The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer Read Free Book Online

scented roses, placed artlessly here and there in the powdered erection. This coiffure had been the object of several aspiring ladies' envy, and had put Mrs Montague-Damer quite out of countenance. She too had acquired a French fashion, and had expected to have it much admired. But the exquisite pouf au sentiment made her own chien couchant look rather ridiculous, and quite spoiled her evening's enjoyment.
    The gathering in the saloon was a modish one; dowdy persons had no place in Lady Massey's house, though she could welcome such freaks as the Lady Amelia Pridham, that grossly fat and free-spoken dame in the blonde satin who was even now arranging her rouleaus in front of her. There were those who wondered that the Lady Amelia should care to visit in Hertford Street, but the Lady Amelia, besides being of an extreme good nature, would go to any house where she could be sure of deep basset.
    Basset was the game of the evening, and some fifteen people were seated at the big round table. It was when Lord Lethbridge held the bank that he chose to make his startling announcement. As he paid on the couch he said with a faintly malicious note in his voice: 'I don't see Rule tonight. No doubt the bridegroom-elect dances attendance in South Street.'
    Opposite him, Lady Massey quickly looked up from the cards in front of her, but she did not say anything.
    A Macaroni, with an enormous ladder-toupet covered in blue hair-powder, and a thin, unhealthily sallow countenance, cried out: 'What's that?'
    Lord Lethbridge's hard hazel eyes lingered for a moment on Lady Massey's face. Then he turned slightly to look at the startled Macaroni. He said smilingly: 'Do you tell me I am before you with the news, Crosby? I thought you of all people must have known.' His satin-clad arm lay on the table, the pack of cards clasped in his white hand. The light of the candles in the huge chandelier over the table caught the jewels in the lace at his throat, and made his eyes glitter queerly.
    'What are you talking about?' demanded the Macaroni, half rising from his seat.
    'But Rule, my dear Crosby!' said Lethbridge. 'Your cousin Rule, you know.'
    'What of Rule?' inquired the Lady Amelia, regretfully pushing one of her rouleaus across the table.
    Lethbridge's glance flickered to Lady Massey's face again.
    'Why, only that he is about to enter the married state,' he replied.
    There was a stir of interest. Someone said 'Good God, I thought he was safe to stay single! Well, upon my soul! Who's the fortunate fair one, Lethbridge?'
    'The fortunate fair one is the youngest Miss Winwood,' said Lethbridge. 'A romance, you perceive. I believe she is not out of the schoolroom.'
    The Macaroni, Mr Crosby Drelincourt, mechanically straightened the preposterous bow he wore in place of a cravat. 'Pho, it is a tale!' he said uneasily. 'Where had you it?'
    Lethbridge raised his thin, rather slanting brows. 'Oh, I had it from the little Maulfrey. It will be in the Gazette by tomorrow.'
    'Well, it's very interesting,' said a portly gentleman in claret velvet, 'but the game, Lethbridge, the game!'
    'The game,' bowed his lordship, and sent a glance round at the cards on the table.
    Lady Massey, who had won the couch , suddenly put out her hand and nicked the corner of the Queen that lay before her. 'Paroli!' she said in a quick, unsteady voice.
    Lethbridge turned up two cards, and sent her a mocking look. 'Ace wins, Queen loses,' he said. 'Your luck is quite out, my lady.'
    She gave a little laugh. 'I assure you I don't regard it. Lose tonight, win tomorrow. It goes up and down.'
    The game proceeded. It was not until later when the company stood about in little chatting groups, partaking of very excellent refreshments, that Rule's betrothal was remembered. It was Lady Amelia, rolling up to Lethbridge, with a glass of hot negus in one hand and a sweet biscuit in the other, who said in her downright way: 'You're a dog, Lethbridge. What possessed you to hop out with that, man?'
    'Why