Wit & Intrigue (An Assignation to Remember Book 1)

by Angela Johnson

  “I think a few day dresses along with new party gowns will be appropriate for our trip.”

  Debra shook her head. “I do not need so many things.”

  “Nonsense. All of your dresses are inappropriate for a woman who will be increasing soon.”

  It was Debra’s turn to give a response. She did much better than Alex had the night before, as she still sat in her seat, but she did choke on her juice. While coughing, she was able to say the word, “Increasing?”

  “Yes, Debra. Waverly and I spoke with our son last evening before turning in. I am certain he will inform you of the decision we made.”

  Debra did not trust herself to speak as her voice would be high-pitched in deep shock. She turned toward her husband.

  “There is no reason to keep this private. I am certain the serving staff heard you yelling at me last night, which means all of London will know of your decision.”

  “What decision?” Debra asked looking at each person in the room.

  Waverly waved the butler and footmen out. When the door closed, he turned toward his son. “Your mother and I are in earnest, Alexander.”

  “I am well aware of the serious nature of our discussion last night.”

  Wishing she’d stayed and eavesdropped further, Debra was lost in the conversation. “Will one of you please help me to understand the decision, since it obviously affects me?”

  “My loving parents,” Alex paused to give emphasis to his words, “have decided to disinherit me if I do not produce an heir within a year.”

  A few thoughts passed through her mind as she heard the word disinherit. The first came out of her mouth. “I thought we all agreed a child within the first year would cause further scandal.”

  “It is worse knowing your marriage is not whole.” Duke Waverly slammed his hand on the table in frustration as he said the words.

  Pleading with her husband, she argued. “You said you are not ready to set up a nursery.”

  Teeth clenched, he said, “My parents desire grandchildren.”

  She raised her eyebrows at him as she spoke in a silky-smooth tone. “Whatever are you going to do, my lord?” Debra took a bite of her toast and slowly chewed as her husband glared at her. “I suppose if you are disinherited, we can always find house room at Woodland Manor similar to George and Rilla.”

  “They plan to disinherit me, not you.”

  Debra smiled at her husband’s predicament. There was a small amount of satisfaction knowing his parents would threaten him so thoroughly.

  “Debra, you will meet me in the entryway in a quarter of an hour?” Duchess Waverly added, “Oh, and your mother and sisters will be joining us.”

  Debra knew her face was bright red. “My family does not know the full of the situation?”

  “No. We will not tell them anything. I did tell your mother the purpose behind purchasing new dresses. She agrees you will need new clothing once you are in a motherly way.”

  “Debra,” Kate called out as she exited the carriage. Her mother and sisters waited outside the shops. “We did not know you were already increasing. Is this how you got Lord Trenton to propose marriage to you?” Kate asked as she appraised Debra’s attire and hair. “You look like you do not have a maid.”

  “Leave her alone, Kate.” Diana said as she tucked a strand of hair into Debra’s coiffure. “Jealousy is not becoming on you. You also know she is not yet increasing.”

  Debra hadn’t planned to spend the day shopping with her sisters. It had been Margaret she wanted to shop with, so they could find the apothecary and get rid of her terrible red hair and freckles.

  Adele moved in between Kate and Debra to separate them. “I think you look sweet,” she said as she helped Debra straighten her lace. “Although your maid could use some training if she cannot even get your lace straight.”

  Debra blushed. “It was my fault. I did not plan to spend time with any of you today.” She looked in the window of the dress shop. “Do we have to go in there?”

  Diana laughed at her reluctance. “This is the best dress shop in town.”

  As they had an appointment, Debra didn’t have to wait long. She was taken back and the measuring process began. Standing on the stool in only her shift allowed her mother, Duchess Waverly, Diana, and Adele to choose the materials: muslin silk seemed to be their favorite. It was as fine as Lady Margaret’s had been the night before. Kate sat not caring to help.

  “I think we should go with this dark blue and the green,” Diana said as she held them up to Debra’s face.

