Read Online The Sins of Lady Dacey by Marion Chesney - Free Book Online

pantomime,” breathed Pamela. “I have never seen a real one, only Richardson's wagons at fair time.” She half closed her eyes, remembering one of the rare excitements of her youth when John Richardson's wagons came rumbling into the village. Clutching one of the housemaid's hands, she had stood under a Gothic arch of lamps outside the tent while the maid paid over two ninepences to a stout gentleman. Then the maid indulgently gave the young Pamela the two cardboard checks so that she would have the honor of delivering them into the hands of none other than Harlequin himself, glittering with spangles and dazzling with many colors. But this was nothing to the glories of the inside amid the smell of sawdust and orange peel, where the first play being over, the lovers united, the ghost appeased, the baron killed, and everything happy ever after—the pantomime itself began! She half smiled remembering the opening scene of deep gloom where a crafty magician holding a young lady in bondage was revealed, studying an enchanted book to the sound of a gong. Then what a thrill as the magician transformed the monster into a clown. It did not matter that the stage was three yards wide and four deep, Pamela never saw it; only the fantasy, wrapped up in the joy of laughing at that delicious clown.
    And Grimaldi at Drury Lane was the king of clowns!
    “I do not think...” began Honoria cautiously, but Pamela said urgently, “I am sure it would be quite correct for us to go, Honoria. It is comme il faut, is it not, gentlemen? I do not wish to lead Honoria into doing anything unconventional. She is not yet out.”
    “She has your excellent presence as chaperon, Mrs. Perryworth,” said the duke. “The piece lasts only ninety minutes. We will convey you there and back. The play that precedes it is not very popular. There will not be many fashionables there, but even if there are, there can be nothing to occasion comment.”
    “In that case, we will go,” said Pamela, her eyes shining.
    “Thank you, Your Grace,” said Honoria dutifully, but she felt another burden had been added to her conscience. Pamela was a married lady and had no right to look so elated and happy.
    The duke rose to take his leave. Mr. Delaney got to his feet as well. They bowed. The ladies curtsied, and then they left.
    “Now, Pamela,” said Honoria severely, “I do not think it all the thing for you to be escorted by Mr. Delaney. He is in love with you, and he must not be.”
    “Mr. Delaney is the type of gentleman who has to fancy himself in love,” said Pamela, although she blushed guiltily. “Oh, Honoria, humor me! At the end of our stay in London, I must return and take up my old life. With any luck, you will be engaged to be married and can look forward to happiness. I am only borrowing happiness. I am not going to have an affair or anything scandalous like that. I am much too respectable and timid. Besides, to be seen out with a duke—that is, if anyone who matters sees us—it will establish our social credentials in a way that I am sure Lady Dacey cannot.”
    “Come now,” admonished Honoria. “Remember the duke's reputation.”
    “A rake is never considered scandalous,” said Pamela. “You will be safe in his company, my dear. You are guarded by me. I am sure a man of his years and reputation is not interested in a young miss who has not yet made her come-out.”
    And Honoria, who really wanted to go to the pantomime, was glad to have her fears put to rest, or rather, to pretend to herself that they had been.
    * * * *
    It was exciting to prepare for the evening, to put on new theater gowns. Honoria wore a gown of lilac jaconet with a low neckline and six deep flounces at the hem, and Pamela was dressed in blue muslin embroidered at the neck and hem with seed pearls. Pamela wore one of the new Turkish turbans on her head and Honoria a Juliet cap made of gold wire and pearls. Lady Dacey's maid had gone with her to Paris, but Pamela sent for