBut dear Grandmama, I took the finished book in to the printer today.Perhaps that is our way out of this intolerable impasse! He can shed me withoutshame to either of us!ФУDo you really think so?Ф inquired her grandparent. УThe Duke may findsome on the fringes of society who would not condemn him for breaking hisplighted word, but you, poor child, would be best advised to enter a nunneryat onceЧor go back to Malong Hall,Ф as though the two alternatives wereequal in ignominy.This matter-of-fact judgment was sufficient to stifle dialogue. The twoladies rode on in silence.

Chapter 9

Lady Sophia Rate arose at an unseasonably early hour the nextmorning, determined to discover the full and true facts in thematter of her brotherТs engagement. For all that she was arrogant,mean spirited, malicious and vindictive, she was not stupid, andnothing about last nightТs announcement was in her brotherТs usual style.Throughout a wakeful night she had searched her memory for any detail,however small, about the unworthy Miss Athena Long. Lady Sophiaspent the morning following up these scanty clues. By noon, she restedin triumph.After a refreshing luncheon, she sent a footman with an urgent invitationto Miss Long in Portman Square, and summoned Flora to her sitting room.The girl arrived happily, bursting into excited comment upon UncleJohnТs engagement.УI would rather hear a little more about the poetry-reading you attendedwith Miss Long,Ф said her Mama, repressively.FloraТs eyes widened apprehensively, and she lost some of her bright color.Her mother nodded sourly. УThere was no invitation to a soirщe, was there?Or if there was, you did not accept it. Do not bother to lie about it! I havetalked to Lady Gracelle Manning. She informs me neither you nor Miss Longattended her poetry-reading.ФУYou are determined to have it all over London,Ф accused Flora. УHave youno care for my reputation?ФУThat is what you are here to talk about,Ф snapped Lady Sophia. УWhereexactly did you go that evening, and how does that Long girl come into it?ФHaltingly, with frequent corrosive comments from her Mama, Flora toldher story. When she was finished, Lady Sophia said, УAt least, between you,you have kept the matter from becoming common knowledgeЧone thing tobe thankful for in this imbroglio! I shall send you down to Bodiam Castletoday, and then see what is to be done about rescuing Renfrew from thisharpyТs clutches. She has used your folly for her own selfish gain.ФУMiss Athena Long,Ф announced the butler, issuing the girl into MiladyТssitting room.УBe seated,Ф commanded Lady Sophia. Then, meeting TinaТs cool glance,she said, less harshly, УIf you please.ФTina, smiling gently at Flora, took a chair close to her.УYou may go to your room, Flora,Ф said her mother.Flora drew a sustaining breath. УI would prefer to remain,Ф she said. УIt ismy future, you know! And I donТt wish you to say things to Athena whichwill hurt herЕФ Her voice trailed off under the impact of Lady SophiaТsastounded stare.УYou are defying me, Flora?ФУYou so often sayЧthings whichЧwhich IТm sure you donТt mean. I wouldnot have you tell Miss Long I did not love her as dearly as a sister,Ф said thegirl doggedly.УJust what did you wish to say to me, Lady Sophia?Ф asked Tina, to diverther hostess from a further attack upon the younger girl.УI wished to inform you that I know the whole of the disgraceful romp youled my daughter into at the theaterЧФУMama!Ф protested Flora.УBe silent, or I will have you taken to your room! I wished to inform you,Miss Long, that your little game is ended. Whatever the threats you haveused to prevail upon Renfrew to make you an offer, they will not avail younow. I intend to denounce publicly the whole conspiracy. I give you this singlechance to break off the engagement at once. Tomorrow I shall act!ФУYou have no hesitation at blackening your daughterТs name, or makingyour brother a laughing-stock?Ф asked Tina coolly.Her poise surprised her antagonist. Lady Sophia continued in a lower voice.УRenfrew may have to suffer a few jests, but our position is strong enough toweather the storm of conjecture and criticism,Ф she said complacently.УYou hate him, do you not?Ф asked Tina. УI had heard it said, but had notbelieved it. Your own brother! And do not forget that his consequence is, inpart, your own. The name will suffer if you do as you say.ФУI shall of course make it worth your while to renounce Renfrew,Ф herladyship continued, paying no attention to what Tina had said. УI have notifiedmy secretary that a lump sum is to be brought to me here in a few minutes.You will take that and leave London. After having renounced your claimto my brother publicly.ФFlora began to cry softly. The girlТs grief was the last straw to a sensibilityalready exacerbated by the insults, unwarranted assumptions, and generalnastiness of Lady Sophia.УI seriously hope you have not, in fact, given your secretary such an order,Lady Sophia,Ф Tina said in a low, tightlycontrolled voice. УI intend going toHis Grace immediately to inform him of your threats. I am sure he will beable to deal with your plan as it deserves.ФShe walked out of the room, down the wide stairway, across the ornatelyfurnished hall and out through the front door to where her grandmotherТscarriage waited in the street. Seated within its comfortable interior, she gaveway to the shock and dismay which had shaken her at the disclosure of LadySophiaТs venom. It was several minutes before she could steady her voiceenough to give directions to the waiting groom.УPlease ask Tom Coachman to take me to the residence of the Duke ofRenfrew,Ф she managed.When the carriage was rolling on its way, Tina sank back against the velvetsquabs and dealt with the tempest of alarm, fear, and mounting angerwithin her. Through it all persisted a picture of poor Flora, frightened andcrying bitterly, her red hair bright above her pallid little face.When the coach drew up before the DukeТs Town House, Tina was readyfor the encounter. She was able, with a steady glance from her amber-browneyes, to intimidate Cullon, His GraceТs butler, into leading her to the library.Within minutes, the door swung open again, and a grim-looking noblemanadvanced toward her.УIf you say, СTo what do I owe the honor of this call?Т in that odiouslytoplofty voice, I shall strike you!Ф she told the big man.A smile slowly softened his harsh expression, but it did not have a similareffect upon TinaТs temper. УDo not laugh at me!Ф she snapped. УThanks to yourimpossible sister, we face social disaster!ФSilently the Duke indicated a comfortable chair. Tina sank into it, beingby this time ready for support of any kind. He took his place close to her.УTry to calm yourself, Miss Long.ФThis reasonable request acted like a red cloak to a bull.УCalm myselfЧ? Just wait until you hearЧФУI am waiting,Ф said the Duke unforgivably.Without further ado, Tina emptied the budget. As she spoke, His GraceТscountenance assumed a grimmer aspect. At the end he rose sharply to his feetand began to stride up and down.УHow long ago did Sophia spew out this detestable nonsense?ФУI came directly to you from her house.ФУWe shall return there at once.ФУYou may go there,Ф objected Tina. УI shall certainly not do so. If I amforced to listen to any more of her venom, I shallЧdo her an injury!ФHis Grace glanced at her sharply. УWhat do you intend doing?ФУI am returning home to Malong Hall today. I wish nothing more to dowith any member of your family.ФУNot even poor little Flora?Ф asked the Duke softly, taking what Tina feltwas a despicable advantage of her softheartedness. Then, before she couldrespond to that appeal, he said with a cold smile, УSo we see exactly howmuch your protests on her behalf are worth! Run away to your rustic retreatlike a scared little mouse, then, Miss Bluestocking! Or is it that your pedantТsheart is too dry and self-absorbed to admit a lonely child?ФQuite justly enraged by these unwarranted and diverse attacks, Tina clenchedher small fists and glared into her tormentorТs icy countenance. УOf course I careabout Flora! Did I not miss the Sheridan play to see her safely home? But I canscarcely admit her to my heart if sheТs banished to a remote castle somewhereЧprobably locked in a dungeon!Ф She halted, glowering at his suddenly sympatheticface. His warmth affected her like the sunshine breaking through clouds.She drew a trembling breath, her eyes wide on the handsome face so close to her.The disturbing creature seemed well aware of the effect he was havingupon her. УYou are quite a little fury, for a dry female pedant, are you not? Ihad not known that soft amber eyes could flash with so much fire!Ф Tina foundherself disarmed as he continued in a civil tone, УIf I can promise that Flora willnot be sent down to moulder in the dungeons at Bodiam, will you in turn agreeto remain in London and befriend the child? That was all I meant when I askedyou last evening to become her companion, you know. Just be her friend,andaccompany her to all those delightful places she hungers to seeЧAstleyТsTheater, the Wild Animal Enclosure, Mr. SheridanТs latest play.