The Last of Lady Lansdown by Shirley Kennedy

fan to her face, this time to hide her laughter. With a struggle she composed her expression to its former solemnity. “Please. My mother would faint from shock if she saw me enjoying myself.”
    “My apologies.” He grew serious. “I knew the earl from my London days. Every now and then I would run into him at the gambling tables in the London clubs. He had a reputation for ... well, I must not speak ill of the dead. Isn’t that what they say?”
    “That is what my mother would say. What did he do? Cheat at cards?”
    “Among other things.” He stood regarding her a moment, his eyes raking admiringly over her black clad figure. “What a pity a beautiful woman like you must wear mourning for a year in honor of a man you could not possibly have cared for. How could our society entertain such hypocrisy?”
    She shrugged. “An excellent question for which I have no answer. That is simply the way it is.”
    “Ah, yes.” Lightness returned to his voice. “We must never flaunt society’s rules. How is your horse?”
    His abrupt change of subject left her speechless. “My ... horse?”
    “Beauty, your horse. You told me about her when we danced at Lady Morton’s ball.”
    “I’m surprised you remember.”
    Here came that sad smile again. “It was an unforgettable night in many ways.”
    “I don’t have Beauty anymore.” Anguish filled her heart, as it always did when she thought about her horse. “My husband sold her at Tattersall’s. I don’t ride anymore.”
    “Would you like to ride?”
    Like to ride ? Her heart leaped at the thought that no longer would his lordship be able to dictate every nuance of her life. Beauty was gone forever, but now she could ride as much as she pleased. What a joyous thought! “Oh, yes, I shall be riding.”
    “I know of some fine trails along the river. You and I will go riding someday soon.”
    She started to say yes, but Sir Archibald’s advice came to mind. Many eyes will be upon you. You must be the soul of discretion . “Thank you for the invitation. However, it suddenly occurs to me I am not supposed to ride while in mourning.”
    For a moment she thought he would utter a curse. “Of course. Again, my apologies for suggesting you have any fun in your life for the foreseeable future.” He bowed slightly. “Goodbye, Countess. I shall leave you to your grief.”
    She watched as he moved away, then he suddenly turned and came back. “One more question.”
    “Yes?”
    “What did they do with it?”
    “With what?”
    “With his lordship’s ... shall we say, problem? Did they strap it down? Cut it off perhaps?”
    His meaning came clear. “You are impossible! You truly are a scoundrel, just as they said. How did you know?”
    He laughed and began to back away. “I will see you at the river.”
    “No you will not.”
    “Yes, I will,” He disappeared into the crowd.
     
    Later, when Jane went upstairs, she found her sister in her bedchamber, flung face-down on her bed.
    “Millicent, whatever is wrong? Why haven’t you come downstairs?”
    “My life is over,” came Millicent’s muffled words. “I shall never be happy again.”
    Jane sat on the side of the bed. “What on earth are you talking about?”
    “Read the letter on my bed table. You’ll see.”
    Uh-oh . Jane picked up the letter. As she read it, her heart sank.
     
Dear Miss Hart,
     
My condolences on the loss of your dear brother-in-law.
Due to a sudden change of plans, I deeply regret I cannot come to see you next week. As I shall be extremely busy these next few weeks, I fear I cannot see clear to rescheduling my visit any time in the foreseeable future.
     
Sincerely,
— DeWitt
     
    Filled with a sudden fury, Jane could hardly speak. “How dare he!”
    Millicent turned on her back, revealing red eyes and cheeks wet with tears. “He seemed so smitten. Those little gifts ... those hints of his undying love. I thought surely ...” Smothering a sob, she turned over and buried her face in