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“M’sieur would look, if I may take the liberty, even more magnificent, although… ze boots are not precisely correct for ze ballroom. But in full dress, with m’sieur’s most imposing appearance — ah, such broad shoulders!” He sighed theatrically, then went on, “Combined with the elevated manner which ze minuet will impart… why, m’sieur would be a Corinthian… a Nonpareil… beyond doubt. All eyes would be trained on m’sieur with ze greatest envy, I do assure you.”
Will knew perfectly well that the fellow was buttering him up outrageously, and he had no time for such toad-eating. He flattered himself that his figure was indeed rather good, for he rode a great deal and boxed a little, too, and he knew he cut a dash in his curricle with the matched greys, but he had seen some of the real Corinthians in town and was honest enough to acknowledge their superiority. But he had also noticed the elegant way they walked, and how flunkies sprang to attention for them, automatically recognising them as quality. Will planned to be quality, too, one day, and if learning the minuet would help him achieve that, then he would grit his teeth and mince about like an idiot with the girls.
“Well, if I must. Let me just find some dancing shoes.”
Angie clapped her hands excitedly.
It was a strange thing, Will found, that a lively country dance or a fast reel was easier to accomplish than the slow, measured steps of the minuet. Even the bows at the start were tricky, and surely he knew how to bow? He was six and twenty, and regarded himself as an experienced man of the world, but for a solid half hour, the pretend Frenchman pointed out flaws in every part of Will’s stance. His arms, his legs, his feet, even his fingers were wrong, and as for his head, there was just no getting it at the approved angle. Then there was the business of the hat, and getting it off and then back on again, and as for the steps! Will’s head rang with the Frenchman’s instructions. “Up on ze toes, m’sieur… and down… ze arms, m’sieur! Remember ze arms. Up, up on ze toes… now bend ze knees… ze hands! Like so. Up on ze toes…”
Meanwhile, Rosie and Angie danced it as if they had being doing it all their lives, arms out, gracefully holding their skirts, moving up and down at all the right moments, making it look so damnably easy. But he was determined to master it, and it was almost a disappointment when the Frenchman pulled out his pocket watch and the musician — his mother, apparently — began to pack up her music.
“Are you leaving already?” Will said. “I am just getting into the way of it.”
“Two hours is enough for today,” the Frenchman said. “We return tomorrow, however.”
Will was so disgruntled that he took himself off to his bedroom to practise in private.
~~~~~
Will had sent his curricle and greys ahead of his own arrival, and, never having had his own equipage in town before, he could hardly wait to try them out. The curricle was stylish and the greys well-matched and sweet steppers, but there was one further accessory that the outfit needed to prove its owner a man of the properton.
“I am minded to exercise the greys this afternoon,” he told his sisters, finding them sewing in the morning room. “Which of you would like a jaunt in Hyde Park?”
“Ooh, may I?” Angie cried. “Please, Mama?”
“I had thought to take the girls there in the barouche tomorrow when the horses are rested,” Mama said, frowning.
“You may do that if you please, but I can take up one or other of the girls today,” Will said.
“Then take Rosie,” Stepmother said. “She is the one we most want to be seen, after all. Now, do not pout like that, Angie. Such behaviour is most disagreeable, and would give any gentleman a disgust of you. You will doubtless have your turn with your brother another day. Rosie, ring the bell. We must select an outfit for you. What time do you wish her to be ready, Will?”
“A few minutes before five. That is the most fashionable hour.”
“Town is still rather thin of company, Mr Fletcher,” Lady Failsworthy said. “I doubt you will see anyone of consequence there.”
“We go to be seen, not to see others,” Will said loftily.
“We would not know anyone of consequence even if theywerethere,” Angie said irritably. “We know nobody.”
“Not yet, dear,” Stepmother said complacently. “As soon as Cousin Pandora introduces us to a few of her acquaintances, we shall know a great many people.”
Will shook his head at Angie. “You are just cross because you cannot drive with me today.”
“I am!” she said, sunny good-humour instantly reasserting itself. “Rosie gets all the fun. But if you will promise to take me with you very soon, I shall be quite in charity with you.”
He laughed, and agreed to it, for although Angie was not as striking a beauty as Rosie, she was still very pretty and would show to great advantage beside him.
~~~~~
Lady Failsworthy might have been correct in her assertion that London was thin of company, but there were still streams of carriages, phaetons, barouches and curricles entering the gates of Hyde Park at five o’clock. Riders on horseback trotted here and there, and a multitude of walkers strolled about, parasols and feathered bonnets waving bravely in the spring sunshine.
“So many people,” Rosie whispered, awed. “Oh, look at that hat! Have you ever seen anything so beautiful? A parasol — I should have brought my parasol, but Mama said— Oh, such a darling little dog! I wish I had a little dog to cuddle, too.”
Will was rather too occupied with weaving his team through a press of people collected around one carriage in particular to answer her, but when he had manoeuvred to a clearer spot, he said, “Rosie, you look like a veritable bumpkin when you exclaim over parasols like that. Do consider my position and try to have a little decorum.”
She blushed crimson. “I beg your pardon, Will. I shall try to be a credit to you. From now on, I shall not say a word, but I must try to remember it all to tell Mama and Angie.”
“Of course. Watch and take note, little sister.”
