“Will I do?”
“Hmm.” Prudence eyed the rich green silk and velvet gown, nodding at the tiny bows topping the shoulders and edging the hem. Her eyes rose upward to where the ruched velvet hugged Ivy’s curves, and further up to the elegant red curls held in place by a matching band of green.
“Yes. You’re perfect. Don’t change a thing.” Prudence beamed.
“Gloves. Where are my gloves…oh and my reticule…and I should wear fancier jewellery or something…Oh God…”
“Ivy.”
“What?”
“Stop panicking. Take a breath. Your ear bobs are perfect, as is your gold chain with the lovely pearl pendant. There are your gloves, on the bed next to your shawl. Pick them up and let’s go.”
Ivy shook her head. “You’re right.” She drew on her long gloves. “I am panicking. When I’ll ever get used to being the Duchess of Maidenbrooke, I don’t know. Inside I’m still mousy little Ivy Siddington.” She sighed.
“There three things wrong with that statement,” scolded Prudence as she turned to lead them from the room. “Firstly, you will very soon become used to being the Duchess, and I’m absolutely sure it will be much easier when you have your actual physical Duke escorting you.” She reached out for the bannister as she proceeded down the stairs, still talking. “Secondly, you were never mousy.”
Ivy snorted, but kept pace with Prudence.
“Thirdly, Ivy and the Duchess of Maidenbrooke are one and the same person. And I adore you, because you’re kind, gentle and sensible, you have a lovely sense of humour and my uncle has shown astounding wisdom in choosing you for his bride.” She finished as she reached the bottom step. “Am I right on all counts?”
“I’m…I’m…” stuttered Ivy. “At a loss for words, I suppose.” She leaned over and dropped a kiss on Prudence’s cheek. “I adore you too.”
Woodleigh, who awaited them both with cloaks at the ready, allowed himself a deep sigh. “Your Grace, Miss Prudence. The carriage awaits. It can, of course, continue to wait, should you have more complimentary expressions of affection to discuss. However, it behoves me to mention that time is passing, and should you wish to engage in more than one dance this evening, you might want to consider departing within the hour?”
Prudence giggled as Ivy hid her smile behind her fan.
“You are quite right, Woodleigh and, as always, ready to ground our silly flights of fancy,” said Prudence, allowing him to slip her cloak around her shoulders. “Whatever would we do without you?”
“I dread the thought,” added Ivy, accepting her cloak as well. “Keep on doing everything you’re doing, Woodleigh. The name of Maidenbrooke is greatly enhanced by your presence here at Hartsmere House.”
“You are too kind, Your Grace.” He bowed deeply. “I wish you both well this evening. And since I have a sneaking suspicion you are about to pursue what might be termed a ‘clue’, for lack of a better word, as to his Grace’s problems, may fortune smile upon your efforts.” He bowed again.
“Er…thank you,” said Ivy. “Come along, Prudence.” She hurried the young girl from the hall.
“Goodness.” Prudence gasped as Ivy all but pushed her into the carriage.
“Quick. I’m not sure I can trade long and elegantly phrased sentences with Woodleigh any longer. It’s taxing my mental capabilities.”
Their giggles were smothered by the closing of the carriage door.
“Are we in search of a clue, Ivy?”
“We are certainly going to have a nice chat with Miss Beatrice Ringwood,” returned Ivy firmly. “I’ve a few things I’d like to discuss with that young lady.”
“I should’ve brought a cricket bat,” mused Prudence. “Just in case she refuses to talk.”
Ivy snickered. “Darling, we’re going to question her, not beat the answers out of her.”
“Are you sure? And we don’t have to use it, just have it handy as an implied threat sort of thing…”
Ivy thought for a moment or two, then settled back against the squabs. “I’ll wager Sir Laurence has one tucked away somewhere. We’ll ask Lady Maud.”
“Oh goody.”
Chapter Seventeen
Woodleigh’s prediction that they would miss most of the dances did not, happily, come to pass. They were, of course, a little late, but that was only to be expected given the crush of carriages outside Sydenham House.
“My goodness, the whole world’s here tonight, it would seem,” murmured Prudence as she gathered her cloak around her. “Almack’s must be deserted.”
Ivy straightened her shoulders. “I really hope it has nothing to do with my ascension through the ranks of the aristocracy or the gossip about Colly, but I’d not wager on it, knowing the predilection some people have for such things.”
“Sadly, I have to agree.” Prudence nodded as the carriage jerked forward and stopped again. “But look on the bright side, Ivy.”
“There is one?”
“Oh yes. My consequence has soared to even higher levels.”
Ivy nearly choked on the laugh that bubbled from her throat. “Damn you, Prudence…”
They joined the throng walking up the stairs to the Sydenham’s front door, and Ivy couldn’t help but notice the glances flying her way. She sighed and did her best to ignore them, although she rather felt like a deer targeted by a barrage of hunters.
“Good evening Your Grace,” Hobson bowed. “Miss Hartsmere-Drake.”
His warm smile did much to restore Ivy’s composure, and both she and Prudence managed to catch their breaths as the maids relieved them of their cloaks.
As they tied their dance cards into place, the butler approached. “I believe Lady Maud is at the door of the ballroom, ladies,” murmured Hobson. “She will be happy to see that you’re here.”
Ivy shared a conspiratorial
