Felicity and the Damaged Reputation: A witty, sweet Regency Romance

by Alicia Cameron

  The two young ladies moved away, Felicity laughing internally at the thought footman tearing around London with notes that read “Blue. Straw bonnet” or “pink with green scarf”. She and Vivien made the circuit of the large ballroom and Felicity was introduced to a few more of Miss Althorpe’s acquaintance, including the blond haired, pretty Miss Friel, who regarded Felicity with cold eyes and extended just her fingers to her. Felicity could not know that Miss Friel’s last partner for the boulangère had said to her, “I say, who is the new beauty with Miss Althorpe?” The resultant piece of humiliation she laid at the girl’s door instead of at the careless gentleman’s. Felicity smiled again, to encourage a warmer response, but happily moved on when Miss Althorpe obliged her to.

  A few young gentlemen also approached them in order to secure a future dance with Miss Althorpe, who introduced Felicity, ‘Lady Ellingham’s niece, newly arrived in town.’ They variously bowed and several stared very hard at Miss Althorpe’s companion, which caused Vivien to remark. ‘Why do you have to be so very beautiful? I declare you will cut me out with some of my admirers.’ But this was said so lightly that Felicity was able to return just a deprecating laugh. Felicity learnt a great deal from Vivien’s demeanour — with the gentlemen in particular. The way she issued the vaguest of promises, or was occasionally unsure of her ability to grant a gentleman’s request, with a just a soupcon of regret, seemed masterly to Felicity. This must be flirting.

  By the time she returned to her aunt’s side, she felt very much more comfortable, now knowing many people in the room. As soon as they were at their respective chaperone’s sides, gentlemen arrived to whisk them off to the next country dance, with only the reluctant introductions of her Aunt to slow the process down for Felicity, causing her to miss the forming of the set on one occasion and promising a Mr Boston, a rather jolly young gentleman, a later dance instead.

  When she returned to her aunt after this, it was to see that Lady Aurora and Mr Fenton had joined them, along with a lady wearing a simple silk gown in dark grey, with a lace cap (though she did not look very old) and black gloves, perhaps indicating mourning. She was introduced as Lady Sumner. She had a long nose and sharp smiling eyes, and she gave Felicity’s hand a decisive shake, making the girl decide that she liked her already.

  ‘My dear!’ said Lady Aurora, with great affection, ‘I can see that you are an instant success!’ she turned on a round gentleman with an extraordinary bouffant hairdo who was approaching, ‘Not now, Sir Ralph, we ladies are chattering at the moment. The next cotillion.’ Sir Ralph looked rather put out, but bowed and moved away.

  ‘I am not! It is just that my new friend Miss Althorpe has introduced me to so many people! Everyone is very kind.’

  ‘Vivien Althorpe. Wonderful, she has the largest acquaintance, and her mama keeps a strict eye on those to whom she is introduced. Has your aunt introduced you much?’ Felicity gave her no more than a look. ‘No, I quite see not. You look lovely tonight, my dear.’

  ‘My wife says it for me!’ Mr Fenton bowed over her hand. ‘Shall we annoy Sir Ralph Walters and dance? He likes to think he makes a debutante’s reputation, but he does not. Unless you refuse to dance with so aged a partner?’

  Felicity smiled. ‘I could never refuse to dance with my wicked abductor.’

  He laughed and led her into a set who were dancing already, but a couple short. This caused a little stumbling for a second or two, but Felicity laughed it off and the other dancers smiled with her, excepting the serious Miss Friel.

  ‘I do not think Miss Friel likes me,’ confessed Felicity, when the figures permitted, ‘But I cannot understand why.’

  Mr Fenton turned his elegant head in Miss Friel’s direction, but it was some moments before the dance permitted him to whisper into her ear, ‘Too much starch in her petticoat!’ which caused Felicity to explode with a laugh and then quench it quickly.

  ‘You are a rogue sir!’

  ‘But only your second abductor! You did not say who the first was.’

  Felicity danced on and considered. ‘I do not think I can say, sir. He did me no harm after all, and only wished a service from me.’

  ‘Ah, an intrigue! I am famous for ferreting out intrigues.’

  ‘Are you sir? I fear you will never know this one.’

  ‘A challenge, my dear. Accepted.’

