Authors: Kathryn Kirkwood
One item of contention had been the condition of Jane’s evening gown. Jane had protested that it was not pressed to perfection, even though Melissa had taken particular care with the task. She had also complained that she did not care for the manner in which Melissa had arranged her hair and insisted that it be twice done over. Only the lateness of the hour had spared Melissa from a third attempt and after a glance at the clock in her dressing room, Jane had allowed that it would simply have to do.
From the comments that Jane had made, Melissa had begun to suspect that her stepmother’s age, not Melissa’s untrained ministrations were the cause of her dissatisfaction. Regina had confirmed this suspicion in a private word with Melissa, begging her not to take Jane’s criticisms to heart. She had explained that her mother had been regarded as an Incomparable during her first London Season and though well over twenty years had passed since she had taken London by storm, Jane still had
aspirations of achieving a similar effect. Regina had also confided that during their last London Season, Jane had dismissed two abigails even though both of the women she’d engaged had come with the highest of recommendations.
Through it all, the only thought that had kept Melissa from despair was the knowledge that her stepmother and stepsisters would have to leave eventually or risk offending their hostess. Once the carriage had departed, Melissa had happily anticipated several hours that she could call her own, to sit quietly in the garden or perhaps, to read. Unfortunately, the quiet and peaceful evening she had planned for herself was not to be. Even with Mary’s help, it would take them until long past midnight to accomplish the task that Jane had set for them.
Mary must have noticed the expression of dismay that crossed Melissa’s face, for she spoke up quickly. “I can do it myself, miss, if you tell me where you want the things to go.”
“No, Mary.” Melissa smiled at the girl kindly. “We’ll accomplish it together and do our best to make short shrift of it.”
The work went smoothly, once they’d begun. Within the hour, the baggage that belonged to Dorothea and Regina was unpacked and properly stored in their rooms. Mary hurried off to prepare a cold supper for them, and while she was busy in the kitchen, Melissa entered her stepmother’s rooms to begin the work there.
Though Melissa had attended to her stepmother in her dressing room, she had entered through a door off the hallway and had not yet viewed Jane’s bedchamber or private sitting room. Jane had taken the largest suite of rooms and as Melissa stepped into her stepmother’s sitting room, she gasped at the lavish furnishings. Light blue satin draperies adorned the windows and the room contained a settee, covered in matching blue satin. There were four white chairs that were edged with gilt, several low tables of the same design, a fireplace with a white marble mantelpiece, a white, gilt-edged writing desk with a small matching chair, and wall sconces in the shapes of cherubs and flowers. The walls, themselves, were covered with pale blue
satin and there was a lovely silk carpet of a slightly darker hue that was liberally sprinkled with a design of white flowers.
The blue and white theme was carried into the bedchamber, which connected to the sitting room by an arched doorway. The focal point of the large room was the bed, a massive affair of white and gilt that was carved with cupids and flowers. A white lace canopy, over the bed, was woven to resemble a field of flowers and gave the effect of a romantical bower.
Melissa did her utmost not to break into a fit of the whoops as she imagined her stepmother reclining on this particular bed. The decorations clearly bespoke a charming innocence and the first sweet flower of young womanhood. It was obvious that the bed had been designed for a shy and gentle young lady who might retire to her bedchamber to peruse a slim volume of love poetry or to dream of a perfect match. That her scheming stepmother, the pattern card of jaded sophistication, should sleep in such innocent and chaste surroundings seemed but a step away from a travesty.
Melissa crossed to the armoire which was of the same design and also laden with carved cherubs and flowers, and took a moment to marvel at the placement of the oval mirrors that were set into the doors. There was a second set of mirrors on the inside of the doors, and by opening them and adjusting the angle, it was possible for a lady to view the back of her gown, as well as the front and the sides.
The postilions had piled Jane’s baggage under the windows and Melissa opened one of her stepmother’s portmanteaus. When the contents had been placed to her satisfaction, she lifted the lid on a large trunk and gave a small gasp of dismay. The trunk was filled with papers and ledgers from her father’s desk. Since Jane would have no reason to bring the contents of the baron’s desk, Melissa could only surmise that a servant had packed this trunk by mistake.
