Coventry's jaw almost dropped. "Mistress Gunning, I'm delighted."
"Coventry? Do you know Lady Godiva?" Maria asked eagerly.
The earl laughed. "Your wit is only exceeded by your beauty, Mistress Gunning! May I have the honor of escorting you to the supper room?" Her mention of Lady Godiva filled his head with dazzling visions of her riding naked upon a white horse. He took her hand and placed it upon his blue satin sleeve.
As they walked, Maria twirled her empty glass. "Will there be more champagne in the supper room, Lord Coventry?"
"I sincerely hope so, my dear. Could you not call me George?"
She arched an eyebrow at him. "Not on such short acquaintance. My mother would never approve, my lord."
"Ah, you are here with your mother?" The earl sounded regretful.
"After supper, perhaps we could become better acquainted as we stroll in the gardens beneath the colored lanterns?"
Coventry caught his breath. "Your mother would never approve."
She gave him a sidelong glance. "No, she would not... George."
Her glance, coupled with the way she said his name, made him harden instantly. He covered her hand possessively. "Your lovely hair is the color of moonlight." His eyes roamed over her with appreciation. She was the most beautiful female he'd ever touched.
John Campbell thanked the king's son, the Duke of Cumberland, for placing some of the army recruits his father had sent down from Scotland. "Argyll has been funding the education of some young men from the west Highlands with a view to getting them into the army or the navy. Most are already experienced sailors. Would you be willing to use your influence with the king on their behalf?"
"I often have trouble persuading my father in military matters, though he says he trusts my judgment implicitly. Unfortunately, he also trusts the judgment of his ministers who advise building up the military with German rather than British fighting men. Between us, we will have to prove them wrong."
John was pleased with Cumberland's response. During his reign George II had allowed his wife, Queen Caroline, and Prime Minister Robert Walpole to rule by a corrupt system of bribery that kept the wealthy Whigs in power. Now that both the queen and Walpole were deceased, the king would do well to rely on Cumberland, the undisputed military leader. "If you can arrange a private meeting with His Highness, I'll do my best to persuade him to our cause."
John's eye was caught by a lady wearing a diamond tiara, who had her handsome son in tow. "Here comes the Princess of Wales and the heir to the throne. George seems to have left his boyhood behind."
"By God, yes. The lad is fourteen and already has an eye for the ladies. The king dotes on him! Young George can do no wrong."
John made a gallant bow. "Princess Augusta, Prince George."
She bestowed a gracious smile upon him and spoke to Cumberland.
"George craves masculine company. Insists he's too old to be seen with his mother hovering about. Keep an eye on him, Cumberland."
As she walked away, Prince George said, "On the contrary, I crave _female_ company. The most heavenly creature just went into the supper room. Her name is on everyone's lips--a Mistress Maria Gunning, I believe. I'd like an introduction."
John Campbell felt his heart give one great thud. Surely it wasn't possible that the Gunning sisters were in London? _If by some miracle Maria is at Devonshire House tonight, Elizabeth must be here too_! He excused himself from Cumberland and went in search of the young woman who had set his pulse racing. As he glanced about the salons, he could not believe the eagerness he felt. The anticipation of seeing her again filled him with yearning. No female had affected him this way before. John grew impatient when he couldn't find her and told himself that young George must have been mistaken. Then suddenly he caught sight of Bridget Gunning in animated conversation with Princess Augusta and the Duke of Devonshire. She wore a sophisticated gray gown and black feathers in her Titian hair. A frown creased his brow. Beth had told him she wasn't a _debutante_, that her clothes were borrowed and that she was about to become an actress. It didn't add up, when her mother was on intimate terms with royalty.
He stalked upstairs to the supper room, his keen glance examining every lady he passed as he searched for the elusive female who now consumed his thoughts. He saw Maria Gunning immediately--she would stand out in any crowd--but Elizabeth was nowhere to be seen. As he approached Maria, he was surprised to see that she was with his friend the Earl of Coventry.
"Sundridge, allow me to introduce Mistress Maria Gunning, here for the Winter Season from Castle Coote, Ireland."
