by Gayle Buck
“Yes, I particularly noticed Grandmama’s coolness this evening,” said Margaret, a shade of trouble still in her eyes. “I quite thought that she would like to have us staying with her. At least, it seemed that way when we arrived!”
“Perhaps on the surface it does appear that Lady Alverley is somewhat indifferent,” said Miss Hanson. “However, I do assure you that her ladyship has genuinely taken your interests very much to heart. Lady Alverley is most anxious to establish you credibly in society this Season. Naturally I am privy to all of her thoughts and reasonings, since it was I who penned her ladyship’s correspondence to your parent.”
“Our father did not relate all of the contents of her ladyship’s letters to us, only that she had extended an invitation to bring us out this Season,” said Sarah slowly. “Miss Hanson, am I correct in assuming that Lady Alverley has grand aspirations for us?”
Miss Hanson hesitated, seeming to choose her words with care. “I believe that to be a fairly accurate statement.”
At that moment the footman entered with the coffee um. He set it on the occasional table, along with a bowl of nuts and fruit. Sarah declined coffee. Her thoughts were both sobering and troubled while Miss Hanson and Margaret were served refreshments.
When the liveried footman left, Sarah turned to Miss Hanson. “Miss Hanson, I shall be frank with you, just as I feel that I must be with our grandmother. I shall not wed where I have no affection,” said Sarah quietly. “Position and wealth do not mean as much to me as a basis of mutual respect and affection. I saw the happiness in my parents’ lives and it is what I wish for myself as well.”
“I see.” Miss Hanson regarded Sarah for a long moment, her expression unreadable. She turned her gaze on Margaret. “And what of you, Margaret? Do you also wed only for love?”
Margaret appeared surprised to be addressed. She paused in cracking a nut. “Why, I have scarcely thought about it.” She gave a lighthearted laugh. “I think it is too soon to be pondering such serious matters. I, for one, intend to enjoy myself most prodigiously.”
“That is a very sensible attitude, Margaret,” said Miss Hanson approvingly. She glanced at Sarah and her expression lost some of its friendliness. “Miss Sommers, pray do not judge Lady Alverley prematurely, nor so harshly. She wishes only the best for you and your sister. If you could bring yourself to be more conciliatory toward her ladyship, I think you would discover that she can be most generous. I have been with Lady Alverley for several years and I have never found cause for complaint.”
“I wonder, did you know our mother?” asked Sarah.
Miss Hanson looked startled, then a little vague. “Your mother? As I recall, Miss Annabelle had just turned seventeen when I became part of the household.”
“Why, that is just my age!” exclaimed Margaret, pleased. “What was Mama like then, Miss Hanson? Was she very pretty? Did she like parties? Did she have many admirers?”
Miss Hanson smiled. “Yes, to all of your questions, Margaret. Miss Annabelle was all the rage when she came out, I believe.”
“Then she eloped with Papa and there was a great scandal,” said Margaret, nodding. “And afterward they lived happily ever after.”
“I am certain that they did,” said Miss Hanson repressively.
“Did I say something wrong, Miss Hanson?” asked Margaret.
“Pray accept a small piece of advice, Margaret. And you also, Sarah. The history to which you have referred is still very painful to certain parties. It would be best if you confined your recollections to private moments between yourselves,” said Miss Hanson.
Margaret was bewildered. “I do not perfectly understand.”
“Miss Hanson means that we are not to mention Mama, or Papa either, while we are here,” said Sarah. She looked at the older woman. “Isn’t that what you meant, Miss Hanson?”
The older lady regarded her with a frown. “I have not put it so bluntly, Sarah. But since you have asked, yes, that is precisely what I meant.”
“And it is Lady Alverley who prefers that no one talk about our parents, isn’t it?” asked Sarah.
Miss Hanson pulled her mouth into a prim line. She nodded as though she was being forced to acknowledge something distasteful.
“But why?” asked Margaret. She was frowning as she looked from her sister to Miss Hanson.
“I suspect that Grandmama’s pride is involved, Margaret,” said Sarah shrewdly. “Have I guessed correctly, Miss Han-son?”
