“Then what?”
“Are we all invited? Mama and I?”
“Why shouldn’t you be? It distinctly mentions Lady Sarah and my household, if that sets your mind at rest. And I most certainly would not go without you.”
Invited to a ball! Only Edward’s good standing could have ended their ostracism. He was such a hero her father’s wickedness paled into insignificance. Alice could hardly believe her ears. She sat in stunned silence.
Lady Sarah filled the breach once again. “We are constantly amazed by your generosity, Edward. Your desiring us to make ourselves two new ball gowns is unexpected.”
He stared at her. “I wish nothing of the sort! I want only that you choose the silks. You must find a dressmaker in Winchester. You won’t have time to be stitching when Joe Delacourt arrives. If I know him we’ll be gallivanting over the countryside to any picnic or entertainment that’s available within a twenty-mile radius. He also possesses an excellent bass voice and will be very willing to raise it in song to complete our little choir. He’s a very sociable man, is Captain Delacourt.”
Alice found her voice at last. “You deserve to go socializing a little more. I look forward to meeting any friend of yours, Sir Edward. I’m sure he’ll have many tales to tell.”
His smile transformed into a wicked grin and he cocked an eyebrow. “That’s as may be, but how many of them he’ll divulge to ladies is a different matter! I’ll leave you now, if I may, as I must write a reply to this invitation. It’s for the first of June, so we need to bustle about a bit.”
As he’d predicted, Alice found it next to impossible to concentrate on her sewing once he had left. She answered her mama’s comments almost at random as she mulled over his words. How exciting to be invited to a ball. She’d been on the fringes of society for so long, barely tolerated in fact and ignored if not cut directly by many. The Lord Lieutenant’s ball, at that! How long had it been? Four years? Yes, it must be all of that. She’d not attended one since her come-out season had been so brutally cut short by her father’s fall from grace and the scandal of his bankruptcy. But it wasn’t the thought of a ball that had sent her head and heart into a whirl. No, it was Edward’s unthinking reference to ‘my ladies’ that had set her aflutter. Did he really think of them in that light? He must, for there had been nothing affected in his manner when he had told them to go order new dresses.
Alice’s delightful daydream was interrupted. Lady Sarah cast aside her needle. “There! Finished at last. How much have you to go, Alice? My goodness, you have been slow. How can you let your mind go wandering when we have so much to do? I’ll order the carriage and we can discuss colors upon the way. I’m so delighted that you’ve been invited to the ball as well. I suppose there’ll be waltzing. The Lord Lieutenant will not want to appear to be behind the mode. We must give dear Edward some more lessons between now and then, must we not?”
Alice kept her head well down, concentrating on her work to avoid her mother’s eye. More waltzing? What absolute torture! “Certainly, Mama. As you wish.”
The drive into Winchester cleared away some of her confusion. Spring had not been particularly fine, but at the moment the sun shone, with a touch of breeze to cool them as they drove along. The hedgerows were full of flowers. The may blossoms provided a riotous background for the more colorful wild roses, columbines and bluebells. Where the sheep had cropped the meadows daisies and buttercups sprinkled the green sward and in the ditches violets and forget-me-nots flourished. Truly, it was the best time of the year to be venturing forth to buy ball gowns.
With the horses lodged at the Royal Hotel, they were free to stroll at their leisure toward the silk merchant. Alice had not looked at three bolts of silk before her attention was caught by a sarcenet in the most exquisite shade of palest pink. With an air not unlike a magician the proprietor produced a remnant of darker pink crepe lisse and demonstrated how the two would look together. The length proved just enough to provide the overdress and because it was a remnant they came to a civil understanding as to the price. The decision was very soon made. Lady Sarah took a little longer, but eventually settled on a dark red gros de Naples that enhanced her coloring without appearing flamboyant.
Alice directed her mama to the seamstress often employed by Lavinia to make any gowns not sent down from London and before it seemed possible measurements were taken, styles discussed and everything settled in perfect amicability. All that remained was to select accessories.
