A footman entered the room and turned to the clock in a very formal fashion. “My lady,” he intoned, “dinner will be served in precisely seven minutes.”
Lady Easton nodded. She said to Caroline, “Usually, it would be Bramley’s part to keep time but, as I mentioned, he’s gone ahead to Brighton. Even though we find ourselves practically camping without a butler or housekeeper, we must keep to the regular schedules.”
Miss Upton nodded, appearing in full agreement. Richard hoped she was and the two-minute delay in coming down to the drawing room had only been an aberration.
“Had you been to Town before, Miss Upton?” Richard asked.
“Never,” the lady answered. “I’ve been by and around, but never in. When I have traveled with my father to his horseraces, we always seem to be going somewhere else.”
“Your father took you to…horseraces?” Lady Easton asked.
“Oh, yes, Lady Easton, I’ve been to dozens of races,” Miss Upton said.
“Did your mother escort you?” Lady Easton asked.
“Goodness, no,” Miss Upton said, “she is always too busy blooming.”
Richard could see instantly that his aunt and himself had the same questions on that front. Who took a young lady who was not even out and unescorted by her mother to such places? He was not even certain that Lady Easton understood the gravity of it. There were all sorts of people mixing at a race, there was far too much drink, and thieves ambling about, and not to mention the ladies of a certain low reputation looking for business. Had she been protected in a walled off area and accompanied by Lady Dunn it might have been acceptable, but he was beginning to think she’d been in the stables with the rough sorts who cared for the horses.
For that matter, what did she mean by her mama being busy blooming? He was afraid she meant with child, especially considering he’d been informed there were nine of them. But nobody mentioned such things…
“Why should the baron take you to such places?” Lady Easton asked.
“My father has always needed me by his side on such occasions.”
“Why?” Lady Easton asked.
Miss Upton gave a little shrug. “I manage the packing and make sure he eats, and I get him some medicine if his head hurts after a night of drinking.”
Lady Easton seemed rather staggered by those ideas and Richard was not less so. Medicine for when he drank too much? What sort of environments had this girl been exposed to? What sort of milieus had she mixed in?
Seeming to notice the confused looks on their faces, Miss Upton added, “Only when he drinks too much gin, of course. Brandy does not have the least effect on him.”
“Gin?” Lady Easton said, her voice nearly dropped to a whisper.
“Well, you know how stable hands are,” Miss Upton continued. “They mean to have one glass, but if there has been a win the celebration does tend to go on.”
Only when he drinks gin.How did she know what sort of celebrations went on in a stable? Who were these people? They sounded like savages.
The footman reappeared and said gravely, “Dinner is now served, my lady.”
*
That evening beforedinner, Caroline had found the modiste, Mrs. Belle, a revelation. According to the lady, all sorts of special considerations must be incorporated into a seaside wardrobe. In dresses for walking by the sea, one must sew small weights into the hem so that the sea breeze did not take hold of one’s skirts, lift them up, and embarrass a lady.
Caroline took in this information with what she hoped was a suitably grave expression, though she thought it very sad information for a young gentleman hoping to glimpse a shapely calf.
Mrs. Belle’s advice on footwear seemed a deal more useful. She had traced Caroline’s foot and would have slippers made with a stiff and reinforced underside and a strap across the top, which would be more suitable for walking the stony beaches. She would also order half boots made of kid for walking the town or excursions to the countryside. Then, of course, there would be an array of slippers for evening entertainments.
Garments for bathing were another matter. Mrs. Belle would have a simple shift made up and it must be done very carefully. The smallest of weights would be judiciously sewn into the hem to keep the shift from billowing up in the sea, but not so heavy that it would weigh one down. The shoes for such an activity would be lightweight and double strapped so they did not slip off.
As for the materials to be used for her day dresses, white muslin appeared fresh and to good effect by the sea, but was also prone to getting dirty, so various cloaks and pelisses of sarsenet would be made. Parasols and reticules matching or complimenting the outerwear were de rigueur, and the colors blue and green were favored to pay homage to one’s surroundings. The evening wear would be primarily light silks to better suit the heat of summer. Though, a pelisse of satin lined with batting would also be made, as there were occasions when the nights could be chilly.
Bonnets of all sorts were necessary, though a well-made straw bonnet was the staple of any seaside headwear collection.
A riding habit of light material suited to the heat would be made in a dark green with restrained braiding in the same color. Caroline was delighted to hear it as the one she’d brought with her was becoming rather threadbare.
It seemed she was to be properly turned out and she wasverycheerful about it.
