Fortune Knocks Once (10 page)

“But first we must discuss some things,” Lizzie said seriously. “Colin has informed me that you stutter,” she continued bluntly.

Charlotte eyes widened and she stared at Lizzie for several seconds before dropping her head, a dark blush rising rapidly on her face. “Yes,” Charlotte whispered so softly it was almost inaudible. She was twisting her hands in her lap in agitation.

Is he embarrassed by me? Oh, how terrible to think I will cause him shame in London.

“Now you mustn’t think that he is discomfited by this. He could not give a whit for your little inconvenience, but he is afraid you are made uncomfortable by it. So he has asked me to help you.”

Charlotte gave Lizzie a desperate look.

There is nothing you can do. I am inferior…I am a freak…I am Defective.

“And you mustn’t think this is a flaw or that it makes you less than others of our station. Why it is just one distinction of the person you are, like your thick brown hair or big, beautiful brown eyes.”

Charlotte snorted audibly and furrowed her brows and mouth in skepticism.

It is not the same at all.

“I know you do not think this way, but you must change your thinking. Together we can manage this and London Society will be charmed by you. So let me share how we will proceed.” Lizzie proclaimed with authority as she smoothed her hands over her skirts.

“I have known several people with the same ‘distinction’,” Lizzie said authoritatively bobbing her head in Charlotte’s direction. “And do not look at me like that, it
is
only a personality distinction. It seems to me that when one is nervous or under stress, the distinction becomes more pronounced. Is that the case with you?”

Charlotte nodded her head while giving Lizze a wary, guarded look.

“Therefore I think that you must practice speaking more slowly, making sure your breathing is even. When I get nervous, breathing carefully always helps me calm down inside. And if you are calm inside, you will be calm to all outward appearances as well.”

Charlotte gave her an apprehensive look, stood up and walked over to the window gazing at the scene on the street.

I cannot do this. I sincerely doubt that I can do this.

“Charlotte, darling, I know you are doubting what I am saying.” Charlotte turned to face her as she spoke. “I am sure you have been hurt and humiliated in your past. But I will stand with you, and together, we can do this.” Lizzie waved her hand for Charlotte to return to the settee.

Charlotte slowly walked back to the settee and sat beside Lizzie.

“Are you willing to try? For Colin’s sake, if not for your own?” Lizzie softly touched her arm, rubbing downward to lightly grasp her fingers and squeeze gently.

Charlotte nodded her head and whispered, “The s-stuttering is not so bad when I whisper.”

“All right then, we shall use that information when we need it. Until then I think you should practice a few simple responses and witticisms to use in genteel conversation when needed. A properly hurled bon mot here and there and you will be the wit of the Season.”

Charlotte’s mouth pursed to a frown as she looked at Lizzie.

That will not work. It’s ridiculous to think memorizing a few phrases will help.

“You are skeptical, but I am sure it will suffice. I am so excited Charlotte! We will have worlds of fun and I can’t wait to get started.”

“I will make a list for you and you can practice them and be ready to deliver them with all the panache and mastery as if you are on the stage. We can make new lists as needed.”

This seems so silly, writing lists of things to say.

“It may seem silly to talk of lists, but knowing the shallow nature of Society conversations, I really think a few phrases or sentences should last all Season,” she giggled at the thought and raised her fingers to her mouth to stifle the sound, turning her head away from Charlotte.

Charlotte’s eyes widened and she released a small giggle in response. When Lizzie looked back at her, they both stared at each other for several seconds and then burst into laughter.

From that moment they were lost. The more they tried to suppress their amusement, the less successful they were.

After several minutes of laughing, both holding their fingers of one hand over their mouths to restrain themselves, they gave up and slumped back against the settee giggling loudly and without restraint. Charlotte’s eyes glistened and dainty, feminine laughs bubbled out over and over. Lizzie threw back her head and erupted into spasms of loud cackles and hoots.

Even the emergence of Gil into the room with the tea tray only temporarily stemmed the tide of the merriment. When he entered they both hurriedly sat forward in their seats and composed themselves. But as Lizzie reached to serve, her hand shook and the tea things clinked noisily so she hasty set the tea pot down again. At that point Charlotte hiccoughed, causing another gush of companionable giggling.

After several minutes, without saying another word to each other, the giggling slowed down, then both took deep breaths, composed their faces, sat properly erect on the settee and began taking tea.

Lizzie poured, handed Charlotte a cup and looked into her eyes with her lips quivering into a smile. As soon as their eyes met, they both convulsed into uncontrollable laughter once more.

