A Useful Woman by Darcie Wilde Page B

must let Lady Blanchard find her own words.
    â€œThe truth is, Rosalind,” said her godmother softly, “I need the world distracted while I, that is we, make our departure.”
    â€œThat’s why you’re playing this game with the patronesses. This is the distraction.”
    Lady Blanchard nodded. “Society and the newspapers will speculate madly about who will take my place, and the sooner that begins the better. Lady Jersey and the others will do everything possible to use the publicity to their individual advantage. In the face of all that commotion, the fact of our leaving will fade into insignificance.”
    You don’t want anyone asking questions; not the papers, or the Lady Patronesses, or me. And you’ve found the only possible way to guarantee that silence. But why all this trouble? What’s happened?
    Now it was Rosalind’s turn to look away. Outside, snow had begun to fall on the Blanchard gardens. Rosalind watched it while she struggled to gather nerve and composure.
    This woman stood by me when the rest of the world would have tossed me and Mother onto the ash heap
, Rosalind reminded herself
. She showed me how to live, and keep at least a teaspoon’s worth of my gentility and pride.
    Because of this, instead of asking the obvious and obviously unwelcome question, Rosalind only spoke the obvious warning. “If Lady Jersey realizes you’re using her and the board for your own purposes, she will ruin you.”
    Lady Blanchard only smiled. “Soon, I will be beyond the reach of Lady Jersey or any of the rest of them. Then, they may whistle for their vengeance. I will not hear.” She spoke this softly, almost as if she did not wish to hear herself. “And now, what will you do, Rosalind? Will you stay and help me, or will you leave? You should know that either way, I remain your friend.”
    Rosalind suppressed her disappointment and her confusion. They would not serve. She had to think clearly, and see the future as well as the past.
    â€œI will stay,” she said. “You may be assured of my best assistance.”
And may heaven help me
, thought Rosalind as the words of the promise echoed in her heart.
But at least if I’ve erred in this decision, it’s out of friendship, not cowardice.
    Even as she thought this, she exchanged smiles with Lady Blanchard, as if some tender secret had been shared.
    â€œWell.” Lady Blanchard’s manner turned brisk. “I fear that the day is getting on without us. The patronesses are meeting to approve each other’s voucher lists for Almack’s first month of assemblies.” The Almack’s balls were subscription affairs. Upon being deemed acceptable by the board, each subscriber paid a fee of ten guineas. In return, they were granted a voucher guaranteeing them a set number of tickets to a set number of dances. “It will all take hours, even if Lady Jersey is in one of her more charitable moods. I dare not be tardy, especially now that we have such plans. How did you come?”
    Rosalind put down her cup and stood, because that was what one did when one had been dismissed, whether one wanted to or not. “I came on foot.”
    â€œWell, you will ride out with me, and Preston will drop you at home.”
    â€œThank you, Lady Blanchard, but I’ve several errands yet to attend to.” This was not strictly true, but she wanted the time tothink about all that she had seen and done on this long, strained day.
    â€œHow would this be? You ride out with me, and once I’m safe at Almack’s, I’ll give Preston instructions to take you wherever you wish. You may return for me at half five. That should give us both time enough to take care of our business. Perhaps you would care to dine with us afterward? It will be entirely informal, no need to make any fuss.” Meaning there was no need for Rosalind to change her dress.
    â€œThank you, Lady Blanchard.