“What do you expect? This is a large palace and it’s only a few months since the Imperial Household left.”
“I wonder what it was like when Napoleon lived here.”
“Ask Philip,” he replied dryly. “He is sure to know, but hush we are here now.”
They were shown into an anteroom where a number of people were standing around chatting and obviously waiting for someone or something. Not all the faces were unknown to them, since they had been in Paris for some time now and they had made acquaintances at soirées and balls. One of these, a Madame Durand, came over and spoke to them for a few moments before a door opened and an usher called their names. He led them into a salon, then he stood aside and announced in a loud voice,
“The Countess of Kirkmore, Lady Alice Maitland, Miss Talbot and Sir Edward Maitland.”
Alice saw a group of men surrounding a small table. One, whom she assumed to be the monarch, was seated and was rather more elaborately dressed than the others. He did not rise but the Countess, slightly in front of her, immediately dropped into a court curtsy and Alice copied her. Although she kept her head lowered, Alice observed a pair of buckled shoes approach her mother-in-law and raise her up. She rose also and glanced at this man. He was slight with his grey hair worn loose, dressed in a red velvet coat and satin knee breeches with a large star glittering on his chest. He was speaking to the Countess and she replied, giving him the title of ‘Monsieur’, which alerted Alice to the fact that this must be the king’s brother. The king himself sat in an armchair with his foot resting on a stool. Alice recalled that she had been told he suffered from gout and often had to use a wheelchair. A fat personage with a lined puffy face, he did not possess either the elegance of his brother nor his easy speech. He gruffly welcomed the Countess back to France and said he was pleased to meet all of them. He hoped to see them at court functions in the future. A few more trivialities were exchanged and then the king turned a little away. Recognising this as a dismissal, they bowed or curtseyed and backed out of the room as the Countess had warned them to do.
In the carriage, returning to the hotel, Edward asked,
“What did you think of King Louis?”
“He is not what I expected,” Alice replied.
“In what way?”
“I supposed he might be like the Prince Regent, older of course but still…”
“Hardly a figure of romance. What do you say, Miss Talbot?”
“Everyone was so stiff. I thought he seemed bored to tears.”
“He probably was.”
“It was very different at Versailles when I was a girl, with a young king and queen on the throne. She was pretty, Marie Antoinette. Poor woman; God rest her soul.”
The Countess appeared depressed after they returned to the hotel and she immediately retired to her room.
“Edward, do you think Mama is quite well?” Alice asked anxiously.
“Perhaps she remembered the way things used to be and is comparing them to the present day.”
“Should I go in to her and try to cheer her up?”
“Shall I find out for you, Lady Alice?” Grace offered and Alice nodded in relief. Accordingly, Grace went to the bedroom but was quickly sent away.
“The Countess just wants to rest and says she will see you at dinner,” she reported.
The mood of quiet depression stayed with the Countess for a few days. Although the rest of the family entered into all the festivities of Paris, it seemed to Alice as if her mother drifted through them with little pleasure. For herself, it was a wonderful time. With her husband beside her, she enjoyed herself enormously even though she was sorry to see the Countess’s dejection and unable to find a way of relieving her sadness.
The young couple went to the opera, the theatre, to balls and soirées. They encountered a few old friends and made many new ones, receiving invitations to the opera, the theatre and to elegant dinners with dancing to follow. The Countess accompanied them when she knew their hosts, but sometimes chose to remain in her rooms. Miss Talbot also joined them from time to time if Lady Kirkmore had need of her services. One day, the two young women were alone in the salon. It had started to rain so heavily that any thought of leaving the hotel had to be dismissed. Alice asked,
“Do you like Paris, Grace?” They had long since discarded the use of formality in private.
Grace clapped her hands. “Oh, so much!”
“Despite having to wait on my mother?”
“I never expected to go anywhere, so I am determined to enjoy myself. I may never have the chance again.”
Alice looked at her curiously. “What do you think would happen to you in the future?”
Grace smiled, “I will stay with your mother or perhaps some other lady, if she no longer needs me, and continue to live the life I am living now.”
“You would not like to go back and teach?”
“Girls can be extremely naughty and ignorant. It’s tiring work. Sometimes it can be delightful, but more often it is tedious.”
“It can’t be more tedious than running errands for my mother.”
“Believe me, it is.”
“Don’t you hope to marry some day?”
“Every girl does, but who would have me? I’m growing older and I was never a beauty even when I was young. I have no fortune and people call me a bluestocking because I was once a teacher.”
“You may not be a diamond of the first water but if you dressed differently and wore your hair is another style, you would be very pretty.”
Grace laughed. “On that, we must agree to differ. I could never be pretty.”
“Shall we put it to the test?” Alice was in a mischievous mood and had longed to make changes to Grace’s appearance.
“Lady Kirkmore would not like it. She would say that I was putting myself forward unbecomingly and she would be right.”
