Love Affairs. Louise Allen

fool in a poem, and they were ogling his arms and his chest and cooing about how strong and noble he is... Well, you can imagine, I’m sure.’

      ‘Only too well.’

      ‘Like I always said, he’s a fine figure of a man. But with his coat off I can see what they were carrying on about. Buttocks you could bend a sewing needle on, I’ll be bound.’

      ‘Mab!’ But a snort of laughter escaped her.

      ‘That’s better. No use you looking like a dying duck in a thunderstorm, that ankle’s bad enough without you getting yourself in a pother about a man.’ She scooped up the discarded clothing. ‘We had to cut that half-boot off. I’ll take these downstairs and have a word with the laundry maids, see what we can do with the grass stains. I’ll have some tea sent up, shall I, my lady?’

      Alone, Laura lay back with a sigh. Now she was doomed to be an immobile audience as Lady Amelia wormed her way into Avery’s favour. She did not trust her one inch over Alice, for surely no one went from spluttering with disgust over the presence of a love child to finding themselves charmed out of their prejudice in a matter of hours.

      A tap on the door heralded a maid with a tea tray and, hard on her heels before Laura could think of the words to deny her, Lady Amelia.

      ‘I thought I would come and keep you company as your woman is struggling to salvage your wardrobe,’ she said with a sweet smile. ‘Put the tray there.’ She nodded to a side table and sat beside it, regarding Laura across the chinaware with perfect composure.

      ‘How kind.’

      ‘Not at all? Milk and sugar?’

      ‘Lemon, thank you.’ At least it would give an excuse for a sour face.

      Amelia stood to place the cup on the bedside table, inconveniently, and no doubt deliberately, at the exact angle that ensured Laura must twist inelegantly to pick it up. ‘Miss Alice is quite unharmed by the incident,’ she remarked as she resumed her seat, sweeping her pretty skirts around her with some emphasis.

      ‘I had no reason to suspect otherwise. She seems a sensible child who would say something if she was hurt.’ Laura managed to pick up her tea without slopping any in the saucer and took a sip. ‘You seem very concerned about a child who you referred to as a bastard and whose presence you deplored only yesterday.’

      ‘Naturally, a lady is concerned for the well-being of any creature.’

      ‘Especially if she is intent on ensnaring the creature’s father?’ There, at least we both know where we stand now. ‘Might I trouble you to pass me a biscuit?’

      Amelia stood again, placed the entire plate on the bedspread next to Laura and returned to her place. ‘Do have them all. Ensnare? I have no need to aggressively hunt after a gentleman. They come to me and seek my approval.’ She gave her skirts another twitch. ‘After all, in addition to breeding, connections and style, I have an impeccable reputation.’

      ‘Which I do not. That is understood. But this is not about me, Lady Amelia.’

      ‘I could not agree more. You may throw yourself at Lord Wykeham, but a gentleman of his nature would have only one use for a woman demonstrating that kind of behaviour.’

      ‘Are you suggesting that Lord Wykeham would set up a mistress?’ Laura ate a biscuit without tasting it.

      ‘They all do,’ Amelia said with a shrug. ‘A lady ignores that kind of behaviour. And the women involved,’ she added with a faint smile. ‘The child is evidence of his proclivities.’

      ‘And yet you would accept his offer if he makes one?’

      ‘Certainly he will make one. And I may well accept it. After all, I doubt the other gentlemen are any different.’

      ‘And Alice?’ The teacup rattled in the saucer. Laura set it down awkwardly on the bedside table. ‘It is rather difficult to ignore a child.’

      ‘Once I am in control of the household the child’s place will be clearly established. As soon as I give Wykeham a legitimate heir then he will lose interest in her, I will make certain of that. A separate establishment would be necessary. Naturally, one would not want her mixing with one’s own children.’

      ‘Naturally.’ A biscuit snapped between Laura’s fingers. ‘And yet you have sought out her company here.’

      ‘But of course. Wykeham might hesitate to press his suit if he thought she would be an obstacle, which is why he has brought her here. I realised that after the first shock, as soon as I was able to give it some thought. And I would not be unkind to the poor little thing. She will soon learn her place—it is not her fault she is a bastard.’

      ‘Love child,’ Laura snapped.

      ‘So sentimental. Everyone has to learn their station in life.’ Amelia dabbed carefully at the corner of her mouth with one of the tiny linen napkins. ‘I thought we ought to have this little chat because I would like to avoid unpleasantness as much as possible, as it seems I cannot rely upon you exercising restraint when it comes to the gentleman for whom I am easily the most suited partner.’

      ‘Lord Wykeham is quite well aware that some call me Scandal’s Virgin,’ Laura said. ‘I doubt he has any illusions about me, nor any intentions towards me.’ Not respectable ones, that is for certain. Should I warn her that I will tell him what she says about Alice? That would be the honourable thing for me to do. On the other hand it would allow her to prepare some lies.

      ‘And do not think to tittle-tattle to Wykeham about me.’ Amelia took a final sip and set her teacup down with a firm click. She was apparently a mind-reader. ‘I have already confided in him how jealous you are of me and I confessed I was a little taken aback and surprised when I first realised Miss Alice was here. He is assured of my complete understanding and support and I believe he is impressed by my frankness.’ She got up and regarded Laura with a complacent smile. ‘Do rest, Lady Laura. I’m sure it would be a great disappointment to you if you were unfit for any boisterous activities that might take place.’

      ‘You witch,’ Laura said to the unresponsive door panels as they closed behind her visitor. ‘You scheming, clever witch.’ Was Avery taken in by her? Very probably he was. A frank confession of prejudice, followed by a touching demonstration of motherly care for Alice, was just what might convince a man who was desperate to see his child accepted. It might have convinced Laura, if she hadn’t heard the spite in Amelia’s voice in the hallway and if she hadn’t known her motive for befriending Alice.

      ‘Over my dead body are you going to become my daughter’s stepmother,’ Laura swore. But how on earth was she going to prevent it?

       Chapter Fourteen

      Laura insisted on going down for dinner. She sent Mab in search of a cane and, by dint of leaning on her maidservant’s arm, hobbled downstairs, muttering unladylike curses under her breath every time she had to put weight on her injured foot.

      ‘Why you insisted on this gown, I’ll never know,’ Mab grumbled as they paused for breath on the first landing. ‘Thought we were saving it for the big dinner before the musical performance in two days’ time.’

      ‘I am trying to counteract the impression that I am a hoyden without an outfit in the latest mode to my name.’

      ‘Hmm. One doesn’t follow from the other. That Lady Amelia been poking at you, has she?’

      ‘Yes,’ Laura admitted.

      ‘Pads her bodice, she does,’ Mab confided. ‘Saw her woman adjusting one of her gowns in the sewing room.’

      It shouldn’t have made any difference to her mood, but, reprehensibly, it did. ‘Thank you, Mab.’ Now, every time the witch batted her eyelashes at Avery, Laura could imagine a handful of wadding escaping to peep above her neckline.

      Everyone