Melissa was about to close the lid and shove the trunk out of the way, under the windows, when she noticed a small package inside that was addressed to her. The writing was in her
father’s hand and Melissa removed it to examine it more closely. A letter was affixed to the top of the package. As Melissa opened it and read her father’s words, tears of sadness for the kind and gentle man that she had loved gathered in her sea-green eyes.
This package is for you, my darling daughter, on the eve of your first formal ball. If you are reading these words, I will not be here to wish you well and to admire your lovely appearance. Rest assured that your mother and I wish you the greatest happiness.
Melissa smiled as she gazed down at the small package. She was almost certain she knew what was inside. On her deathbed, Melissa’s mother had extracted a promise from her husband. He was to give Melissa her diamond earrings to wear on the eve of her first formal ball.
Her fingers trembled, itching to tear open the package and examine the earrings. Her mother had told her that they had originally belonged to her grandmother and had been passed down to her mother in the same manner. Would she ever have the opportunity to wear them? A frown replaced the smile on Melissa’s face. Perhaps not, but if she ever married, she would give them to her own daughter to wear on the eve of her first ball, and carry on the tradition for another generation.
Melissa glanced down at her father’s letter again. His handwriting seemed to swim before her eyes and she blinked to clear her vision.
I must apologize to you, Melissa. My concerns at finding myself solely responsible for a growing daughter led me to a decision that I fear has been a grave disservice to you. I pray that you can forgive my foolishness. My only excuse is that I held your welfare uppermost in my heart. Do not settle for less than you deserve, my darling daughter, and be assured that you deserve the best.
Though your mother and I are now gone from this earth, you may be certain that our love will remain with you always.
Tears threatened to overflow from Melissa’s eyes and she wiped them away so that Mary should not be privy to the extent of her emotions. She had known that her father was not sublimely blissful with his choice of a second wife, but he had never spoken ill of Jane. Now, in this letter, he had come very close to admitting that he had grievously erred when he had married her. For such a proud man to humble himself thusly, caused Melissa’s tears to start anew. Brushing them away a second time, she hurried to her bedchamber to hide the package amongst her belongings where it would be safe from prying eyes.
The unpacking had been accomplished at shortly past midnight and Melissa had dismissed Mary from any further duties and sent the girl off to bed. After a walk through the house to ascertain that all was in perfect order, Melissa had retired to her own bedchamber and prepared for bed. She was about to settle down in front of the small hearth for a soothing cup of tea before climbing beneath the covers, when she heard the sound of carriage wheels below. Jane and her stepsisters had returned.
Melissa sighed and hoped that they would have no further need of her. She was exhausted and though she knew she would enjoy hearing their accounts of the party, the prospect of sleeping appealed much more at this small hour of the morning.
There were three sets of footsteps upon the stairs and Jane’s voice carried to Melissa’s ears. Though Melissa was unable to hear the words her stepmother spoke, it was apparent from the tone of Jane’s voice that she was displeased. The conversation continued for several minutes and then Melissa heard the door to Jane’s bedchamber close with finality. Her stepmother had retired for the evening, obviously still in a bad taking.
There was a soft murmuring in the hallway and Melissa knew that her stepsisters were still discussing the party. Then the door to Dorothea’s bedchamber closed and a scant moment later, there was a light tap upon Melissa’s door.
Melissa sighed. She had no doubt that her visitor was Regina and though her eyes were aching from lack of sleep, she crossed quickly to the door and opened it.
Regina looked concerned as she noticed that Melissa was dressed in her night rail and a wrapper. “I wished to tell you of the party, Lissa, but perhaps it would be best if I wait until morning.”
“Nonsense.” Melissa observed the unhappy expression on her stepsister’s face and motioned her inside. It was apparent that Regina sorely needed a friendly coze. “I was enjoying a cup of tea before bed. Please join me, sister.”
