Page 13 of Thief of the Ton
Lavinia climbed the stairs to her chamber. Mrs. Bates had set out her gown on the bed—a simple day dress of lilac muslin. The hem had begun to fray, but Lavinia didn’t love the dress any less for that, even though she wouldn’t have been welcomed in Society dressed so shabbily.
Papa was right. A true friend was there at the worst of times, as well as the best.
Her friend—King Arthur—had not come to visit. He’d abandoned her in the same way that Papa’s friends had abandoned him.
Chapter Four
As Lavinia descendedthe stairs, she glanced out of the window. A small, neat carriage stood by the front gate, the horses’ harnesses glinting in the light of the setting sun.
She approached the parlor and pushed the door open.
“Ah, daughter!” Papa struggled to his feet. “You know of Lady Betty, of course, but I don’t believe you’ve been properly introduced.”
Their guest sat beside the window, silhouetted against the sunlight. She rose in a smooth, elegant motion.
She was tall, and dressed in a gown of deep purple silk, trimmed with black lace. Her hair was piled into fashionable curls atop her head, rendering her statuesque. She approached Lavinia, and the air filled with the scent of rose and lavender.
“Miss de Grande, a pleasure.”
Her voice, rich and smooth, was a note deeper than that of most women. But it rendered her less shrewish than the ladies Lavinia had seen at Fosterley Park during Papa’s house parties.
Lady Betty offered her hand, and Lavinia stared at it.
“Lavinia!” Papa said. “Be civil, please. Betty, forgive my daughter.”
Betty?So familiar an address?
Aunt Edna had warned Lavinia of the dangers of women like Lady Betty, who were content to debauch themselves to secure a man’s affections. Whatdebauchmeant, Lavinia knew not, but it must be something wicked, for her aunt reached for her smelling salts whenever she uttered the word.
Lavinia continued to stare. Had Lady Betty been the cause of Papa’s downfall? Aunt Edna had said painted ladies were not averse to bleeding a man’s coffers dry. She glanced pointedly at the cake, which looked even larger in the tiny parlor than it had on the kitchen table.
“How much did that cake cost, Papa?” she asked.
Lady Betty glanced toward the cake, and understanding shone in her chocolate-colored eyes.
“Lavinia Amelia de Grande!” Papa roared. Lavinia flinched at his tone, but Lady Betty placed a hand on his arm.
“No, Dickie darling,” she said quietly. “Your daughter has every right to be aggrieved. I am, after all, the reason why you’re here.”
Papa shook his head. “Betty, I cannot let you—”
“Hush!” she said. Then she lowered her voice and spoke so quietly that Lavinia almost missed her words. “Remember what we agreed.”
“Papa?” Lavinia asked. “What have you agreed with this woman?”
“Nothing, my dear,” Lady Betty said. She frowned at Papa, as if in warning, then resumed her attention on Lavinia. “My dear,” she said. “I came here to apologize for the trouble I caused your poor father. He’s been kind enough to forgive me, but I must also earnyourforgiveness.”
“I don’t understand,” Lavinia said. Why did the woman speak in riddles?
“It’smyfault you had to leave Fosterley Park,” Lady Betty said. “I have extravagant tastes.”
“Betty, I—” Papa started, but she raised a hand.
“Isn’t that right, Dickie?”
Lavinia gestured toward the cake. “And isthatto your taste?”
“Lavinia!” Papa cried, then he burst into a fit of coughing.
