by Anne Herries
‘You are a little plump, but it is the style of your gowns that make it noticeable,’ Jane said, looking at her thoughtfully. ‘But not so fat that you look ugly or unpleasant. Besides, a lot of men prefer plump girls and find thin ones intimidating. My uncle thinks you...’ Jane blushed again. ‘Forgive me, Amanda, but he said you were a delightful armful. If he were ten years younger, I think he would offer for you...’ She looked at Amanda awkwardly, but her doubts fled as Amanda burst into laughter.
‘I am most grateful to him,’ Amanda said, amusement dancing in her eyes. ‘One of the nicest compliments paid me, I think, because it was honest.’
‘May one share the jest?’ Phipps asked, coming up to them with his friend Brock. ‘You have danced with me but once this evening, Miss Hamilton. I fear I must have offended you?’
‘No, indeed, you have not,’ Amanda said. ‘If you wish, I have the waltz after supper free?’
‘I thank you. We should go now, for I think the musicians are about to start.’
Amanda had been so busy laughing and talking that she had left most of her supper untouched, but she did not regret it for she loved to dance, and since Major Brockley had once again solicited Jane’s hand, she had no qualms about leaving her.
‘I am getting up a little party at my country house for August,’ Major Brockley said as the two couples returned to the ballroom. ‘I should be happy if both you and your mama—and Miss Field—would make up part of the company, Miss Hamilton.’
‘I should like to come,’ Amanda replied. ‘I am not certain whether I shall be at home before that—or the guest of Miss Langton.’
‘Oh, Miss Langton will naturally be included,’ Brock said. ‘I shall send the invitations to your home. I dare say either your papa or your mama will let you know the precise details, if you are not at home.’
‘Thank you, I look forward to it,’ Amanda replied.
The two couples parted to take their places on the floor and the music struck up. Of all things, Amanda loved to waltz, and to do so with the man who made her heart beat faster and her feet as light as a feather was such a delight that the music was over too soon. However, Brock then solicited her hand for a country dance and Phipps partnered Miss Field.
* * *
After the set was finished, Lady Hamilton came in search of them and said it was time they left. Told of the scheme for a house party at Lord Brockley’s country seat, she appeared flattered and agreed instantly that she would be delighted to bring her daughter and to chaperon Miss Field.
‘We shall arrange for Jane to stay with us for two days before we come to your father’s estate, sir—and that way I may chaperon them both.’
Jane was flushed with pleasure and, on the way home, thanked Lady Hamilton so many times that that lady laughed and told her she had been thanked enough.
‘It is no trouble, my dear. You are a delightful girl and I am glad to see Amanda making friends that she may keep throughout her life.’
Jane afterwards contented herself with making plans for the visit. Her parents were not rich and, had she not had a generous aunt, the visit to town would not have happened. She confessed that she intended to make herself some new gowns for the promised treat, for the prices charged by London seamstresses were much too high for her pocket.
Amanda, having a generous dress allowance, felt as if she ought to offer some kind of help to her friend, but Mama intervened and spoke of Jane’s talent in dressmaking.
‘Did you make the gown you are wearing?’ she asked.
Jane smiled and inclined her head. ‘I have been asked for the name of my dressmaker several times, Lady Hamilton, but I make them all myself. Mama’s maid helps me cut the patterns, but the needlework and designs are my own.’
‘Amanda needs two new gowns,’ Mama said. ‘If you were to help her choose them, I dare say the silk we buy could be ordered in a sufficient quantity for you to make yourself a gown to match. Think how pretty that would look—the two of you in the same silk, but different styles.’
‘I should love to help Amanda choose her new gowns,’ Jane said, ‘but I need no payment, ma’am.’
‘Oh, but I think that is a lovely idea,’ Amanda cried, thinking how clever Mama was. ‘You could help me make some adjustments to my gowns, Jane. I have discovered that at least three of my new dresses are too big around the waist. I think the seamstress made too much allowance...’
‘No, I think you have lost some weight,’ Jane corrected her. ‘I have an eye for these things and you were rounder at the beginning of the Season than you are now—at least that is my observation.’
