Free The Belle Dames Club by Melinda Hammond Page B

conversation, while Clarissa, following her instructions, tried to catch Julia’s eye. Barnabus and his sister were giving Dorothea their attention, but Lord Alresford had risen upon their approach and was now standing against the painted back-wall of the box, idly surveying them all. As she moved towards Mrs Norwell she was acutely aware that he was watching her.
    ‘I have never been to Vauxhall before,’ she remarked. ‘I was quite entranced by the gardens. The musicians are very good, are they not, Mrs Norwell?’
    Julia looked a little bemused.
    ‘Yes, although I am not very musical—’
    Clarissa hurried on.
    ‘I see you have finished your meal, pray give me your company to take a closer look at the orchestra. I would dearly love to study the gothic architecture.’
    Julia hesitated, and Clarissa was forced to risk a pleading glance. With relief she saw Julia take up her fan and prepare to come with her. Immediately Lord Alresford stepped forward and picked up Julia’s emerald domino.
    ‘Perhaps it might be best if I accompany you, Mrs Norwell,’ he murmured, throwing the cloak around her shoulders.
    Clarissa put up her hand.
    ‘No, no, there is no need, my lord. We do not go far, and I promise we shall not move out of sight of the box.’
    The look with which he met her rather hurried assurances gave her a jolt of surprise. Surely that could not be a gleam of malicious humour in those dark eyes?
    With a faint shrug the gentleman nodded and stepped back to allow them to leave the box. Clarissa took Julia’s arm, but asthey walked away she felt as if his eyes were fixed upon her, and she had to steel herself not to look back.
    ‘You wanted to speak privately with me, I think.’
    Mrs Norwell’s soft voice brought Clarissa back to her mission.
    ‘Yes. You have seen Sir Howard Besthorpe is here tonight?’
    Julia shivered.
    ‘I did see him, but thankfully he has not approached me.’
    ‘He mistook Sally Matlock’s green cloak for your own and followed her.’
    ‘Oh heavens!’
    ‘Dorothea Gaunt and I were with her, so there was no danger. He spoke through a hedge, thinking he was addressing you.’
    Julia giggled.
    ‘Like Pyramus and Thisbe.’
    ‘I beg your pardon?’
    ‘Shakespeare.’
    Clarissa gave a gurgle of laughter.
    ‘Of course – speaking through a chink in the wall! Why did I not think of that? Well, Dorothea answered, pretending to be you, Julia, and she told Sir Howard to be at Norwell House at ten o’clock tomorrow night.’ She saw Julia’s startled look and patted her arm. ‘Dorothea has a plan to stop Sir Howard’s attentions to you once and for all.’
    ‘Oh if only she could.’
    ‘Well, Lady Gaunt is a very forceful character, but she says she needs you there, if it is to work. It will be necessary for you to cry off from the theatre tomorrow night. You must insist that everyone else should go and you will remain behind.’ Clarissa drew a breath. ‘Dorothea also says it would be best if you were alone. Can you send the servants away?’
    ‘The servants? How can I do that?’
    Since Clarissa had no answer she remained silent, but after a moment Julia said slowly, ‘What is Lady Gaunt’s plan?’
    ‘That I cannot tell you – in truth, I do not know,’ admittedClarissa. ‘Can I tell her you agree?’
    ‘I-I am not sure … Barnabus has arranged the box at the theatre especially for me…. You say it will rid me of Sir Howard for good?’
    ‘Dorothea says so.’
    Clarissa felt Julia’s hand tighten on her arm.
    ‘Very well, I will do it!’ whispered Julia, looking straight ahead of her. ‘I will do it.’
    ‘Good.’ Clarissa realized she had been holding her breath and laughed softly. ‘Who would have thought joining the Belles Dames Club would involve so much intrigue?’
    ‘It is very good of you all to help me,’ responded Julia. ‘Shall we go back now? You can tell Lady Gaunt her plan can go ahead.’
    ‘By all means, but first, since it was the reason