A Lady of Letters Excerpt

Excerpt:

“Tis with great interest that I read your latest essay, sir. The ideas expressed are intriguing, to say the least, though I fear that they will hardly elicit any applause among the audience you wish to influence. In my experience, there are precious few people willing to admit callousness and self interest, however cleverly couched your chidings are. Nevertheless, your command of the written word, coupled with an originality of thought and razor wit, have won over at least one humble admirer to your singular intellect. I must admit it has been years since anything has moved me to pick up a pen, but your words have sparked a few questions that perhaps you might have time to clarify for me. Might I be bold enough to ask whether you might consent to an occasion private correspondence? The passage of your work which which has caused me to reflect on the nuances of its meaning begins with . . .

It was some time later that the Earl of Sheffield laid aside the sheets of paper and removed his gold-rimmed spectacles. With a rueful grimace he tucked them away in his desk drawer, thinking how utterly nonplussed his friends would be to see the Iron Adonis with such a foreign object in the grasp of his long fingers, rather than a bottle of brandy or a deck of cards—or the latest luscious opera dancer. No doubt even more shocking would be the fact that for the last several hours his thoughts had been preoccupied by matters considerably more complex than the upcoming sales at Tattersall’s or the odds on whether Trowbridge would offer for the Wainwright chit before week’s end.

His hand raked through his dark locks and another quick spasm tugged at the molded contours of his lips as he considered the truth of such a realization. Lord, had he really become such a shallow fribble as that? Oh, it was not that others saw him in such a light. On the contrary. In fact, he was quite aware that most of the ton regarded him with a respect that bordered on awe. No one dared question his opinions, lest they fall victim to his acerbic wit and end up skewered on his rapier sharp tongue. Just as no one risked raising his ire, not with the prowess he displayed with his pistol at Manton’s and his fists at Jackson’s. That the scoundrel Montfort, a Captain Sharpe at cards who had ruined several green cubs, had provoked a duel and been sent to a deservedly early demise only seemed to have added to his stature.

He gave a resigned shake of his head. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed rather absurd. Young sprigs strove to emulate his sardonic stare as well as the knot of his cravat, while more ladies than he cared to count vied for his attention. His own circle of acquaintances was no less adoring, for despite his penchant for occasional fits of temper or practical jokes that went too far, he was admired as a generous host, bruising sportsman and loyal friend. Even the highest sticklers curried his favor, excusing his rather rakish reputation because, along with his wealth and title, he was accorded to be a gentleman of impeccable manners and taste.

But of late, he found that his own judgement of himself was far less flattering.

With a heavy sigh he rose and went to the sideboard and poured himself a stiff brandy. Though he returned to his chair, a certain restlessness of spirit had his eyes wandering from the blazing fire in the hearth to the rows of leatherbound books lining the heavy oak shelves. He had used to enjoy cracking their spines, he mused. There was a time the ideas and insights had sparked a flame in his breast nearly as bright and lively as the ones he watched now. How had he let it die out?

Had he merely been lazy? he asked. After a moment, his mouth compressed in a thin line. No—self indulgent was more apt. The boisterous gaiety of shared spirits, the sweet softness of a willing lady, the frisson of excitement at the turn of a card. All had turned his attention from serious matters that required more effort.

It had come so easily, the ability to excel at the sorts of things his friends held in such high regard—gambling, riding, shooting, cutting a swath through the ladies. He had been seduced by their admiration, drunk with the notion of his own consequence. His fingers came up to rub at his temples. Lord, he had to admit he had made some foolish choices in his youth. And now he was paying for them, for he found his life was becoming an interminable bore. It was flat, smooth, without any unexpected edge to cut his ennui. Another Season was fast approaching, along with his thirty second birthday and what did it offer? The idea of yet another round of carousing with his friends, or racing his curricle to Bath on a wager or even a visit to his latest mistress left him feeling nothing but a disquieting coldness in the pit of his stomach.

Sheffield fingered his pen as his gaze fell to the finished letter on his blotter. An amused chuckle stole forth. Firebrand was how the anonymous writer signed his essay. It was an apt moniker, indeed, given the heated words. He hoped that his missive, to be delivered to the man’s publisher in the morning, would reach the mysterious author and be given the favor of a reply. Perhaps it wasn’t too late to rekindle an interest in something deeper than a glass of brandy.

On impulse, he reached out and scribbled a final signature. He had been debating whether to reveal his own identity, but was loath to have “Firebrand” judge him by reputation alone. As he regarded the name staring up from the paper it seemed much more fitting to sign his missive this way.

