Lucy Muir Read online

  Transportation had been their next concern. Their butler, Benton, had told them they would need a carriage, and had undertaken to find one for them. He had discovered a used town carriage in good shape, and although Anne shuddered at the cost, she had purchased it. This had, of course, necessitated the acquisition of horses to draw the carriage. Benton again came to their rescue, locating a rather unmatched pair at a very reasonable price. Although Melissa was dubious, Anne had cared more about their sturdiness than the way they looked, and was grateful for the money she saved.

  The matter of their residence taken care of, Anne and Melissa had turned their attention to their wardrobes. After a conference with Sanders, they decided that Sanders would make their morning gowns and night dresses but that they would have their walking dresses and ball gowns made by a modiste. Melissa already had a fairly fashionable wardrobe, which needed only a few additions, but Anne had to purchase an entire new wardrobe. She knew that if she presented a shabby appearance it would not reflect well on Melissa. Although the rates charged by London modistes shocked her, Anne spent several delightful mornings with Melissa, selecting materials and styles from the wealth of choices available in the London shops.

  Then their luck had ceased. With no one to sponsor them, she and Melissa had no way of being invited to even the smallest rout or card party. They had remained in their well-staffed town house, in their new clothes, alone. Anne had racked her brains to remember someone she knew who might be in London, but without success. Melissa was her only hope. She resumed her questioning.

  “Then how about friends? There must be someone in London with whom you had acquaintance.”

  Melissa concentrated, her normally smooth forehead wrinkled in thought.

  “No, we spent all year at Amberly Hall. Papa didn’t care for Town. We were neighbours of Lord Franklin, but he and Lady Franklin will not arrive until later, if they come to London for the Season at all this year. It will be another year before his eldest daughter makes her come-out.”

  Melissa again looked at Anne apologetically, unable to come up with any other ideas.

  Anne put her hand to her head in exasperation, displacing her attractive muslin cap and giving herself a slightly saucy look.

  “There must be some avenue we are overlooking. Papa would…” Her voice trailed off. “That’s it! There must be some military families in residence. If only I had kept in better contact.”

  “Perhaps one of the servants would know,” ventured Melissa.

  “Of course,” Anne cried, pulling the bell rope. “Ask Benton to come in,” she said to the young footman who answered her ring.

  “I remember when I interviewed Benton that he said he had formerly served a military gentleman,” Anne said to Melissa. “Surely he will know who is in residence in London.”

  Benton, a slender young man with sandy hair and freckles, was most anxious to help his young mistresses. He knew that few other people would have given him an opportunity to advance to the position of butler, and he wished to prove his gratitude.

  “If you will name some of the officers with whom you were acquainted, ma’am, perhaps I could tell you if they are in residence,” he suggested.

  Anne named several without success, but was lucky with her sixth try, Captain Halcott.

  “There is a Colonel Halcott, ma’am. Might that be the same family?”

  “Yes, no doubt it is,” Anne replied delightedly. “It would be odd if he had not advanced in rank since I knew him. I will send a note round to Mrs. Halcott immediately.”

  Returning to her desk, she quickly wrote a note, and Benton dispatched the footman with it.

  While they waited for a response, Melissa inspected some parcels that had arrived from the milliners, hoping that one of them contained her new gypsy hat and veil. Anne, realising that Mrs. Halcott was probably their last hope to find someone willing to assist them in gaining entrance into Society, was unable to interest herself in the parcels. She remained in the drawing room, alternately pacing the floor and sitting on an uncomfortable ladder-backed chair, twisting her skirt between her hands. Why hadn’t she thought of this before she left Medford? And why hadn’t she kept in contact with her former friends?

  Fortunately for her state of mind, a response to her note came within the hour in the form of a call by Mrs. Halcott herself. Benton proudly announced the visitor, who immediately opened her arms to Anne and embraced her fondly.