  “Oh Diana!” Adele excitedly grabbed at a light purple and a yellow fabric. “She will need dresses out of these as well.”

  “You do not think the purple will clash with my hair?” Debra asked eyeing the fabric as she was uncertain it would complement her features.

  “You will look beautiful, dear.” Debra felt patronized as the dressmaker patted her arm not taking the time to look at her hair and the material to determine if it would clash. The woman was there to sell dresses. “All that remains are the patterns.” The dressmaker was a short plump woman with a tight smile. She started pinning the yellow muslin to Debra’s shift as she spoke.

  “I think this one should have a lower neckline.” Adele said as she moved the fabric down.

  Debra grabbed the fabric. “Adele, I would feel more comfortable with it pinned a bit higher. Mother, should not the neckline be higher?”

  Both women she referred to as mother turned back and agreed with Adele and without realizing the awkward moment of both responding, they went back to chatting.

  “Debra,” Adele sighed, “dresses with a lower cut are all the rage. Think of what Lord Trenton would like to see you in and go with that style. He is taking you to the theater one of these nights, think about a new dress and a new style to show off.”

  Debra blushed, “I do not know what style he would like.”

  Diana brought a drawing of a dress over to her. “This one is gorgeous. The buttons down the front are timeless. You must go with this pattern for the light purple.”

  “The neckline is low as well.” Debra said as she looked in the mirror. “I do not have the bust for these patterns.” She looked in the floor length mirror and cringed at her reflection. She understood why Alex was reluctant to have children with her. Will he regret having to look at me every day? He already does. She thought as the dressmaker continued to pin material to her shift.

  “No matter,” the dressmaker said as she measured and pinned. “We will make adjustments to your stays. These will fit your form.”

  “My stays? What do you mean?”

  Duchess Waverly took hold of her hand. “My dear, do not argue with this gift I am giving you.” Whispering so the others couldn’t hear, the duchess added, “Alexander will be very happy with the new stays.”

  Blushing bright red, Debra stopped arguing as every thought she had for her new dresses was ignored as her sisters chose the patterns, materials, and colors. By the time they left the dress shop, she had six day dresses and five ball gowns on order all of which had low necklines. The duchess and Debra’s mother took care of the stays, which only set Debra to worrying.

  Due to Duchess Waverly’s insistence, two of the dresses would be ready by the following afternoon. She knew which one she would wear to the opera. Alex was taking her to see Romeo and Juliet. They would sit in box seats and she was excited to be invited.

  Debra walked with her sisters back to Mayfair House. She wanted exercise instead of riding in a carriage. She daydreamed about the opera as it was easier to think about instead of the disinheritance if she did not produce grandchildren. Wondering how Alex would respond to the low-cut dresses, her thoughts were interrupted as she heard Kate laugh.

  “They look cozy!” Kate said as she tapped Debra on the shoulder. “Will she be wintering in the cottage at Trenton Hall?”

  When Debra recognized Alex, her temper flared. A woman stood next to him, laughing and speaking as though they
flirted in a ballroom. How could he do this to me? Is she his mistress? In public no less? Debra stood staring at Alex and his interaction with the woman until she leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.

  Before Debra could stop herself or think rationally, she rushed across the busy London street to confront Alex and his companion. The woman walked away before Debra arrived, but Alex hadn’t yet mounted his horse.

  “Debra, hold on,” Diana called out as she followed. “You will make a fool out of yourself.”

  “I am not the fool!” Debra yelled back as she rushed forward. She didn’t stop to think before she grabbed the ribbons of Alex’s horse to stop him from mounting.

  “Debra,” Alex said looking as though he were happy to see her. He walked forward and then stopped. She knew she was scowling at him. “Is there a problem, Love?”

  “You kissed her, in public!” Debra said as she walked toward him.

  “You look like you are ready to kill me.”

  “You kissed her!” Debra yelled causing the people passing by to stop and stare.

