| |
Threats, Regrets, and Bets
“L’habit ne fait pas le moine”
[The habit doesn’t make the monk]
—A French Proverb
––––––––
Thursday morning, June 16th
Letty opened the front door but halted because the doorway was blocked. “Mr. Blusterfield. I . . .I didn’t expect to see you this morning.
Doffing his hat, he said, “Good morning, Lady Mimolette.” She stepped back and invited him in. He took in Letty’s and Ovolina’s riding habits. “Have I come at an inopportune time?” Immaculately dressed in a superfine coat, diamond stickpin in his cravat and wielding an ivory-topped cane, he removed his gloves with languid ease. The maid hurriedly stepped forward to take his hat, gloves, and cane.
Letty breathed in, glancing at the hall standing clock. Mr. Blusterfield held the loan her father had recklessly taken out against the London house and a good deal of the unentailed portions of the estate. He wouldn’t have appeared so early without some financial issue on his mind. What, she couldn’t guess.
“Mr. Blusterfield, we were going out for a ride. While we are pleased to see you, it is rather early for a call.”
“This is more a visit about business. It won’t take long.” She had heard that before.
Letty mentally sighed. “Lina, we will have to postpone our ride a few minutes.” Lina gave her sister a put-upon look and retreated down the hall. Letty directed Mr. Blusterfield to follow into the front parlor. Letty requested tea. Once seated, Letty at the writing desk and the gentleman in a wingback chair, she placed her clasped hands before her and waited.
“Humph, yes. I hear you and your sisters have been gaining attention these last weeks. The husband hunt going well, is it?”
“Is your daughter of age? It must be hard with your wife gone. I will be happy to provide what advice I can concerning the Season.”
“No, no, I was simply making small talk.” When Letty raised an eyebrow at that, he chuckled rather than meet her gaze. “Well, perhaps it is to the point. I want to propose an alliance. I will void your family’s debts, help your sisters find husbands, and pay for your brother’s university.” He sat forward, perched on the chair like a falcon scanning for a plump hare.
“In return for what, Mr. Blusterfield?”
“Your marriage to me, of course.”
She stiffened. “What, no flowers? No words of admiration? I am surprised you didn’t arrive, draft book and business contract in hand.” The maid returned with the tea and biscuits which Letty rose and served in silence. Mr. Blusterfield’s cheeks were pink, but there was flint sparking in his eyes. Once done, Letty sat down at the desk again.
“Mr. Blusterfield, as beneficial as your proposal might be, I fail to see why you would want to marry me, for I certainly am not worth the riches you say you would invest in my family. Or why you would want such an alliance now?”
Settling further in the chair, he frowned. “I may have been abrupt, but sincere. My daughter needs a mother. I know you are in financial straits and your sisters, without any dowry, have little hope of making a good match. Nor you, for that matter. I thought my proposal solved both our problems.”
Letty squared her shoulders, flipping the long skirt of the riding habit off her feet. “As much as I am honored by your offer, and appreciate your .reasons, I won’t marry to needlessly solve family problems. We can pay on the loan if that is your concern. I believe a payment is due in a week.” Letty rang the bell. “I can pay it now and save you or I a trip next week.”
The Butler entered. “You rang, my lady?” He was old and stiff, but still imposing in his starched address and black suit.
“Yes, Crumbly, please retrieve my draft book from the study.” He bowed and left. Letty smiled, not letting it reach her eyes. “More Tea, Mr. Blusterfield.”
Mr. Blusterfield arched his shoulders in a bullish manner. “No thank you.” He stood and paced. “I understand you lost your steward a fortnight ago. Didn’t want to work for a woman.” He stopped and waited for an answer.
“I believe he simply didn’t want to work.”
“A woman overseeing an estate the size of yours with or with out a steward is outside the bounds of reason. You desperately need a man to manage your affairs.”
Crumbly entered with the draft book. As he handed it to her, Letty told him the tea plates could be removed. While she wrote out the draft and dusted it, she said, “Thank you for your advice. We are advertising for a steward while here in London.” She held on to her outrage at his insufferable presumption to advise her on the family concerns. Tearing out the draft and standing to hand it to him, she said, “Have no fear, Mr. Blusterfield. We will continue to honor our debts.”
