A Change of Fortune (4 page)

“You, madam, are astonishingly forward.”

“In St. Petersburg we do not waste time in pretense.”

“So it seems.” He offered her his arm and they walked toward the visitors’ room.

The two secret onlookers still stood on the half-landing. Katy turned anxiously to Leonie. “What will you do now? Will you still go down?”

“I don’t know what to do, for if I go down, then I am certain to be formally introduced to him, and that is something I wish to avoid at all costs.” She thought for a moment. “Perhaps I could cry off with a headache. Yes, that’s it, you must go to Miss Hart and tell her I’ve been taken unwell and won’t be able to join them.”

But even as she said this, Miss Hart suddenly appeared at the foot of the stairs. “Ah, there you are, Miss Conyngham, I was wondering where you’d got to. Do come down, the countess and her guests have already arrived.”

“Yes, Miss Hart, but….” Leonie broke off, for the headmistress had hurried away again without hearing.

Katy was dismayed. “Oh, now you’ll
have
to go down.”

Leonie nodded reluctantly.

“It’ll be all right, I’m sure it will. You’re probably completely wrong about the duke.” The maid’s voice lacked conviction.

“I’m not wrong about him. I only wish I was.” Leonie took a deep breath and then went down the remaining stairs.

The visitors’ room, as might be expected, was a particularly handsome chamber, for it was here that Miss Hart received all important visitors, and here that the young ladies entertained their families and friends. It was a blue-and-gold room, decorated with Christmas greenery and dominated by another portrait of Dorothea. A bright fire flickered in the gray-and-white marble fireplace, and a very fine cut-glass chandelier illuminated the elegant furnishings. The sofas and chairs were upholstered in sapphire-blue velvet, there was cream brocade on the walls, and the curtains waiting to be drawn at the tall windows were of a particularly rich and heavy dark gold.

Tea was to be served at a low table before two of the sofas. The best gold-and-white porcelain had been put out, and there were plates of little triangular sandwiches, cakes, and biscuits. It all looked very formal and precise, even to the carefully arranged bowl of Christmas roses in the center, and it didn’t look at all inviting.

Outside the sun had almost set now, its dying rays resting blood-red on the roofs of the houses in South Audley Street. In the seminary’s garden, the ornamental pool seemed as if petrified, as did the weeping willow hanging over it. The pale light from the windows illuminated the two stone sphinxes, but beyond them all was lost in the brief winter twilight.

No one had commenced tea as Leonie entered. Dorothea and Miss Hart were seated on one of the sofas by the table, while Rupert and Nadia were inspecting a painting in the alcove by the fireplace. They were so intent upon it that they did not hear the door open and close.

Dorothea was criticizing the windows. “I tell you they are naked,” she was saying, “quite naked and
abominable
.”

Miss Hart was a little bemused. “I…I’m afraid I don’t quite understand.”

“Naked, Miss Hart. I think you British have no idea at all how to make your houses agreeable in the winter. You keep them so cold, and you leave the windows bare so that one is forced to look outside and remember how dismal the weather is. In Russia it is the custom to place exotic plants in embrasures, so that the illusion of spring or even summer is created. Then one may forget that it is winter.” She waved a disparaging hand toward the windows. “This is
most
discomforting.”

“Oh. Oh, I’m so very sorry,” cried Miss Hart in dismay. “I’ll have the curtains drawn immediately!”

“Drawn? That will not do. unless you intend to keep them drawn all day as well as all night.”

The headmistress did not know what she was expected to reply to this. “Well, yes,” she said tentatively, “of course, if that is what you wish.”

“
Mon Dieu
,” cried Dorothea in some irritation, “of
course
that is not what I wish. Why would I wish to sit in the dark all the time? You have obviously not understood what I’ve been saying.”

“I haven’t?” Miss Hart was mortified, her cheeks flushing very pink indeed.

“The plants, madam, the plants!”

In something of a daze, the headmistress gazed dumbly at the garlands of holly, ivy, myrtle, and mistletoe, which were the only plants in the room.

“Not those wretched things, Miss Hart, the plants for the windows!” Dorothea gave an impatient sigh. “I will see that some are sent from the greenhouses at Streatham Park.”

“Streatham Park?”

“The country estate we have taken for the time being.”

“Oh.”

“I presume you know how to look after delicate plants?”

