A Sisterly Regard (6 page)

Lady Gifford sighed. So young and so innocent. Her mother's
heart ached for her daughters, for she knew they were both somewhat out
of the ordinary. Their Season could be a disaster if either of them was
allowed to behave naturally.

"Well, girls, you both look charmingly," she said. "Now, Chloe,
you must remember to behave with decorum and do not let your high
spirits lead you into hoydenish actions. And Phaedra, please attempt to
converse with your partners. But do not, in any event, bore them with
your botanical pursuits. Gentlemen are not fond of young ladies who
prattle too much of themselves. You may mention your interests, but be
sure and ask them about theirs. If all else fails, you may discuss the
weather." She ignored the quickly repressed giggles.

"Most important, you must recall that you are not to waltz until
you are granted permission. I do not expect either of you to obtain such
permission tonight. Generally, the patronesses like to observe unknown
young ladies for several weeks before deciding that they are well enough
behaved to be allowed to waltz."

A knock cut short these motherly admonitions. Edgemont
opened the door and announced that Her Grace's carriage was without.
She and her granddaughter, Lady Mary, awaited them.

As soon as all were settled, the Duchess turned to Phaedra and
Chloe. "You gels had better be on your best behavior tonight. I was just
telling Mary that to be accepted by the patronesses at Almack's is the only
way a gel can have a successful Season. Silly situation, but that's the way
the world is. If you lose their approval, you can just whistle down the
wind for a fashionable husband. Be sure you don't waltz without their
permission.

"No, you be quiet, gel," she said as Chloe opened her mouth to
deliver a sharp retort, "I've seen more Seasons than your mother has years,
and know whereof I speak. You follow my advice and you'll do, I tell
you.

"Louisa, I fear your voucher is just as a chaperone. I could not
persuade that stiff-rumped relative of yours, Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, to
do more than let you in the door. So you'll have to sit in the corner with
the other chaperones, I fear."

Cousin Louisa nodded. "Just as well. I have no desire to take my
place in the Marriage Mart, Your Grace."

"Hmph. You should." She cocked her head and studied Cousin
Louisa, who was looking almost dowdy in a dark gray gown that did not
become her. "Or perhaps not. No sense in running against this year's
field."

Chloe heard Her Grace's words with disbelief. Could Cousin
Louisa still be a candidate for marriage? Surely not. She was
old
.

For the rest of their short journey, the Duchess interrogated
Mama about the situation at Gifford Court. "What George does with his
inheritance is no concern of mine, but I can't help being curious. He's
always had an odd kick to his gallop. I tell you, Isabella, there is a frivolity
about your husband I cannot entirely approve."

To Chloe's amazement, Mama did not dispute the Duchess'
words. How could she allow anyone, even Her Grace, to disparage Papa?
Even that thought was driven from her mind as the carriage slowed.

Chloe was speechless with excitement as they entered the
assembly hall. There was no time for her to do more than gape briefly at
the plain, unfestive appearance of the fabled Almack's. Mama immediately
led them to a haughty woman whom she introduced as the Countess
Leiven.

The countess gave the sisters a chilly smile, but spoke cordially
to their mother. "It is too bad that you must play the gooseberry this year,
Isabella. Is your charming husband to join you?"

"Yes, but he had obligations to keep him at home these past
weeks. He will arrive in a few days."

"So nice," the Countess replied. "If you can escape from your
maternal duties, please come to tea some afternoon."

Lady Gifford murmured her agreement and led the girls away.
"Hush," she hissed as Chloe opened her mouth to speak. "Do not even
think unkindly of the Countess. She can be a deadly enemy. I do hope she
will take a liking to you, as much as she can like any girl with the freshness
of youth."

The next patroness to whom they were introduced barely gave
them time to greet her before she started speaking rapidly. She spoke of
their appearance as if they were not present, but was, on the whole,
complimentary. As they moved away from her through the crowd, Lady
Gifford told her awed daughters, "You see why Sally Jersey is called
'Silence'. She is a terrible gossip, but she is also kind. I quite like her better
than any of the others."

