Mistress - Amanda Quick [106]
“It is a trifle warm.” Iphiginia took a sip of lemonade.
Herbert folded his handkerchief. “Evening, Lady Guthrie. Sorry, didn’t see you earlier or I would have brought you a glass also.”
“Quite all right. I just finished some champagne. Iphiginia and I were discussing the rumors of Masters’s forthcoming betrothal.”
“Aunt Zoe, please,” Iphiginia murmured. “I think we’ve exhausted the subject.”
“Heard all about it at my club,” Herbert said helpfully. “The betting books are filling up all over Town. Everyone’s taking a flier on this one.”
Zoe frowned. “People are attempting to guess who the bride will be?”
“Yes.” Herbert slid Iphiginia an embarrassed glance. “No one’s got a clue. Lot of money on the Chumley chit and a good deal on Elizabeth Anderson, though. Both in their first Seasons. Quite lovely. Good families. Spotless reputations.”
Iphiginia was keenly aware of Herbert’s increasing discomfort and her aunt’s worried gaze. She summoned up a serene smile. “If there is one thing everyone should have learned about Masters by now, it is that there is very little point in attempting to second-guess him.”
“Man o’ mystery, right enough,” Herbert agreed quickly. “Everyone knows that. Enigma. No telling what’s going on in his brain.”
“It cannot be a complete secret,” Zoe said. “Someone other than Masters must know the truth about this situation. After all, there is another party involved.”
“You mean the bride?” Herbert’s brows bounced up and down several times. “If Masters has sworn her and her family to secrecy until he’s ready to announce the engagement, you can be certain they’ll keep mum. Wouldn’t dare defy his edict. Not if they want to pull off the match of the Season.”
“I suppose not,” Zoe admitted. “Masters’s rules.”
“Precisely.” Herbert smiled at Iphiginia. “I say, Mrs. Bright, would you care to dance?”
“Yes, thank you, Herbert.” Anything to terminate the discussion of Marcus’s wedding plans, Iphiginia thought. She set her glass down on a passing tray.
Herbert took her arm and led her out onto the floor just as the musicians began to play a waltz. He regarded Iphiginia with an anxious expression as he took her very decorously into his arms.
“I say, is this business of Masters’s engagement oversetting you, my dear?”
“Not in the least,” Iphiginia said firmly. “Masters and I are very close friends, as you know. I can assure you that the gossip about an engagement is just that. Gossip.”
“Forgive me, but I am also your friend, Iphiginia,” Herbert said gently. “I feel you and I are very much alike in some ways. And while I realize that I do not enjoy the sort of intimate connection with you that Masters does, I am deeply concerned for you.”
“That is very kind of you. But there is no need.”
“The thing is, the man is known to be quite ruthless, m’dear. He is perfectly capable of marrying this young innocent he’s selected to be his wife and then continue to maintain a liaison with you on the side.”
“Do not fret.”
“Surely you will not countenance such a situation?” Herbert asked rather desperately. “It would be intolerable for a proud, spirited female such as yourself. It would mean that you would have to share him with his wife.”
Iphiginia gave him a repressive look. “One always shares one’s friends with other people, Herbert.”
“Damn it all, he’s your paramour, not your friend. There’s a world of difference.”
“That is quite enough, Herbert.”
Herbert turned a dark shade of red. “I did not mean to intrude, but everyone knows about your association with Masters.”
“Do they?”
“Well, of course they do. Never been any secret. Iphiginia, I feel that I must be blunt. As your true and devoted friend, I must ask that you consider your future course of action quite carefully. You are the most elegant, most gracious, most intelligent, most admirable woman it has ever been my privilege to meet.”
“Why, thank you, Herbert.” Iphiginia was touched by the gallant declaration. “That is very kind of you.”
“It is because you are so very estimable,