Surprised, Victoria turned to watch the handsome couple approaching, looking beyond them to see if the duke had accompanied them. Hiding her disappointment that they were alone, she smiled in welcome and question.
“Good day, my lord. What a pleasure to see you. What brings you to this neighbourhood?”
Not about to admit the entire truth, Alfred bowed over her hand politely before introducing his companion. “I was out taking the air with my friend, Lady Alanna. When we saw you with your delightful youngsters we thought we would stop to say hello.”
It was true that Victoria was not used to Town ways, but even she thought this sounded a trifle odd. However, she was well-bred enough not to show her dubiousness as Alfred performed the introductions.
“Lady Alanna, please allow me to introduce you to Lady Victoria. And these young ladies are Gwendolyn, Felicia, and Vanessa, and that handsome fellow is their little brother Daniel.”
Alanna was delighted at the children’s reactions to having the baron introduce them like adults. They appeared to be deeply gratified that he even remembered their names. Alanna followed the baron’s lead and gravely shook each child’s hand in greeting.
“It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Victoria was proud of the children’s lovely manners and gratified at the attention they were receiving from the other adults. She was troubled, however, by what problems could arise from once again encountering the baron. And while it had not been stated, she was fairly certain the young lady was none other than the Duke of Wychwood’s sister. This situation was becoming highly uncomfortable.
“Lady Victoria Bartley,” Alanna was saying, drawing Victoria’s attention away from her troubled thoughts. “You are some connection of the Earl of Pickering, are you not?”
At Victoria’s affirmative nod, Alanna continued. “I do believe we may have been at school together.” When Alanna saw Victoria’s eyebrows rise in question she hastened to add, “Oh, not in the same class, of course. I am, I think, a year or two ahead of you, but perhaps we were there at the same time.”
Victoria could not resist the jest. “You are correct, although I can hardly credit you acknowledging it, my lady, as the girls in the upper classes would never admit to knowing us younger girls.”
Alanna dimpled prettily at the younger woman’s tease. “You are correct. I do believe little girls can be absolute beasts. But we are no longer in school, so the stigma of acknowledging you surely will not attach itself to me.”
Victoria could not help laughing as Alanna covered her mouth in regret when she realized the little girls had been listening with wide eyes. “I apologize profusely, ladies. I am certain you are not beasts. No doubt you are veritable angels. I should have said some girls can be beastly.”
Gwendolyn answered the noble lady with a shrug reminiscent of Victoria’s. “Do not trouble yourself to apologize, m’lady.” With a darkening glance at her little sisters she continued, “I believe you are correct that all little girls have a beastly tendency.”
Everyone laughed and the ice was truly broken. Alfred drew the children away to engage in a quick game of chase-the-ball while the ladies took a seat a little ways away.
Alanna decided to get straight to the point. “I do not believe I have seen you at any of the functions I have attended thus far during the Season. Surely the ton is not so large that we could be avoiding each other so completely.” Proud of herself for her turn of phrase that inquired without inquiring, Alanna sat back to see how the conversation would unfold.
Victoria looked at her new acquaintance with doubt, convinced she must have been sent by the duke, but unsure why he would do such a thing. She resolved to be cautious. “I can assure you I have not been avoiding anyone deliberately, my lady. But I do not attend Society events, as I am not ‘out.’”
Alanna feigned disbelief. “Not ‘out?’ Why ever not? Are you not an earl’s daughter?”
Victoria’s smile was rather wan as she answered. “I am, but it is a trifle complicated, my lady. I should not wish to bore you with the mundane details of my life.”
Alanna grinned as she looked at Alfred playing energetically with the children. “Well, it would appear that my escort is thoroughly distracted and may remain so for some time. Feel free to share your story with me. I can assure you I will not be bored.”
Victoria struggled with how to answer but decided to ask some questions of her own. “Why are you asking me about myself, my lady? I must admit I find it difficult to believe what the baron said about the two of you just happening by. When I first met Lord Lynster I also made the acquaintance of the Duke of Wychwood. Am I correct in assuming he is your brother?”
Alanna blinked at Victoria for a moment before admitting, “Yes, he is.”
“Well, my lady, I am certain I mentioned to your brother that I do not go about in Society. Is there a reason for your family’s interest in my affairs?”
Taken aback by the younger woman’s astute questioning, Alanna struggled to formulate an answer, but then decided on full honesty, or at least a portion of it. “My brother does not know I am here, and I must admit I am unsure how he would react were he to know. I do know he met you, and in my curiosity I questioned Alfred about you. He did tell me you do not go about Society. I apologize for our subterfuge. I was trying not to embarrass you. But I tell you freely, I think it is a travesty that you do not. It is your rightful place. How shall you meet an acceptable husband if you do not take your place in Society?”
“Is that a lady’s only fate? To find an acceptable husband?”
Alanna grinned. “I shall not debate the issues of women’s rights today, m’lady, although I am certain there are many sides to that particular issue. The fact is, as women, our futures do depend to a rather large degree upon the men in our lives. And they are quite necessary if one wants to have children of your own instead of the responsibility of someone else’s.”
