Free What Lucinda Learned by Beth Bryan

equilibrium and were more than willing to stroll through the long enclosed gallery, lined on both sides with small stalls. The arcade was crowded and they met many acquaintances.
    Mr. Devereux and Sir Charles had stopped to look at a volume of Hogarth’s engravings and Belle had called to Lucinda to see a diamante comb in the neighbouring stalls. As Belle debated the merits of the hair ornament, a poster caught Lucinda’s eye.
    She read it with widening eyes. “Oh, Mr. Devereux, do look,” she said urgently.
    He read it with a slight twitch at the corner of his mobile mouth. “No, Miss Neville,” he said with a twinkle in his grey eyes. “Chunee I can accept. But when it comes to Toby, the Sapient Pig, I cry craven.”
    “But do look, sir. It says he will spell and read and tell the time.”
    “And play cards.” Belle came and peered over Lucinda’s shoulder.
    “No! Really? Let me see.” Sir Charles read, too. “By Jove, I’ve played cards with donkeys before, but never with a swine.”
    They all laughed, but suddenly Devereux looked up and stopped. Following his gaze, Lucinda saw Lady Chloris dePoer staring wide-eyed at them.
    “Oh!” Lady Chloris was deeply flushed and her bosom heaved as she gazed at them.
    Devereux bowed and took her hand. “Chloris! How pleasant, I had not thought to see you here.”
    It was too crowded for more than two people to walk together, so Lucinda dropped behind. Sir Charles had reattached himself to Belle, so she had naturally supposed Chloris would take Mr. Devereux’s arm. But to her surprise, she found herself beside Chloris. In front of them, Belle and Sir Charles were flirting again, and ahead of them, Mr. Devereux sauntered nonchalantly.
    She stole a sideways glance at Chloris. Today her ladyship wore ice-blue muslin. It flattered her pale beauty but, Lucinda considered, it added credibility to her nickname. However, one had to admit that today Chloris had a little more colour. She was somewhat breathless, as if she had been running.
    Chloris, it seemed, was interested in her, too, for suddenly their eyes met and each laughed a little self-consciously.
    “You and Mr. Devereux are great friends, are you not?” Chloris asked in an artificially casual tone.
    But Lucinda was not deceived. She heard the note of urgency in the other girl’s voice. Surely Lady Chloris could not be jealous of her?
    “Oh, no, Lady Chloris.” She made her voice sound coolly indifferent. “I should not say so, not at all.”
    “I only asked because I have seen him dance with you on a number of occasions and I believe that you share a common interest in some horses?”
    “Mr. Devereux has been obliging enough to honour me with a dance,” Lucinda said, “and he has acquired some horses which were bred in my father’s stables. He has been kind enough to assure us of their safety.” Then, in a rush, she went on, “It is because he is so obliging that he is with us today, for Mr. Ryland was to accompany us, but he was called away.”
    It wasn’t precisely a lie, she told herself, and anyway, she had to allay Chloris’s suspicious at all costs.
    ’ In this it seemed she was successful, for Chloris sighed and was silent for a moment. Then she turned to the stall they were passing.
    “Look, Miss Neville. Is this not the most cunningly devised thing? It looks just like a rose, but it is made entirely of tulle.”
    Lucinda responded suitably, and with such unexceptionable small talk they came to the Strand entrance.
    Chloris gestured to her maid who was following. “We have left the carriage by Simpson’s there. I am afraid I must hurry off for I am to meet my mama.” She bade them farewell and Mr. Devereux conducted her to the waiting carriage.
    As though absently, Lucinda shifted her position on the pavement so that she might watch him hand Chloris into the vehicle. They did not look loverlike, she considered. But then, of course, such well-bred persons would never display their private