Ф He paused,and his fine grey eyes ran over her changing countenance with a wickedsparkle. УOf course I shall have toaccompany you both to that particular diversion,shall I not? Perhaps with Charles? He too has a fondness for little Flora.ФWhen Tina, too startled by this change of manner to reply, continued tostare warily at him, the Duke smiled and went on, in a strangely offhand way,УOf course there would be a few otherЧahЧobligations.ФTina would not permit herself to be duped by this new, wily softness.УExactly what other obligations?Ф she demanded.The Duke shrugged. УSince you yourself announced our engagementinthe presence of one of LondonТs chief gossips, who had no reason to thinkkindly of either of us at that moment, I imagine you might be aware of yourobligations. Unless,Ф he went on with some of his normal provocativeness,Уyou really were trying to trap me yourself?.ФMuch though she resented it, Tina was forced to admit the logic of hiscomment. УI have told you I only did it to save you from being trapped by thatColinette! I could not permit anyone to be so ensnared!Ф she protested.Unwisely, as it proved.For His Grace retorted reasonably, УIf that is true, you must remain in Londonto give credence to our mock engagement, must you not? We shall have to be seentogether at a few important soirщes, Perhaps at some balls, and certainly at LadySally JerseyТs Ridotto, a highlight of the SeasonЧand your entrщe to AlmackТs.ФTina was stunned. The bitter, unapproachable nobleman was acting asthough he actually found the idea of squiring Miss Athena Long to fashionableentertainments to be a pleasing one!More amazing, he had somehowsecured an invitation for her to the SeasonТs most important function, and, ifhis last remark could be credited, a voucher for her to attend the most exclusiveclub in London. Tina stared at the dark, saturnine corsairТs face, whichwas regarding her with complacent arrogance. What was he up to? Was heshowing her these delights, only to snatch them from her outstretchedhands? Tina had no way of knowing. So, being Tina, she asked him.УWhy are you doing this for me, when you already had me barredfrom AlmackТs?ФУPerhaps I regret my hasty action. We are supposed to be engaged, you know.ФTina addressed her attention to that aspect of their problem almost withrelief. УYou will need to harness your sisterТs malice pretty promptly, if youwish our pseudo-engagement to be received with credence in the Ton. Shewarns me that if I am not out of town by tomorrow morning, she will spreadthe story that I took Flora to the theater and introduced her to some questionablepersons in order to force you to propose marriage.ФУIs Sophia aware of ColinetteТs attempt to blackmail me into an engagement?Фasked the Duke sharply.УI said nothing about it,Ф answered Tina, Уand no one else except thePennets know. They would hardly be eager to spread the news of theirdaughterТs trick, surely?ФThe Duke frowned. УIt is impossible to judge how far Sophia would go inher efforts to embarrass me,Ф he said at length. УI believe we must confronther together, at once, and try to stop her vicious tongue. Come, Athena!ФRather to her surprise, for she would have wagered a large sum that nothingwould get her into That WomanТs house again, Tina found herself beingushered into Lady SophiaТs presence shortly thereafter.Their hostess greeted them with a predatory smile.УNow I wonder what can bring such an unlikely pair to my drawingroom?Ф she sneered. УCan it be my threat to make a certain announcement?ФWatching the DukeТs face, Tina wondered with a small frisson of alarmhow even his redoubtable sister dared to use the word threat to him. However,when he spoke, the DukeТs voice was level and unemotional. УNo, Sophia,I came to return your compliment.ФHer confidence shaken, Lady Sophia demanded that he explain himself.УYou did me the courtesy of warning me that you were going to spread acanard about my affianced wife and your own daughter. You know it is a lieЧFlora and Athena have told you so. Yet, knowing it will dishonor our ancientand honorable name, make it a target for scorn, you still persist in your threat?ФУI have courage, John,Ф Sophia blustered.УThen I will now give you notice of my intentions. A warning, if you like.ФThere was not even a hint of softness, of mercy or pity, in the DukeТs ironglance. УTomorrow morning I shall instruct my agents to refuse to pay a singlebill from GeorgeТs creditors. The large amounts they currently give him,for his mistresses and hangers-on, at his urgent pleading, will no longer beavailable. Further, George is, from tomorrow morning, to be persona nongrata in any residence or club of mineЕФLady Sophia presented a face livid with scornful anger. УIs this supposedto bring me to my knees?Ф she snapped. УIt will do George no harmЧФУYou had best consult with your son as to that, Madam,Ф said the Dukecoldly.ФThe exclusion applies also to yourself. You are no longer welcomein any house of Renfrew.Ф His lips curled in a thin, mirthless smile at thesudden look of dismay that crossed her face. УIf we Stones are to give ourprivate affairs to the Ton for discussion, let us give them something worthchewing upon!ФLady Sophia looked as though her brother had struck her in the face.Shock, disbelief, fear were clearly visible in her expression. УYou jest!Ф shemanaged, through lips suddenly slack.УYou think so?Ф asked the Duke softly, in such a tone that even Tina, a noncombatant,felt afraid. УAsk yourself how well your proposed treacherousdebasing of our name matches your constant claim that you should have beenthe Duke. There have been menЧand women, tooЧof our line who wouldhave suffered torture rather than permit what you so lightly threaten! Perhapsyou should retire to Bodiam to think upon your responsibilities to our family.ФSilenced, Sophia stared at him, her face ugly with warring emotions.УGive George my message,Ф said the Duke, and led a silent Tina fromthe house.The girl remained silent as the Duke handed her into his town carriage.When they were once more rolling through the streets, the man glanced ather, his expression forbidding.УNo comments? No frantic questions, no female flutterings? Have Ireduced you to terrified silence?ФTina faced him calmly. УI am sure you are now about to inform me as tomy part in your plan,Ф she said.One dark eyebrow quirked derisively at the girlТs self-possession. УYoucontinue to surprise me,Ф he said, in a milder tone. УIs it time for me to determinewhich of the roles you play is the true Athena Long? Or is there anythingto you but a set of masks?Ф He threw one arm lightly across her shouldersand drew her toward him with irresistible pressure.After a single frozen instant, Tina allowed him to pull her against hischest. She kept her glance fixed on his face, her expression wary but withoutfear. He held her so, against his chest, for a long moment, his gaze intent.Then, still without words or tenderness, he bent his dark head and pressedhis lips against hers with passionless force.Tina had never been kissed by a man outside her family before thismoment. She found the experience astonishing. First she was aware that hisskin had a fresh smell from some aromatic soap or perhaps a masculine lotion.His hard embrace made her aware also of the scent of fresh linen, and aninteresting warm tang that probably came from his flesh. She took a delicatesniff, toconfirm her theory.The DukeТs heavy-lidded eyes opened wide and focused on the lovely,small face so close to his. But Athena had already moved on to a second surprisein this business of kissing. His lips over hers tasted of some kind of flavor,which was a blend of aromatic and bitter. It was vaguely familiar. Surelyher father and brothers often carried just that piquancy on their mouths?УBeer!Ф she announced happily, drawing her face back from his relaxinghold in order to speak. УYou have been drinking beer!ФThe DukeТs stern face melted into a rueful grin. УIt is usually considered arestorative after too heavy an indulgence in liquor the previous evening,Ф headmitted. Tina, looking into his eyes, was conscious of a strange new feelingdeep inside her, so powerful that it shook her. It also showed in her small,exquisite face. The DukeТs arms tightened around her again.УYou are a very odd little siren,Ф he said huskily. УFirst sniffing, andthenЧtasting!ТУIt is my first real kiss, you see,Ф she explained carefully. At his elevatedeyebrows, she added, УOf course I do not count my father or Killy or Jase!ФУAnd who are Killy and Jase?Ф demanded the Duke.УMy brothers,Ф explained Tina. УAnd you must not think they are all foreverkissing me, for they are not! It is only upon birthdays, or Christmas, or whenthey have returned from a tripЧor had an especially good day with the Hunt.ФУLegitimate occasions for celebration, surely,Ф admitted His Grace, feelingsuddenly very much in charity with his world.He had a virgin! Better, he hada girl who could amuse and even surprise him, jaded worldling that he was!He settled the fragrant little armful more comfortably into his embrace, andthen, with the practiced gallantry for which he was well known in somecircles,he bent his dark head once more to TinaТs lips and kissed her, this timewith seductive sweetness.When he lifted his head, Tina shivered involuntarily. Her golden eyeswere wide with startled awareness. After a moment, she moved out of hisarms and sat back in her corner of his carriage.The Duke also sat back. УYou do not subscribe to the conventional modesof behavior, Miss Long?