“I’m absolutely determined to fashion my own turban,” Lady Sarah said. “I’m perfectly capable of such a small exertion and moreover it’s one I shall enjoy.”
“In that case, I shall make my own wreath. What say you to wildflowers? The ones we saw today have inspired me. Not real ones, of course, but I thought of silk dog-roses, violets and lilies of the valley.”
“I think, my dear,” Lady Sarah asserted as they entered the haberdasher’s, “that you shall be the belle of the ball.”
As the horses trotted along the lane leading to The Priory on their way home, the sound of wheels caused the ladies to turn their heads. Gaining on them, but in no particular hurry, a chaise approached.
“Unless I miss my guess, this will be Captain Delacourt,” Alice said. “Let’s see if they follow us down the drive.”
She wasn’t mistaken. They had hardly dismounted from their own barouche before the chaise drew up behind. Francis hastened to let down the steps for the visitor, but his efforts were scorned. The man who leapt lightly onto the gravel wore the same uniform as Sir Edward, but there the similarities ceased. Full of brimming vibrancy the captain swept off his hat and made an exquisite bow.
“My dear ladies! Please forgive me. I’ve arrived at an inconvenient moment. Allow me to introduce myself. Captain Joseph Delacourt, very much at your service.”
Lady Sarah held out her hand. “We had surmised as much, sir, but there’s no inconvenience, I assure you. We have been looking for your coming these several days past. I am Lady Sarah Carstairs and this is my daughter, Miss Carstairs. Alice, this is Edward’s friend.”
He turned a dazzling smile on Alice. Immediately she felt the warmth of his personality. Joviality shone from him like a beacon. His friendly, open countenance invited a smile in return. He answered Lady Sarah, but his attention remained fixed on the daughter.
“You’re too kind, ma’am. I’ve been kicking my heels in London awaiting news, but nothing has been heard of Bonaparte for some time. Sir Edward has no doubt given me up, but here I am.”
“And here’s Sir Edward.”
They watched Edward hurry down the steps with his hand outstretched and a smile of welcome on his face.
“It’s too bad, Joe, to steal a march on me! I wanted to introduce you to my family, but when did you ever wait for anything? Welcome to The Priory, but I suppose I’m behind hand with that, also?”
Joe Delacourt grasped the outstretched hand and shook it fiercely. “No, indeed. We have had time to introduce ourselves, only. I begin to see what you meant when you told me you had been fortunate in your relatives.”
Lady Sarah laughed. “Hardly relatives. We are only the most tenuous connections, yet Edward has treated us like his own family from the very first. We are greatly beholden to him. But we are standing about in this cold wind. Come into the drawing room. There should be a fire there.”
Captain Delacourt exuded such an energy of manner that Alice felt quite breathless as she led the way into the house. Within a very few minutes, long before the summoned refreshments had arrived her ears were filled with news of the political situation, court gossip, several interesting ondits and a rundown of the current standing of the Navy List.
“You shall still make rear admiral before I do, Ned, but I shan’t be far behind.”
“No doubt about the time Queen Charlotte celebrates her silver jubilee, the way things are going,” Sir Edward rejoined, only half funning.
“With the state of Prinny’s health and that
of the King, she may well be queen long before any of us think. What a breath of fresh air that will be.”
“It should certainly be a lively court. I wonder if her mama the Princess of Wales will be recognized?”
“How could anyone, queen or dairymaid, not recognize their own mama?” Alice asked, smiling fondly at her mother.
Captain Delacourt coughed. “Of course she would recognize the princess in private, but to be introducing her society to genteel ladies would be an entirely different matter. I’m afraid she’s anything but respectable.”
Sir Edward snorted with amusement. “Fear not. The future queen will be surrounded by respectability. There’s the Duke of York and Clarence, not to mention all the Fitzclarences and if they are not enough, what about Kent, or Cumberland?”
Amidst the general laughter Lady Sarah saw the door open. “Ah, here’s the refreshment at last. Will you take a glass, Captain Delacourt?”
“I will, my lady and I’ll propose a toast. Death to the French and death to all the superannuated rear admirals clinging so tenaciously to their perches!”
