Lady Polly Part 61

"Yes, of course you must remember! We were on the terrace--' " Yes! "

Polly squeaked, convinced he was about to remind her of every searing detail. She took a deep breath.

"Of course I remember our conversation, sir. I had the particular impression, however, that you did not care for my suggestion!"

Lord Henry turned to look at her. It was a distinctly speculative look.

"You did not find my response to you... friendly?"

Polly blushed with indignation.

"I did not, my lord! Presumptuous, outrageous, but scarcely friendly!"

Lord Henry's shoulders were shaking with suppressed laughter.

"Come now.

Lady Polly! You are severe! Was my company so repulsive to you? "

Polly was in a dilemma. Modesty required her to lie but she had been brought up to be exceptionally truthful.

"Your behaviour was not that of a gentleman, sir!"

"Ah, true!" Lord Henry smiled whimsically.

"But I find myself rather taken by your proposal. Lady Polly. I have an ardent desire to promote our friendship. Our encounter last night whetted my appet.i.te for it!"

They had reached Brook Street, which was fortunate since Polly was utterly unable to think of a suitable response. Lord Henry kissed her hand.

"If you wish to be persuaded further of my erudition, perhaps you might wish to join me in St James's Square? I have an excellent art collection which you might like to view..." His glance was wicked.

"Unless you are already convinced of my scholarship and good taste?"

"I will accept your word on it," Polly said, still trying to be severe though tempted to giggle.

"Good day, sir!"

Art collection, indeed! Polly blushed a little as she considered the implications of his teasing invitation. He must consider her a green girl to be caught by that one! Lord Henry grinned and strolled off down the street, with just one provocative look back. Polly was annoyed that he had caught her looking after him.

"There's a likely gentleman," Jessie opined, looking over Polly's shoulder.

"Aye, and a dangerous one, too! You be careful, madam!"

Polly, who had been thinking exactly the same thing, turned away with studied indifference.

"Oh, nonsense, Jessie! Lord Henry is just a flirt!"

"A flirt!" Jessie was indignant.

"A rake, more to the point! Aye, and you like it, madam!"

Polly did not deign to reply.

As she dressed for the theatre that evening, she repressed a little shiver of excitement and apprehension at the possibility of seeing Lord Henry again.

It seemed that her behaviour the previous night had, entirely unexpectedly, caught his interest. But his attentions could never be anything other than dishonourable, and as a result of her own actions he was now pursuing her in a wholly improper way.

The play that night was the farce The Devil to Pay, and the company was a merry one. Nicholas and Lucille Sea grave, the Dowager Countess and Polly, made up a party with Sir G.o.dfrey Or bison and his cousins the Da cres. There was a vast number of their acquaintance at Drury Lane that night and the Dowager Countess spent an entertaining time leaning over the side of their box and identifying members of the fashionable crowd.

When she saw Lucille's twin sister Susanna Bolt on the arm of a distinguished- looking gentleman of military bearing, she dug Lady Dacre in the ribs.

"Do look, Marianne! There is the Duke of Gars ton making a fool of himself over the Cyprian! Only see how she preens and pouts! Lord, what is it about these worthy gentlemen that makes them such easy meat for her?"

Fortunately, Lucille was engrossed in conversation with Nicholas and Lord Dacre and did not hear, but Polly leant forward curiously. Susanna Bolt was looking very striking again, she thought, in her bold and flaunting style.

There were jewels glittering in her hair and her mouth was a deep, curving red as she smiled triumphantly over her conquest. The sapphire blue eyes which appraised the crowd were the exact shade of Lucille's but there the resemblance finished, for the Countess of Sea grave had such a sweetness of character and bearing that it softened every feature that Susanna's avarice had turned hard.

Polly sighed, just a little envious of Susanna's bold beauty. She knew that her own looks were pleasant enough, although she had never been considered an Incomparable. The Sea grave colouring of chestnut hair and dark brown eyes flecked with gold seemed to suit her brothers better, although her creamy complexion was much admired. And her figure was trim rather than voluptuous, which the gentlemen seemed to prefer. Polly wondered idly whether Susanna's appearance on Gars ton's arm indicated that her brief interest in Peter was over or whether she was just being naive to imagine the Cyprian confining herself to one man at a time.

"Polly!" the Dowager Countess said sharply, as a young buck raised his quizzing gla.s.s to ogle her daughter.

"Kindly sit back! You do not wish to attract the attention of the hoi polloiV Polly's heart skipped a beat and she sat back slowly, for she had just seen Lord Henry March night in a box across from them. He was in a lively group with Simon Verey, his wife Therese and some of their friends, all laughing animatedly at a remark Lady Verey had just made.

Polly felt a quiver of envy and repressed it quickly. It was not that she was bored with her own party, for she always enjoyed Lucille's company and the Misses Dacie were pleasant enough, if hen witted. Just for once, however, it would be fun to be part of a racier crowd. She was forever being chaperoned about by her mother or some other elderly female relative, which was all very well for a new debutante but decidedly slow for a lady of twenty- three. She risked another look across at the box, to find that Lord Henry was studying her with a concentrated regard which made her pulse beat faster.

The play began, but Polly found it incredibly difficult to concentrate.

Normally she became engrossed in a performance, for play going was one of her favourite entertainments, but tonight all she seemed able to think about was whether Lord Henry was serious in his pursuit and whether she should respond.

On the one hand, he could not have any serious intention and since her feelings were already engaged-- and had been so for five years--she would be only stirring up all the old emotions that she should be trying to forget.

On the other hand, she could not deny that she derived immense enjoyment from his company. If she managed matters well, perhaps. But could she manage Lord Henry? It would be Very dangerous . a challenge, then? No, a risk and a hazardous one at that. Foolish even to consider it, knowing his reputation. But. Polly shivered. A risk worth taking? She had found the Season dull, repet.i.tious.

She wanted some excitement. The prim side of her character, the orthodox side, was asking her what on earth she was thinking of, to encourage the attentions of so notorious a rake.

There was a burst of applause, and Polly realised to her horror that the entire first act had pa.s.sed without her even noticing. The audience started to chatter, to mill around and stretch their legs before the second act.

Lucille took Polly's arm as they strolled out with everyone else.

"What do you think of Venn's performance, Polly? Is he as accomplished as Edmund Keen, do you think?"

Polly floundered.

"Well, perhaps so... Or perhaps not... I need more time to consider--'

She broke off as Lord Henry and the Vereys approached, and was not sure whether to be glad or nervous at the interruption.

Lord Henry greeted Lucille very warmly, and once again Polly felt a stirring of jealousy when she considered their friendship. She was not unsophisticated enough to think that just because Lord Henry had suddenly paid some attention to her, he might not be pursuing other interests. But surely Lucille could not rank as one of those! There was an innocence about the Countess of Sea grave which made such a thought seem foolish.

Besides, Lucille had now turned her attention to the Vereys, leaving Polly and Lord Henry standing together.

"Are you enjoying the play, Lady Polly?" Lord Henry asked conventionally enough as they strolled down the corridor,