by Anne Ireland
Hester sat, her knees trembling. She had faced her enemy down, but she felt sick inside. She did not imagine that Charlotte had invited Lady Blackwater to her evening, but she would certainly be at Lady Jersey’s dance.
* * * *
Hester wore a pretty pale green gown for her cousin’s gathering, a choker of pearls with an emerald clasp and a pear-shaped drop at her throat, and matching drops in her ears. She had a new pair of white evening gloves, and her slippers were of the softest kid, peeping beneath the hem of her gown. Her hair had been dressed very simply in a knot at her nape, though little wisps of hair curled about her face.
“You look beautiful, my darling,” Paul said when she was ready. “I am very proud of my wife, Hester. Just remember that whatever happens this evening.”
“Yes, I shall remember,” she said and smiled. She had not told him about Lady Blackwater’s threats, for she did not wish to bother him with such insults. The lady’s threats against Paul were futile, for there had been too many witnesses for her accusations to carry weight. But Hester had no doubt that she would do her best to ostracize her if she could.
Her nerves were fluttering as they drove to Charlotte’s house. She had asked them to arrive early so that they might meet the guests with her. Hester’s stomach tightened as she took her place at the head of the main stairs, up which all the guests must come to pass into the large reception rooms.
“You look charming,” Charlotte said and kissed her cheek. “Do not be nervous, dearest. I have already had several kind replies, and I am certain that others will simply arrive.”
“I do hope so. I would not have you go to all this trouble for nothing,” Hester said. She smiled bravely even though she was far from calm inside.
The first guests began to arrive ten minutes after she and Paul had taken their places with Charlotte. Uncle Staunton was the very first. He kissed Hester’s hand and told her she was more beautiful than ever, then clapped Paul on the shoulder and told him he was a lucky dog.
Two minutes later, three of Paul’s cousins arrived together, bringing a guest with them. The guest was an earl of some repute, who congratulated Paul and wished Hester happiness. Two elderly aunts followed them up the stairs, and made a great show of kissing Paul and Hester. His parents arrived next, and Ellie embraced Hester, choosing to stand beside her to help receive the other guests. They were arriving thick and fast now, and though the majority of them were Paul’s relations, other guests had begun to swell the throng, ladies and gentlemen, old and young, and all of them greeted Hester with a warm smile or a look of approval. Her throat tightened with emotion as she thought how kind they all were. She no longer worried that her cousin’s evening would fail and began to wonder where Charlotte would put them all.
“I am not sure that I invited everyone who is here,” her cousin whispered to her as they moved into the reception rooms. The formal greeting was over, and late arrivals would simply drift in as they pleased. “However, there is plenty of food, and I am sure some of these gentlemen will not stay long. They have simply come to greet you, Hester.”
“Why would they do that?” she asked, for already some of the gentlemen were leaving to go on to other engagements, possibly a venue where they could play for high stakes at the tables. Charlotte’s affair was the kind that many of them might ordinarily have considered too insipid. However, they were still drifting in, and all of them greeted first their hostess and then Hester, before making a circle of the rooms and then departing. “And why would they come if they have no invitation?”
“To look you over,” Charlotte said and smiled. “You must know that your name is being spoken in all the clubs and drawing rooms. I do not say that everyone without exception approves, but I believe there are a great many who think you brave, and others who find your story romantic.”
Hester could hardly believe it, but as the evening wore on and more and more uninvited guests continued to make a brief appearance, she could not doubt that she was causing a stir. Uncle Staunton had taken up a position at her side that he refused to relinquish all evening, and Hester realized that he had appointed himself her guardian. Anyone who had tried to insult her would have received the rough edge of his tongue, but in fact, she was offered nothing but kindness. Several ladies made a point of telling her when they were at home, and others delivered verbal invitations to their own affairs, promising that a written card would be delivered the next day.
It was a very happy evening for Hester, and she came close to tears once or twice as people went out of their way to seek her out and show their approval.
“I believe we can say that it has been a success,” Charlotte told her when the guests began to thin towards the end. “You will have several invitations in the next day or so, and if some choose to ignore you—well, you must just accept it, my dearest. I think most people will be pleased to invite you to their homes—and as for the gentlemen, I think you can safely say that they entirely approve.”
“I am glad your evening was a success,” Hester replied. She had been impressed by how many people had actually come, far more than her cousin had invited, she was sure. However, there had been some notable exceptions. The hostesses who ruled society and were responsible for giving vouchers for Almacks, that most exclusive of high society clubs, had not been amongst the flow that passed through her cousin’s reception rooms. Without their approval, she could only flutter at the edge of Society for the inner circles were tightly controlled. The big test would come at Lady Jersey’s dance, for she was one of the patrons of Almacks and, if she wished, could give Hester the nod—or finish her with a look of disapproval.
* * * *
“I believe that went very well,” Paul told her as they were driven home later. “You managed it beautifully, my darling, and I was congratulated on my wife all evening.”
“By the gentlemen,” Hester said, smiling at him. “I am aware that they approved, for they think our story a fine romance—but what of the ladies? I mean those ladies who did not come this evening.”
