She waited for no answer but went back into the ballroom, leaving him to stare after her in considerable surprise. At any ‘other time he would have smiled at her odd, abrupt ways, but he was a man in love, laboring under a crushing blow, and although he could maintain his calm manner, it was at present beyond his power to feel any amusement.
Chapter 10
IT WAS with no very real expectation of meeting Sophy that Lord Charlbury had a horse saddled next morning and betook himself to Hyde Park, for it seemed to him that a young lady who had danced the night through would not be very, likely to be found riding in the Park by ten o’clock next day. But he had not cantered once round the Row when he saw a magnificent black horse coming toward him and recognized Sophy on its back. He reined in and pulled off his hat, exclaiming, “I made sure you would still be abed and fast asleep! Are you made of iron, Miss Stanton-Lacy?”
She pulled Salamanca up, sidling and prancing. “Pooh!” she said laughing at him. “Did you think me such a poor creature as to be prostrated by one ball, sir?”
He turned his horse and fell in beside her. John Potton followed at a discreet distance. Lord Charlbury complimented Sophy on Salamanca, but was cut short.
“Very true, he is a superb horse, but we have not met to talk of horses. Such a kickup as there has been in Berkeley Square! Charles, of course — all Charles! The most diverting thing of all — do be diverted! Indeed, there is no need for that grave face! Is that Augustus Fawnhope was quite as much taken aback as you or Charles!”
“Are you telling me that he does not wish to marry Cecilia?” demanded Charlbury.
“Oh! In some misty future! Certainly not immediately! I expect, you know, being a poet, he would much prefer to be the victim of a hopeless passion!” said Sophy merrily.
“Coxcomb!”
“If you like. I danced one waltz with him last night, when you had left us, and I do think I was very helpful, for I suggested to him a number of genteel occupations of a gainful nature, and promised to look about me for some great man in need of a secretary.”