“Oh, yes, my lady,” replied Miss Hart most untruthfully. “You are very kind.”

“Kindness has nothing to do with it, madam. I merely think of my own comfort. I cannot abide naked windows.”

Miss Hart noticed Leonie then and thankfully beckoned her forward. “Ah, Miss Conyngham, do come closer.”

Rupert turned immediately, his glance raking Leonie. Nadia, who had still been discussing the merits of the painting, broke off in mid-sentence as she became aware of his sudden interest in the new arrival. Her green eyes hardened as she saw the look in his eyes, and she instantly formed a dislike for Leonie.

Miss Hart was relieved to be able to divert attention from the windows. She beamed at Dorothea. “My lady, you are of course already acquainted with Miss Conyngham, but I do not believe she has met either Miss Benckendorff or his grace.”

Leonie curtsied to Dorothea. “Good afternoon, my lady.”

Dorothea gave a gracious nod. “
Enchanté
, Miss Conyngham. How very charming you look, I do so like pearls with pale blue, there is something so very tasteful about such a combination. Now then, allow me to present you to my cousin, Miss Benckendorff. Nadia, this is Miss Conyngham, who is the most senior young lady here.”

Nadia’s acknowledgment was exceedingly cool; she inclined her head but said nothing at all. Leonie could not help but be aware of the other’s dislike, and so she too said nothing, but she guessed why she was being received so very coolly, for one had only to glance at Rupert to see. He had not taken his eyes from her since the moment he realized she was there.

Dorothea’s black eyes flickered curiously toward her silent cousin, but then Rupert stepped forward to be introduced. “Ah yes, Miss Conyngham,” she said, “this is his grace the Duke of Thornbury. Your grace, allow me to present Miss Conyngham.”

He took Leonie’s hand and drew it warmly to his lips. “Your servant, Miss Conyngham.”

“Your grace.” Leonie’s voice was not encouraging and she deliberately withdrew her hand at the earliest moment.

He seemed undeterred. “You are the seminary’s most senior young lady? Am I to hope that that means you will soon be out in society?”

Before she could reply, Miss Hart spoke for her. “She will indeed, your grace, and it is my opinion that she will be to the 1814 Season what dear Lady Imogen Longhurst was to that of 1813.”

He smiled, gazing into Leonie’s eyes. “I’m sure you are right,” he murmured.

Nadia gave a slight laugh. “How can there be anyone to compare with Lady Imogen?” she said, going to sit down on one of the sofas.

Miss Hart smiled at her. “You are acquainted with Lady Imogen, Miss Benckendorff?”

“She and I are very close friends indeed, Miss Hart.”

“I do so hope that one day soon she will call upon us here—it would be so good to see her again. I would welcome the opportunity to congratulate her upon her forthcoming betrothal to Sir Guy de Lacey.”

Nadia didn’t reply. Her angry green eyes were still upon Rupert and Leonie.

Belatedly Miss Hart detected the undercurrents which had been stirred the moment Leonie had come into the room. Clearing her throat a little nervously, she turned once more to Dorothea, keeping a wary eye as she did so upon the pug, which had already snapped irritably at her hand. “I understand that you wish to discuss changes in next year’s curriculum.”

“I do, since at the moment there appears to be a very serious omission.”

“Omission? Oh, surely that cannot be so.”

“It can, madam. I refer to the subject of history.”

Miss Hart stared. “History? But Miss Ross is an excellent teacher, my lady. I’m sure there cannot be anything wrong with her lessons.”

“There is a great deal wrong when the history of the greatest nation on earth is omitted. I speak of Russia, Miss Hart.”

Miss Hart’s mouth opened and closed. “Russia?” she said at last.

“It is my opinion that Russian history must be taught here, and since from your reaction it appears necessary to explain my reasons, I will now proceed to do so.”

As she began, Rupert suddenly offered Leonie his arm.

“Miss Conyngham, I’m intrigued by the sphinxes I noticed outside the window. Perhaps you would be good enough to explain them to me.”

It was a ploy to get her away from the others. She ignored the proffered arm. “They are only reproductions, sir, and not in the least interesting.”

“Nevertheless, I would like you to tell me about them,” he replied, taking her hand and drawing it firmly through his arm.

Short of making a scene, she had no alternative but to go with him to the window, which was well out of the hearing of the others. She could feel Nadia’s angry gaze following them.

