“I am sure she will not be when she has seen you,” he returned, handing her up the stairs.
He ushered her into the parlour, saying: “Here is Lady Harriet come to fetch you, Belinda!”
The two ladies stood for a moment, staring at one another, Belinda in childlike curiosity, Harriet blinking as though she had been dazzled. She had expected to be confronted by a beauty, but she had formed no very definite picture of Belinda from the descriptions afforded her, and was unprepared for such a radiant vision. She knew a pang, for It seemed to her incredible that the Duke should not have fallen a victim to Belinda’s charms. She could not forbear stealing a wondering glance at him. She found that he was looking at her, and not at Belinda, an enquiring lift to his brows. She blushed, and stepped forward, saying in her soft voice: “How do you do? I am so glad I am to have the pleasure of your company for a while! I hope you will be comfortable with me.”
“Oh, yes, thank you!” said Belinda dutifully, curtsying. “But I do not like hemming handkerchiefs, if you please.”
“No, indeed! It is the most tedious thing,” agreed Harriet, her eyes twinkling.
Belinda began to look more cheerful, but it was plain that she was not entirely reconciled to the prospect of staying in Laura Place, for she asked: “Shall you keep me for a very long time, ma’am?”
“Oh, no, only until the Duke has found Mr. Mudgley!” said Harriet, guessing that this was the assurance most likely to be welcome.
Belinda looked bewildered. “But I don’t know any Dukes!” she objected.”! thought Mr. Rufford would find Mr. Mudgley for me. You said you would, sir!”
“Oh, dear, I beg your pardon, Gilly!” Harriet said, in a good deal of confusion. “I thought—I meant to say Mr. Rufford, Belinda!”
“But he is not a Duke!” exclaimed Belinda, quick shocked.