[Selina Clare (Rose)]

By the time Selina had sat down again following her performance, she had cheered herself back into complaisance and any feelings that she had not sung as well as she had done in rehearsal had quite evaporated. Captain Sterne's attentions were very pleasing and the applause had been if not rapturous, then perfectly flattering.

She made her way to the dining room and had just joined the queue for the food when she spotted her dearest friend from Bath, Poppy. She had not seen her since before Mr. Clare's death and had not in fact thought of her very often since then, but all her most tenderest feelings of friendship were instantly awakened at her sight.

She took her hands and kissed her cheek. "Poppy, dearest, what a surprise and a pleasure to find you here! It has been an absolute age since we last met!"

[Perdita Gardiner (Liz)]

Poppy had been rather bored thus far in the evening, though she had quite enjoyed Selina's performance. While it was true that she had heard her friend sing better in the past, it was still a very good showing, she had thought. She had wanted to congratulate her friend right away, yet she had somehow become separated from Caroline and felt it necessary to find her. Fate, however, seemed to be on the side of friendship rather than sisterly duty, for it had thrust dear Selina right in her path.

Accepting Selina's kisses and bestowing her own upon her friend's cheeks, she stepped back and smiled. "My dear friend, it has been far too long! I had heard you were in London and had meant to call upon you, yet I realized I did not know where you were staying! Indeed, I was so very delighted to see your name upon the program this evening in the chance we might have a moment to chat." Poppy smiled broadly, so great was her delight. It was only when she glanced about automatically for Ackland did her smile falter, remembering that poor Selina was here alone. "Oh, my dear, I must tell you that we were so very, very sorry to hear of Mr. Clare's passing. Though I know I mentioned as much in my letters, I should feel ever so guilty were I not to tell you in person. But you look simply splendid, and I am so happy to see you are in such good spirits!"

[Selina Clare (Rose)]

"Yes, yes," replied Selina with more enthusiasm than her usual affected languor generally permitted, speaking over Poppy, "I am in Half-Moon Street. You must call, indeed you must!"

The mention of Mr. Clare's death must necessarily be dealt with and Selina moderated her high spirits for a moment, with a sigh that was not too heavy to seem insincere, "I do thank you. His death was a great blow but he would not have wished me to remain in mourning all my life and I have had to keep going for Eleanor's sake as much as for my own. Poor dear child! She is with me in London at the moment - her school was closed. It is all very vexing but I dare say we shall manage something. How long have you and Ackland been in London?"

She took her friend's arm and they began to take a turn about the room.

[Perdita Gardiner (Liz)]

Poppy nodded, making a mental note of Selina's address. It shouldn't be too difficult to ask about and discover exactly which house was presently occupied by Mrs. Clare, lately of Bath. At her friend's world weary sigh, Poppy reached over and patted her friend's arm comfortingly. The poor dear! And with Miss Clare residing with her to boot! Certainly, Poppy was not looking forward to Diana's coming of age. Claire was no difficulty now, and her mother expected her fine demeanor would continue, especially with the influence of Caroline. Diana, however, was another story entirely, and Poppy would be most surprised if she did not turn out to be just as moody as Miss Clare had been described. Hopefully, for Selina's sake, the girl would grow out of it quickly. A bit of bad behavior could be overlooked, given the loss of her father, but she really ought to have some consideration for her grieving stepmother. Once again, Poppy was filled with admiration for Selina, taking on such a very great burden indeed and with such compassion!

As the women walked about the room, Poppy found herself very grateful to have found a friendly face. It was a shame that Lady Wadebridge was not in attendance, for Poppy would have enjoyed introducing her to Selina. She was sure they would get along famously. At Selina's question, Poppy replied, "Not terribly long. We arrived just last week, though Ackland has already introduced me to several of his allies' wives. Do you, by chance, know Lady Wadebridge? She is a recent acquaintance of mine, and I find her utterly charming."

[Selina Clare (Rose)]

"Lady Wadebridge..." mused Selina, wondering if she had been introduced to her and thinking she had not. "I do not know the name but I am sure any friend of yours must be absolutely delightful. Now, do you know the Duchess of Beaumont? I have been honoured by significant attention from her and her family."

What was a "Lady Wadebridge" to a Duchess?

"She is here tonight in fact - such a very gracious lady; her cousin is one of the exhibitioners - Miss Beacham, you must have noticed her - a lovely young girl! I must try to effect an introduction for you if you do not already know her."

Ah, what a delight it would be able to introduce her particular friend to a Duchess!

[Perdita Gardiner (Liz)]

Poppy's mouth formed an O as she marveled at Selina's lofty connections. It seemed her friend would need very little help from her on finding wealthy friends and perhaps even a new husband. Poppy had indeed noticed the very pretty Miss Beacham, having wondered if she and Caroline might become friends and thinking they would make such a fetching duo if they did. Now, with the knowledge that Miss Beacham was being guided through Society by a duchess, she was sure to try to place Caroline in Miss Beacham's path.

