Free Evelyn Richardson by The Education of Lady Frances Page B

creation was to grace Lady Frances at Lady Richardson's that night. An even quicker visit to Bond Street established the color of her gown and allowed him to select an exquisite combination designed to enhance without overpowering her toilette.
    It was more regard for an old playmate than obedience to Mainwaring's wishes that had then sent him posthaste to Brook Street to present it and enroll himself among her partners for the ball. Bertie had no idea how or why Lord Mainwaring had arrived at the conclusion that Lady Frances Cresswell was a prude, but he was determined that such a misguided opinion should not be allowed to take hold in his friend's head, much less spread elsewhere. In fact, by helping both Frances and Mainwaring, he was giving himself the pleasure of dancing with a partner whose grace could be counted on to put his own considerable skill in the best light. Moreover, he could rely on her not to flirt with him or try to interest him in some pudding-faced daughter. It was an admirable situation. He could enjoy himself while indulging in the luxury of feeling exceedingly virtuous.        '
    As Bertie sauntered off down Brook Street, having presented his posy and made his request. Lady Frances realized that she was well and truly committed to this ball. Even before crossing the threshold, she had no fewer man three partners. With the exception of Lord Mainwaring, they were all calculated to inspire confidence in even the most anxious of females. It came as a slight shock to discover that she was actually looking forward to the evening.
     

Chapter Nine
     
    An elegant dinner at Lord and Lady Streatham's was a prelude to the ball. Arriving slightly later than she had planned after gratifying Cassie's and Freddie's request to see her in her finery. Lady Frances found the others already assembled. In addition to the family there were a few close friends of the Streathams', but she was acquainted with most of the company. Lady Streatham had tactfully placed Frances next to her husband, knowing that two such serious landlords could find much to discuss concerning the problems and particularities of their respective estates. Though Lord Streatham did not particularly enjoy London society, preferring the more relaxed atmosphere of country entertaining, he was a genial host and excellent conversationalist who welcomed the opportunity to discuss something other than the latest scandal of Byron's or the fashion in bonnets. Sensing a kindred spirit. Lady Frances relaxed and allowed herself to be drawn into a completely unfashionable discussion of the proposed Corn Laws and their undoubted disastrous effects on the farmers. It was thus that Lord Mainwaring, glancing around the table, had leisure to study Frances when she was most at her ease. Bertie Montgomery's revelations concerning her had surprised him and sparked his interest—not that he found her in the least attractive, but he prided himself on his ability to assess people accurately at his first meeting, and it piqued him not a little to be told he was wrong. Grudgingly he admitted to himself that her animated face and graceful gestures were not those of a prude, nor was her attire. The dove-gray silk, ornamented only by a flounce at the hem, was a perfect foil for the magnificent baroque pearls that had been the pride of Cresswell women for generations. Her hair, though simply done, shone a rich gold, which, coupled with her honey coloring and dark brows, made her appear less insipid than most blonds of the pink-and-white variety. The pearls and the silk gave a luster to her skin and made her eyes under their thick dark lashes more intensely hazel. The tasteful simplicity of her costume gave her an air of quiet elegance which, if not at the height of fashion, was not that of a prude.
    However, snatches of her conversation confirmed his opinion of her as a bluestocking. He smiled with inward satisfaction as he caught the latest, “. . . the poor harvest I