Ф he asked finally.УIf you are asking me why I am not babbling, weeping, orЧor bridling,My Lord Duke, I can only say that I am not your conventional dщbutante.ФThe Duke uttered a harsh bark of laughter. УAn undeniable truth.Ф He toohad had an enlightening experience, but he was by nature and by trainingbetter equipped to conceal his emotions. He reached out and took her hand,not gently, not even flirtatiously, but with a hard demonstration of his powerto control. УExactly why did you come to London?ФУI came to find a husband,Ф said Tina baldly, her eyes on his.The Duke crushed her hand in his large fist until an involuntary gasp ofpain passed her lips. Then he flung the hand from him as though it wererepugnant to his touch.There was another heavy silence, which lasted until the coach drew up infront of Lady DeliaТs Town House. The Duke regarded Tina coldly. УI shallrequire you to remain in London for the next few weeks. You will hold yourselfready to accompany me to whatever social gatherings I decide to attend.My secretary will send you a list. I shall expect you to be ready when I callfor you, to present a good appearance, and to behave with propriety andwhatever charm you can summon upЧФУIs this elaborate charade necessary?Ф asked Tina in a low voice.УIt will be expected of theЧahЧnewly-engaged couple,Ф the Duke saidon a sneer.УAnd if I do not agree to it?ФThe DukeТs groom had come to stand outside the still-closed door of thecoach. The Duke himself bent forward to scan TinaТs expression. УAre youtelling me you will not do as I suggest?ФRather than giving a direct answer, the girl repeated, УСSuggestТ? Say rathercommand! You know you do not expect disobedience. What of my own life?ФThe Duke drew an exasperated breath. УDo I need to remind you, MissLong, that it was yourЧinspiration which originally established our engagement?It cannot harm a husband-seeker to appear to have snared the finestprospect in the matrimonial stakes.ФУAre you saying that a man of integrity will be willing to accept a womanyou have publicly rejected?ФУYou are now trying to convince me you have scruples?Ф The Dukeshook his head, and tapped lightly on the window. His groom at onceopened the door, let down the steps, and offered his arm. The Duke gotout, assisted Tina down and walked beside her to her grandmotherТs door.УMy secretary will be in touch with you. Stay in town,Ф he said softly, andreturned to his carriage.As he drove away, John Stone found himself feeling, for the first time inhis adult life, rather at a loss. It angered him to realize that the occasion forhis uncertainty was a green girl, totally without Town bronze or sophistication,but with a mind, he dared guess, as sharp as a manТs. A girl who savoredhis person and tasted his lips with the innocent freedom of a child, yet whoheld grimly to it that her sole purpose in coming to London was to snare ahusband. His lip curled with contemptЧand then he remembered the innocentsweetness of her lips, and the wide, clear gaze of her magnificent eyes.A paradox! How could any one female be at once conniving, and honest, sensualand innocent, maddening, infuriating, andЕdesirable?Deliberately he relaxed his powerful shoulders against the squabs. Therewere important matters to be dealt with, not the least of which was the attackof Sophia Rate. Had the woman finally lost her wits? Her threat required avisit to his man-at-law. And then, he thought with relief, there was the matterof the new pamphlet he had been advised of. What good fortune if thevery material he needed was ready to his hand! The schools he had beenpainstakingly establishing, one on eachof his country estates, had desperateneed of teaching materials. Four good instructors he did have in hand, newlydown from Oxford or Cambridge, not yet fully decided upon a lifeТs work. Ithad been the devil of a chore seeking out the four young men, far more troublethan convincing his tenants and the village people that their childrenwould benefit beyond their wildest reckoning if suitably instructed. The professionalmen and the great landowners sent their offspring to good schools,many of which required that the child be registered at birth in order to securea place. They had no need for his country schools. But the background level ofeducation was very low for the rest of the populace: bright children had literallyno place to go to learn to better themselves.It was not that the Duke wished to make his tenants discontented withtheir lot. Rather, he wished to give them means to improve it, and get greatersatisfaction from it. So he had conceived the idea that brainpower was as preciousa resource as good fertile fields and healthy animals, and had, in hisusual arrogant fashion, set about to establish training centers. The tenantswere conditioned by hundreds of years to accept their overlordТs ideas as notonly valid but irrevocable. The young scholars he had found with some helpfrom Charles Vernell, allowed into the secret. But the books, the trainingmanuals, were another matter. He did not want goody-books, the part fairytale, part nursery-rhyme handbooks. Nor could he use, with these quiteunletteredchildren, the volumes and texts used by college students.During one of his desperate searches among the publishing houses ofLondon, he was delighted to discover that a very clear yet simple basic handbookwas under preparation. The Duke was not put off by the informationthat the book was primarily intended as a training manual by which youngservants could improve the skills that would enable them to better their ownpositions. The proofs, when he saw them, were, to his astonishment, interesting,bright, and so attractively presented that even the dullest mind mightfind them persuasive. He studied the proofs more carefully. They revealed aremarkable familiarity with literature, both ancient and modern, with severallanguagesЧincluding the classic Greek and LatinЧand with mathematicsand even rudimentary science.A treasure!The DukeТs interest was further aroused when, upon demanding to knowthe name of the author of this excellent brochure, he was told that the authorwished to remain anonymous.УSome noted scholar pressed for a little spare cash?Ф he suggested lightlyto Mr. Thomas Sinclair, the junior partner in the publishing firm of Guthrieand Sinclair.Mr. Sinclair looked unhappy. Although the DukeТs curiosity was now rampant,he decided to drop the question in favor of the more urgent business ofsecuring a great many copies of the useful work.УHow many shall you wish, Your Grace?Ф asked the hopeful Thomas.УBegin with one hundred, but keep the plates or whatever it is you printthem from. I may need more very soon.ФThe gratified publisher, mentally rubbing his hands, thought to interjecta word for future reference. УTheЧerЧauthor of the book might be persuadedto do others, more advanced, more challenging to the juvenile intellect,Фhe offered craftily.The Duke nodded. УWell, we shall see. When the first of these is ready,send a copy around to my house by hand, at once, if you please. Then I shallbe able to judge of its usefulness. A sturdy cover, of courseЧresistant to inkand chalk!Чand within, paper of good quality, with bright illustrations. Thewhole must appear attractive. Of course, no mention of my involvement is to be made.ФУYes, Your Grace!Ф Sinclair was bowing. УAs per our contract.ФThere was a silence and he looked up to meet the quizzical gaze of apair of very knowing grey eyes. УWhen am I to be informed of the nameof our author?ФУI gave my word, sir,Ф stammered Sinclair. УAs did my partner, Mr. Guthrie.It is a matter ofЧФУHonor?Ф the Duke had suggested, faintly smiling.Sinclair barked a laugh. УA matter of contract,Ф he had admitted. УTheauthor would not sign unless we promised to concealЧthe identity.Ф Withthis, the Duke had had to be content.It seemed to His Grace a most striking coincidence that when he cameintothe hallway of his Town House after depositing Athena at her grandmotherТshome, he should be presented with a heavily wrapped parcel fromGuthrie and Sinclair. He had been thinking of them, and the treasure theyhad found him, all the way home. Well, not quite all the way. He admittedthat he had turned to thoughts of his secret project to rid his mind of veryuncomfortable visions of a slender girl with silky black hair and amazinggolden eyes. Opening the parcel eagerly in his library, he sighed shortly ashe admitted further that it was not the girl whose memory disconcerted him,but the harshness of the contempt with which he had taken his leave of MissAthena Long.And then all thoughts of her or any other problem were driven temporarilyout of his mind, as he scanned the studentsТ handbook, called TheRoads to Wonder. And on the bright orange cover, etched with magiclines, was a great city, pure and clean and towering in its majesty, a focusand an enchantment.The Duke stared at the cover of his new teaching manual for a long time.

