An Unwilling Conquest Part 50

"I haven't seen much of them yet, but-they do seem a stylish lot. A goodly gaggle of snooty gentlemen's gentlemen in the kitchens as I pa.s.sed--and from the looks of some of the lady's maids I reckon there'll be fights over the curling tongs before nightfall. Best let me do your hair up, too." . "

"Later." Lucinda glanced at her reflection in the mirror over the dressing table.

"There'll be time before dinner."

"Six, they said. Midway between country and town." Agatha pulled an armful of dresses from the case.

"Did hear one of them mention that they have it that way so there'll be more of the evening for " their little games", whatever that might mean."

"Games?" Perhaps the Aster Icy household amused themselves with the usual country house par lout games?

Lucinda frowned. The vision of Lord Astefiey and the buxom Marguerite presiding over such entertainments wasn't convincing. Lips firming, Lucinda stood. "Come--help me change. I want to meet the other guests before dinner."

As she'd been told, they were in the conservatory. It was an unusually large version built on at the back of the house and filled with potted palms to create a leafy grotto.

There was a tiled pool at its centre; the guests were gathered about it, some in wicker chairs, others standing chatting in groups.

One glance made Lucinda very glad she had changed. They were indeed a stylish lot, confident, gaily plumed birds nestling within the greenery. She nodded to Mrs Walker, an elegant widow, and Lady Morcombe, a das.h.i.+ng matron, both of whom she had met in town. "My dear Mrs Babbacombe." Marguerite rustled for ward.

"Pray let me introduce you to Lord Dewhurst-he's only just returned from Europe and so has yet to meet you."

Lucinda calmly returned Lord Dewhurst's greetings while inwardly gauging her companions. She could detect nothing odd to account for her flickering nerves. "Indeed,"

she replied to Lord Dewhurst's query.

"I've quite enjoyed my time in town. But the b.a.l.l.s are becoming a trifle..."

She gestured.

"Overdone--don't you find it so? So crowded one can hardly hear one's self think. And as for breathing..."

His lords.h.i.+p laughed, a smooth, suave sound.

"Indeed, my dear. Little gatherings such as this are much more convenable."

The subtle emphasis he placed on the last word had Lucinda glancing up at him. His lords.h.i.+p looked down at her, a warm light in his eyes.

"I'm sure you'll discover, my dear, that at Aster Icy Place, it's very easy to find both time and place to... think."

Lucinda stared at him. Before she could gather her wits, he took her hand and bowed low.

"Should you find yourself wishful of company, my dear, pray don't hesitate to call on me. I can be exceedingly thoughtful, I a.s.sure you."

"Ah--yes. That is," desperate, Lucinda wrestled her wits into order, Tll bear your offer in mind, my lord. " She inclined her head, somewhat stiffly.

She waited while his lords.h.i.+p bowed again then gracefully strolled away.

Then dragged in a quick breath--and cast another, much more critical, look about her.

And wondered how she could have been so blind. Every one of the ladies present was undoubtedly ~that, but they were all either widowed or married, all of unquestionable breeding yet of an age when, it might be imagined, they might have a very real interest in indulging in discreet liaisons. ' As for the gentlemen, they were each and every one of a type she recognised all too well.

Before she had time to think further, Lord Asterley strolled up.

"My dear Mrs Babbacombe--can't tell you how thrilled I was to learn of your interest in our little gatherings."

"My interest?" Lucinda swallowed her amazement and politely if coolly raised her brows.

Lord Asterley smiled knowingly; she half-expected him to wink and nudge her elbow.

"Well--perhaps not especially in our gatherings, but in the type of entertainment we all find so..." his lords.h.i.+p gestured expansively 'fulfilling. " He looked down at her.

"I do hope, my dear, that, should you feel so inclined, you won't hesitate to call on me--to help enliven your stay here?" Clinging to polite form, Lucinda inclined her head; as she could find no suitable words in which to answer his lords.h.i.+p, she left him to think what he would.

He beamed and bowed; to her chagrin, Lucinda found it very hard to feel indignant with one so openly cheery.

She nodded and drifted to the pool. There was a seat vacant beside Mrs Allerdyne, a tonnish widow who, Lucinda now realised, was probably not quite as virtuous as she appeared.

Mrs Allerdyne turned as Lucinda subsided onto the wicker seat.

"Good afternoon, Mrs Babbacombe--or can I dispense with formality and call you Lucinda?"

Lucinda blinked at Henrietta Allerdyne's charmingly gentle face.

"Yes, of course." Feeling as if her eyes had just been opened to yet another aspect of tonnish life, Lucinda, somewhat dazedly, glanced about her again.

"This is your first time here, isn't it?" Henrietta leaned closer.

"Marguerite mentioned it," she explained when Lucinda switched her gaze back.

"No need to feel awkward about it."

Henrietta patted Lucinda's hand.

"We're all friends here. of course. The very last in discretion--no need to fear any comments once you're back in town." Henrietta glanced around with the air of one entirely at her ease.

"It's been like that for years, ever since Harry started it."

"Harry?" Lucinda's breath stuck in her throat.

"Harry Lester?"

"Mmm." Henrietta was exchanging none-too-idle glances with an elegant gentleman across the room.

"As I recall, Harry was the one who thought of the idea. Alfred simply implemented it to Harry's directions."

Harry--who had sent her here.

For an instant, Lucinda felt as if she would faint--the room receded into a dark mist; a chili spread through her. She swallowed; clenching her fists in her lap, she fought back the dizziness. When she could, she murmured, "I see." Henrietta, engrossed with her gentleman, had not noticed her difficulty--nor her sudden pallor.

Her cheeks felt icy; Lucinda grasped the moment to recoup, to let her senses Settle. Then, with what nonchalance she could, she asked,