Free The Other Countess by Eve Edwards Page A

deserved the petty annoyance of her brother’s attention.
    ‘I do not believe you’ve had the chance to meet my sister. Jane, may I present Sir Arthur Hutton and his daughter, Lady Eleanor?’
    The girls exchanged curtsies, Jane’s shallow, Ellie’s deep.
    ‘What did you do to your arm, sir?’ asked Arthur, drawing Henry aside in conversation. ‘I hope it is not broken?’
    Jane continued to look coldly at the girl, holding herself aloof.
    The lady twisted her hands nervously. ‘I … er … admired your gown yester eve, my lady, but today you exceed even that. You look very well indeed.’
    Jane examined the girl’s green skirt. It was clear that shehad no others as it showed dirt round the hem, probably picked up at the joust earlier in the day.
    ‘A woman is more than her dress,’ Jane said, intending it as a put down.
    The girl, however, surprised her by smiling. ‘I’m glad you think that. All this fuss over what we wear is so tiresome, don’t you think? If that was all that mattered, perhaps they should send the gown on the tailor’s dummy to these feasts and give us a quiet night at home?’
    The image was an extraordinary one and appealed to Jane’s sour humour. She found herself smiling. ‘For that to work, you would have to send a herald to announce each arrival.’
    ‘Exactly. “Make way, my lords and ladies, for the dress of her extreme importance, Countess of Everything, and his grace, the Duke of All!”’
    ‘Would save the Treasury a fortune in food.’
    ‘And raise the normal level of conversation to new heights.’
    Jane spluttered, then lifted a lace-edged handkerchief to hide her laughter. ‘Ssh, don’t! I’m supposed to be here on my best behaviour.’
    The lady sighed. ‘Me too. But after Father exploded Lord Mountjoy’s close stool this morning, I rather doubt anything I do will shock the company.’
    ‘He did what?’
    ‘Blew up the privy. He’d managed a small explosion with a glass vial, but thought to repeat the experiment in a confined space to save himself further burns. He got rather carried away.’ The girl was regarding her father with the harried look of a desperate mother with a disobedient child. Jane’s sympathy stirred.
    ‘How serious are the repercussions likely to be?’
    Lady Eleanor gave a tiny shrug. ‘We’re not entirely sure we’ll be welcome at Lord Mountjoy’s table tonight. His son already hates us and his father is lying down, overcome by the fumes from the latest disaster.’
    ‘Sir Arthur seems in good health.’
    ‘Yes, my father is immune to injury, it would seem. Or at least, believes he is.’
    Jane glanced into the hall. Nearly all the seats were taken now which meant the Queen was on the point of arriving. ‘I know Sir Charles Blount. I could speak to him on your behalf if you wish.’
    ‘No need, my lady. I’d prefer my father to feel at least some of the consequences of his adventure today. How else will he learn?’
    It seemed an odd thing for a child to say in reference to a parent, but Jane guessed the relationship had long since been reversed.
    ‘He’s pinning his hopes on a gift I’ve prepared for the Queen,’ continued the girl, rubbing her arms as if cold. ‘A translation. But so far we’ve heard nothing from Her Majesty.’
    ‘So you linger here wondering if fortune will smile or frown on you?’
    A sweet smile flickered over the girl’s lips. ‘Exactly.’
    ‘I will pray for the former then.’
    ‘Thank you.’
    Henry managed to extract himself from his conversation and offered his arm, leading Jane into the hall.
    ‘We must stop making these late entrances,’ he said insincerely, nodding to acquaintances as they walked to their places.
    ‘You love the attention, Henry,’ she replied, smiling through gritted teeth.
    He handed her to her seat. ‘I’d be grateful if you cultivated the Hutton girl for me, Janie.’
    Struggling with the hoops of her farthingale, Jane forgot to smile. ‘I’m not your