Lady Madeline's Folly by Joan Smith Page B

or so. One would think women would choose husbands ten years younger than themselves.”
    “Perhaps they would, if they had the choosing, but that is a man’s prerogative, like paying the bills. Am I to gather, as you introduced the comparison of your ages, that you are thinking in terms of making a match with the boy?”
    “That subject again! What must I do to convince you, buy a herd of apes?”
    “You give every appearance of being enamoured of him. Trotting with him four nights a week to routs and balls.”
    “You know I always show my protégés the ropes. It is a part of their initiation.”
    “How extremely tiring for you. Ratting on Aldred behind his back was only part of my reason for coming. I want to offer you a respite from your work. I am taking a party to Kent for the Christmas holiday. I would like you to join us.
    “Your father, I know, will not like to come, but he is busier than usual this year, and will not miss you here. I have made it a non-political party, in your honor. No rampant politicos, but a nice heterogeneous blend of literati: Tom Moore has a young friend he wishes to bring along—chap named Byron. He has been abroad and has some verses he is about to publish on his travels. Some social lions and lionesses, a few sports-minded individuals, and of course a brace of dandies to entertain the ladies. Brummell has invited himself, and I am inviting you. Your Aunt Margaret is welcome to come along, if she likes. I have a ball planned to see in the new year, a few country dancing parties, skating on the pond if the cold weather holds up, but I hope it don’t, skating notwithstanding.”
    It was a party designed to tempt her. For a minute she regretted her own party, already under preparation, the invitations not only out but accepted. It was clear that her wishes had been considered in the arranging of Eskott’s do. “It sounds lovely, but we have already made plans for the holiday. We are off to Highgate.”
    “And you didn’t invite me,” he said with mock offense. “Change your plans. There is time yet.”
    “No, it’s too late. We go home for a week or ten days.” As she compared her own dull party, comprised mostly of crones of her father, she wished she could cancel it.
    “The boy goes with you?” he asked, a black brow lifting.
    “Yes—that is, he has been invited.” Oh dear, and if Henry did not come, after arranging the whole for him...
    “What is the problem then? He will hardly refuse, when the thing was orchestrated with his career in mind, if I know anything.”
    “There is no problem. He will come. It is only that he had some thought of going home to visit his family, and must write his mama to tell her.”
    “I know nothing of his mother, but I warrant his father won’t want him spending the holiday in the bosom of the enemy. I refer to political enemies, of course.”
    “I wonder if that is why he was reluctant,” she said, really thinking aloud, though Eskott jumped on it at once.
    “Oh ho, got yourself a reluctant boy this time, have you? That will be a change. Hardly a welcome one either.”
    “I admire his respect for the feelings of his family,” she defended.
    “No doubt, but the reluctance is less admirable, if I judge your scowl right. You definitely cannot come to me for the holiday then?”
    “You can see it is impossible,” she said, her disappointment lending a curt tone to her words.
    “I’m sorry I went to the bother of arranging it then. That will teach me to count my guests before they’re asked. I was really looking forward to a week’s flirtation. Whom shall I ask instead? Lady Susan...” he began enumerating as he regarded her closely for reaction.
    “Why not? She always seems an acceptable substitute—that is, an acceptable companion for you lately.”
    “She is the most agreeable substitute I have found yet. A substitute is never totally satisfactory though. I shall keep looking. I shan’t wish you a merry Christmas yet. I