Which is exactly how Colin found things when he returned home that afternoon—tea unserved and ignored, servants passing amused glances at the sitting room door and Charlotte and Lizzie chattering away like magpies, holding hands as they talked, occasionally dissolving in laughter and never making any attempt to fight it.

~~~

The rest of that week and most of the next passed in a whirl of activity. Lady Elizabeth never left Charlotte’s side during the exhaustive shopping—dresses for every occasion—hats—gloves—reticules—boots—shoes—undergarments—outer garments—in-between garments—and, to Charlotte’s utter delight, the most beautiful pink silk ball gown and matching pair of dancing slippers, with several more gowns of every type on order.

Charlotte was receiving the final fitting for the gown that was her own favorite among the many accoutrements in her wardrobe now, standing in front of the mirror spellbound at her own image. The pale pink color of the gown was complemented by metallic thread embroidery along the hem. Long, narrow sleeves encased her short arms making them appear slender and elegant. Puff sleeves at the shoulders highlighted the creamy white skin of her bodice. The square neckline of the dress was trimmed with a stand-up lace collar that evoked a delicate air and framed her face beautifully.

Even in my most lively and inspired daydreaming, I have never imagined a more beautiful ensemble for myself. It almost makes me normal!

“I am sure you can’t wait to wear that dazzling gown, Charlotte. When you are all dressed up, you look so fey and sweet – like a fairy princess.”

Lizzie was across the room inspecting fabrics with the sangfroid air of a discriminating aristocrat, secure in the superiority of her educated eye and palate.

“Your hair is marvelous swept up and off your face in that fashion. Your eyes just take over your face completely now. Is my Molly not an absolute genius about the toilette?”

Lizzie had temporarily loaned her lady’s maid to Charlotte and Molly had worked her magic on Charlotte’s hair. It was swept up from her neck into a gentle topknot with curling tendrils framing her face and neck.

Charlotte gazed back at Lizzie in wonder. Gone was the somber expression that had consistently marked her face in the harsh days before her marriage. Her dark chocolate brown eyes sparkled with animation and her mouth was curved into a gentle smile that carried the threat of outright laughter at the slightest provocation.

Lizzie picked up a bolt of fabric and stood in front of a large oval mirror, spreading the fabric, she held it against her body and imagined a completed gown.

“Should I select this, do you think Charlotte? I am just not sure.”

Lizzie turned to look at Charlotte and after looking at her face, quickly threw down the fabric with a snort.

“You are right of course. It is not the right color for me at all. It makes me look washed out and vapid. I completely trust your judgment, Charlotte.”

Lizzie and Charlotte both burst into laughter at the idea that Charlotte, who had done nothing for two weeks but take direction and instructions from Lizzie, would dictate so critical an issue as color to her very fashionable and elegant friend.

Clothiers and seamstresses around town were all getting used to the pair of Society ladies who showed up in the shops and giggled together like schoolgirls as they spent what to all intents and purposes appeared to be an unlimited budget.

They were quickly becoming inseparable and were seen about town everywhere. Lizzie took her to museums, the theater, walking in the park, and introduced her to flavored ices, delicious juicy gossip and every fashionable individual they encountered.

“Now do you need anything else? Shall we order more nightgowns?”

Lady Elizabeth had ordered her several provocative nightgowns during earlier shopping trips and had told her that a full report of their use would be required.

Charlotte blushed mightily and nodded her head yes.

“So, more nightgowns,” Lizzie said raising her eyebrows. “I am all a twitter my dear. You must explain what happened to the earlier ones.” Lizzie crowed wickedly, her eyes twinkling, as she took both Charlotte’s arms and looked down into her face.

“N-no. You know that is n-not proper L-lizzie,” whispered Charlotte.

“Did Colin rip them off you in a fit of lust-induced madness?”

Charlotte’s face flashed red and she ducked her head in embarrassment. “Shh..s-som-someone w-will hear you.”

“Or did you tear them while running from him when he turned into a ravening beast and chased you through the house in a drunken rage seeking to ravish you?”

Charlotte gave Lizzie a stern warning look to stop when suddenly Lizzie turned and looked around.

“Oh, we must go. Time has gotten away from me. Goodness, Charlotte you are such a bad influence on me.”

Charlotte looked at her incredulously.

“The new nightgowns will have to wait. I can only hope that not
all
those expensive delicate unmentionables were the casualty of those vile urges of your brutish husband.”

Lizzie faced the seamstress working on Charlotte and began giving her instructions for packing up and delivering all the items that were ready.

“Come, come, change quickly. We must get home immediately. Your singing instructor is coming this afternoon. And I want you to refresh yourself. You can wear your new yellow lawn day gown. It looks so lovely with your hair color.”