Chapter 10

The first person besides the butler whom Tina encountered in thespacious entrance hall was her grandmotherТs dresser. Hugget hadapparently been waiting anxiously for her arrival, and conductedher at once to Lady DeliaТs sitting room.The older woman greeted Tina eagerly. УWhat did that hag Sophia Ratewant of you?ФBy the time Tina had finished her report of events at the Rate TownHouse, Lady Delia was very angry indeed. УI cannot believe that even SophiaRate would so perilously endanger her own familyТs reputation,Ф she fumed.УDid the Duke tell you what he plans to do?ФTina presented a censored version of His GraceТs orders. УWe are to holdourselves ready to attend any functions to which Renfrew decides to acceptan invitation.Ф She hesitated. УOr perhaps his command was only for me. I amnot sure.ФLady Delia frowned. УBut our own invitations? Are we to refuse them,unless they coincide with StoneТs?ФУThe DukeТs secretary will bring me His GraceТs choices every morning,ФTina explained woodenly. Then her eyes darkened with emotion, and shesaid, huskily, УIs this how matters are managed in ducal households, Grandmama?I see I have much to learn.ФLady Delia rose almost without thinking, and enveloped the forlorn girlin comforting arms. She was aware that there was something very wrongabout the situation, but her first thought was to restore the lovely laughter toher beloved grandchildТs face. She said wistfully, УWhen you recounted thisbizarretale to me last night, I felt sure that behind the rather melodramatictrappings of the engagement there was a sturdy core of genuine liking onboth sides.Ф As the girl began to object, Lady Delia spoke again. УNo, do nottry to argue with me! I know enough of His GraceТs force of character tobelieve he would never permit himself to be cozened into a declaration hefound utterly distasteful!ФУHe could have made no defense against the situation in which, thanks toMiss PennetТs manoeuvrings, he found himself,Ф stated Tina. УWhat excusecould he have given the affronted parents of Colinette when they discoveredher in his arms, with her garments disheveled?ФУBut you told me that you had announced that you had been there fromthe beginning! You are not one of the Patronesses of AlmackТs, exactly, butyou did guarantee chaperonage of a sort,Ф snapped Lady Delia.After a charged silence, Tina faced her grandmother bravely. УI beginto believe you are in the right of it. His Grace might have braved itthrough, given the protection of my presence, had I not thought it necessaryfor him to have the further shield of a prior engagement. To me.ФShe sighed. УSo you see he has good foundations for his suspicion of me.I spoke too impulsively, but he might well believe that I spokeЧwithwell-planned strategy!ФУYou babbled romantic nonsense, like the bookworm you are!Ф correctedLady Delia crossly. УIt is not to be wondered at that the Duke is out ofpatience with you! Have you any real objections to marrying the man?ФTina flung up her head. УThe insuperable one: That he does not wish forthe connection! He is convinced I am a scheming, unprincipled creatureЧand he fully intends toЕto dispose of me at the end of the Season!ФHer grandmother raised thin eyebrows. УHe told you this? Or have youconcocted anotherЧstory? By what means does the Duke of Renfrew intendto dispose of his fiancщe at the end of the Season? In an oubliette?ФTo TinaТs horror, a sob escaped her. She swallowed and then firmed herlips. УWe are to announce that the engagement is endedЧby mutual agreement,Фshe managed. A tear rolled down her pale cheek.Her grandmother considered this news. After a moment she said, in aquiet voice, УThere is only one thing to do, Athena. You must follow HisGraceТs lead, do just as he asks you, and present a pleasant and dignified frontto the Ton. Your own credit, and your familyТs, depends as much as RenfrewТsdoes upon your good sense and stability.ФУYes, Grandmama,Ф said Tina, who had never felt less sensible or less stablein her life.The first order of business, decreed Lady Delia, was for Tina to go withall haste to Guthrie and Sinclair and request the return of her manuscript╖Fortified by a cup of tea and a change into her prettiest redingote, the girlproceeded to the publishers that very afternoon. She went on foot from thecorner, having ordered the coachman to pick her up at that exact spot inexactly half an hourЧthese being the only terms upon which he would agreeto drop her off. As she approached the pleasant but quite undistinguishedbuilding which housed the activities of Guthrie and Sinclair, she was horrifiedto observe a tall, handsome figure striding in her direction.УMiss Long?Ф said the Duke, on a rising note. УWhatever are you doing inthis very commercial area of the city?ФTinaТs wits, though shaken, did not fail her. She cast a lightning glancearound her, and observed two hanging boards which proclaimed the natureof the business being carried on within the buildings. One said: CANES,CRUTCHES, INVALIDТS CHAIRS. The other proclaimed, under the ratherdaunting representation of a glaring eyeball, SPECTACLES, QUIZZINGGLASSES,LENSES. Tina smiled.УI am getting myself fitted for a pair of spectacles,Ф she offered.For the barest instant, surprise and regret showed on the DukeТs face, andthen his eyes narrowed and his expression became unreadable.УIndeed? I commiserate with you. A pity to have to cover so unusuallybeautiful a pair of eyes.ФTina found herself blushing under the obvious admiration of the hugeman. Forcing herself to smile up into his dark face, she went on, УI am notreally too concerned, Your Grace. I shall need them only for reading.ФУI should say, reluctantly, that you may be more in need of them than youbelieve,Ф the disturbing man objected. УSince you are on the wrong side ofthe street and going in the wrong direction to achieve your goal.Ф The creaturehad the bad taste to laugh!TinaТs delicate pink blush became the rose of anger. She cast a hurriedglance across the street and verified his charge. Then she opened her mouthto verbalize another falsehood, but her noble opponent beat her to the post.УNow do not tell me that Lady Delia is in need of a Bath chair, Or acrutch! I shall not believe you, and I shall at oncereport your canard to thelady herself!Ф He grinned down at the angry girl, obviously enjoying her frustration.УNow tell me, without deceit or roundaboutation, what brings you tothis neighborhood?ФTinaТs small chin was lifted. УBut I told you, Your Grace! I am going toorder a pair of spectacles! Perhaps you will be good enough to give me yourarm to the shop? Lest I fall over some obstacle,Ф she added for good measure.The Duke offered a strong arm cased in elegant superfine. УOn one condition,Фhe said softly. УThat you stop calling me Your Grace. We are plighted,are we not? Therefore it is quite convenable for you to call me by my name.ФУStone?Ф teased the girl, her beautiful eyes sparkling. It was such a joy totalk to this man when he was in this smiling, playful mood. She did not wantit to change, ever. If onlyЧ!But he had placed his hand over hers on his arm, and was pressing it firmly.УNot my family name, witch! My own!ФHis fingers were long and slender considering their strength. Tina dimpledup at him. УAlexander?Ф she asked. УSurely nothing less than the name ofthe conqueror of the world will do!ФThe Duke stopped her as they were about to cross the street. His handheld hers very tightly against his other arm.УAthena! You invite the lightning!ФThe lovely face was a delight in its demure sweetness.УKaliespera, Zeus!ФThe DukeТs eyebrows shot up. УOne might believe you were as Grecian asyour name! Bidding me good-afternoon in the classic tongue. You name megreatest of the Gods? I wonder what you have in mind?ФTina shrugged, a little disconcerted. УHarmless play, with one who has thebackground to share it with me,Ф she said, her eyes not meeting his.The man cursed himself for the suspicion that had shattered the joyousexchange. He moved ahead to the goal he had had in mind. УYou are to callme John,Ф he instructed her.Tina nodded.УNow,Ф he persisted, feeling awkward, and decades older than the quietgirl at his side.УYes, John.Ф The words were little more than a whisper.The Duke squared his shoulders. His cynical attitude, forever seeingconnivance and intrigue in the simplest action, had destroyed a moment ofpure joy. John Stone, who hadnТt indulged in TinaТs sort of Уharmless playФwithin his own memory, did not know how to recoup that which he sensedhe had lost. And so, moved to anger by his loss, he acted the part of the manhe had become.УWhere is your carriage?Ф he said sharply. УWhat is Lady Camden thinkingof, to permit you to wander unescorted through the streets?ФУTom Coachman is returning for me within a few minutes. We did notthink I could come to harm on this quiet street!Ф she protested.УLady Delia knew you were coming here?ФУOf course! I am not so rag-mannered as toЧФ then, meeting his quizzicalglance, she blushed again. УThe clandestine trip to the theater was theonly time I have ever gone out without her full knowledge and consent!ФThe big man stood staring grimly down at the girl. УTell me the truth,Athena! Did you come to be fitted for spectacles?ФThe wide golden eyes met his honestly.УI did not. But I beg you will not ask me why I came, for I cannotЧmustnotЧtell you! I can only assure you that there is nothingЧwicked, or hurtfulto any person, or shameful in my visit.ФThe piercing grey eyes met hers with an intentness which seemed to seekthe very secrets of her mind and heart. After a long moment, the Dukereleased her hand and turned to survey the street.УWe shall wait here for your carriage,Ф he said.Tina did not want to stand beside this man who showed so clearly that hedid not trust her. She could feel unhappiness rising like a tide within her. Sheglanced up to study the harsh handsome profile of her companion. As shedid, a sort of courage began to stiffen her drooping shoulders. Why shouldshe feel guilt, whose only crime was to prepare a manual to help servants tobetter their condition? Her chin rose in what her brothers would have recognizedas a fighting stance.УI think I will tell you my reason for coming to this street,Ф she announced.УSince it seems so important to youЧФThe DukeТs head turned sharply toward her. His eyes were hostile. Thenhis gaze went beyond her shoulder to a carriage which was almost racingdown the quiet street.