John bowed. "I have already had the pleasure, George." His glance took in the costly gown and the delicate matching fan, and he measured them against the smock Beth had been wearing the first time he had encountered her by the river.
"Sundridge? I thought your name was John Campbell," Maria said.
Coventry shook with laughter. "Mistress Gunning has the most delicious sense of humor, John."
"I've been looking for Elizabeth."
"Ah, my sister chose not to come to Devonshire House tonight. She had a previous engagement."
"On the stage of Drury Lane
, no doubt." John was stung that Beth Gunning had made a fool of him.
Maria laughed prettily. "Ah, that is a little game Elizabeth loves to play with gentlemen. She pretends she wants to be an actress. She has these wicked little flights of fancy. At our castle in Ireland she loved to run wild, like a child of nature. Mother despaired of controlling her. Since we arrived at our London house in Great Marlborough Street
, she has been swamped with invitations. In spite of her teasing ways, she is very popular."
"No doubt her popularity is _because_ of her teasing ways, not in spite of them," Coventry pointed out.
"Do you have a message for Elizabeth?"
"No, no message," John murmured politely. "Excuse me." He felt the need for fresh air, so stepped out into the gardens. Couples strolling beneath the colored lanterns made the atmosphere far too romantic for John's mood. He cursed beneath his breath as he fought the urge to go directly to Great Marlborough Street
and confront Elizabeth Gunning with the preposterous stories she had offered him. Then he remembered that she wasn't at home. Mistress Gunning, it seemed, had a previous engagement. The knowledge did nothing to improve his savage mood. As he made his way out to Piccadilly, he decided to sleep at his town house in Half-Moon Street
tonight rather than return to Sundridge.
In Great Marlborough Street, Elizabeth
stood pensively looking from her bedchamber window. She knew she should go to bed, since it would be hours before her family returned from the entertainment at Devonshire House, but she doubted she would be able to sleep. She had sewn half a dozen pairs of pretty garters to pass the time, but though this occupied her hands, it did nothing to keep her mind busy. Her imagination took wing, seeing the luxurious rooms, the ladies in fashionable gowns, and the gentlemen in formal attire. She pictured Charlie's disappointment over her absence and hoped that when John Campbell learned she was in London, he would find a way to contact her. _Perhaps he will write me a note_!
It was midnight before the Gunnings arrived home. Elizabeth was eager to hear about Devonshire House and learn about all the people they had encountered there. Her mother took center stage, listing all the important members of the _ton_ with whom she'd conversed. She saved the best till last. "I spoke at length with Princess Augusta. I have no doubt she will invite us to Leicester House."
"The Princess of Wales was only widowed at the beginning of the year. I doubt she'll be entertaining until she's out of mourning," Jack pointed out to his wife.
"Rubbish! Her son George will be the next King of England. She likely mourned her husband for no more than five minutes!"
"I met Prince George tonight... he couldn't take his eyes off my bodice. He is a very mature fourteen-year-old. He will most likely insist that the king invite me to Court," Maria
said smugly.
"It wasn't only Prince George who had his eyes on you, Maria. I swear every male present was agape at your beauty. The Duke of Grafton, who is widowed, did more than glance at you, and I believe you made a particular conquest of the Earl of Coventry."
"I'm certain I did. I told him I would be walking in the park tomorrow. I'm willing to bet that he will be there too!"
"Speaking of bets, I had a successful evening in the card room. Won every hand I played against the Duke of Grafton. I think I have enough to buy you a ball gown, Elizabeth."
"Jack Gunning, we need a carriage! Then Maria won't have to walk in the park--she can ride as befits a lady of fashion."
"Bridget, it's Elizabeth's seventeenth birthday next week. She needs a gown of her own if she is to catch a wealthy husband." He winked at his favorite daughter. "The carriage will have to wait."
Beth smiled a secret smile. For once her father was putting his foot down. She couldn't wait to get Maria alone to ask her about Charlie--and about John Campbell too, she secretly admitted. "Come, Maria, I'll help you remove your gown and your makeup."
