Page 45 of Henrietta

The fear of where this conversation might lead made Hetty brave. As Nicolet opened his mouth, she leapt in before he could. ‘I am so sorry, we must have interrupted your conversation. Pray, what were you speaking of before our arrival?’

Colonel Davenport regarded the Marquis mischievously. ‘Oh, well, between friends, we were just discussing how Nicolet ought best to ingratiate himself with the Grandduchess.’

Arthur’s heart sank for Hetty. ‘You are to join the hordes dangling after her?’

The Marquis inclined his head.

‘Already he leads the betting at White’s,’ Colonel Davenport boasted. ‘I personally believe the first volley is everything – but we must have the lady’s view! Miss Clithero?’

‘Oh well, I—’

‘I think they are setting up for the waltz,’ Arthur noted, not wishing Hetty to be made to do such a thing. ‘Perhaps—’

It was on the tip of his tongue to ask Hetty to join him upon the floor – perhaps a retreat, at this moment, might be a wise tactic.

‘They are!’ The Marquis extended a hand to Hetty. ‘Perhaps, if your hand is not spoken for, you might permit me the honour?’

Hetty accepted – anything to be free of so thorny a conversation – and Arthur was left staring after them, hand still hovering out in aborted invitation.

‘Charming fellow, isn’t he?’ Colonel Davenport said with a grin. ‘He’ll give you a run for your money, Allerton.’

Arthur gave a noncommittal hum. For reasons he could not quite explain, he did not particularly care for this notion.

‘If you’ll excuse me, Davenport …’

He turned away, for watching Hetty and the Marquis dance did not feel right – he did not, after all, wish her to feel self-conscious under such observation. Yes, that was it.

‘I cannot apologise enough,’ Hetty was meanwhile whispering. ‘Nor thank you sufficiently.’

‘Not at all,’ Nicolet said graciously. ‘I perceive our acquaintance is not – in fact – of a longstanding nature?’

‘Not even a little,’ she said miserably. ‘It’s all just the most terrible tangle. I should never have asked Timothy to help me with the new gowns, had I known! Naturally, Trixie suspected immediately that it was for someone. I should have foreseen that!’

‘It is just like her,’ Nicolet agreed.

‘I might have told her the truth, of course, but could I trust she would remain silent?’

Nicolet tilted his head. ‘Difficult to say. She is certainly not as trustworthy as Timothy – of that we can be certain.’

‘And the worst thing would be for Arthur to have found out the truth in such a way …’

‘Of course. We must, at all costs, keep the truth from Arthur.’

Finally realising the garbled nature of her speech, Hetty fell silent, blushing.

‘Don’t cease now,’ the Marquis begged. ‘If I am to have a role in your drama, I must know the whole.’

He slid an arm around her waist as they took their positions. ‘Do enlighten me,’ he pressed her. ‘I promise I shan’t tell a soul.’

Hetty choked out a mortified laugh, shaking her head as the violins struck up the first note – but somehow, without quite knowing why, she found herself pouring the whole sorry tale into his ears, only omitting those details which were not hers to share – the Allertons’ financial difficulties – and Nicolet listened, rapt and entertained. So fixated were they both on the narrative that Hetty hardly paid a jot of attention to her feet as they rotated round the floor, nor she did not notice the curious glances they were garnering from those lingering upon the sidelines. The Marquis de Nicolet, titled, landed and wealthy, was considered quite a fabulous catch, and here he was, dancing with – was that Miss Clithero?

‘I see,’ Nicolet said when she had concluded. ‘You love me, then?’

Hetty turned beet red. ‘Only in a fictional sense.’

‘Such a blow, so early in the evening,’ Nicolet murmured. ‘But I shall rally, fret not! I perceive my part is, indeed, the antagonist? The love rival, yes?’

‘You cannot mean to – to go along with such a scheme?’ Hetty was incredulous. ‘It is ludicrous.’