On being presented to Mrs. Drummond-Burrell, Chloe was
amazed. How could such a top-lofty, ugly woman come to be so
important? She was appropriately polite, remembering her mother's
warning that this woman, on a whim, could do them great damage.

No other patronesses were present, but the introductions
continued as they strolled. Mama was obviously well acquainted with and
well liked by most of the
ton
. Chloe's head was swimming with
names and faces by the time they had completed their circuit of the
room.

Before the first set had ended, each girl had been asked for
dances by gentlemen to whom they had been introduced. When the next
set was made up for a country dance, both she and Phaedra had partners.
Hers was Mr. Martin, a wispy youth in the extreme of fashion. Although
he was pleasant enough, Chloe could not warm to him, for he bore no
resemblance to the man of her dreams.

The third dance was a waltz. The sisters remained at their
mother's side, watching the dancers swirl about the room.

Chloe suddenly sat up straighter and laid her hand on her sister's
arm. "Look, Phaedra, over by the door. Is that not the gentleman whom
you helped along the road?"

She turned to look. "I do not believe it is. This gentleman is
older and, I think, somewhat taller. Do not stare, Chloe. It is rude."

"Well, he is excessively handsome, all the same, and I am sure
that I have seen him in the park." She raised her hand as if to wave to
him.

"Chloe!" Phaedra caught her elbow. "Behave yourself. You have
not been introduced to the gentleman. You may not claim acquaintance on
the basis of a chance encounter."

Mama turned to look questioningly at Chloe. Phaedra quickly
explained.
The traitor.

"Chloe, that is exactly the sort of behavior that I warned you
against," Mama scolded. "You must not give in to these unladylike urges.
If the gentleman wishes to make our acquaintance, it is up to him to do so.
To wave at a gentleman anywhere in public is not at all the thing. Here, at
Almack's, it is unthinkable."

Chloe clamped her lips together and covertly watched the dark
haired gentleman as he surveyed the room with his quizzing glass. As his
glance came to her, she quirked her lips in a small smile. His glance passed
on with no sign of recognition. She continued to watch the door. Soon
another familiar face appeared. She started to raise a hand to catch the
gentleman's attention, but remembering her mother's admonition,
restrained herself.

The familiar visage was that of Mr. Reginald Farwell. Although
not the sort of gentleman Chloe could consider for a husband, he was
attractive enough. Dare she attract his attention? She became aware of her
mother's vigilance, and did not attempt to do so.

Mr. Farwell threaded his way amongst the dancers to make his
bow to the Duchess. Chloe could not hear his words, but they obviously
included Lady Mary. She saw him write his name on the girl's dance
card.

He then moved to bow in front of her mother. "Ah, Lady
Gifford. How pleasant to see you again."

He appeared to stifle a yawn. "And the Misses Hazelbourne. Are
you enjoying Almack's? Delightful. So lovely to encounter you once
more." He moved on without ever actually looking at either of
them.

Chloe's mouth fell open. Then she shut it with a click of teeth
and her expression hardened.

What a rude man.

* * * *

The evening dragged on. Her daughters had participated in most
dances, but were obviously not the toast of the
ton
. Even Chloe
was quite ready to leave when Lady Gifford suggested it. She had watched
her elder daughter closely after Mr. Farwell's snub. She expected an
explosion, and wished to get the girl at home before it occurred.

Her expectations were realized. Chloe gave way to a grand fit of
hysterics as soon as they arrived home. She accused her mother of dressing
her like a dowd, of refusing to introduce her to any eligible men, and of
wishing to keep her an old maid for the rest of her life.

Nor was her sister spared. Phaedra, Chloe cried, had given her
partners such a bad impression that she had ruined all Chloe's
chances.

Lady Gifford calmed her eventually, saying that this was only
their first introduction to Almack's and that subsequent weeks would see
both girls achieving a moderate success.

"I do not wish to be a success at such a stuffy place." Chloe
retorted. "Why can we not attend more lively entertainments?"

