A Magnificent Match (12 page)

“Thank you, ma’am,” said Mrs. Tyler quietly, seating herself. With a soft word and smile, she accepted the tea that Mrs. Hadcombe handed to her.

Lady Stallcroft spared Mrs. Tyler only a prim dismissing nod before she turned back to Lady O’Connell’s daughter. Pinning a sharp gaze upon Megan’s face, she said, “You have but recently returned to England, I believe you said? Have you come from Ireland, then?”

Lady O’Connell was staring as though she still could not quite grasp the fact that her daughter stood in the same room with her.

Megan chuckled as she seated herself. She also accepted tea poured by Mrs. Hadcombe. “Oh, no. I have been in St. Petersburg these several months past. Mother, I must at once convey Princess Kirov’s fond regards. She sent me away with deep expressions of regret, for she quite considered me one of the family, a favored niece, in fact. I must admit, it was difficult to tear myself away from St. Petersburg, for I had made so many friends and I still had so many engagements. However, the London Season has already begun and so I shall not repine too terribly much.”

“St. Petersburg? Russia? You have been to Russia!” exclaimed the eldest Miss Stallcroft, her soft gray eyes lighting up. “Oh, how I do envy you!”

Lady Stallcroft sent a steely glance in her daughter’s direction. “That will be enough, Annabelle. I am certain Miss O’Connell is quite willing to expound without the encouragement of your histrionics.”

Miss Stallcroft’s face flamed and she lowered her eyes. “Yes, Mama.” Her sister’s hand stole into hers to give her fingers a light squeeze. Miss Stallcroft glanced in gratitude at her sister.

Megan decided at once that she did not care for Lady Stallcroft. The woman was obviously a bully of the worst sort. “Yes, well, it was wonderful, of course. There were balls and routs and soirees and sledding parties every day of the week. I met ever so many personages, including the czar. Czar Alexander is quite an extraordinary gentleman. I found him to be rather enigmatic, but—”

“I am certain that he is. However, one must naturally make allowances for the deficiencies of foreigners in comparison to our own countrymen,” said Lady Stallcroft, bestowing a patronizing smile on Megan.

Megan returned the lady’s smile. Flatly, she said, “I am certain that I do not know what you mean.”

Lady Stallcroft’s expression stiffened.

Mrs. Tyler was sipping at her tea and she spluttered, drawing all eyes to her. “So sorry,” she gasped. “I—I seem to have choked somehow.”

“Quite all right,” said Lady Bishop, slanting a glance in Megan’s direction. She turned to the elder of the travelers. “Did you also enjoy St. Petersburg, Mrs. Tyler?”

“Very much, indeed,” said Mrs. Tyler, glad to turn attention from Megan’s less than subtle snubbing of Lady Stallcroft. “It was vastly different, of course. All that ice and the furs one had to wear and the sleds racing up and down the streets with their bells merrily pealing! And the plethora of languages one heard! Why, I have never seen so many different nationalities gathered in one place in my life. It was quite exhilarating, actually.”

“Yes, no doubt,” said Lady Stallcroft repressively. She set down her teacup and saucer and rose to her feet. “I fear that I must be going, Lady O’Connell. It has been a delightful visit, as usual. You must come take tea with me one afternoon. Come along, girls.”

Lady O’Connell rose to accompany her guests to the door. “Yes, of course. How delightful that you could call. Lady Stallcroft. I shall certainly come to tea.” She exchanged a few more pleasantries with Lady Stallcroft and waved good-bye.

When she returned it was to discover that her daughter was deep in friendly conversation with Mrs. Hadcombe and Lady Bishop. Indeed, it appeared that the two ladies were highly amused and even mildly scandalized. Lady O’Connell realized with a start what her daughter was saying.

“It was the Italian count who so sadly disillusioned me, however. I discovered quite by accident that he was safely wedded and the proud papa of six hopeful heirs,” said Megan, shaking her head. “Imagine my pique when this most faithful of swains was revealed for a philanderer!”

“Megan!” exclaimed Lady O’Connell, shocked.

Megan turned an inquiring expression. “Why, it is perfectly true, Mother. You may ask Gwyneth if it is not,” she said, not at all abashed.

Mrs. Tyler sighed and nodded her head. “Indeed, it is all perfectly true. The count was a consummate gallant. He deceived us all with his pretty protestations and his finger-kissing.”