УThat is my carriage!Ф he exclaimed, and lifted his hand to arrest thecoachmanТs progress.When the vehicle had drawn to a swaying halt in front of them, the Dukedemanded, УWhat the devil is going on, Wilson?ФItТs Miss Flora, sir,Ф gasped the coachman. УCullonТs just had a visit fromSir Charles Vernell. It seems Miss Flora has disappeared, and Lady Sophia isshouting that youТre hiding her somewhere. Cullon sent me to find you.ФThe Duke wasted no time. Hoisting a reluctant Tina into the coach aheadof him, he detailed the groom on the box to stay behind and explain to LadyDeliaТs driver where Miss Long had gone.Tina leaned across him to call out the window, УAt the corner! Todd wasto meet me at that corner!Ф While she was still gesticulating, the carriagelurched into motion, and she was thrown backward into the DukeТs arms. Hereceived her upon his chest with no signs of discomfort, but she said crossly,УThis is poorly managed! It were better for me to wait for Todd on the corner. This way, my grandmother will be beside herself with anxiety! The mostbungled situation! She glared up at the man who was still holding her closely.He was smiling!TinaТs brows drew down into a horrendous frown. УHow did your coachmanknow where to find you?ФJohn chuckled unforgivably. УTook you long enough to get to that one,didnТt it? I had informed Cullon, of course, before I left the house, that I wasgoing to walk down to Fort Street to getЧФ he paused and closed his mouthslowly. He was not smiling.Tina was on his hesitation like a flash. УСTo getТЧwhat? And donТt tell meyou need either spectacles or a crutch!ФУI cannot tell you,Ф said the Duke blankly, and then his lips twisted into awry smile. УDo you suppose we might try confiding in one another, Athena?Фhe said, more gently than she had yet heard him speak. It seemed that theneed to trust disturbed and confused him.The girl drew a slow, deep breath. There was nothing she could do tochange what John StoneТs life had been up until now, nor to influence thecharacter which that life had molded. But perhaps, if they shared new experiences,she might be able to convince her cynical, disillusioned Duke totrust herЧpossibly even some day to like her, It was a hope worth nourishing,Tina decided. At this moment the carriage drew up before LadySophiaТs mansion.Charles Vernell was awaiting its arrival in the street, and ran over to openthe carriage door at once. He helped Tina out, and even spared her a smile,but immediately afterward his anxious gaze was fixed on John StoneТs face.УShe isnТt with you, then? I had hopedЧФ he stammered.УInside, Charles,Ф said the Duke firmly, and swept them both along withhim into the drawing room.There Lady Sophia sat, her face a twisted mask of anger and fear. УWhathave you done with them? What trick is this, Stone? What do you hope togain by interfering in my affairs?Ф She was speaking shrilly, her eyes glaringat her brother. УIs this a ploy to discredit me with the Ton?Ф She noticed Tina,standing at RenfrewТs shoulder, and her voice rose to a shout. УThis scheminglittle upstart! What is she doing in my house? Has she something to do withmy childrenТs disappearance? IТll wager sheТs at the root of it!ФУCalm yourself!Ф snapped the Duke. УYou rant like a Bedlamite!Ф He continuedin an icy tone, УIs it true that Flora is missing? Control your hysteriaat once, if you please! I wish to hear facts, not unbridled screeching!ФBut Sophia, glaring from John to Tina, refused to speak. It was CharlesVernell, mastering his alarm and concern, who informed his friend that Florahad left the house three hours earlier, and had not returned. She had also, itappeared, taken a small satchel with her, containing some clothes. She hadnot left any message.Lady Sophia got to her feet and advanced upon the group in the middleof the room. Her eyes were bulging with rage.УYou will tell me at once what this means! What plot you are hatching todiscredit me!ФA quiet voice, youthful but hard, spoke from the doorway. УYou yourselfhave driven her away from us, Mama,Ф said Nigel, entering the room and closingthe great doors behind him. УYour endless berating and complaints, yourutter lack of real interest or tendernessЧ!Ф His voice broke over the last word.УWhat do you know about this?Ф John asked. УTell me at once!ФУWhen I returned from riding this morning, the first person I encounteredin the hall was Groat, who informed me that Flora had asked him to summona hackney for her. He tried to discover where she intended to go, but sherefused to tell him. Then she borrowed two shillings from him for the fare.ФThe DukeТs rigid mouth softened a fraction. УNot a distant goal, then.ФNigel was looking accusingly at his mother.УGroat reports that Flora was crying. He held the door open for her whenthe hackney arrived, and heard her give your address, Uncle John. I remountedat once and rode to your Town House. Cullon was more forthcoming thanGroat had been. It seems that Flora, being threatened with banishment toBodiam and then to a girlsТ boarding school, had decided to seek sanctuarywith Uncle John. Feeling,Ф added Nigel with dark challenge, Уthat since hehad promised to give us the treats of London, he would at least protest FloraТsbeing removed before she had tasted even one!ФThe Duke acknowledged the shrewdness of NigelТs blow. УMea culpa,Ф hesaid quietly. УI had promised Flora treats, and fully intend to give them toher, with a charming companion.Ф He glanced at Tina. УBut there has notbeen timeЧФУTime to be banished to outer darkness,Ф persisted Nigel.УIs she there, then, in my house?Ф The Duke kept to the issue at hand.УCullon gives her refreshment?ФУNo,Ф reported Nigel grimly, УFlora appears to have been in a panic at notfinding you at home, Uncle John. She set out again in her hackney, havingfirst borrowed a further ten shillings from Cullen.ФAgain, almost against his will, the Duke smiled. УWe are to suppose Floracontemplated a longer journey this time,Ф he murmured.УHow can you jest about this, Stone?Ф demanded Lady Sophia.УBetter to laugh than weep,Ф said John Stone, to TinaТs surprise. He lookedat her, catching her curious glance. УLet me guess where Flora was bound. Shedirected the driver to Lady CamdenТs house?ФУBut thatТs exactly right!Ф breathed Nigel respectfully. УCullon managed tooverhear her directions.ФУBut of course, failing to find me, she would go to one who had been herloyal champion upon a previous occasionЧФУShe is thereЧin my grandmotherТs home?Ф asked Tina eagerly, a smile ofrelief upon her face.УNo,Ф replied Nigel gloomily. УWhen she found you also away from home,she refused the offer of tea which your grandmother made her, and insistedthat she had an important meetingЧelsewhere.ФУBut what is this?Ф demanded the Duke. УWhere is the little ninnyhammeroff to?ФLady Sophia seemed to have lost interest. УWhen she becomes tired of herchildish naughtiness, she will come backЧand go down to Bodiam, as I toldher she must. Her trunks are packed.ФLooking at that adamant countenance, Tina knew it would be useless tourge or protest. Lady Sophia was enjoying the idea of punishing her daughterfor wilful disobedience, and demonstrating to FloraТs well-wishers thatthey were powerless to aid the girl.The Duke did not seem to understand that he was defeated.УAnd if she does not return?Ф he suggested mildly.Lady Sophia glared at him. УWhat do you mean?ФУI merely state the obvious. Your daughter has been gone for severalhours. We know she had inadequate funds. Where is she?Ф Then, when no oneanswered, the Duke continued, УIs she wandering on foot through the streets?For we know no self-respecting cabman would carry her about on tick! Or hasshe decided to join the company of actors and actresses in whom she wasinterested enough less than a week ago to run off toЧwithout notice to anyof us?ФLady SophiaТs face became congested. It was plain from her harassedexpression that she could not immediately find an answer, nor, more importantly,anyone to blame for this latest disaster.Tina said slowly, УI do not think Flora would go again to the theater. Herfirst experience there frightened her.ФУIf you know so much about my daughter, Miss, can you tell us where shehas gone?Ф sneered Lady Sophia.УPerhaps to one of her other friends?Ф suggested Tina.УShe has none. She is invited nowhere. Nor would I countenance it. Shemust not go about socially until she has her come-out!ФThe Duke regarded her with loathing. УYou have had your young daughterin London for several months and made no push to bring her into thecompany of other girls? But this is folly! How do you hope to fire her off ifshe knows no one? To say nothing of the loneliness and boredom to whichyou have condemned her. I cannot believe it even of you, Sophia!ФTina had been wracking her brain to discover a clue to FloraТs whereabouts.Suddenly a picture surfaced in her mind: the supper extra-dances atthe DukeТs ballЕFloraТs glowing little face under the bright red curls as shewhirled about the floor with her youthful gallant. And dancing nearbywasЕJennifer Nairn!Tina turned to the Duke. УFlora may be at the NairnsТ,Ф she said quietly.УThey seemed very easy together at your ball. And if the poor child knows sofew other girlsЧФThe Duke took her arm. УWeТll go at once,Ф he told Charles and LadySophia. And then, grimly, УI believe I must insist that you permit Flora toremain in London for the Season, Sophia. I shall stand the nonsense for herclothing and activities.ФAlthough she would have died on the rack rather than admitted it, SophiaRate was thankful to have so easy a solution to her problem. Renfrew wouldfind Flora and bring her back. But better, he would assume financial responsibilityfor the chit, and even take her about under his aegis. And perhaps hewould relent in his harsh judgment against poor George, who had beenscreaming athis doting Mama ever since he learned what her attack upon hisuncle had brought upon him. Sophia began to smile. She had helped herolder son, and without having to apologize to John or to that little provincialhe was sponsoring! A good dayТs work! She looked about her to see whoremained in her drawing room. It was empty. Charles had left with John andthe girl, apparently. Sophia pulled the bell to summon a servant. It was timeto write a triumphant message to poor George.

