Spring Muslins Read online

  ‘So, will you invite her to drive out with us, Grandmama?’ asked Verity.

  The old lady shrugged. ‘I have no objection, but your mother might not be happy with the connection. What say you, Claversham?’

  ‘I? It is nothing to do with me, Grandmama.’

  ‘Mama being at Claversham, she can only go on what her cronies tell her,’ reasoned Verity. ‘I am sure there is no malice in Lucia and she is the most entertaining companion! Did you not see how her eyes twinkle when she is animated?’

  Darius’s response was more curt than he intended. ‘I hardly noticed her.’

  In the darkness he felt his sister turn towards him. ‘Do you not like Miss Luckington?’

  ‘I have not thought about the matter.’

  He was glad of the deep shadows, that they could not see his face and know that he was lying. He had thought about nothing else since meeting Lucia Luckington this evening. He wanted to like her. He wanted to do so very much, but until he knew what she was about he must not let down his guard.

  However, it would be easier to discover more about the lady if he did not make an enemy of her.

  ‘You clearly like her, Verity, and if you, ma’am, see no harm in it, then by all means cultivate your friendship. I have no objection.’

  He was rewarded by his sister throwing her arms about him and hugging him ruthlessly.

  ‘Thank you, darling brother! I am sure we are all going to be the best of friends.’

  *

  Lucia spent the following morning in Orchard Street. She gave Grace a vivid description of the previous night’s party, trying to recall any little details of the ladies’ gowns that had impressed her, and passing on the numerous compliments she had received on her own dress.

  ‘I was asked, oh, many times for the name of my modiste, Grace, so I am very hopeful that at least some of these ladies will look you up.’

  ‘Thank you, I hope so, too. We have already had some success from the notice you placed in the newspaper,’ said Grace, her soft eyes shining. ‘I had several callers yesterday.’

  ‘That is good news indeed!’ Lucia laughed. ‘This is so exciting, I really think you are going to be a great success, my dear!’

  Orchard Street being so close, Lucia had made the trip alone and now she hurried back to Portman Square, eager to tell Morry that Grace was already taking orders. However, when she reached Quidenham House she was informed that her ladyship was asking for her. Pausing only to take off her coat and bonnet Lucia made her way to the morning room, where she found Lady Quidenham sitting by the fire, a small table beside her covered with cards and small sheets of paper.

  ‘Well, Lucia, I hope you are satisfied,’ she snapped by way of greeting. ‘I am inundated with notes after last night’s party!’

  ‘No, no, this was not my doing,’ said Lucia, pulling a footstool closer to the table and sitting down. ‘I think you must give yourself credit for everyone enjoying themselves so much. I told you it would be a success, Aunt Evadne.’ She looked up, smiling. ‘Do, pray, tell me you enjoyed it, just a little bit.’

  ‘Hmm. I have endured worse parties,’ the dowager conceded, then scowled and waved a hand at the table. ‘But now we have all this. Promises of invitations to balls, routs and evening parties, requests that we attend breakfasts and picnics – bah!’

  Lucia picked up a small pile of notes and began to look through them.

  ‘You do not need to go to them all, Aunt – indeed, I do not think it would be possible, there are so many! Morry shall come with me, if I need a chaperon.’ She pulled one sheet from the pile and gave a little laugh. ‘And here is one that requires no escort! Lady Winterstoke begs you will let me drive out with her and Miss Claversham today. Heavens, that is good news. I thought, when we first met, that she did not like me above half! She says I need not reply, they will call for me at five o’clock this afternoon. Goodness, I think she means to drive around Hyde Park at the most fashionable hour!’

  ‘What? Let me see that!’ Lady Quidenham almost snatched the paper from her hand.

  ‘Why should that surprise you? Miss Claversham is a most agreeable young lady, we hit it off immediately.’

  ‘Her brother was present last night.’ Lady Quidenham was still studying the paper, as if trying to discover something more in it than the few polite words written in an elegant hand. ‘He wasn’t expected, but I could hardly turn him away. Did you meet him?’

  ‘Yes.’ Lucia’s happiness dimmed a little. ‘I do not think he liked me very much. That is understandable, of course. He believes I am trying to cut him out, although I assured him that is not the case.’

