Miss Dower's Paragon (11 page)

“You are not so aged that you could not still dance, Mama,” said Evelyn teasingly.

Mrs. Dower agreed, somewhat wistfully, but said, “I shall do my duty, though, and take my place with the matrons, for I would not have it said that I was so taken up with my own pleasures that I neglected the proper direction of my daughter’s come-out.”

Evelyn wrote out the gilt-edged invitations from the closely written guest list that her mother had provided, and as she did so, she became impressed with the extent of her mother’s acquaintance. Evelyn realized that she had underestimated her mother. Mrs. Dower might be thought frivolous and scatterbrained, but she was also an astute participant in society.

Mrs. Dower declared that Evelyn would have a gown very different from her usual style for her come-out. “You are no longer a child, dearest, and certainly it must reflect that,” said Mrs. Dower.

Her mother’s emphatic opinion caused Evelyn to await the delivery of the completed gown with scarce-contained anticipation. When it arrived and was lifted out of the box, the white tissues that had separated its folds floating away to the floor, Evelyn drew in her breath. She had never seen anything so lovely. It was a costly confection of pale blue silk.

“Will miss be wishing to try it on?” asked the maid, a note of teasing in her voice.

“Oh, yes, Millie!”

When Evelyn had on the gown and turned to the mirror, she was stunned by her reflection. Her image was no longer that of a fashionable young miss, but that of a sophisticated woman. The silk shimmered at the curve of her breast and thigh when she moved. Evelyn had never given much thought to her well-rounded bosom, but the low décolletage of the gown suddenly centered her attention. “Oh my.”

“Indeed.” Mrs. Dower frowned thoughtfully at the revealing neckline. “It is cut a bit tight, do you not think so, Millie?”

The maid coughed. “It does give one notice of the young lady’s rising hopes, ma’am.”

Evelyn chose to ignore her maid’s sly comment as beneath her dignity. She tugged lightly at the neckline, to no avail. “I cannot think how the seamstress came to make such a mistake after having taken my measurements.”

“I do wish you to appear out of the schoolroom, Evelyn, but that décolletage is inappropriate. We shall have it altered, only a very little, and you shall not appear quite so daring,” said Mrs. Dower.

“I own, Mama, I should feel more comfortable,” said Evelyn, again giving an ineffectual pull to the tight neckline.

On the eve of the coming-out party, it quickly became apparent that the function boded to be well received. As the Dower ladies stood together at the entrance to greet their guests, Evelyn began to realize that those who had received invitations were nearly universal in their attendance.

Mrs. Dower was moved to say, with justifiable pride, “It is shaping up to be a very respectable event, after all. You shall not lack for attention this evening, dearest.”

Evelyn’s heart fluttered with unexpected trepidation. However, nothing in her demeanor or in her countenance betrayed her initial nervousness. Her confidence could not be entirely shaken, either, not when she knew that the pale blue gown that so graced her slender figure was also the perfect complement to her burnished hair and cream complexion. She appeared lovely and composed, while her manners inspired the approval or admiration of those she greeted.

Mrs. Dower also looked at her best gowned in a rich robe of gold crepe. She wore a small feathered turban in acknowledgment of her responsible role, but there was nothing of the bored matron in her manner. She greeted each of her guests with delighted warmth, which faltered only a little when Lady Pomerancy arrived.

Uncertain as Mrs. Dower was of the old lady’s mood, she was somewhat tentative in her greeting. “My lady, how very happy I am that you have been able to attend.”

Lady Pomerancy’s eyes snapped with errant humor. “I cannot conceive why, for you are trembling like a blancmange at sight of me. Come to tea tomorrow. I should like to talk privately to you.”

Mrs. Dower assured her ladyship that she would be delighted to do so, though her expression would not have led anyone to believe the truth of her words. Lady Pomerancy snorted before she turned her eyes on the younger lady. “Well, girl, you have entered society at last. I trust that it shall meet all your expectations.”

“I doubt it not in the least, my lady,” said Evelyn with a small smile.

Lady Pomerancy stared at Evelyn for a moment, attempting to put the girl to the blush. Her ladyship gave a sharp nod when Evelyn steadily returned the unnerving appraisal. “You’ll do.”

Lady Pomerancy had dispensed with her wheelchair for the evening. She was instead leaning heavily on a cane and the arm of her grandson. She turned her head to Mr. Hawkins. “Peter, I am tired of standing about. Find me a chair.”

