frowned at her husband. "It doesn't make sense when she rejected him."
"And dash it all," said Chart, "they only met three times, and two of them were so brief as to be of no account!"
"So who believes in love at first sight?" mused Randal. "The point is, be it love or infatuation, it is a case of absence making the heart grow fonder. We must bring them together so they can either work out their differences or work out their obsession. Moving as they do in different circles, this will not be easy."
Sophie said, "A little investigation has revealed that she is staying with a Mrs. Claybury in Chelsea. A ship chandler's widow. A wealthy lady but not one who moves among the ton. That doesn't make sense either," she said with a sigh. "This is all a conundrum. I can't wait until it is solved." She looked, bright eyed, at her husband. "Shall we invade the cits, Randal, Harry in tow?"
"I fear he'd have to be in chains," Randal replied.
Clyta spoke up. "Why don't I simply invite her to my ball next week? I'm sure she'd like to come."
Everyone smiled. "Perfect, and perfectly simple," said Randal. "Congratulations, Clyta. But deliver the invitation in person, cousin. She may take a little persuading now she knows Harry is in Town."
When Clytemnestra Ashby called, Amy began to feel she was assaulted on all sides.
After the encounter, if such it could be called, with Harry Crisp at the Surrey Institution she had revoked her acceptance of Sir Cedric's invitations to the Russian Embassy and to Carlton House. She could not, would not, move in circles where she might encounter Harry Crisp face to face.
Sir Cedric, however, was proving to be unfortunately persistent and had recruited Aunt Lizzie and Nell Claybury to his side. Amy had no idea what he thought to gain from it, for Aunt Lizzie clearly supported Amy's move into higher circles in the hope that she would find a better match.
"I have always said it," Lizzie declared as they retrimmed Amy's pink dress with blond lace. "You have only to be seen."
"But there's no point to it," Amy protested. "Sir Cedric is clearly very interested in me. I don't need any other suitors."
"If you're set on him," said Lizzie tartly, jabbing a needle through the lace, "then you'd be best advised to conform to his wishes."
"We are going to the theater tomorrow," Amy pointed out. "That is at his insistence. And if the haute ton are going to swoon at my feet, that will give them ample opportunity."
"That is not the same thing," said Aunt Lizzie, stopping work and looking up. "Think how it would have pleased your dear mother to see you take your proper place."
Amy reflected that there was no weapon too low for Aunt Lizzie. "I will flaunt myself before the ton with pleasure, Aunt, when I am married." She abandoned her work to go and stare out the window.
Nell Claybury entered to catch the last of this.
"It is perfectly understandable, Amy, that Sir Cedric wishes to be seen with you among the fashionable throng. Any man would be proud to have you on his arm, and your gentle birth merely increases the effect."
"And if I do not care to be shown off like Napoleon's Eagles - a prize of war?"
Nell sat to take up Amy's work. "You were admirably honest, my dear, about your purpose in coming here. You should not cavil now."
Amy could feel her face heat. "I am not caviling. He can crow over his victory all he wishes within his own circle."
"But the ton is his circle, too. The walls dividing Society are less high and strong than you seem to imagine. It is almost," Nell added thoughtfully, "as if you are avoiding something. Is there perhaps a scandal attached to your name?"
Amy swallowed. "No. Except, of course, my father losing his money. But there are no unpaid creditors."
Nell looked up. "Then I cannot see how a little mingling with the glittering elite can harm you, Amy, and it seems important to the man you seek to win."
Amy failed to find a response and took refuge in her room.
It was ridiculous, perhaps, to fear the meeting so much. Among the hordes of people gathered for the Season, there was no reason she should encounter Harry Crisp at all. If she did, it would only be a momentary embarrassment. He would surely be as eager to avoid her as she was to avoid him.
Amy