  ‘That is why I am surprised at this invitation. Lady Winterstoke would not encourage Miss Claversham to pursue the acquaintance without her brother’s approval.’

  Lucia’s spirits rose a little, but her aunt’s next words quickly dashed them again.

  ‘There is no getting away from it, everyone believes I intend to make you my heir. If I had it from one, then I heard from a dozen people last night, sly hints and innuendo! Oh, no need to look so anxious, miss, I did not deny it to any one of them, – I have not forgot our bargain.’

  Lucia plucked at a loose thread in her skirt. ‘I think you should tell Sir Darius it is not the case, Aunt.’

  ‘If he asks me, you may be sure I will! You say he talked to you last night? You should be pleased. He has a great deal of influence in town, and could ruin your plans if he took against you.’

  ‘He could? Oh dear. But why, then, am I invited to drive out with his sister?’

  Lady Quidenham frowned. ‘He may be playing some deep game of his own. Perhaps he wants to find some way to discredit you.’

  ‘There is nothing for him to discover, save that my father was a gambler, and there is nothing extraordinary in that,’ declared Lucia, although she was aware of a slight flutter of alarm.

  ‘Then we must make sure that you do nothing to discredit yourself while you are in Town.’ Lady Quidenham saw the look of surprise on Lucia’s face and flushed a little. She said gruffly, ‘You are surprised that I should take your part? You coerced me most shamefully into bringing you to London, but now we are here, I intend to keep to our bargain, and I trust you to keep to yours.’

  ‘I shall indeed, Aunt Evadne. At the end of the Season I shall hand over the letters you wrote to Grandmama, as we agreed.’ Lucia rose from the stool. ‘But now I must decide what I am to wear for my outing.’ Impulsively she bent and kissed her aunt’s faded cheek before hurrying away.

  At five o’clock, Lucia left Quidenham House and was handed into Lady Winterstoke’s open carriage by one of its two liveried footmen. Despite the sunshine a sharp April wind was blowing, but Lucia was well protected by one of Grace’s latest creations, a Pyrenean mantle of holly green quilted satin with a matching bonnet and half boots dyed to the same colour. She made herself comfortable beside Verity while Lady Winterstoke took up most of the opposite bench, smiling benignly at their excited chatter.

  It was still early in the Season, but the park was bustling with horses and carriages, all moving at a snail’s pace along the gravelled roads as everyone vied for attention and made frequent stops to greet acquaintances. During the winter Lucia had tried to learn all she could about London society and she was hoping she might now see one or two of the Four-in-Hand Club, who regularly paraded through the park in their carriages, but the day being cold, most drivers had their coats fastened and the distinctive blue-and-yellow striped waistcoats were not in evidence.

  Verity pointed out Lord Petersham in his chocolate-brown coach pulled by four matching horses and Lucia was gratified when she correctly identified the gentleman driving through the park with a poodle sitting beside him as the Honourable Frederick Byng.

  Lady Winterstoke appeared to know almost everyone, and Lucia was glad she could claim at least a few acquaintances from the previous evening, including Lady Chawton, who was driving out with her son and stopped to speak to th
em. She was beginning to realise the difficulties of the task she had set herself. Much as she enjoyed wearing the clothes her cousin made, she felt a constant need to puff them off, which was foreign to her nature. However, she told herself she was doing nothing wrong, and it was all in a good cause. Once Orchard Gowns was established, she would no longer need to go out of her way to charm and impress everyone.

  They had barely started moving again when Verity once more begged her grandmother to stop the carriage.

  ‘It is my very good friend Mary Garwood and her brother,’ she explained to Lucia, waving to the young lady and gentleman riding towards them. ‘I do so want you to meet them.’

  The couple drew rein alongside the carriage and greeted its occupants in a friendly fashion. Lucia noticed a pronounced likeness between the brother and sister. They were both tall and fair-haired with frank, grey eyes. Miss Mary Garwood had a more cheerful, open countenance than her brother, who looked to be a little reserved, but Lucia liked him no less for that. Introductions were soon performed and then Verity reminded Miss Garwood of a riding expedition that had been proposed but not yet arranged.

