Free Some Enchanted Evening by Christina Dodd Page A

her mother was in Italy, touring with her second husband, and her grandmother, old Lady Mercer, chaperoned four granddaughters, including Diantha.
    Beautiful Mrs. Trumbull was outshone only by her daughter. Miss Larissa Trumbull, a type of female Clarice recognized and did not like. Larissa was pale and willowy, with shining black hair and large doelike brown eyes that she could widen to attract the gentlemen or narrow to frighten off any competitors. She would be the belle of the ball no matter how many bodies she had to step on on the way, and Machiavelli himself could not outmaneuver her. .
    And there were more. So many more.
    "Are these all of the ladies," Clarice asked, "or will more arrive on the morrow?"
    Millicent sipped her tea and ate one of the cakes, then with a little more composure said quietly, "I believe we're missing only Lady Barnelby and her five daughters, but what difference will six more make?"
    "What difference, indeed? So I shall entertain them tonight."
    Millicent blew her straggling hair out of her eyes. "That would be wonderful. So I can ... I can plan that dinner with Cook!"
    "If there's one thing I know, it's how to capture the attention of vain young girls." Clarice scanned the matrons who sat, heads together, in the middle of the room. "And their aging mothers."
    Millicent glanced at the older ladies too, and lowered her voice yet further. "They haven't spoken to you yet. They're leaving you strictly alone, but they're eyeing you. Will they plague you, do you suppose?"
    "No." Clarice sounded, and was, sure of herself. "They haven't made up their minds about me yet."
    "I told them you were a princess."
    "I know." Clarice had noted the sideways glances, heard the hissed whispers. "The young girls want to believe it. The older ladies doubt my word. Even if I told them the name of my country, they would have reservations. It's not until they speak with me and learn what I can teach them, that they will begin to believe, too."
    As if she were ashamed to repeat the accusation, Millicent whispered, "Lady Blackston said she went to a house party and met another woman who claimed to be a princess, and in the morning, the woman had stolen everyone's reticule."
    "I have never yet stolen anyone's reticule. When they use my royal creams, they freely open their reticules to me. Don't worry, Lady Millicent, before the evening's out I'll have them feeding from my palms."
    Millicent gave a sigh of relief — and admiration. "I wish I could emulate your confidence."
    "You can." Clarice patted Millicent's arm. "Before the ball you shall."
    "Oh." Shaking her head, Millicent stood up as if putting distance between her and Clarice would help. "No, not me. You must save your magic for the youthful girls who will win every heart."
    "But then it's not magic, is it?" Clarice smiled. "You don't want to hurt my feelings by refusing my services."
    Millicent gave a nervous snort. "You jest."
    "Not at all. I like to help my friends."
    "I ... well, thank you." Millicent looked flustered, pleased, and dismayed. "I had hoped ... I mean, I thought perhaps we could be —"
    "Friends?" Clarice said warmly. "I think we already are."
    "Yes. I think we are too." Millicent smiled, a slow, beautiful smile quite unlike her brother's derisive grimace. "But don't waste your valuable time on me. If you'll entertain these women tonight, that would be kindness aplenty. I don't know what I would do without you." As if she could scarcely wait to escape, she fled the room.
    Clarice clapped her hands. No one paid a bit of attention. The girls continued to tumble over each other like anxious puppies, wrapping themselves in shawls and trying ever more ridiculous hairstyles. Their mothers saw no need to award their consideration to a woman who claimed to be a princess from some unknown country, and continued with their conversations.
    Lifting her teacup, Clarice tapped it with her spoon until she had captured some of the younger girls' attention.