A Dangerous Debut: A Sweet Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 5)

by Wendy May Andrews

  Jasper chuckled. “You may continue to look at the bright side if you wish, but reality always creeps in.”

  Daisy would rather not consider such dark thoughts, so she changed the subject back to the matter at hand before the housekeeper returned. “It is a piece of good fortune that your sister and I are both on the shorter side. If she had a tendency to take after you, we would have a great deal more work to do. As it is, most of these gowns will not need many alterations for them to suit.”

  “Mayhap not, but you must keep in mind that these are all last year’s styles. You shall have to make a few adjustments to bring them up to date. Some of this trim is really ghastly — I do wonder what she was thinking.”

  “That is no matter, my lord. I am sorry to ask again, but I just need to confirm that you are absolutely certain it is all above board for me to take these gowns. If you are sure, I think I will be able to make do with these and shall not need any gowns from a modiste. I shall merely need new ribbons and trimmings and such. Between Kate, Charlotte, and I we should be able to get all of this ready in a couple of days.”

  “Excellent,” the viscount replied, looking satisfied and self-congratulatory. “Now let us leave the servants to box everything up. You and I can have a spot of tea before we leave for our drive. You made quick work of that, so there is little need for us to rush.”

  Chapter Five

  Jasper had left Daisy to tidy herself up before they went driving while he oversaw the preparation of the horses.

  “You look ravishing,” Jasper greeted her as he helped Daisy climb up into his curricle, and then handed in her maid after her.

  Daisy snorted and rolled her eyes. “You are a complete hand, Hawthorn.” She grew serious. “You are more experienced in these matters than I am, while I think my dear Charlotte did lovely work, making me this gown, is it truly going to pass muster for your escort?”

  “Absolutely, I can assure you, it will do nicely,” Jasper answered, his tone serious and his eyes searching. She was the least self-conscious woman he had ever met. She truly seemed to have no concept of her own loveliness. He wondered for a moment if it was unwise to expose her to the aristocratic company that would be gathering for the party. He pushed the thought from his mind with the reassurance that he would be there to look after her.

  “Your horses are quite handsome, my lord,” Daisy commented with a delighted grin as she looked about while they rolled along the cobblestoned street. “They look as though they would be quite fast if they were able to have their head.”

  “Are you wishing to see me put them through their paces?” Jasper was pleasantly surprised. No young lady of the ton would ever pass up an opportunity to be seen riding around the Park at the fashionable hour in favor of such sport.

  “I would love that, my lord, but I know you wished to be seen in the Park, so you need not bother with my whims.”

  “I can assure you I would much rather go for a gallop through the countryside than take part in the Parade through Hyde Park.” Jasper paused, undecided, remembering their plans. “But it would be best if we are seen together before we head to Abernathy. I tell you what, let us make one pass around the ring and then we can leave. I will tool us around and out through Cumberland Gate, and we can take the Uxbridge Road. At this time of the day there should not be too many others on the road, and we shall be able to feel the wind for a few minutes before we swing round to Bond Street for a spot of shopping.”

  Daisy pulled a face at the thought of shopping but she approved his plan. “Very good, my lord, let us make it so.”

  Jasper threw back his head and laughed, looking forward to seeing ton events through her eyes, beginning with the Parade through Hyde Park.

  He was not going to be disappointed. With her wide, eager gaze flitting about, she soon had her observations to share.

  “Gracious, my lord, you certainly knew of which you spoke when you said we would be able to be seen here. Why are there so very many people here? Do they not have other things to do?”

  The viscount chuckled as he nodded in acknowledgement to a greeting being called to him from one of his acquaintances riding by. “For ladies of the ton, this is what they have to do, Daisy.” He failed to notice that he had begun addressing her with such familiarity. “To see and be seen is the sole purpose in life for most of the debutantes.”

  Daisy wrinkled her nose at this. “Sounds deadly dull to me.”

  “Most of the time it is,” Jasper agreed. “But there are times that it is all worthwhile.”

