Free Francesca by Joan Smith

well.”
    Lady Camden’s eyes flew to his in chagrin. “What do you mean, last evening? Was he asking about me?”
    “Just a word in passing. We happened to meet at Brooke’s Club. He had seen me with Caine—your name came up somehow or other. He mentioned the lovely lady he had seen with Mr. Caine—something of the sort. I remember you particularly discouraged me from asking his help.”
    “We met only a few days ago. I did not want you to pester a mere acquaintance. What did he say about me?”
    “Now, it is nothing to get in a pucker over, my dear. He scarcely mentioned your name, I promise you. You need not fear him. He is no prude, but he would never dishonor a lady of unsullied reputation. He has lightskirts enough without ruining ladies. Well, he is a bachelor after all, and a highly eligible one, too. He owns St. Alban’s Abbey and an estate in Somerset, to say nothing of his hunting box and London mansion.”
    Francesca was gratified to hear she had drawn the attention of such a wealthy gentleman, and let the matter drop.
    “Who is he with this evening, I wonder?”Mr. Irwin asked. Francesca directed him to the proper box but was careful not to look within a right angle of it herself for the remainder of the evening. She suspected Lord Devane might be casting an occasional glance at her, however, and began flirting discreetly with Mr. Irwin.
    Lord Devane did indeed take an occasional glance, no more. He was too clever, and too proud, to make a cake of himself. He divined her trick, and knew he had caught her interest. When the play was over, their two parties went to separate hotels to dine, and they did not see each other again that evening. Mrs. Denver had retired by the time Francesca got home, so she went directly to bed.
    The evening had been a dead loss so far as finding the necklace was concerned, but Lady Camden was by no means in the mopes. She was young enough to be elated at having caught the interest of the Season’s most eligible bachelor. Her first fear of not being able to handle him diminished when Mr. Irwin assured her his reputation was good. Perhaps she would flirt with him a little next time they met. But she would never marry someone like him. One David in a lifetime was more than enough.
     

Chapter Seven
     
    Mrs. Denver was happy to see her charge in good spirits the next morning. “Any luck at the theater?”she asked eagerly.
    “No sign of the necklace, but the play was very interesting. They had a live elephant onstage, Mrs. Denver. You really must go to see it.”
    “It sounds dangerous. What if it got loose?”
    “It didn’t. Mr. Irwin is visiting the jewelers’shops this morning to try to get a lead on the necklace.”
    “How kind of him.”Mr. Irwin appeared to be gaining favor. She must learn more about him from Mr. Caine before the thing became serious. “Are you driving out with him later?”she asked.
    “No. I shall stay home today. Truth to tell, I am tired of racketing around town.”
    “You have been trotting pretty hard,”Mrs. Denver agreed, and hid her astonishment as well as she could. This didn’t look like infatuation. Mrs. Denver felt no invitation had been extended, but when—if—it was, Fran would no doubt accept. To her surprise, Francesca did nothing of the sort. Mr. Irwin did stop by and invite her out, but she refused two or three times, till at last he accepted her decision.
    “You ought not to have refused just because he failed to find out anything from the jewelers, Fran,”Mrs. Denver admonished Frankie. “The man is doing his best. He spent his entire morning working for you.”
    “Oh, was I rude?”she asked. “I shall drive out the next time he calls.”
    “Why did you not go today?”
    “I don’t feel like going out, with this necklace business hanging over my head,”Francesca replied, and hoped her aunt would not inquire further. To herself she admitted that what kept her home was the possibility that Lord Devane might call.