He hoped the fellow would appreciate the humorous touch.

Lady Augusta Hadley choked down a burble of laughter.

“Gus!”

She quickly folded the paper and stuffed it into her desk as her younger sister flew into the little room she used as her study. “Do slow down, Marianne. Mama would no doubt swoon over such an unladylike entrance,” she admonished, though her smile took any of the sting out of her words.

“Oh, I am heartily sick of being all that is proper,” answered the young lady, dropping onto the comfortable wing chair with a flounce that sent her elegant gown into a welter of wrinkles.

“Heresy from the Goddess of Greenfield,” murmured Augusta.

Marianne stuck out her tongue. “If you, of all people, dare repeat that sickening sobriquet out loud I shall plant you a facer!” She tucked her dainty feet up under her skirts and let her chin fall on her arms. “Really, I do wish we could steal out for a gallop through the fields. All these morning calls with Mama are tedious to the extreme.”

Augusta’s brow arched upward. “I thought you were enjoying yourself.”

“Well, I am,” admitted Marianne. “I do like the balls and routs and such, but I am never allowed a moment to myself. You on the other hand—”

“I, on the other hand, am firmly on the shelf. Mama has finally shown signs of giving up trying to threaten, beg or force me into some semblance of proper behavior. Her attention is now firmly focused on you—and with good reason.” She surveyed her sister’s blonde curls, cherubic features and diminutive figure. Even the most critical eye would be hard pressed find fault with the girl. Cornflower blue eyes radiated a winsome innocence, while lips as plump as cherries—Good lord, she admonished herself, she was in danger of waxing as ridiculous as the besotted young viscount who had dubbed Marianne the Goddess of Greenfield in a fit of rapture after his first dance. Still, there was no denying that the girl was a Diamond of the First Water, with any number of eligible suitors already dangling on her sleeve although the Season had hardly begun. “You have, as Mama would say, taken rather well.

Marianne scrunched up those perfect lips. “If you made even the slightest effort to attract attention, you should leave me in the dust, Gus. I wish I had your height and those glorious cheekbones. Instead I am short and have a plumpness to my face that reminds me of a squirrel. And I wish I had your brains—”

Augusta grimaced. “Never let Mama hear you say such a thing. I am enough of a trial as it is. Two such daughters would send her into permanent decline. Besides, you are hardly a ninny, my dear. You simply know when to keep your mouth shut, which is something I have never managed to learn.”

“Or care about.”

“Well, I suppose that might have something to do with it.”

Both of them laughed.

“Seriously, Gus,” continued her sister after a bit. “Why is it you are so set against making yourself agreeable to the many gentlemen who would show an interest, if you gave them half a chance?”

“You know very well why,” she muttered. “You are content with the idea of a husband and children and a household to run, but it would not suit for me.”

“Surely there are men who would appreciate your keen intellect, and not seek to keep you from expressing your views.”

“Hah! If you think any man would countenance my opinions, especially if he knew that—” She swallowed hard. “I mean, you may know that I am capable of stringing two coherent thoughts together, but the fact is, in public, I stutter and natter like a veritable peagoose, which, combined with my gangly height and angular features, is hardly likely to set any gentleman’s heart to flutter.” She made a show of rearranging the papers on her cluttered desk. “Truly, Marianne, I am well content as I am. Don’t you, too, start asking me to change.”

Her sister bit her lip. “I meant no such thing, Gus, you know I didn’t. It’s just that

. . .” Her words trailed off with a sigh.

“Come now, let’s have no long faces.” Augusta quickly changed the subject. “What was it you were in such a hurry to tell me?”

“Oh, as to that, Mama was wondering if you might attend Crestleigh’s ball with me tonight. She is having one of her megrims and wishes to stay in bed. Of course, if you do not wish to, I should be happy to stay at home as well.”

“And forgo an evening of watching Stonehill whisper insipid verses in your ear and Evershaw try not to tread on your toes as he gazes like a mooncalf into your eyes? How could I ever pass up such entertainment?”

“They mean well, poor things,” she said, trying to stifle a giggle. “You don’t mind, then?”

“I am looking forward to it—why, just yesterday I purchased a turban for exactly this sort of occasion.”

Marianne rolled her eyes. “Rather, wear your figured emerald silk and see just who needs a chaperone.” On that note, she picked herself up and left as precipitously as she had entered.