  As Mr Fenton had intended, by the time Felicity had left the dance floor, he had displayed her happy nature to the ton, and he had shown her at her shining best.

  ‘You are a genius, my love!’ his wife whispered when he returned, ‘Every man in the room, except for the constitutionally dead, looked at our dear girl! She will be a hit!’

  ‘I think she was doing very nicely on her own.’

  His wife regarded the bench of old biddies. ‘With no help from her aunt. What a fortunate occurrence that Vivien Althorpe should take her up. That girl knows everyone in town.’

  ‘Isn’t she a little fast for Felicity?’ said Mr Fenton with some regret.

  ‘You are sentimental about our dear girl, my love. Who would have thought it of the cynical Mr Fenton? You are too attached to her country girl innocence, which might, you know, be taken advantage of. No, Vivien Althorpe is just the girl to bring her up to scratch!’

  ‘My years of cynicism ended when I married you, my dear,’ he said, making his wife glow. ‘It is but a face for the world these days. But I suppose you are correct, my love.’

  Felicity was fatigued but happy as she entered her chamber that night. A chambermaid undressed her, a task that she could very well have managed on her own, but she was very grateful when Maria, who had seen her aunt to her bed, came to take apart her coiffure and brush her hair. While this was happening, Miss Fleet stole into the room, first putting her head around the door and saying, ‘May I?’ She carried a tray with a wine glass upon it. ‘Beatty wonders if you would care for some wine. He says it calms the head after excitement and may help you sleep.’

  ‘How kind!’

  ‘I shall leave it on the night table, for you.’ She looked a little conscious, ‘Did you have an enjoyable evening, my dear?’

  Felicity smiled into the mirror, meeting the eye of the timid lady. ‘Oh yes, pray sit down and I’ll tell all!’

  Miss Fleet was riveted by the tale of the evening, Felicity describing the glittering occasion with all the skill of a novelist. From her first dance with the Captain who failed to listen, which made the maid Maria betray herself with twitch of her lips, to the dresses of the great ladies and the wonderful gaining of two new friends, she told all. Maria slowed down her work unbraiding the hair, perhaps so that she could hear the tale too. She was rewarded by Felicity saying that her friends Miss Althorpe and Carter-Phipps had spent ages studying her coiffure, both declaring themselves to be jealous. Maria smiled, though it looked a trifle sour from limited usage.

  Miss Fleet gurgled when she told her that she had called Mr Fenton her wicked abductor, ‘Oh yes, my dear, just like Schedoni! And Lady Aurora shall be your …’

  ‘Angel of light!’ said Felicity, ‘And I fear Aunt Ellingham must be my fiendish guardian.’ She looked aghast. ‘I should not say so. If she has not been kind to me, my aunt has been extremely generous.’

  Miss Fleet said, with a frown, ‘Yes, indeed she has. She must like you, beneath her, well—‘

  ‘Crotchets?’ laughed Felicity. ’Yes, I know. It is hard to thank her, but I assure you I did kiss her once more this evening to thank her for all my finery.’

  Miss Fleet sighed in satisfaction and curled herself on the bed while Felicity ran on. ‘Oh, but you must have danced every dance,’ she said, breathlessly.

  ‘I suppose I did, except the one where I missed the forming of a set.’

  ‘Some young ladies spend the evening only watching,’ the little lady said, in a reminiscent tone

  ‘I did not see any who sat all evening, the hostess ensured that girls were introduced to suitable partners. But I suppose I did r
eceive more than my share of invitations because of the good fortune in meeting Miss Althorpe. She knows everyone.’

  ‘It may be a little to do with your beauty, my dear,’ suggested Miss Fleet with the hint of a smile.

  ‘I don’t think so, I am still Papa’s maypole, I fear — but perhaps my elegant attire helped,’ Miss Fleet looked down at this moment playing with the folds of the bed cover. ‘But I thanked Lady Aurora too, for her sense of taste is exquisite. Left to my own devices I should probably have chosen quite the wrong things.’

  Finally Maria was finished with her hair, letting it fall on her shoulders. She was surprised by a light touch from Felicity’s hand in thanks, and she bobbed a curtsy and said, ‘Good night, miss.’

  Felicity smiled, tying on her night cap. ‘Good night and thank you, Maria.’

