Sarah Mallory - Regency Surrender - Infamous Reputations - The Chaperon's Seduction / Temptation of a Governess

She gave a reluctant smile. ‘Precisely, ma’am. Oh, I know I was in mourning, but it would have been a comfort to have at least a few families I could call upon, instead of having to entertain my husband’s relatives.’

‘Is that Walter Tatham?’ asked Sophia. ‘He was always a pompous slow-top. I never met his wife but I suppose she is the same—you need not say so, my dear, I can tell by your face that it is the case.’

‘I do not mean to be unkind, but when one has been the mistress of one’s own household for years...’

‘They tried to browbeat you, I suppose.’ The dowager gave a little huff of exasperation.

‘The thing is, they were against my bringing Ellen to live with me, and I...’ Phyllida bit her lip ‘...I wonder now if they were right.’

‘Nonsense, it is doing you the world of good to be out in society again. You have regained your glow.’

‘You are very kind, ma’am, but it is not about me.’

‘From what I know of your stepdaughter she is well able to look after herself,’ retorted Sophia. ‘She is a very pretty-behaved young lady, confident, yes, and spirited, I always like that in a girl, but she also appears to be quite sensible. She will do very well, as long as none of these fellows steals her heart.’ She fell silent and from the shadow of pain that crossed her face Phyllida thought that perhaps she was thinking of Lady Cassandra, her granddaughter. Phyllida waited, not wishing to disturb the old lady’s thoughts and after a few moments the dowager gave herself a little shake and resumed, saying briskly, ‘Let her enjoy herself, within the bounds of propriety, and she will do very well.’

Sophia had hesitated for a moment, then changed the subject. Looking back, Phyllida wondered if she had been about to ask if Richard Arrandale was one of those paying court to Ellen, but the old lady was sharp enough to know the answer to that. If Lady Hune would warn him off, then all to the good, thought Phyllida now, as she watched Ellen going down the dance with Henry Fullingham.

Phyllida felt a little guilty because her concern over Ellen was not the only reason she had decided to attend the ball. She had given in to the temptation to put on one of her old ball gowns. When she had seen that Phyllida was prepared to dance, Lady Wakefield had immediately found her a partner, and since she had assured her that she was perfectly able to keep an eye on Ellen as well as Julia, Phyllida gave herself up to the enjoyment of the music. She was not quite lost to all sense of her responsibilities, but Ellen appeared to have a partner for every new set, so Phyllida salved her conscience with the thought that the child could come to very little harm while she was dancing.

* * *

Richard saw Phyllida as soon as he entered the ballroom. She was on the dance floor, the folds of her peach-coloured gown flowing gracefully around her elegant figure as she moved. She was laughing at something her partner was saying, her face was positively glowing with happiness and his breath caught in his throat. She might not be an accredited beauty but there was an elusive charm about the lady that made her stand out from the crowd.

He dragged his eyes away. This was not why he was here, his goal was to secure a fortune by winning the hand of Ellen Tatham. The previous evening at Burton’s gaming hell he had heard the other fellows complaining that it was impossible to get the heiress alone. She was friendly to a fault, blushed adorably at their compliments, but made no effort to dismiss her maid when they were out together, nor would she allow herself to be separated from her friends. And if she was escorted by her stepmother the two were well-nigh inseparable.

Richard had said nothing but he was faring no better. In fact, whenever he met Ellen and Lady Phyllida the chit seemed to delight in palming him off on her stepmama. No, the only chance of a private word with Miss Ellen Tatham was on the dance floor and he quickly scanned the room for her. She was partnered by young Naismith, who was gazing at her with blatant adoration as they trod the final measure of a lively country dance. The music was ending and Richard saw his chance. He moved forward as Naismith escorted his partner from the floor. Ellen was already smiling but her smile widened when she saw him. Naismith was dismissed even before Richard had begged the honour of leading her out for the next set.

‘Mr Arrandale, how delightful!’ She tucked her hand in his arm and began to walk away with him. ‘I would be very happy to stand up with you, sir, but first you must dance with my stepmama.’

‘What?’

His step faltered but the little hand on his sleeve pulled him on. He could see Phyllida standing only feet away. She had just walked off the floor on the arm of an elderly brigadier.

‘It is a rule I have made for tonight,’ Ellen told him. ‘Stepmama, here is your next dance partner!’

The brigadier bowed and walked away. Lady Phyllida looked around, her smile slipping a little when she saw Richard arm in arm with her stepdaughter. Then, as the meaning of Ellen’s words sank in she blushed scarlet.

‘My dear child, do not be absurd!’

‘I told you I would not stand up with any gentleman tonight unless he had first danced with you.’

‘Does that include the brigadier?’ murmured Richard.

‘No, but he pounced on Phyllida without my having to ask him.’

‘Ellen, you cannot order people around in this way!’ hissed Phyllida, frowning at her.

Richard put up his hand.

‘Believe me, ma’am, I should be delighted to stand up with you.’

‘Thank you, sir, it is not at all necessary.’

‘Yes, it is, Philly, or I shall not be able to dance with Mr Arrandale, and you said yourself he is quite the best dancer in Bath.’

‘I said no such thing! Really, Ellen—’

Lady Phyllida was looking very flustered and Richard felt obliged to protest.

‘Miss Tatham, I cannot dance with Lady Phyllida if she is averse to it.’

Ellen’s face grew suddenly serious. She reached out and took Phyllida’s hands.

‘I only want you to enjoy yourself, Philly. Do you truly not wish to dance any more tonight?’

* * *

Phyllida hesitated. She could lie, and spend the rest of the evening sitting on the benches, watching everyone else enjoying themselves.

‘I would, of course, like to dance...’

‘There, I knew it.’ Ellen was triumphant. She stood back. ‘Off you go now. And, Mr Arrandale, I shall save the next dance for you!’

This was said so much in the manner of granting a child a treat that Phyllida, catching Richard’s eye at that moment, burst out laughing. It relieved the tension and he grinned back at her.

‘We have been outmanoeuvred, Lady Phyllida.’ He took her hand and led her away. ‘Your stepdaughter is very persuasive.’

‘She is outrageous,’ replied Phyllida. ‘I do not know what she is thinking of.’

‘Your happiness,’ said Richard, remembering the conversation he had had with Ellen during the ride to Farleigh.

She shook her head at that and took her place opposite him. The hot blush had cooled to a faint staining of her cheeks. It was very becoming, and in keeping with the smile that curved her lips and glowed in her eyes.

The music started, they saluted one another, stepped up, back, joined hands, moved away. They were in perfect time, thought Richard, their steps matching as if they had always danced together. A memory surfaced, clear as crystal. He suddenly remembered Phyllida at her come-out seven years ago: pale and shy in a room full of strangers. He had been pursuing his latest quarry, a dashing matron who had been throwing out lures to him for weeks, but every time he entered the hallowed walls of Almack’s the patronesses seized upon him and he was obliged to dance with any number of débutantes before he was allowed to escape. Some became simpering idiots as soon as a man spoke to them, others were so forward he indulged them in a fast and furious flirtation before disappearing into the crowd.