“I can quite understand why they continued to be friends,” Flavia observed.
She was thinking she could understand that many people, unlike her father, found Windsor Castle very dull, especially when there were fun parties elsewhere of which Her Majesty most definitely did not approve.
“Her Grace has become very interested in politics,” Mr. Wilson went on, “but one thing I admire in her is her loyalty to her friends.”
“Who in particular?” Flavia enquired.
“When the Prince of Wales quarrelled with Lord Randolph Churchill and said he would enter no house that received him, the Duchess announced, ‘I hold friendship higher than snobbery’.”
“That was brave of her. Does she still have a great deal of power in the Prince’s world?”
“A great deal,” Mr. Wilson answered.
Flavia was thinking that maybe the Duchess would help her and yet she could hardly approach her without being disloyal to her father.
“I should not be talking to you about your father’s friends in this manner,” Mr. Wilson said. “But, as you will be meeting them all, it is useful to know ‘what is what’.”
“Of course it is and I am very grateful to you. Is there anything else you can tell me about the Duchess? I will certainly be thrilled to meet her this evening.”
Mr. Wilson hesitated for a moment.
“Well, I suppose if I don’t tell you, someone else will. The Marquis of Hartington, who will one day be the Duke of Devonshire, is madly in love with her. As he is a close friend of the Prince of Wales, you can understand that ‘Harty-Tarty’, as he is always called, comes into a lot of teasing and jokes about his love affairs.”
“Is he coming this evening?”
“No, he is away in the country and the Duke of Manchester has refused.”
“I will look forward to seeing the Duchess, but I would like to meet Lord Hartington, because I read in the newspapers that he is a great character.”
“He certainly is. I heard another story about him the other day and there are a great number of them, as you will learn if you are in London for long.”
“What was the one you heard?” Flavia asked him.
“He always has an answer that no one expects. A man in his railway carriage asked him if he would mind if he smoked a cigar. The Marquis answered, ‘no, my dear sir, if you don’t mind me being sick’!”
Flavia giggled.
“Is that the sort of answer he always gives people?”
“There is another one I heard the other day and you must forgive me, Miss Flavia, if I repeat the language he used.”
“I am listening to every word,” Flavia replied.
“Well, Lord Hartington was asked what he felt was the right answer to the Americans who always say when introduced, ‘pleased to meet you’. He thought for a while, then he replied, ‘if a fellow addressed me like that, I should say – ‘so you damned well ought to be’!”
“I think that’s very funny and I must tell Papa if he does not know the story already.”
Mr. Wilson looked worried.
“Now don’t you get me into trouble, Miss Flavia, for saying too much. I keep forgetting that you are only a debutante.”
“I am too old to be one, as you know, but because I have read so much I find it difficult to speak like a quiet little girl who has just stepped out of the schoolroom.”
Mr. Wilson laughed at this and declared,
“I am sure, Miss Flavia, that you were never any of those things, but you always made everyone aware of your looks as well as your brain, as you will tonight.”
Flavia smiled at him.
“You are very encouraging and, of course, I want to be a success for Papa’s sake. He has taken so much trouble over me.”
She left the secretary’s room, hoping that her father would be back, but there was no sign of him as yet.
She went into the ballroom to see that it was filled with flowers and was looking exceedingly attractive.
As this was only a small party, the platform for the band took up more room than usual, while a huge vase of flowers filled one end of the ballroom and made the dance floor smaller than it actually was.
‘Papa thinks of everything,’ Flavia thought ‘and is an extremely good organiser.’
She was, however, wondering about the evening for the rest of the day.
What would the two courtiers do to make her aware of the Earl?
Perhaps they would merely assume she would fall in love with him as apparently every other young girl did.
‘I will have to be very clever,’ Flavia told herself. ‘Otherwise I will find myself married to this horrible man! However unfaithful he might be, Papa would never forgive me if I was involved in a divorce.’
She knew that the average Society woman would go through purgatory rather than face the long drawn-out horror of a divorce which must go through Parliament.
As Flavia was dressing for dinner, her maids kept exclaiming at the beauty of her gown and how lovely she looked in it.
When she put on her mother’s jewellery, she felt it gave her the strength she would need.
She finally looked at herself in the mirror and she had to admit that she really did look different from her usual self.
Every time she moved, the gown glittered and the diamond necklace encircled her neck just like protective armour against all that was waiting for her downstairs.
‘I must be very brave. I must be very astute,’ she told herself over and over again.
As she walked down the stairs, Barker declared,
“Oh, Miss Flavia, you do look the spitting image of your lady mother. She’d be real proud of you tonight, she would really.”
“Thank you, Barker. Is his Lordship in the drawing room?”
“Indeed, miss, and Lord Carlsby is with him.”
He then opened the door and to her amusement he announced,
“Miss Flavia, my Lord, the most beautiful young lady in the whole of London.”