He raised a glass, ignoring Sir Edward’s admonishing glance. They could do nothing but respond.
“Death to the French, at least,” Sir Edward concurred. “I prefer to make my way up the list by my own endeavors, Joe. Shall we remove to the library? The ladies must be as weary from their excursion as they are from your chatter.” He smiled at the two of them. “We’ll see you at dinner. I’ll show Captain Delacourt to his chamber presently. There’s no need to worry about that.”
What a whirlwind! Over the next few days Alice felt as if she hardly had time to snatch a breath. The barouche was put to good use as the three of them showed the captain all the neighborhood sites of notice. He pretended interest in a tour of the cathedral in Winchester, but was much more lively company over the refreshments taken at the Royal Hotel afterwards. He sat politely at a performance of Mr. Shakespeare’s Othello, then had them all in whoops of laughter as they visited a fair on the village green.
In the brief respites granted to her, Alice created her wreath of flowers for the ball. There was a fitting for the dresses, which occupied them for a reasonable period one morning. The two gentlemen had whiled away the time as best they could, in the taproom of the nearby inn, with the result that the trip back to The Priory was even merrier than usual, with Sir Edward more than holding his own over Captain Delacourt’s sallies. Alice could not remember a time when she’d laughed more, or one when she’d loved Edward so much.
As May drew to a close the list of items needing attention grew ever longer. In the midst of settling the nursery details Gabrielle laughed at Alice for the first time. Hardly believing her ears she summoned her mama and Sir Edward both. They hurried into the room, alarmed at the urgency of her call. Not far behind, Captain Delacourt lingered in the doorway.
“What is it? What’s amiss?” Sir Edward inquired, laying the backs of his fingers against the baby’s cheek. “Has she a fever?”
“Oh, no! Nothing like that. I’m sorry to have alarmed you. Watch!”
Most obligingly Gabrielle entertained the company with an engaging gurgle of laughter as Alice tickled her.
“Joe! Come and see,” Sir Edward demanded, making way for him at the cradle.
“Er, yes, of course, Ned, if you insist.” The Captain managed to hide his lack of enthusiasm by saying all that was proper, but Alice was quick to notice the speed with which he extricated himself from the scene. Lady Sarah withdrew also when summoned by Barlow, but Sir Edward remained transfixed for some moments as Gabrielle grabbed at his finger and performed a series of wet and bubbly chuckles every time he smiled at her first. The game looked as if it might go on for some time until the nurse intervened. Acknowledging his dismissal, Sir Edward waited until Alice left the room ahead of him.
“What a fine thing to see such a healthy baby,” he commented. It strengthens my resolve and reminds me why we are fighting the tyrant.”
“Will she grow up in a peaceful world, do you suppose?” Alice queried.
“Captain Delacourt and I will do our best to see that she does. In the meanwhile, are those dress boxes I see Francis carrying toward us?”
Lady Sarah was ascending the staircase, followed by the obliging footman with the boxes.
“Oh, yes! I wonder, Sir Edward—”
“But of course.” He bowed. “Urgent business awaits you. No doubt your mama will also wish to be excused. I’ll take Joe off to Winchester for a few hours and hurry along that rascally tailor. He promised my uniform for yesterday.”
“We shall all be as fine as fivepence. I’m so excited about this visit to Dibden. I have not left this house in nearly four years.”
Edward looked bleak for a moment. “Not willingly, anyway, but I promise you you shall enjoy yourself. I’ll see to it personally.”
As he walked away Alice marveled that she could have forgotten her sojourn in Winchester Jail but indeed she had, until he reminded her. She gave her head a little shake and concentrated on far more important matters. Her dress had arrived!
The journey to Dibden was contrived without too much discomfort and the party arrived shortly after four o’clock on the first day of June. Welcomed into the luxurious surrounds of the Earl of Malmesbury’s principal seat Alice could almost imagine herself a lady of consequence. Lady Malmesbury greeted them kindly enough and after refreshments in the drawing room they were shown to their rooms.
