Free Sally James by Fortune at Stake Page B

behaved so abominably!’ she declared and added she could not for the life of her see why Amanda wanted to marry such a nincompoop.
    It was, consequently, with rather strained courtesy towards one another that they eventually departed from the inn and Susannah, tired from her night’s vigil, but unable to sleep in the chaise, was glad to be left in peace to consider the amazing events of the last twenty-four hours. Lord Chalford, she told herself firmly, was despicable and she would much prefer never to have to meet him again. Yet it was very likely that she would, an insistent small inner voice told her, and despite herself she smiled at the thought of his reaction to the discovery of her true identity. The journey passed remarkably quickly as she dreamily contemplated their first meeting and made plans for adding to the discomfort he would no doubt feel when he realized the mistake he had made. She would enjoy seeing him embarrassed, she thought, and dismissed the suspicion that he might not behave in quite the way she anticipated. She refused to admit to herself she was looking forward to their next encounter and the battle that might ensue, only maintaining she wished to punish him for
    his presumption and then never see the odious man again.
     
    Chapter Five
     
    The days spent with their maternal grandmother in Kensington passed with aching slowness to Susannah, restless as she had never before been. Then Great-aunt Elizabeth set out for Bath and Julian went to the Horder mansion in Grosvenor Square where his other grandmother, Lady Horder, was due to arrive, and Susannah had two more seemingly endless days to wait until Amanda and her family came to London and she could go to them.
    ‘I thought we might be lonely tonight and so I have asked a few friends to join us this evening,’ Lady Carmichael said after Julian had departed. ‘Nothing elaborate, just cards and perhaps some music for you young people.’
    ‘Thank you, that will be pleasant,’ Susannah replied, smiling at her affectionately.
    ‘Will you wear your new green dress? The colour is just right for you.’
    ‘I thought to save it for one of Aunt Sarah’s parties.’
    ‘You will not be able to wear it too often once you go to Brook Street, for that would make people think you could not afford a new gown. And it becomes you so well, it is a shame not to make the most of it. After all, you are not very likely to meet my friends at Aunt Sarah’s parties, for we live quite retired out here.’
    Susannah agreed and donned the pale green dress that evening. Jane was brushing her hair when her grandmother’s maid came to ask her to go to her grandmother’s room before she went downstairs. She found Lady Carmichael sitting at her dressing table examining her extensive collection of rings, but as she entered the room her grandmother selected a massive ruby, then shut the box and pushed it away from her as she turned to welcome Susannah.
    ‘Come in, my dear,’ she invited and picked up a slender case, handing it to Susannah. ‘These belonged to your mother and it occurred to me they would set off that dress to perfection.’
    Susannah opened the case to reveal a delicately wrought necklace, a slender golden chain which widened to form two clusters of ferns meeting at the front, glistening with tiny emeralds. Earrings similarly shaped as sprays of green fronds nestled in the white velvet of the box and Susannah gasped in admiration.
    ‘They are beautiful! But are they not too grand for a simple party, too rich for a girl in her first season? I thought I should wear only pearls, or coral?’
    ‘Rubbish,’ her grandmother retorted. ‘Your pearls look insipid with that dress and corals wouldn’t do either. Girls these days don’t make the best of themselves, they dress far too plainly. You know I have been keeping all your mother’s jewels for you, for when you need them, and I think you should have these now. They were almost the last things Peter