Only the threat of being sent back to Gifford Court for the rest
of the Season at last quieted the distraught girl and convinced her to retire.
Lady Gifford wished her husband were in London. Chloe would never let
her father see her in such a state, obtaining her way with him by cajolery
and manipulation.

Cousin Louisa, always the peacemaker, reminded her that
George would arrive in a few days.

"I can hardly wait," she said, with a sigh.

* * * *

In Chloe's bedchamber Phaedra opened her budget. "I will not
have Mama made miserable by your tantrums, sister, you may be sure. If
you do not moderate your behavior, I will endeavor to do exactly what
you said of me and give all my dancing partners a disgust of me. Then
where will you be? They will wonder if I am so detestable, why so might
you be. I will behave as the most veritable bluestocking, which if the truth
be known, I should chose to do anyway."

She paused, to unfasten the tiny pearl buttons at the back of
Chloe's gown. "I have promised you that I will attempt to be all that is
charming and amiable, so as not to hurt your chances to fulfill your dreams
of your Season. So I shall as long as you do nothing to distress our parents.
But harken to me, Chloe. I will not keep my promise if you do not
attempt to moderate your behavior and to be more courteous to Mama
and to Cousin Louisa.

"Oh, Chloe, do you not see how your present behavior is not to
your advantage?" she continued, becoming more calm. "Whether you
wish it or no, the
ton
has its rules for girls making their come
out, and you must adhere to them. You would not be admired should you
dress as you would chose, but rather be thought fast. And if you behave
immodestly, the Prince Charming of your dreams will take you in such
dislike that he will snub you."

"He would not!"

"Indeed he would. Had you behaved as you wished tonight, any
true gentleman would assuredly have taken you in disgust. Furthermore,
you have driven Mama to the brink of tears."

Eventually Chloe ceased her stormy weeping and seemed to
listen. "Truly, Phaedra, I do not mean to distress Mama, nor to go against
Society's rules, even though I think them excessively silly. But when I see
other girls being sought after and waltzing and being the center of the
gentlemen's attention, I cannot contain myself. There is so little time. I
must marry this Season. I could not stand it if I were to be left upon the
shelf."

"Then confine yourself within the rules of our society. If you
wish to marry within it, you must live within it, both now and after you
are married. While an excess of sensibility and an appearance of selfishness
might be acceptable in an older woman, they will never make you popular
with eligible bachelors or with their parents." She gave Chloe a nudge
toward the bed. "Go to sleep now. Tomorrow will be better, and you will
soon achieve the popularity which you so desire." She kissed her sister's
cheek and tucked the quilts about her.

In her own room, Phaedra admitted to herself that she was not
as optimistic about their social success as she had appeared. So many of the
girls at Almack's tonight were far more beautiful than she and Chloe.
Their manners were all that were charming, their poise perfection. It was
the latter that gave Phaedra pause. In company she tended toward silence,
an onlooker rather than a participant. Chloe, fortunately, was more
outgoing, but she was adventuresome and somewhat spoiled, though
fundamentally good and kind. Hedged about with all the rules of the
ton
, might she not rebel? If that occurred, would anyone ever
see the real Chloe?

Phaedra did not mind the strictures placed upon maidens of the
ton
, for she was much more of a serene disposition and had not
built up the Season into something impossibly promising. Indeed, she still
was convinced that she would return to Gifford Court at the end of the
Season, still unpledged to any man. Quickly she buried the small twinge of
regret that thought caused. Surely somewhere there lived a man who
could appreciate her for who she was, not how well she conversed, flirted,
danced.

What troubled her more than her own future was her sister's.
She doubted her own ability to keep Chloe out of trouble, and could
hardly wait for their father to arrive in London. With constant diligence,
she might keep Chloe on her best behavior for the next few days. After
that, her father's influence might prevent the sort of storm that had
occurred this evening. But would even his presence hold his favorite
daughter to the line, should she be disappointed in her expectations?

Phaedra hoped so.

* * * *

Chloe's spirits were recovered by the next morning. While
making a pretty apology to her mother and to Cousin Louisa, she blamed
her unstable nerves on the excitement of attending Almack's at last, and
assured them that she would behave more circumspectly in the
future.