Flavia was smiling sweetly as she entered the room and joined the two gentlemen.
“Let me look at you,” her father asked.
“I hope I pass the examination, Papa.”
“Definitely – and with honours!”
“You look beautiful,” Lord Carlsby sighed. “I am prepared to bet there is not a young lady in London who could equal, let alone beat you to the winning post!”
Flavia laughed and replied,
“I have always been told that if His Royal Highness approved of anyone, they immediately go to the top of the class.”
“That is certainly true,” her father said. “You must show him tonight that you are not just a small, frightened debutante of seventeen, who has never had an intelligent thought of her own since she left the nursery.”
“If I let you down, you can send me back to the country and I will never leave the horses again!”
“There is no chance of having to do that, my dear.”
As her father spoke, he put both his hands on her shoulders to show how pleased he was with her.
She noticed that he cast a glance at Lord Carlsby and clearly they were both thinking that even the spoilt and conceited Earl of Haugton would notice her.
The three of them had only been alone for a few minutes before the first guests began to arrive.
Because they were being honoured by His Royal Highness, Flavia realised that every guest had been invited either because she was beautiful, if a woman or amusing, if a man.
She could quite understand that Her Majesty Queen Victoria would be shocked if she knew about it.
This was undoubtedly one of the parties which her son would much enjoy and of which she most definitely disapproved.
Everyone complimented Flavia on her appearance.
The women, she felt, had a slightly bitter note on their lips, as if they thought – here is another contender.
While the gentlemen were sincere in saying that she was fantastic and was just wh
at was needed in Society.
“I have never seen a duller bunch of debutantes than we had last year,” a man said. “None of them had anything to say for themselves.”
“I think you are rather sweeping, Johnnie,” one of the ladies replied. “It may surprise you, but nearly every one of them was married by the end of the Season.”
“Well, that is something I have no intention of doing,” Flavia piped up, “until I have enjoyed London to the full. I have lived in the country for too long and now I want to see all the amusements available in this wonderful City and attend all the parties which up to now I have only read about in the newspapers.”
“I promise I will help you,” one of the guests said. “I will give a party for you, which will be different from all the others. Your father will tell you I have a very creative mind when it comes to entertainment.”
“She has indeed,” Lord Linwood agreed. “And if Doreen gives a party for you as she has promised, I know it will be sensational.”
“And so will your daughter,” the lady replied.
More guests were arriving all the time.
The drawing room was nearly full when the Earl of Haugton was announced.
For a moment Flavia started.
She felt as if it was impossible to move or to think.
Then, as she could see her father greeting the Earl enthusiastically, she forced herself to look at him.
He was undoubtedly one of the most handsome men she had ever seen.
He was well over six feet tall.
He had classical features and there was, she could understand, something different about him from the other gentlemen in the room.
At the same time he was her enemy and she had to fight him with every possible weapon at her disposal.
Her father was now bringing him across the room towards her.
Deliberately she turned to talk to one of the other gentleman guests and she somehow guessed that he was fond of riding.
“Tell me about your horses,” she began. “I am sure that Papa told me they were exceptional.”
“I would like to think so,” he replied, “and I have been very fortunate in winning one or two races lately.”
“It must be very exciting to see your own horse first past the winning post. To me it would be the most thrilling thing that could ever happen.”
“I hope to win the Gold Cup at Ascot this year.”
“I would love to see your horses before that.”
“I did suggest to your father that he should bring you to luncheon one day so that you can see those I have in London. My wife and I ride in Rotten Row every morning and I expect you will be doing so too.”
“I will make certain I am allowed to. My father’s horses, as I expect you know, are very fine, although the best of them are in the country.”
While they were talking, Flavia was aware that her father was gradually bringing the Earl nearer and nearer.
As the Earl apparently knew most of the people in the room, their progress was slow. So many either greeted him or he greeted them as they approached her.
Just as her father had almost reached her, Barker’s stentorian voice was heard from the door,
“His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and Mrs. Langtry.”
There was now nothing Lord Linwood could do but hurry to the door to welcome his illustrious guests and for the moment even the Earl was forgotten.
As Flavia turned round, she stole a glance at him and yes indeed he certainly was good-looking.
Now the ladies in the party were curtsying as Lord Linwood brought the Prince and Mrs. Langtry to the centre of the room.
Then, because Flavia knew it was what her father wanted, she joined him.
“May I present, Your Royal Highness, my daughter Flavia,” Lord Linwood started, “for whom this party is being given. She is as thrilled as I am that Your Royal Highness should honour us with your presence tonight.”
Flavia swept down into a deep curtsy unaware how graceful she looked and just how beautifully her sparkling gown was glinting in the candlelight.
The Prince smiled at her.
“I am very delighted to meet you, Flavia,” he said. “Your father is one of my oldest friends and has supported me, I might easily say, through thick and thin. Now I am determined, as I always pay my debts, to do my best for him.”
