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‘You two young ladies are very welcome to stay with me in Hammersmith, you know,’ Aunt Dolly said, as though she’d read her younger niece’s thoughts. ‘It is good of the Chapmans to put you up, but if you’d like a change for a little while...’
Elise guessed Dolly was hinting she was aware how costly visitors could be if they outstayed their welcome.
‘We have decided it is time to go home,’ Elise informed her lightly.
‘Go home?’ Dolly and Edith parroted in unison, peering at the two young ladies. They both knew how well the Dewey sisters were doing socially. Since their arrival they had propelled the Chapman family from the fringes of society close to its core.
‘But you are having such a wonderful time and are very popular, too,’ Dolly burbled. She’d enjoyed basking in reflected glory while her brother’s girls had Viscount Blackthorne’s attention. Had that infernal brunette not been with him, making things awkward, she was certain his lordship would have stopped to speak to them moments ago.
Elise gave a neutral smile. The time to return home had been reached not just because they risked becoming a burden on the Chapmans and were reluctant to decamp to their aunt’s frugal hospitality; their lack of appropriate attire had been noticed. Only yesterday when at an afternoon musicale in a neighbour’s house Elise had heard some young ladies commenting on their oft worn dresses when she’d been entering the withdrawing room. Bea had not been with her and Elise had been thankful for it. Had her sister heard the spiteful comment she might have burst into tears given her current mood. Elise had simply given a warning cough before coming fully into view of the room’s occupants, examining their reflections in the pier glass. Thankfully the gossip had quietened, but she’d noticed some very pink cheeks before the three young ladies hurriedly dispersed.
‘I have enough money left to buy some ribbon before we leave.’ Bea was gazing longingly at a reel of sea-green velvet.
‘It will probably cost less if you buy some in the market when we arrive home,’ Elise remarked, ever practical.
‘I shall never find such a wonderful colour as that out in the sticks,’ Bea moaned, but she turned away from the drapery’s entrance, prepared to walk on.
‘Oh...why not buy it then?’ Elise encouraged with a smile, drawing Beatrice back to the window by linking their arms. Her sister needed something to cheer her up and spending a few extra pennies on a final luxury might do the trick.
‘I like those gloves,’ Edith said, pointing at grey elbow-length satin reposing next to the shimmering spools of ribbon.
The matrons proceeded inside, Elise and Beatrice following behind.
‘Please come outside and talk.’
Elise spun around at that clipped order to find Alex quite close, his angular features severely set making him look startlingly cruel. Her face drained of colour; she had almost forgotten about him while trying to decide which buttons to purchase for a winter coat in need of repair. Her sister and their two older companions were still fingering lace and ribbon at a different counter and had not yet seen him.
‘I’m afraid I cannot,’ Elise replied coolly. ‘I am with my sister and aunt.’ She tipped her head to where the ladies were congregated. Her aunt was the first to become aware of Viscount Blackthorne’s presence. Dolly gave him a beam, her chest expanding in pride as she glanced about to ensure his interest in her younger niece had been noted. She need not have worried on that score. Many gloved hands had been raised to shield whispered conversations.
‘It is important. I wouldn’t have entered this confounded shop else.’ Alex knew he’d sounded overbearing and raised his eyes heavenwards in mute apology. But he was exasperated at the way the whole day was turning out.
Following Whittiker’s unexpected visit he had been in a black mood, but had set off to keep his promise to Celia. Yesterday she’d pleaded with him to drive her to an afternoon tea with friends. He rarely met her during daytime, but had agreed to the chore because the carriage he’d provided for her use had snapped an axle. He’d quickly dropped her off and had returned to Regent Street as soon as he could to locate Elise. It had been his intention to call on the Chapmans that day to speak to her privately. He knew that Whittiker was malicious enough to spread gossip whether he agreed to pay him off or not. Plans needed to quickly be put in place to avert a disaster because Alex wasn’t prepared to bow to blackmail.
‘Are you alone?’ Elise’s thoughts had spontaneously leapt to Celia Chase in case she was somewhere close by, watching them.