  “My dear Anne. I was so surprised to receive your note. Seven years! What are you doing and how is it you’ve never married?” Mrs. Halcott asked, holding Anne at arm’s length and inspecting her critically. “You are certainly in good looks,” she added, taking in Anne’s appearance in her lace-trimmed leaf-green frock that tied beneath her breasts with a white ribbon.

  Anne smiled warmly at Mrs. Halcott and returned her compliments. Mrs. Halcott did not appear to have aged at all in the past years. Her brown hair was still unstreaked by grey, and her plump figure looked most fashionable in a puce muslin morning gown. They sat together on the sofa while Anne explained her long silence to Mrs. Halcott.

  “I’m afraid I’ve lived a very retired life since Papa’s and Charlie’s deaths,” she said. “I just could not interest myself in Society.”

  “Of course, I understand.” Mrs. Halcott sympathized. “But you are still a young woman, Anne. I am glad to see you have decided to come back into Society.”

  “It is not on my account,” Anne confessed, proceeding to outline her predicament to Mrs. Halcott.

  Mrs. Halcott frowned thoughtfully. “Amberly—he resigned his commission after inheriting a baronetcy, did he not? Well, her father had a title, if Miss Amberly does not. That should help. And if Melissa is as beautiful as you say, there should be no difficulty introducing her into Society. I would be more than glad to help. But you know, my dear, we do not move in the exclusive circles of the ton, only on the outer fringes. Vouchers to Almack’s will be out of the question, I am afraid.”

  “Indeed, I did not expect to enter the inner circle,” Anne assured her. “I would be most grateful for us to be included in any Society entertainments at all.”

  “Well, then, introduce me to your cousin and let us make some plans,” Mrs. Halcott said practically. “Since your ward is not yet out, and the Season does not begin for another month, we must limit your engagements to small routs and supper parties at first. I will, of course, hold a coming-out ball for your ward once the Season begins.”

  “It is too generous of you,” Anne protested, feeling a twinge of guilt at Mrs. Halcott’s readiness to assume the responsibility of introducing them to the ton after her years of failing to keep in touch.

  “Nonsense. I never had any daughters myself, only my scapegrace son. I shall enjoy it. Besides, Colonel Halcott would never forgive me if I did not do my best for Major Southwell’s daughter,” she said, patting Anne’s hand. “Now, call in Miss Amberly.”

  Mrs. Halcott took to Melissa immediately. “The only thing wrong with you is that you are too beautiful,” she said, taking in the delicate figure, glossy black hair and finely chiseled features. “You are going to stir jealousy in some breasts. I’m not sure I would be willing to sponsor you myself if I had a marriageable daughter,” she admitted candidly.

  Melissa blushed and looked at the floor, embarrassed by such a frank assessment of her beauty.

  “I am holding a small supper party this Thursday evening,” Mrs. Halcott continued. “Just a few officers and their wives, but it will serve as an introduction for you. Now, I must be going. Until Thursday.”

  They rose and, embracing Anne fondly once more, Mrs. Halcott hastened away, leaving her new protégées feeling quite overwhelmed by their sudden good fortune.

  Anne and Melissa dressed with great care the evening of Mrs. Halcott’s supper party, wishing to do their hostess credit. Melissa looked enchantingly innocent in a white muslin frock with bodice a l’enfant. The hem and short puffed sleeves were embellished with flo
wers embroidered in a blue that matched her eyes, and she had threaded a blue ribbon through her black curls. Anne had chosen a striped yellow, red and green lutestring dress with a short train and square décolletage. As befitted her status as Melissa’s chaperone, Anne wore a cornette over her coiled hair.

  “You’ll do,” approved Sanders, as she assisted them into their pelisses. “No wagers, mind you,” she admonished Anne, not quite trusting the older woman to keep her promise when in the company of military gentlemen.

  “No wagers,” Anne assured her.

  Melissa spoke thoughtfully as she drew on her gloves, an idea just occurring to her.

  “You don’t ever wager anymore, Anne. I haven’t even heard you wager with yourself. Have you been feeling quite the thing?” she asked, appearing distressed that she might not have noticed her cousin was suffering from an indisposition.