‘Do you think so?’ Amanda was puzzled for she had not noticed anything. ‘I thought the seamstress believed I might grow into the extra size.’
‘No, Jane is right,’ Mama said. ‘I thought you might have lost a couple of inches about your waist, my love. I dare say it is all the dancing you’ve been doing...but will you help us, in return for the silk, Jane?’
‘Of course, if you wish it,’ Jane said. ‘I should like to redesign a few things for you, Amanda, if you trust my judgement.’
‘You must come with us when we remove to the countess’s house,’ Lady Hamilton announced. ‘I do not wish to see you girls parted and I know Susanna will be delighted to have you stay. You will prolong your visit to town, Jane, and then come home with us for a week or two. Unless your parents are desperate for you to return?’
‘No, ma’am, they will be only too pleased for me to stay with friends for a while.’
Having arranged the future to her satisfaction, Lady Hamilton allowed the girls to talk together, closing her eyes until Coachman stopped outside Jane’s aunt’s house, and they took leave of one another, after arranging for Jane to accompany Amanda to the dressmaker two days hence.
Continuing their journey, Amanda’s mother was silent for a moment, then, ‘Do you think Major Brockley has taken a fancy to Jane, my dearest? I noticed he danced with her at least twice this evening.’
‘Yes, Mama, he did,’ Amanda agreed. ‘However, he danced with several pretty girls twice—and with me also.’
‘You are a pretty girl,’ Mama said. ‘You put yourself down too much. I have noticed that you are even more popular of late, which proves that it was not just because you went everywhere with Miss Langton.’
Amanda shook her head, laughing a little in the darkness inside the carriage. Her mama was prejudiced, of course, and Jane was always so sweet to her. Amanda’s opinion of herself would always be that she had too many faults, for she did not notice the shine of her hair or see how her eyes lit up when she smiled. Obsessed by her wish to look more like Cynthia Langton, she could not think herself more than vaguely attractive. Yet she had not noticed that many gentlemen had defected and believed that her fortune had always been much sought after. Though several of the young men who had solicited her hand for a dance that evening could not be said to be in want of a fortune: of course, a dance was not an offer of marriage...
‘I must call on Miss Langton in the morning,’ Amanda said as the carriage came to a halt. ‘I am so sorry that she is being forced to leave town. She will miss the last weeks of the Season.’
* * *
‘I wish Mama would not insist that we go home,’ Cynthia complained when Amanda visited her in her room the next morning. There were some red patches on her face, though they seemed to be fading, and it was unlikely she would be permanently scarred. ‘It will be ages before we can go anywhere again and I hate the country.’
‘Major Brockley is getting up a house party for August,’ Amanda said. ‘You, Jane and I have been invited—and I know Phipps is going. I dare say a lot of your admirers will be there.’
‘Mama has not yet had the invitation,’ Cynthia said, but she brightened up and sat forward, but then frowned. ‘I dare say he will not have invited the Marquis of Shearne, though. I believe they do not much like each other.’ A wistful look came to her face, as if she regretted that she would not m
eet the marquis at Major Brockley’s house party.
‘No, I believe there is an old quarrel,’ Amanda said. She hesitated, wondering whether to tell her friend about Shearne’s behaviour at the picnic. It seemed not quite nice to blacken the gentleman’s name, and the probability that the two would not meet again before Cynthia was safely engaged or wed made her think it unnecessary.
Cynthia sighed, but cheered up as Amanda told her that Jane was going to make a new gown and had promised to help her adjust hers. She was always interested in clothes and soon the conversation passed on to a promised visit to Bath in the autumn.
‘Mama says she shall take me to Bath at the end of September,’ Cynthia told her, sitting forward eagerly. ‘You will come with us, Amanda? I was going to invite you to stay before, but you already have so many engagements.’ She pouted. ‘You must not desert me because you have so many friends.’
‘Of course I shall not,’ Amanda said and smiled in sympathy. ‘You have more than I, I am sure. I imagine most of them have called to see how you go on and brought you small gifts?’