Snatching the draft and glancing at it, he said, “Very well. Time will tell. Just remember, according to the contract your father signed, I can demand the balance anytime I wish. Think on that.” Without a farewell, he stomped out of the parlor roaring for his things, which the maid had ready to give him. He didn’t wait for her or the butler to let him out.
Letty winced at the slamming of the door. She rubbed her arms again realizing why she had no love left for her father. Yet, two years after his death still found her struggling with his stupid selfishness, ignoring the needs of his family. With a sigh, she knew if she wasn’t vigilant, her heart could harden into a bitter hatred for her father and men like Blusterfield, clouding her thoughts regarding all men.
All men? She checked the mantel clock. Nearly ten. It would be half past when they reached the Serpentine in Hyde Park. Lord Tremane would not still be there, that is if he’d been waiting at all. Could she hope Lord Tremaine would be different? Would he be waiting tomorrow? And why did she hope?
Ten o’clock. She reluctantly admitted there was no time for a ride. She had to prepare for a lunch meeting with the Gillyflowers. There were several assemblies and balls coming up in the next two weeks of celebrations to prepare for and she’d thought of several more strategies. She called for her maid to help her change out of the riding habit.
~ ~ ~
Letty surveyed the dining room with satisfaction. It was filled to capacity, chairs three deep about the dining table. The Gillyflowers had grown from a small gathering of her finishing school mates since they first organized. Now they numbered thirty, creating a crush of fervor in the Lindsey dining room.
Caroline Beddington sat with another beauty, Jane Fumagillin, both sharing ballroom stories with Treccia and her friends. The chatter and laughter of thirty women led them all to raise their voices above the noise, only to increase the cacophony. Letty mentally smiled. She remained astonished at the wide range of debutantes and Season veterans, all mixing well, here with common cause. She could not have imagined it possible.
“Ladies, can we come to order?” Letty rapped her knuckles on the dining table. The group slowly quieted. Letty smiled taking in all the surrounding women. “Only a few months ago, some of us gathered here, agreeing our Season promised to be exceedingly tedious and dreadful, not to say physically and emotionally painful to sit through dozens of balls and assemblies our families insisted we attend.” There were murmurs of assent.
Letty continued, “Just this Christmastide, I remember Hildy,” looking at the blonde with the round face, Hildigard Linkenmore, “saying I’ll be jellied if I am going to sit like a plaster statue against the wall this year as men’s society ignores us as they parade by.” Everyone laughed and nodded. “And Caroline dreaded the horse auction of the marriage market from ballroom to soirée, fending off the cloud of fortune hunter and dandies.” More nods, smiles, and asides.
“In facing these challenges, I believe we all have avoided those dire predictions.”
Laughter filled the room with gleeful, “We have indeed.”
“We have found by sharing those burdens we have made them lighter for all.” Again, the women nodded to each other. “Our goals remain to obtain introductions, dances, enjoy the Season’s festivities, and find husbands, while avoiding the coxcombs, dandies, duffers, and rogues.” She paused, glancing around the room. “And when possible, gain retribution, shaming them.” Amid a chorus of ‘Yes!’, the tea and refreshments arrived, briefly halting the meeting..
When everyone had settled again, Letty repeated the goals. “I think we have accomplished many of our goals quickly. Do you all agree?” Everyone thumped the table in concord, with a round of laughter, some calling out the name of a particularly embarrassed rogue in the past week.
“Let’s move on to our agenda for today. Now that we have reviewed how our current stratagems have fared, we need to discuss new stratagems, and review all the upcoming balls, parties and celebrations. We need to determine who of will attend, including any attendant tactics particularly applicable to that venue.” Letty followed with a conspiratorial grin. “Matching the many talents of the attendant Gillyflowers.”
“So far, we have employed the following stratagems:
1. Trap and Shame them into a dance. This has been effective. Tripping the victim or a preferred dance partner, and introducing others who ‘should’ be danced with, has brought out the acting talent in the Gillyflowers, I believe.
