Free Marchington Scandal by Jane Ashford Page B

and her heart sank even as her chin came proudly up. It would, she was certain, be a difficult evening. She looked around for some friend that they might safely join, but at that moment the hostess signaled the beginning of the evening’s musical entertainment, urging everyone into gilt chairs, with no thought beyond settling and quieting her audience. Thus, the Daltry party found itself placed next to Lady Jersey, one of the people Katharine had most hoped to avoid.
    As the others were moving into their seats, Lady Jersey leaned forward and said to Elinor, “Where is your delightful husband this evening, my dear? I was quite charmed with him when we met.”
    Elinor looked stricken, and Katharine could not help wincing at her inability to disguise her feelings before this notorious gossip. “Oh, Tom won’t be dragged to a musical evening,” she responded lightly. “You know how gentlemen are, Lady Jersey. They will do anything to be excused from such things.”
    â€œAlas. But one would expect a newly wed gentleman to make an exception, wouldn’t one?” Her tone was so sweetly mocking that Katharine had to grit her teeth to keep back an angry reply. She saw tears swimming in Elinor’s eyes and clenched her fists beneath her shawl. “And I do believe you are mistaken,” continued Lady Jersey, her voice full of wicked glee. “Isn’t that Mr. Marchington now? I believe we have wronged him.”
    Katharine and Elinor both turned to see Tom standing in the doorway with the Countess Standen on his arm. Katharine had to restrain a groan. Lady Jersey would gloat over this perfect coincidence for weeks. She heard Elinor make a small noise and hastened to say, “Yes, indeed, you are quite right. I shall apologize to Tom for underestimating his interest in music.”
    â€œMusic?” echoed Lady Jersey. “Yes, of course.”
    To Katharine’s vast relief, the musicians struck up, and they were free to turn away and present the semblance, at least, of listening. Elinor radiated unhappiness, and she could not seem to keep her eyes from turning toward Tom and the countess, but they need not endure any more malicious hints and smiles from other guests.
    Katharine barely heard the concert, and at the interval she was one of the first out of her seat. “I think you should take Elinor home,” she whispered to Mary, “as soon as the crowd makes it unlikely that your departure will be noticed. She cannot bear this.”
    Mary nodded, her eyes full of concern. “What about you? Won’t you come with us?”
    â€œNo. I shall stay and try to smooth things over. It will be impossible with Tom hanging upon the countess, of course, but I shall do what I can.”
    Mary nodded sympathetically and bent to speak to Elinor. In a few moments, when the room was crowded with groups of chattering guests, they slipped quietly out. But Katharine saw Lady Jersey’s sharp eyes follow them. She herself looked quickly around and made her way determinedly over to Eliza Burnham.
    Lady Burnham was standing alone in a window embrasure, having just rid herself of a well-known bore, and she smiled happily at Katharine when she came up. “My dear, how splendid. We can have a cozy chat here behind this curtain. I have never properly appreciated the usefulness of drawing-room hangings.”
    The girl smiled slightly. “We can’t go behind it, Eliza. It would be too cramped. And besides, anyone might come up and overhear your confidences from the other side.”
    Lady Burnham was much struck by this. “Very true, my dear. You are so clever.” She looked around the room. “And I particularly wish not to be overheard just now. I must speak to you about something, Katharine.”
    â€œThere is no need. I know about the gossip. If you can tell me what to do about it, I shall be forever grateful.”
    Eliza looked over to the corner where the