Chapter 11

Charles insisted, rather cavalierly, upon being included in the searchparty. After a momentТs consideration, Tina interrupted the DukeТsefforts to dismiss his friend.УWe do not wish to seem like gaolers hauling off a prisoner. Ithink Flora would find it more comfortable to be picked up by a group ofgood friends, dropping by for a social call.ФCharles and Nigel were impressed by her suggestion. The Duke agreed,but asked wryly, УWill that work if FloraТs told the Nairns her whole story?ФTina said confidently, УWe shall rely upon your nous, John, to carry off thesituation, in that case.ФCharles and Nigel grinned openly. The Duke was understood to remarkupon the fate likely to befall scapegraces and would-be jokesters who pushedtheir Elders and Betters too far.УElders, certainly,Ф pronounced Charles, greatly daring.As a result of similar badinage, the DukeТs party arrived in high gig atNairn Town House. The Dowager Duchess was delighted to welcome JohnStone, for whom she had a soft spot, while both Flora and Jennifer seizedupon Tina with cries of pleasure. Tina noticed, also, that Flora turned a pret-ty shade of pink under Charles VernellТs obvious relief and happiness in seeingher safe. So it was an unexpectedly jolly little party that sat down for teain the handsome drawing roomЧso different in every way from Sophia RateТscold and cheerless salon.УWe have been planning some interesting excursions,Ф said Tina, strikingwhile the iron was hot. She glanced quickly under her lashes at theDuke, who appeared willing enough. УOh, all very educational, of course,Фshe hastened to assure the Dowager. УArt galleries, and museums, and perhapsa concert! We were hoping you might permit Jennifer to make one ofour little group.ФSmiling fondly at her granddaughterТs imploring face, the Dowagergave cheerful permission. УIf you, my dear Renfrew, are to be their guideand mentorЕ?ФWith a rueful grin, silently acknowledging her strategy as well as TinaТs,the Duke said he supposed he would have to do so, lest Flora be sent rusticateto her auntТs country home at Bodiam. Then, observing FloraТs blushesand the DowagerТs conscious expression, the Duke was confirmed in his suspicionthat his scamp of a niece had opened her budget.This was confirmed when Jessica Nairn asked, УWhy does Sophia Ratethreaten to send Flora to Bodiam Castle? IsnТt that Lady StoneТs home?ФУLucy sensibly refuses to live there,Ф replied the Duke. УThe place isfalling down, and so steeped in history that it has a crowded feeling. It isalso cold and damp. Lucy rarely goes there since Theo died. And ofcourse Sophia believes she has a right, as TheoТs sister, to send her childrenthere if she wishes. There is always staff in residence. The fourthDuke acquired the castle when he married the Earl of BodiamТs onlychildЧa red-haired daughter.Ф He ruffled FloraТs hair lightly, smiling atthe girl. УAs copper-tops, you and Nigel have the best right of any of theRenfrews to be there.ФУI would far rather stay in London and see the sights with you and MissLong!Ф said Flora. УYou did promiseЧ?ФУYes! I promised,Ф agreed the Duke. УNow we must make our plans for tomorrow.Shall we visit the art collection of Sir Hans Sloane in the British Museum?ФУHow about topping that off with a visit to AstleyТs Amphitheater?Ф suggestedNigel, hopefully.УAnd then going back to JohnТs Town House for a snack and some practicein dancing?Ф coaxed Charles, his enthusiasm making him appear asyouthful as Nigel. УThe ballroom is being wasted!ФThe Dowager and the Duke exchanged glances.УI commiserate with Your Grace,Ф said Lady Jessica. УI foresee acrowded calendar.ФThe next few weeks were the happiest in FloraТs life. Aside from the factthat her imposing uncle arranged exciting expeditions almost every otherdayЧФto give us all time to recover from our excesses in between!ФЧFlorahad the felicity of Charles VernellТs laughing escort. Tina was aware of thegirlТs feelings, and was finally sufficiently troubled to request a private interviewwith the Duke.He received her in his library, a most impressive and fascinatingapartment to such a bookworm as Athena Long. Her fingers itched toruffle among the pages; she was hard put to maintain her image of thelight-minded dщbutante.It seemed His Grace was amused by her dilemma. УWhenwe are alone,Athena, you may surely set aside that frivolous manner and indulge in yoursecret vice? If I promise never to breathe to a soul that the charming and popularMiss Long is, in fact, a Bluestocking?ФShe was unable to prevent herself from smiling into his dark, teasing face.He was such a disturbing manЧone minute warm and playful, the nextЧandfor no reason, it sometimes seemedЧharsh and cold and arrogant. Still, hewas playful at this moment, and Tina wished to bask in the warmth of hisgood humor.УYou tempt me almost beyond bearing,Ф she dimpled up at him. УWithsuch treasure as you boast here, I really cannot understand how you find timeto lead the Social World as you do.ФУI lead until I am bored,Ф he admitted without false modesty. УThen I disappearfor a week or soЧand the tongues wag!Ф His laugh was cynical andquite uncaring.Chilled by his change of mood, Tina looked soberly up into the handsomecountenance. УIt is about Flora that I wish to speak to you,Ф she saidslowly. УShe is a darling, but still very young, very unsophisticated. I amafraid she may be developing a tendre for Lord Charles.ФThe Duke frowned. УWhat evidence have you?ФУOh, there is nothing out of the way in the behavior of either Flora or LordCharles, at least that I have observed. It is only that Flora is still a child, andCharles is very attractive to a lonely girl.ФУIf my dear sister had made the least push to secure young companions forher children, we should not be facing such awkward situations,Ф said theDuke grimly. УNigel is to go back to school soon, and is perfectly happy withthe necessity, but his departure will leave Flora the more bereft.ФУJennifer Nairn is a good friend to her,Ф offered Tina. УAnd I care verymuch for the child. She will not be completely alone.ФThe Duke eyed her gloomily. УShe will have her come-out next year. Itwas to put her in the way of Society that I invited her to my ball. I have seenwhat happens when a green girl is thrust into the Ton without preparation!ФHe shrugged. УI suppose I might arrange for her to go to a girlsТ school. Atleast she would not lack for suitable companionship there.ФУSince she has not thus far attended such an establishment, and will havefew of the skills expected of a girl her age, she will be put with girls muchyounger. Might this not seem to her a punishment?Ф asked Tina anxiously.The Duke frowned. УSophiaТs failure to take responsibility creates painfulsituations. But she is heartless!Ф He shrugged. УI thank you for your warning,Athena. IТll look into the possibilities of girlsТ schools. Meanwhile, let us continuewith our policy ofЧahЧeducational expeditions. IТll keep my eye onCharles and see what heТs up to.Ф His faintly amused, abstracted air implied,to Tina, dismissal.She slipped away quietly. ItТs as well he didnТt try to stop me, she told herself asshe returned to Lady DeliaТs house. I must get down to Guthrie and Sinclairand find out what has developed with my training manual.There seemed to be a conspiracy against Tina in this latter decision. FirstLady Delia insisted upon knowing where she had been. The respect Tina hadfor her grandmotherТs kindness and social skills urged the girl to confide theproblem of Flora and Charles. Lady Delia did not seem overly concerned.УCharles Vernell is a fine young man who will prove a steadying influenceon Flora as she matures. There isnТt an ounce of vice in him, Tina! I knew hisparents well, and from what I have seen of himЧand itТs been a good deal thislast two weeks!ЧI am not at all worried as to his motives or his behavior.ФTina sighed. УWith that recommendation, Grandmere, I can put aside myalarms and get back to serious business!ФHer grandmother peered at her suspiciously. УI do not think I like thesound of that remark, Athena,Ф she said repressively. УExactly what is thisСserious businessТ you wish to get back to?ФУWhy, discovering the fate of my manual, of course!Ф replied Tina with alightness she did not actually feel.Her grandmotherТs frown justified her apprehension.УI understood you had withdrawn thatЧthat incriminating documentweeks ago, Athena. Do you tell me you permitted it to be published?ФУI fear so, Grandmama,Ф admitted Tina.УUnder your own name?Ф demanded Lady Delia.Tina shook her head slowly. УNo. Although I must admit that I regret mycowardice. After all, it is fairly scholarly, quite sound pedagogically, andЧIthinkЧeven interesting.Ф She faced her grandmotherТs horrified frown bravely.УСPedagogЕТ! Great Heavens, Tina! What is in the book?ФУYou know,Ф answered Tina stubbornly. УI explained it most carefully toyou the last time you asked.ФУI cannot have been listening,Ф mourned her agitated relative. УYou aresure your name appears nowhere in the text? And that the publishers havesworn not to reveal it?ФTinaТs color was rising. УGrandmama, it is not a lewd or vicious pamphlet!I cannot agree I should be ashamed of it!ФHer grandmother was not appeased. УIt is pedantic, bookishЧandabsolutely fatal to your success in the Beau Monde! I told youЧ!