  ‘Yes indeed, the weather is improving every day now and a ride would be just the thing,’ declared Miss Garwood, ‘And Miss Luckington must join us – that is,’ she broke off, a self-conscious blush painting her cheeks, ‘What I mean is, if you would like to do so, Miss Luckington.’

  ‘Oh lord, I never thought of that!’ Verity turned quickly to Lucia. ‘You do ride, I suppose? I beg your pardon, but I assumed – ‘

  Lucia laughed and shook her head at her friend. ‘There is no need to apologise, I do ride and I enjoy it, very much. I doubt my aunt has any hacks in her stable but that is no matter, I can always hire one.’

  Verity stopped her. ‘No, no, I wouldn’t hear of it. We have several suitable mounts at Claversham. I shall ask Darius to send for one of them for you – ‘

  Lucia disliked the idea of involving Sir Darius and protested immediately, but her objections were quickly over-ridden.

  ‘No need to worry yourself about that, Miss Luckington,’ Gerald Garwood assured her. ‘Claversham is the most easy-going fellow I know and will be pleased to oblige, I am sure. In fact, why don’t we ask him to join us?’

  Worse and worse! Remembering his disapproval, Lucia remained silent while the others all agreed that inviting Sir Darius to ride with them was a very good idea. Even Lady Winterstoke added her opinion that Verity’s brother should be on hand, if possible.

  ‘He will be able to curb your exuberance better than anyone,’ she told her granddaughter. ‘Also, you must consider Lady Quidenham: she may feel happier about allowing Miss Luckington to join you if she knows there will be two grooms and two gentlemen in attendance. Especially if one of the gentlemen is Claversham.’

  Lucia could not disagree, whatever her own thoughts about Sir Darius, so she merely smiled and said she would very much like to be included in their riding party.

  ‘Then as soon as Claversham has fetched up a mount for you, Miss Luckington, we will set a date,’ declared Mr Garwood and with that, he touched his hat and escorted his sister away.

  ‘So,’ said Verity, when at last they made their way out of the park by way of the Cumberland Gate, ‘You have had your first sight of the park, Lucia. What did you think of it?’

  ‘Very busy! A fascinating sight, so many people in one place.’

  ‘Next time we shall drive to the enclosure and send for a cup of water from the mineral springs.’

  ‘That is the northwest corner, is it not?’ said Lucy. ‘I read about it in the Picture of London. No horsemen or carriages are allowed.’

  ‘That is so, but we can alight and walk in,’ Verity told her. ‘It is possible to see cows in there during the summer, and to buy milk, and even cheesecakes, from the keeper’s lodge. And then there are the military reviews, and the fireworks. Oh, I do so want you to enjoy your first visit to the capital, Lucia. I found it all very daunting, at first, and if there is anything you want to know you only have to ask.’

  Lady Winterstoke gave a fat chuckle. ‘You must forgive my granddaughter, Miss Luckington. She had her come-out last year and now thinks herself quite at home in London.’

  ‘And I am very grateful to her, and to you, ma’am. I have very much enjoyed driving out with you.’

  ‘I am glad,’ said Verity, before her grandmother could reply. ‘And I hope we can go riding very soon. I shall send a message to Darius this very day and ask him to have my grey mare sent up from Claversham for you, Lucia. Juno has a beautiful temperament but is no longer up to my weight. You, however, are such a dainty little thing that I think she will suit you very well.’

  They had reached Portman Square by this time and after thanking her hostess once again, Lucia ran indoors. She went straight to her room to change her gown and wished for a moment that Morry was still acting as her maid, that she might describe to her all she had heard and seen that morning. Instead she submitted herself to the ministrations of the chamber maid who had been promoted to lady’s maid for Lucia’s stay in Town. Betty was young and inexperienced but very eager to please. She quickly helped Lucia into her jonquil muslin evening gown and set about tidying Lucia’s unruly curls, which had been sadly flattened by her bonnet.

  ‘Thank you, that will do,’ Lucia told her. ‘I want to find Miss Morrison before I go down to dinner.’