“And he is most grateful, Your Royal Highness,” Flavia answered. “It is marvellous for me that you are here tonight.”
“I must say, having met your mother, I expected you to be beautiful. Indeed you look like a Fairy Queen who has just stepped out of Fairyland to amuse us mere mortals.”
“Those are just the right words to use,” a soft voice at the Prince’s side remarked.
He turned to smile at Mrs. Langtry.
“I expect,” he said to Flavia, “you have heard of the most glorious woman who has taken London by storm.”
“I most certainly have,” Flavia replied and looked towards Mrs. Langtry. “And please forgive me if I say you are far lovelier than your postcards.”
Everyone laughed and Lillie Langtry added,
“That is exactly the compliment I like to receive. I thought myself the postcards were rather disappointing, but I was too polite to say so.”
“How could anyone put someone as beautiful as you on a piece of paper?” the Prince of Wales asked.
She smiled at his compliment.
Flavia, watching them, thought that they were very much in love with each other.
Then Lord Linwood suggested,
“There is someone else here tonight who I want to present to Your Royal Highness and I am only surprised you have not met before. He is the Earl of Haugton.”
The Prince held out his hand.
“I have heard a great deal about you,” he said.
“And none of it to my advantage,” the Earl replied, as he bowed.
The men laughed and Lillie Langtry commented,
“I am sure that’s not true. I’ve been told a thousand times since I arrived in London that you were exceedingly handsome. Which of course you must know is the truth.”
“I am very honoured I have been brought to your notice,” the Earl replied. “At the same time I am rather afraid of becoming just one of the ‘sights’ of London!”
“I can give you an answer to that one,” someone exclaimed, “but not when ladies are present.”
The Prince laughed and so did Lord Linwood.
Flavia saw a look of satisfaction in Lord Carlsby’s eyes. He obviously thought that the party was going the way he wanted.
The Prince was amused at something else the Earl said and again they were both chuckling.
Then Barker announced that dinner was served.
Lord Linwood offered his arm to the Duchess of Manchester.
Flavia had heard her announced, but had been at the other end of the room and she had therefore not been able to look at her closely.
Now, as her father led the way with her arm in his, the Prince followed with Lillie Langtry.
It was the Earl who should have taken Flavia in to dinner, but she just managed to slip her arm through Lord Carlsby’s before he was aware of what was happening.
“I want you to take me in to dinner,” she said, “and tell me something amusing I can say to the Prince if he speaks to me again.”
Lord Carlsby smiled.
“What are his main interests?” Flavia quizzed him.
“If I am honest,” he said in a voice only she could hear, “it is beautiful women. That is certainly a subject you cannot discuss in public – or in private for that matter!”
“I thought perhaps that was the answer, but His Royal Highness is much better looking than he appears in his photographs and I can understand him enjoying Social success, especially as he is not only attractive but also the Prince of Wales!”
Lord Carlsby smiled.
“And what do you think of the most handsome man in the whole country?”
“Who is he?” she asked innocently.
“It is the Earl of Haugton. You can hardly not have noticed him even in such a glamorous crowd as we have collected tonight for your debut.”
“Oh, him! Actually I am rather disappointed.”
“You don’t think him handsome?” Lord Carlsby asked her in surprise.
“Not particularly. I have always believed that so much was written about him in the newspapers because they had little else to write about.”
Lord Carlsby drew in his breath in surprise.
Then, as they had now reached the dining room, it was impossible for him to say any more.
Lord Carlsby escorted Flavia to her seat and went to his own on the other side of the able.
Then, as the Earl stood beside her, Flavia had an idea.
She waited until the Prince was seated with Lillie Langtry on his right and an attractive lady on his left.
Her father was now at the top of the table with the Duchess of Manchester beside him.
As the Earl sat down beside Flavia, she saw that on the other side of him was a married woman.
She had once been a beauty, but was now over fifty and she might be a friend of the Prince of Wales, but she was certainly too dull and too old for the Earl.
He would therefore have to talk to her, which was exactly what her father and Lord Carlsby planned.
Flavia drew in her breath and before the servants could start serving the first course, she rose to her feet.
She touched her wine glass with a silver spoon – it was what she had often seen her father do when he wanted to attract attention at a dinner party.
As she was standing and everyone else was sitting, they all looked up at her.
In a clear voice, which actually had a very soft and unusual sound about it, Flavia began,
“Your Royal Highness. As it is my party tonight, which is being given for me as an introduction to the gaiety and excitement of London, I want first of all to thank Your Royal Highness sincerely for coming. It is an honour that I will remember for the rest of my life.”
There was a murmur of approval as she went on,
“I have, however, one request which I know Your Royal Highness will readily understand. I have been in the country in deep mourning for my Mama for a year and have seen very little of the person I love most and who I know loves me.
A Shooting Star Page 7