[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.A few minutes later, Ellen returned.She was in excellent spirits, having spent the time with the seamstresses, even, she confided, helping with one of the hems.As Ellen fastened up my dress she chattered, repeating the gossip she had heard.Soon the ball gown was packed and we departed.We had not come in Leslie’s barouche but by hackney, and I determined we should walk a bit.There were nearby shops displaying various goods: trinkets, hats, gloves, shawls.On impulse, I entered a shop and purchased a pair of fine gloves for Leslie.It required most of the money left in my reticule, but I did not care.Feeling rather lighthearted, I hailed a cab and we rode back to the town house.As I drew off my bonnet and mittens in the foyer I asked after Leslie, eager to give him my present.But he was not at home.I sent Ellen upstairs with careful instructions as to what I should wear with my gown and at what time to draw my bathwater.Then I proceeded to the library, still clutching the gloves.The library at the town house was not such a comfortable room as the library in the castle.Somehow it seemed too formal.Yet by its very function, it was a refuge to me.I took down a book and began to read.Each time I heard footsteps, I would look up, hoping to see Leslie, and I found myself listening for the sound of the front door.But he did not come.At four, one of the maids brought me a light tea.It grew later and still Leslie did not return.Finally I mounted the stairs to dress.At Leslie’s chamber, I paused and knocked.Peter was, as I expected, laying out Leslie’s evening clothes.“Yes, my lady?” he asked respectfully.“I am afraid Sir Leslie is not here.”“Yes.yes, I know that,” I replied self-consciously.“Could you.please give this to him when he returns?”“Yes, my lady.”And then the door was closed.Slowly, I continued to my chamber.Ellen was waiting.When I descended later, I found Leslie waiting in the drawing room, dressed for the ball.He bowed but did not comment on my gown.Nor did he mention the-gloves.And I had not the courage to ask if he had liked them.Before we could speak, the footman announced the arrival of Lord and Lady Pellen.They were to dine with us and ride in our carriage to the ball.Phyllis wore a blue satin gown that set off her blond hair perfectly.My father was dressed in the same careless elegance as Leslie.Phyllis drew me aside as the two men began to talk of business matters.“Well, Heather,” she began, “one hears you have made powerful friends in Town.Few young matrons have the ladies Ormsby, Rifton, and Crombie as sponsors.”“Leslie’s aunts,” I said with a smile.“I met them at the theatre the same evening I met you.”“You seem to have pleased them.”“Who?” Leslie asked, moving to my side.“Your aunts,” I explained.Lord Pellen chuckled proudly.“Yes, my daughter is contriving quite well.Quite well indeed.I’ve made arrangements, Heather, by the by, and you will appear at the Queen’s drawing-room on the eleventh of next month.”We moved to the dining room, I on father’s arm, Phyllis on Leslie’s.My father was in excellent humour.“You see? Everything is resolving itself quite nicely.You have the entree virtually everywhere.And pretty things, do you not? And from the look in Sir Leslie’s eyes when they rest on you, you can use him as you will.”I blushed and shook my head but dared not answer.We were soon seated and it was with relief that I greeted my father’s new list of questions.For they were only a catechism, of my recent social activities, and therefore rather impersonal.Leslie listened quietly, adding from time to time a brief comment.Phyllis was also silent, save when we spoke of an event that had led to a mention of my name by one of her friends.I tried, now and again, to surprise Leslie’s eyes on me, hoping to catch sight of that which my father said I should find.But all I could read in those dark depths was a quiet mockery.After what seemed an interminable time, we were rising from the table.The usual sorts of confusion and activity ensued before we left for the ball.And still Leslie had not mentioned the gloves.The rooms were already crowded when we arrived, though my father warned me it was still early.Lady Pontworth was pleased to be gracious.“Ah, Lady Kinwell.One has heard much about you! You have tamed Sir Leslie Kinwell, it seems.Sir Leslie, your sister Lady Mary and her charming son are already here.Lord and Lady Pellen! How delighted I am to see you.Such a romantic story of your daughter.But then one expects romance of you.May I have the honour to present my daughter, Clarissa.”A pale yet pretty girl curtsied to us.She seemed scarcely sixteen, but I knew she must have been my age.My father, of course, kissed her hand.“Charming, Lady Pontworth.”We escaped as new guests took our place.The music was beginning and Leslie, ever courteous to others, led Lady Phyllis into the dance.My father, it seemed, did not care for dancing.“Let us instead find Lady Mary and pay our respects,” he suggested.I nodded.I was not eager for the encounter, but I could not delay it forever, and she had been kind to me.She was sitting with several other women but sprang up as soon as she saw us.We embraced and then my father kissed her hand and took his leave.Mary and I moved to a quiet alcove before we began to talk
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]