Clarissa and the Poor Relations by Alicia Cameron

The Right Honourable Charles said in a stage whisper, with his back to Thorne, ‘Grandiston’s an idiot.’ Mr Elfoy was standing by a pillar with the prey as Thorne approached. ‘She wouldn’t tell me… see if Booth knows what’s wrong with his friend.’ We must find out what precisely happened in the Conservatory.’ John looked doubtfully at Grandiston, now laughing a little loudly with Oriana. ‘Nevertheless, look how he is prostrated by the sight of Clarissa. I have a great regard for my sister, but no one could say she has the charms of her friend.’ ‘Look how he is carrying on with Miss Petersham. Clarissa had re-entered the ballroom.Ĭornelia grasped her husband’s sleeve, ‘All is not lost.’ she hissed. Cornelia saw Grandiston’s face freeze mid gallantry, looking over her shoulder. As Cornelia joined her husband, they watched this little display, which Oriana responded to with feminine eyelash play, Thorne shot his wife a look of despair. He laughed and joked with her, bestowing some shocking touches of gallantry, such as kissing her hand in an intimate way. With great ease, Grandiston had removed her from the coterie of London gentlemen (plus Lord Staines) to draw her into a dance under the nose of Thorne. Oriana meanwhile, was warming up to her role. ‘So fortunate that Grandiston has such a devious mind.’īoth ladies giggled and set themselves to find some cards to while away a quarter hour before which they could not re-enter the ballroom. ‘If Mrs Thorne is not trembling at the thought of losing the biggest fish she has ever had on a hook, I’ve been mistaken in her.’ I couldn’t squeeze out another fake tear.’ She grinned. ‘Clarissa you have quite bruised me.’ Juliana said.

Take care of her and stop her crying.’ She swept out once more. ‘Nothing has occurred,’ replied Juliana even more repressively, ‘To be sure we all hoped, when his lordship realised … but it is best we do not talk of such things just now.’ ‘You are mistaken, Mrs Thorne, no offer to your sister has yet been received from his Lordship.’ Juliana winced, and then turned to Cornelia, her eyes widened in a repressive message. Am I to believe, Clarissa, that you have rejected Lord Grandiston?’Ĭlarissa howled and threw herself onto Juliana’s shoulder. She swept in, rage repressed, and said to Clarissa. He hastened to his wife’s side, pouring out the tale in a whisper, interrupted by social smiles to the other guests.Ĭornelia found Juliana soothing her sister-in-law in a small ante-chamber. Mr Thorne’s thoughts of untold social advancement lay shattered on the floor. He nodded his head to Thorne and drew Charles away to the ballroom saying, with his old suavity, ‘I hear congratulations are in order, dear boy.

Clarissa and the Poor Relations by Alicia Cameron