Free Finessing Clarissa by MC Beaton Page A

retiring and check that everything is locked and bolted.’
    ‘Then it must have been one of the servants,’ exclaimed Clarissa.
    ‘I cannot believe that,’ said Harris firmly. ‘We have a new housekeeper, Mrs Loomis, who came with excellent references. Apart from that, there are no new servants, and each one is highly respectable. After that business with Frank, I made it my job to check out all references personally.’
    Frank, an over-ambitious footman, had left them after trying to stir up rebellion in the servants’ hall.
    ‘You are tired, Miss Vevian,’ said Amy firmly. ‘Go back to sleep. I shall go round with Harris and make sure that everything is secure.’
    Left on her own again, Clarissa paced up and down. Then she went and locked her door before climbing into bed. It had not been a dream, of that she was sure.
    But when she awoke next morning to see the sun streaming in the window, the events of the night before seemed unreal. The day was fine and a handsome man was to take her driving. She hoped Yvette had at least one gown ready!

4

    The sky is glowing in one ruddy sheet;
A cry of fire! resounds from door to door;
And westward still the thronging people pour;
The turncock hastens to F. P. six feet,
And quick unlocks the fountains of the street;
With rumbling engines, with increasing roar,
Thunder along to luckless Number Four.
    Thomas Hood
    Bella and her mother were companionably drinking tea and eating toast. Angela often boasted they were more like sisters than mother and daughter. ‘And have you heard from Sir Jason?’ asked Angela.
    ‘He is to call today,’ Bella pouted. ‘He sent such delicious letters that my poor heart was quite aflutter, but I confess when I actually clapped eyes on him again, he seemed a sorry creature. What do we do this evening?’
    ‘Nothing,’ said Angela with a shrug. ‘We have many invitations for the next few weeks but nothing for the immediate present. Where is Crispin?’
    ‘He’s gone out, or so the servants tell me.’ The butler entered and handed Bella a letter. ‘This came by hand, my lady,’ he said.
    ‘Bound to be something boring,’ said Bella, crackling open the seal. ‘Dear me, it is from Sir Jason. What does he say?’ Her eyes rapidly scanned the page and then she threw the letter down. ‘Well, Mama, if this isn’t the outside of enough!’
    ‘What is wrong?’
    ‘My half-brother, Crispin, has taken it on himself to call on poor Sir Jason this morning and to tell him to stay away from me in future! How dare he! You must speak to him, Mama.’
    ‘Well, to be sure, it is all very
dégoûtant, ma chérie.
But you was just saying as how you were tired of the creature.’
    ‘I shall make up my own mind as to whom I shall see or not see.’
    Angela sighed. ‘It’s of no use arguing with Crispin.’
    ‘No,’ said Bella slowly. ‘But I shall do as I please.’
    ‘Oh, do not do anything to antagonize Crispin. He does hold the purse-strings, you know.’
    ‘Pooh! His disapproval has quite reanimated my affections towards Sir Jason.’
    ‘I hear that Vevian creature is in town. She is one of the Tribbles’ bad ladies.’
    ‘Who are the Tribbles and what have they to do with bad ladies?’
    ‘They advertise in a most vulgar way. They sponsor young females of good
ton
at the Season, femaleswho have hitherto proved difficult to puff off.’
    ‘And what is Miss Vevian’s deep dark secret?’
    ‘I had it from that Mrs Deveney we met in Portugal Street yesterday evening when we went out to take the air. Was you not attending?’
    ‘No, she seemed a tiresome gossip.’
    ‘Well, her daughter, Chloris, attended a seminary in Bath and this Clarissa Vevian was there at the same time. Mrs Deveney says she is so clumsy, she is a walking threat to any who come nigh.’
    Bella let out a delighted trill of laughter. ‘How wonderful. Nothing to fear there. You know what a martinet Crispin is.’
    To Clarissa’s delight, Yvette had finished a