Page 40 of The Rake's Daughter
“I know what he said. But I have a plan. As long as you’resure, that is—very sure about me coming, too. Because I don’t want to drag you down, ’Riss.”
“Nonsense, there’s no question of you dragging me anywhere,” Clarissa said firmly. “I need you with me, and I won’t let my stubborn guardian or any ill-natured society gossip stop us. Anyway, how would anyone in London even know you were Papa’s natural daughter?”
“I’m lucky he didn’t haveBforbastardbranded on my forehead,” Izzy said cynically.
“Oh, don’t—that’s horrid. Anyway, if we continue to introduce ourselves as sisters—the Misses Studley—why would anyone have reason to doubt us?”
“I suppose.”
“Almost nobody knew Mama,” Clarissa pointed out. “She wasn’t from the ton, and after her marriage Papa kept her shut away at Studley Park, as he did with us—so who is to know how many children she had?”
“There are birth records,” Izzy began doubtfully.
“Pooh, an entry in a small church in some obscure village somewhere in the country? I don’t even know where you were baptized. Who is going to bother going to thetrouble of searching for that? No, as long as I claim you as my sister, people will accept it.”
It made sense, Izzy had to agree. “What if my father told people about me?”
Clarissa wrinkled her nose, considering it. “He might have mentioned an illegitimate child—though I don’t see why he would—but for all we know we could have other half siblings, so why should it be you?”
That was true.
“What about his guests, the men who came to Studley Park for the hunting?”
Clarissa shook her head decisively. “Apart from that awful man that time, they hardly even saw us. And you know how Papa hated that we bested him. He’d hardly want that known.”
Izzy nodded. “And for all we know his friends are probably dead anyway. All right then, you’ve convinced me that my presence won’t necessarily shame you—though it is a risk.”
“A risk I’m more than happy to take.” Clarissa reached out and squeezed Izzy’s hands affectionately. “I want you with me when we brave the Marriage Mart.” Then her smile faded. “But without Lord Salcott’s support, how can we enter it? Lady Scattergood won’t be any help, that’s obvious.”
Izzy smiled. “I have a plan.”
***
At dinner that night, Izzy raised the topic of books to read. Lady Scattergood had a well-stocked library containing a good many novels as well as weightier texts and, what was most telling, the pages of the novels had all been cut, unlike those of the duller titles.
“You have a wonderful collection of novels, Lady Scattergood. Clarissa and I were delighted to see the range you have.”
“Yes, all the newest titles, too,” Clarissa added.
They talked then about several of the books they’d read, and it soon became clear that the old lady didn’t simply purchase books for the look of it, as some people did, but actually read them with pleasure—the novels, at any rate, as well as some of the poetry.
“Lady Tarrant mentioned the other day that you belong to a book club,” Izzy said.
“Book club? Book club? Oh, you mean Bea Davenham’s literary society? No, I haven’t been to that in an age.” She served herself a large helping of quaking pudding and poured a lavish amount of cream over it.
“But you used to enjoy it, didn’t you?” Izzy persisted.
“Mmm, yes. Good stories those gels used to read to us.”
“Read to you?” Clarissa echoed, puzzled.
Lady Scattergood nodded. “It’s not the usual sort of literary society—those gels of Bea’s read stories aloud and the rest of us listened. And later we talked. A godsend to those of us whose eyesight is fading. And no pretentious talk afterward, where people spout off, trying to sound learned.” She snorted. “Bea won’t stand for that kind of nonsense. But I don’t go anymore. Have you tried this pudding? Cook has used lemons instead of rose water, and it’s very good.”
“You didn’t fall out with Lady Davenham, did you?” Izzy asked anxiously. The literary society was key to her plan.
Lady Scattergood shook her head. “Not at all. I just...” Her gaze dropped. “Oh, I’m not in the mood for going out these days.”
“Oh,” Izzy said in a dejected voice.