  There was such feeling in Felicity’s voice that Maria smiled again, then repressed it firmly, and left.

  ‘You were not overcome by the exalted company, my dear? I was once at an Assembly in Bath that almost overset me. A baronet asked me to dance, and I could say not one word to him and ended by stumbling in the figures.’

  Felicity gurgled, pulling her legs beneath her on the bed. ‘Oh, I know that certain aristocrats are supposed to behave loftily — indeed some of them may,’ she said, thinking of the arrogant lord whom she had met at the inn, ‘but everyone tonight was very kind indeed. I danced with a baron and a viscount, among others, and they were much less tyrannical than Lord D— well, another man of rank I have met. Indeed Viscount Hargreaves was fine old gentleman, and a trifle shy.’

  ‘Oh. Old,’ said Miss Fleet with a disappointed sigh.

  ‘Oh, yes. He was forty if he was a day.’

  Miss Fleet swallowed.

  ‘He confessed that his cravat was a trifle tight, and I recommended the withdrawing rooms, where a footman might be sure to help him.’

  This was not the romantic tryst that Miss Fleet had hoped for the young girl, but even after some time, she could elicit not much in romance from the evening. She could not guess that all the compliments that Felicity received she thought of as absurd, and mere London manners, and therefore failed to mention. But the little lady was charmed by the description of the ballroom, and the fashions, and by Felicity’s portrayal of some of the most absurd creatures, such as Sir Ralph Bosco, with the most enormous bouffant hairdo and the extreme air of importance.

  ‘I think Mr Fenton is far more elegant and impressive than he,’ she confessed.

  ‘How kind Mr and Mrs Fenton are, my dear. You have true friends there, I feel.’

  ‘And another here,’ said Felicity, hugging her briefly, which caused Miss Fleet to cry a silent tear. ‘But we must continue this in the morning, for I am not used to such dissipation!’

  And so they parted for the night, Felicity eventually drinking down the dose of wine to settle her excitement and allow herself repose. How kind of the long-faced Beatty to think of her. Thanking him would upset his sense of decorum, she would just smile teasingly.

  In the past, Felicity had received the most affection in her life from the servants at Oldfield. When she was young, she had begun by stealing tartlets from Cook, and ended by coming down at least some part of her day sitting on the kitchen table and swinging her legs, being scolded and given treats in turn. Excluded by the twins from the nursery, she had spent many happy hours in the housekeeper’s room, learning to set stitches and mend linen. She was permitted since the servants, with whom she was a great favourite, knew that she was not wanted elsewhere. And now Beatty and Maria were so kind to her too. She was fortunate indeed. There was always, with servants, the problem of how to thank them. To offer to share their duties was such an insult, giving a vial was not possible for her since she had no money. She would have to just look her thanks. Lady Crosswell, from her county, had told her to avoid being friendly with servants, since it made them lazy, and lowered oneself in their eyes. But how could she fail to be grateful for such things as the glass of wine, which was indeed making her sleepy?

  She could hardly believe the difference between the position she was supposed to be in and her present state of happiness. Of course, she could not expect to stay with her aunt beyond this season, the old lady had made that clear. Felicity would soon work for her living, and make a joy of it. She hoped her aunt might help her find a position, or dear Mrs Fenton. But for now, she would pretend that she was just another young girl here to enjoy her first season, and think of her eventual fate only when it was sensible to do so.

  Genevieve, Lady Sumner, drove Felicity and Lady Aurora to the park the next day and listened as the young girl told of her wonderful evening with open frankness to her ladyship.

  ‘Well, an excellent start! And did you enjoy it my dear?’

  ‘I did! It was quite wonderful. But I fear my aunt did not.’

  ‘Nonsense, she and her set had a wonderful time sniping about young people’s manners.’

  ‘Oh, goodness!’ Felicity sounded aghast. ‘Look on the path there, it is Mrs Hennessey and her son, the young man that I hit with my portmanteau!’

