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“I’m not talking about...about the bedchamber, Papa. That’s not what I mean at all.”How could she explain to her own father that that side of life did not frighten her? He would be shocked.“I mean that I believe he’s mean, cruel and a bully. And I don’t want to live my life with someone like that.”
“My advice as a father, little Josephine, is that you give it time. I have managed to soothe everyone’s hurt feelings, explaining you are under tremendous pressure due to the upcoming Court presentation and the wedding shortly after. I am following the Earl’s lead—if he says it was just a tiff, let’s leave it at that. Meanwhile, I have exacted a promise from my soon-to-be son-in-law that he will never lay a hand on you in anger again.”
“And you believed him?”
“I believe he’s a gentleman and a man of his word. My dear, try not to provoke him though. He is right that I have spoiled you, and you can be most provoking—particularly for a man who is used to giving commands and having them obeyed.”
Lady Josephine wanted to scream. It seemed no one but Mr. Smith and Ducky saw her side of it.
Meanwhile, she and Ace carried on, chillier than ever. They hardly ever talked to each other, except in monosyllables. Ace continued to guard her at all her social events, but he felt resentful that she never showed gratitude for his defending her from the Earl. Lady Josephine believed her father’s words that Ace had been just doing his duty that day—she grew increasingly angrier at the idea his behavior was no more than doing his job.
If only they could have talked to each other about their feelings! So much pain could have been avoided.
* * *
Lady Josephine’s presentation at the Court of St. James was a magnificent affair. King George III was not there—he was again suffering from one of his bouts of madness—and Princess Caroline, the Prince Regent’s estranged wife, was also absent. His Royal Highness the Prince Regent happily presided in their places.
There were about five-and-twenty debutantes making their first Court appearance that day. Most proceeded up the grand palace staircase alongside their sponsors, were announced to the royal family, and then were ushered onward by a major-domo. The Prince mostly focused his attention on his closest friends, a bevy of married beauties who surrounded him. He barely looked up as the debutantes were announced.
Out of all the young ladies, though, Lady Josephine received special attention. Hearing the houses of Clover and Worthington mentioned, the Prince Regent stopped his chatter. He went so far as to rise from his seat and greet Lady Josephine in person.
“Clover’s daughter? And engaged to your son, I believe, Dowager Countess? Lovely, just lovely. The prettiest girl here today,” said the Prince. “The Earl is a lucky man!”
Lady Josephine had sunk into a deep curtsy, but the Prince took her by the hand and helped her rise. “That reminds me—I have some business with your father the Duke. Have him see me before he leaves the palace.”
The Duke was closeted with the Prince for at least half an hour—very unusual while a formal Court gathering was under way. No doubt, Lady Josephine thought, this involved some new “little errand” the Prince needed the Duke to handle, probably diplomatic in nature and probably involving overseas travel.
In the meantime, though, His Royal Highness’ special attentions to Lady Josephine were duly noted on the London society pages the next day. All agreed that Lady Josephine’s Court presentation had been a huge success.
Lady Josephine found she simply did not care.