Regina smiled and entered the room, taking a seat in one of the two chairs in front of the fire and accepting the cup of tea that Melissa poured for her. “The dinner was lovely, Lissa. They had six removes.”
“Six!” Melissa raised her eyebrows. “It was a feast, then?”
Regina nodded. “We began with turbot with lobster and Dutch sauces, and red mullet with cardinal sauce. Then we had sweetbread
au jus,
lamb cutlets with asparagus, venison, roast saddle of mutton, and a turkey poult.”
“However did you remember all that?” Melissa was impressed.
“A bill of fare was placed next to every person and I must admit that I perused it at every opportunity, committing it to memory in lieu of conversing with the gentleman on my right.”
“Oh, dear.” Melissa choked back the urge to laugh. “He was so undeserving then?”
“Worse than undeserving. He was a rake of the first order! He actually tried to…” Regina’s voice faltered and heated color rose to her cheeks. “If he is indicative of the manner in which gentlemen are to behave this Season, I would prefer to be anywhere but London!”
Melissa’s curiosity rose. It was apparent that Regina was in a state of nerves. Her color was high and her normally gentle countenance was as fierce as a mother vixen defending her den. “I am sensible of the fact that you are overset, Gina, but what, exactly, did this gentleman
do?”
“He…Oh, it is most embarrassing, Lissa!” The color in Regina’s cheeks rose ever higher. “When the first course commenced, he turned to converse with the lady on his right. That is the proper etiquette, you know. But during his converse with her, he reached down his left hand, beneath the table linen, and…and…”
Melissa’s mouth gaped open as she realized what her stepsister was attempting to impart. “He
touched
you?”
“He did.” Regina drew a deep, calming breath. “I would venture to say that
groped
would be a more accurate description for the action he intended to accomplish. And all the while, his attentions appeared to be directed towards the lady on his right.”
“No one else at table observed his rude action?”
“No.” Regina shook her head. “One cannot help but feel that he had done this deed before and had learned to accomplish it undetected.”
Melissa took a moment to digest this latest revelation. “But what of the gentleman on your left, the one who was conversing with you? Did he not notice?”
“No, he did not. He was perfectly unaware of the reason for my discomfort, or even that I
was
discomforted. You would have liked him, Lissa. He was a nice young man who was enjoying his first Season and I have no doubt he thought me a poor conversationalist as it was exceedingly difficult for me to give his subject my full attention.”
“I should say it must have been.” Melissa began to frown. “What did you do about the gentleman on your right, Gina?”
“What could I do? I moved to the very edge of my chair and that served to stop him for a time. To complain overtly would have been unthinkable, considering his ranking.”
“He was a nobleman, then?” Melissa’s frown deepened.
“An earl. When it was his turn to converse with me, he told me that he had once been acquainted with your father.”
“Did he give you his name?”
Regina nodded. “It was Stonehill and I shall not forget it as long as I live!”
Melissa fell into a fit of the whoops as she realized which particular gentleman had been seated on her stepsister’s right. “The Earl of Stonehill?”
“The very one.” Regina nodded. “Did your father speak of him, Lissa?”
“He did, but with no affection. He told me that Stonehill was a rake of the first order and that no lady could be in comfort around him. He chose to visit us once, shortly after my mother died, and my father packed me off to the rectory until he had left. It’s a pity you didn’t spear him with your fork, Gina. If I’d been in your place, I fear that is precisely what I would have done.”
“I’m not nearly so unkind as you, dear Lissa. During the third course, when his hand commenced to wander once again, I merely spilled my goblet of wine in his lap.” Regina began to laugh, her good humor restored. “The others at table may have thought me clumsy, but it served to cool his ardor.”
The two shared a moment of light-hearted laughter and then Melissa’s thoughts turned towards the consequences of her stepsister’s action. “Did your mother observe your behavior, Gina?”
“Yes. She brought me to task the moment our carriage rolled away from the Farthington mansion. According to Mama, this was but the first of my infractions for the evening and she was so kind as to enumerate them.”
Melissa raised her eyebrows. “La, Gina! What else did you do?”