Augusta gave a little shake of her head as the door fell shut. What an odd notion her sibling had taken into that lovely head of hers, to imagine that she might be of the slightest attraction to the opposite sex. It was just as well it was utter nonsense. She hadn’t time to waste fending off unwanted suitors, not if she was to get done all the things that she needed to in the next few months. Already she was a tad behind schedule to meet her next deadline.

And then there was the real reason she had agreed to leave the comfortable environs of Greenfield Manor and endure the distractions of a Season in Town. Good lord, she hadn’t even had a chance to begin looking into that, she thought grimly. Perhaps tonight would provide the opportunity to start asking a few discreet questions. Her brow furrowed slightly as she turned her mind to formulating a plan for her investigation. That it would take luck as well as logic to succeed had already occurred to her. Being a female was going to be a great hindrance in this matter, but with Jamison’s help, they might manage to discover what was needed.

The chiming of the clock on the mantel chased such thoughts away for the time being. If she applied herself, she decided on looking at the notes before her, she might be able to finish another page of her writing before it was time to dress for the evening.

But first, she would finish that interesting letter that had just arrived from Pritchard’s office.

Sheffield strolled through the packed ballroom, noting with wry exasperation that at least four young cubs fresh from the country were wearing the same burgundy and charcoal striped waistcoat that he had sported last week at Audley’s ball. Making a mental note to have his valet destroy it at once, he took glass of champagne from a passing waiter and swept his gaze over the latest array of young ladies to make their come out.

After a long look, his mouth tugged down at the corners. Hell’s teeth, was he really getting so old? Why, the chits looked like mere children! And no doubt their thoughts would match their smiling faces—bland, agreeable, scrubbed of all hint of originality, . He drained his glass and turned in search of another.

“What? None of the newest Incomparables meet with your august approval? I had though the blond, at least, might catch your eye.“

“Really, Fitz, when have you known me to consider ravishing little girls? ” he muttered, moving restlessly towards a corner of the room. “Innocents have little appeal to me.” His current unsettled mood led him to be more acerbic than usual. “Take the blonde you mentioned—I wager there is not one word worth hearing that would come from that rosebud mouth. And most assuredly she would have no idea of how to make any other part of her anatomy more . . . interesting.”

His friend gave a muffled guffaw.

“No,” he continued. “The trouble far outweighs any sort of reward one might expect. I shall stick to more mature ladies, who at least offer some sort of recompence for having to endure their inane chatter.”

The two of them had paused beside a towering arrangement of potted palms woven with a cascade of ivy spilling from the terra cotta containers. The Earl’s friend finished his drink and gave one more glance around the room. “I fear you are right. This evening promises to be a dead bore. Nothing here but scheming mamas looking to make a match. Care to join me for a bottle at White’s? I might also decide to try my luck at that new gaming hell off Pall Mall.”

Sheffield slapped at one of the long fronds brushing the shoulder of his immaculately tailored evening jacket. “Perhaps I will join you later,” he said curtly.

The other man’s brow furrowed a bit at the Earl’s sharp tone, then he simply shrugged and backed off through the swirl of dancing couples.

Sheffield’s attention turned once again to the crowded ballroom. Somehow, the violins were starting to sound like the screech of an owl, the deep bass of the violas no better than the lowing of a cow. The mingled laughter rang shrill to his ears and the scent of the flowers seemed unbearably cloying. His mood grew even darker as he rued the force of habit that had caused him to dress with great care and come out, even though his inclination had been to retreat to his library and begin perusing the sheaf of articles he had lately gathered on the state of child labor. Firebrand’s essay had piqued him to look into the matter and it was proving a most interesting subject.

Abandoning his usual nonchalant manner, he turned abruptly on his heel—only to collide with a another figure nearly hidden in the wave of fronds. A goodly amount of lemonade splashed onto his cravat and dribbled down the front of his waistcoat. As he watched the sticky liquid turned the embroidered cream silk a sickly shade of yellow, the look of faint ennui on his countenance dissolved into an expression of undisguised anger.

“Damnation.“ The words slipped out of his mouth, just loudly enough to be heard. His eyes came up from the ruined garment, only to find the subject of his curse was a female. Still, his ire was roused enough that he continued on, despite the look of shock on her ashen face. “Cannot you look where you are going?” he snapped. Taking in the spectacles perched on her nose, he added, “Or do you require even more than four eyes to avoid being a menace to Society?”

“I . . . I . . .” she stuttered.

“Eyes, not eye. Plural, not singular. Try keeping them open!” He knew it was hardly fair, using such biting sarcasm on one who clearly would not have the wits nor the backbone to fight back, but he found he couldn’t restrain himself.