“That we shall discover tomorrow,” Paul said, his brow wrinkling. “Sally Jersey is a friend of my mother’s. I am sure she would not have invited us if she did not intend to show her approval—but there may be some high sticklers who will not unbend. Providing most accept you, we shall brush through well enough, my love.”
“Yes, of course. At least, I have made a start,” Hester said, though she knew in her heart that the next evening could undo all the good work her cousin had done. If those who ruled Society decided that she was beyond the pale, many ladies who had shown friendship that evening might decide to withdraw it.
And she knew that she had one determined enemy who would do her best to see that Hester was ostracized.
* * * *
Hester was in her petticoat when Paul entered the next evening. He asked her which gown she intended to wear, and she indicated the dark blue silk that was lying on the bed waiting for her maid to help her into it.
“Would you mind wearing my favorite gown instead?” Paul asked her, going over to the armoire and taking out the crimson gown that Hester had been fitted for before her wedding. It was the one she thought a little shocking for it dipped low over her breasts and was very sophisticated. “This is the one?”
“It may need some pressing,” Hester said, “which means we might be a little late arriving.”
“I do not think that matters,” Paul said a little smile on his lips. He gave the dress to Anna. “Forgive me if I have caused you extra work. I promise it will not happen again.”
As the maid went away, Hester looked at him, a question in her eyes. “What are you up to?” she asked. “You know that is the most daring of my gowns.”
“And it suits you very well,” Paul said. “You are not going to hide your charms, my love. Let the old tabbies say what they will. We shall cause a little stir if we arrive late—and that is just what I intend.”
“Very well, if you are sure.”
“Quite su
re.” Paul moved towards her and took her into his arms. His kiss was deep and passionate, making Hester moan as she swayed into his body, her lips parting beneath the assault of his tongue. “As I told you last night, I am proud of my wife. Let them all look and make what they will of it.”
“You know that this evening will be different?”
“Yes, I know,” he said. “But we may as well know where we stand, Hester. Either they accept us or they don’t.”
She smiled up at him, her eyes bright with laughter. With Paul at her side, she could dare anything.
He left her when Anna returned with her gown. Anna helped her into it and then adjusted her hair, dressing it in a different way so that a ringlet hung down on her shoulder.
“I think Captain Crawford was right,” she told her mistress. “You are stunning in that gown, my lady.”
“Thank you,” Hester said, touching the ruby pendent at her throat. It had been one of Paul’s wedding gifts to her and it looked perfect with the gown, as did the matching eardrops.
Paul’s eyes signalled his approval as she went downstairs. “Yes, that was exactly what I hoped for,” he murmured. “You will be the most beautiful lady present this evening, my darling.”
“I do not think so,” she said and smiled. “But it is a stunning gown and is sure to cause some comment—just as the seamstress hoped when she designed it for me.”
Paul offered his arm and she took it, proud of her ability to still the trembling that had started up inside her. However, her nerves increased during the carriage ride and she was beginning to tremble inside when the carriage drew up outside the large imposing house. There was a line of carriages, and they had to wait their turn to get down and walk up the red carpet to the house where their names were announced and the impressive butler indicated that they should proceed up the stairs.
Hester doubted that any uninvited guests would be allowed to enter here, though the reception rooms were overflowing. Their hostess had abandoned the receiving line, for music was playing and only a few stragglers were entering ahead of Paul and Hester, who had been almost the last.
They walked into a huge drawing room that was crowded with ladies and gentlemen, the sparkle of magnificent jewels flashing in the light of chandeliers. Hester was aware of heads turning to look at her and of the buzzing whisperings. She did not think that many of Charlotte’s guests were present that evening, though she did not turn her head to look, merely held Paul’s arm and kept her head high.
She noticed that some of the gentlemen acknowledged them, but the ladies appeared to be waiting for the moment. Hester felt cold all over. She had thought that Lady Jersey’s invitation meant that she had been accepted, but now she wondered if she had been invited simply so that her humiliation might be public and final.
And then, as Paul paused to speak to a gentleman who had approached him in order to be introduced, a sudden silence fell over the room. Into the silence, a woman’s voice spoke loudly and with outrage.
“I wonder that they have the effrontery to come here this evening. She is no better than a whore—and he is a murderer.”
Hester froze. She knew without even looking that the woman was Lady Blackwater, carrying out her threat to humiliate her in public.
Paul tensed beside her. She glanced at his face and saw that he was furious, and she sensed that he was about to answer Lady Blackwater’s challenge, but then a lady came towards them. She walked unhurriedly, a smile on her face, and when she drew near, she held out her hands to Hester.
“My dearest, Lady Crawford,” she said in a voice loud enough to carry. “I am so delighted that you could come this evening. And you, Paul, I am very glad to see you again. They tell me wonderful things about you. Prinny says that he thinks he shall give you the order of the garter. He is here this evening, and he wants to see you both.”
“Murderer!” Lady Blackwater cried again. “He does not deserve to be honored. He murdered my nephew.”
