Damsel in Distress Read Online Free PDF Page B

or replaced.”
    “Oh dear. I am sorry. Newt is not much of a dancer.”
    “We were not dancing. We were just standing there talking when Mr. Newton tripped over the rug. He was not even walking at the time. I cannot imagine how it happened. He spilt his wine, too. Fortunately not on me.”
    “That was good luck. It would have made a mess of a white gown.” Poor Newt. Another lady displeased with him before he even got to know her.
    Helen opened her reticule and took out her comb.  She wore her hair pulled back from her face, fastened at the back with a jeweled comb, which had become loose from dancing. As she fumbled with the hair clasp, Caro offered to help her. She bent over and unfastened it, then combed the hair back smoothly and fastened it again.
    “There, that is better,” she said.
    “Thank you, Lady Winbourne.”
    Caroline glanced at the large, unsuitable necklace, but decided it would offend Lady Helen if she said anything. She left in search of Newt. Perhaps a servant could do something with his jacket. She met Newt hovering in the corridor beyond the ballroom.
    “Oh dear!” she exclaimed, when she saw his cravat and shirtfront all blotched with red wine.
    “Wouldn’t you know, I came out without a handkerchief,” he said, shaking his brindled head.
    She rooted in her reticule and gave him hers. “A bit of water might remove the stain.”
    “I’ll try it, but sometimes I find it doesn’t always work.” One of Newt’s distinctions was his making a fricassee of the king’s English. He took the handkerchief and wandered off in search of water.
    Dolmain watched the interlude from across the room. He was still watching a little later when his daughter came out of the ladies’ parlor, without her diamonds. A small smile tugged at his lips. So the redoubtable Lady Winbourne had talked Helen into removing the garish necklace! He assumed the necklace was wrapped in the handkerchief she had entrusted to Newton.
    He expected Newton was even then looking for him to return it. Unfortunately, he could not go after Newton. Castlereagh wanted to have a private coze with him in his study about the shipment of supplies to Wellington in the Peninsula. Castlereagh had learned that the last shipment did not reach Spain. Whether it had been sabotage or accident was not yet clear, but they had to discuss safeguards for the next shipment. He had no fears for the necklace’s safety. Caro knew how valuable it was and would see it was kept safe. He would pick it up when he called on her tomorrow afternoon. He had already given a footman a note to give Caro, explaining his absence from the remainder of the ball and asking permission to call on her the next day at four.
    Newton managed to make such a mess of his shirt and cravat that he had to go home to change. When Caro received Dolmain’s note, she decided to leave, too. She had no interest in anyone else. She had Newt drop her off at Berkeley Square, where she discussed the ball with Georgie over a cup of cocoa, then went to bed early.
    She didn’t think of the necklace again until the next morning when Dolmain came to call.
     
Chapter Four
     
    Caroline was at breakfast at eight-thirty the next morning. Both the early hour and her modest serge suit were a surprise to her servants. Once the Season began, milady often slept late, and usually dressed in the highest kick of fashion. The plain suit was in honor of the ladies from the Orphans’ Fair Day committee (some of them high sticklers), who were meeting that day at Berkeley Square. A part of the proceeds from the gaming night went to sponsor a holiday in the country for the orphans. There would be contests, races, all sorts of games, and prizes and refreshments to be arranged.
    She was surprised to hear the door knocker sound at eight-thirty, and simply astonished to hear Lord Dolmain’s accents. What could he want? Crumm knew she was up, so she waited for him to show Dolmain in.
    “A tall drink of water has