"You sure you want to do this? We have no idea what you're committing to. She could be ugly as sin and painfully shy."
"Shush. I’m sure she is perfectly lovely. And everyone deserves a chance."
"Well, that will officially make more strays that we can accommodate in the house."
Biting her lips together, Eliza considered the options. Taking on a debutant usually involved housing them, not that Lambeth was a particularly good neighborhood in terms of making an impression. And placing her in a lodging house was even worse. "I suppose I could ask Octavia to house her."
"That might scare her off for good."
"Octavia would treat her kindly."
"Like she did you for years on end?"
Teresa was slower to forgive the family on how Eliza had been treated than Eliza herself. Perhaps that was understandable. Emotions did color things. She certainly would never understand if Teresa decided to forgive her brute of a husband, but women were capable of going back to horrid, violent men.
"Well, let's propose it and see if she's interested," Eliza said. "She might think it’s odd. Maybe I should write to her." And somehow explain that she was searching for a companion and would use a debut as an excuse. If she received such a letter herself, she might think twice about accepting, but if this girl's circumstances were as dire as Teresa suggested, she would jump at the chance. And Eliza felt obliged to consider her for work as an illustrator either way. Maybe they just had to think of some project that would need illustration.
*
Standing at Victoria station with Teresa, Eliza considered the solitary young ladies coming off the train from Brighton. There weren't too many. It shouldn't be overly hard to find her, she hoped.
Pairs came and then a solitary girl looking lost. She was short and blond, and wore a hat, which Eliza suspected had been her school hat. It wasn't technically appropriate, but she could understand the girl using it if she had nothing else.
"Gad, she looks like a little pixie," Teresa said and pulled her arm away from Eliza's. "Jane?" she called to the girl, who looked over and smiled. Her eyes were bright and clearly intelligent. This was a good choice, Eliza knew. She liked the girl already.
"Hello," the girl said as she came over. "I wasn't entirely sure if your letter was serious, but how could I not come and see. My name is Jane Brightly. You must be Teresa and Eliza." Her voice was clear and strong. There was a strong will there, Eliza knew, strength that had seen her through her trials and tribulations.
"Yes, it is a bit of a madcap idea, so it's understandable you’re sceptical, but we felt this was something that could help both of us. My husband's family has kindly agreed to house you throughout this. And after, we can talk about illustration work."
"Right," Jane said. "Thank you so much. I can't stress enough what a delight this is."
"I hope you like balls," Teresa said with a note of terseness.
"I haven't had the opportunity to attend many."
"Then this is your chance. I've made an appointment with a seamstress for you tomorrow," Eliza said.
The girl's mouth opened in shock. "I couldn't possibly… I mean to say my means are rather limited."
"My husband is paying," Eliza said with a dismissive wave of her hand. And not that long ago, she’d hated accepting her husband's charity, but had had no choice. It was a point of pride, and just because one had no means didn't mean feeling terrible accepting charity. "And I told him you would do some illustrations for him in return." It was a lie, but it made Jane brighten. Now she had to recall this to inform Caius when she saw him. "It will all be lovely, you'll see."
And hopefully Octavia wouldn't be unkind due to Jane's reduced circumstances. Octavia wasn't an unkind person, except to anyone who hurt her brothers. A warning in that regard was likely entirely unnecessary.
Chapter 36:
"WHO IS THAT GIRL?" Julius asked as he entered the salon.
"Jane," Octavia said, but didn't elaborate further. "I expect you to be nice to her."
"When am I not nice?"
"Most of the time."
"Why is she living in our house?" he said in a loud whisper.
"Because Eliza asked us to house her."
"So we're housing every scamp in the city now? We simply house whomever she asks us to? We don't know anything about her. She could rob us blind during the night."
"Yes, because we are trying to make a good impression on her."
"That girl?"
"No, Eliza. Although that girl seems cordial enough. Eliza is debuting her."
"Is Eliza sure she is old enough?" Julius said, taking a seat next to Caius, who had so far not participated in this conversation, mostly because time was drawing near and his desire to see Eliza was so strong it was trying his patience.
"Yes, she is old enough. And Eliza's house isn’t big enough to house her. The girl's prospects are abysmal."
"Then it is unlikely that someone will marry her," Julius said with a snort.
"I don't know. I think she has a quality men will find irresistible. She has a certain ethereal quality. I think those of a more romantic disposition will find her intriguing."
Julius snorted.
"A solid ledger doesn't always make for a good marriage," Caius finally said.
"Romantic poppycock."
"Romance certainly has gripped your soul, hasn't it, Julius?" Octavia challenged.
"I know that those with wealth and connections beyond others have their pick," Julius said bitterly. It seemed Eliza might be right and that Julius had some personal experience in that regard, but he'd never shared why. There was something in his past that had made him withdraw, and they’d never understood why.
"Pick of what, though?" Octavia challenged. "Pick of those greedy enough to want that wealth?"