He looked out at the two statues, pretending to discuss them, but in reality he spoke of something entirely different. “You don’t seem pleased to see me, Miss Conyngham.”

“You’re very perceptive, sir.”

“You’re devastatingly honest.”

“It seems necessary where you are concerned, sir.”

“Come now, don’t be cross with me. I haven’t sinned so very greatly, have I?”

“I can hardly be cross with you, sir, since I’m completely indifferent to you,” she replied dryly. She met his gaze. “You’ve wasted your time coming here.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Do they teach all their young ladies to be so forthright?”

She didn’t reply.

He looked at her for a moment and then glanced briefly back at Nadia, who was still watching jealously from the other side of the room. “Perhaps it is because you think I have an understanding with Miss Benckendorff,” he said, “and if so, let me assure you that
I
don’t. She means nothing to me and I’ve given her no reason to think that she does.”

She stared at him, remembering the scene she and Katy had witnessed in the vestibule. “You’re despicable,” she whispered. “You’re giving her
every
reason!”

His eyes became more guarded. “Whatever you may think, I promise you that Miss Benckendorff does not warrant your sympathy. She is interested only in my wealth and title.”

“Perhaps such selectivity is understandable where you are concerned, for to be sure you don’t appear to be particularly likable.”

Anger flashed across his handsome face. “You are very rude, Miss Conyngham, unnecessarily so, if I may say so.”

“You may say what you wish, sirrah, for if I’m rude to you it’s because you deserve it. Your reason for coming here today is very insulting indeed, and so under the circumstances, I feel that my mild sarcasm is more than justified.”

He gave a cool laugh, but he was angry. “Insulting? Since when has taking a cup of tea been an insult?”

“I’m not a fool, sir, and so pray don’t treat me like one. When you saw me in the park you decided to try to seduce me. Your presence here now is merely further proof of that.”

“My dear Miss Conyngham, you presume too much.”

“No, sirrah, it is you who presume too much. In the park you thought yourself the end in subtlety and cleverness, and you were wrong. You’re still wrong, for I will never be even mildly well-disposed toward you. And now, if you will excuse me, I am needed to assist with the tea.” She left him just as the maids came in with the silver teapot and hot water jug. She sat down at the other end of the sofa where Nadia sat. There was malice in the glance Nadia gave her.

Rupert remained by the window, his back toward them, and as Leonie began to pour the tea, he showed no inclination to come and sit down.

Miss Hart was still enduring Russian history, and was glad of the diversion as Leonie handed her her cup. Conversation died away for a moment as Dorothea too took her cup and sipped it. Leonie turned to pour Nadia’s tea, but Nadia immediately leaned forward and put her hand over the cup. There was a challenging look in her green eyes. “I don’t drink tea,” she said coolly. “I drink only strong black coffee topped with thick cream.” She spoke as if Leonie were little more than a servant.

Dorothea looked at her in disapproving surprise and Miss Hart sat forward hurriedly. “Oh, dear,” she said in dismay.

Nadia smiled, still looking at Leonie. “Do not be concerned, Miss Hart, for I’m sure that Miss Conyngham will be only too pleased to be of assistance.”

Rupert had turned from the window now, his hazel eyes sharpening as he looked at Nadia. Leonie was extremely angry, but she hid this very successfully behind a sweet smile. She had no intention of letting Nadia get away with such unwarranted rudeness. “But of course, Miss Benckendorff,” she said. “I’d be delighted to help you. Tell me, how thick do you like it?”

“Like it?” Nadia was caught unawares. “Like what?”

“The cream.”

The green eyes flickered. “As thick as possible,” she said, knowing that much of the cream she had sampled in England was far from thick.

Still smiling, Leonie got up to ring for Joseph, who came immediately. She went quickly to him, her voice low so that only he could hear. “Joseph, does Mrs. Durham still have some of that clotted cream her sister sent her from Devon?”

He looked at her in surprise. “Why, I believe so, Miz Leonie.”

“Do you think she could be prevailed upon to part with a little of it? For me?”

He smiled. “I’m sure she could, Miz Leonie.”

“Well, perhaps not exactly for me. Miss Benckendorff would like some strong black coffee topped with thick cream.” She paused, a wicked gleam in her eyes. “I rather think Mrs. Durham’s clotted cream would be the very thing, don’t you agree?”