Free Loving Protector by Sally Quilford

reflect and
I realize that, as she so wisely said, she was paying me a kindness in being
blunt with me. The truth does hurt, I admit that, but I hope it has done me some
good too.”
    “I am glad to hear it,” said Evelyn. “I
know you are a good girl at heart, Blanche, and today you have proved it. Has
she not, Calista?”
    “Yes. Oh yes, certainly.” Calista was
anything but certain. Blanche was never kind or nice to anyone, and in many
ways Calista preferred that as she knew what she was dealing with. This new
Blanche was a mystery, and as such rather frightening. “Could you pass the
honey, please, Blanche?”
    Normally Blanche would tell Calista to
get her own honey. “Of course…” As Blanche lifted up the pot it slipped from
her hand, crashing to the floor and spilling the contents. “Oh, what a fool I
am. Calista, be a dear and call the maid will you? We need more honey. Come on,
Mama, eat up or we shall never be ready to go out walking.”
    “Now there’s the Blanche we know and
love,” said Evelyn, with a smile.
    “Mama, you are such a tease.”
    Calista was not smiling. Despite
Blanche’s apparent volte face, she was still gripped by a sense of unease. She
had no doubt at all that her step-sister had meant every word she said the
night before about bringing Lady Bedlington down.  She had spoken with
cold, calculating anger, not a sudden rush of fury because she felt embarrassed
and ashamed.  It could only be assumed, by Calista at least, even if
Evelyn was fooled, that Blanche had a new game plan.
    There was not much chance to speak to
Evelyn alone. The maid arrived to clean up the mess and take away the breakfast
things. Then Blanche was eager to go. “I have ordered a new ball gown, mama,”
she said. “I am told it will be ready this morning.”
    “Blanche, I told you we could not afford
anything else. Is this why you are being nice to me?”
    “Mama, you hurt me with your distrust. I
told you, I have learned my lesson. Would not a new dress show that you forgive
me?”
    “We shall have to see, Blanche. It
depends how much it costs. Also, it is not fair that you should have one when
Calista does not.”
    Before anyone could answer, there was a
knock on the door. It was the colonel.
    “Good morning. I hope I am not
intruding.”
    “Not at all, Colonel,” said Evelyn. “We
were just about to go out walking.”
    “I am here to bring extend an
invitation. The king is holding a ball at St. James’ Palace soon and …”
    “Oh, mama,” Blanche said, clapping her hands
together. “I told you that I would need a new ball gown.”
    “Forgive me for misleading you, Miss
Kirkham. The invitation is for myself, my aunt and one guest. I had hoped that
Miss Haywood would join us.”
    “Oh.” Calista put her hands to her face.
“I do not think I could possibly go without Blanche and Evelyn.”
    “And you, Miss Kirkham,” said the
colonel pointedly, “would you have such scruples if the invitation included
you?”
    “Of course,” said Blanche, coldly. “And
I agree dear Calista must go. Hopefully there will be no one there who saw her
dress last night.” Blanche swept from the room, closely followed by Evelyn.
    “Then it is settled,” said the Colonel.
“You will come with us.”
    “I am not sure,” said Calista. She could
not help feeling that the colonel had deliberately worded the invitation to
allow Blanche to think she was included. Had he merely done so to get back at
her step-sister for the trouble she had caused him the night before?
     

 
    Chapter
Seven
    “The King does not normally like having his
invitations refused.”
    “I am sure that as the king only said
you could bring a guest, he would have no idea I have refused the invitation.”
    “And what about me? I know you have
refused.”
    “I do not know,” said Calista frowning.
She wanted to ask him, but did not want to seem ungrateful for the invitation.
“I do not wish to cause offence, but …”
    “You do