“As did I last year, which is why Mama had her brilliant idea of bringing the seamstresses to us. Of course, my sisters were not best pleased. They enjoy the tedious shopping, if you can imagine. Of course, they will, I’m sure, find a way to indulge their fancy. There are still all manner of fripperies to be bought.”
Georgia smiled over her friend’s comments about her sisters. There were innumerable times that Georgia had wished for older siblings; being the oldest was not the delightful privilege Vicky thought it was. Of course, she might feel differently if she were the daughter of an earl. But as the oldest daughter of the impoverished youngest son of an impoverished baron, she had a far different experience than Vicky’s sister, Rosabel. To Georgia’s mind, that lovely lady hadn’t a care in the world. She knew she ought not make such an assumption, but their circumstances were certainly vastly different.
Not wishing to dwell on the disheartening subject, Georgia quickly changed it. “What do we have planned for tomorrow?”
“The five of us, you, me, my sisters, and Mama, will start making morning calls around noon, and then we are to attend a rout in the evening.”
Georgia’s giggle brought her explanation to a halt. “What, pray tell, has brought you to such laughter?”
“Why are our visits called morning calls if they are in the afternoon? Whenever you spoke of it in the past, I imagined you were making your rounds in the actual morning.”
Vicky laughed over these words but sobered enough to explain. “Surely you realize that in Town the hours are different.” After seeing Georgia’s hesitant nod Vicky continued. “Since most everyone stays up into the wee hours of the night, breakfast is much later than in the country. So, it would not do to arrive at anyone’s door much before noon for fear they might still be breaking their fast or not yet dressed.”
“I suppose I never gave it very much thought, but you are quite right, we would not wish to disturb anyone with our visit. It is all so very confusing and yet delightfully exciting. I fear I shan’t sleep a wink for all the thrills.”
The two girls giggled again as they finished their preparations for bed. With their wide yawns, it was obvious that sleeping wouldn’t be much of an issue despite Georgia’s words.
Chapter Five
Georgia needn’t have worried that she would have trouble with the Town hours. Despite how tired she and Vicky were the night before, they had still ended up talking far too late into the night. That, combined with the long day of travel the day before, led the girls to sleep far later than was usual for the country-bred girls. When Georgia finally came to wakefulness, it was to the quiet shuffling of a maid pulling back the drapes and bustling about the room.
“Sorry miss,” the maid whispered when she noticed Georgia’s gaze upon her.
“No need to apologize,” Georgia whispered back. “From the looks of the sunlight, we have slept half the day away anyway, so we ought to be getting up. Thank you for letting in the light.”
The maid bobbed a brief curtsy and left after promising to return with their water. As the door closed behind her, Vicky groaned and covered her head with her pillow.
“Why is it so bright in here? It surely cannot be morning yet. I have barely just closed my eyes.”
Georgia laughed. “Don’t be daft. We didn’t talk that long last night. It couldn’t have been even after midnight by the time we fell asleep, and from the looks of the light I would say it is already going on nine o’clock. This is scandalous behaviour in my house. You had best be on death’s door if you’re going to be staying in your bed so late.”
Vicky giggled. “Well, I’ll be as fit as a fiddle as soon as I’ve had my chocolate. Wait until you try it, Georgie. I don’t know how they do it, but the kitchens here do a much better job of it than back home. It was the best thing about my Season last year.”
Georgia hopped out of the bed. “Well you have me sold. Hurry and get up. I don’t want to miss out on this chocolate experience.”
Vicky sat up but didn’t appear to be in any sort of rush. “Settle down, don’t be silly. The maid will bring it to us, there’s no need for us to go anywhere.”
“Truly? Then why do you have a breakfast room if you don’t bother leaving your room to break your fast?”
Vicky stared at her companion without expression for a moment before bursting into giggles. “You are quite correct — it makes no sense except that my father doesn’t eat in his room, so there needs to be food served for him somewhere. Also, they will only be bringing us chocolate and toast here. If we wish to have more food, we will adjourn to the breakfast room when we’re ready.”
“So, the food will just stay there until we see fit to avail ourselves of it?” She wrinkled her nose. “Doesn’t it become rather unsavory eventually?”
Vicky wrinkled her nose too but laughed. “No, the servants keep it fresh somehow, no need to worry about that.”
Georgia smiled. “I am becoming more and more enamored with the idea of having servants. It would be quite lovely to have someone to prepare and bring me food whenever I have a mind for it.”
Vicky stared at her friend once more. “You aren’t thinking that you will be doing everything yourself, are you? Even your father has Milly. Surely when you wed you will have someone.”
Georgia sighed but tried to keep her smile in place. “I do hope so, but I am trying not to have my heart set on it just in case. But never mind. I shall just enjoy every minute of it while I am here with you,” she concluded as the maid returned with the promised water, followed by another servant bearing a tray with toast and mugs of what could only be chocolate. Georgia’s mouth began to water at the scent, and she pushed any disquieting thoughts about her future to the back recesses of her mind to be mulled over on her lonely travels back to Sherton. She was determined not to allow her concerns to mar a single moment of her fortnight in London.
