Fortune Knocks Once (12 page)

Lizzie ignored Colin’s rebuke and continued, “I can assure you that Mr. Colson is most definitely past the age of his majority and well qualified to provide the agreed-to lessons.”

Colin eyed her uneasily, not sure what was wrong but feeling like Lizzie was most definitely having him on. “Don’t you think they are sitting a little too close,” he said angrily. Then his voice rose suddenly in alarm as he spurted, “Do you think he is bothering her?”

Lizzie snorted. “The piano bench is only so wide Colin. I would imagine it is difficult to direct the movements of a piano student from across the room. And no, I do not think he is bothering her. She requested singing lessons, I have procured her one of the best instructors in London. He is instructing her,” she said with all the patience one accords to a five-year-old child.

Colin watched Charlotte at the piano for several minutes before he responded. Then he shrugged his shoulders and commented, “Well, maybe he is one of those sorts who doesn’t like women, if you take my meaning. He seems effeminate, does he not?” he said imperiously.

Lizzie barked in laughter. “You think that if you like Colin. But I have it on good authority that he most certainly likes women and that they like him. I am quickly getting the impression that he especially likes Charlotte,” she said arching one eyebrow insouciantly.

“What do you mean by that - good authority? What are you talking about? Does he make a habit of seducing his female students? Is that what you mean?” Colin sputtered, bringing his face around within inches of Lizzie’s face.

Lizzie raised her hand and fluttered her fingers to dismiss him and said stridently, “Enough, Colin. This display of male jealousy is excusable only if you are intoxicated, which could very well be the case. But I really do not care to continue this discussion. I must go.”

Colin glared at her back as she abruptly turned and collected her shawl, hat and gloves without waiting for Gil to attend her. He muttered several curses under his breath and darted glances back at Charlotte and Mr. Colson.