ФУBut I am already engaged,Ф retorted Tina angrily, Уor had you forgotten?My career in the Beau Monde has been crowned by my successful entrapmentof its greatest Prize, the Duke of Renfrew!Ф She ended on a short,anguished sob and turned away.At once Lady Delia moved to take the girl in her arms.УThere, there, child! Do not weep, I beg of you! It is quite ruinous to thecomplexion.Ф She patted TinaТs shoulder gently until the ragged sobs ceased.Tina raised her head and turned the full battery of amber-goldeyes uponher worried grandmother, who thought, as she had so often done recently,that the Duke must be a singularly cool and stolid male to be impervious tothe bright, sensitive beauty of this charming young woman. Or was he? Shehad accompanied the little group to a performance of The School for Scandal, inthe role of chaperone, and had had plenty of opportunity of observing theDukeТs attitude toward his pseudo-fiancщe. It had seemed to Lady DeliaТsexpert eye that the nobleman was not as detached and uncaring as he pretendedto be. However! This was not the time for Tina to be playing off hertricks. If indeed the Duke was beginning to feel an interest, or even an attraction,toward Tina, the fragile structure must not be jeopardized by such boringand ridiculous starts as publishing a training manual for servants! LadyDelia shuddered with real apprehension.It was with her reluctant consent, therefore, that Tina set out in the smaller(and less noticeable) carriage, with only Tom Coachman as escort, to finishup her business with Guthrie and Sinclair of Fort Street.As the footman was assisting her into the carriage, Tina caught TomCoachmanТs eye. She was sure there was an urgency present in that small darkorb, a sort of unspoken request for dialogue. It was, however, quite ineligibleto hang in the door-aperture of the carriage and shout at him, so Tina gotinside and permitted the footman to close the door after her. During the rideto Fort Street, there was of course no opportunity for speech, and when thecarriage drew up at the corner, a safe distance from the unimposing entranceto the premises, Tina had to get herself out of the vehicle and close the doorafter her. She looked up at the coachman.He seemed anxious to communicate some sort of warning or advice, andTina thought she understood his concern. He was either alarmed at thepossibility of her being recognized in his unfashionable district without achaperone, or he was anxious that she return to the corner within theassigned time limit. Giving him her lovely smile, Tina said quietly, УDonТtbe worried, Tom! I shall meet you here in exactly twenty minutes, as LadyCamden ordered.ФOld Tom Todd did not appear satisfied. He leaned toward her as shestood on the narrow stone footpath. УIТll be a watchinТ for ye, Miss. Stay withinthe doorway, if ye please! I shТll drive right up to ye, and ye must nip in! ThisainТt a good neighborhood!ФNodding her thanks for his special care, Tina trod happily along the footpathto the premises of Guthrie and Sinclair, Printers and Booksellers.

Chapter 12

Tina was almost running as she approached within a few feet ofthe entrance to Guthrie and Sinclair. The reason for thisunseemly haste was not eagerness to collect whatever moniesthe publishers mighthave for her. It was, instead, because anatty curricle bearing two obvious Bloods was approaching her at a dangerousclip along Fort Street, both occupants of which had caught sightof her and were making their interest very plain. They were either undertheinfluence of liquor or were the rudest creatures she had yet encounteredin London. Feeling like a rabbit running to earth, Tina scuttled intothe shop with her head bent, unwilling to risk a second look at therowdy pair, lest she had met them at one of the social functions she hadrecently attended.As she closed the door safely behind her, Tina beheld Mr. Sinclairapproaching, his face one wide smile. It struck her that she had neverencountered a Mr. Guthrie. Was he perchance a recluse, or merely a figmentof Mr. SinclairТs imagination?Chiding herself for such levity, she accepted Mr. SinclairТs greeting andattended to what he was saying.УЕhappy about your book! The purchaser has given us an initial order forone hundred copies, with a possibility of a further sale!ФHe waited for her delighted praise of his salesmanship, but Tina was moreinterested in the unknown purchaser. УDo you think that someone here inLondon is actually planning to open a school for servants! What a generousand far-seeing person! A rare philanthropist!ФMr. Sinclair was privately of the opinion that the Duke of Renfrew was farfrom fitting the flattering image the girl was creating. Having had to copewith His GraceТs keen wits while making the financial arrangements for theprinting and sale of the books, Mr. Sinclair thought that philanthropist was thevery last title he would bestow upon the wily and knowledgeable peer. Up toevery rig in Town, was the Duke of Renfrew!УI am constrained not to divulge the PurchaserТs plans for your book, MissLong, but I may say it is not to be used in London.ФУNot?Ф echoed Tina, surprised.УMore importantly,Ф continued Mr. Sinclair, Уthe Purchaser wishes to beinformed if the Author is capable of preparing a further manual or manuals ofincreasing difficulty andЧahЧchallenge for the student?ФУBut of course!Ф breathed Tina, thrilled at the prospect of stretching hermind in such an interesting project. УWhen would I need to have it ready?ФMr. Sinclair awarded such naivetщ a pitying smile. УAs soon as possible,Miss Long.Ф He ventured a small pleasantry. УYesterday?ФThe young lady gratified him with a charming gurgle of laughter. Ratherreluctantly, he got to business and had her sign the contract for one newmanual every six months until both Purchaser and Author were content toend the agreement. The money did not seem as important to the Author asdid the details of the difficulty of challenge and scholarly development. This,divulged Mr. Sinclair, might present awkwardness, as the Purchaser wasadamant about maintaining his anonymity.Tina frowned. УHe seems an odd person,Ф she said discontentedly.УHow can I shape and grade the work if I have no idea of his requirements?ФShe assessed the publisherТs expression. УCan you explain to himthat a clearer picture of his special needs would materially expedite theactual work of preparation?ФMr. Sinclair bowed. УI can try, Miss Long.Ф He sighed at the prospect oftrying to pin down the arrogant peer. УThere is, as you know, one plan whichwould resolve all difficulties.ФAt her doubtful glance, he elaborated, but without much hope. УIfyou and the Purchaser were to confer together, all problems could speedilybe resolved, and plans satisfactory to both Author and Purchasercould be formulated.ФУImpossible!Ф said Tina firmly. УPlease ask the Purchaser to sketch hisneeds briefly. Then you can mail me the material.ФWith this lengthy and not too satisfactory method of dealing with theproblem Mr. Sinclair was compelled to be content. He handed over a surprisingnumber of golden guineas to the gratified Author, and ushered herpolitely out to her waiting carriage. Tina rode home to Lady CamdenТs TownHouse in a glow, planning further manuals in which she might entice the servantsinto an exploration of some of the more easily understood sciences andhumane studies.A rude reception was awaiting her.A worried Dolby ushered her at once into Lady DeliaТs private sittingroom, where a tall, arrogant figure stood stiffly in front of a window while hishostess surveyed him with poorly concealed alarm.УFlora!Ф guessed the Author, her gaze fixed upon the DukeТs forbiddingcountenance. УSomething has happened to herЕ?ФFor once in her life, Lady Delia felt herself inadequate to control the situation.УNo, not Flora, dear childЧyou! His Grace has been given somenews whichЧthat is, I am sure it is the merest tattle-mongeringЧidle bibble-babbleЧФ She faltered into silence under a fierce glare from His GraceТsoutraged eyes.Tina endeavored to pull herself together in the face of this unexpecteddisaster. Of course someone had told him about the manual! But was that anyexcuse for such histrionics? Surely being affianced to a Bluestocking was notenough to put even so high a stickler as the Duke into a passion? Perhaps itwas the fact that she had not informed him of her literary efforts, thus arminghim against surprise?Then, lashed by that ice-cold glare, she felt a defensive anger begin to risewithin herself. What business was it of his? They both knew their engagementwas a fraud, maintained in order to protect His Grace from the attentions ofover-eager females! Still, no one but themselves and possibly Lady Deliaknew it for a hoax. Trying to be fair, Tina accepted that to expose so haughtya peer to the malicious amusement of his associates was disastrous.These thoughts ran through the girlТs head in a lightning instant. Now shewalked slowly toward the rigid figure and said, softly, УIt is not so bad, surely?If my being a Bluestocking embarrasses you so deeply, perhaps it mightgive you the opportunity you wish for breaking off the engagement?