  “Like when?”

  Jasper turned to her, taken aback by her direct gaze focused so fully upon him. She was so often distracted by her delight in her surroundings, he rarely got trapped by her concentrated focus. He quite enjoyed the experience of being the object of her fascination. He almost forgot what they had been discussing.

  “Like right this moment when I am riding out on such a lovely, sunny day with a beautiful young lady beside me. What could be better than this?”

  Daisy again snorted dismissively. “I thought you were going to be serious for once,” she complained, turning her attention back to observing the crowds.

  “I was,” Jasper muttered under his voice, but Daisy barely noticed.

  “Oh, my lord,” she chortled. “Do look at that woman over there wearing the purple habit in the white carriage. The feathers in her hat are so long they are going to get tangled in the trees. Did no one tell her what a bad idea those were?”

  Jasper followed the direction of her discreetly pointing finger, glad that she was not such a bumpkin as to be pointing outright. He stifled his own laughter when he realized who she was talking about. “That is Lady Lucretia Foxworth. She is this season’s diamond and she would not take kindly to your mockery.”

  Daisy tore her eyes away from the ridiculous sight and searched Jasper’s face for signs that he was funning her. “Are you perfectly serious, my lord? I will not deny that she is a beautiful woman, but surely no one would want to emulate her style choices.”

  “Look around and come to your own conclusions.”

  “Oh good heavens, my lord. Why are there so many foolish ladies amongst the ton? Please tell me you will not be expecting me to imitate her, as well. I can assure you I will not be able to pull it off creditably.”

  Jasper’s gaze searched hers for a moment before he gave in to his amusement. “You are perfectly correct, my dear girl. I do not believe you could play the role of society jade. No, I will not expect you to imitate Lady Lucretia. You do a creditable job of being Miss Daisy Pembroke, and that is sufficient for our plans, have no fear.”

  Daisy was undecided whether she was relieved or disappointed over his words. She looked back at the beautiful diamond. Shaking her head, Daisy acknowledged to herself that no matter if she wanted to, she would never be other than she was, and that was a far cry from the leader of the ton that the beautiful young debutante was. After one last wistful glance and a small sigh, Daisy tore her eyes away and allowed them to roam about over the rest of the milling crowds.

  Jasper amused himself by watching the myriad expressions chasing themselves over her mobile face. It crossed his mind that the next fortnight was going to be highly diverting.

  Daisy turned to him, her expression bright. “It truly is fascinating to watch all these people. I wish I could sit on a bench all day and watch them, but I suppose we ought to get on about our business. Thank you so much for bringing me here, my lord. It has given me a better picture of what I shall be in for during your mother’s house party.”

  “It has been my pleasure to have you with me, for certain, my dear. But what do you mean that it has given you a picture of what to expect?”

  “Seeing the interactions, I realize that much of it is acting, so I have less qualms about the role I shall be playing. And seeing that everyone is playing a role has reminded me that I must not take anything that is said to me as sworn truth.”

  Jasper gazed at her with amaze
d admiration. “That is very true, but how did you come up with that by watching the Parade?”

  Daisy shrugged. “It was simple really. Take for example your diamond. Surely if she had the least sense, she would realize how silly she looks driving around in an open carriage with such tall feathers sprouting from her head. And everyone else must realize it is ridiculous as well, but other ladies are imitating her choice of headwear. This tells me that appearance is everything to these people, it matters not how foolish that appearance might be.”

  Daisy looked around some more before inclining her head slightly. “Did you notice that carriage just over there?”

  “The one with the matched bays?”

  “Exactly.” Daisy beamed at her companion before continuing. “The two ladies in that carriage seemed to be so polite to the lady on horseback with whom they were just speaking, but as soon as the mounted lady rode away, they began whispering fiercely to one another. It seems to me as though they are speaking unpleasantly about the lady they just professed friendship with.”

