Charlotte glanced quickly at Grace, who shooed her after Madame. “Go on, my dear. I’ll wait for you here.”
“Come let us sit.” Phoebe took a place on a plush velvet sofa.
A servant appeared offering cups of coffee. Phoebe accepted one as she asked Grace, “Tell me, which of the entertainments do you plan to attend?”
Grace took a sip. The coffee was quite good. “I would dearly love to go to at least one of Lady Thornhill’s drawing rooms, and I’d like to pick up some old threads with friends I haven’t seen lately. Probably most of the teas, maybe an afternoon rout party.”
Shifting on the sofa, Phoebe frowned. “I hope you plan to come to the small parties I shall hold.”
Though it was a risk, Grace couldn’t refuse her friend. “Yes, I wouldn’t miss them.” She gazed out the window. Carriages, footmen, vendors, ladies, and other women filled the street. She’d forgotten how exciting London could be. No matter what occurred, Grace vowed she’d have fun this Season. “Phoebe, I so enjoy being back in Town.”
“I find it pleasant for a few months.” She rubbed the small of her back. “After that, I’m happy to be back in the country.”
Taking another sip, Grace wondered where Madame found her coffee. “Do you never go to Brighton?”
“No.” Phoebe‘s eyes narrowed slightly. “I find very little to admire there since certain parties decided to switch parties.”
Ah yes, Prinny switching sides had been a blow. “That was disappointing.” Grace took another sip of coffee resolving to discover where Madame bought it. “I had hoped our next sovereign would be more progressive.”
“My dear, have you decided what you’ll do when you seehimagain?”
Hide. Grace shook her head. “I think I’ve been praying it won’t happen. I—I just don’t know what Icouldsay.” She sighed again. It seemed that was all she did these days. “Maybe I should take the other children home and leave Charlotte with my aunt.”
“Of course,” Phoebe responded in a dry tone. “Then you could wear a path from Bedfordshire to London checking on Charlotte or worry yourself to death.”
Grace rubbed her brow. “You are right. It wouldn’t do. How could I have been so stupid?”
Phoebe patted Grace’s knee. “None of us are particularly bright when it comes to love. It is a form of insanity.”
“But you were. I can tell that your husband loves you very much.”
Smiling mistily, Phoebe said, “Yes, though we had our problems as well.” She glanced at Grace ruefully. “And I have to say, once one has experienced the physical side of love, it’s very hard to resist it.”
No matter how hard Grace tried not to think about it, somehow the feel of his hand on her slipped through, and she had to resist moaning. Yet that memory had to be enough. She could never do it again. “Very true.” She must change this conversation. “Phoebe, I’ve never known you to drink coffee.”
“I acquired the habit on my honeymoon in Paris. Outside of France, Madame Lisette’s is the only one I like.”
In a little while, Charlotte joined them, her face wreathed in smiles. “Grace, she said she has some gowns already made up. How can that be?”
“I sent your measurements to her.”
“Of course. I didn’t think of that.”
One of the bright spots of Grace’s life now was seeing Charlotte’s joy at being in London and preparing for the Season. “You goose. Did you think it was magic?”
Charlotte blushed. “It was silly, I guess.”
Madame joined them with a tablet of drawings. “Milady Grace, I think these gownscomme il faut pour la jeune fille.”
Grace flipped through the pages. Each gown was perfect for Charlotte. “I agree. These are excellent, and you have some garments already completed?”
Madame’s lips formed a moue. “A few minor alterations. I shall send them round this afternoon, unless you need something sooner?”
Grace couldn’t remember her aunt mentioning any plans. “No, this afternoon is fine. If you could give me fabric samples and recommendations for hats and alike, we may start on the other things she’ll need.”
Madame inclined her head. “Butnaturellement,milady. But, now it is your turn.”
Phoebe nudged Grace. “No time like the present, as they say.”
