Page 6 of Lady Mary's May Day Mischief
“How do you know?”
She drew in a breath to gird her for the battle. “I had a letter from Esme this morning.”
“Oh! How could you not tell me? What did she say?”
That she hopes you won’t be horridly mad at her. That she loves Northington and he loves her.“That her mama has invited four more gentlemen in addition to the regular coterie of past years.”
“Hunh! About time. Ivy and Grace threatened to leave last year after they got tied up in the May Pole ribbons. Trussed up like chickens, they said, with two local men.”
“In any case, there will be more gentlemen to chose from.”
“Did Esme give any names?”
“No. Because she wanted to surprise us.”
“She’ll suitably surprise me if she breaks her engagement.”
Mary set her gaze on Fifi. Before next Tuesday, Fee had to come round. Perk up. Make an effort to have fun at this party.
“I will. Don’t worry.”
She’d spoken her thoughts aloud again?After Fifi left, Mary was going to sew her lips shut with her tapestry needle.
“So? That’s your plan? Dance with a new guest?” Fifi threw her a rueful look.
“More than that.”
Fifi squinted at her. “How much more?”
“Smile. Laugh. Kiss him.”
Fifi grimaced. “If I can find one with dry lips.”
“Be serious, Fee!”
“I am. Have you ever kissed a man with wet lips?” She shuddered. “Like Mister Weymouth?”
Weymouth always appeared to have just kissed a slimy cod. “Did you kiss him?”
“Absolutely not! He kissed me.” Fifi shivered.
Oh, to get past this! “You must show Esme that you don’t care if she marries Northington.”
“What? That’s not true!”
“Of course not.”But it is. If you loved the man, you would have come here with red eyes, handkerchiefs wadded up in tiny sodden balls of grief. Instead, you came with anger glowing red hot and boiling.“You must prove to her that you don’t care for Northington so that he will believe it.”And so will you.
Fifi put down her empty plate. “Good point. And I’ll do that by… I know.” She snapped her fingers. “Giving him the cut direct.”
“Forget Northington. Choose another man, someone kind and sweet. Allow him to pay his attentions to you. Smile. Dance. But at any cost, do not play cards with him!”
“Very funny.” Fifi shook her head. Her glasses slipped again. “I don’t always win, you know. Last week, I lost—Never mind. In any case, I couldn’t pretend to like a man. I’m not a good actress.”
“No acting involved. Just look appreciative. Interested. It’ll be easy, Fee.”
“How?”
“Keep to the fun of it. No kisses if you don’t want them. No disappearing into the library. Or whatever one does. Just simpering and cow eyes.”
