a few minutes.”
“Can we start choosing material for our dresses and pinafores?”
Lady Althea answered. “Yes you can, my dears. Madame will direct your attention to those most suitable for girls of your age.”
Mary led her charges away leaving Emily and her mother alone. “You have not heard what happened yesterday, have you Mama?”
“I heard that you and Papa fell out but were reconciled immediately. I also heard that Viscount Yardley and you were at daggers drawn. Surely there can not be anything else?”
“I'm afraid there is. You had better sit down whilst I tell you.”
When Emily finished her story her mother was shocked speechless, but only for a moment.
“Am I to understand that you are now engaged to be married to Viscount Yardley and he has departed for Town without bothering to speak to me?”
Emily nodded. “He asked grandfather's permission to address me. I suppose he felt that was sufficient.”
Lady Althea was incensed. She knew she had been slighted and did not take it kindly. “I think it is the outside of enough. I have known of his existence scarcely a day and already I cordially dislike him. You shall not marry him, Emily, I will not have it.”
“But if I do not, both of us will lose our reputations. The scandal will also reflect on both you and the girls. I cannot allow that to happen.”
Her mother pursed her lips then her eyes lit up. “I have it, Emily. When we have replenished our wardrobes, we shall go to Town. Although it is not high Season there will still be plenty going on. We can be ready in a month or less. I shall write at once to all my old acquaintances and get invitations for us to the most prestigious dances and soirees. As Viscount Yardley's fiancé, and my daughter, you will be accepted everywhere.”
Emily interrupted her mother's excited plans. “But why? How will that help?”
“It is as plain as the nose on your face, my love. You will be considered a success, your reputation will be restored and then you can break the engagement and no one will think twice about it.”
“What reason shall I give for doing so? I don't wish to be called a jilt on top of everything else.”
“We shall just say you do not suit after all. I will think of something. Papa has promised to make all of you a generous settlement. You are now an heiress. There will be no shortage of eligible suitors, I can assure you.”
Emily did not point out that she really had no desire to be married to anyone. It seemed a shame to dampen her mother's enthusiasm. It was so long since she had seen her taking an interest in anything.
“Is there no way that Viscount Yardley could cry off without damaging his name?”
“No, my love. The man is honour bound to keep his promise, but society understands that it is a woman's privilege to change her mind.” Lady Althea rose. “Come, Madame will think us discourteous if we do not appear.”
Emily's sitting-room had been transformed into an Indian bazaar. Silks, satins, sarcenet and muslins exploded over chair backs and sofas, cascading into pools of liquid colour on the polished boards. Upon the occasional tables were spread pages from,
The petite Frenchwoman, her brindled hair scraped back into an unflattering bun, fluttered forward, her tiny hands waving theatrically. “Oh, Lady Althea, Miss Gibson, we are so “appy to see you “ere. I “ave some lovely gowns made up for you to wear whilst I am constructing your new choices.”
Madame ushered her clients to the one uncluttered sofa. “If you will please to sit “ere, I will “ave my girls show you the gowns that are complete.” Emily and Lady Althea sat where directed. There was no sign of either Millie or Serena.
“Where are my girls, Madame? Surely they have not become bored so quickly?”
“Oh no, my lady. They are in the chamber with their nurse, trying on the new clothes with great enthusiasm. Are you ready? I will call my assistants to begin.”
“Can I really select as many outfits as I wish, Mama? Does grandfather have bottomless pockets?”
Lady Althea patted her daughter's hand. “He is one of the warmest men in England, my love, so do not stint yourself. I promise you that I have no intention of doing so. I never thought to have a closet bursting with lovely gowns ever again. I believed that I had forgone such luxuries when I married your dear Papa.”
Emily tensed, waiting for the torrent of tears that always followed such a mention but it didn't come. She smiled.
“I'm certain that he would want you to look beautiful again. Indeed, you're looking better already. I'm sure that in a few weeks you will be feeling fully restored and well enough to travel to London with me.”
“I shall, my love, I shall.” Lady Althea stared intensely at her eldest daughter. “You are also far too thin, my love. We must both endeavour to eat more. Slender is attractive but stick thin, I am afraid, is not.”
Emily giggled. “If I continue to eat as I did this morning I will be the size of a horse in no time” Madame coughed politely, drawing their attention to the entrance of the first of the two mannequins. After two hours even the delight of selecting new gowns was beginning to pall for all the company. They decided to postpone the measuring and fitting for the afternoon.
Lady Althea returned to her rooms promising she would eat before resting. Emily and her sisters found their way back downstairs to the small dining parlour where, they had been informed, a cold collation had been set up for them.
“I have four new dresses, with matching slippers, and bonnets and ribbons as well.” Serena told Emily proudly.
“And I have the same. How many did you select Em?” Millie asked.
“I am now the proud possessor of two morning gowns, two tea dresses, one walking dress with matching pelisse, and one evening gown. I have, naturally, a full complement of slippers, bonnets, reticules and shawls to accompany them. I shall be so smart you will not know me.”
“Mary says we are having lots of other garments made especially. I do not see when we will have time to wear them all. And I expect I will have grown out of them before they are even half worn out.”
“You have to change your outfit every hour, Serena; it is what happens in the
Serena looked suitably horrified.
Do not tease your sister, Millie. No, Serena, you do not have to change so often. However, I believe that it is not done to wear the same dress twice in public, but that only applies to adults I am sure.”
The girls stared, open-mouthed. Millie was the first to recover. “But that can not be right. It would mean having hundreds of dresses; no one would have so many. It would be too wasteful.”
“Three hundred and sixty five dresses, if you went out every day.” Serena said with awe. “No wonder we have such enormous closets in our chambers.”
Emily shook her head laughing openly at her sisters. “Don't take me so literally, girls. By “out in public” I meant to a party, ball, or soiree, not walking or driving in the park.”
By the end of the day the Gibson family was exhausted, but they were all well satisfied by the day's events. Madame Ducray was even more so, for she returned to London with an order of such magnitude she would be obliged to take on more seamstresses if it was to be completed on time. It had been arranged that she would deliver the finished items to Westerham within four weeks, in order that any alterations could be made before the party departed for London.
The Earl of Westerham's townhouse was naturally, in the best part of town, away from the noise and pollution of the teeming city streets, but not so far from the park that Sebastian could not exercise his horse, or drive his high-perch phaeton.
He took himself to Whites to tell his acquaintances of his betrothal. It was imperative that the news of the engagement was spread before other gossip arrived in town. Someone was bound to hear about the riding debacle; such an exciting titbit of scandal would be greedily absorbed and hurried on its way.
By the end of the day Sebastian's face was stiff from smiling and his back sore from the congratulatory slapping. No one questioned his choice or his timing; he was the sole heir to a great name and it was his duty to produce sufficient sons to secure the title. What better way than choosing to marry his second cousin?