  The viscount’s eyebrows were inching up his forehead. “You should be in the employ of the Home Office, my dear girl. Your talents are being wasted in any profession other than that of a spy.”

  Daisy grinned at the compliment. “Thank you, my lord. Others would see the same things if they were not so absorbed in themselves.”

  Her words were so full of the truth there was no answer Jasper could offer. He merely flicked the leads on his horses and headed away from the crowds, ready to show Daisy the abilities of his favorite pair. She laughed and held on to her seat as they picked up speed.

  Before long they were tooling along the road, with few other carriages in sight. Jasper allowed the powerful horses to lengthen their paces, and he grinned as he heard Daisy’s laughter ringing out. Before long he slowed them back down to a more demure pace as he steered them toward the busier traffic and they returned to the fashionable part of Town.

  “That was smashing, my lord,” Daisy declared with glee.

  “I am happy to have pleased you, my dear.” He kept his face grave, but his eyes sparkled with enjoyment.

  Daisy huffed a sigh. “It seems rather dull to go shopping after such fun.”

  “Do you wish to be conveyed home instead?” Jasper offered solicitously.

  “Do not be daft, my lord,” Daisy reprimanded. “We do not have the time for me to be missish. This shopping needs to get done and the alterations finished so we can get our little expedition over with.”

  Jasper felt a rare pinch of guilt over how obviously she was dreading the process. “I ought to release you from your promise,” he began before Daisy interrupted.

  “Oh no, my lord, I apologize if I sounded as though I am trying to wriggle out of our deal. I am not, I can assure you. While I am terribly nervous about the whole thing, I truly do not want to back out of it. In fact, I am looking forward to it. It shall be an adventure. A bit of excitement to reminisce about to prevent me turning to dust from boredom as a governess or companion in the future.”

  “I shall do my best to make it a memorable adventure then, Miss Daisy.”

  As they turned onto Bond Street, Jasper brought his horses to a stop. “Do you think I ought to come in with you and help you make your choices?”

  “Only if you want everyone to be searching the papers for an announcement on the morrow, my lord.” Daisy laughed at his incredulous expression. “Your driving and presence here has drawn enough attention to us for our purposes. From what I have learned about you in the past two days, it would be a first for you to be in such an establishment. If you were to turn up there with me on your arm, it might be just a little too much for some to take in, would you not agree?”

  “How did you get so smart?” Jasper asked, shaking his head. “Very well, my dear, I shall wait for you. But do make sure you make the right choices.”

  Daisy rolled her eyes in exasperation. “I shall do my poor best, my lord,” she replied, her tone dry. “Come along, Kate, you must surely be bored to tears.”

  “Oh no, miss, it has been one of the funnest days of my life so far.”

  The girls exchanged happy smiles as they headed for the shops. Daisy was grateful that the viscount had discretely pressed some guineas into her hand earlier in the day. She was highly uncomfortable taking his money, but she was unsure how much she would need and knew her meager funds would not stretch far.

  “It is for your costumes.” He had been matter of fact, keeping her embarrassment to a minimum.

  Daisy and Kate were momentarily overwhelmed by the volume of fabrics, ribbons, and trinkets within the first shop they entered. But before long, they were happily engaged in picking out the necessities. They made swift work of making the necessary purchases and were soon striding toward the viscount, who was walking his horses along the street.

  “Are you sure you have everything you need?” Jasper had never known a female to complete her shopping in such a short time. “You surely cannot be finished already.”

  “We are indeed. Thank you for your patience in waiting for us, my lord. Now if you would be so kind, you could drop us off in our neighborhood so we can get on with the rest of the preparations.”

  “You are a strange woman, Miss Daisy Pembroke,” Jasper remarked as he handed her and the maid into his carriage before clicking his tongue to his horses and setting out for Bloomsbury.

  Daisy’s only response was a low chuckle.

  The viscount dropped his passengers in front of Charlotte’s tidy house, promising to call ‘round the following afternoon.