Victoria laughed quietly at this, and had to agree. She waited for Alanna to continue.
“When Alfred told me that you were caring for your young cousins and not going into Society I felt the need to stick my nose into your affairs. I know, it is no doubt highly ill-bred of me, but here I am. I apologize if it causes you offense, but in my defence I felt a need to stand up for you even though we have never met. And you were right—I do not truly remember you from school. As you said, beastly girls that we were.”
Although this admission should have made Victoria less than comfortable, the other lady’s honesty put her at ease, and she smiled kindly at her companion. She again waited patiently for Alanna to continue.
“I must say, my lady, you are remarkably self-contained. You keep sitting there silently, smiling in all the appropriate places so I know you are listening, but your silence keeps making me feel the need to talk.” Alanna laughed self-deprecatingly. “One thing you will need to learn if you are to go about the ton is that silence is unacceptable.”
This finally prompted Victoria to speak. “Why ever would silence be unacceptable, m’lady? In my position I find that I adore silence. I almost never experience it with four or five children about, so I cherish the few times that it creeps up upon me.”
“I can see why that might be the case for you, but of course, no one else that I know of amongst the ton is caring for five children. For the most part, the fashionable ton abhors boredom.”
Victoria dimpled at this and replied, “Well, if more of the ton would care for their own children there would be far less boredom to be concerned with.”
Alanna smiled in return, enjoying the joke, but then sobered. “But that is the problem with your situation, my lady. These are not your children.”
Victoria’s face took on a serious cast, and Alanna felt sorry to have stated the bald facts. However, there was nothing she could do to take back her words, and they were no less than the truth. She found herself more determined than ever to help her new friend.
“I apologize, m�
��lady, for being so forthright. But I must tell you, I am determined that you and I shall be friends.”
Victoria eyed her askance, unsure of how to take the other lady’s declaration. “I think I should say thank you, as I am sure it would be quite lovely to have a friend, but I am unsure what you think to do about that friendship. I truly do not have the circumstances to be a good friend to you, Lady Alanna.”
“Never you mind about me. I would like to be a good friend to you. Besides, seeing how loyal you are to your relatives, I am sure you would be a perfectly lovely kind of friend to have.” Alanna paused and regarded Victoria quite seriously for a moment before continuing. “Now that we have determined that we shall be friends, there is no need for us to stand on ceremony. You must call me Alanna and I shall call you Victoria. Or perhaps even ‘‘Toria.’ I must say, I thought it absolutely darling when your little cousin called you that.”
Victoria smiled. “Daniel is a darling.”
“So, my dear ‘Toria, you must tell me why you are the children’s governess and thus far too busy to come around with me making calls or attending balls.”
Victoria blinked in surprise. “Well, you certainly are putting away all ceremony, are you not?”
Alanna had the grace to blush, but did not take back her words, merely regarding the other woman steadily and awaiting an answer.
Victoria looked over Alanna’s shoulder into the distance, as though searching there for the answer to the slippery question. “I cannot in all honestly say exactly how it happened. When I was finally completed school I had nowhere to go except to my uncle, who has been my guardian since my parents died seven years ago. I had used to stay with them during my summer vacations from school. During the shorter vacations I would remain at the school for the most part, but for the summer the earl would send for me. During the summers, I would often play in the nursery with the babies as they were such fun and I did not have much else to do. So during that final summer I was much in the nursery and just started doing more and more with the children. The governess they had was really rather useless and lazy, and the children needed so much attention. I did not really have anything else to do so I filled in the gaps. Then the governess left. I am still not certain if she was asked to leave or if she quit, but the earl asked me to take over her duties until another suitable candidate could be found. That was two months ago.” She fell silent with a small, rather helpless shrug, hoping Alanna would have something to add. When she remained silent Victoria continued with brisker tones.
“Just recently, though, my uncle did repeat his promise of hiring someone so that I could have a little free time, so I am hopeful that I will have a little bit of peace and quiet.”
“It is not peace and quiet you need, Victoria! You are young and beautiful. You should be having a grand time. Maybe even loud, rambunctious diversions. Shopping and dancing and laughing until your cheeks and feet are sore.”
“Do you really dance until your feet are sore?” she asked wonderingly.
“Nearly every night during the Season,” Alanna answered with a delighted grin. “And I have occasionally danced a hole right through my slippers.”
Victoria laughed with delight. “Oh, that does sound like such fun. How I would love to have a night like that.”
“And so you shall. Now let me look at you.”
Victoria was taken aback, as the duke’s sister proceeded to catalogue her strengths and weaknesses. “You have a perfect figure and your hair is very pretty, although not styled at all, really ‘Toria you must do something with that hair. You could be absolutely ravishing with the right gown and hairstyle. It would appear you have been out of doors without your parasol as well, I see a dusting of freckles across the bridge of your nose. On you it is rather fetching, but the sticklers will no doubt comment when they are looking for something to criticize. And your frock, well, I am sure you would not want to wear your best while drudging about the park with the children, but we shall have to see about your wardrobe.”
