“Cook, surely there is some mistake and you do not really intend to leave,” Sir Cecil had protested when faced with her giving notice.
“I was happy to work for the charming Miss Alicia Lambert, even though I knew I could get higher wages elsewhere, but now she has left I have no desire to stay. I will work my notice, but I can’t be doing with the confusion and disharmony which Lady Clarissa creates,” that redoubtable lady said before stomping off back to her kitchens.
Chapter Six
Sebastian spent the rest of the summer diligently learning the details and problems of the ducal estates and entering local society with his father. He made a point of checking the estate’s books when his father was resting, finding them accurate to the last farthing. However he believed the estates could be more efficiently run, by instituting more modern methods and practices. But when he ventured to make tentative suggestions to his father, he was firmly told he had no understanding of land management and should take more time with their agent before trying to make changes. Harman, their agent was no easier to persuade than the Duke, so Sebastian said nothing more on the subject. The estates were still profitable, but Sebastian knew they could bring in far more, without impoverishing the peasantry and estate’s tenants.
Sebastian rode with the local hunt and shot and fished the estates’ river and lakes. His father made a point of introducing him to all the local landowners’ eligible daughters. Some were very attractive young women, all of whom would have been gratified if the handsome Marquis had shown them any particular attention. While Sebastian was prepared to consider marrying a suitable girl, he found he could summon no interest in the ladies who had been brought to his attention. They might be charming girls, but without exception lacked informed conversation. They spoke nothing but trivialities and were prepared to defer to his opinions in everything.
Sebastian, who had left Cambridge with a first and had taken additional studies in modern languages, was used to participating in scholarly discussions in the most select salons of Europe. He found life at the Castle sadly flat. He wrote letters and read or played chess or cards with his father in the evenings, when they were not socialising. He became a little closer to his father, united as they were in their grief for Peter. Sebastian had always known his father was an intelligent man, who was well au fait with the affairs of the world. It was only when Sebastian tried to make changes in how the estates were being run they disagreed.
Sebastian had not found any of the girls he had been introduced to interesting either. He could not understand why intelligent men should not bother to educate their daughters properly. Several of the girls he had met had clearly been fairly bright, but their education had left them ill equipped to converse on any subject of interest to Sebastian. The idea of being unable to talk comfortably with his future wife he found unacceptable.
“Father, can we talk about my marriage plans?” Sebastian asked one evening.
“Yes of course, have you got a tendre for one of the local ladies?” The Duke said looking up from the chess board between them. He had been trying to see a way to get out of check for some time, but every move he could see would only put him back into check.
“No, I’m afraid not. You’ve been pretty thorough in making sure I’ve been introduced to all the local suitable girls, but I won’t propose to any of them,”
“None of them take your fancy? I thought Miss Charlotte West was a fine looking girl, did you not think so?” The Duke suggested, still distracted by the chess board.
“Yes father, Charlotte is a very attractive girl, but as brainless as a pea-hen. I could not consider marrying a woman with whom I could not hold an intelligent conversation. None of the local girls seem to have had an education of any kind. Could you imagine sitting at breakfast with Charlotte? She would witter on about how the style of sleeves in the latest dresses has changed. She spoke continuously to me about them for at least 20 minutes. I could not get a word in edgeways.”
“No she did strike me as rather bird brained, I get your point, son. But did none of the rest interest you?” His father enquired.
“None of them interested me at all, father. I’d prefer a girl with some spirit and intelligence, even if she was not the prettiest girl on offer. None of them attracted me enough to even consider stealing a kiss,” Sebastian said with some heat and his father looked up at him and stared at him as if seeing him for the first time.
“I admit I was not that impressed by any of the local girls. I had not been intending to interfere in your choice, Sebastian. I talked to some of them myself and found most of the eligible girls as uninspiring as you say. If anything I am relieved that you have not settled on any of them. I arranged no dynastic marriage for either you or Peter. I want your marriage to be happy. You don’t even need to marry an heiress. Just someone with good breeding whom you feel you could be content with. But you will need an heir. I am happy you are ready to consider marriage but you will have a larger selection in London, than locally. We should open up Langsdown House for the little season and you are bound to find a girl there who will suit.”