‘A few gentlemen, yes,’ Cynthia agreed, but sighed. ‘I’ve had flowers and a book of poems, but no ladies have called—apart from my cousins, of course. You are the only one to visit me and actually sit with me, Amanda.’
Amanda was shocked, though she did not let it show. ‘I suppose the young ladies are afraid of contracting your illness.’
‘One or two send notes, but they do not know I have had more than a wretched chill. Mama has told no one but you, Amanda. She said you were to be trusted, but she did not want the news spread all over town.’ Cynthia pleated the white linen sheet between her fingers. ‘I am so miserable. I thought the marquis liked me, but apart from one posy, I have heard nothing from him.’
Amanda hesitated. Should she tell her friend that he was a desperate flirt and not to be trusted? Yet she was already feeling low and Amanda had no wish to distress her.
‘I believe he may have gone out of town,’ she offered uncertainly. ‘I have not seen him for a few days.’
‘Oh—well, perhaps he has,’ Cynthia said with a dismissive shake of her head. ‘Lieutenant Phipps has sent me several lovely bouquets and a box of bonbons. He is very kind, I think.’
‘Yes, he is,’ Amanda said, her heart sinking a little. If Cynthia decided that she would have him, her own faint hopes would founder immediately. ‘He has enquired after you several times, I believe?’
‘At least twice this week and the same last week,’ Cynthia said, her brow creased in thought. ‘Sometimes I think I would do anything to be married and my own mistress. Mama is good to me, but she smothers me—and I have been driven to distraction these past few days. I do not know what I should have done without your visits.’
‘I was happy to visit. It is such a shame that you should have caught the chicken pox at such a time when you had been enjoying your visit to town so much.’
‘Mama says we shall go to Bath in September, as I told you—but it is not the same as London. If I do not find a husband soon, I must wait until next spring.’
‘Oh, I should not despair,’ Amanda said in a rallying tone. ‘I am certain once it is known that you are out and about again, you will have visitors.’
‘Do you think so?’ Once again Cynthia looked wistful. ‘I’m not sure people like me as much as they like you. Everyone always looks pleased when you walk into the room, while...some ladies dislike me, I think.’
‘I suppose some are jealous,’ Amanda admitted. ‘You are very beautiful, Cynthia, and so many gentlemen choose to form a part of your court. You cannot wonder if a few girls resent you—you have both wealth and beauty.’
‘As do you,’ Cynthia retorted. ‘You have lots of women friends, and gentlemen, too. They all genuinely like you. My aunt told me that you are now the most popular lady at all the best affairs.’
‘I’m sure that isn’t true,’ Amanda replied. ‘Most of the people I know became my acquaintances when I went everywhere with you. Had you not taken me up, I dare say I should hardly have been noticed.’
‘That is what Mama says,’ Cynthia said and blushed. ‘I told her she is wrong. Oh, at first, perhaps, people might not notice you, but when they know you—they like you and want to be your friend.’
‘How kind you are to me,’ Amanda said. ‘Everyone asks me how you are. I tell them you are a little pulled down by the chill, which was severe, and they all tell me to send their good wishes.’
‘Matrons and friends of Mama’s,’ Cynthia said. ‘Shearne did not ask you how I went on, did he?’
‘The marquis never notices me,’ Amanda said. ‘To be honest, I do not much like him, Cynthia. He is a rake and I think he flirts with lots of young ladies and means no good to any of them.’
Cynthia looked away and did not answer. After a moment, she began to talk of fashions, showing Amanda a magazine her aunt had brought her.
* * *
They spent the next hour or so poring over various fashion plates and Amanda told her that Jane Field was going to help her design her new gowns.
‘Jane has a real eye for style,’ Amanda said. ‘She thinks I would look better in a simple cut without the knots of ribbons Mama likes for me. I think I shall take her advice.’
‘You always look nice to me,’ Cynthia replied, a wistful expression in her eyes. ‘Do not become so fond of Jane’s company that you forget me.’
‘I should not do that, Cynthia. You are my friend and I have so much enjoyed my visit to town—and that is very much due to your kindness in taking me up.’