Miss Hanson looked at Sarah almost with dislike. “You are by far too forward, Sarah. Might I suggest in future that you keep such reflections to yourself.”
“But that is silly! As though Papa and Mama were murderers or—or something equally horrible,” said Margaret, her lovely eyes welling with unshed tears.
Sarah reached out to hug her. “It is quite perfectly Gothic, of course. But we shan’t let others spoil our memories, shall we?”
“No, indeed!” said Margaret, dashing a hand across her eyes.
Sarah addressed Miss Hanson. “We shall go on just as we ever have, Miss Hanson. I am sorry that Lady Alverley still harbors such distress. But Margaret and I shan’t allow personal bias to taint our own fond memories.”
Miss Hanson’s mouth folded into a prim line again. “You must understand. Your parents’ youthful folly remains quite a painful thing for her ladyship.”
“I think that one’s youthful follies should be forgiven, especially by those with whom they have the greatest bond. If her ladyship could bring herself to do that, then the pain that she still feels will lose its power,” said Sarah.
“You do not know what you are talking about!” exclaimed Miss Hanson. “Her ladyship was betrayed, her wishes totally disregarded. Disgrace was brought upon her name. How can she forgive that?”
“I am persuaded that love must overcome the greatest difficulties imaginable,” said Sarah staunchly.
Miss Hanson smiled again, but with a touch of pitying superiority. “You will no doubt one day find your idealism tempered by some rather harsh realities, Sarah. We all come to it sooner or later.”
“I hope that I shall never become so hardened or cynical,” said Sarah quietly.
Miss Hanson’s sallow cheeks reddened. She rose abruptly. “You must both be fatigued. I shall allow you to go up to bed. We shall be leaving the house quite early in the morning, so do get an adequate night’s rest.”
With that, Miss Hanson ushered them out of the sitting room and up the stairs to their bedrooms. She said good night in the hallway and left them to continue on to her own apartment.
“We’ve been shuffled off again,” said Margaret with a shake of her head.
Sarah hugged her sister. “Never mind, Margaret. Everything will be fine. We’ve embarked on a perfectly splendid adventure, remember!”
Margaret’s eyes brightened. “Why, so we have! Oh, I wonder what is in store for us tomorrow, Sarah? Do you think that we shall be given a great many new gowns?”
“I daresay,” said Sarah, laughing. “Now do be good and go in to bed. I shall see you in the morning.”
“Good night, dear Sarah,” said Margaret, opening the bedroom door.
“Good night, Margaret.”
Sarah waited until Margaret had entered her room before she went into her own bedroom. The charming apartment was decorated all in white and pink and gilt. The bedroom was sumptuously carpeted and the window drapes were heavy pink brocade. The wardrobe door stood open and she glimpsed her dresses and gowns hanging neatly inside. The cheval glass was nearby, along with a vanity. A pair of elegantly covered wing-back chairs were situated to one side of the tall fireplace. On the other side of the fire stood a steaming hipbath, partially screened from the rest of the room for warmth. On the bedside table was a large vase with a profusion of fresh flowers. Her bed was turned down and a fresh nightgown was laid out on the coverlet.
Sarah thought she had never been treated so royally before. She was startled by a reflection of movement in the la
rge standing looking-glass and she turned. “Holby! I did not hear you come in.”
“I did not come from the hall, miss. There is a small panel door set into the corner of the wall,” said the maid, gesturing. “I have my quarters between you and Miss Margaret. You may call for me whenever you need me.” She began picking up the bonnet and other articles that Sarah had discarded earlier and carried them to the wardrobe.
“I expect that Margaret will need you more than I do tonight,” said Sarah.
The maid chuckled. “That is true, Miss Sarah. I left her rattling on at a good pace with the chambermaid. She’ll need calming down before she will be able to sleep.”
“Then just help me out of this gown, Holby, and I’ll manage the rest for myself,” said Sarah, turning her back toward the maid.
“I thought that would be so, miss.” Holby’s expert fingers made quick work of the row of tiny hooks and eyes down the back of the gown. “What think you of this place, miss?”