  Alex looked around. “You may all go back to your business. This is no concern for any of you.” He took hold of Debra’s arm and led her to the side of the closest building. “First off, tell me why you are accosting me in the street for speaking to people.”

  Debra pulled her arm away from him. Her three sisters had followed and were standing close enough to hear their conversation. “I saw her kiss your cheek.” Saying the words brought tears to her eyes. To stop the sob from escaping her throat she turned away.

  Alex pulled her back around and touched a strand of her hair tucking it behind her ear. “You are frighteningly beautiful when you are angry.” He tucked another hair behind her other ear.

  “Stop patronizing me! Who is she, and why did she kiss you?”

  “That was my cousin. There is no need for anger.”

  “I do not want you kissing her in public, or private.” Debra knew of cousins who’d married each other. There was no reason for her husband to kiss one of his.

  “Stop,” he said in amusement, “although I do enjoy this sassy jealousy you have adopted to the angry indifference. There might be hope for us yet.”

  Feeling foolish for her jealous outburst Debra nodded her head and left him standing by himself. She didn’t say goodbye. She didn’t smile at him. She simply pulled her hands out of his and walked away. She wasn’t certain what transpired behind her, as her sisters didn’t immediately follow. She rushed home and went to her room. There was need to spend time on her hair and appearance before Alex and his family were ready to leave for her parent’s home.

  The first thing she did as she walked in her room was ask Annie to set a bath for her. She wanted to wash her hair and spend time making herself look beautiful. She wouldn’t be able to produce the beauty of Lady Margaret, but she could do her best to look amazing.

  Chapter 23

  When Debra entered her chambers, she was surprised to find Margaret waiting for her. “I did not expect you to visit today. Did I forget an arranged meeting?”

  “No, I came to help you as I know your family expects you for dinner this evening. I found the blemish remover by Madame Rowlings at the apothecary today. Since you are my dearest friend, I thought it my duty to assist you.”

  Debra smiled in excitement but stopped herself from an outward show of it as she remembered Margaret speaking with Alex at the ball.

  “Margaret, why did you speak with Alex for so long at the party last night?”

  “I needed to apologize to him. Do not worry about anything, Debra. I brought this as a way to prove my friendship to you.”

  Looking at the cream bottle of blemish remover and the hair coloring, Debra decided she’d forgive Margaret this one time. “I do not know what I would do without you, Maggie, you are the kindest person I have met in London.”

  Unable to hold back the anticipation of her freckles disappearing from her face, Debra waited while the instructions were read. “Your maid will need to help with this.”

  “Of course,” Debra said rushing to pull the bell cord. As Annie arrived, she gave instructions for the items they’d need.

  Starting with the hair coloring, Annie and Margaret poured three containers of dye which promised to take her hair from a state of deep red to sunlight blond.

  “Why is the dye black?” Debra asked looking at the box one of the tubes came from.

  “Madame Rowlings says you have to put black on red to go blond. I don’t understand it, but I am also not a pharmacist.” Margaret pulled the box from Debra’s hands and threw it to the side.

  “I do not think this is wise, my lady.” Annie held her hands up to show the gooey mess of dye. It smelt like rotten eggs.

  “We only have to wash it out in a quarter of an hour and Lady Trenton will have beautiful blonde hair.” Margaret looked sincere and knowledgeable garnering Debra’s trust.

  With Debra’s hair wrapped in a cloth, Annie mixed the foul-smelling concoction to get rid of the freckles.

  “I worry the smell will never go away.” Debra scrunched her nose while rereading the instructions. They’d followed every step with precision.

  “It is the bleach, Debra. Do not worry. My friend, Madalyn, did this before entering society. You saw her clear complexion the other night at Almack’s.”

  It was true, Lady Madalyn had a beautiful profile and even prettier face. It also helped to have dark chocolate brown hair.

  “Lord Trenton will fall head over heels in love with you once we are finished.”

