CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

June 1st 1817

‘Eleanor, I don’t understand you,’ Lady Susan exclaimed. ‘You have been a lady of some worth for more than two weeks now. Where are the ball gowns? Where are the fashionable hats?’

    ‘I have not yet engaged a dressmaker,’ Eleanor said weakly.

    Nor was she likely to do so, she thought to herself. This sudden acquisition of money felt like a burden to her. She was still not convinced it was the proper thing.

    ‘Well, it is true that you have left it late in the Season to find one in any way competent,’ Lady Susan said. ‘However, I have spoken to my own dressmaker and she has agreed to spare time for your wardrobe.’

    ‘That was very kind of you, Lady Susan,’ Eleanor said, feeling as though she were being backed into a corner. ‘Although, I am still unsure of the style suitable for me. I am neither debutante nor matron. I need time to decide.’

    Lady Susan sighed heavily. ‘Eleanor, I feel you are being obdurate. Lord Birkett was saying the same thing this morning. He has found house after house suitable for you to rent, but you will view none of them.’

    ‘Lord Birkett is very kind,’ Eleanor began patiently. ‘But taking a house, engaging servants are matters I have never been used to. I shudder at the thought.’

    ‘But my dear,’ Lady Susan persisted. ‘Lord Birkett will see to all the business. Has he not already arranged a bank and opened accounts for you in all the fashionable shops in town? You need not lift a finger.’

    Eleanor wetted her lips. She might just as well be forthright and explain herself to some extent.

    ‘The truth is, Lady Susan, I do not wish to leave this house.’

    ‘What?’

    ‘I feel at ease here,’ Eleanor continued. ‘And safe,’ she added. ‘I do not wish to give up my position as chaperone to the girls. I am very satisfied as I am.’

    ‘Well! You do surprise me,’ Lady Susan said.

    ‘I am sure it was very kind of Major Warburton to think of my well-being, but I am not at all convinced that he needed to take it upon himself.’

    Lady Susan tossed her head. ‘It was his duty to your brother,’ she said firmly, and Eleanor wondered if she had said the wrong thing.

    ‘I do not mean to seem ungrateful,’ Eleanor said hurriedly. ‘I know Major Warburton is a man of honour, and that he takes his perceived duty seriously.’

    ‘I am sure Ambrose felt that a lady of your station, a baronet’s daughter, should have the means to be more in society,’ Lady Susan. ‘And not be dependent on others.’

    Eleanor saw her chance. ‘If Lord Birkett thinks I am an encumbrance and a cause of unnecessary expenditure, I am quite prepared to pay for my board and keep.’

    ‘Eleanor, really!’ Lady Susan’s cheeks turned pink with annoyance. ‘It is not necessary or seemly for us to speak of money matters. The very idea! Lord Birkett would be deeply hurt to hear you say it.’

    ‘I’m sorry,’ Eleanor said, feeling remorse that she had given offence.

    She could not bring herself to explain her dread, even terror, at being alone and vulnerable to Frederick Granville. It was not something she could put into words and she had no real evidence of his enmity. She just knew instinctively, as any hunted animal does that she was in grave danger.

    ‘Well, we’ll say no more about it,’ Lady Susan said. ‘And it is true that Cecilie and Dorothea still need a watchful eye on them. We will let the matter stay as it is. I will inform Lord Birkett of your wishes.’

It was with some relief that Eleanor escaped to the small sitting-room that had been set apart for the use of the girls. As she entered they were huddled together, giggling. They jumped apart as Eleanor entered and she suspected mischief.

    ‘What secret plot are you girls hatching now?’ she asked.

    ‘Cecelie has a suitor,’ Dorothea blurted. ‘She has had an offer of marriage and has accepted.’

    ‘What?’ Eleanor was confounded.

    She stared at Cecilie whose face now turned bright red.

    ‘Is this true, Cecilie?’

    ‘Yes.’ The girl now looked defiant.

    ‘Who is this suitor?’ Eleanor asked fearfully.

    Had she been lax in her duty? She must have been, she told herself, and now Cecilie may have made a terrible social error.

    ‘Well, who is he?’

    ‘Viscount James.’

    Eleanor’s mouth fell open for a moment. ‘Viscount James Stanley, the eldest son of the Earl of Chardsworth?’

    ‘Yes,’ Cecilie tilted her nose up. ‘We are in love.’

    ‘I dare say,’ Eleanor exclaimed with vigour. ‘But that does not excuse you from withholding this news from your parents.

    ‘I was going to tell them tonight,’ Cecilie said. ‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about. I’m going to marry Jimmy, and that’s that.’

    ‘But Viscount James must speak with your father immediately,’ Eleanor said firmly. ‘I am surprised he has not done so already.’

    The heir of an earl was a good match, but it was worrying that Viscount James had not made an official approach to Lord Birkett.

    ‘When did you first meet Viscount James?’

    ‘At the end of May at Lady Dunstan’s ball. We have seen a lot of each other since.’

    Eleanor swallowed. ‘Cecilie, now I must ask you has there been any...?’

    ‘What?’

    ‘Intimate contact. You know very well what I mean.’

    ‘We’ve kissed.’

    Eleanor bit her lip. ‘Cecilie...’

    ‘Eleanor,’ Cecilie said brusquely. ‘I am not a child neither am I a fool. I am as pure as the day I was born. I could not have caught him otherwise.’

    Eleanor felt her whole being go limp with relief.

    ‘Just the same, Cecilie,’ she said weakly. ‘Viscount James must see your father today. You must send a note to summon him. All I hope is that Lord Birkett will not take it amiss that Viscount James has been remiss in his social duty.’

    Cecilie turned to the bureau and scribbled a note.

    Eleanor took charge of the note. ‘I will instruct a footman to go around to Lord Chardsworth’s residence, after we have informed Lady Susan.’

    ‘Oh, must we?’ Cecilie asked petulantly.   

    ‘Now!’ Eleanor commanded. ‘We will go down the drawing-room where she is. Bring some smelling salts. We may need them.’

Fortunately, the smelling salts were not needed. Eleanor admired Lady Susan fortitude at the sudden and unexpected news which she seemed to take in her stride.

    After the initial surprise the betrothal was all her ladyship could talk about. 

    ‘Your turn will come,’ Lady Susan said to Dorothea later on that day.

    ‘I am not at all put out, Mama,’ Dorothea said confidently ‘Cecilie is two minutes older and therefore takes precedence. It is right and proper.’

It was two or three hours later that Prout opened the door to Viscount James Stanley and ushered him into Lord Birkett’s study.

    The ladies were in the drawing-room, waiting on Lord Birkett’s appearance to know if he had given his permission.

    When he finally appeared he brought young Viscount James with him. Although excited, Cecilie behaved with decorum at the appearance of her betrothed, and everyone was happy that one of the Birkett twins had secured herself a very worthy husband.

    To celebrate the family set off for Almack’s to spend the evening until the early hours; Lady Susan having procured some much coveted vouchers after all.

    Lord Birkett declined to accompany them on the grounds that Almack’s did not serve liquor of any stamp and he would be damned if he would drink lemonade on a night such as this.