“You would think a schoolroom miss would bore him,” Rotham remarked.
“On the contrary. A schoolroom miss suits him perfectly!”
“I shall name him Freddy Tiger after you,” Joy announced with a beaming smile at Freddy, which caused his friends to go into peals of laughter.
CHAPTER7
Surprisingly, Lady Westwood had not minded Joy having a kitten, after all, when they presented the young feline to her upon their return. Faith was mortified at the imposition, but her ladyship had thought it would be just the thing to keep Joy occupied while her elder sisters were out and about.
“The two of them will get into mischief together, I have no doubt,” Lady Westwood said with a twinkle in her eyes that greatly resembled the one her son often had.
Even Mr. Cunningham had been to visit his namesake twice, though Faith did wonder if it was merely an excuse to visit her sisters. There was no denying that he had taken to little Joy like an older brother would.
The day after the escapade with the kitten in Berkeley Square, the sisters were sitting in the drawing room with Lady Westwood before they went out for the day. Hope was reading the gossip columns and gasped with excitement. “Listen to this!”
Doesanyone else see the delicious irony in Lord W—having five beautiful wards? Alas, will he himself—London’s most determined bachelor—be able to withstand the unearthly beauty that has been placed before him like the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden?
Instead of remarkingon the hoydenish behaviour that had prompted Joy to climb the tree in front of half thetontaking ices at Gunter’s, they remarked upon Mr. Cunningham’s heroism at rescuing her kitten.
“I tossed the rock which caused him to jump down,” Faith muttered peevishly.
Joy was delighted to be famous.
Had it only been two weeks since their lives had been turned upside down?
“Girls, I have been debating how best to present you to theton. Since matters have progressed rather more rapidly than I anticipated…” She slid a glance to the newspaper, which they had just been reading aloud. “What do you think about holding a ball here?”
“A real ball?” Joy asked with delight.
“We must do something to present you. The Queen is not well, and is not expected to hold her débutantes’ ball or any drawing rooms for the foreseeable future, so we will make do.”
Faith was very relieved to hear it, though she did not wish the Queen unwell. After the awful tragedy of losing the princess only a year ago, it would have been more odd if the Queen did hold any parties.
She had also heard of the gowns required for court presentations, and was very relieved not to bear the expense of something so ostentatious that would never be worn again.
But a ball in their honour? It also sounded very extravagant. She could not fathom why Lord Westwood would choose or wish to bear the expense and still meant to repay him what she could when she received her portion. It was vexatious not to understand. Was it out of the goodness of his heart or was there another unknown motive? It was irksome not to know why he was doing this…especially for girls that were supposed to be his father’s wards.
“You must not think a ball necessary, my lady. We are happy enough to attend some small entertainments.”
“Nonsense!” she protested. “I host a ball every Season, only we must hold it quite soon. I suspect with the three eldest of you here, it will be a sad crush!”
“Perhaps you should have a Season now, Grace,” Joy said thoughtfully. “It does not seem fair for you to have to wait two more years for me! The Town already knows about you, anyway.”
Faith looked at Grace. “Joy is probably right. What do you think, Lady Westwood?”
“Indeed, I had thought there must be some good reason, but if not, then most certainly she should make her come-out with the rest of you! We will engage a governess-companion for Joy so she will not be neglected.”
“But I have Freddy Tiger for that!”
“But little Freddy cannot take you to visit museums and parks and other adventures that are to be had while in Town,” her ladyship coaxed with great cunning.
“But Mr. Cunningham and Lord Westwood will take me.”
“Of course they will when they can, but they will be attending many of the same entertainments your sisters will be at.”
“Oh.” A frown formed on her face. “I had not considered that.”
“But do not fret. We will make certain we find you someone you can like. No stuffy old matron for you!”