‘You make me ashamed,’ Cynthia said, her cheeks pink. ‘When I first took you up, Amanda, I did so because I thought I showed to advantage in your company.’
‘Yes, I was little competition for you,’ Amanda said and laughed, her eyes bright. ‘I believe I realised that, my dear friend, but I think that after a while you came to value me for my wit, despite my lack of height and too many inches about my waist.’
‘It’s strange,’ Cynthia replied thoughtfully. ‘When one comes to know you, my dearest Amanda, one no longer notices. You were such good company, and everyone laughed and smiled when you were there.’
‘As they do when you are,’ Amanda reassured her. ‘You are much missed, believe me.’
‘Thank you for remaining my friend.’ Cynthia clasped her hand emotionally. ‘I know I have been proud and cold...’
‘Towards some I believe you may have,’ Amanda said, ‘but not to me. What is this, Cynthia? You must not doubt yourself. When you are feeling more yourself, you will soon have all the friends and admirers you could wish for.’
‘I believe I shall always have your friendship,’ Cynthia said. ‘You will come to Bath with us later in the summer?’
‘We shall see each other at Lord Brockley’s estate. Major Brockley is one of your admirers. I know that you will receive his invitation soon—and now I must go, for I have a fitting this afternoon.’
‘How I wish that I could come with you.’
‘I shall call again as soon as I am able,’ Amanda promised and took her leave.
She was thoughtful as she made her way home, her maid walking silently at her side. Cynthia had ruled supreme in the drawing rooms for some weeks, but it seemed she’d had fewer visitors than might have been expected. Her lack of female friends had clearly made its mark on her and she had realised that her aloof manner had brought its own reward.
Amanda would speak to Jane and ask her to visit Cynthia. Jane had not thought she would be welcome to the proud beauty, but she would go if Amanda asked it of her—and take a little gift, which Amanda would provide.
Perhaps she ought to have told Cynthia of Shearne’s behaviour to Jane, and also that the last time she’d noticed him, he’d seemed to have a new flirt. Yet she knew that her friend was feeling low in spirits and it was obvious that she liked the marquis, too much for her own good. If Amanda told her something she would not like, she might think she was b
eing spiteful. Hopefully, she would enjoy herself at Major Brockley’s house and forget him.
* * *
After spending a pleasant afternoon with Jane at the fashionable seamstress’s establishment and choosing two new gowns, one in pale blue silk and the other in sea green, Amanda left feeling pleased. Jane’s suggestions had seemed sensible to her and, after draping various silks against her, she felt that her new gowns would be an improvement on some that she’d had made earlier.
‘Because you are so tiny, full skirts make you look dumpy, but a slim skirt would emphasise your waist, which is good, Amanda. I can alter the neckline on two of your gowns, make them fit you tighter at the waist and take off those awful ruffles at the back that make you look bigger than you are.’ Jane looked at her. ‘That dove-grey walking dress you tried on really suited you. I could take the fullness out of your green walking gown and then it would look the way the grey did.’
‘I do not want you to spend all your time working on my gowns,’ Amanda said. ‘You must make your own new gowns, too—and have time for reading and walking.’
‘I love to sew,’ Jane told her. ‘When we are in the country you may read to us as I work. I enjoy hearing you read, Amanda—you put such meaning into the words.’
Amanda was about to reply when they found their path obstructed. Looking up into the hostile face of the Marquis of Shearne, Amanda felt a chill down her spine. He was clearly brooding about something and she knew that Jane had shrunk closer to her, seeming afraid of him.
‘Miss Hamilton, Miss Field,’ he murmured silkily. ‘What a delightful picture you make—the sparrow and the plump dove, what tasty morsels for the taking.’
Jane gasped and clutched Amanda’s arm. Glancing at her face, Amanda felt a spurt of anger, for his taunt had taken all the colour and pleasure from Jane’s cheeks.
‘And you, sir—are you a hawk or a wolf?’ she asked, her voice sharp and her eyes shooting a challenge at him. ‘How dare you address us in such a manner? Whichever you see yourself, let me assure you that neither of us are yours for the taking.’
