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“You really haven’t done that before.”
Isabel shook her head. Lady Blythcourt sighed and tittered at Lady Dunley.
“Oh, dear, Marjorie. Now I know why you need my help. One thing we can start with today is getting her a new gown for the ball. Do you have money for a few outfits?”
Lady Dunley frowned.
“I have money set aside for one gown.”
“One gown?” Lady Blythcourt gasped. “How can a young lady like Isabel have one gown for the Season? She needs, at the very minimum, seven. Perhaps more.”
“That’s all we can afford, and I’m sure some of the dresses she has would be suitable.”
“I suppose. But if they’re in the wrong style, that’s going to be a faux pas right there.” Lady Blythcourt grabbed her cousin’s hand and tugged her to her feet. “Come on, let’s go and look at her dresses. If there are some we can use, that’s a good start. And don’t worry about money. I’ll buy them. My cousin’s little girl deserves the best.”
She tugged Isabel’s mother out of the room, Macaroon hurrying after them with many yips. The sound of him scurrying up the stairs made Isabel’s head wince.
Isabel sighed and slumped onto the settee, leaning back and staring at the ceiling. She had heard of tornados before, but she had never encountered one. Certainly not in the form of a person. Isabel felt exhausted after a few minutes.
“Don’t be too distressed about Lady Blythcourt,” Lady Hester said kindly. “She’s one of those people who wants to help all the time, and she throws herself into it fully. It does come off as overpowering, though, which is a little daunting.”
“A little daunting?” Isabel snorted. “I don’t know about a little. How long have you been her companion?”
“For the last three years since my husband died. Sadly, I was unable to inherit anything, and my parents had died and left practically nothing.” Lady Hester shrugged. “That’s the problem with being a woman. We’re not given the proper consideration or proper care when we lose our loved ones. We’re just passed around by male relatives, and I wasn’t about to do that. Lady Blythcourt was a neighbour, and she knew of my situation, so she offered to have me as her companion, and I would be given a respectable salary.”
“And you’ve been with her all this time?”
“I have.”
Isabel stared.
“How do you cope? It’s been a few minutes, and I’m worn out.”
Lady Hester spread her hands.
“It’s something you get used to. We have our eccentricities, so I suppose that’s why we get on so well. There are times when you just have to tune her out and pretend this is happening to someone else without looking like you’re not listening.”
Isabel had no idea how anyone could do that. She certainly couldn’t. She shifted on the settee.
“Do you think this is going to work?” she asked.
“Do you?”
“I don’t know. I just feel uncomfortable at the thought of being told to walk with my shoulders back.”
Lady Hester smiled.
“I’m sure it’ll be fine. Do you consider yourself a good student?”
“Depends on what I’m learning. If it’s something I’m interested in, yes.” Isabel made a face. “But this? I might struggle.”
“And if there’s a good outcome at the end of your lessons?”
“I suppose it’ll be worth it, eventually.” Isabel peered at the other women. “Did I hear Lady Blythcourt mention that you used to capture butterflies?”
Lady Hester’s eyes lit up.
“I do. I catch them, study them, and take them back out again. I find them fascinating creatures. Did you know there are at least fifteen different butterflies you can find in and around Carlisle?”