The conversation was interrupted by Jane walking into the room. Caius had been introduced, but as he wasn't staying there, he hadn't had a chance to say more than hello. Octavia was the one dealing with her. Where Eliza had found her, Caius had no idea, but she knew all sorts of people he didn't through her work with charities.
She wore a shimmery, light blue dress and it did make her look ethereal. The girl was barely over five foot and was quite enchanting when she smiled. Her nerves were clear. "Hello," she said. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
"It was worth the wait," Octavia said and rose. "I believe the carriage is ready. It will be a bit of a squeeze the four of us."
"There are only so many ball gowns one can fit in a carriage," Julius said.
"Shush," Octavia directed. "Help Jane if she needs it." Octavia smiled at the girl. "Shall we?"
The carriage ride wasn't more than five minutes, and the girl was almost overly polite, saying thank you every time Julius helped her, which he looked exceedingly exasperated with.
Lanterns led the way up the stairs and footmen were standing by to receive coats and accoutrements. Music lingered in the air and the windows were brightly lit. Beside him, he heard the girl draw in a shaky breath. She smiled tentatively when Caius looked over. They were both nervous and both waiting for Eliza to arrive.
Truthfully, he knew so little about the girl, it was hard to make conversation, and this wasn't the time or the place to divulge life stories. "An interesting night awaits."
"I hope so," she said and lifted the gown as she took the last step into the house. It was a spectacular gown. And a few men noted her as she walked in. Perhaps Octavia was right in that regard.
His eyes searched for Eliza, ignoring the people who were trying to draw his attention. He would speak to them eventually, but right now, he had a priority. She wasn't to be found and for a moment, he worried that she’d changed her mind. How quickly his emotions turned to despair. These emotions were torturing him. One moment elated and then the pits of despair. This had to take a toll on his heart, but he couldn't turn away from this, everything he needed was in this direction, and it walked through the door right then, wearing a
rose-colored gown. She looked stunning.
She smiled for a moment as she walked toward him and for an instance he forgot where he was. She'd come. That meant something. It meant that her promise to give this a try hadn't diminished in their time apart. It had been hard to give her the space she needed, to not rush over there and ensure her opinion of him wasn't slipping at any point. It was important not to be overbearing, even as his instinct told him to hold on tighter.
"Caius," she said as she came to him.
"Eliza. You look stunning."
"Thank you. It’s a new gown."
"I like it." It did look sufficiently regal for the location. No one would fault this gown for being subpar for a society ball.
"And Jane, you look lovely."
The girl blushed. "I'm so excited, I’m beside myself." The girl said, taking a deep breath, but the tight stays of the gown made it hard. "There are so many people."
It was crowded. It seemed everyone in London was here. Caius saw faces he knew and faces he couldn't put names to. Wasn't particularly bothered to, because he wasn't there for them.
"Have you got a dance card?" Eliza asked.
"No, not yet," Jane said, looking around as if to gain some understanding of how that was done.
"We'll go get ours together. Goodbye, Caius," Eliza said and smiled as she took Jane's arm and wandered off. It signified that she was fully intending on making him woo her. Challenge placed and challenge accepted.
As he watched, Eliza and Jane retrieved their dance cards and then continued with Jane's introductions. It’d been quite a while since Eliza had been seen in this society as well, but that wasn't strictly unusual with married women.
Caius allowed himself to be drawn into conversation by some of the men who’d tried to draw his attention. Horses, investments, questions about his time in the Far East. It appeared he was now an expert on politics, trade and cultural conventions of the whole of the Far East.
As soon as the first dance started, he excused himself and made his way to where Eliza was introducing Jane to Lord Torpington and his nondescript son. A young man who looked bored out of his wits. Again Caius recognized that people in their society married too young. Even if they make decisions about who to marry, they weren't equipped to deal with it. Or perhaps that was by design. It was easier to guide a youngster into accepting a beneficial marriage, while someone wiser might prioritize happiness over family benefit.
Because at his age, he would laugh at his father for trying to shift his attention from where it wanted to be. Julius saw things differently. The future of the family name and the title still weighed on him, as had been ground into him from the time he was old enough to listen. Perhaps it was that weight that kept him from finding a woman he could consider as a wife.
"I will be disappointed if you haven't reserved the first dance for me," he said softly in Eliza's ear. A smile spread across her lips and she looked at him.
"Luckily for you, my attention has been exclusively on filling Jane's dance card."
"Good, because although I would like to think of myself as a reasonable man, when it comes to your dance card, I suffer from curious bouts of irrationality."
"We're not back to irrationality, are we?" she said, turning to him.
"I’m trying very hard not to, so if you must dance with other men, make them as old and unattractive as possible. Ideally lame."
A chuckle escaped her and he loved that he could make her laugh. Not long ago, nothing he said gave her the least bit of amusement. "I suppose you’d better ask me then."
"Lady Warwick, Eliza, it would give me the greatest honor if you would give me your first dance. I suppose every dance would be too much to ask for."
"Much too much," she chided. "But yes, I will give you my first dance."
Jane was being claimed by her first dancing partner, so Caius had Eliza all to himself for the first time in weeks. Not perhaps as much to himself as he wanted, but there was a deep excitement leading her onto the dance floor.
