Free The Byram Succession by Mira Stables Page A

tantalising.
    When her mama timidly disclosed her intention of bestowing the pendant on Alethea, Tina said only, “I suppose I should have bought something for her, but I forgot. Do you think it would serve if I gave her the pierced ivory fan that Aunt Georgina sent me? I never liked it above half and I have several prettier ones.” And Mrs. Newton was so thankful to be spared reproaches for her own generosity that she approved this notion quite heartily and Tina went off to find the despised fan.
    Alethea looked up shyly when Aunt Maria came in, magnificent in peacock blue brocade and exclaiming in warm delight at her niece’s transformed appearance. Hetty discreetly vanished. Having studied the bergere gown from every angle and praised the imaginative hair style, which was, she said, the perfect complement to the dress, she bent forward to fasten the ruby pendant about the slim throat. “A little gift from your uncle and me,” she said affectionately, “a keepsake to remind you of this important day in your life. May it bring you memories of a delightful evening.” And as Alethea stammered out her delight and gratitude and carefully kissed her aunt’s delicately rouged cheek, went on, “It puts the perfect finishing touch to your appearance. I do not in general approve of young girls wearing sparkling stones, but this is very simple, and the antique setting, you see, makes it so very suitable to your costume. The whole effect puts me strongly in mind of the painting on my Watteau fan.”
    “And will do very well for a masquerade when she is tired of wearing it to parties.” Tina had come in so quietly that they had not heard her in their absorption; had missed the abrupt check, the slight narrowing of her eyes at this first sight of her cousin in festive array. Before they could recover, she was putting the fan into her cousin’s hands, praising the elegant draping of the damask and the rich glow of the ruby. The unusual hair style, too, came in for commendation. “Vastly becoming,” she pronounced. “I had not thought you could look so well. Mama must be very pleased with the result of her efforts. And with your courage, too,” she added thoughtfully. “I doubt if I could have summoned the confidence to wear so outmoded a fashion at my début.”
    Perhaps because of Hetty’s warning, perhaps because at last she had her cousin’s measure, this unkind little speech, designed to undermine the neophyte’s confidence, wholly failed of its intent. “With your looks you would win admiration whatever you chose to wear,” retorted Alethea. “As for your hair, it would still look perfectly lovely even if you had just been caught in a rainstorm. I only hope this careful erection of Hebe’s doesn’t tumble down and disgrace me utterly as soon as I start dancing, though she swears it won’t. Plain people, cousin, have to study to be neat and soignée, which is a thing you’ve never had to bother about.” Then, feeling that the exchange had gone far enough, “Shall I carry my new fan, Aunt? It goes beautifully with my dress.”
    “Slip the riband over your wrist,” advised Aunt Maria. “You will need your hands free for dancing. We must go down. Our guests will be arriving.”
    In fact they heard the front door bell ringing as they went through the hall to join Uncle Matthew. Though the cards of invitation said nine o’clock, some people, he said bitterly, would be early for their own funerals. He mellowed sufficiently to smile at his niece and to tell her she looked very pretty. His daughter earned no such encomium. His gaze rested attentively upon the pearls in her hair, and it was fortunate for Tina that at this moment the first arrivals were announced.
    At the end of half an hour, Mrs. Newton was able to dismiss any lingering doubts as to the success of her party. She was even brought to admit that there had been a good deal of truth in Tina’s prophecy that Lord Skirlaugh would prove to be a social