Page 54 of Fortune Favors the Frivolous
“Ah Thornton, I’ve been looking for you everywhere.”
It was Lady Pendleton, smoothing her gloves as she insinuated herself between them. She peered through her lorgnette at Eugenia. “Why, you’ve dropped something from the supper table on your dress, you clumsy thing. There! I’ve just removed it for you!”
Before Eugenia could discern whether concern or malice was behind her friend’s quick action, Lady Pendleton had commandeered Thornton’s attention, leaving Eugenia once more in the cold.
In the distance, she saw Windermere cage Miss Playford’s hand upon his forearm as he led her towards the dance floor, while Mrs. Pike looked on with satisfaction.
And Mr. Ashworth looked utterly forlorn.
Well! Eugenia had a plan, so he must not despair. Since she was now superfluous following Lady Pendleton’s arrival, she smoothly joined Mr. Ashworth, drawing him away so that he was out of earshot of Mrs. Pike.
“Mr. Ashworth, if I might prevail upon your superior knowledge, I wonder if you could tell me what you know about the arrival of the celestial comet in two nights’ time that has Lady Henderson in transports of excitement.”
“The celestial comet?” he repeated. It seemed he was reluctant to draw his eyes from the dance floor, and Eugenia didn’t wonder. Windermere was dancing with his betrothed.
“Or perhaps it’s simply a comet and there’s nothing celestial about it at all,” she amended.
“I did not know we were to be visited by a comet,” he said, clearly distracted.
Well, she would soon give him something to be hopeful about.
“We are, and I plan to honor this rare event in the most stupendous way I can.”
“You do?”
Of course, Mr. Ashworth did not know Eugenia well, but he certainly knew her, and he knew that his mama was on good terms with her. Still, it was dispiriting that he was barely attending, as if she were little more than a vaguely addled old woman rather than his fairy godmother.
Well, she would get his attention.
“I have secured London’s most famous aeronaut, and in two nights’ time he will ascend from the river in his hot-air balloon, taking several of my chosen guests high into the sky to see this celestial comet.” She paused. “I want you and Miss Playford to be my guests.”
“Me and Miss Playford?”
This got his attention, for he’d swung around and was now staring at her with the first real interest he’d shown.
“Yes, you and Miss Playford. I do not know if you know, but I took a balloon ride several years ago and have again secured the services of that excellent aeronaut who was responsible for me experiencing the unparalleled ecstasy of looking down upon London as few people have.”
She had not secured this aeronaut’s services, but Eugenia knew where to find him and, since money was no object, she was certain she could arrange it.
“And why should you honor Miss Playford and myself?”
Eugenia hadn’t considered how she’d answer that question. She’d been too caught up in not feeling old and discarded.
“Why, because I believe you’ve been unfairly maligned, and even though the rumors have been all but quashed, I see how Lord Windermere is attempting to undermine you.” She pressed her lips together, uncertain if she should go on since it might be too revealing of her interest in Venetia and Henry.
But as he had not responded and was still directing a look of perplexity at her, she went on, “But as I believe no more deserving a pair than you and Miss Playford exists, I want to do whatever I can to facilitate your happy union.” She smiled. “And because I was very fond of your late grandmother, whom you greatly resemble. So call it the vagaries of a foolish, nostalgic old woman and do me the great honor of indulging me.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Caroline found Venetiain the gated park, where they had arranged to meet. The secluded spot was shielded from the row of townhouses by a copse of elm trees, and as Caroline approached, she was both excited and concerned to see her friend.
Excited because any tidbits about Henry sustained her, and concerned because Venetia sat with hunched shoulders, hands clasped tightly in her lap, staring fixedly at nothing.
“Venetia?” Caroline called softly.
Venetia’s head jerked up, her face a mask of misery. “You came,” she whispered, as if she had doubted it.
“Of course I came.” Caroline settled beside her on the bench, taking one of Venetia’s cold hands. “Your note sounded urgent and ever since you were unable to finish telling me last night of your momentous discovery, I have been unable to think of anything else. What has happened?”
