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“Food attracts mice, and the poor have enough problems without battling rodents. I am thinking of Sybil and of the fine impression she seems to be making on Lord Ellenbrook, but I am also thinking of our neighbors. They will take their direction from our example. If we attend but make our censure of Lady Althea known, we can appease the dictates of good manners toward a family of significant standing while holding Lady Althea to account.”
Elspeth removed a worn little one-eyed cloth bear from Phoebe’s basket. “Some child loved this once.”
“A different child can love it now.”
“We could sew another button on it.”
“And then the eyes wouldn’t match, Elspeth. Children like things to match.”
Elspeth replaced the bear among the other gifts in the basket. “How do we make our censure of Lady Althea apparent while dancing under her very roof?”
“That part is simple, and only requires that we share the truth of her behavior with any neighbors on her guest list. When they learn how she has comported herself, they will understand why duty compels us to emphatically express our disappointment in her.”
Elspeth regarded the baskets, which held the generous goodwill of the parish’s better families. “Have you discussed this with Vicar?”
“Indeed I have, and he too regarded Lady Althea’s behavior as most unwise. He cautioned me to be accurate about my recollections of that dreadful scene and commended me for the concern I feel regarding Lady Althea’s immortal soul. She cannot continue on the path of sin without incurring higher costs than she already has, Elspeth. We have a duty to speak the truth before she errs even further.”
Vicar’s counsel had weighed very heavily on the side of accuracy and discretion, but even he had been subtly dismayed at the notion of a couple passionately embracing on the very roadside.
“So we accept Lady Althea’s invitation?” Elspeth said, sitting back.
“We do, as much as it pains us to give her the satisfaction of a full ballroom.”
“Have you told Ellenbrook what you saw?”
A delicate question. “Not as of yet. He might decline his invitation if he knew, and then who would Sybil stand up with for the supper waltz?”
“You have given this a great deal of thought,” Elspeth said, rising. “While I have dithered and fretted and pondered. What would I do without your example, my lady?”
Elspeth would waste her time sewing button eyes onto worn little bears destined for the ash heap. “You are a comfort to me too, Elspeth. Heaven knows a rural life would be tedious but for good friends and worthy projects.”
They arranged the baskets in a row, the better to display the neighborhood’s generosity, and left the church arm in arm.
Chapter Seventeen
Althea allowed herself a cautious sense of relief, though the ball wasn’t until tomorrow. All but one of the invitations had been accepted, Quinn and Jane were planning to stand with her in the receiving line, and Monsieur Henri was in transports to be cooking for an event worthy of his talents.
Now, to put the finishing touches on her ensemble.
“That is an unusual choice,” Jane said, running her fingers down the sleeve of a bronze silk evening gown. “Neither a debutante’s pastels nor the bold impression a brighter hue would make. Gold will go well with this shade, and perhaps rubies? Emeralds would work too.”
“Amber,” Althea said. “I have a necklace and earbobs of amber in gold settings.”
Jane gave the dress a final caress and closed the door to Althea’s wardrobe. “Quinn insisted on bringing my sapphires north, in case we encountered any formal occasions. I would be happy to lend you the entire set.”
Jane had thus far been content to be a guest at Lynley Vale. She hadn’t asked to see tomorrow’s menu, hadn’t countermanded Althea’s decision to decorate with spring flowers rather than the more expensive—and cloying—hothouse lilies. She had, in fact, seemed content to rest from the journey and enjoy the company of her husband and children.
“No precious jewels,” Althea said. “They will outshine the finery of my guests, and that would be ungracious.”
Jane leaned back against the wardrobe and aimed a considering gaze at Althea. The duchess was tall and sturdy, and when she chose to wear her consequence, the effect was majestic. She was also a mother to three little girls and inconveniently perceptive.
“Outshining your neighbors would be a tactical blunder, you mean. When did you grow so shrewd, Althea? That’s why you’re decorating with garden flowers instead of a fortune in lilies, why you forbid Monsieur his more exotic flights.”
Althea opened the wardrobe on the other side of her dressing closet. “Those choices are also less expensive and more colorful. I’ll wear this shawl and my gold slippers.” She held out a length of shimmery copper silk patterned with subtle rose and jade hues. Her slippers were embroidered in the same colors.
“An excellent, understated, and unexpected ensemble,” Jane said, exiting the dressing closet, “in which you will outshine them all with your good taste. What of your corsage?”
“A wrist corsage of gardenias.”