“That is a lie,” a gentleman said from behind them, and Hester glanced round to see a gentleman who had attended their wedding. It was Sir Justin Maybury. “I am a justice of the peace, and I witnessed it all. It was Mr. Blackwater who attempted murder, madam, and I have had the matter investigated thoroughly. I have to tell you that Henry Blackwater traded faulty cannon to the army. It was only the quick action of Captain Crawford in withdrawing them that saved more men dying and perhaps worse. Your nephew was a blackguard and a murderer, madam, and I suggest you apologize at once.”
“Apologize?” Lady Blackwater seemed to swell with indignation like a great toad. “I shall do no such thing.”
“Then I am afraid I must ask you to leave,” Sally Jersey said. “I know Captain Crawford well. He saved the lives of two gentlemen dear to me during the war, and I prefer his word to yours, ma’am. Is what Sir Justin said true, Captain Crawford?”
“On all counts, ma’am,” Paul said, a gleam in his eyes. “Henry Blackwater knew that I would expose him once I had the proof and so he tried to ruin and then kill me.”
“That is good enough for me, as I am sure it will be for all men and women of sense,” Lady Jersey said, smiling serenely. “Please come with me now if you will, for Prinny is impatient to meet you—and your lovely wife. What a wonderful gown, Hester. You must tell me the name of your seamstress, and in return, I shall give you vouchers.”
Lady Blackwater’s face looked like thunder. She tried to voice a protest, but no one listened. A buzz of laughter and chatter drowned her voice out, and several ladies and gentlemen turned their backs on her. Seeing that her outburst had gone against her, she stood for a moment glaring at the company and then stalked from the room.
“And good riddance too!” one wagg called after her, though his friends hushed him, but the feeling was mutual though unvoiced by most of the company.
Lady Jersey’s words had been heard and repeated throughout the overflowing rooms, and those privileged to be near enough were amused to see that Prinny seemed as delighted with Lady Crawford as with her husband. It was soon on everyone’s lips that Captain Crawford was to receive a high honor for his bravery in the recent war.
“Well,” said one lady who was generally taken to be a stickler for propriety, “it may not be quite the thing in general, but there is something rather delightful about a love story that ends well. Do you not think so, Lady Leominster?”
“I believe the child is adorable,” that lady remarked. “A true love child. Had it come out when Miss Weston was unmarried I could not have approved, but she seems a nice enough gel, and he has married her. I dare say she was quite the innocent in the story. I blame her father. If he had permitted the marriage at the time . . .”
Since the general opinion was much in line with this, Hester soon found herself surrounded by both ladies and gentlemen eager to congratulate her on her marriage and her husband’s impending honor.
She was besieged by partners wishing to dance with her, though she chose wisely, giving her favors to friends of her husband and to the sprinkling of his relations present that evening, while reserving three for him.
Uncle Staunton was one of the first to approach her for a dance. She smiled at him, because she knew he was her champion and there would always be a space on her card for him.
“I did not know you would be here this evening?”
“Sally is an old friend,” he told her with a wink. “I wangled an invitation once I knew you were coming. I’m not usually much for these affairs, but it was a special occasion this evening, m’dear.”
“Thank you for coming to support me, dearest uncle.”
“I doubt you’ll need much supporting from now on,” he said. “From what I can make out, you’re the latest rage. I think you’ll find you will have more invitations than you can manage next season.”
“Yes.” Hester smiled oddly. “If we come to town next season.”
“No reason why you shouldn’t.” Uncle Staunton saw the secret smile in her eyes
and grinned broadly. “So that’s the way of it—always was a lucky dog, that nephew of mine. Congratulations, m’dear.”
“You will not say anything just yet, please? I am not certain and I have not spoken to Paul, but I think—”
“Well, if you think it, you are probably right,” he said. “And that should set the seal on things—particularly if you have a boy this time.”
“I shall do my best to oblige,” Hester said, her eyes dancing with laughter. “Though I cannot promise.”
“Well, I dare say there’s plenty of time,” he said and winked at her. “A healthy couple like you will probably produce a string of brats.”
Hester laughed as the music ended, and he took her back to her husband. Paul looked at her, seeing the glow in her eyes and the color in her cheeks.
“Enjoying yourself, my love?”
“Yes, very much,” she replied. “I have saved three dances for you, Paul, and I think this next is our first.”
It was a waltz, and as he took her in his arms, Hester felt as if she were floating. She felt so light, so free of care, that she felt as if she could dance forever.
It was late when they returned home that evening. Anna had waited up for her mistress, but as soon as she had helped her out of her gown, Hester sent her to bed. Sitting before her dressing table, she was brushing her long hair when Paul came to her. He took the brush as he often did, smoothing it over her shining tresses.
When he laid it down at last, Hester stood up and went into his arms lifting her face for his kiss. However, he looked down at her for a moment before taking her to him.
“Is it all right now?” he asked. “Are all the bad memories gone and the shame vanquished for good?”
“Yes, the shadows have gone,” she said. “I was offered vouchers for Almacks by two of the patronesses this evening, and I do not think that would have happened if my place was not secure.”
“I dare say a few of the tabbies will tear you to shreds in private—friends of Lady Blackwater. She may have a few left, though after tonight I think many will not bother to invite her to their homes. She would do better to retire to the country for she is not much liked.”