The girls took their time getting ready but did eventually make their way to the breakfast room. Georgia silently marvelled over the delicious selections and how lovely they seemed despite having been kept waiting. Soon they were ready for their visits.
As they stood in the foyer of the first house, Georgia thought Vicky had said they were to visit Lady Feversham, but she wasn’t perfectly certain. She couldn’t help herself from preening ever so slightly as she caught sight of her reflection in the large mirror over the mantel. Georgia had never worn any of Vicky’s clothes before. She hadn’t thought they were the same size; they certainly looked nothing alike, but the gown suited her remarkably well. In all her days, Georgia was sure she had never worn such a fine garment. Much of her usual wardrobe was made by her own hands, and she was not as skilled as whoever had made this lovely frock. And the pale green suited her to perfection. Georgia had been nearly devastated when Vicky had insisted she would not be able to keep the gown on for the party they were to attend that evening.
“This is most definitely not an evening gown, silly,” Vicky had declared.
“But it is beautiful.”
“Well, I’m glad you like it, in fact, you can probably keep it, if you’d like, it wasn’t even one of my favourites, and it is from last year or perhaps even the year before, so I don’t have much need for it.”
Georgia smothered her gasp of outrage over her friend’s casual attitude to the expense that had no doubt been involved in the acquisition of such an exquisite garment. She must not have been able to keep the dubiousness from her face, though, because Vicky giggled.
“Don’t worry about this old gown, George, this is just the first day. I’ve got even better ones for you for the rest of your time here. And now I’m going to insist that you keep that one after this. It suits you far better than it ever did me or any of my sisters.”
Georgia just blinked and nodded, there was very little she could say in reply to such words. Now as she stood admiring her reflection in Lady Feversham’s foyer, she marveled anew over her temporary change of circumstances. She wondered if her sibling
s would even recognize her, were they to see her at a glance. Not that she usually looked like a dowd, she did her best to always be presentable. But she had never before had the assistance of a lady’s maid and today she was pretty much all the crack, if she did say so herself. Her reflection grinned back at her, and Georgia made every effort to compose her features before their hostess found her admiring herself. She tore her gaze away from the unfamiliar sight of herself looking to be in the height of fashion and looked around the beautiful foyer instead.
It was even grander than the foyer at Sherton House or the Sherton’s townhouse, the only two noble houses she had ever visited. But those two houses were large and beautiful. Georgia would never have thought anywhere could be more spectacular. The marble floors gleamed and the sunlight streaming through the large stained glass window above the door cast colourful twinkles throughout the large space. Georgia made every effort not to look like someone fresh from the country as she looked around. She doubted that she had succeeded. They were led into a spacious receiving room that was even more beautiful than the foyer, much to Georgia’s delight.
Lady Feversham, Georgia had remembered the name accurately after all, was a pleasant but seemingly bird-witted lady of middle age. She put Georgia in mind of a little brown hen as she fluttered around the room greeting all her visitors. There were perhaps too many of them in their group. Five women arriving all at once might be a bit much for the most stalwart of hostesses, she mused. But Lady Feversham rallied and settled her plumage as they all were seated, and Georgia was introduced as the family friend that she was.
Their hostess was polite but didn’t exude an excessive interest in Georgia, so she sat back and enjoyed watching the byplay of the social interaction. While she, of course, visited the various inhabitants of their small village, she had never found herself in such a sumptuous situation. Even though Vicky’s home, Sherton House, was wonderful, it was familiar, and they rarely stood on ceremony anyway. Too, there was the fact that Georgia didn’t know any of the people under discussion. But it mattered not. It was highly diverting to listen to the ladies’ conversation, and she felt no need to interject.
Georgia found it interesting to watch Rosabel and Hilaria acting as young ladies rather than older sisters as well. Georgia didn’t think Hilaria was capable of such pleasant interaction. She was the least aptly named of the Sherton sisters. Lord Sherton enjoyed his Latin and had insisted that his newly born second child was going to be a cheerful sort. He was sadly mistaken, but it was a pretty name nonetheless.
Musing on the two older girls, Georgia reflected on the relationship she had previously developed with them. Despite their poverty, because Georgia was wellborn, she had been allowed to run around Sherton House with Vicky since they were little girls. They had been born within days of one another and had been fast friends since they had been toddling. Rosabel and Hilaria had always taken themselves far more seriously than Vigilia ever did, so they had looked down their noses at the younger girls, at times tolerating their presence better than at others. So, it was strange for Georgia to see them being polite and proper as they chatted with their hostess.
It was fascinating, really. But Georgia supposed even she herself was different depending on the role she played – nursemaid to her ailing father, mother to her young brothers and sisters, friend to the Sherton girls, steward of her father’s small home. She had never really looked at the Shertons as ladies, and it gave her a slight pang to recognize that she would soon be far out of their league. Georgia pushed the unwelcome thought away and determined once again to enjoy every last minute of these two weeks.
The allotted fifteen minutes passed in what felt like the blink of an eye and before she knew it, Georgia was following the others back into the foyer and out onto the street. The process was repeated two more times before they returned to the Sherton’s townhouse to prepare for their evening.