  “I am fine. It is only that I am endeavoring to remember Sanders’s strictures on my behaviour,” Anne replied lightly. “I am your chaperone, and must behave accordingly.”

  She hoped none of the inner turmoil caused by Melissa’s remarks showed upon her face. The reckless wager she had entered upon with Lord Stanton had cured her of her habit as Sanders’s admonitions never could. He might only have been having fun with her— she suspected it was so, since she had heard nothing from him—but it did not excuse her entering into such an improper wager. Her behaviour had been inexcusably lax. Anne was relieved when the footman informed them their carriage was ready, allowing the subject to be dropped.

  The Halcotts’ town house was only a short distance away. Anne and Melissa arrived within a few minutes, to be warmly welcomed by the Halcotts. Colonel Halcott, a heavy man of florid complexion and bluff manners, welcomed both girls heartily, assuring Anne that there was nothing he and Mrs. Halcott would not do for the daughter of Major Southwell. Anne thanked him prettily, pleased by Colonel Halcott’s remembrances of her father. Mrs. Halcott led them into the drawing room to wait until the rest of the guests had arrived.

  “What a beautiful room!” Melissa exclaimed, bringing a pleased smile to Mrs. Halcott’s face.

  Anne agreed as she looked around the tastefully decorated room. White plasterwork in the form of graceful arches adorned the doorways and the edges of the ceilings, contrasting with the blue of the walls. Matching arches were also displayed on the backs of the chairs and other furniture, giving an overall effect of delicacy and lightness.

  Mrs. Halcott presented Anne and Melissa to the other guests as they arrived. Her small party consisted of eighteen persons, most of them older, but her son, Lieutenant Halcott, and his friend, Captain Leslie, provided companionship for Anne and Melissa. At supper, Anne found herself seated between the captain and an older officer of the Hussars. Melissa and Lieutenant Halcott were seated across from her.

  Lieutenant Halcott, a well-favoured young man with brown hair and eyes, was instantly and obviously smitten with Melissa. Anne was vastly entertained by his attentions to her cousin at the supper table. He continually plied Melissa with those dishes he thought she would prefer, not hesitating to call down the table for a particular delicacy he wished to offer her.

  “I see your cousin has made a conquest already,” said Captain Leslie from Anne’s left, and Anne was recalled to her manners. She smiled at the handsome fair captain in the uniform of a Rifles officer.

  “Yes, I only hope that Mrs. Halcott will forgive us if some of her guests go hungry,” she said, looking at the array of dishes the lieutenant had placed before Melissa.

  “Never fear, you may be sure the other guests will help themselves quickly when the second remove is placed on the table,” the captain said, his blue eyes twinkling.

  “I understand you are Major Southwell’s daughter,” he continued. “It may be of interest to you to know that I served under him in Egypt. If I am not bringing back unhappy memories,” he added contritely.

  “Oh, no, Captain Leslie,” Anne assured him. “It is quite all right. Indeed, I should enjoy conversing with someone who served with him there.”

  “Then I hope you will allow me to call upon you one morning that I may do so.”

  “Certainly. I shall look forward to it,” returned Anne, pleased to be making a new friend.

  The Hussars officer on her other side addressed a remark to Anne, and she turned to him. The rest of the supper passed very pleasantly, and it seemed no time at all before coffee was served. After the coffee, Mrs. Halcott rose, indicating it was time for the fairer sex to retire and leave the gentlemen to their port.

  The women conversed amicably in the blue drawing room while they waited for the gentlemen to rejoin them. Anne chose a seat in a corner of the room, intending to watch Melissa and see how she conducted herself, but she was foiled in her plans by another guest. Mrs. Singleton, a garrulous elderly widow, seated herself next to Anne and proceeded to describe in great detail the many illnesses from which she suffered.

