“But you are so active in all your outdoors activities. Certainly, they must demand a great deal of stamina, dotheynot?”
“That is stamina of a different nature. I have physical stamina, but, I am afraid, I do not have the type of stamina that a drawing roomrequires.”
Bartley laughed. “Oh? And what kind of staminaisthat?”
“The kind where one must spar verbally and intellectually—casting oblique dispersions and innuendo while being overtlypolite.”
“Ah, you have caught the essence of London in a nutshell. You are far too good for us, MissLydia.”
“Oh, Idoubtthat.”
Lydia caught sight of Daniel passing behind Bartley. He saw her and quickly looked away, as he headed toward anothertable.
The dance finished, and Bartley escorted Lydia back to the table, and beaming, asked Ellen to dance with him, and she readilycomplied.
David had finished his meal by now, and as Lydia sat down he stood up and excused himself and headed toward thewashroom.
Lydia sighed. This party was most disappointing. Then she saw Daniel heading towards their table. He suddenly saw her and looked as though he wanted to head in another direction, but there was no other way to head except past their table, so he had no choice. And as he passed he looked quickly atLydia.
“Miss Lydia, good evening,” he said, then looked away and passed by as quickly as hecould.
Lydia was astonished. It was so clear he was trying to avoid her. Then she began to think back to the day they had gone to the museum together. Had she offended him in some way? Unless he was somehow offended that she became tired at the museum she could think of noreason.
And then it hit her. Of course. Caroline had finally poisoned him against her. What else could it be? Unless he had just tired of her and was now moving on to his next flirtatiousadventure.
David returned and stoodaboveher.
“Miss Lydia, would you like todance?”
“Thank you, but I believe I shall go back to thehouse.”
He stammered, “But Miss Lydia, we only just arrived. Thecarriage…”
“Do not trouble yourself, Mr. Cavanaugh. I shall find a cab and returnalone.”
“But MissLydia…”
“Thank you, David, you have been a perfect gentleman, however, I am quite capable of taking care ofmyself.”