2. Sit together and make introductions to all. Caroline hooted in a very unladylike manner. “This has been wonderful. Now that the tactic has become known, whenever I want to shed all circling the dandies and randies, I just go talk to one of our Gillyflower groups, and those Romeos disappear rather than be introduced to everyone. Absolutely splendid!”
“Yes, that is a good example of how our ploys have evolved. Remember, I said we would find each would work only so long, or benefit in new ways.”
3. Pretending to be an acquaintance: This one required some record-keeping. You all have done extremely well with where gentlemen have been. Prudence, would you tell us your experience with that rogue Lord Salthaven. I am sure you all have heard about his cutting remarks concerning some of our members.”
A tall, lanky girl in a pink dress buried under a cloud of flounces stood. “I wore this dress to the Waverly’s Ball a week ago. Horrid isn’t it?” She gave a high, horsey laugh. “I have had so much fun with It. I saw Lord Salthaven trotting across the dance floor towards some debutante and waylaid him. He was appropriately aghast when I said, “Lord Salthaven, well met.”
He stuttered, “Have we been introduced?”
“I laughed loudly, drawing the attention of the surrounding attendees, saying that we were introduced at the Earl of Farnsworth’s May party. I tell you, he nearly fainted as he had avoided an introduction to me like the plague. But thanks to Caroline, I had all the particulars and shamed him for not remembering that Caroline had done the honors. The rogue had been pursuing her with brummish claptrap for days.
“I hit him with my fan and said Miss Beddington will be shocked to hear he doesn’t remember the introduction—which he was about to deny happened. Then I promise I won’t say a thing to Miss Beddington, if he stood up with me for the next set of dances—a cotillion. I spoke loudly. What could he say as many were listening? While dancing, I also made sure to step on his toes several times for good measure.” There were chuckles and ‘good for you’ heard. “I had him escort me back to our group. I enjoyed introducing him to everyone. You should have seen his face, it took on a pallor of the sick. He galloped out of the ballroom as soon as propriety would allow. He hasn’t been seen at any parties since, much less Caroline’s side.”
Everyone clapped, and Prudence Stout responded with a deep curtsy.
For a time, everyone shared their experiences and successes in little groups, some moving about to join with another little cluster. Letty sat back and listened, gratified, enjoying their success, the comradery. Much like Finishing School, this was better, more, what? Productive. Yes, that was it.
After some time, she called everyone back to the next agenda item. “New Stratagems. Anyone have ideas on how to keep things fresh, new surprises?”
Miss Amelia Peeny stood, and hands clasped in front of her, spoke as though delivering a dissertation. “I know how many of you were at the Cosingwell’s Gala, but some events there drew my attention to what I believe is a gap in our efforts. We have been effective in obtaining introductions and dances, even frightening away the undesirable cads, but we haven’t been drawing potential husbands our way until at the Cosingwells.” She cleared her throat, pursing her lips. “At the Cosingwell’s gala, a couple of cavalry officers approached to be introduced, creating lively discussions among the Gillyflowers which drew several other promising men. There was interest in what was discussed and in dancing. Even one previously introduced gentleman, a Mr. Everhard was not frightened off, but came back to approach us again. That was a happy first for our campaign.”
Prudence spoke up. “Yes, I heard about that. Elizabeth was there,” she said, pointing to the thin blonde sitting a few seats way. “Several women have spoken of it. So, how do we entice the right kind of men to dance with us?”
There were several responses. “My brother is quite unwilling to introduce his friend to me at balls and such.” Several ladies seconded that observation. There was a hum of conversation for a time, then Elizabeth spoke up. “My brother might do it, but he’s so protective of me, he becomes very critical of his friends that I might be interested in.” There were nods around the table.
Elizabeth raised her hand. “Oh, oh, I bribe my brothers with my cherry tarts. And if they don’t help, I have ways of making his life miserable, such as having their socks starched.”
After the laughter died down, she continued, “Yes, we don’t have to have our brothers and cousins introduce their friends to us, something they are loath to do if only to protect us from their friends.
Another lady spoke up, “Or vice versa.” There were nods and asides.