  “I do not think it advisable, my lord. This is not the right environment for you, for one thing, and you shall be interrupting our work, for another. We shall have to arrange tea for you, and it will just be a lot of bother for nothing.”

  “That is certainly putting me in my place nicely, my dear.”

  Daisy blushed over Jasper’s sarcastic tone but did not relent. “If we are to be ready to leave in two days, we need all the time we have in order to make all the necessary preparations. And it would be terrible to have our charade exposed by someone finding out that your intended resides in Bloomsbury. No matter how eager your parents are to marry you off, even they might hesitate over that.”

  “Why Margaret Pembroke, you are a terrible snob,” Jasper declared. “I do believe it is you who is looking down your nose at this neighborhood, not me.” Daisy did not relent in the face of his accusation. “Very well, I see your point about needing all the time you have. But you do realize I shall have to come here with my carriage to pick up you and your baggage.”

  Daisy shrugged and inclined her head. “Surely it will be early, and we will be quick.”

  Jasper sighed. “Very well, my dear. I shall be here early, two days hence. Send around a note if you hit any snags or wish for my assistance in any way.”

  “Thank you, my lord, we shall do our level best not to need you, but I appreciate the offer.”

  With those words, Daisy hopped down from the carriage and followed her maid into the house.

  The next days and nights were a whirl of activity. Daisy found she quite enjoyed the camaraderie of Charlotte and Kate as they bent over their needles and made all the necessary alterations.

  She was trying on the last gown and Charlotte was putting in a couple last stitches while Daisy watched in the small looking glass. “It has been so long since I have felt this pampered, Charlotte. Thank you so much for all that you are doing to help.”

  “How can you possibly feel pampered? You have been working just as hard as Kate and me.” Charlotte looked up from her stitches to search the younger woman’s face.

  Daisy laughed and shrugged. “But we have been working for me rather than for someone else’s benefit. And it has actually been such fun. I have never had the opportunity to sit around with other women sewing. Even as a girl my needlework was a solitary drudgery. This reminds me of the lovely times I had while I was away at school for s
uch a short time.”

  Charlotte’s smile was indulgent. “You always did hate anything to do with needle and thread.”

  “But when you can sit around and giggle with others, it turns into a game rather than a dreaded ordeal. I never would have thought it possible.”

  They shared a laugh before Charlotte nodded and stood. “I do believe you are finished, my dear.”

  “Once again you have produced a masterpiece. I have no need to fear being found out from my clothes. Any misstep will be of my own making.”

  Charlotte hugged her friend close. “You know you don’t have to do this, don’t you?”

  “Oh, Charlotte, of course I do. But while I am terrified, there is an equal amount of excitement thrown in to make it all worthwhile.”

  “Very well, if you are certain, you ought to be in bed. The viscount will be calling round to collect you before you know it.”

  “I doubt I shall sleep a wink,” Daisy declared. Once again she was mistaken. Despite her anxieties, the busyness of the past couple days took their toll on her and she fell asleep within moments.

  Chapter Six

  Jasper grumbled as his valet shook him awake.

  “You did ask to be up early, my lord,” he reminded respectfully.

  The viscount cracked his eyelids open. “You are, no doubt, quite correct,” he drawled.

  “You are supposed to be heading to your parents’ party, my lord,” Henry reminded his master calmly, which elicited a disconsolate groan from the bed. “Did you try to drown the memory away last night, my lord?”

  “I can hear the grin in your voice, Henry, even though I am refusing to look at you.”

  Unrepentant, Henry bustled about, opening the heavy curtains and laying out the viscount’s traveling clothes. “Would you like me to ring for something to be brought for you to break your fast, my lord?”

  Jasper cocked a shocked eyebrow at his valet. “At this hour, Henry?” he asked, reproachful.

  Henry’s face displayed his apology. “You really ought to eat something before you face the rigours of your travel, my lord. And you will be picking up Miss Pembroke,” he reminded. “Do you not think it would be wise to fortify yourself first?”