it would be a good thing for you to dance with Lord Coleridge too often,’ Mrs Henderson said, coming up to her. ‘He is a perfect gentleman, Helene, and well liked—but you must not set your heart on him. He mixes in circles that we shall scarcely enter, my dear.’
‘I am very certain he would not do for me, Mama,’ Helene replied primly, though a little voice at the back of her mind told her that she was not telling the whole truth. She did like Lord Coleridge more than she was prepared to admit, but of course it would not do at all.
As they moved towards the supper room, Emily and Amelia joined them; a sumptuous buffet had been laid out on long tables and waiters were circulating with trays of champagne. Laid out for their delectation were platters of cold meats, chicken, beef, ham, tiny pies and pastries containing both sweet and savoury fillings and a huge variety of relishes, cold peas and soft sweet plums in a syrup.
Helene took a small glass of syllabub and a spoon and followed Amelia and Emily to a table by the window. She glanced back at the buffet table, discovering that an attractive lady, to whom Helene had as yet not been introduced, had detained her mother. Mrs Henderson seemed to be nodding and smiling a great deal, and when she returned to the table she had a slightly dazed expression on her face.
‘Well…’ she said as she put a small plate on the table. ‘You could have knocked me down with a feather. I have just been talking to Lady Jersey. She asked me to bring Helene to a picnic in Richmond she is planning for next Thursday—and she has promised to send us vouchers for Almack’s for the whole of the Season. I was most surprised, for I did not expect it.’
‘I am so glad,’ Amelia said and smiled at Helene. ‘I knew all my friends would invite us to their affairs, but vouchers for Almack’s are not within my gift. I thought it might happen, but that was very swift, Marie. The picnic is an honour, because Sally Jersey does not invite every young lady she meets to her more intimate affairs.’
‘Are you sure she promised us vouchers for Almack’s, Mama?’ Helene said. She bit her lip, because the lady her mama had spoken to at the buffet was one of those she had seen Lord Coleridge conversing with before they entered the supper room. She was almost certain that he had urged the lady to invite them to her picnic and to send them vouchers.
‘Yes, quite certain,’ Mrs Henderson said. ‘She told me that she wished to meet you, Helene—and I am to take you to her after supper. She said that she hoped we would call and take tea with her when she is at home to visitors.
‘I was quite overcome—I was certainly not expecting anything of the kind,’ Mrs Henderson said. ‘Is Lady Jersey a particular friend of yours, Amelia? She said that a particular friend had spoken to her about Helene.’
‘I know Sally Jersey quite well,’ Amelia replied. ‘I am not certain she would call me a particular friend. I wonder…’ She shook her head as Mrs Henderson looked at her. ‘It was just a thought. I shall say nothing for the moment. It is not impossible that you were asked because you are staying with me. I have many good friends in society.’
‘Yes, indeed you do,’ Mrs Henderson agreed. ‘Well, Helene, we have been fortunate, my dear. If Lady Jersey should take a fancy to you, you will be welcomed everywhere.’ Helene did not answer. She felt uncomfortable, certain that she knew exactly who had brought about this tiny miracle. However, she did not think that it would be a good idea to mention her suspicion to her mama.
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