  ‘I saw her going into the drawing room, just before you came in, miss,’ offered Betty, patting a final curl in place. ‘Her ladyship had sent for her.’

  The news filled Lucia with apprehension and she hurried down the stairs, praying she would not find Miss Morrison reduced to tears by her aunt’s sharp tongue. However, when she reached the drawing room, she was relieved and not a little surprised to discover the two ladies engaged in a game of backgammon. Neither of them gave her more than a glance as she came in and as there were very few pieces left on the board, Lucia was content to sit down and watch the outcome of the battle. She was a little concerned when she saw Morry bear off the last of her pieces, but Lady Quidenham took the defeat in good part and even congratulated her opponent on a game well played before turning her attention to Lucia.

  ‘Well, miss, did you enjoy your drive in the park?’

  ‘Very much, ma’am. I had not realised it was so large. There is much more to explore.’

  ‘Perhaps if the weather holds, we might go there together. Tomorrow, if you wish.’

  ‘Of course, ma’am,’ replied Lucia, heartened by her aunt’s good humour. But if that suggestion had surprised her, Lady Quidenham’s next announcement, when Aston appeared, was even more of a shock.

  ‘Ah, dinner is ready. Come along, Miss Morrison, let us go in.’

  ‘You are eating with us, Morry? I thought we had agreed you might dine in your room, or with the upper servants, if you prefer.’’

  ‘Lady Quidenham requested I join you,’ murmured that lady, a faint blush staining her faded cheek.

  ‘As long as it is what you want to do,’ Lucia told her, casting a challenging look at her aunt. ‘I won’t have you bullied into anything.’

  ‘Oh no, my dear, I am quite happy to dine with you.’

  Morry sounded comfortable enough, but Lucia was not convinced. However, as dinner progressed, she was pleasantly surprised to see her friend was not at all intimidated by Lady Quidenham’s acid remarks, and even entered into a lively debate with her over the war with France.

  Something of her thoughts must have shown in her face, because her aunt said suddenly, ‘Why should you stare so, Lucia? Do you think I wish to be surrounded only by toadeaters who agree with my every utterance?’

  ‘On the contrary, Aunt, I thought you did not wish to be surrounded by anyone.’

  ‘That is because most of ‘em are unintelligent fools. Miss Morrison has a sharp mind and isn’t afraid to speak up if she disagrees with me. She also has a very pleasant reading voice, as I found out this afternoon.’
/>   ‘Her ladyship asked me to read to her while she rested,’ Morry explained, adding, with something of a twinkle, ‘Childe Harold.’

  ‘Byron!’

  ‘I am not an advocate of that young lord’s morals nor his lifestyle,’ declared Lady Quidenham in quelling accents, ‘But his poetry is tolerable.’

  ‘Indeed it is, ma’am.’

  Lucia turned her attention to her plate, trying not to laugh, and wondering how many more shocks were in store for her.

  CHAPTER SIX

  The invitations continued to arrive, as well as a large number of visitors, and although Lady Quidenham complained of the intrusion into her quiet life she accompanied Lucia on a surprising number of occasions.

  ‘I do believe she is enjoying herself,’ Lucia told Morry, as they walked to Orchard Street to see Grace. ‘She no longer avoids morning callers and has attended parties of some sort at least three times this past week, as well as driving in the park with me.’

  ‘She is also coming to the theatre with us this evening,’ added Miss Morrison, ‘and she has not yet rejected your idea of attending the military review with Verity and her grandmother tomorrow. Do you know, Lucia, I think your visit is doing her ladyship a great deal of good?’

  Lucia laughed. ‘It is certainly doing you good, Morry, have lost your fear of my aunt! I am very glad that you are no longer hiding away.’

  ‘No, I understand her ladyship much better now,’ replied Miss Morrison, seriously considering the matter. ‘I think she had grown too much into the habit of being alone, and that is not good for any of us, you know. I believe Lady Quidenham was lonely, but hid it beneath a great deal of bluff and bluster. Do you know, last night, after you had retired, she even confessed to me that she had suffered a disappointment in her youth.’

  ‘Indeed?’ Lucia’s interest was caught. ‘Did she mention a name?’