LORD OF MANY SECRETS

THIRTY FIVE

"Oh, my dear, when a female is as wealthy as you are, she can look as high as she chooses! I did think of Venice, but there's that horrid Marriage Act to be got over, and I daresay the Regent would never give his consent".

"There is Mrs Smith to be got over too", said Elizabeth dryly.

"Nonsense, my love, I have it for a fact he has quite broken with her. I daresay she will keep all the children of the connection - I believe there are ten, but I might be mistaken".

"You informed me yourself, ma'am, that the Duke was a devoted father", said Elizabeth.

Mrs Andromeda sighed. "Well, and have I not said that I believe he won't do? Though I must say, my dear, if you had the chance of becoming his wife it would be a very odd thing in you to be objecting to it merely because of a few bags of coins. But I have been thinking of it, and I am persuaded it won't answer. Wet must look elsewhere".

"Where shall we look, ma'am?" inquired Elizabeth, with a hint of steel in her voice. "A mere commoner is too low for me, and a Royal Duke too high. I understand his Grace of Latina is unmarried. Shall I say my cap at him, ma'am, or should I look about me for a husband amongst - for instance - the Earls?"

Mrs Andromeda glanced up sharply. "What do you mean, my love?"

"Would not Lord Clements make me a suitable husband?" said Miss Tellaro evenly.

"Oh, my dearest child, the best!" cried Mrs Andromeda. "It has been in my mind every since I clapped eyes on you!"

"I thought so", said Elizabeth. "Perhaps that was why his lordship was so determined you should live with me?"

"Clements has not said a word to me, not one, I promise you!" replied Mrs Andromeda, an expression of ludicrous dismay in her face.

Miss Tellaro raised her brows in polite incredulity. "No, ma'am?"

"Indeed he has not! Lord, I wish I had not spoken! I had not the least notion of uttering a word, but then you spoke of earls, and it popped out before I could recollect. Now I have put you in a rage!"

Elizabeth laughed. "No, you have not, dear ma'am. I am sure you would not try to force me into a marriage, the very thought of which is repugnant to me".

"No", agreed Mrs Andromeda. "I would not, of course, but I must confess, my love, I am sorry to hear you talk of Clements like that".

"Do not let us talk of him at all", said Elizabeth lightly. "I for one am going to bed".

She went to bed, and presently to sleep, but was awakened some time after midnight by a tapping on her door. She sat up, and called out, "who is there?"

"Are you awake? Can I come in?" demanded Patrick's voice.

She gave permission, wondering what disaster had befallen him. He came in carrying a branch of candles, which he set down on the table beside her bed to the imminent danger of the rose-silk curtains. He was dressed for an evening party, in satin knee breeches, and a velvet coat, and he seemed to be suffering from suppressed excitement. Elizabeth looked anxiously up at him. "Is anything wrong, Parte?" she asked.

"Wrong? No, how should it be? You weren't asleep, were you? I didn't think you had gone to sleep yet. It is quite early, you know".

"Well, I am not asleep now", she said, smiling. "Do move the candles a little, my dear! You will have be burned in my bed".

He complied with this request, and sat himself down on the edge of the bed, hugging one knee. Elizabeth waited patiently for him to tell her why he had come, but he seemed to have fallen into a pleasant sort of dream, and sat staring at the candle flames at though he saw a picture in them.

"Parte, have you or have you not something you wish to tell me?" demanded his sister between amusement and exasperation.

He brought his gaze round to dwell on her face. "Eh? Oh no, nothing in particular. Do you know lady Mamala, Liz?"

She shook her head. "I don't think I do. Ought I to?"

"No - that is - I believe - I am nearly sure she is going to call on you".

"I am very much obliged to her. Shall I like her?"

"Oh yes excessively! She is a most agreeable woman. I was presented to her at Convent Gardens tonight. I was dining with Fritz, you know, and we thought we might as well go to the play, and they were there, in a box. Fritz is a little acquainted with the family, and he took me up, and the long and short of it was we joined them afterwards at the ball, and lady Mamala asked very particularly after my sister, and said she had had it in mind to call on you, but from the circumstance of having been out of Rome just lately - they have a place in Latina, I believe - it had not so far been in her power. But she said she should certainly come". He gave her a fleeting glance, and began to study his finger nails. "She may - I do not know - but she may bring her daughter", he added, rather too off-handedly.

"Oh!" said Elizabeth. "I hope she will. Has she only the one daughter?"

"Oh no, I believe she has a large family, but Miss Mamala is the only one out. Her name", said Patrick rapturously, "is Vivian".

Miss Tellaro knew her duty, and immediately replied, "what a pretty name, to be sure!"

"Yes, it is, isn't it?" said Patrick. "She - I think she is very pretty too. I do not know how she may strike you, but I certainly consider her uncommonly handsome".