That night Sebastian went to bed relieved that his father had not been determined that he should choose one of the local girls. But while he slept his dreams were back in Cambridge and a curvy little lady was snuggled up beside him as he stroked her long silky hair, which smelt sweetly of lavender.
***
Alicia arrived in London together with Lady Maud and their maids in easy stages in a hired carriage driven by Greenways himself. Siren had already been taken to town and established in the stables of Sir Anthony Wynstanley. Alicia’s costume was now more modish, but it could not be said her high waisted carriage dress in Prussian blue festooned with rows of flounces was flattering to her diminutive figure. As soon as they reached the Wynstanley’s town house they were shown into Lady Sophia.
“I am so pleased to meet your, Alicia. We are so sorry you were not brought out earlier, but we will make up for that omission by having a wonderful time together,” she had said welcoming Alicia with a friendly embrace.
“Thank you, Lady Maud, for looking after Alicia for us and bringing her to us in town. We are going to be so busy with shopping and all the activities we have to do in London. The town is still largely empty of company, as most of the ton are still at their estates, in the country. Some visit Bath or a seaside resort, but most will return to town during this month. So we can do some sight-seeing and get you fashionably turned out for the little season before we start entertaining,” Lady Sophia had gushed.
Alicia, who had never been to London before, found everything exciting. She enjoyed attending the theatre, orchestral concerts and the opera, although she found the visits to modistes and milliners were beginning to pall. She viewed the sights of London accompanied by Sally and rode in the Green Park attended by Greenways. She was fascinated by the exhibitions at the Royal Academy and the display of marble statuary brought from Greece by Lord Elgin. Reading all the guide books she compiled a list of the places that would most interest her.
The arrival of the Earl and Countess of Chalcombe in Grosvenor Square a week after her, together with their baby son Henry Louis, named for both his grandfathers, greatly added to her pleasure. Lady Sophia was the Earl’s sister. Alicia felt comfortable at once with Lady Madelaine Charrington.
Madelaine took over the refurbishment of her wardrobe taking her to her friend, the modiste Claudette who had not yet retired home to France as she had threatened to do once the war was over. Claudette, who was a tiny redhead of mature years, with a very trim figure, was not much taller than Alicia and yet managed to look extremely elegant. Claudette’s assurance she would give Alicia a new touch inspired her with confidence about her entrée into society. Claudette had remained in London because her former chère ami had arrived back in town, newly a widower. He was a wealthy financier, with now grown up sons, who were capable of managing his businesses. Claudette and her friend had re-established their for
mer friendship, but this time he was offering marriage rather than a carte blanche. Claudette was seriously considering his offer and was looking discreetly for a buyer for her shop.
Madelaine and Claudette decided the newer lower waistline would suit Alicia better than the higher waistlines previously in fashion. Claudette lowered the waistlines slightly further for Alicia’s dresses which while still displaying her voluptuous bosom now hinted at her tiny waist rather than dropping straight over her full hips. They chose simpler styles without the embellishment of frills and flounces which had only accentuated her lack of inches. Madelaine picked plain but costly fabrics and the effect was far more flattering. Lady Maud, returned home to Aylesbury, having made sure that Alicia was content in town. She was looking forward to hearing of Alicia’s successes in her letters.
Lady Madelaine’s dresser, who had found Madelaine’s refusal to cut her own hip length blonde hair frustrating to her talents, restyled Alicia’s a little shorter at the front and showed Sally how to dress her mistress’s hair simply piled high on top, making the most of Alicia’s abundant silky locks, to add greater height to Alicia’s tiny form. Her straight eyebrows were plucked and shaped to give a little curve to their contour which drew attention to her beautiful eyes. Small heels added to her evening slippers and day shoes which made her feel less inconspicuous. Luckily Alicia’s peaches and cream complexion looked unusually well in white, which was the expected colour worn by young debutantes; but dresses in pastel greens and pale blues also showed her to advantage.
