Well, if Bertridge thought she was well-mannered, Harry could at least assure himself that Lady Isabel would not wield her fan as a weapon. His bruises from Miss Rightstone’s proclivities in that direction had taken some time to fade after last season.
He had no particular wish to be captured at table beside Miss Rightstone so soon. On the other hand, he was curious to see this lady that Bertridge had taken the time to write about. As well, it amused him that the duchess had gone so far as to invite him into her house. Were things to go on as they had last season, he would be invited everywhere.
“I think I will write the duchess and accept her very kind offer,” he said to Smith. “I’ll wear one of the coats that just came in. She is a duchess after all.”
His valet nodded as he wrote out his acceptance of the Duchess of Stanbury’s kind invitation.
He suspected this dinner would be very entertaining.
*
What a dayit had been already, Isabel thought. She watched the sun set over the roofs of Hanover Square from her bedchamber window, a cup of tea kindly sent up by the duchess just now warming her hands.
Madame LeGrange had come in the morning to do a final fitting on the chiffon dress. It had not needed much work, just a little tuck here and there and a hemming. It was positively glorious. The lady had then sketched out a few new dresses. Now that she had Isabel’s measurements she was able to give the duchess various delivery dates on what else had been already ordered.
It seemed she was to have quite the wardrobe—day dresses, morning dresses, walking dresses, ballgowns, tea gowns, a riding habit, spencers, reticules, parasols, cloaks, shawls, gloves, shoes, bonnets, and even underclothes and nightdresses had been ordered.
She had been introduced to the Duke of Stanbury and had found him exceedingly genial. He was welcoming, did not put on airs, and seemed very fond of the duchess. Isabel could only be grateful for his generosity of both purse and spirit.
Then, the duchess’ particular friends, the ladies of the society, had come for tea. She’d heard how Lady Easton had gone to stay with her nephew, Isabel’s own neighbor, Lord Bertridge. It seemed the lady had just discovered that Lady Bertridge was with child, though of course the neighborhood had been long apprised of it.
Isabel had been informed by Lady Featherstone that the brooch she wore and the walking stick propped beside her had both been won at a mystery ball, whatever that was, two seasons running. She’d also been given a cipher and she promised Isabel that she’d send her a letter in code.
Isabel had thanked her for the courtesy but was not entirely clear how she was meant to unravel the code. All she knew was that it was to contain something interesting about Lord Ryland and Lady Prudence’s adventure of last season.
Lady Mendleton had told some stories about her granddaughter, who it seemed was walking and talking far advanced for her age.
The duchess had eventually cut her off with a muttered, “All right,Bwandbaba, that is sufficient.”
Lady Heathway took that opportunity to claim her grandniece was exceedingly alert and grabbed for things with gusto. She had quite the grip, apparently.
“Another VAB,” the duchess whispered to Isabel.
Isabel did not know what a VAB was, but she got the distinct idea that the duchess did not like them.
Lady Redfield spoke of a distant cousin of some sort, Lady Arabella, who had married the duchess’ son, Lord Blackwood. While the other ladies spoke of children, it seemed Lady Arabella was the proud owner of a menagerie. She’d recently written of a very recalcitrant stoat with an injured paw she was just now treating, and she had yet another hedgehog living in the drawing room and was beginning to think the species was suited to that location.
This led the duchess to explain what sort of close relationship she had with Lord Blackwood. It seemed there was never a son more dedicated to his mother’s happiness. They understood each other’s minds even when they had not spoken in some time.
While these conversations were sometimes odd, they had not been personally embarrassing. That was not quite true when they moved on to who might be suitable for her to marry.
Lord Lymington was discussed at length and, while she could not be certain, it seemed his love of horses somehow ran against him. She could not understand why, she would be delighted to have the use of a well-stocked stable.
All in all, Isabel thought the ladies might be a bit eccentric. As she had not encountered very many elevated London ladies, she could not be absolutely certain. More importantly, though, they were kind and seemed very invested in her future.
Of course, her neighbors at home had all been kind and helped her where they could. But this was the first time she had been surrounded by people who were all so intent on her and her success. It felt very encouraging and fortifying, as if she had been encircled by a warm blanket on a cold day.
After the ladies had departed, a series of maids arrived to be interviewed by the duchess. Isabel was to get her own maid! She had not even thought of such a thing, as she’d never had one.
A woman named Betsy had been selected. She was middle-aged and the duchess found her experienced and eminently sensible. The duchess said a less experienced maid would not do, as the last thing a young lady needed was a flighty maid to put bad ideas into her head.
Lady Easton had apparently learned that lesson the hard way, as it appeared that the new Lady Bertridge had once had such a maid. Isabel was amused to hear that it had been Bemmy, who she was well acquainted with. Bemmy and her husband ran Lord Bertridge’s cheesemaking operation. Yes, she could see very well how a person such as Bemmy might lead one into all sorts of trouble.
Betsy was of an entirely different ilk and had the further recommendation of being able to start immediately. She was to arrive any moment to help her dress.
For Isabel, it was all rather thrilling. She was living the life she had so often dreamed of.
There was a quick knock on the door and Betsy herself came striding in. “Lady Isabel, are you ready to be dressed?” the maid asked.