Prudence said, “The answer might be to have them introduce the friends to others of the Gillyflowers.” There were giggles and nods.
Amelia Peeny was still standing. She looked at Letty. “What do you think?”
Letty found herself taken aback by all the enthusiasm, and she realized that not recognizing their success in scaring away men, even if it was beneficial to the hostesses, certainly wasn’t helpful if marriage was the goal. Did she enjoy embarrassing men so much it blinded her to the obvious?
Amelia frowned when Letty didn’t immediately answer. “Will we see Major Tremaine and Captain Whitebread again? They are the ones brought some excitement to our side of the room and drew the other gentlemen to our group.” The entire room stopped talking and faced her, waiting for Letty’s answer.
“Lord Tremaine came within a hairbreadth of creating an embarrassing scene.”
Treccia cut in, “But he didn’t, and it was the most fun I’ve had at any of these assemblies and parties.” That declaration created a hubbub which required several minutes to still.
Letty knew she appeared as uncomfortable with the suggestion as she felt. “Well, that is, I can’t speak for Major Tremaine and his friends. I suppose I can ask if I see him again.” Treccia gave her big sister a speaking glance which Letty ignored.
“In the meantime, let us think on how we might draw more true husband material. Certainly, organizing brothers and families to introduce acquaintances to us besides their own daughters and sisters could prove beneficial. Let’s meet back on Tuesday. Monday the Regent, Emperor, Marshal Blücher, and the expected large entourage will be riding in Hyde Park drawing all sorts of crowds during the morning and afternoon.
Letty took a deep breath, “I realize there is a whole clutch of gentlemen who are like us, finding it difficult to approach or meet the right ladies at events. We can offer them, well, entrance, a safe experience. For a start, if you know of such fellows, promising mates, could you list them for our Tuesday meeting.”
Ovolina clapped her hands. “Of course. We haven’t done that. Who do we want to meet? Oh, that will be fun. Enticing or trapping men to our side. With our organization, we should be able to do it as well as trapping the ‘cads’ as Amelia says.” Noisy debates exploded on ways to do just that.
Letty said over the subsequent chatter, “When you have names of some gentlemen who your male relatives know who might benefit from introductions, be sure to give their names to Treccia so we can secure more information about them. Perhaps also some family members who, like Lord Tremaine, would be willing to gather around your groups to draw more interest.” She took a deep breath. “Then we can orchestrate when and where your relatives can introduce them.
“Now, you all have a list of the many upcoming events covering the next three weeks we have been able to secure invitations too. Choose which you want to attend.
The women picked up their copy of the events. Prudence Frowned. “This is an amazing number of events and balls. You mean we can attend all of them?”
“Yes, any number of hostesses have heard of our success in clearing out the riffraff and are happy to have our gentle company.”
Elizabeth clapped her hands, a broad grin lighting her face. “This is remarkable. Letty, thank you for organizing the Gillyflowers.” Everyone began clapping, leaving Letty embarrassed. She waved down the applause.
“Thank you. You all know it has been a combined effort.” She cleared the flutter in the back of her throat. “Once you’ve marked down the ones you want to attend, we can see how many of us will be at each event, distribute invitations, and plan accordingly. There is no limit to how many of us can attend, but we do want to make our presence known at as many as possible. Remember, always in our teams of at least three or more.”
There were more chuckles, and everyone got to work. Observing the industrious discussions going on around her, much of the talk wasn’t on which events everyone would attend, but the new ideas on how to attract the right men. This morning she had been glad Blusterfield had saved her from her impetuous decision to meet Lord Tremaine in the Park. They might meet them in Hyde Park tomorrow. Now that Emily and her family had arrived, the Cosingwells invited Letty and Tremaine for supper on Saturday.
The Gillyflowers were moving on to new stratagems, new goals, and beyond her direct control. Now she was running their errands, speaking to Lord Tremaine. Letty had expected this development, knew their successes meant growth of the group, of new leaders coming forth like Amelia and Treccia. It was progress, but it still felt unsettling, as disquieting as contemplating meeting Lord Tremaine again.