“It seems the heir has been found and has arrived inLondon.”
“Really? Then why do you look troubled? Isn’t that a good thing?”
“I’m not sure,” Audrey said, handing the letter to Grace.
Mia looked over Grace’s shoulder while they read the letter together.
“Mivart’s Hotel? My goodness, that’s the fanciest hotel in London, and we’ve been invited for luncheon. I’d say that’s a very good thing,” Mia said.
“Perhaps. We shall see when we present ourselves for luncheon,” Audrey said.
“Well, I’m only going to think positive thoughts,” Grace said. “Plus, we might as well enjoy the luncheon because I’m sure we’ll never be invited there again.”
Audrey nodded. “You’re right, Grace. I must inform Mrs. Culbert that we’ll be out for luncheon, and then we must deliver the dresses to Mrs. Beaumont.”
“I think I should change,” Mia said.
“Mia, you look very pretty. No need to change,” Audrey said.
“But I want to look my best when meeting the new baron. The green day dress will be better.”
“Whatever you want, dearest. You should eat some breakfast first, though.”
After breakfast, Audrey carefully packed the two finished dresses for Mrs. Beaumont in a box. She wanted to be excited about meeting the new baron, but only the worst thoughts she’d had when she first saw the letterkept swirling around her mind.
Perhaps Mia was correct, and they should wear their very best to meet him.
She walked up the stairs and stopped at her sisters’ bedchamber. “I think Mia had a good idea. We shall wear our best dresses today to meet Lord Fletcher.”
“I’ll help with your hair, Audrey,” Grace said. “We can do better than a simple chignon to meet the heir.”
“Thank you, Grace. That would be lovely.”
After much fussing and changing of minds, the Parker sisters were ready to depart in their best day dresses for a pleasant late-morning walk to the modiste’s shop. When the women entered the shop, they were surprised to see quite a few customers already being helped by two shop girls.
Mrs. Beaumont saw them and walked over to Audrey. “Miss Parker, lovely to see you today. Does your dress need more alterations?”
Audrey was initially confused by the question until she realized that Mrs. Beaumont was hiding the fact that Audrey was secretly working for her. “A few more tweaks to the bodice, I think, and it will be perfect,” she said, handing the box to the modiste.
“Of course, Miss Parker. It will be taken care of. Will it be agreeable for you to come back tomorrow for the final fitting?”
Audrey nodded. “That will work perfectly well. Thank you, Mrs. Beaumont.”
The modiste smiled and wished them all a lovely day.
“Good day, Mrs. Beaumont,” Audrey said, leading her sisters outside.
“What was that about?” Mia asked. “Those were the dresses you were fixing, weren’t they?”
“Mia, hush. Mrs. Beaumont was being incredibly kind. Did you notice all the young ladies in the shop this morning?” Audrey asked.
“Yes. I don’t understand why it should matter, though.”
“Mrs. Beaumont was saving us from the scandal of it being known that we’re reduced to taking in sewing, and I, for one, am very grateful for her consideration. She’s very kind.”
“Indeed,” Grace agreed. “I was confused at first, but quickly caught on. She’s such a lovely woman to do that for us.”
“She is indeed, and we’ll meet with her again tomorrow to see if she has any more sewing for us. Now, let us head over to Mivart’s Hotel. We don’t want to keep the baron waiting,” Audrey said.
