Free Birds of a Feather by Allison Lane Page B

some new debacle at this rate. Already she had nearly allowed Harriet to chatter unchecked. But despite her best intentions, she did not relax until the patronesses barred the doors at eleven. Not even Lord Sedgewick could gain admittance now.
    His absence was noted.
    “He hasn’t missed a subscription ball in years,” said Lady Debenham. “Has he fallen ill?” She sounded thoroughly out of sorts at having to ask.
    “I heard he received an unexpected visitor,” swore Lady Horseley.
    Lady Beatrice shook her head. “So gullible. You should know better than to believe rumors.”
    Joanna nearly burst into laughter at London’s premier gossip warning someone against rumors.
    “I suppose you know differently?”
    “Of course. He left for his estate at two o’clock this afternoon. He said he had business, but the real reason was an argument with his mother. She is increasing her pressure.”
    Her listeners broke into confused murmurs of shock, condemnation, and support. Joanna sidled away, fearful that someone might notice her relief. He was gone. By the time he returned, he would have forgotten their encounters.
    The current set finished. Almont escorted Harriet back to her side, then moved off to find his next partner.
    “Lady Harriet,” said Lord Ellisham, appearing seemingly from nowhere. “That gown makes your eyes even bluer.”
    Harriet smiled. “How nice of you to notice.”
    “Have you any country dances free?”
    Her face fell. “Not a one, my lord.”
    “Perhaps another day.” He waited until Mr. Craven distracted her attention before smiling at Joanna. “I thought that might be the case.”
    “You are a complete hand, my lord.” Then she blushed at being so forward. “Forgive me, I cannot seem to do anything lately that is not either gauche or mortifying – usually both.”
    “That particular lapse was hardly deserving of notice.”
    “The others were not. I am amazed I was allowed in here tonight.”
    “Oh?”
    His eyes conveyed curiosity and sympathy. Before she could stop, she blurted out the very facts she had sought to hide. “I have drawn unfavorable attention from the most arrogant gentleman in town. If he were here, I would doubtless be out in the street by now.”
    “For what crime, if I might be so bold?”
    “It was quite inadvertent – though he read me such a scold that I am still quaking. He believes me a candidate for Bedlam and ordered me not to leave the house again without a keeper.”
    “Heavens!”
    “Exactly. I had just purchased some gloves for Harriet – she ruined three pair in a single week – and was pondering how to prevent further carelessness, when I bumped into the most vulgar matron, if her language is any judge. But I must believe that she exaggerated her grievance, for this gentleman prevented her from falling into the street or sustaining the slightest injury. And she shared at least half the blame. She was striding along Bond Street at so great a rate that she outpaced Lord Osbourne’s new curricle, and you must know how he drives.”
    “Quite.” His lips twitched. “Springs his horses without offering up so much as a prayer for those in his path.”
    “Exactly. You would have thought she was fleeing a mob, so why that odious man blamed me, I cannot say. He shook me until my teeth rattled, then castigated me for any number of crimes without allowing me a single word in my own defense.”
    “What about the woman?”
    “She was screeching her woes to the world and raining curses on both our heads, but he completely ignored her. After heaping any number of insults onto my shoulders, he strode off in high dudgeon.”
    “A trying encounter, to be sure.” He chuckled. “Did you recognize the lady?”
    “Not in the least, though she was wearing the most outrageous hat I have ever laid eyes on.”
    “And a cloak lined in ermine, I’ll be bound,” he interrupted.
    “How did you know?”
    “She moves like a man-of-war under full sail in a raging