Lady Madelaine, despite having given birth in February to her husband’s heir, was as slim as a young girl. Alicia found in her a kindred soul who would gallop with her and discuss the news perused in the Times. They patronised the book shops together and while Madelaine did not share her interests in scientific and mathematical texts she could at least discuss the latest discoveries with enthusiasm and pleasure in her new friend’s fascination.
Lady Sophia disapproved of her more intellectual interests suggesting they were unsuitable for a young girl and failed to match her skill in riding; but they spent time together companionably looking at the fashion plates in La Belle Assemblée and driving together in Hyde Park in Lady Sophia’s smart barouche. Alicia found Lady Sophia rather silly but was grateful for the openness of her welcome and that lady’s attempts to make her feel at home. Sir Anthony was happy to converse with Alicia on their quieter evenings and found her excellent company with a good understanding of current affairs.
Alicia could listen for hours happily to Lady Madelaine’s stories of her youth spent travelling with her father, the Comte de Morlaix, all over Europe and the places she had passed through. She loved to cuddle Henry Louis in the Chalcombe House nursery with Madelaine, who disliked having to hand him back to his nurse. Alicia thought she had never seen a more beautiful or contented baby. He had been blessed with Madelaine’s pale blond hair and his father’s clear blue eyes.
Alicia’s school girl French swiftly improved as Madelaine’s conversation moved at random between the languages. Sometimes Alicia played chess with Lady Madelaine’s besotted husband Edward, the Earl of Chalcombe. On several occasions she triumphed over him although he was considered a good player. She enjoyed visiting the Charringtons at their town house and tucking herself away on the window seat in their library as she read through its extensive contents.
Her nervousness before Lord and Lady Wroxham’s ball was alleviated by seeing herself in the mirror when finally dressed in her ball gown. Her white silk dress was covered by silver spangled gauze and its simple puffed sleeves showed off her pretty arms. The neckline was edged with silver lace and her satin dancing slippers were also in silver cloth. She wore her mother’s pearls with matching earrings and carried a beautiful silver fan that had been given to her by Lady Madelaine. The painted fan showed the nine muses picked out in black lines against the silver background. Sir Anthony had given her a bouquet of white roses, two of which had been inserted into her high piled hair. The girl in the mirror stared back and found her transformation hard to believe. She would never be a reigning beauty but Alicia admitted she looked well.
Alicia’s confidence grew knowing Sir Anthony and Lady Sophia would accompany her but also Lady Madelaine and Lord Edward Chalcombe would be in the following carriage. They had promised to introduce Alicia to everyone and make sure she was looked after. Her diffidence as she made her curtsey to Lord Wroxham and Lady Caroline Wroxham was disguised by a now practiced social manner, but young Lady Caroline’s charming manners in welcoming her made her feel accepted. She relaxed enjoying herself as she was introduced to a horde of young people. Her fear of being the only girl who was not asked to dance evaporated as her card filled up and she happily accepted Lord Edward’s arm to lead her out for the first dance.
Alicia danced with a series of young gentlemen who were charmingly complimentary to her person commending her dancing. To Alicia, Lady Madelaine was the most beautiful graceful woman in the room in her elegant dress of emerald silk. Madelaine was besieged by requests to dance, despite her husband Edward’s presence. Madelaine danced the first set with Sir Anthony and the second with her husband, before picking her favourites to dance with and staying beside Alicia for most of the dances. Alicia had been warned by Lady Sophia not to dance the waltz so when the first was called, she sat next to her and Sir Anthony went to procure champagne for his wife and lemonade for Alicia while they watched Madelaine being spun around the floor by her handsome husband Edward.
Alicia observed the people around while she sipped her lemonade when some late-comers entered the room. A tall distinguished man in his sixties was being detained at the door by Lord Liverpool, the Prime Minister who had been pointed out to her by Sir Anthony when they had arrived. Looking at the man speaking to the Prime Minister, Alicia felt a faint sense of recognition, yet she was certain they had never met. Behind him she could make out Lord McKinlay, whom she had been introduced to when she had accompanied Lady Sophia to make a morning call on his mother, the Dowager Lady McKinlay. Behind him she could make out the back of a blond man’s head turned talking to a cavalry officer in immaculate dress uniform.
