Free Ice Angel by Elizabeth Hanbury Page B

Bramwell murmured, ‘I presume that Hal is aware of this?’
    ‘Yes, and he hoped to avoid her. However, I could almost believe she – Lady Portland – has been following him. She seems to be at every event and we have encountered her twice in the park.’ Putting aside La Belle Assemblée , Julia frowned. ‘She is so forward, Mama! She approached us yesterday and started talking as if we were old friends. She even touched Hal’s arm in front of her husband and was as flirtatious and suggestive as ever she was before her marriage, looking at Hal from under her lashes and wearing the most alarmingly low-cut gown.’
    ‘And what was Hal’s reaction to this flirtation?’
    ‘His expression was thunderous,’ replied Julia. ‘He obviously found her behaviour irritating, but had no intention of causing a scene. After enquiring after Portland’s health, he excused us as soon as he could from their company. Lord Portland must be very gullible – he seemed to notice nothing amiss and smiled indulgently at his wife.’ She shook her head. ‘Felicity Portland is … well, I believe she intends to pursue Hal.’
    ‘Indeed?’ said her mother. ‘Then she will be disappointed, Julia. Hal knows he was well rid of her and I was never more pleased than when she eloped with Portland.’
    ‘But she could cause problems: she always was a spoilt, spiteful creature, and has a temper if she does not get her way.’
    ‘Then Portland would do well to bring her to heel before she embarrasses him further.’
    ‘Mr Isherwood, that is, Freddy,’ said Julia, a charming blush tingeing her cheeks, ‘says she is the most designing harpy and he has warned Hal to be wary of her.’
    Lady Bramwell smiled. ‘Freddy has good sense and charming manners, but he seems always to be ringing our bell on the flimsiest pretence and I cannot conceive why – there must be a hundred and one other things for him to do in London.’
    Julia blushed even deeper pink, and stammered indignantly, ‘I – I am always glad to see Freddy – we have danced together at Almack’s and I persuaded him to let me take the reins of his curricle in the park – but other young men call here, and I should not favour Freddy above them so I have driven out several times with Lord Dryburgh, and danced with the Duke of Hearn.’
    ‘Such treatment only seems to make Freddy call upon you more often,’ observed her mother with a smile and, as if on cue, the butler opened the door to announce the arrival of Mr Isherwood.
    Lady Julia was anxious for her blushes to subside before he came into the room and fanned herself with the circulating library novel she had discarded earlier. Lady Marguerite, observing her daughter’s behaviour with amusement, made no further comment, but welcomed Mr Isherwood warmly when he entered.
    ‘Freddy! What a pleasure to see you this morning but I’m afraid you miss Hal – he has taken young Master Vane to view another of London’s attractions and will not return until later.’
    Mr Isherwood, who seemed to be finding it difficult to remove his gaze from Lady Julia’s flushed countenance, replied abstractedly, ‘Oh! Good morning, Lady Bramwell. Er – where did you say Hal was?’
    ‘With young Master Vane,’ she prompted.
    ‘Oh yes!’ said Freddy. ‘Well, no matter – no doubt I shall meet him at White’s later.’
    ‘I daresay you will – you gentlemen seem to find as much pleasure in your club as we ladies do in shopping. Now, will you excuse me, Freddy? I see from my list there is a pressing matter I need to discuss with cook regarding Julia’s ball. So many details still to be organized! You will be attending, I hope?’
    ‘Of course,’ replied Mr Isherwood, ‘I would not miss it for the world.’ He gave Julia another warm glance and grinned.
    ‘Excellent. Please stay and take some coffee with Julia.’ Lady Bramwell rose to her feet and, after taking her leave of Mr Isherwood, swept out of the room.
    There was a