A Season of Romance

by Wendy Soliman

  ‘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 them. 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 Luckingham,’ 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 dri
ve 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?’

  ‘No, merely that she had met a young gentleman in Bath, but he had been wholly unsuitable and her father had sent him away.’

  ‘She could not have been so reasonable about it at the time,’ said Lucia, remembering her aunt’s letters, describing the mysterious Mr T as her one true love.

  ‘No, and I think the memory of it made her sad,’ agreed Morry. ‘I am certain I saw a tear upon her cheek, but she insisted it was the smoke making her eyes water.’ They had reached Orchard Street by this time and Morry gave a little gasp. ‘Oh, look at that elegant carriage standing at the roadside. Do you think it is another patron for Orchard Gowns?’

  Lucia took her friend’s arm and hurried her forward. ‘Let us go and see.’

  The maid, recognising them as regular customers, gave a little curtsy as they entered.

  ‘I will show you into the parlour, if you please,’ she said politely. ‘Miss Bower has another client with her in the consulting room at present.’

  Lucia glanced at Miss Morrison, her eyes twinkling. ‘Clients, consulting room? Grace is developing her business very nicely.’

  ‘Oh dear, I do hope she can manage. She only has two women to help her and the few extra hours I can spare to help with the sewing are barely enough to keep up with demand.’

  ‘And now my aunt requires your company, too, you will have even less time.’ Lucia smiled. ‘Do not look so anxious, Morry, I think it is time to consider employing another seamstress. How are the accounts, can we afford it?’

  ‘I brought the ledgers up to date last Monday, and everything looks in order,’ replied Miss Morrison. ‘There are already several repeat orders, and I think we may safely take on another woman.’

  At that moment Grace came in, neat as wax with an immaculate apron tied over her simple blue muslin gown. A tape measure hung around her shoulders, and she wore a pin cushion on one wrist, which she was at pains to keep well out of the way as Lucia came up to embrace her.

  ‘I beg your pardon for keeping you waiting,’ she greeted them in her soft voice. ‘I have had a rush of customers this morning.’

  ‘And more orders too, I hope?’ asked Miss Morrison.

  ‘Oh yes, two morning gowns and a walking dress for a Mrs Arbuttle, plus a debutante’s gown for her daughter. To be worn at Almack’s!’

  ‘Excellent news,’ cried Lucia, giving her another hug. ‘I have never heard of the lady, so I do not think her business has come from my recommendation.’

  ‘No, she was sent here by another customer. Oh Lucia, is it not exciting, that people like my creations?’ The shining light in her eyes dimmed a fraction. ‘But everyone wants their orders quickly. It will require a deal of hard work if I am not to disappoint them.’

  ‘Lucia and I were only this minute discussing it,’ replied Morry. ‘Now, let us sit down and decide how best we might fulfil all the orders.’

  ‘Not here!’ Grace went back to the door. ‘Come through to the back. I have made that my consulting room, we shall not be disturbed there. If any visitors come in, Ella knows to show them in here.’

  ‘You should be very proud of yourself,’ declared Miss Morrison as she walked back to Portman Square with Lucia, an hour later. ‘Your plan is proving a great success. Grace’s reputation is growing steadily and the business is already showing a good return on your investment.’

  ‘Our investment,’ Lucia corrected her. ‘I could not have done this without you both.’

  ‘I agree you need Grace’s skills, but – ‘

  ‘No.’ Lucia stopped and turned to her, saying firmly, ‘We need your skills, too, Morry. Your assistance with the accounts is invaluable, and Grace is also grateful for an extra pair of hands to help with the sewing. My own abilities in that direction are sadly lacking.’

  Miss Morrison’s eyes filled with tears. ‘Oh, Lucia, that is very kind –’

  ‘Not at all.’ She took Morry’s hands and squeezed them. ‘We can only do this if we work together, Morry, remember that.’

  ‘I will, although I think things will be a little easier once Grace takes on a new seamstress. She said she knew a woman who could join her this week, did she not? If that is so then she will not require our help with the sewing. That will be a relief, will it not?’

  ‘’More so for me than you, Morry. You will still have to keep the accounts.’

  ‘I do not mind that. You ne
ed not feel guilty, Lucia, for you work quite hard enough as it is.’

  She laughed at that. ‘I may be busy, but you cannot say that I am working hard. However, since my stitches are not nearly so neat as yours, I shall bow out with a good grace.’

  The growing success of Orchard Gowns meant Lucy no longer felt the need to be seen in quite so many fashionable haunts, yet her days remained full, spent either in the drawing room with her aunt, entertaining callers, or attending one of the many routs, breakfast parties or balls. It would be a relief not to have to help with the sewing, which she had carried out surreptitiously, knowing the staff would be scandalised to think their mistress’s niece was employed in such a way.

  *

  The trip to the theatre that evening resulted in even more invitations, including one from Lady Chawton. Mr Edward Chawton had brought his mother to their box during the interval, where he sat down beside Lucia while the three older ladies conversed together. She was more than happy to give him her attention, for she was aware that her presence was causing a stir. She had seen ladies in more than one of the boxes looking her way and talking behind their fans. She could only hope they were admiring Grace’s latest work of art.

  ‘Tell me, Miss Luckington, what do you think of the Scottish play?’ asked Mr Chawton.

  ‘Very bloody,’ she said cheerfully. ‘It is not one of my favourites, but my aunt likes a good murder. For my part I prefer the farce.’

  ‘Indeed? But that will be such light-weight fare. I think you might have enjoyed the play more if you had been in Town last year, and seen Mrs Siddons in the role of Lady Macbeth. The applause stopped the performance, you know.’

  Mr Chawton drew his chair a little closer and began to describe the various performances he had seen. Lucia listened politely until the opening of the door to the box distracted her and she glanced across to see Sir Darius Claversham come in. She thought she read disapproval in his glance when he looked at her and immediately turned her attention back to Mr Chawton. She leaned nearer to listen to him, showing a spurious interest until the bell rang for the end of the interval. Only then did she look up to find that Sir Darius was no longer in the box.