“The staff will have laid a light luncheon for us in the breakfast room, girls, and you ought to eat something before you dress for the rout. While Lady Shaftesbury is a gracious hostess and generous to a fault, her cook is not the best, so you better not be too hungry when it comes time for supper,” Lady Sherton admonished as they removed their spencers and handed their bonnets to the footmen. “Not that young ladies should ever appear too hungry,” she concluded as an aside.
Georgia prevented her eyes from rolling at this direction and meekly followed the others to the breakfast room. As she filled her plate, she realized that making three calls in an afternoon worked up an appetite. She had thought she would never be hungry while she was lazing about in London, but the life of a lady of leisure took more effort than she had anticipated.
All the women were preoccupied with thoughts of the evening to come, so conversation was desultory as they made quick work of the meal. Before long Georgia and Vicky were back in their room and Vicky was called upon to once again assure her companion that a walking gown would not do for the evening.
“But Vick it’s just so beautiful. Surely it would be acceptable,” she almost pleaded.
“You haven’t even looked at the gown you are to wear this evening, so how can you be sure it’s not far better than this one?” Vicky reasoned with a laugh.
“It isn’t possible to be more beautiful,” Georgia insisted until she turned to the maid and gasped with delight. “Oh my stars, I stand corrected,” she breathed as she admired the gown the servant was holding for her to view.
The intricate embroidery over the white netting was in Georgia’s favourite shade of green. The same green could be seen in the trim along the hem. Georgia was delighted to see that while the neck was round, it wasn’t dreadfully low. She would have no reason to be uncomfortable. The short sleeves were puckered into a delightful puff. Georgia knew she would be admiring herself in any mirror she might encounter that evening. She wouldn’t be able to get over how very lovely the gown was. It was doubtful she would ever see such a sight again.
Georgia was embarrassed to be so in awe as the maids scurried around helping her and Vicky prepare. She had thought herself inured to the Shertons’ status, both social and financial, but she was feeling decidedly subdued as it was brought home to her mind just how completely out of her usual depth she was. And it all seemed so commonplace to Vicky, Georgia marvelled. She just hoped she didn’t embarrass her friend and the Sherton family during her two weeks there with her backward, provincial ways.
When she realized the direction of her thoughts, she forced some steel back into her spine. Just because the Shertons were better off than she was didn’t make them better than her. And she wasn’t such a bumpkin as all that. Before her own dear mama had died, she had taught her everything she needed to know to be a part of the ton. Just because Georgia had never had much opportunity to use that education didn’t mean she was going to shame anyone. In fact, Georgia thought fiercely, she was a Holton, and while they had fallen on hard times, that didn't mean it was anything to be sneered at.
With those bracing thoughts, Georgia allowed her eyes to finally stray to the mirror. She had been steadfastly avoiding eye contact with herself or the maid as she fussed with her hair. Now she took in the sight of the servant’s handiwork and it was all she could do to restrain an ill-bred whistle from leaving her lips.
“You have outdone yourself, Sally. Thank you so very much!”
Vicky came up behind her. “Isn’t she a wizard with hair? You are sure to turn some heads tonight,” the loyal friend admired.
Georgia watched the colour rising in her cheeks over her friend’s compliment but forbore to comment. Her gaze instead examined Vicky. “You clean up fairly well yourself,” she teased. “That colour particularly complements you. Although darker would probably suit you even better. Tell me again why we are restricted to pastel and light colours only.”
Vicky merely shrugged. “I think it’s just the fashion. And it clearly identifies who the debutants are in case anyone was wondering.” Both girls chuck
led over her words. Georgia’s mirth was quickly muffled as the maid carefully slid her gown over her artfully arranged hairstyle.
“You look just like a picture in the fashion plates, Miss,” Sally admired.
“It’s all due to your hard work, thank you, Sally.”
“Now come along, it wouldn’t do for us to be dallying,” Vicky admonished as she herded her friend out of the room.
The two girls made their way to the foyer. They were the first to arrive but they were soon joined by Vicky’s sisters and mother. After Lady Sherton inspected them each carefully, making Georgia feel like a specimen from the circus once more, she declared them all set, and the five of them made their way out to the waiting carriage. Once again, Georgia found herself needing to stem her mounting excitement.
Chapter Six
Crispin was standing across the room when the Shertons and their companion were announced. He had never been one to admire such young ladies, but he couldn’t help feeling his heart skip a beat when his gaze encountered his new acquaintance, Miss Georgia Holton. The chit was ravishing this night.
“Who is the lovely creature in company with the Shertons?” his friend Charles Layton drawled by his side. “She seems to have snagged your attention quite neatly.”
Maybe calling the man his friend was being a little too generous, Cris thought as he struggled to formulate a suitable reply. “Just another heiress here to make her mark on Society,” he replied, forcing boredom into his tone even as he remembered that the young ladies had sworn him to secrecy. “Actually, my good fellow, I may have misspoken. I don’t rightly know much about the chit, just met her in the park recently. Aren’t all the debutants heiresses? I may have confused her with another.”
Inheriting Trouble: A Sweet Regency Romance (The Bequest Series Book 1) Page 4