The young lady drew in a sharp intake of breath.

The Earl’s eyes pressed closed. Hell’s teeth, that was all he needed! No doubt the chit was about to dissolve in a fit of hysterics and the whole room would know of this ridiculous incident. Why hadn’t he reined in his temper—

“Pompous ass.”

His lids flew open. “What!” She had spoken so softly that he wasn’t sure he had heard her correctly.

The young lady’s hand flew to her mouth, as if it could belatedly snatch the words back. But instead of mumbling some distraught apology, she sucked in another breath and went on. “And a vulgar one as well. How dare you speak of the young ladies here as if they were . . . idiots.”

With a start he realized she must have overheard his previous words. His lips compressed. He was certainly not showing to advantage in this whole mess, but somehow, the knowledge only goaded him to further rudeness.

“They are idiots. All of them.” By the way his disdainful gaze slowly traveled the full length of her person as he spoke, he made it quite clear she was not excluded from the sweeping generalization.

She gasped, whether in horror or outrage he wasn’t sure. Then he looked through the glass lens of her spectacles and caught sight of the storm of indignation swirling in a sea of hazel frothed with specks of gold. Oh, it was anger all right, nearly as tempestuous as his own. For a moment he regarded the face glaring up at him. Or rather straight at him, for she could hardly be described as diminutive. She was not quite so young as the other misses gathered under the watchful eyes of their chaperones. Aside from the intriguing eyes, which showed no lack of expression, her cheekbones were high and prominent, her mouth a little wider than conventional beauty allowed, giving her features a certain unique character. She was not exactly pretty, but . . . interesting, especially now that a flush of color had returned to her cheeks and several tendrils the color of wheat at harvest time had escaped the simple arrangement of her hair and fallen to accentuate the graceful curve of her neck.

By now, she had finally managed to think of a reply to his mocking statement. “Well, why are you complaining, then? I . . . I thought that is what men wanted—ladies who are idiots.”

He was rather surprised she hadn’t simply turned tail by now and slunk away. Never had he encountered a female who dared raise her voice to him—or any gentleman—much less mutter unflattering epithets. She was certainly exhibiting an unusual spirit to go along with her looks, he granted. However, right now such singular behavior was only serving to fan the flames of his temper.

His dark brows drew together in a manner calculated to appear intimidating. “Ah, but what we want are charming idiots,” he countered. “Well behaved idiots. Not ones whose tongues are sharper than their wits and who have no better common sense than to create a hoydenish scene in a crowded ball room.” His gaze raked over her once again, taking in the defiant tilt of her chin, the unladylike scowl. “With such lack of restraint, not to speak of clumsiness, no wonder you have reached an advanced age with no success in snaring a husband.”

Her color deepened to a bright red. She stood utterly tongue tied for several moments, her mouth opening then shutting without a sound coming forth. Then, with the half empty glass still clutched in her hand, she whirled and disappeared behind the trees.

Sheffield’s mouth thinned into a tight line. That had been needlessly cruel, he thought with a twinge of conscience. It wasn’t at all like him to act in such a ungentlemanly fashion, but somehow the chit had caused the frayed ends of his patience to snap. He supposed he ought to follow her and make some apology. He had been wrong to let his damnable temper cause him to lose control.If he were honest with himself, she had not been entirely to blame for the unfortunate incident. After all, his words had been rather harsh and, as she had put it, rather vulgar.

The young lady—for despite his cutting words, she did not appear to be entirely on the shelf—didn’t deserve to be so ruthlessly skewered for trying to defend those of her sex. She had shown more grit than he had ever expected in a female, even though she had been no match in trying to cross verbal swords with him.

His lips suddenly twitched as he recalled she hadn’t been totally unable to express herself. Why, she had called him a pompous ass! A glance down at his ruined garment caused another wry grimace. He could almost believe the chit had done it on purpose, but that would most likely be according her too much credit for clever retribution. At least, she had made his decision on how to pass the rest of the evening a simple one. He had no choice but to return to his townhouse and change out of the sticky mess. And given the way the evening had been progressing, the thought of reading by the fire seemed even more appealing.

Odious coxcomb!