With one final smirk at Colin, Lizzie swept from the house, with the sound of music drifting out to the street as her carriage pulled away, leaving Colin swaying in the doorway of the parlor, uncertain, unhappy and unsure what to do about it.

~~~

“Now, remember dear,” said Lizzie as the carriage pulled away from the curb to escort them both to one of the most fashionable balls of the Season and Charlotte’s official debut. “You have your strategies for conversation and I will never leave your side. Together we shall have them at our feet.”

“I—am—gratified—to—be—here,” Charlotte said slowly, enunciating each word clearly and distinctly and without a stutter. She delivered it with the aplomb of a great actress announcing her opening line.

Lizzie clapped her hands in delight.

“It—is—a—charming—evening,” Charlotte added, her eyes laughing and dancing as she looked at Lizzie.

“That is fabulous. And remember to use your fan. The fan is very important. You can express so much with an intelligently or wickedly expressed movement of your fan. I particularly like the effect of slapping it against a man’s arm or shoulder and then turning swiftly and gliding off without a word. You might try that. It can mean anything – they never know what to make of it.”

Lizzie was elegantly dressed with a tasseled silk headband round the back of her head and a halo of delicate white blonde curls around her forehead and cheeks. She was wearing the most beautiful green-silk, taffeta ball gown, complemented by an embroidered floral shawl held loosely over her shoulders and arms. A pineapple-shaped silk reticule and low-heeled dancing slippers tied with matching ribbons completed the ensemble.

“Tonight, don’t worry about how you appear to others. You are the Marchioness of Ormonde; it is for them to worry how they appear to you,” she said sternly. “If you feel nervous, remember that no one can see what you feel, only the outer signs of your body. If you look and act confident and self-assured, you will be so. And you look marvelous,” she added with enthusiasm, casting her gaze from the top of Charlotte’s head to her toes.

Charlotte’s ruby red silk dress featured a sweetheart neckline with a deep V-neck plunge that exposed more of her breasts than she had ever shown before. Her hair was swept up but curling tendrils on all sides framed her face and neck. Long white gloves sheathed her fine, lily-white arms. She had opened her cloak and was staring down at her breasts.

This dress is so bold. I don’t feel comfortable. I’ll never be able to make conversation with anyone, especially gentlemen. They shall all be staring at my bosom.

Charlotte tugged at the bodice of her dress, trying to pull it up to cover more of her breasts.

I don’t remember it being this low cut at the dressmakers.

“D-d-did you tell her to l-l-lower the n-n-neckline?” Charlotte accused Lizzie, feeling her confidence melt away. “I c-c-cannot d-d-do this.”

“You are not to worry about that or anything else,” Lizzie said as she slapped Charlotte’s hands away from her bodice. “Your lovely exposed breasts, set off so delicately by your small frame compose a delicious juxtaposition that will have men slavering over you like wild dogs.”

Charlotte looked at her in horror. “I-I knew this gown was t-t-too m-much,” she sputtered.

Lizzie returned her look with calm calculation.

“I will always be there to help you; I won’t leave your side. If you can’t think of anything to say, smile mysteriously, wave your fan imperiously and look away. You will be thought above the idle banter that passes for conversation at these events. You may even set a new fashion for not speaking. Just remember to keep your body poised and relaxed and always stand straight and tall.”

Charlotte looked at Lizzie discouragingly.

But I am not tall and stately like you. I can’t carry off the attitude of regal poise that you do.

“You have the loveliest long neck which shows to distinct advantage now that we have you fully dressed properly in that absolutely outrageous gown with the divine décolletage,” replied Lizzie.

Charlotte’s eyes widened and she started to respond but Lizzie pushed her on the shoulder toward the coach door.

“Hush, we are there. Lift your head, look everyone in the eye and smile. Remember your list. You are on display tonight and we are going to give them a show they won’t soon forget,” Lizzie instructed briskly as she ushered Charlotte out of the carriage and up a long sweep of stairs.

They climbed the stairs arm in arm and both gracefully swept into the antechamber, removing their outer garments and proceeding to the ballroom. They entered the glittering ballroom, resplendent with candles flickering in the chandeliers, on small tables and around the room on stands. Party-goers in bright and sparkling colors swirled everywhere and the entire scene was reflected again and again in the full-length mirrors lining two walls and the window panes lining floor-to-ceiling French doors on a third wall.

An elderly man and woman in formal evening dress were standing at the open doors to the ballroom, greeting guests as they arrived and after the guests’ names were announced by the footman at the side of the door. Lizzie took the lead and greeted their hosts first, taking the woman’s hands in her own.

“My lord and lady, what a wonderful crush! It will be the most divine ball of the Season!”

She turned to the gentleman and tapped her fan on his hand coquettishly, “Lord Bedford, you look ravishingly handsome as always.” Turning to her hostess, she winked quickly and bending close, murmured, “Lady Bedford, you must take care to watch him tonight. But I dare say you are up to that task, are you not my lady? And of course, you are the picture of loveliness yourself. It has been far too long. You and your family are well, I hope?”

After a few seconds of small talk, Lizzie turned to Charlotte.

“Lord and Lady Bedford, may I make known to you my most cherished friend, Lady Ormonde?” As she said this, Lizzie gently took Charlotte’s arm, pulling her closer.

With that Charlotte curtsied prettily and on standing up, distinctly and clearly said, “I - am - gratified - to - be – here.”

Several more seconds of small talk by Lizzie, nothing more than smiles and nodding by Charlotte, and then they continued into the ballroom, having passed the first hurdle.

This is like a steeplechase, we are jumping fences and ditches, so many obstacles to be overcome. As we pass one, another will confront us ahead. But I wonder, am I the rider or the horse?

They slowly walked around the room, Lizzie nodding and speaking to almost everyone they passed. Charlotte repeated her two phrases, over and over, as she was introduced to others, or whenever conversation was expected from her. At the end of the successful circuit, with nary a stutter nor stammer escaping from Charlotte, they exchanged quick glances and their mouths curled up involuntarily, threatening to break into giggles.

“Don’t you dare, Charlotte! If you get me started giggling and gaggling like a goose right now, I will never speak to you again. Keep your composure or I will abandon you without remorse.”

But even as she threatened Charlotte, her eyes danced with laughter and her hand tightened on Lizzie’s arm.

The horse, I am most definitely the horse.

Lizzie found a quiet spot, close to several companionable groups of friends but not directly alongside, so that they were alone but still somewhat in company.

“Now, we shall let them come to us. We will hold court as two queens of Society should.”

At that moment, a tall young man approached, smiling in greeting. He was handsome and fashionably dressed as all the gentlemen present were, but certainly not as handsome as Colin, Charlotte thought. But he has a lovely smile and seems friendly.

“Ah, perfect person for your first dance,” Lizzie whispered, just before the young man reached them and bowed smartly before them.

“Lord Mansfield, so pleasant to see you tonight,” Lizzie purred sweetly as the young man kissed her hand. “Allow me to introduce Lady Ormonde, newly wed to Colin Butler, Lord Ormonde. I believe he is familiar to you?”

“Yes. Lady Ormonde, a great pleasure I am sure,” he said gallantly as he kissed Charlotte’s hand.