“Why should she know anything about it? She told me she expected to be back late from Madame Leroy’s so we have some time. I have a famous notion. If you agree, my maid and I will give you a different style. Then when Edward and Philip return, I shall say you are my new friend and see how long it takes them to recognise you.” Alice thought that Grace’s eyes opened a little wider when she heard Philip’s name, but all she said was,
“I wonder if I dare?”
“Of course you do. I’ll engage to shield you from Mama, if that becomes necessary. I will go and call Barrett now.”
Grace stood in Alice’s bedchamber while Alice and her dresser held up dress after dress against her. Restricted as they were by the conventions of mourning, the dresses were simple and in a small range of colours. Eventually a white gown was selected, embroidered with silver thread in a pattern of stars. Grace experienced a pang of envy. In that dress, she could imagine herself the heroine in one of her dreams, about to go to the ball and meet her prince.
“How fortunate it is that we are similar in size,” Alice said. “You’re a little taller than me but not enough to matter and you are thinner, with such a good figure. I really must stop eating bonbons even though they are so delicious here.”
Grace sat at the dressing table with a gown around her shoulders while Bennett took down her braids and unravelled them. Grace’s dark hair was brushed out and Bennett snipped at the ends with a pair of scissors to give it more style. Then it was twisted up on top of her head, with one or two fronds allowed to fall to each side. Bennett had not brought curlers, ‘because milady does not need them’, so these strands were plaited with silver ribbons and looped over her ears. Then her dress was carefully lowered over her head and Bennett started to do up the tiny buttons at the back.
“Stop! Oh, stop!” Grace cried suddenly.
“Whatever is the matter?”
“The neckline is so low! I could never wear anything like this. I would feel undressed.”
Alice giggled. “No it is not, I assure you. It’s just that you aren’t used to the style. I wore something even lower when I made m
y debut. No one will remark on it at all.”
Grace stared at her. “I did not make a debut…”
“Why not?”
“My father said there was no need. He believed that such goings on were all vanity and without substance.”
“He was right,” Alice replied, gravely. “Certainly, making a come-out is a frivolous experience, as are many of the things we enjoy, but a little enjoyment is necessary in life. We can always be serious later.”
“Oh, miss, you look lovely,” Bennett said, clapping her hands together. “I wouldn’t send any of my ladies out dressed improperly, I assure you. It’s more than my job is worth.”
Alice cast a glance at Grace’s heightened colour and realised that they had not convinced her. “Do we have the silver fichu, Bennett? It will fill in part of the neckline if we pin it inside the bodice. That should make Miss Talbot more comfortable.”
The fichu was duly found, arranged and pinned. Grace nodded happily. “That is much better.”
“Good.”
A fan, a small reticule and silk slippers completed the ensemble. Alice could not help smiling as she contemplated the result of their efforts.
“Now you must sit still, while I dress or we will never be ready in time. I intend to be sitting in the salon when the gentlemen arrive and watch their faces when they see you.”
“Oh, madam, I wish I could see them too,” said Bennett.
“Well you shall, to thank you for all your hard work this evening.” Alice replied. “I’ll leave my fan behind and pretend I asked you to bring it to me just before they come into the room. Will that do?”
“That would be wonderful, madam. Thank you.”
So, Bennett was lurking in the hallway when the men returned. She followed them and was in time to see the polite interest turn to surprise when they beheld Miss Talbot in her new guise. Edward immediately recognized her though and approached to shake hands.
“Why, how different you look tonight, Miss Talbot. I congratulate you. A transformation.”
Grace smiled and tried unsuccessfully to repress the blood that rushed to her cheeks as she glanced at Philip.
“Lady Alice and Bennett were the ones who made the transformation.”
“Then I congratulate you both as well. I have never seen Miss Talbot look better.”
“Yes indeed.” Philip came forward and kissed Grace’s hand. “That style suits you and enhances your beauty.”
This time Grace was aware that she was trembling just a little.
“Don’t you think that she should continue to dress this way, Edward?”
“Undisputedly,” he replied.
“Lady Kirkmore won’t like it,” Grace protested.
“I shall speak to Mama,” Alice said. “A young lady should not be made to dress and act as if she was fifty years of age. Am I not right, Philip?”
“You are right and, for all the attention she will pay to me, I’ll second your arguments with Mama.”
“Then it is decided,” Edward said firmly. “I shall tell her that I cannot bear to see you the way you were before and beg her to spare my sensibilities.” This was too much for Alice who spluttered,
“Edward you are a wretch. Grace always looks well.”
“Neat and tidy certainly but not as elegant as she does now.” He cast a glance at Grace. “Don’t look so tragic, Miss Talbot. I imagine you have been reading those gloomy novels where a companion must wear dark colours and dress her hair plainly. Am I correct?” Grace laughed at this sally which was only too true and nodded. “You must do as you think best of course but if you choose to be more in the fashion, I will engage to speak to my mother-in-law in your defense.”