“I shall do so at once, ma’am.”

Mr. Hawkins smiled and said a few words to his hostess and Miss Dower. His eyes lingered appreciatively on the younger lady before he guided his grandmother off in search of a suitably placed chair. They were flanked by a stalwart footman and her ladyship’s maid, the latter carrying her mistress’s cushion.

Once Lady Pomerancy had been settled with a small circle of friends, with her ever-vigilant maid and the footman in attendance, Mr. Hawkins was released from his duty.

He immediately set out to seek Miss Dower, only to discover that she also had dispensed with her duty in the receiving line. Not unexpectedly, he found her to be the center of attention amongst several of the guests.

Evelyn had gathered a circle of admirers from among the gentlemen. Her tawny eyes sparkled and her color was becomingly high at the compliments that she accepted. The ready laughter sprang lightly from her lips, and Mr. Hawkins had no difficulty in discerning that she was thoroughly enjoying herself.

He cast a swift critical glance over the other gentlemen surrounding Miss Dower. With the exception of Viscount Waithe and two or three others, there were none that he deemed to be of much competition. Most were very young gentlemen, but amongst the admirers were several graying heads as well. Mr. Hawkins recalled that the Bath population numbered an unusual number of retired admirals and clergymen. He grinned to himself, thinking that perhaps his own powers of address were not in any danger of being outshone, after all.

A small stringed orchestra struck up, signaling that dancing was to be the order of the evening. A wave of expectation raced over the company. Young ladies waited breathlessly to be led into the first set of a country dance that was forming. It was always an anxious moment, for no one cared to be left sitting next to the wall when there was dancing.

Miss Dower, at least, would have no lack of partners, for Mr. Hawkins could already hear the appeals of her admirers. He started forward, to put his own bid for the lady’s hand for a dance.

“Good evening, Mr. Hawkins.”

Mr. Hawkins turned. He immediately recognized the lady who had addressed him, but he was less certain of the identities of the gentleman and the young lady with her. “And to you, Miss Sparrow,” he said with a polite glance for her companions.

Miss Sparrow brought to Mr. Hawkins’s recollection her betrothed, a worthy gentleman by the name of Fiddle, and her sister. The younger Miss Sparrow blushed fierily when she was addressed and was obviously painfully shy in a gathering.

Miss Sparrow gently suggested that perhaps her betrothed might find a lemon ice for her sister. The gentleman’s face registered surprise. “I know that Maria would adore such a high treat, sir,” said Miss Sparrow with a meaningful look at Mr. Fiddle.

“Of course, my dear. With the greatest of pleasure,” responded Mr. Fiddle, his momentary amazement giving way almost immediately to polite convention. With greater presence of mind than his benign countenance suggested, Mr. Fiddle took the younger girl off.

Miss Sparrow glanced up at her tall companion with a small smile. “Maria’s come-out is such a short time away that it was thought there would be little harm in her accompanying me this evening. Mama would have accompanied Maria herself, but one of our younger sisters has the toothache and is very fretful. However, Mama had complete confidence that my chaperonage would do as well. The Dowers have been our good friends for many years, after all, and may be depended upon to have a respectable gathering.”

“I am certain that you may rest easy. Miss Sparrow,” said
Mr. Hawkins. He wondered what the lady could possibly have to say to him, for her maneuver to have him alone had been obvious. He did not have long to wait.

Miss Sparrow fell silent for only a moment before saying hesitantly, “May I request a favor of you, Mr. Hawkins?”

“Certainly, Miss Sparrow.”

She smiled up at him, but with a question in her eyes. “You do not yet know what I would ask, sir.”

“I can hardly be so ungallant as to regard your unspoken request with suspicion,” he said with the quirk of a smile.

Miss Sparrow laughed. The reservation in her eyes completely vanished. “Perhaps you should, though, for what I would ask is rather indelicate. It concerns Maria, whom I care for very much, and I would not ask at all except that I know you to be a true gentleman. Mr. Hawkins, I would be very obliged if you would aid my younger sister to overcome her retiring manner in company. I—I do not mean for you to hang upon her sleeve or anything of that sort, of course, but—”

“I understand perfectly.” Mr. Hawkins smiled down at the lady reassuringly, thinking that she had the air of a small anxious hen with one chick. “I was once myself terrified of society. It is the worst feeling imaginable. I have every sympathy for Miss Maria, believe me.”