“Finger-kissing?” asked Lady Bishop, fascinated.

“Oh, yes. It was quite his trademark,” said Mrs. Tyler. “I do not believe that there was a single lady whose fingertips he did not mumble over.”

Mrs. Hadcombe turned an amused expression to Lady O’Connell. “I am highly diverted, my lady. You must bring Miss O’Connell and Mrs. Tyler to my ball and supper next week so that I may hear more of their sojourn in St. Petersburg. I am persuaded that their recollections will be quite the highlight of the evening.”

Lady O’Connell summoned up a polite smile. “That is extremely kind of you, Mrs. Hadcombe. However, I scarcely think—”

“I do realize that it is short notice when Miss O’Connell and Mrs. Tyler have but just returned. But they cannot yet have a full calendar, so I shall expect them,” said Mrs. Hadcombe. She was still smiling, but there was a determined expression hardening her eyes.

“Oh, in that case!” Lady O’Connell managed a laugh. “I had not immediately perceived that your lists were so flexible, Mrs. Hadcombe. Naturally I shall be only too glad to accommodate your wishes.” Despite her ladyship’s attempt at complaisance, however, she could not quite disguise her reluctance to fall in with the suggestion advanced and it was visible to everyone.

Lady Bishop raised her brows. A smile quirked at the corner of her mouth. There was nothing she enjoyed more than encouraging a stir, and certainly there was something curious about Lady O’Connell’s reaction to an advantageous invitation for her daughter. It would be most interesting to observe what might develop. “I, too, should like to put in my own invitation before the rush. You must both come to a small soiree that I am giving this Friday evening. Lady O’Connell is attending and I assure you of the same warm welcome.”

“Thank you, my lady. And you, Mrs. Hadcombe. I shall be delighted to accompany my mother and attend both evenings,”said Megan. She slanted a glance brimful of mischief at her companion. “Gwyneth?”

“Oh, yes, it sounds quite delightful,” said Mrs. Tyler with a smile.

“Then it is settled! I shall expect you next week,” said Mrs. Hadcombe, rising. She held out her hand to her hostess. “I did not anticipate to be so wonderfully entertained during a simple call, my lady.”

“Nor I,” said Lady Bishop, also preparing to take her leave. She said good-bye to her hostess. Then she nodded graciously to Miss O’Connell and Mrs. Tyler, offering her hand to each of them. “We shall leave you now, for I know that you will have much to talk over with your delightful daughter.”

“Of course,” said Lady O’Connell helplessly. “Thank you for corning. It was wonderful to see you both, as always.”

Lady O’Connell showed out her callers. When the door had safely closed behind them, she turned back to her daughter. All of her bewilderment and consternation showed on her face. “Megan, whatever are you doing here? I had no notion that you were not still in Russia. It was such a shock when you suddenly just appeared in my sitting room.”

“I have not simply appeared, Mother. The journey was actually quite long and tedious,” said Megan. She rose from the settee. “In point of fact, I am rather fatigued. Since I know that you will dine out, I shall go lie down for an hour so that I will be ready to accompany you this evening. Gwyneth, do you go with us?”

“I think not this evening,” said Mrs. Tyler quietly, glancing at Lady O’Connell’s astounded expression. She knew that it was rather cowardly of her, but she didn’t relish the notion of bearing with Lady O’Connell’s inquiries and complaints the first evening that they arrived in London. “I would prefer taking supper in my room before retiring, I think.”

Megan hugged her companion. Her eyes twinkled in complete understanding. “Poor Gwyneth! I am frightfully selfish to have dragged you all over the Continent and then expected you to dine out on your first evening home! I will allow you to bow out tonight, but I shall insist upon your company later this week, so be warned.”

“That will not be a burden, Megan. I suspect that I shall enjoy a little of our English society,” said Mrs. Tyler, smiling. She left the drawing room.

Lady O’Connell barely absorbed the meaning of their exchange, being more nearly concerned with her own immediate interests. “Megan, you cannot possibly go with me tonight,” said Lady O’Connell. “It is a dress function, a soiree, in fact. You have not the wardrobe for it and have not been invited besides.”

Megan smiled at her mother. “But I do have a few gowns that I am certain must be suitable, Mother. I brought back a very extensive wardrobe from St. Petersburg. Princess Kirov was kind enough to enlarge upon my own collection since I was expected to attend every function that she deemed appropriate. I have even a court dress. It is quite mouthwatering, I assure you. You will be quite in alt at sight of it when I am presented to the queen. As for an invitation, I am certain that your credit must be high enough to carry off an addition to your party.”