Upstairs in the lovely bedchamber they shared, Elizabeth unfastened the costly white gown and petticoat, carefully lifted them off, and hung them in the wardrobe. She poured water from the jug into the china washbowl and handed Maria a face flannel.
"I'm too tired to wash my face tonight. I'll do it tomorrow."
"You shouldn't leave that white paste on overnight, Maria. It might spoil your delicate skin." Elizabeth unfastened her sister's corset strings. "Did you see Charlie?"
"Of course I saw her, and her cousin Michael Boyle. Actually, it was Michael who introduced me to the Earl of Coventry. The earl asked me to call him George and begged to take me to the supper room. I had him panting by the time we walked in the gardens."
"Did Charlie seem disappointed that I didn't go?"
"She seemed far more disappointed that her cousin Michael wouldn't allow her to drink champagne. But her thoughts were on Will Cavendish, Lord Hartington, until she finally hunted him down. Perhaps I should engage Will's affections. He'll be the next Duke of Devonshire, and I would love being addressed as 'Your Grace.'"
Beth felt alarm. She knew Maria was perfectly capable of doing such a thing, and she was far more beautiful than Lady Charlotte. Beth, however, kept a wise silence, knowing that if she attempted to dissuade Maria, it would have the opposite effect. She took her courage in her hands. "Did you see John Campbell?"
"I most certainly did. He lied to you, Elizabeth! His name isn't Campbell at all. His name is John Sundridge. He happens to be a friend of the Earl of Coventry's, who introduced us."
Beth went pale. "Sundridge?" She wished Maria didn't sound quite so triumphant. "What did he say when you were introduced?"
"When I told him you had a previous engagement, he asked sarcastically if it was on the stage of Drury Lane
!"
Beth's cheeks turned warm. "I should never have told him I was going to be an actress," she murmured miserably.
"I soon disabused him of such a silly idea. I told him your pretended interest in acting was a little game you played. Then I assured him you were swamped with invitations. That appeared to make him angry, but it served him right for lying to you."
Beth lay awake after Maria's breathing told her she was asleep. She was glad they didn't share a bed, for her restlessness would keep Maria awake. Then, with a heavy heart, she drifted into sleep.
_They were alone in a ballroom. "I'm not a_ debutante _at all, John. This gown is from the theater's wardrobe department. "_
_"Let me help you remove it, then we can talk." His fingers began to unfasten the gown, and suddenly it pooled at her feet. His possessive hands moved up to caress her bare shoulders, and she realized that he too was naked._
_"We cannot talk, sir. We have no clothes on."_
_"If we cannot talk, then I'll have to settle for a kiss. "_
_"I'll not give it!"_
_"Stop pretending to be a lady. You 're a common little actress."_
_"No, my interest in acting is just a game I play. "_
_"If you like playing games, I know one we can both enjoy." He lifted her high above him, so that her golden curls brushed across his powerful chest. Then he slid her down his hard muscled body, until her toes touched the floor and his mouth covered hers in a long, lingering kiss that filled her heart with yearning._
Early the next morning a footman from Burlington House delivered a note for Elizabeth. Before she could read it, her mother snatched it from her fingers. "I shall first read any correspondence you receive, then pass it along if I deem it fitting." Bridget scanned the letter. "It is from the countess. Seems that Lady Charlotte missed your company so much last night she invites you to stay at Burlington House for the weekend so that the two of you can spend some time together."
Elizabeth held her breath, hoping against hope. Yet she very much doubted her mother would give her consent for the visit.
"There is no mention of Maria," Bridget fumed. "If she had invited both of you, I would be happy to let you go."
Elizabeth's heart sank.
"I don't want to visit Charlie Boyle!" Maria protested. "I told the Earl of Coventry I'd walk in the park today, and I know he will go out of his way to be there too."
"Don't fret, Maria. We shall certainly walk in the park today."
Bridget glanced at Elizabeth and decided it would be preferable if she was not with her sister at the rendezvous with Coventry. "I think you'd better accept Lady Charlotte's invitation. The countess may take offense if we decline."
Elizabeth's heart soared.
