Free The Rebellious Twin by Shirley Kennedy Page B

intent on regarding herself in the mirror, clasped her hands. “How exciting! We must invite him to the ball.”
    Mama nodded. “Indeed, we shall. Stormont has twice the fortune of the Suftons.”
    Estelle spoke up. “He’s brought a friend along, m’lady. Lucius, Lord Wentridge.”
    “Uncanny, how the servants know everything first,” acidly observed Lady Capelle. “Then we shall invite Lord Wentridge, too.”
    Clarinda was disgusted with herself. Why did she have to mention Lord Stormont? Now he was invited to the ball. That made two men, each in his own way detestable, that she must deal with tonight.

Chapter 5
    “You look splendid, Robert. The ladies will swoon at the sight of you.”
    “Let us hope not, Lucius,” Robert answered fervently. The invitation to the ball at Graystone Hall had arrived. It was fortunate his valet had seen fit to bring along his double-breasted wool frock coat with the claw-hammer tails, silk twill breeches, waistcoat and shirt with chitterlings, and a stock. In the entry hall of Hollyridge Manor, Robert pulled on buff kid gloves and offhandedly remarked, “Stay as late as you like, but I expect I’ll be bored by ten o’clock and shall slip out early.”
    “Such enthusiasm,” remarked Lucius, equally resplendent in a blue coat decorated with flat gilt buttons and black velvet collar. “Rustic, these country balls, yet they can be quite amusing.”
    “Lady Capelle’s invitation was hardly one I could refuse,” answered Robert, “but I lost my enthusiasm for balls long ago, whether city, country, or otherwise.”
    Robert expected his contentious friend to continue their sparring, but it appeared Lucius had another subject on his mind. Looking perplexed, he remarked, “I cannot understand why Sara Sophia was not invited.”
    Robert shrugged. “That’s easy, she’s not one of the ton.”
    Lucius let out a snort. “Those stiff-rumps in London won’t settle for less than society’s finest. But here? The guest lists at these country balls are not nearly as rigid.”
    “Hmm … I do believe you’ve taken a liking to the little wren.”
    Lucius immediately bristled. “Don’t be absurd. I hardly know the girl, although we did engage in a pleasant chat this afternoon.”
    “A chat?” Robert asked skeptically. “You spent almost the entire day with her, and don’t tell me otherwise.”
    Lucius seemed about to deny the accusation, then thought better of it. “Though she may look it, Sara Sophia is not an insignificant little wren,” he replied with feeling. “Never have I met a more perceptive, intelligent woman. Her interests know no bounds. Not only that, she has a sense of herself and her place in this universe. I’d wager she’s smarter by half than most of these country bumpkins.”
    Robert gave him a look. “All London knows your penchant for intelligent women, Lucius. Flirtatious eyes and creamy white bosoms mean nothing to a high-minded gentleman such as you.”
    “Laugh if you wish, Robert, I — ” Lucius suddenly bit his lip and looked away, a muscle twitching in his jaw.
    Robert was surprised to see his cynical friend, a master at covering his feelings, reveal such deep concern over anything besides his own well-being. “I see it’s not a laughing matter. But you know as well as I, a chit like Sara Sophia could not possibly — “
    “Be good enough for me?” Lucius heaved what came close to a despairing sigh. “I know that. I accept that.” A touch of bitterness echoed in his voice as he continued, “I have no idea why I should bother even speaking to a creature so low-born.”
    Robert started to protest, but Lucius wasn’t through. “You’re the smart one. Who would ever catch you being so impractical as to fall in love?”
    “Quite so,” agreed Robert, “I have much better sense, as do you, Lucius, if you’ll take the time to reflect on how utterly impossible ‘twould be for you to fall in love with a common girl with no money and no