  ‘Sit straight and do not look at them. Well, of all the brass! She has raised her hand to catch your attention. Give her the cut direct — the park authorities let anyone in these days. Slow down a little as we drive past, Genevieve. Is it that woman in the ridiculous yellow hat and the puny looking boy? I wish to enact a little scene for her.’ As they passed, Felicity, looking ahead and not in Mrs Hennessey’s direction, heard herself hailed. She obeyed the pressure on her arm, however, and affected not to hear. Lady Aurora raised her voice and gave it the drawling note she used to some when she wished to keep people at a distance, ‘All London is at your feet, my dear Felicity, delighting in your company.’ They passed the humiliated woman, and Felicity breathed a sigh, unable to repress a frisson of satisfaction, which she instantly felt guilty for.

  ‘Did you really have to quote Greensleeves?’ asked Lady Sumner in her brusque manner, unimpressed. Felicity giggled.

  Lady Aurora smiled, then said to her young charge, ‘Who was the gentleman who was turned away from the door of your aunt’s house as we fetched you, my dear?’

  ‘Oh, I believe a number of gentlemen have paid calls, but all have been refused entry.’

  ‘Because her ladyship breakfasts late, I suppose,’ said Lady Sumner practically. ‘They will attend the afternoon hour.’

  ‘They will be denied. My aunt has given orders. She said that last night was already a trial, her conversation being constantly interrupted with applications to be introduced to me. It is quite true, I’m afraid,’ Felicity added when she saw a darkened look on Lady Aurora’s face. ‘She declares she will not attend another ball with me.’ Felicity tried not to sound worried at the prospect.

  ‘Well as to that, Genevieve and I are massively fond of balls and will be happy to accompany you.’ She ignored an unladylike snort from her companion, merely saying. ‘Here is Miss Althorpe, driving a smart phaeton, we shall set you down here. No doubt she will drive you home. Vivien is with Miss Carter-Phipps, I see.’

  ‘A very good novice driver!’ approved Lady Sumner, ‘Not too harsh on the ribbons. You need fear no hurt, Miss Oldfield.’

  Felicity, who had feared nothing, was handed down, and then up to the phaeton, all three young ladies sat on the seat meant for only two together, immediately chattering.

  Miss Althorpe was wearing a dark green spencer, of the colour that looked so well on redheads, over a white muslin dress. They had obviously coordinated, for dark haired Miss Carter-Phipps was in gold, with quite a charming bonnet in straw, which framed her delicate, but determined features. The roses under the brim were the same dark red as her plump lips.

  ‘Oh, Felicity, Althea would not tell me if Mr Quincy was brought to the point last night. She said we must await you.’

  ‘Oooooh,’ said Felicity with a thrill, ‘do tell.’

  Miss Carter-Phipps smiled.

  ‘And
what did you say?’ asked Vivien breathlessly.

  ‘I said that I would consider the matter,’ said Althea, ‘I won’t, of course. Any man that needed quite so many hints to say his piece would make an annoying husband. One doesn’t want an autocrat, to be sure, but a man who cannot decide for himself would be an intolerable bore.’

  ‘Poor Mr Quincy!’ said Felicity.

  ‘Nonsense! I would make him a very uncomfortable wife.’

  ‘That makes three offers. I wish you would tell me how you did it, how you encourage them to speak. Young men are such slow tops at times. Mr Jeffries has had two dances at three balls with me and just swallows his adam’s apple a great deal when we are at leave to talk privately.’

  ‘I am sorry, Vivien, but you cannot be trusted with this information. Your impulsive nature is such that you are liable to say yes in the heat of the moment to some unsuitable man like Mr Jeffries.’ Vivien sat back, disheartened.

  ‘I danced last night with Mr Jeffries and found him to be very, eh, pleasant,’ Felicity said, in his defence.

  ‘Perhaps, but Vivien does not really want to marry him.’

  ‘Oh no, but it just so mortifying when a gentleman does not “come up to scratch” as I have heard my brother say, after he has publicly paid one so much attention.’

  ‘Quite!’

  ‘You ladies seem to know so much,’ said Felicity. ‘But I think I would be most upset to refuse a gentleman.’

  ‘Then you might marry anybody,’ said Vivien with wide eyes, ‘that would be fatal!’

  ‘Vivien and I have discussed it fully, Felicity, and we have decided to share with you our list.’ Althea opened her reticule and produced a small silver backed note book.

  Felicity took it respectfully, her friends glancing at her with large eyes. They had pulled over at a handy gazebo, and from time to time a gentleman on the trot approached them, but Miss Carter-Phipps shook her head at them, and they skewed away.