sure my brother would have been happy to support a necessary falsehood. A man in his position cannot wish his intended bride to be an object of speculation."
"If that is so, perhaps he might spare a moment to his intended, instead of hiding away in the library talking politics with his colleagues," Lilith snapped. "I was left to deal with an awkward situation quite on my own, and chose not to insult the Russian ambassador's wife."
This was so unlike her cool, immovable self that Rachel stepped back a pace. "My dear Lilith," she said placatingly, "I did not mean to question your judgement."
There was a brief pause.
"I am sure you did not," Lilith answered with something more like her customary chilly politeness. "Our friends' eagerness to make gossip of the most trivial matters distresses you, as it does me. All the same, I think we were wisest to disregard it."
Though a large circle of masculine admirers had already begun to make great demands upon Cecily's attention, she had sufficient of that article remaining to cultivate several feminine friends as well. Among these, the most agreeable was Anne Cleveson, whose mama, Lady Rockridge, happened to be Lord Robert's first cousin on his papa's side.
Lady Rockridge was a sensible, good-natured woman who presented daughters almost as continuously as Mrs. Davenant presented nieces. The two women were well-acquainted. They both respected and liked each other and had more than once traded chaperon duty. This was what Lady Rockridge was proposing on the day following Countess Lieven's informal gathering, for Cecily was invited to join a small group of young people Lord and Lady Rockridge planned to escort to Astley's.
In any other case, Lilith would have instantly agreed. This time, however, there were problems. For one, she was out of sorts, having slept poorly. For another, Lord Robert was to be one of the party, and Lilith much doubted he was . suitable company for Cecily.
His connexion with Lady Rockridge was a point in his favour. His mistress and his connexion with Lord Brandon were points against. Cecily's behaviour the night of the opera must be considered as well — though Lilith was not entirely certain in what light to consider it, because the girl had offered no indication of infatuation since.
While Lilith did not list aloud these points for and against, Lady Rockridge must have guessed some of them, because she promptly ordered Cecily and Anne to take a turn in the garden.
"My dear Lilith," she said when the girls were safely out of the way, "I know exactly what is in your mind, and of course I cannot blame you for thinking ill of him." Lilith gave the tiniest start — so minute as to appear a flicker of shadow upon marble.
"You are too well-bred to mention it," her guest went on, "but we both know Robin has made an utter fool of himself over that French demi-rep."
"I am sure, Glenda, I should never disparage your rela-tions."
"And I am sure you may do so all you like. You cannot abuse him — or his immediate family — any more heartily than I have myself. What a great lot of fools they are! When spoiled child demands bon-bons, which will make him sick, does it serve to tell him, No, he must not? Indeed, it does not serve," said her ladyship, shaking her head vigour-ously. "As a child, Robin was wont to hold his breath until he turned blue in the face. At present, I believe he is doing precisely that."
"I am not certain I take your meaning," said Lilith, though a vision of the rakish Lord Robert Downs in a childish tantrum drew a hint of a smile.
"Everyone has been ranting at him to leave her. If they had simply ignored the entire matter, I'm sure he would have tired of her very soon, but every new 'No' only makes him dig in his heels the more."
"That scarcely recommends his maturity, Glenda."
"But don't you see? He is not so worldly and jaded as he likes to think. I only wish you could have heard him urging Astley's as a treat for the girls. Rather
"If that is so, perhaps he might spare a moment to his intended, instead of hiding away in the library talking politics with his colleagues," Lilith snapped. "I was left to deal with an awkward situation quite on my own, and chose not to insult the Russian ambassador's wife."
This was so unlike her cool, immovable self that Rachel stepped back a pace. "My dear Lilith," she said placatingly, "I did not mean to question your judgement."
There was a brief pause.
"I am sure you did not," Lilith answered with something more like her customary chilly politeness. "Our friends' eagerness to make gossip of the most trivial matters distresses you, as it does me. All the same, I think we were wisest to disregard it."
Though a large circle of masculine admirers had already begun to make great demands upon Cecily's attention, she had sufficient of that article remaining to cultivate several feminine friends as well. Among these, the most agreeable was Anne Cleveson, whose mama, Lady Rockridge, happened to be Lord Robert's first cousin on his papa's side.
Lady Rockridge was a sensible, good-natured woman who presented daughters almost as continuously as Mrs. Davenant presented nieces. The two women were well-acquainted. They both respected and liked each other and had more than once traded chaperon duty. This was what Lady Rockridge was proposing on the day following Countess Lieven's informal gathering, for Cecily was invited to join a small group of young people Lord and Lady Rockridge planned to escort to Astley's.
In any other case, Lilith would have instantly agreed. This time, however, there were problems. For one, she was out of sorts, having slept poorly. For another, Lord Robert was to be one of the party, and Lilith much doubted he was . suitable company for Cecily.
His connexion with Lady Rockridge was a point in his favour. His mistress and his connexion with Lord Brandon were points against. Cecily's behaviour the night of the opera must be considered as well — though Lilith was not entirely certain in what light to consider it, because the girl had offered no indication of infatuation since.
While Lilith did not list aloud these points for and against, Lady Rockridge must have guessed some of them, because she promptly ordered Cecily and Anne to take a turn in the garden.
"My dear Lilith," she said when the girls were safely out of the way, "I know exactly what is in your mind, and of course I cannot blame you for thinking ill of him." Lilith gave the tiniest start — so minute as to appear a flicker of shadow upon marble.
"You are too well-bred to mention it," her guest went on, "but we both know Robin has made an utter fool of himself over that French demi-rep."
"I am sure, Glenda, I should never disparage your rela-tions."
"And I am sure you may do so all you like. You cannot abuse him — or his immediate family — any more heartily than I have myself. What a great lot of fools they are! When spoiled child demands bon-bons, which will make him sick, does it serve to tell him, No, he must not? Indeed, it does not serve," said her ladyship, shaking her head vigour-ously. "As a child, Robin was wont to hold his breath until he turned blue in the face. At present, I believe he is doing precisely that."
"I am not certain I take your meaning," said Lilith, though a vision of the rakish Lord Robert Downs in a childish tantrum drew a hint of a smile.
"Everyone has been ranting at him to leave her. If they had simply ignored the entire matter, I'm sure he would have tired of her very soon, but every new 'No' only makes him dig in his heels the more."
"That scarcely recommends his maturity, Glenda."
"But don't you see? He is not so worldly and jaded as he likes to think. I only wish you could have heard him urging Astley's as a treat for the girls. Rather