Regency Masquerade Read Online Free PDF Page B

Eventually he approached Sammy.  “Where is your friend Diana?” he
asked as casually as he could.
    She
turned wide blue eyes on him.  “She went home before midnight.  Why?” she asked
saucily.
    “None
of your business chit!” he grinned at her.  “I’d like to call on her, can you
give me her address?”
    Sammy
frowned suddenly, “No I am afraid I can’t, I’m sorry but she didn’t tell me.”
    He
raised an eyebrow.
    “It’s
true Jack.  I met her tonight for the first time, and somehow it didn’t come up
in the conversation.”
    “You
only met her tonight?” he asked, half incredulous.
    She
nodded vigorously. “Yes, she helped me with my gown.  All I know is that her name
is Diana Murray and she is visiting London from the country.”  Lambert was
about to question her further, still half believing “Diana” was Sophie Fairfax
playing a joke, when Lady Fairfax herself came up to Sammy.  She was wearing a
blue gown and he saw immediately that her eyes were brown and not grey and that
her mouth was a different shape.  He bowed hastily and withdrew, his mind
seething with conjecture.
    Carleton
was dancing for the second time with Rosamond Lyle and thinking how pretty she
was.  It was a pity she was so shy, she seldom had much to say to him.  Perhaps
he could take her driving one day and he could gain her confidence.  Rosamond
thought about Jack Lambert.

 
    CHAPTER
FIVE
     
    Bright
sunshine woke Frances later than usual the next morning and she suddenly
remembered she had an appointment that afternoon with Lord Carleton at Manton’s
pistol gallery.  She hadn’t been intending to keep the appointment, but now she
reconsidered.  She did not yet know enough about Lady Murray, or her circumstances,
to allow her to make any decisions as to her future.  However, what with Peter
Frances being acquainted with Lord Carleton and Diana Murray becoming fast
friends with Sammy Fairfax and Jack Lambert, her future was looking complicated
to say the least!
    She
dressed hastily in her male attire and went down to breakfast.  A quick mental
calculation of her remaining funds persuaded her that she would soon need an
income.  Perhaps she should take up Carleton’s offer to introduce her to his
club and she could try to win a few guineas!  A moments reconsideration warned
her how risky that would be, and she put aside the idea regretfully.
    Peter
Francis sauntered out of the Pelican shortly after noon and made ‘his’ way
through the narrow streets towards Manton’s gallery.  She loved walking in
London, looking at the shops and stalls and the wide variety of people all
going about their business, maids scurrying on messages, busy housewives buying
cloth to take home and sew into sturdy waistcoats or pretty dresses, and of
course young men of leisure wandering between entertainments.
    Carleton
was already there when she arrived, waiting outside the building.  He smiled to
see her and greeted her almost as an old friend. He led the way, pushing open
the heavy door which allowed the noise of pistols exploding and men shouting to
rush out into the street.  She followed him inside and along a corridor, past a
room filled with unruly men, and into a larger, quieter, gallery obviously
reserved for the upper classes.  On the far side, a young man of about twenty
was practising rather erratically, watched by an attendant with a bored eye,
but otherwise the room was empty.  Playing cards were set up near the far wall
in various patterns as targets and several weapons were displayed in a locked
cabinet near the door for the use of those patrons who had not brought their
own.  Carleton was carrying a box with two duelling pistols in it.  He opened
them up for Peter’s inspection.  “I had them made for me here in London.  What
do you think?  Would you like to try one out?”
    Frances
picked up one of the pistols with interest and balanced it in her hand. 
“Nice,” she murmured appreciatively.