A Night of Gaiety by Barbara Cartland Page B

“and from the way you speak, I presume you enjoy riding.”
    “ Whenever I have the chance,” Davita answered. “My father considered me a good rider, although of course he may have been prejudiced.”
    “ One could hardly blame him for that.”
    A s the Marquis spoke, Davita thought that he looked her over in the way a man might take in the good points of a horse. His eyes seemed to linger for a moment on her hair. Then he said:
    “ I see your escorts are returning, in which case I will bid you good-night, and hope that you will be sensible enough to return to Scotland as quickly as you can!” He rose to his feet as he spoke, and Davita was so surprised by what he had said that she could find no words with which to reply.
    T he Marquis moved away to speak to somebody on the other side of the Restaurant as Violet sat down beside her and Lord Mundesley took the seat opposite.
    D avita realised that Lord William was not with them, and, as if she had asked the question aloud, Violet said: “Willie’s taking Rosie home.”
    “ I could have done that,” Davita said quickly. “Why did you not send for me?”
    “ She’ll be all right with Willie,” Violet replied, and Lord Mundesley added:
    “ We have no wish to lose you, my pretty little red-haired Scot!”
    T here was a note in his voice and a look in his eyes which now made Davita feel not only uncomfortable but that in some way she was being disloyal to Violet.
    A As we are now three,” Lord Mundesley said, “there is room for me to sit between you, which will be much more comfortable, and I shall also be extremely proud to be a thorn between two such exquisite roses!”
    O nce again Davita felt as if she were taking part in a Theatrical performance and that Lord Mundesley was over-acting.
    W hen he sat between her and Violet she felt as if he encroached on her, and although she tried to squeeze herself away from him, she was very conscious of his closeness.
    O nce or twice, as if to emphasize what he was saying, he put his hand on her knee and she could feel his fingers through the thin silk of her gown.
    I t was a relief when Lord William returned.
    W hen he did, he sat down in a chair opposite them and said before anyone could speak:
    “ I want a drink—and a strong one! I must say, Violet, you make me do some damned uncomfortable things!”
    “Is she all right?” Violet asked.
    “ I left her with Gladys, who lodges in the same building, and she said she would look after her.”
    “ I thought Gladys was away,” Violet said, “or I’d have suggested it myself.”
    “ She has just returned,” Lord William replied, “but I gather she will not be staying for long. I think Sheffield intends to marry her.”
    V iolet gave a cry of delight.
    “ Do you mean that? Oh, I am glad! It’ll be wonderful for Gladys if she pulls that off!”
    “ Do not count your chickens,” Lord Mundesley interrupted. “Sheffield’s father will cut him off with the proverbial shilling if he marries an actress.”
    “ If that’s true, it’s extremely unfair!” Violet said hotly. “After all, Belle married the Earl of Clancarty and they’re happy enough.”
    “ After some ups and downs!” Lord Mundesley said.
    “Every marriage has them!” Violet snapped. “What we’ve got to do is to find Rosie a nice husband.”
    “ I can assure you it will not be Vange,” Lord William said.
    “ He’s behaved abominably,” Violet exclaimed, “but then, he always does!”
    “ I know what you feel about Vange,” Lord William replied, “but if you ask me, he should not have got involved with her in the first place. I know Rosie is beautiful, but the way she went on in the carriage when I was taking her home made me think she is a little unhinged.”
    “ She is a bit hysterical,” Violet agreed.
    “ Well, I cannot see Vange putting up with that sort of thing, and what is more, women, however beautiful, never look their best when they are crying.”
    “ You are quite