Read Online Lucy Muir by The Imprudent Wager - Free Book Online
Authors: The Imprudent Wager
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conversation turned to more general subjects.
After the break for supper, Anne returned to the ballroom, feeling rested and ready to dance again. Lord Woolbridge, the young viscount who had seemed so taken with Melissa, solicited Anne’s hand for the gavotte. He exerted himself to be quite charming, and Anne suspected it was because of her connexion with Melissa. She watched him speculatively as they went through the steps of the dance. He was a handsome young man in his early twenties, with thick chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a pleasant, open countenance. Perhaps this would be the titled gentleman for her ward, Anne mused. She resolved to ask her sponsor about him immediately after the dance was over.
Mrs. Halcott had a great deal of good to say about the young viscount.
“Lord Woolbridge is but recently ascended to the title, but he takes his duties quite seriously, I hear. He has a considerable fortune, so money would not be a factor to him. He has been very attentive to Lady Conliffe, but nothing was ever announced. He would be an excellent match for your cousin if he comes up to scratch.”
Anne felt less sanguine about the prospect after hearing he was connected with Lady Conliffe. She did not think that lady would relinquish her claim on the viscount easily. Well, there was time for other gentlemen to show interest in Melissa, Anne thought philosophically. The Season was just beginning. She ceased worrying about Melissa and commenced to enjoy the rest of the evening.
In the early hours of the morning an exhausted but satisfied Mrs. Halcott saw the last of her guests depart.
“I could not have asked for things to go better. It was an unqualified success! You should have heard the questions I was beset with by the mamas of Melissa’s dance partners,” she said to Anne. “Mark my words, you won’t lack for invitations after tonight. You will not miss being at Almacks.”
Anne and Melissa expressed their heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Halcott and prepared to go home, tired but happy.
“Do not forget we are to attend the opera Friday,” Mrs. Halcott reminded them. “An appearance there will put the seal on your success. Many of the haut ton not present tonight will have heard of Melissa by then, and no doubt we shall receive many requests for introductions.”
* * * *
The next day Benton was kept busy accepting flowers and cards from the gentlemen who had danced with his mistresses the night before.
“Isn’t this exciting!” enthused Melissa as two more young officers departed after leaving cards. “I never dreamed we would be so popular.”
Anne smiled at Melissa. Melissa’s unself-consciousness was one of her most attractive qualities. She seemed totally unaware of the beautiful picture she presented in her pink sprigged muslin morning gown, a matching ribbon in her dark hair.
“No, Melissa, I am not one whit surprised by your success. Although I am surprised that an ape-leader such as myself was singled out for so much attention.”
“I was not. You are not ancient, Anne. You are a very beautiful woman.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Benton announcing yet two more callers.
“Captain Leslie and Lieutenant Halcott,” he intoned.
After the officers presented their compliments, they begged to be allowed to take Anne and Melissa for a drive in the park later that afternoon.
“You must be seen during the Promenade now that you have been presented,” Lieutenant Halcott explained.
“You know it will greatly enhance our reputations to be seen with the new Incomparables,” added Captain Leslie teasingly.
“As it will ours to be seen with two such handsome officers,” returned Anne. “Thank you, we shall be pleased to go.”
“Viscount Woolbridge,” announced Benton.
Viscount Woolbridge entered, immaculate in a blue superfine coat with plated buttons, striped waistcoat, tight-fitting pantaloons and shining Hessians. He frowned slightly at seeing the uniformed officers already in
After the break for supper, Anne returned to the ballroom, feeling rested and ready to dance again. Lord Woolbridge, the young viscount who had seemed so taken with Melissa, solicited Anne’s hand for the gavotte. He exerted himself to be quite charming, and Anne suspected it was because of her connexion with Melissa. She watched him speculatively as they went through the steps of the dance. He was a handsome young man in his early twenties, with thick chestnut hair, hazel eyes and a pleasant, open countenance. Perhaps this would be the titled gentleman for her ward, Anne mused. She resolved to ask her sponsor about him immediately after the dance was over.
Mrs. Halcott had a great deal of good to say about the young viscount.
“Lord Woolbridge is but recently ascended to the title, but he takes his duties quite seriously, I hear. He has a considerable fortune, so money would not be a factor to him. He has been very attentive to Lady Conliffe, but nothing was ever announced. He would be an excellent match for your cousin if he comes up to scratch.”
Anne felt less sanguine about the prospect after hearing he was connected with Lady Conliffe. She did not think that lady would relinquish her claim on the viscount easily. Well, there was time for other gentlemen to show interest in Melissa, Anne thought philosophically. The Season was just beginning. She ceased worrying about Melissa and commenced to enjoy the rest of the evening.
In the early hours of the morning an exhausted but satisfied Mrs. Halcott saw the last of her guests depart.
“I could not have asked for things to go better. It was an unqualified success! You should have heard the questions I was beset with by the mamas of Melissa’s dance partners,” she said to Anne. “Mark my words, you won’t lack for invitations after tonight. You will not miss being at Almacks.”
Anne and Melissa expressed their heartfelt thanks to Mrs. Halcott and prepared to go home, tired but happy.
“Do not forget we are to attend the opera Friday,” Mrs. Halcott reminded them. “An appearance there will put the seal on your success. Many of the haut ton not present tonight will have heard of Melissa by then, and no doubt we shall receive many requests for introductions.”
* * * *
The next day Benton was kept busy accepting flowers and cards from the gentlemen who had danced with his mistresses the night before.
“Isn’t this exciting!” enthused Melissa as two more young officers departed after leaving cards. “I never dreamed we would be so popular.”
Anne smiled at Melissa. Melissa’s unself-consciousness was one of her most attractive qualities. She seemed totally unaware of the beautiful picture she presented in her pink sprigged muslin morning gown, a matching ribbon in her dark hair.
“No, Melissa, I am not one whit surprised by your success. Although I am surprised that an ape-leader such as myself was singled out for so much attention.”
“I was not. You are not ancient, Anne. You are a very beautiful woman.”
Their conversation was interrupted by Benton announcing yet two more callers.
“Captain Leslie and Lieutenant Halcott,” he intoned.
After the officers presented their compliments, they begged to be allowed to take Anne and Melissa for a drive in the park later that afternoon.
“You must be seen during the Promenade now that you have been presented,” Lieutenant Halcott explained.
“You know it will greatly enhance our reputations to be seen with the new Incomparables,” added Captain Leslie teasingly.
“As it will ours to be seen with two such handsome officers,” returned Anne. “Thank you, we shall be pleased to go.”
“Viscount Woolbridge,” announced Benton.
Viscount Woolbridge entered, immaculate in a blue superfine coat with plated buttons, striped waistcoat, tight-fitting pantaloons and shining Hessians. He frowned slightly at seeing the uniformed officers already in
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