Bridget scribbled her acceptance on the bottom of the letter and took it to the front door where the footman stood awaiting a reply. "Ask Lady Burlington to send the carriage for Mistress Elizabeth."
Within the hour Beth was hanging the afternoon dress she had brought for Sunday in Charlie's spacious wardrobe. She spied a white ball gown and asked, "Is this what you wore last night?"
"Yes, but I'd like a new one that has some color. White is so childish, don't you think? I want to look more grown-up."
"I'm to get a ball gown for my birthday next week. I'm sure Mother will insist it be white because it's traditional."
"And _virginal_," Charlie whispered, wrinkling her nose. "I wish I were going to be seventeen, but I've only just turned sixteen." She sighed. "Will must think I'm such a baby."
"You saw him last night! Did you walk in the gardens?"
"Yes, he asked me to walk in the gardens! He also asked me if I would be driving in the park this afternoon."
"Then he doesn't think you're a baby but a lady of fashion!"
The Countess of Burlington popped her head around the door. "Hello, Elizabeth. Charlie, if you want to drive in the park this afternoon, you need a new parasol. Would you ladies like to go shopping this morning?"
"Yes, please!" Charlie was eager. "Perhaps Elizabeth can help me chose a gown that will make me look more grown-up. She's getting a new ball gown for her birthday next week. Perhaps she'll see something she likes at Madame Chloe's."
As she donned her bonnet, Elizabeth found herself as eager as Charlie for the shopping excursion. She had no money, but it didn't cost anything to look, and looking at clothes brought untold pleasure to any female worth her salt.
Madame Chloe displayed every style and shade of parasol in her _elite_ establishment for her wealthiest customer. The countess chose one of black-and-white-striped silk, while Lady Charlotte decided on a forget-me-not blue to match her new afternoon dress.
"Which one will you have, Elizabeth?" the countess asked.
"Oh, I couldn't, my lady," she declined quickly.
"Nonsense, it's just a frippery. How about the pink? Every lady should have a rose-colored parasol to make her face glow."
"Thank you," Elizabeth said shyly.
"Lady Charlotte would like a gown that makes her look a little more fashionable," Lady B
urlington told Madame Chloe.
Charlie picked out two gowns and took Elizabeth into the dressing room with her. Hung in the spacious room was a gown of gold tissue. "Oh, Elizabeth, this gown was made for you!"
Elizabeth touched the gilt threads with her fingertips and fell instantly in love with it. She couldn't resist trying it on.
"It brings out all the golden lights in your hair. You look like a goddess, Elizabeth." Charlie held up a dress. "I think I like this peach-colored one for myself. Help fasten me up."
"The color is wonderful with your dark hair, Charlie, and the drape of the silk makes you look much taller."
Charlie rushed out to show her mother. "Elizabeth thinks this gown makes me look taller, and pale peach is my favorite color!"
"All right, the pair of you have convinced me. Anything that makes you look taller is a godsend." She glanced at Elizabeth. "That gold tissue is spectacular on you. Would you like it?"
Beth went pale. "Oh, no, my lady, I have enough gowns, thank you."
Back at Burlington House they enjoyed a delicious lunch of cracked crab with drawn butter, asparagus tips, and cheese _soufflé,_ followed by Charlie's favorite dessert, blackberries and cream. When they were finished lunch, Dorothy Boyle stood up. "How very providential that the sun has come out. I shall have the open carriage readied for your drive in the park. I shan't play gooseberry in case young Hartington turns up-- your maid will be sufficient _chaperon."_ The countess smiled slyly. "If you ladies will excuse me, I have a previous engagement of my own. Don't forget your parasols!"
"Elizabeth, it's so good of you to come and keep me company. It's like having a sister. Maria will miss you today."
"Maria won't even notice I'm gone. She has her own rendezvous planned in the park--with the Earl of Coventry, no less!"
Upstairs they washed their hands and faces, then Charlie sat down at her dressing table to powder her face and put on lip rouge. "You're beautiful without paint but would you like some?"
Elizabeth caught her breath at the array of pots and powder puffs laid out before her. She darkened her lashes with a tiny brush, then put on rose-colored lip rouge and powdered her nose.