  Anne was relieved when the gentlemen rejoined the women, hoping for rescue from Mrs. Singleton. She had not long to wait, for Captain Leslie caught the desperate plea in Anne’s eyes and gallantly came to her aid. He neatly steered the conversation into a different direction, freeing Anne to observe the other guests.

  Lieutenant Halcott had once again attached himself to Melissa, oblivious to his social duties. Mrs. Halcott, apparently not wishing her son’s lack of attention to the other guests to draw more attention than it already had, requested that Anne and Melissa entertain the company with music. Happy to escape Mrs. Singleton entirely, Anne willingly seated herself at the Broadwood pianoforte, and Captain Leslie volunteered his services turning pages. Melissa stood behind Anne and sang a light air in her soft soprano. She was soon joined by Lieutenant Halcott, who added his tenor. Mrs. Halcott surveyed the couples complacently, clearly satisfied that she had begun her duties as sponsor very well.

  That night, as Melissa prepared for bed, she and Anne discussed the evening.

  “I am glad we came to London after all,” Melissa confided as Sanders unfastened her frock and helped her into her nightrail. “I did have some misgivings this past month, but this evening was quite enjoyable. Lieutenant Halcott was most kind, and Captain Leslie was very attentive to you, Anne. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we both made matches before the Season is over?”

  “I have no doubt that you will,” Anne replied from her perch on the bed, “but as for me, I am quite an ape-leader at nine-and-twenty.”

  “We’ll see. Not all gentlemen prefer young misses,” Sanders said, well aware of Anne’s quiet, more mature beauty.

  “Sandy is right,” Melissa confirmed, seating herself on a stool as Sanders began to brush her mistress’s hair. “I am sure you will receive an offer before the end of the Season.”

  “Do not worry about me,” Anne replied, rising to retire to her own bedchamber. “I am quite content to remain as I am.”

  But even as she said the words, a face floated before her mind’s eye, and it was the dark one of Lord Stanton, not the fair one of Captain Leslie.

  Mrs. Halcott escorted Anne and Melissa to several small gatherings during the next few weeks as they prepared for their full plunge into Society when the Season opened in April. Lieutenant Halcott and Captain Leslie were most accommodating, serving as willing escorts to affairs they would normally have found tedious. The officers accompanied the cousins to the circulating library, the Tower, and on walks in Hyde Park during the unfashionable hours. Anne found the company of the officers agreeable and undemanding, and felt younger and more carefree than she had in years. She had feared that Melissa might make too much of Lieutenant Halcott’s devotion to her, but Melissa seemed to regard him in a sisterly fashion, which quite put Anne’s mind at ease.

  Melissa’s come-out ball was planned for the first week of the Season. That way, Mrs. Halcott had explained, there would not be many competing balls given by higher-ranking hostesses, and they might have a few more titled guests attend. Melissa
did not seem worried about her coming debut, but Anne was. The ball would be their real introduction into Society—a foretaste of the rest of the Season. If, for some reason, Melissa was not well received, it would be difficult for her to make a good match. Anne solicited Mrs. Halcott’s aid in choosing their gowns and accessories for the ball, and discovered her money was slipping away faster than she had foreseen.

  A week before the ball, Anne made a call on her banker to procure more funds. It was taking more to maintain an establishment in London than she had calculated. She sighed as she waited for Mr. Collings to reappear in the small office, looking through the open door to where Sanders patiently waited in the outer office. Presently, Mr. Collings returned, placing the money Anne had requested on the desk.

  “Thank you for waiting, Miss Southwell,” he said in his precise voice. “Here are the funds you require.”

  “What did you wish me to do with the two thousand pounds we received from Miss Amberly’s uncle?” he asked as he took a seat behind his desk.

  Anne could not repress a momentary start of surprise. Since Melissa had no living uncle, it could only be the two thousand pounds from Lord Stanton. She collected herself immediately.

  “Yes, thank you for informing me, Mr. Collings,” she said softly, aware of Sanders’s presence in the outer office. “The money is to constitute my ward’s dowry. Please place it in a separate account for that purpose.”