The group spent a pleasant evening before the Countess returned. Grace had fully intended to retire earlier, so her borrowed finery would not be seen but she had been enjoying herself too much and forgotten the time. For once her dreams had become reality when Philip smiled at her and she had revelled in his attention. Now she was fairly caught. Lady Kirkmore walked through the door and immediately stood still, as if she could not believe her eyes. Grace felt very nervous. Alice rose immediately and said to her mother,
“Hello Mama, how do you like Miss Talbot’s new style? She looks far more the thing, doesn’t she?”
Alice knew instantly that she had made a grave mistake when her mother’s lips thinned and her eyes narrowed, but Edward prevented any immediate outburst by saying,
“I beg your indulgence, ma’am, but I really cannot have anyone who is dowdy in my party. It gives a very off appearance. People will think that we are short of money or lack of consideration for others.”
“Miss Talbot, I’m surprised at you,” the Countess said frostily, ignoring him. “I don’t know what you can have been thinking of. You’re not some light o’love but my companion. If this is how you behave when I am absent for a single evening, what will you do if I am away for a longer period? I can’t keep you here if this is how you are conduct yourself. How could you?”
“Ma’am let me explain…” Grace faltered, aghast.
“Mama, it was my fault. I wanted to find out how Grace would look dressed in the current mode. I pressed her and she agreed. It is not her fault.”
“If she agreed, it is most definitely her fault.” The Countess said to Grace. “Pack your bags. You leave in the morning.”
“Mama,” Philip asked, “why are you so upset over something so trivial?”
“Hold your tongue. I am quite able to manage my own affairs, I thank you.” snapped his mother.
Grace turned on her heel, trying hard to control her tears, and moved a few steps towards the door but Edward said,
“Don’t go, Miss Talbot. Since it seems that my mother-in-law has no further need of your services, I am in the happy position to offer you employment. Only yesterday my wife was telling me that she was lonely without someone to join her on all her expeditions. I know that she will be pleased if you accept this offer, is that not so, Alice?”
Alice gave a little gasp at this overt defiance of her formidable parent but she said at once,
“Indeed it is and very happy to do so. Will it suit you, Grace? You would be doing me a great favour if you accept.”
“I…” Grace fought to command her tongue. She glanced over at the Countess who had turned white with rage.
“What an excellent solution, brother,” Philip declared, a sardonic smile on his face as he watched his mother. “Would that I had been in a position to offer it myself. Miss Talbot is in no way to blame for choosing to dress becomingly for once and in private.”
“How dare you, Philip!”
“Easily. I remember quite well how you used to speak to my sisters when they bought a new ribbon or put flowers in their bonnets like the country girls. Miss Talbot is lucky that she is not one of your daughters.”
“So you are all against me, I might have known. A renegade son and now an ungrateful daughter and all because of this…”
“Pray say no more, ma’am. You are fatigued and there is no need for all this heat…”
“Indeed there is. Since you all defy me, I don’t intend to stay here a moment longer than I must. Send Lawrence to me and we will remove from this hotel, which I have always thought inferior.”
She swept from the room. Alice said, feeling conscience stricken,
“I should go after her…”
“Do no such thing. Let her leave. She will come to no harm in another hotel and we won’t have to listen to her reproaches.”
“Edward, how could you!”
“Very easily. I don’t like my wife to be bullied and ordered around. This upset would have happened sooner or later. and now we can enjoy our holiday in peace.”
“I’m so sorry to have put you in this position, Grace,” Alice said. “You knew my mother better than I did. Can you forgive me?”
“Of course I can. You have never been anything but kindness to me.”
Chapter Eight
True to her word, the Countess departed from the hotel the next morning, taking her servants and her trunks with her. She swept the manager aside without vouchsafing any explanation and it was left to Edward to soothe the poor man’s feelings and to settle her unpaid bill. Alice felt extremely guilty, but shared Edward’s sense of relief that she would no longer have to tolerate her mother’s disapproving presence.
Grace, looking white and strained from a restless night, came into the dining room nervously. She had to be reassured that the offer of employment remained valid and that both Alice and Edward wanted her to join them.
“I shouldn’t impose on your good nature,” she faltered.
“Indeed you should and must,” Alice insisted. “I was the one who got you into trouble with Mama, so this is only justice. Besides, it is true that I am lonely when Edward deserts me to go to the Salle des Armes or other such places gentlemen go to alone. It’s delightful to think that I will have a female to talk to, rather than being left alone. Please say that you want to stay with us.”
Grace laughed. “How can I refuse such a generous offer? I only hope that you won’t quickly tire of my company.”
“Not likely,” Alice replied, “and now you may be yourself and dress as a gentlewoman, not as a sort of upper servant. That is something we must see to right away.”
“Oh, I couldn’t!”
“Yes you can,” Edward interrupted. “It was very true what I said to my mother-in-law last night. I can’t have you dressed as a dowd. I beg you to indulge me by dressing as the lady you are.”
“Philip told me how much he was much taken with you last night. He would be disappointed if you did not keep your new appearance. We must not disappoint him, you know,” Alice said with a knowing smile.
“No, we must not disappoint Philip,” Grace echoed happily.
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