Lord Liverpool was clearly trying to persuade the other man to change his mind about something, but eventually was drawn away by another gentleman allowing the group to enter the ballroom. The blond man turned and walked fluidly into the room. Alicia’s heart skipped a beat because although he was correctly dressed in black evening costume, what she saw was a golden-skinned naked Greek God. Lord Farndon surveyed the ballroom with his deep brown eyes, but he felt no shock of recognition as his eyes passed the prettily dressed girl in white, who sat next to Lady Sophia Wynstanley as the waltz finished.
Lady Sophia followed Alicia’s eyes and rested fondly on the form of Sebastian Vernon.
“Devastating isn’t he? It is rumoured the Duke of Langsdown has brought his son, the Marquis of Farndon, to town to find a bride. I doubt there is any chance of you looking that high, but he certainly is decorative. Did you see Lord Liverpool buttonhole the Duke? The on dit is most of the Government are trying to get the Duke to allow Farndon to return to the diplomatic service where he is apparently much missed.”
Alicia nodded at her words, not being able to utter anything in reply. It was a bit much to find the drunken rake, whose proposal she had refused, was the heir to a Dukedom. She managed to still her fluttering heart, realising he had not recognised her. She could see the Marquis being introduced to an exquisite young lady with fashionable dark hair across the room. Nothing more would go wrong with the evening she told herself. Unfortunately she was wrong, the ballroom entrance admitted two more guests, Sir Cecil and Lady Clarissa Clarence.
Lady Clarissa looked beautiful but haughty in a wine coloured intricately fussy dress, adorned with bows and scalloped flounces. An appropriate colour for her Alicia thought mentally making the pun by adding a letter h. Sir Cecil wearing a gaudily coloured waistcoat over his slightly podgy stoma
ch reminded her of an overstuffed parrot, especially as his high collar made it difficult to move his neck. They approached a group of men who were conversing at the side of the ballroom. Sir Cecil addressed the Earl of Chalcombe and Sir Anthony, but was horrified when those gentlemen very deliberately turned their shoulders on him, ignoring his greeting. They had given Sir Cecil the cut direct.
Titters of suppressed laughter went round the ballroom as Sir Cecil and Lady Clarissa were forced to move away, unacknowledged. There was a lot of gossiping behind fans as the news went around the ballroom. Lady Clarissa went white to the roots of her blonde hair, she looked close to swooning. Lady Sophia opened her fan and turned to Alicia.
“You are not to acknowledge them. If they come over and address us, you should look elsewhere and ignore them.”
Then she called over Lord McKinlay and his cavalry friend, whom he made known to Alicia as Captain James Redgrave. Captain Redgrave was disappointed to find he was too late to obtain a dance with Alicia whose card was already full. They talked politely until her next partner offered his arm to Alicia for the next set. Alicia watched the progress of the Clarences around the room, as a number of the Wynstanleys’ and Chalcombes’ acquaintances also decided to ignore their advance and turned away. Lady Clarissa looked devastated and Sir Cecil’s florid complexion was almost beetroot. Alicia almost felt sorry for them. Almost, but not quite.
Alicia danced without remembering much about her partner or what he talked of. She was too aware of Lady Clarissa being led distraught from the room, by the red faced Sir Cecil and of the beautiful Marquis Farndon who danced gracefully a few places away from her, this time with a gorgeous red head who was clearly flirting with him. Dancing the rest of the evening, she was comforted by the departure of Sir Cecil and Lady Clarissa, but all too conscious of the presence of the handsome Marquis. Lord Farndon danced every dance with a different attractive young lady and although he was absolutely charming to each, found nothing in their conversation to make him want to pursue their acquaintance. He was bored and hoping his father would tire so they could make their adieus.
The Marquis' Mistake Page 4