As Selina and Poppy continued around the room, she nodded, feeling very grateful to her friend. "Oh my! Selina, I would be utterly in debt to you for an introduction." She beamed at her companion and placed her hand on her arm. "Truly, my dear, you are one of the finest, most generous people I know. Caring for your stepdaughter when you have no real obligation other than a sense of decency, offering to aid me in integrating into London society..." Poppy sighed and patted Selina's arm, thinking herself one of the luckiest people in Cavisham House that evening, and said as much, "I am so very lucky to have a friend like you."

[Selina Clare (Rose)]

"Oh, my dear, and likewise," murmured Selina, feeling very genuinely fond of Poppy at this moment. She really was the sweetest friend! How on earth had they allowed the acquaintance to diminish over the past year?

They continued round the room for several moments before Selina actually digested what Poppy had said. She had not been listening to the specifics, only the praise.

"Dearest Poppy, what is it that you mean about Eleanor? Of course she should be at school - so vexing, you know, that outbreak of diphtheria at this particular time- they might have waited until after the Birthday! - but really, she had nowhere else to go! I can hardly leave the poor dear child destitute, only memento I have of dear Mr. Clare after all!"

[Perdita Gardiner (Liz)]

Poppy was admiring Mrs. Greystone's sconces and wondering whether she would be able to procure similar ones for Ackland House's conservatory without appearing to be utterly aping her hostess' taste when Selina spoke once more.

Turning her gaze from the lighting fixtures, she said with a smile, "Why, Selina, that is precisely it! Surely I need not inform you that many ladies of our acquaintance would have been all to eager to completely wash their hands of their late husband's child. Do you not recall our friend Mrs. Hurst from Bath? She shipped all four of those little darlings off to their new guardian in Yorkshire as soon as possible so that they wouldn't be underfoot while she readjusted to society after Mr. Hurst's passing. Not that I blame her, of course. Could you imagine trying to provide for four children on her jointure? I daresay she could barely maintain her own state of living; remember her elegant townhouse?" Poppy nodded as she mused, her gaze gliding toward the ceiling. "Yes, I think it was probably for the best that she sent them up to their guardian. He was a baron, I believe, and far better able to care for them, financially speaking, of course." Her eyes returned to Selina's face. "And I know it must be such a hardship for you, my dear, yet here you are, clinging to your late husband's memory. It truly touches the heart." She laid a hand on her breast, over the aforementioned organ.

"Speaking of, who did Mr. Clare's will name as Eleanor's guardian? Does he send you anything to aid in her care? I should be shocked if he did not, but really, not everyone shares in your sense of decency."

[Selina Clare (Rose)]

Selina nodded eagerly through Poppy's recital. She did remember Mrs. Hurst. She had been a very elegant lady and excellent hostess until it had been discovered on her husband's death that she had been buying on credit the entire time. No wonder her jointure had been small!

The point of the story was not lost on her however. Really, Perdita was right: there was absolutely no reason why she should take care of Eleanor now! She was her guardian's responsibility! She would pack her off to him as soon as was feasible. Her entire heart lifted at the thought. It would make things with Captain Sterne so much easier! Her knees grew week and the thought of the kisses they had shared that afternoon and of what they anticipated, but she ignored it in order to reply.

"Oh yes, he did. None other than the Marquess of Avening. A cousin, I believe. He had no contact with us before Mr. Clare died and indeed I never met him until last week when we were introduced quite by chance at Almack's. I am sure," she added more confidently, "that it was only Eleanor's remaining at school that prevented him from taking her immediately."

[Perdita Gardiner (Liz)]

Poppy nodded as Selina spoke, feeling very impressed. A marquess was Eleanor's guardian? She had had no idea that Mr. Clare's family was so well connected. True, a cousin wasn't the same as a brother or sister, but a relation was a relation. She certainly took the opportunity to remind people that Caroline's sisters married a baron and the second son of a viscount. Anything to help establish her in society and find her a good husband. She wondered if Eleanor's guardian was married, given that he was in Town. Caroline, Lady Avening, sounded quite nice indeed. Very elegant. Then again, he might be the sort of lecherous guardian who had eyes for his ward. One did tend to read about those sorts of things.

Goodness, Poppy! You're being silly! she thought to herself, bringing her thoughts back to both reality and probability. From what she remembered of Mr. Clare, he was a sensible man who was sure not to have left his only child in the care of a villain.

"You're quite right, I'm sure. Do you know if Lord Avening will return Eleanor to school once the outbreak settles or if he will hire a governess for her? How old is she now? Fifteen? Sixteen?" Certainly she was old enough to begin preparing for her debut, even if she was not quite ready to be presented to Society. Poppy would always regret, she thought, that Caroline had been unable to come to London before this year. She was getting on in age, after all, and it would be a shame to let the prettiest of the Gardiner girls become a spinster. Then again, it wasn't as though she would. There were always lads in Brookham Green who would be more than eager to take Caro as a wife. But she deserved so much more that a small cottage in a small village. She was so pretty!