Augusta took a deep breath and tried to settle her seething emotions. Why was it she seemed to need ink and paper in front of her to compose her thoughts properly? From her pen, the right words seemed to run with an exuberant spontaneity while when in the presence of strangers they tripped on her tongue, tangling themselves in such a way as to make her sound, well, idiotic, if she spoke at all. Only the fact that she had been absolutely furious over the insult to Marianne had allowed her to make such a bold assault on the gentleman before her natural reticence reasserted itself. That she had turned and fled without coming up with even a halfway pithy retort to his insult made her annoyance with herself even greater.

If she were going to make an ass of herself in public, why couldn’t she at least be a clever ass?

She fetched a fresh glass of lemonade, still fuming over the incident. Gentleman indeed! The Earl of Sheffield appeared to be even worse than his reputation suggested. Her own brief experience certainly corroborated certain whispers that he was hot-tempered and arrogant, a jaded rake, puffed up with a sense of his own importance.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of his tall, elegantly dressed figure among the throng of milling couples. He was undeniably handsome, she grudgingly allowed, and moved with an easy natural grace which she wished her long, gawky limbs could emulate. But the look of sardonic boredom on his chiseled lips as his gaze moved over the crowd only reaffirmed her impression that he was the most insufferable man she had ever met.

“Oh dear, whatever is wrong, Gus?” whispered Marianne, leaning close to take the glass from her sister’s hands.

“What makes you think anything is wrong,” she answered through gritted teeth.

Marianne turned to smile prettily at her latest dance partner, remarking that she had changed her mind and would prefer ratafia punch to lemonade. As the young man hurried off, she took Augusta by the arm and moved out of the hearing of two stout matrons sitting nearby. “Your cheeks are exactly the shade of red they get when Uncle Charles remarks that ladies should not read certain books, lest they confuse our feeble minds.”

Augusta allowed a tight smile. “I’m surprised they aren’t even redder, given the provocation.” She took a deep breath. “Pay it no heed, I just . . . bumped into a most unpleasant gentleman, that is all.”

Marianne looked surprised, but the expression on her sister’s face made her think better of pursuing the matter. After a moment she sought to change the subject. “Was that really the Earl of Sheffield you were conversing with near the refreshment room? I was not aware that you were acquainted with him.”

“I am not acquainted with him. Nor do I wish to be. In fact, if I never see that arrogant, insufferable man again I shall be well pleased. And I can safely assume he feels the same way.” At her sister’s startled expression, she went on to explain.““We were not conversing. We were trading insults, though I fear he got much the better of me.” Her lips compressed into a grim smile. ”But at least I managed to dampen His Lordship’s overweening pride with over half a glass of lemonade.”

Marianne a horrified gasp.“You didn’t! Oh, Gus, no wonder he was upset. Why, he is accorded to be one of the most fashionable men in Town. All the young dandies seek to copy his dress—”

“Well then, waistcoats streaked with a rather ghastly shade of yellow should be all the crack next week.”

“Gus!”

“It wasn’t as if I did it on purpose.” She paused a fraction. “Not exactly.”

Her sister had gone rather pale. “It is said he is a very powerful man, one you should not wish to make an enemy of.”

Augusta chin came up a fraction. “It doesn’t matter. He was unforgivably rude about all the young misses here, and you in particular.”

“Me!” Marianne looked totally confused now. “Why, he doesn’t know me!”

“Precisely.”

Any further conversation on the matter was cut off by the return of Mr. Darby and another young man who had danced the first set with Marianne. Their offer to escort the two sisters into supper was accepted and the four of them followed the crowd heading toward the tables heaped with all manner of delicacies.

Augusta couldn’t help but notice that Earl was coming in her direction. When it looked for one horrible moment as if he might pause, she drew her brows together and shot him a black look that she hoped was just as intimidating as the one he had given her earlier. To her great satisfaction, he passed by without so much as a nod of acknowledgement.

Sheffield watched the four young people pass. No wonder the lady had been upset, he thought. The blond was obviously a friend—no, on closer observation, it appeared likely they were related, though the younger girl was more conventionally pretty than his antagonist. That made his crude comments even worse, though it hadn’t been his fault she had been skulking in the greenery, eavesdropping on a decidedly private conversation between two gentlemen..

Still, he should have known better than to voice such sentiments in mixed company. It was a measure of how out of kilter he was feeling these days, to make such a silly error in judgement He knew he should force himself to proffer an apology, but the presence of the two young men caused his jaw to clench. He’d be damned if he’d make any more of a cake of himself tonight by exposing the ridiculous affair to the ears of those young pups. It would all over the clubs before midnight!

He would do the pretty the next time he saw her.

Or perhaps he would get lucky and never have to lay eyes on the offending chit again.