Once taking their spot, his hand sought her waist and he felt as if all was right again. "I’ve missed you," he confessed and she blushed. "So many times, I wanted to come speak to you."
"Then why didn't you?"
"Perhaps you needed a chance to miss me too? Obviously I want to ask you if you did."
"Do you?"
The steps started, and Caius realized he had no idea what dance they were doing and was hoping that out of the deep recesses of his mind, he’d remember the steps. "Did I tell you I haven't danced in years?"
"That makes both of us."
They were going through the steps, at points that half-beat behind everyone else. "I don't think we’re going to win any prizes. A lifelong ambition dashed," he said sarcastically. "I do remember our wedding however." It was a day where he'd been as happy as he’d ever been.
A slight sadness entered her eyes and he wished he hadn't said anything. And he wished he didn't feel on tenterhooks with every emotion fleeting through her eyes, but this all felt so tentative. It was tentative. She was giving them a chance, and he was grateful. As was he grateful for how lovely she felt in his arms.
Octavia passed by and she was dancing with a young man she didn't look overly enthusiastic about. Meanwhile Jane was laughing not much further away, clearly delighted by the evening, the experience and the company. No, Octavia was right. Some young buck would be enchanted by her.
Julian was nowhere in sight, probably sulking in the cards room. Right now, however, Caius didn't care about anything other than his wife. Unless there were torn limbs and bleeding involved, they would all simply have to take care of themselves.
"Are you enjoying the ball?" he asked, as she returned to him after the steps took her away.
"I am actually."
The dance was ending and they drifted off. Jane was being approached by whoever had claimed her second dance. "I think your charge is a success."
"I think her circumstances will make things difficult for her, but you never know. She might meet the right man who will look past her diminutive means."
"Some are wise enough to not consider means in the first instance. Marriage is a lifelong commitment, and we both know that it can be miserable if you make a hash of it."
"Yes," she said, letting him lead her toward where the drinks were being served. French champagne was offered and they accepted two glasses.
"I am still thinking of Paris," he said after taking a sip.
"One step at a time," she said with a smile. "You are being awfully forward in this courting. I wouldn’t skip the wooing part for a minute. I find I'm enjoying it immensely."
"Then I am doing something right." Something about what she said put him at ease, because she seemed primarily interested in enjoying his company.
"Although strictly speaking, if we were courting, it would be unseemly to spend every moment of the ball together."
"I am fully open to being unseemly," he replied with a smile.
"You're incorrigible," she replied with a nudge. As she put down her drink, she pulled out her fan and fanned herself. The dancing was starting to heat the room and the first dance had been vigorous.
"Even more scandalously, I might try to tempt you into a turn in the fresh air. I believe there is a veranda facing the garden. Shall we?"
She considered him for a moment, placing the top of the fan to her nose. "Some fresh air might be bracing," she admitted, "provided my beau behaves himself." Her hand snaked around his elbow.
"I might fear the sting of a slap if I don't." It wasn't something he feared, but he did enjoy the teasing banter they’d shifted toward. From where they’d come from, it was a vast improvement.
Chapter 37:
THE COOL AIR STROKED the skin of her arms and face as she walked outside and took a deep breath. The heat inside was trying and it felt like there was so much on the line today. Jane's acceptance into this society, which wasn't assured, although she seemed to be garnering some
admirers. They would all discover that she wasn't a new heiress in their midst, but the impoverished girl from an unfortunate but genteel family.
And Caius. It felt… familiar, exciting, nerve-wracking, chaotic being the object of his attention again. It lulled her and drew her in. He’d been her sun for a while and she was in that position again. He radiated his warmth, fun and hope, and she once again basked in his attention.
Taking a sip of her champagne, she let the bubbles linger in her mouth as she thought about how this night was faring. It was so all-encompassing when her and Caius were in harmony. Everything was so bright, it outshone everything else.
"It's not too cold?" he asked.
"No," she replied. Other people lingered around them, staying by themselves at various parts of the veranda. The stars shone above them and the air had the distinct freshness of early winter. The warmth would seep away, and there would be frost in the morning. The garden below was dark as water, and to the side was what looked like a greenhouse. She could imagine who owned it would quite happily potter inside it throughout long winter days.
"So is there any chance I could woo you in Paris as well?" he asked, a smile lingering on his lips.
"You do have an urge to see Paris, it seems?"
"I think you would enjoy it. I hear spring is unsurpassed."
Before her, she could see them doing such things together, enjoying being together, exploring the world around them. It was such a departure from where her life had been. Her business had been everything she’d thought about and accepting Caius into her life meant broadening that perspective, and he might want to jaunt off to Paris for no particular reason. Accepting him meant accepting that they would spend time together.
Then again, in their urgency to prepare for his impact on her life, she and Teresa had already set up Teresa as the future of the company in the eyes of everyone they dealt with. It turned out not to be necessary, but it was done, so in many ways she could draw other things into her life, like travel and excursions.
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