Sarah met the maid’s speculative gaze in the mirror. As she got out of the gown, she said slowly, “I don’t know yet, Holby. Lady Alverley seems to want us here one minute and the next instant I can’t but feel that we impose on her good nature.”
Holby nodded. She placed the gown over the top of a chair. She motioned her mistress to a seat in front of the vanity and picked up a hairbrush. “Since we arrived, I have been listening to what others say, miss. Her ladyship is determined to bring you and Miss Margaret into fashion. But her ladyship is known to be an impatient, proud woman and easily irritated. There is speculation that you were brought here on one of her ladyship’s whims and that her favor may dissolve as quickly as it rose. I’m thinking it makes for an uneasy few months, miss.”
Sarah sighed, frowning at the reflection of her own slim figure. Absently she played with the narrow satin ribbons that tied the front of her camisole. “I have already seen it, Holby, and I fear that you may be quite right. But Margaret and I must simply make the best of it. Papa desired us to heed our grandmother’s advice and to make the most of our opportunities while we are here.”
“No doubt you will do just that, Miss Sarah,” said Holby comfortably as she brushed her mistress’s hair. “I have known you and Miss Margaret from your cradles and I have never known either of you to settle for less than the best.”
Sarah gave a wry chuckle. “Yes, Margaret and I can become perfectly obstinate on occasion. Perhaps you are right. I need not be anxious at all over what Lady Alverley might say or do. We were brought up to know our own minds. Our heads won’t be easily turned. Margaret and I shall make the choices that are best for us, even if it means returning home in disgrace with her ladyship. Thank you, Holby.”
The maid nodded and picked up the discarded gown. “I’ll leave you now. Miss Sarah, and go see to Miss Margaret.”
“Good night, Holby,” said Sarah, rising from the bench. She yawned behind her hand. “I think that I shall just take a quick bath and then get into bed.”
“Good night, miss. I shall return later to see how you are faring,” said the maid. She went out of the bedroom, closing the panel door behind her.
* * *
Chapter 4
After breakfasting the following morning, Miss Hanson took Sarah and Margaret out in one of Lady Alverley’s elegant town carriages. Margaret ran her fingers over the fine velvet seat cushion and lifted her brows as she glanced at Sarah. Sarah smiled and nodded. It was still a novelty to them to be surrounded with such opulence.
The day was frosty and cloudy, but the snow had let up in the night. The cobbled streets were already being cleared, the snow turning to dirty slush under carriage and wagon and cart wheels. As they went, Miss Hanson kindly pointed out several points of interest and even the carriages of a few notable personages, which were also out at that early hour. In the bustling merchants’ district, hawkers called out their wares, hagridden beggars darted between the horses’ hooves, and equestrians all mingled. It was a veritable cacophony of sound and sight that was fascinating to two young ladies who had spent their whole lives in the quiet country.
“It is so very busy and bewildering,” said Margaret, her eyes wide and happy as she stared out of the window. “I am already turned around with all of the streets that we have driven through.”
“And I, also,” agreed Sarah. She was leaning toward the window on her side of the carriage. “I don’t think I have ever seen so many carriages and horses and carts before!”
“You will quickly become accustomed to it. Of course, it is early in the year still, so it is not near as crowded as it will be later. Most personages have not yet returned to town for the Season,” said Miss Hanson with the tolerant pride of one immune to her surroundings.
Sarah and Margaret exchanged glances over what theircompanion had said. Sarah suspected that Miss Hanson had to be exaggerating just a trifle. Surely the streets could not ever be more crowded than what they had already observed. The carriage slowed and stopped outside a certain shop. Their first stop was to the exclusive modiste patronized by Lady Alverley.
When the modiste learned that she was to have the dressing of both of Lady Alverley’s granddaughters, she expressed herself to be ecstatic. “They are lovely girls! It shall be a pleasure, Mademoiselle Hanson,” exclaimed the modiste. “This one, so dark and elegant. The sister, so tall and beautiful. Oh, oui, oui! It shall be done just as her ladyship wishes!”
The modiste clapped her hands, giving a stream of orders, and her assistants came running with measures and several bolts of cloth. The array of silks and velvets and brocades and muslins and laces tossed free of the bolts was dazzling.