“Of course it is,” said Lady O’Connell with automatic vanity. Then realizing what she had said, she added hastily, “But that is quite beside the point, Megan! You will not know a single soul, except Sophronia, of course, and I do not wish to be forever introducing—”

“Sophronia! Is she in London, too?” asked Megan, surprised.

Lady O’Connell frowned slightly, at once sidetracked. “Yes, and has been this last month. Really, I do not know what has gotten into her lately. I assure you, Megan, you would not recognize your sister-in-law. Why, I wrote to Lionel about her just this week. The Season has scarcely begun and already Sophronia is to be seen everywhere. She has put off her shawls and her die-away airs. I do not mind that so much, but everyone is forever pointing her out as though she has become a society belle.”

“And has she?” asked Megan, fascinated.

“It is most annoying,” said Lady O’Connell, scarcely heeding. “I have been on the town for any number of Seasons. I have always enjoyed a well-deserved recognition. It is the outside of enough when I am suddenly introduced as Sophronia O’Connell’s mother-in-law! Such impudence!”

Megan burst out laughing. At her mother’s affronted expression, she swiftly sobered. “I do apologize. Mother, but it just seems so fantastic. Almost unbelievable, in fact!”

“Yes, and so I think, too,” said Lady O’Connell, mollified.

“Is Sophronia abovestairs? I should like to visit with her,” said Megan, already moving toward the door.

“Here?! Of course not! Why, do you think that I should allow Sophronia to behave so shockingly were she to reside under my roof? She has acquired her own house, if you please!” said Lady O’Connell on a fresh note of disgruntlement.

“I am positively unmanned,” said Megan. She looked at her mother with a teasing light in her eyes. “Can a female properly be said to be unmanned, Mother?”

“What? Whatever are you talking about?” asked Lady O’Connell, confused.

“Never mind, Mother. It was a rhetorical question, at best. Certainly I must see Sophronia’s wondrous transformation for myself,” said Megan. “Wild horses could not keep me from accompanying you this evening, dear ma’am. Has she given up the pugs, too?”

“Yes, nasty creatures! At least, they do not accompany her everywhere as they were wont to do. Very well, Megan, you may accompany me. You always seemed to be on a more friendly footing with Sophronia than anyone else. Perhaps you may talk some sense into her and persuade her to return home to Lionel. She will not pay the least heed to me!” said Lady O’Connell.

“Will she not?” asked Megan, greatly appreciative. “I begin to wonder just what I wrought when I chose to go off to Russia.”

“Whatever do you mean? What a nonsensical thing to say! As though you have done anything to the purpose!” said Lady O’Connell. “Sophronia has merely taken the bit in her mouth. There! I am so overwrought that I am using disgusting horsey phrases just like your father. If only Lionel had managed Sophronia differently! But stupidity seems to run in the males of our house. All they think about are those silly horses.”

“Is it so surprising, Mother? And not without cause, perhaps. None of us would be able to dress or live in the style to which we are accustomed without the income from the horses,” said Megan coolly. She discovered that she had no patience for such deluded talk. “It is a pity that I must write my father and tell him that I failed in my commission. The Russians do not let go of their breeding stock, except to give them to those with family connections. Believe me, I discovered that there are quite a number of personages in this world who are just as fiercely possessive of their horses as my father ever was. And certain members of their families are just as inordinately obsessed with what they can provide for us as are we.”

Lady O’Connell stared at her daughter, quite taken aback. “What extremely odd things to say, Megan. You have never spoken to me in that tone before. Yes, almost as though you were delivering a lecture!” Her bruised emotions caught up with her. She glared at her daughter, affronted. “And I do not think that I care for it at all, miss!”

Megan smiled at her mother. “Forgive me, ma’am. I spoke out of my private thoughts. I shall go upstairs at once and make ready to accompany you.” She whisked herself out of the sitting room before her mother could formulate either a reply or an objection.

A few hours later Megan and Lady O’Connell were ushered into the elegant ballroom. Her ladyship was greeted at once by various acquaintances. When one or two openly asked Lady O’Connell the identity of her youthful companion, Lady O’Connell introduced Megan with grudging civility, calculated to deflate any pretensions that her daughter might have.