ФTwo things happened immediately after TinaТs speech.Lady Delia groaned incoherently.The Duke stepped forward and seized TinaТs shoulders in fingers of iron,shook her till her head jerked about dizzyingly, and gritted between setteeth, УBluestocking? Is that what you call your activities at the Venus Club?ФTina put her hands on the DukeТs arms and tried, unsuccessfully, to stophis shaking her. УMilord!Ф she gasped, УIf you kill me, you will land yourselfin a worse imbroglio than whatever you are in at theЧthe Venus Club!ФУI,Ф said the Duke in an arctic voice, Уhave never entered the portals of theVenus Club! I leave that to such rakehelly rounders and libertines as Cazyionand Pitchell. Who informed me, not half an hour since at WhiteТs, that theyhad observed my wife-to-be entering those same portals. On Fort Street,Ф headded in tones of deepest censure. УWhere I myself encountered you recently,and was given some tarradiddle about spectacles and bath chairs!ФTinaТs delightful laughter rang out, to the shocked surprise of both hercompanions. УYou do not tell me,Ф she asked primly, Уthat you were on patrolthat day anywhere near the profane establishment? For such I must take it tobe, considering its name and the contempt in your voice?ФLady Delia moaned again at such daring provocation. The DukeТs gazehad hardened, and the icy hauteur of his expression was flaming into anger.Tina took advantage of the momentary shock to continue her recklessteasing. УSince you seem willing to accept as truth the unsupported lies ofСrakehelly libertines,Т perhaps I had better correct your misapprehensions. Iwas in Fort Street that other day and today in order to finish the sale of atraining manual which I have been writing this past six months. My destinationon both occasions wasЧthe premises of Guthrie and Sinclair, Publishers.ФShe smiled coaxingly at the flabbergasted Lady Delia. УDo not beunhappy for me, Grandmother! It was bound to come out! And you know aswell as I do that my engagement to His Grace was not ever a real one! Nodoubt he will be relieved to terminate such a contaminating alliance at once,the risks inherent in his great desirability in the Marriage Mart being so muchless than those of associating with a lady of licentious habitsЧsuch as writingmanuals for the self-improvement of servants!ФThe DukeТs expression had now become imperturbable. There was still avery angry glint to his eyes, and a tight-held line to his lips, but of the furiousdisgust he had shown, no trace was left.УSo you claim to have sold a book, do you?Ф he asked. УWho was theЧahЧpurchaser?Ф His hooded glance studied her face intently.УThat I am not at liberty to reveal,ФTina said bravely. УI can, however,show you a copy of the work, which I have brought with me from todayТsmeeting.Ф Then with a flash of spirit, she concluded, УSuch a connoisseur ofthe Rites of Venus as The Most Noble the Duke of Renfrew will have no difficultyin discerning the difference between a celebration of those rites and amanual for improving the speech of servants!ФLady DeliaТs response to this pert provocation was a mournful squawk.His Grace was of sterner stuff. Even the glint of anger inhis eyes faded, andhis expression, as he stared steadily at the girl, was impenetrable. Tina had asudden frightening awareness of her fate in the Beau Monde when the lyingstory circulated: a frozen rejection which would deny her very existence. Herface whitened.УJust so,Ф said the Duke smoothly. His eyes had never left her face, correctlyinterpreting her change of expression. УIt seems the Author must confessher crime or risk being sent to Coventry on far more disastrous charges.ФУBut surelyЧcan you not silence their lies?Ф pleaded Tina.УThe thought of challenging both the contemptible creatures had enteredmy mind, only to be dismissed.ФУDismissed?Ф echoed Tina forlornly.УSuch a challenge to a duel would serve only to spread the tale, andconvince everyone that there was truth in the canard,Ф explained theDuke condescendingly.УThen I shall leave for Malong Hall today, leaving Your Grace free torepudiate me however you wish,Ф said Tina, not daring to glance at her grandmotherТsdevastated countenance.Even this sacrifice did not appear to propitiate her inquisitor. Shaking hishead slowly, he said, УYou disappoint me, Athena. I had not thought so determineda campaigner for marital bliss would be discouraged by a simple setback!Running off home like a whippedЧahЧbitch!Ф He turned to the wideeyedLady Camden. УYou must forgive my seeming coarseness of phrase,Lady Delia! I merely sought to use a cant phrase correctly in the presence ofa Bluestocking!ФTina closed her mouth on a small gasp. The devil was enjoying this! Determiningto leave the consideration of why his mood had changed so remarkablyin the last few minutes to a later time, she took up the challenge of hislast remark with kindling blood.УIn offering to return to my home, I sought only to reduce the embarrassmentwhich my grandmother would naturally feel at this quite unwarranted,vicious attack upon my reputation by two of Your GraceТs croniesЧФThe maddening man held up a restraining hand. УNot my cronies, I begof you!Ф he uttered in a quelling tone. УI could not permit persons of such badton to claim even a nodding acquaintance with me!ФTina stared, and even Lady Delia was regarding the nobleman with asuspicious frown.УWhat are we to make of this new start?Ф she challenged.His Grace elevated his fine eyebrows. УWhy, that I intend to make thebest of this predicament, Lady Delia.Ф His expression and tone hardened.УWe shall proceed as though no vile charges had been made. Next Friday, weare pledged to attend Lady JerseyТs Ridotto, are we not?ФУYour secretary brought us your orders this morning,Ф said Tina resentfully.УTogether with the box containing my costume.ФThe Duke nodded. УSince I am doing myself the honor of escorting youboth,Ф he said with what Tina considered to be intolerable smugness, УI naturallywished to be sure that our costumes would not clash.ФУAfter the charges those men made at WhiteТs Club,Ф Tina found her ownanger rising as the DukeТs seemed to cool, Уit might be wiser for me to attendas a nun, or an abbess.ФУQuite ineligible!Ф countered his Grace. УIn these circumstances, never anabbess! You are, Athena, too much the ingenue to know it, but that is a verynaughty term borrowed to designate aЧlady engaged in venery.Ф His hardeyes glinted mockingly.Reassured by His GraceТs good humor, Lady Delia tittered and cast anarchly reproving glance at him. Tina shook with anger at his lack of sensitivity.УAnd what is this costume you have chosen as suitable for me?Фshe snapped.УYou tell me you didnТt look at it?Ф mocked the Duke.УI havenТt had time!ФУA very pretty costume in the Grecian mode,Ф contributed Lady Delia,who had looked. УAfter the Elgin Marbles, I should say. White and gold, mydear, with a charming golden cup with two handles for you to carry. Awkwardto dance with, however. But no matter!ФTina drew a deep, steadying breath. Grecian? That meant a clinging drapery,one shoulder baredЕit did not appeal to the disgruntled girl as a costumein which she would wish to present herself to the DukeТs friends. УA goldencup?Ф she repeated nastily. УAre we to go as the Nobleman and the Barmaid?ФThe Duke, who had spent some time in research, was justifiably annoyedat this display of malice. УIn deference to your claims of scholarship, I hadplanned for us to represent Hebe and Heracles.ФУHebe,Ф said Tina, pleased in spite of her ill-humor. УThe cupbearer of theImmortals! But Heracles? You would say it is a Labor to escort me?ФУHer husband,Ф supplied the Duke coldly. УWho said she had the powerof making him young again.ФУBut how charming!Ф cooed Lady Delia, who was of the opinion that fewif any of the other guests would have either knowledge of or interest inmythological characters, in spite of the fuss being made over those brokenstatues from the Parthenon which Lord Elgin had secured for the British public!Still, it was a pretty thought, and Lady Delia hoped her difficult grandchildwould accept it as the gracious compliment it probably was.Tina was indeed wrestling with her emotions. On the one hand, such athoughtful and unusual idea surely indicated a concern to please a youngwoman whose tastes were known to be classical. On the other hand, such apair of costumes might make their wearers a laughingstock in the Haut Ton.Consider Lady SophiaТs reactions, or Lady Lucy StoneТsЧneither one knownfor the depth or breadth of her formal education! She raised her eyes toencounter a sharp scrutiny from the Duke.УWell, Athena?ФTina chuckled. УI am wondering, Your Grace, what your costume lookslike?Is it draped to expose a manly torso? We must remember that the climatein Greece is considerably warmer than that of England in winter!ФУDraped or undraped,Ф retorted the Duke coolly, УHeracles will escort youto the Ridotto on Friday night!ФAs he took his leave and went out into the hallway, Lady DeliaТs lipsquirked into a forgiving smile. УHe is arrogant and autocratic and domineeringЧbut he is such an attractive man!ФУIt is to be hoped,Ф said Tina glumly, Уthat he will not look absurd in hiscostume in front of all his friends!Ф She sighed. УOr that I will! I had better goup and see what he has chosen for me to wear.Ф