Sarah let out her breath in a soft sound of awe, which was completely lost as Margaret squealed in delight. Fingering a delicate satin, Margaret exclaimed, “Oh, I do like this one!”
“We will measure. Then we will talk,” pronounced the modiste.
After Sarah submitted to having her measurements taken, the modiste nodded approval. “You are of a neat, attractive figure, Mademoiselle Sommers. For you, the most fashionable of fabrics and an elegant style. You are of a petite stature, non? Thus we must not overpower you with the quantity of bows and trims and flounces. As for mademoiselle’s sister— ah, you are tall like Lady Alverley! We shall let our genius flow for you, mademoiselle, for you shall be able to carry off the frivolous, even the absurd.”
After much discussion and consultation between Miss Hanson and the modiste, it was agreed that several walking dresses, pelisses, daygowns, ballgowns, and a couple of riding habits were the first essential items.
The modiste promised to have a number of garments ready for fittings late in the week. “Be assured! I shall have my very best seamstresses at work round the clock,” she said as they parted from her and left the shop.
Miss Hanson then conducted her charges to several other establishments. A mountain of awkwardly sized packages wrapped in paper and string and at least three hatboxes threatened to take up all available space in the carriage. The packages contained only a portion of what Miss Hanson deemed necessary for Sarah and Margaret to be turned out in style. Gloves, both long and short, two Cashmere shawls apiece, straw hats trimmed with feathers, ribbons and flowers, daintily laced underthings, a half dozen pairs of pale pink silk stockings for evenings and as many cotton pairs for daywear, bunches of satin ribbons for trim, lengths of lace for refurbishing of gowns, gold and silver string for knotting reticules, and perfume were only a sampling of the treasures.
More than once, Sarah or Margaret voiced uncertainty about some of the purchases, objecting that they were too expensive or frivolous. But Miss Hanson was adamant. She brushed aside all of their protestations of not wanting to trespass too greatly upon their grandmother’s good nature. Miss Hanson patiently explained over and over that Lady Alverley denied them nothing and that to refuse her ladyship’s largesse was tantamount to insult.
“It is like a wonderful dream,” said Margaret in a dazed voice.
“Yes, but one wonders where it will all end, too,” said Sarah, shaking her head. It seemed outrageous to her that so much was being invested in their appearance. She and Margaret had never spent even a portion of this amount over an entire year and they had been very adequately dressed.
They were standing in a silk shop, waiting while Miss Hanson negotiated with the proprietor over the price of two dominos.
“They are too shockingly dear,” remarked Sarah to her sister, fingering the lovely shimmering silk. “We shan’t wear them above once or twice, I am persuaded.”
The proprietor overheard her and immediately dropped the purchase price. Miss Hanson at once agreed. When the two dominos had been carefully wrapped in sheets of tissue paper and placed in boxes, she requested the driver to carry them out to the carriage.
After the ladies were once more seated in the crowded carriage, Miss Hanson gave instructions that they were to be driven back to the town house. She settled back against the velvet squabs with a tired sigh. After a moment, she looked over at Sarah. “Miss Sommers, I appreciate your concerns, but do try to understand. Her ladyship has commissioned me to do all in my power to turn you out as a young lady of high fashion. If I fail in the slightest degree to carry out her ladyship’s wishes, then I shall fall under her displeasure. And rightly so! Do stop obstructing me in my duties in future, I pray. And you also, Margaret. It is most wearisome to be obliged to set aside protests at every turn.”
“It just seems so very extravagant to be buying all of these beautiful things,” said Sarah. “Why, Margaret and I could easily exist on a third of all that we have purchased today.”
Miss Hanson smiled. “You will discover that Lady Alverley always does things on a grand scale. It is not for me or for you to question her ladyship’s wishes.”
Sarah was silenced. She finally saw that it was futile to try to persuade Miss Hanson not to put out such expense on their account, for the lady did not have the power to countermand Lady Alverley’s orders. Sarah wished that she had realized it earlier in the day, for it must have seemed to Miss Hanson that she and Margaret had been badgering her unmercifully.
