Betrayal at Lisson Grove - Anne Perry [70]
While they walked around the rooms looking at one picture after another, Charlotte watched the other women, who were fashionably dressed exactly as they would have been in London. Sleeves were worn large at the shoulder this season, and slender from the elbow down. Even the most unsophisticated were puffed, or flying like awkward wings. Skirts were wide at the bottom, padded and bustled at the back. It was very feminine, like flowers in full bloom – large ones, like magnolias or peonies. With the movement of walking, parasols high to shade the face when outside, however briefly, a group of women gave the fleeting impression of a herbaceous border in the wind. One of the painters should have tried such a thing! Or perhaps they had, and she had been too inattentive to notice.
Tea reminded her of the days before she was married, accompanying her mother on suitable ‘morning calls’, which were actually always made in the afternoon. Behaviour was very correct, all the unwritten laws obeyed. And beneath the polite exchanges the gossip was ruthless, the cutting remarks honed to a razor’s edge.
‘How are you enjoying Dublin, Mrs Pitt?’ Talulla Lawless asked courteously. ‘Do have a cucumber sandwich. Always so refreshing, don’t you think?’
‘Thank you,’ Charlotte accepted. It was the only possible thing to do, even if she had not liked them. ‘I find Dublin fascinating. Who would not?’
‘Oh, many people,’ Talulla replied. ‘They think us very unsophisticated.’ She smiled. ‘But perhaps that is what you enjoy?’ She left it hanging in the air as to whether Charlotte herself were unsophisticated, or if perhaps this was a rustic escape for her from the rigours of London society.
Charlotte smiled back, utterly without warmth. ‘Either they were not serious, or if they were, then they missed the subtlety of your words,’ she replied. ‘I think you anything but simple,’ she added for good measure.
Talulla laughed. It was a brittle sound. ‘You flatter us, Mrs Pitt. It is “Mrs”, isn’t it? I do hope I have not made the most awful mistake.’
‘Please don’t concern yourself, Miss Lawless,’ Charlotte replied. ‘It is very far from the most awful mistake. Indeed, were it a mistake, which it isn’t, it could still quite easily be put right. Would that all errors were so simply mended.’
‘Oh dear!’ Talulla affected dismay. ‘How much more exciting your life must be in London than ours is here. You imply dark deeds. You have me fascinated.’
Charlotte hesitated, then plunged in. ‘I dare say the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. After watching the play last night I imagined life was full of passion and doom-laden love here. Please don’t tell me it is all just the fervour of a playwright’s imagination. You will entirely ruin the reputation of Ireland abroad.’
‘I didn’t know you had such influence,’ Talulla said drily. ‘I had better be more careful of what I say.’ There was mocking and anger in her face.
Charlotte cast her eyes down towards the floor. ‘I am so sorry. I seem to have spoken out of turn, and struck some feeling of pain. I assure you, it was unintentional.’
‘I can see many of your actions are unintentional, Mrs Pitt,’ Talulla snapped. ‘And cause pain.’
There was a rustle of silk against silk as a couple of the other women moved slightly in discomfort. Someone drew breath as if to speak, glanced at Talulla, and changed her mind.
‘Just as I am sure yours are not, Miss Lawless,’ Charlotte replied. ‘I find it easy to believe that every word you say is entirely both foreseen, and intended.’
There was an even sharper gasp of breath. Someone giggled nervously.
‘May I offer you more tea, Mrs Pitt?’ Dolina asked. Her voice was quivering, but whether it was with laughter or tears it was impossible to say.
Charlotte held out her cup. ‘Thank you. That is most kind.’
‘Don’t be