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Eliza, who had sustained full three dances with Earl Moira, was cooling her overheated cheeks on a balcony, well supplied with champagne and dexterously employed in foiling her old friend’s unwitting sallies. I left her to her amusements — saw Freddy Ponsonby exerting himself to charm a girl scarcely escaped from the schoolroom — and observed instead those whom Miss Radcliffe favoured.
One was the heir to a dukedom; the other, a marquis. A third lucky fellow was George Ca
I had observed the father long before, purring French obscenities into the ear of a tittering child; but Julien must have come in Radcliffe’s train, for I had not encountered him yet this evening. He looked, as a Pink of the Ton must, exquisite: His linen snowy, his satin breeches unimpeachable, his dark coating cut within a hairsbreadth of his shoulders. He had adopted Mr. Brummell’s maxim, which dictated that if a common man of the street turned to stare after one, one was certainly overdressed. Julien’s rule was to render himself inconspicuous by the sheer exactitude of his raiment; and allow his dark good looks — his refined countenance — his complete mastery of self — to speak for themselves. Such qualities must always distinguish the gentleman of breeding, no matter how impoverished.
Any number of illustrious men might be everywhere seen, but I had eyes only for two of them: George Ca
Of Sylvester Chizzlewit there was no sign, until a few minutes before twelve o’clock. I was engaged in going down a country dance — having been solicited by a portly fellow whose wet mouth must give me a disgust of him, but whose awkward embarrassment at the whole situation in which he found himself, suggested the country cousin being shown the delights of the Metropolis — when I observed my solicitor standing a little apart from the general throng, with his friend Malverley by his side.
I still went masked, and must thank Heaven for my obscurity. Despite all his regard for my pluck and daring, Chizzlewit should be shocked to discover my presence in this place — I had suppressed the full intelligence of my plan, from a fear that he should hasten to discourage me from attempting it. In the note I had sent round to his chambers, I had urged him only to bring Charles Malverley up to scratch: At all costs, the Earl’s son must put in an appearance at the Cyprians Ball. But my plans must not miscarry — Malverley could not be allowed to take fright, and leave Limmer’s Hotel before my object was achieved—
I stumbled on my modish sandals, and let out a faint cry of pain.
The country cousin was immediately all solicitude; nothing could exceed his concern and anxiety; I was escorted, limping, from the crowded floor and established in a vacant chair, not far from where Chizzlewit stood. I sent my puffing swain in search of a claret cup, saw him disappear into the frenzy of the refreshment tables — and moved immediately towards my solicitor.
He had separated a little from Malverley, who was encircled — much as Julia Radcliffe had been — by a host of admiring acquaintance.
“Mr. Chizzlewit,” I hissed.
He turned, and bowed. “Fair lady. May I be of service? No improper pun intended, I assure you—”
“Good God,” I said, nonplussed. “Can it be you do not know me?”
I lifted the mask a fraction from my face, and had the satisfaction of hearing his sudden indrawn breath. I grasped his arm, and led him from the floor.
“Miss Austen — I beg your pardon — I should never have expected — I should not have presumed—”
“Yes, indeed, but there is no time for that now. Has Malverley seen her?”
“Miss Radcliffe? I do not think she has yet fallen in his way.”
“Then bring him to the little anteroom at the end of the passage,” I said, “in ten minutes’ time.”
I left Chizzlewit, and recruited Eliza — who parted from Lord Moira with what seemed like regret.
“My dear,” I consoled her, “only reflect how you shall be in whoops, when next you encounter the Earl in the Park! Nothing else may possibly have come of it, you know.”
“I do realise the truth of what you say, Jane, but only conceive how delicious it is to be engaged in flirtation again! I felt myself quite twenty years younger! I do believe he was on the point of offering me carte blanche! And not the slightest chance that I should be discovered by dear Henry!”
“Eliza, only succeed in bringing your old friend the Comte d’Entraigues to the little anteroom at the end of the hall — in twenty minutes’ time — and you may return to the Earl with my blessing,” I promised.
I FOUND JULIA RADCLIFFE ESTABLISHED ON A STIFF-backed chair in the supper room, surrounded by her acquaintance. She was nearly impossible to approach. Julien d’Entraigues stood behind her chair, and at a motion of her finger, bent low; something she said, sent him immediately from her side. I saw my chance, and contrived to put myself in the young Count’s way.
“Pardon,” he murmured, and would have stepped around me, but that I returned his word with a hurried phrase.
“Julien! Are you not to play this evening? Have I only to call the tune?”
He stopped short, and stared at me, frowning.
“I do not apprehend … ” he said; then, “Miss Austen?”
“The same. Do not ask what I ca
Chapter 30
Crimes of the Heart
Wednesday, 1 May 1811, cont.
THE DIM FIGURE OF A COUPLE, ENTWINED ON THE settee against the wall of the anteroom, brought me up short when I would have entered — but I perceived at a glance the pair were unknown to me. It was essential that they should be forced from the room, and so, on the spur of imagination, I reeled a little as tho’ drunk, and muttered, “Lord! My head! If I do not get a little air soon, I am sure I shall be sick!”
I had only to press my hand against my mouth, and choke a little, for the two to beat a hasty retreat — at which point I swiftly closed the double doors.
The room was such as any respectable i
“Miss Austen.” He saluted me with a leer.