Victoria blinked in disbelief before regaining her backbone. “Now see here, Alanna. If the members of the ton are going to pick me to pieces I do not think I wish to meet any of them. While you and your brother and the baron have all been lovely, I am not certain going about in Society is what I wish to do with any spare time I might be able to acquire. And I do not think it would be diverting in the least to attend a ball where everyone will be examining me in such detail.”
Alanna heaved a sigh of dismay. “Oh no, I am truly sorry. I did not mean to cause offense or alarm. It is true that there are certain members of the ton who are not always the kindest, but I assure you they are in the minority and the marvellous time we shall have will more than make up for any discomfort. Besides, if you are dressed and coifed in the best way, there will be no cause for anyone to make any negative remarks.”
“But how can I be dressed and coifed in the best way, Alanna? I am a governess. I do not even know what my financial affairs truly are even if I wanted to buy some appropriate gowns.” It was now her turn to sigh in dismay. “I do not think your idea can come to fruition, my lady. It does not matter that my father was an earl. I am a governess, and as such I need to get the children home for their supper.”
Alanna grabbed her hand as Victoria got up to leave. “No, please, my dear Victoria, do not rush off. We surely can come up with a strategy to arrange it all right and tight. I promise I did not mean to offend you in any way. And I truly do wish to offer my assistance in any way possible. In fact, when I was examining you I meant to say that I have the impression we are the same size, so you could easily wear some of my gowns. Since we have different colouring it would probably not be remarked upon at all. Or we could alter some of my gowns to better suit you and no one would be the wiser.”
Victoria slowly sat back down but remained on the edge of the bench as though poised for flight and regarded Alanna with a steady gaze. “Why would you want to do this for me? You do not know me and you owe me nothing.”
Alanna shrugged helplessly. “I cannot explain it, I just want to. It just seems wrong to me that you should be relegated to the role of an upstairs servant when you should be out with the rest of your peers. I feel as though I cannot enjoy my own Season as I should if I do not do something to help you have one as well.”
Victoria smiled. “Do you realize that makes you sound a trifle odd?”
Alanna laughed. “Mayhap, but that does not bother me a jot. Now I know you need to get the children home, but please, say you will let me help you at least a little and we can both go our separate ways and think about our options. Let us meet up here again on the morrow and plan it all out.”
Victoria was no longer smiling, but she gave a small nod. “I cannot make any promises, but I will think on the matter. If you are here tomorrow I will not give you the cut direct.”
Alanna burst into laughter. “Oh, my dear, you shall take. I can just see how the ton will love you. You will be a hit to be sure.”
Victoria looked unconvinced as she bade her new friend adieu and went to collect the children. Seeing how they had run the poor baron ragged, her stern expression gave way to a sweet smile. “My lord, I do believe your valet will have your hide for the state you have allowed yourself to get in to. How ever shall you escort Lady Alanna home looking like that?”
The baron summoned a look of haughty dismissal, which strongly reminded Victoria of the duke. “Never you mind about the state of my attire. I had a smashing good time with these youngsters and I have plenty of clothes at home. And Alanna is not so high in the instep that she will refuse to ride home with me.” As he looked down at his pantaloons his haughty demeanour dissolved and a look of chagrin spread across his face. “And as luck would have it, the particular style of my phaeton means that as long as I remain seated, no one will remark upon my unkempt look.”
Having mercy, Victoria forbore to offer any further comment. “Well, I thank you for showing the children such a lovely time.
They have been pining for a good romp like that and I, sadly, do not have the strength to keep up with them to the extent that you do. I am in your debt.”
Alfred bowed over her hand in farewell. “The pleasure was all mine, my lady. I bid you good day, until we meet again.”
He then gravely bent over the grubby hands of the children as they took their leave as well, much to Alanna’s delight.
“That was very well done of you, my lord. Those children adore you. I had no idea you were such a hand with the youngsters.”
Alfred felt heat creeping up his cheeks once more. “Well, do not spread the word around, I beg you. My reputation will be in shreds.”
“Maybe amongst the rakes, but the matrons would love you for it,” Alanna teased, laughing as the baron paled visibly.
“My lady, no, please, I beg of you, you must not let on to the matrons of Society that I have an affinity of children.”
“Rest easy, my lord. I promise you, I was merely teasing. Your secret is safe with me.” She paused for a moment while looking at him speculatively. “Although, I must admit to you it is a rather attractive trait.”
Alanna laughed as she watched the fiery blush continue to swiftly rise up Alfred’s face. “Come along, m’lord. We must allow the children to get home for their supper and I must carry on about my business.”
Victoria, who had been silently watching the byplay, allowed a giggle to pass her lips. “You two had best be on your way.” Turning, she collected the children and strode for the entrance of the gate, heading home.
Alanna was charmed by seeing the youngest little girl turn to wave with a sweet, dimply grin. “I cannot recall the name of that child, but she is a delight. I predict she shall break a few hearts several years from now.”
“Bite your tongue, my lady. The darling little Lady Vanessa will never do something so crass as break a young man’s heart.”
The Reluctant Debutante: A Sweet, Regency Romance (Ladies of Mayfair Book 4) Page 13