Miss Sparrow smiled her gratitude. “Thank you, sir. I had hoped that I might find a sympathetic ear in you. You seem to engender trust, as I could certainly see when Evelyn and I chanced to meet you and the viscount.”

“Miss Dower has an open and engaging manner,” said Mr. Hawkins.

Miss Sparrow’s blue eyes suddenly sharpened on him, becoming very earnest in expression. “You must believe me when I say that I have not known Evelyn to be so easy in her manners with any gentleman before.”

Mr. Hawkins recognized that Miss Sparrow was attempting to correct any erroneous conclusions about Miss Dower that might have been drawn by himself or Viscount Waithe. It said much of the quality and depth of the friendship that was enjoyed between the young ladies. “I assure you. Miss Sparrow, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Miss Dower. On the contrary, as I come to know her, I am increasingly aware of her fine qualities. As for his lordship, you may rest easy there as well. I suspect that Lord Waithe has been greatly impressed by Miss Dower’s attributes.”

“Yes, so I, too, have noticed.”

Miss Sparrow nodded at the coterie that was protesting the good fortune of one of their number, who was leading a laughing Miss Dower out onto the floor. “Evelyn is quite the belle with the gentlemen this evening. I had told her how it would be, of course. I do not think that it will be long before we hear the announcement of a betrothal.” She looked up in time to catch a glimpse of an odd expression in her companion’s eyes. It was so quickly gone that she thought she must have been mistaken.

“Perhaps not, indeed,” said Mr. Hawkins in a noncommittal voice.

Mr. Fiddle returned with Miss Maria and the offering of a lemon ice for his betrothed. “I did not forget that you, too, enjoy such refreshment, my dear,” he said gruffly, with almost an embarrassed air.

Miss Sparrow accepted the ice with blushing pleasure. She had not often in her life had her partialities catered to in such a fashion. The expression in her eyes was shyly adoring as she looked up into her betrothed’s face. “Oh, thank you! Of course it is just what I most desired.”

Mr. Fiddle turned red about the ears with gratification.

Out of politeness, Mr. Hawkins remained with the trio for a few minutes. He deliberately directed some of his comments to Miss Sparrow’s young sister and encouraged her whenever she managed a strangled word or two. It was not long before Miss Maria had forgotten her tongue-tied awkwardness with him and began chattering happily about the party.

“It is beyond anything great! I have never before attended such a fashionable squeeze,” she confided, her blue eyes sparkling with awe.

“You will be enjoying many more such functions in future,” said Mr. Hawkins, smiling at the girl’s naive breathlessness.

Miss Maria’s eyes rounded. She glanced swiftly at her sister for confirmation. “Shall I really, Abigail?”

Miss Sparrow also smiled, her amusement accompanied by a fond glance. “Indeed you will, Maria. I shall inform Mama about your progress this evening and I am certain that she will give her consent to your attending a few more small parties such as this.”

“Miss Sparrow, if you would not object, I will introduce Miss Maria to a particular lady known to me who may be depended upon to take her under her wing,” said Mr. Hawkins.

“Of course, Mr. Hawkins,” said Miss Sparrow. There was a slight intonation of surprise in her voice, but she did not appear to be alarmed by his suggestion, but merely enjoined her sister to watch her manners.

Mr. Hawkins led away Miss Maria and brought her to the notice of a matronly acquaintance whom he knew would treat the shy young miss with kindness. He had met the lady, an acquaintance of his grandmother’s, in the Pump Room, and during their brief conversation he had learned all the news about the lady’s two stalwart sons. He had thought it would be a good thing if Miss Maria was to become acquainted with a few young gentlemen around her own age so that she could begin to feel more confident on her own in mixed company.

His obligation to Miss Sparrow fully discharged, he began to mingle again among the other guests. Though he smiled and held polite conversation with several personages, he was ever alert to the possibility of catching Miss Dower between partners in order to solicit her hand. It was undoubtedly too late to be favored with a dance, but he hoped that she had not yet been asked for dinner.

Miss Sparrow’s earlier observation was never far out of his thoughts. He found that it perturbed him to hear that Miss Sparrow, who was obviously a close friend, could predict with such certainty that Miss Dower would soon be betrothed.