Free Reluctant Relation by Mary Burchell Page B

smiled and patted her arm. “I don’t think he’d been very communicative either. Which is just as well, considering the way things turned out. Since the whole business is over now, the less said about it the better.”
    “I’m sure,” agreed Meg, resisting a desire to say that Leigh’s affairs of the heart had no interest for her in any case.
    Felicity came downstairs just as Dick was pouring drinks. As he brought her a glass of her favorite sherry, he said, “You’re engaged for next Tuesday evening. Don’t make any other dates that night.”
    “I won’t.” She sipped her sherry absently. “Is it something nice?”
    “Oh, nice enough. It’s good publicity. You’re going to the Northern Charities Ball in Newcastle. Miss Greenway’s coming too.”
    “Am I?” Meg looked astonished. “How do you know I am?”
    “Because I’ve arranged it all.” Dick smiled at her, in a winning way which made him look like his sister. “Quite a family party of us. I’ve roped in your father and stepmother. And Leigh, of course,” he added as an afterthought.
    “But I’ve nothing suitable to wear!” Meg explained. “And anyway, what about Pearl?”
    “Cecile will look after Pearl. And of course you can get hold of something to wear. Women always can. Don’t you like parties?”
    “In some circumstances, yes, of course. But honestly, I haven’t anything for a really elegant occasion, even if the things I’ve sent for arrive in time. I didn’t anticipate anything of this sort and—”
    “That’s not a major problem,” put in Felicity, with a smile. “I can lend you whatever you want.”
    “But, Miss Manners, I ... how terribly kind of you ... I don’t know that I can possibly—”
    “We’re near enough the same build.” Felicity measured her with a considering glance. “And Cecile can make any minor alterations. There’s no need to look so dazed.” She gave a good-humored little laugh. “A large wardrobe is part of my stock-in-trade, and it’s easy enough for me to fix you up. It would be rather fun,” she added. “You’re quite good-looking, really.”
    The “really” was her inoffensive way of saying that she didn’t think Meg had made the most of herself up to now. Or so Meg judged. As it was not humanly possible not to be slightly piqued by the implication, the temptation to accept immediately became irresistible.
    “Miss Manners, if you really mean it—”
    “Of course I do. And I wish you’d call me Felicity. It’s so difficult to relax when someone calls me Miss Manners. I feel I’m still on the set.”
    “Very well, then,” Meg said shyly. “And will you please call me Meg? I’m terribly thrilled at the thought of wearing a movie star’s dress. Particularly in front of Claire,” she added, half to herself.
    “Claire?” Felicity raised her eyebrows inquiringly.
    “Claire is Meg’s excessively pretty and smart young stepmother, who probably tends to make any other woman feel dowdy when she’s around,” explained Dick, with astounding comprehension.
    “How did you know?” Meg looked at him and laughed in shamefaced way.
    “By using that bit of worldly acumen without which I should hardly be able to make my way in the competitive and back-scratching world to which I belong,” he assured her with a shrug. “But by the time Felicity has fitted you out, you’ll stand up to any competition, I’m sure.”
    “Yes, indeed!” Felicity seemed quite charmed at the prospect. “After dinner ... are you staying to dinner, Dick?”
    “Most certainly. I want to see the results of the transformation act too.”
    “Very well.” His sister laughed. “After dinner, Meg, you and I will go upstairs and have a look at my wardrobe and see what would suit you.”
    “It’s extraordinarily kind of you and—”
    “It’s not really. It amuses me, too,” Felicity explained, with engaging candor. “Then on the night ... T uesday, did you say, Dick? ... Cecile shall do your hair,