Chapter Ten
They met again the following night, this time at a great ball, where Eliza noticed with appreciation how well Valentine was looking, quite magnificent in a new gown of gold silk and spangled net. A trifle daring for a single young lady, but it certainly suited her, and she was quietly pleased to see Valentine’s hand claimed by Lord Marbeck for the opening dance.
Sir Richard watched them as Valentine turned her head to smile at something Lord Marbeck was saying, and his eyes narrowed. He said to Lady Amelia, “You will lose him yet. I think Lord Marbeck is growing a good deal too fond of Miss Welburn. I fear attraction is ripening into a deeper affection.”
Lady Amelia had been brought up from earliest childhood to smile, but now her mouth tightened into a more natural line. “She shan’t have him, not if I have anything to do with it. Sir Richard, cannot you persuade her that you would make her a good husband? You have so much address, you charm all the ladies of your acquaintance. And while your private life might not bear much inspection, that is another matter entirely between you and your conscience.”
“My word, Lady Amelia, if you speak like this to Lord Marbeck, you will certainly scupper all your chances of snaffling him as a husband.”
“I would not be so stupid. I have no wish to have you as a husband, and so I may speak as I like to you.”
“I should very much like to get my ring on her finger; partly as revenge for making a fool of me in India, but mostly for her fortune.” He seemed to be lost in thought as he said, “She has no family here. Her father is a long way away, and I believe she has no other relatives in England.”
“There is Lord Mountjoy.”
“Lord Mountjoy is not famous for caring about other people, and she is not close. She is no blood relation, merely a goddaughter.”
“Once the knot is tied, Lord Mountjoy would be obliged to accept it,” Lady Amelia said, her eyes calculating.
“But even if I could persuade her to accept my hand, which I do not think possible, she is not of age. She will not turn twenty-one till Christmas, and who knows what may happen by then? For now, she still needs her father’s consent.”
Lady Amelia said thoughtfully, “Of course, were she to be ruined—were she found in a compromising situation—then as is the way of things, I’m sure a marriage would speedily take place.”
“You are right. I wonder how it might be contrived without my appearing as the demon of the piece.”
They both looked across the ballroom toward Valentine and Marbeck, who were deep in conversation. Sir Richard said, “May I count upon your help in this matter, Lady Amelia?”
“Certainly you may, provided my name is never mentioned in connection with anything scandalous. I need to keep my reputation unsullied if I am to achieve my objective and marry Lord Marbeck.”
“Then I have an idea that I think will work.”