The ball gowns needed nothing but the lightest pressing and before she knew it Alice sat at her dressing table having her hair arranged by the second chambermaid who had been pressed into service for the night. The girl had ambitions to be a lady’s maid and made the most of her opportunity. Alice could hardly believe her eyes as she transformed her normally plainly dressed hair into a riot of curls, most charmingly set off by the wreath.
Lady Sarah gasped with delight at the sight of her when she slipped into the room just before the dinner bell was due to sound. Sir Edward had seen to it that no detail had been overlooked. They both had fans, new elbow-length kidskin gloves, slippers of satin dyed to match their dresses, Alice a scarf of spangled gauze and her mama a beautiful shawl. She also brought with her a posy of lilies of the valley done up in a silver holder.
“From dear Edward. Truly, Alice, this is like a second come-out for you. I’ve never seen you looking so well.”
“Don’t cry, Mama.” Alice felt tears springing into her own eyes. “Let’s go downstairs at once, before we fall into the dismals. I feel like a fairy princess tonight.”
Lady Sarah pulled herself together. “You look more like an angel, my darling.”
Arm in arm they descended to the drawing room. A footman sprang to open the door for them. A small group of ladies and gentlemen stood beside the fire. Among them, her mourning entirely cast off, stood Lavinia. Her expression as she caught sight of them changed in an instant. Alice felt the room tilt as she struggled to contain her emotions. What would Edward say when he found his sister-in-law here?
Chapter Ten
Lavinia turned her back in a manner that was as obvious as it was insulting. For once, Alice had no idea how to conduct herself as her cousin began to whisper furiously behind her fan to the matron standing beside her. That lady’s startled glance and hurried attempt to look away convinced Alice that Lavinia had been losing no time trying to blacken her name. Well, that wasn’t going to happen! Sucking in a deep breath, Alice took a determined step forward, only to be almost knocked aside as her mother strode past her.
Lady Sarah’s expression gave everyone who saw it pause. One by one heads began to turn in her direction as the undercurrent of surprise and tension rippled through the room.
“Well, Niece. I’m all astonishment to see you here tonight. Have you no greeting for me?”
Was this her gentle mother speaking? Alice was all astonishment herself. Lavinia couldn’t hide her dismay. Obviously she’d had eyes only for Alice and had
never noticed who was with her. She sketched a brief curtsey.
“Why, Aunt, this is a surprise. What brings you to Dibden?”
“Well, do you know, I might ask you that question myself. I am a member of your brother-in-law’s party, Lavinia. Surely you’ve not forgotten I’ve been appointed to take care of the daughter you abandoned?”
A shocked gasp emanated from those within earshot. One or two turned away out of politeness, but others edged closer. The Lord Lieutenant’s ball had just become infinitely more interesting than they had supposed it would be.
Alice’s attention was drawn to Lavinia’s companion, a swarthy man in an unbecoming plum-colored coat. He closed the distance a little to Lavinia’s side, taking a great interest in the turn of the conversation. His gleaming black hair and exaggerated whiskers, together with an old-fashioned abundance of lace caused Alice some puzzlement. He looked to be wealthy and not yet old, so why such an outmoded style of dress? A whiff of his pomade increased her intrigue. Such an exotic perfume, of lime and rich tobacco. Surely this could not be an Englishman?
Lavinia coughed a little nervously. “I…I had no say in any of that. I have been cruelly wronged!” Lavinia cast a hurried glance around the room to gauge her support. “I’ve been banished from my own home by a scheming—”
“I think it would be wise if you said no more!”
The imperious tone of voice had every head in the room turning in a new direction. Alice felt a touch at her arm as Captain Delacourt came to stand beside her, but it was Sir Edward who had issued the warning. His eyes blazed a fire of anger. He lowered the volume of his voice so that only those in the immediate vicinity could hear his words, but his tone still cut like a whip.
“Think long and well, Lavinia, before you say anything you may deeply regret. I don’t know how you obtained your invitation here tonight but if I find that your gown was purchased with money meant for Penelope’s education I’ll have no scruples in revealing the truth about our dealings. It’s apparent that the truth has taken a back seat too many times for you to recognize it now.”
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