My Lady Miriam Part 6

Continued...

...Charles had all the graces of society, whereas Lady Philippa was known as the charm and beauty of those parts in which they were situated. In London, when the season came for them both to stay there, Philippa was outnumbered by many beautiful and pretty young ladies—but certainly in her home county she was known as a beauty. Together, they were a very pleasing and engaging brother and sister.
Miriam walked over to where Philippa, Charles and her mama were with a gentle smile,
“Mama, surely they have heard all they can possibly need to hear about our adventure this afternoon! Why do we not go out into the garden and have tea? Charles? Philippa?”
Lord Blackmoore replied obligingly, while walking towards the bell, “A capitol idea! It shall be arranged immediately.” After he finished his sentence a maid came through the door and curtseyed, inquiring what she could do for My Lord.
“We’re to have tea in the garden Sarah, by the old tree. Oh, and bring some jolly old biscuits! I’m ravenous!”
Philippa laughed charmingly in reply, “Is there such a time when you are not Dale?”
She turned to her Aunt, who sat on the seat watching happily, “Aunt, should you like to have a small walk about the garden while the servants prepare the tea? Shall we all?”
“Oh yes my dear! A little fresh air would do me the world of good, I believe. Offer me your arm Charles, and you shall show me those roses you told me about a month back!”
Lord Charles responded affably, offering his arm to his aunt and explaining that although he should be happy to show her the roses, he had no understanding of them whatsoever. Miriam and Philippa smiled at one another and walked side by side a little way behind His Lordship and his lively companion. As they were walking, Lady Tindale suddenly stopped and looked seriously at Miriam, searching her face,
“Miriam, have you seen—have you heard from…him?”
Miriam smiled ruefully and replied with a confiding tuck of her arm into Philippa’s, as she started to walk on again,
“No. I haven’t heard or seen him. How I wish I had! You know that I should tell you of any news, Pip. I feel certain that he will turn up—somehow and somewhere! You needn’t worry for him; he is impulsive and impetuous, but not dim-witted.”
“Oh I do not worry for him! He is very able of keeping himself well…I merely wonder—do you not miss him?”
“Much he should care if I did!” She retorted and then added more softly, “I wish he had never gone away, but he did so long for adventure! And I daresay he is where he can get it. Still! You must tell me, have you any parties intended?”
With a lively twinkle in her eye Lady Philippa disclosed her secret, as a small child might,
“Oh yes! Why, we have been invited to many, besides the ones we shall give; you shall not have a moment to yourself! We have even been invited by the Nonesuch himself! Of course, I daresay you’ve seen him at Almack's in London, but he is residing in his country estate and is throwing a most marvelous evening—or so I’m given to believe—”
“Who is this Nonesuch?” Miriam interpolated with a raised brow.
“But…surely! Miriam! You know not who the Nonesuch is? I have been told the most agreeable things about him, why even Charles—for he has met him you know—says he is a man above men and such a hand at the whip! Also, though I expect we shall see for ourselves, he is said to be one of the most charming and handsome man of the ton! Though I have heard that he has been known to be rather odd at times…but all of the NonPareils are I suspect.” Miriam smiled at Philippa’s enthusiasm and was about to reply to this dazzling report of the Nonesuch when her cousin called them over to where he was standing.
“Come now! The tea is ready and Aunt Rosalind is waiting!”
Soon they were all seated at the pleasantly situated table, drinking tea. Miriam’s Mama kept up a steady flow of conversation, only allowing for breath to drink her tea and after a good fifteen minutes of this chatter she declared that she had had enough fresh air and desired to return to the house for a rest before dinner was served. Charles escorted his aunt back to the house and returned to Miriam and Philippa who were talking of times gone by.
“No indeed Pip! I was not the one on whom the trick was played, but rather I was the one who played the trick on you! Have you forgotten? Dale! Surely you recall?” Miriam demanded playfully of Charles.
Lord Blackmoore sat down and entered in on the conversation with a laugh,
“Yes, I recall, but I'd as lief not! But my hoax was the best that was played for an age I’m sure! I recall, one night, before my father’s hunting party was to start out the next morn, I jolly well took their…”
And so their conversation went, until it was time for them to dress for dinner; Miriam went upstairs to her bedroom and the others to theirs.
Miriam sat down in front of the mirror that was situated at the side of bedroom, backed onto the wall with a pretty vanity dresser connected to it. Miriam gazed critically at herself; she patted her curls—that were placed in the latest style and with four braids becomingly put up at the back—and smoothed the front of her modish dress, which was made of a pale green lustring with an attractive open collar at the front and with quarter sleeves. Earlier on in the day she had worn a forest green Spencer in velvet, which—as she had seen for herself—was a la mode’ in London this very season. She wore only a silver necklace with a diamond hanging from the end and silver bracelet with embedded crests she wore on her slim, white wrist…

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