  The words stung more than a little. For Margaret to see so clearly what Debra and Alex had hidden from everyone else was shocking. But Margaret did know Alex much better than most people. They’d grown up together.

  “Are you ready?” Margaret asked a smile of anticipation on her face.

  “Yes, how long do you think this will take?”

  “You will be ready for the dinner party within the hour.”

  Excited at the prospect of being beautiful, Debra watched as Margaret mixed the freckle remover one last time. “This should take even less time than the hair dye.”

  “My lady,” Annie said holding the box of instructions, “I think it would be best if we attempted an area not on your face to begin with.”

  “Why would we do that?” Margaret asked clearly annoyed. “She does not care about freckles no one will see.”

  “But will not Lord Trenton see the mess of freckles on your shoulders and upper arms when you are alone together?”

  This statement gave Debra pause. She blushed at the thought of being in a situation where he would see her shoulders so plainly, but agreed with the maid. “Annie is right. I do have more freckles on my shoulders and arms than on my face. I think we will start there.”

  Margaret did not hide the disappointment on her face but agreed to the decision of removing the ones on her shoulders first.

  With effort, Annie helped Debra out of her frock and prepared the skin for application. They washed her shoulders with soap and water, then thoroughly dried the area as instructed by Madame Rowley’s blemish remover.

  “I do not think this is wise,” Annie said holding the foul-smelling bowl with a spreading knife.

  “If it takes all of my ugliness away, I will have a chance at a happy and loving marriage. Annie, I am ordering you to apply the lotion.”

  “Lord Trenton admires you. You do not have to change for him.”

  Debra scoffed. “If he admired me, he would…” Looking in the mirror she stopped speaking as she saw the anticipation for gossip on Margaret’s face. “Please, Annie, apply the freckle remover.”

  The white foam looked somewhat like lotion, but it smelt like cleaning chemicals. And when applied, it was cool to the touch. Smiling broadly with anticipation of a clear complexion in her future, Debra’s lips turned down as an itchy irritation overtook the cooling sensation.

  “How does it feel?” Margaret asked eyes wide as though sh
e were awaiting a treat.

  “It is strange. My shoulders itch.”

  “I think I should remove the foam, my lady.” Annie looked as though she’d be in tears if anything went wrong.

  Margaret pulled the box of instructions toward her. “Do not wash it off yet. It says here it will take at least twenty minutes to have the full effect.”

  If Margaret continued to speak, Debra did not know. Without warning, the itching turned to a sever burning sensation. As though her skin were melting from her body, Debra screamed in utter pain. “Get it off! It hurts, wash it off.”

  Panicked as her shoulders took on a feeling of stabbing pin pricks, Debra sobbed. Her mind went numb as the pain moved under her skin deep into her shoulders. Unable to think, speak, or even draw breath, Debra did the only thing she could in the moment. The scream was so loud it hurt her ears and chest, but even the release of such emotions did nothing to stop the burning of her skin.

  Chapter 24

  Alex looked up from the newspaper and turned to see if his parents heard the same sound he had. “What the duce is happening?”

  No one answered, yet everyone rose and ran out of the room at the same moment. He’d never heard anyone cry out in such anguish. Taking the stairs two at a time, Alex reached Debra’s chambers and threw open the door to see her writhing in pain on the floor.

  “What happened?” he asked trying to pull his wife into his arms.

  “We need to remove the foam.” Annie tried to wipe at Debra’s shoulders, yet the thrashing body on the floor prohibited all efforts to help her.

  “Father, send for a doctor.” It was the only solution Alex could think of as he had no idea what they were dealing with. In truth, she looked possessed and he thought of having his mother send for a vicar.

  It took every ounce of strength he had to hold Debra to the ground while his mother and the maid cleaned the foam from her shoulders. When they were finished, Debra lay still and unconscious. Lifting her from the floor, Alex carried her to the bed. The towel around her hair fell to the ground revealing a mess of black smelly paste.