Page 17 of The Model Debutante
‘But Lady Parry, howcouldyou have discovered what I have been doing?’
Her ladyship held up a hand to silence Tallie as Rainbird appeared with a tea tray.
‘Will you pour, my dear?’ She waited while Tallie handed her a cup with a hand that trembled. ‘A macaron? No? You must not become so agitated, Tallie. I called upon Mr Harland a while ago as I am considering having my portrait painted. I observed a canvas and asked who the model was as I thought I recognised her.’
‘He told you?’ Tallie was aghast, both at the thought that the compromising Classical paintings had been displayed in the studio and that Mr Harland had been so indiscreet as to reveal her name.
‘He was immediately very embarrassed at his slip. I am sure it was only because I said I thought I knew the model.’
‘And you are not shocked, ma’am? The fact that I was sitting for an artist at all, let alone the way I was…dressed.’
‘Admittedly it was not the way in which one would normally wish an unmarried lady to be depicted, but under the circumstances I feel we should disregard it.’
‘Circumstances?’ Tallie said weakly.
‘I can tell Mr Harland is a most respectable person and I am sure that his slip in revealing your name would not be repeated.’
Tallie was so taken aback that for a moment she was speechless. Finally she managed, ‘But, if it should be found out once I am launched in Society, it would reflect upon you. After all, I am of no account, but you are a leading member of theton.’
‘And have more than enough credit to carry off any little indiscretions of my protégée,’ Lady Parry said with a chuckle. ‘And it will not be long before you too are a figure in Society, mark my words. A fortune the size of yours is more than enough to cover up any number of indiscretions. Now then, you are still going to be able to move here in a week?’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Tallie stammered.
‘Aunt Kate, please, my dear Tallie. Goodness, is that the time? I am due at Lady Fraser’s in an hour, and be seen in this gown I cannot and will not. No, there is no need for you to rush off, this is your home now. Just ring if you need anything.’ Lady Parry sprang from the sofa on which she had been decoratively draped, fluttered across to drop a kiss on Tallie’s cheek and was out of the room before she could do more than gasp, ‘Goodbye.’
Tallie got slowly to her feet, too bemused to pull herself together and leave. She had been steeled to explain why she was an inappropriate person for Lady Parry to take under her wing and had found both her anxiety for her friends and her scrupulous confession about Mr Harland swept aside.
Which meant that in a week’s time her former life would also be swept away and she would be making her come-out as a young lady of fashion. Her money worries would be about how to invest and spend it, not how to make enough to afford a new pelisse.
Tallie stood by the window and stared out at the fashionable street life bustling below her. She untied the ribbons of her bonnet and tossed it onto the sofa as though freeing her head would help her think, but things still seemed just as unreal and unbelievable as they had before.
‘Back again, Miss Grey?’ a voice behind her enquired. Tallie stiffened but did not turn. He had entered without her hearing. ‘Come to confess your secret?’ Lord Arndale’s voice sounded as disinterested as if he had enquired whether she had just returned from walking in the park
Tallie felt the breath catch in her throat. She wanted…what did she want? Why had she had hardly a coherent, calm thought since this man had found her in the attic studio?
She found her voice suddenly. ‘Confess? Yes, that is precisely what I have been doing, my lord.’
‘You have?’ Despite everything Tallie felt her mouth curveinto a smile. So, she had managed to surprise the imperturbable Nick Stangate, had she?
‘Yes, my lord.’ Emboldened by the fact that she could not see his sardonic expression Tallie wondered if it was safe to tease him further and decided against it. ‘It appears that Lady Parry was already aware of the matter which was troubling me.’
‘And?’ He was coming closer, Tallie could see his reflection blurred in the window glass. How could she ever have said he made her feel safe?
‘Lady Parry appears to feel I am refining too much about it. She does not regard it.’ How her voice was staying so steady she had no idea. Nick Stangate was standing at her shoulder, just behind her.
‘And do you think I would share her opinion?’ He had lowered his voice. It sounded faintly menacing in the quiet room.
‘Without wishing to appear rude, my lord, your opinion does not concern me. But then you are Lady Parry’s trustee, not her guardian, are you not?’
Had she overstepped the mark?
It appeared not. There was a faint noise which she realised incredulously was a muffled snort of amusement. Then he was still.
‘What scent are you wearing, Miss Grey?’ The question was so unexpected it was all she could do not to spin round.
‘Jasmine,’ she replied. Was it her imagination, or was he so close that she could feel his breath on her nape?
‘It reminds me of something,’ Nick said slowly. ‘No – somewhere, a place. But somewhere cold, dusty…’
