The Duchess of Severn invited the Daventons for lunch, and to discuss the wedding.
“St. George's is unexpectedly free. The Bannerman chit ran away to Gretna Green, not that I blame her. If parents will persist in making unsuitable matches, such things will happen. Anyway, that's beside the point. If you agree, the wedding can take place in St. George's. Three weeks is too short to plan a grand wedding but it can be done.”
Gareth glanced at his betrothed before answering. “We don't mean to disappoint you, your Grace. But we are set upon a country wedding with only the family and close friends in attendance. Lady Maria has consented for it to take place at my principal estate but if it pleases you, we can hold it at the Severn estate.”
The duchess pursed her lips. Once, she would have commanded but now she wanted nothing more than to please her granddaughter. She had been cold with Maria when she had needed her love. Wrapped up in the pain of losing her son, she had ignored the orphan child. In turn, Maria had distanced herself from her grandmother. It was a miracle the breach had been mended.
“You must have the wedding that pleases you. Have you set a date?”
“We will stay in London until the end of the Season. This is Laura's first Season,” Gareth said.
“You don't have to delay your wedding on that count! I have had enough of Town life for now.”
Lady Maria glared at Gareth for being ham fisted. “Don't be a goose, Laura. We haven't finished shopping for my trousseau. By the time everything is ready, the Season will be coming to a close.”
It was finally decided that the wedding would be held soon after the Season. Lady Maria and her grandmother would first go home and a week later, arrive at Deventon Manor. Immediately, the duchess, Lady Catherine, and Lady Helena plunged into plans for the wedding.
“My lord,” Lady Maria said, “I have plans of visiting some shops with Laura. If you promise not to hurry us over our purchases, we will be happy of your escort.”
***
A week ago, Lady Helena had suggested hosting a ball to celebrate Gareth' betrothal, and Laura’s come out.
“It will mean a lot of work. Mother tires easily,” Gareth told her.
“I can put up with the extra work. I want to see Daventon House come alive again.”
“Lady Maria will help you.”
“Of course she will. I shall involve Laura too. It will be good practice for her when she is mistress of her own home. A governess can only teach so much. I will also keep an eye on your mother, to that she doesn’t overtire herself.”
The ball was now four days away. They were at Bond Street because Lady Maria had decided the gown Laura was to wear wouldn’t do at all.
“Did you see Miss Mew’s gown last night? It wasn’t made well but the material was something I’ve never seen before. It will suit you. I know the exact type of gown we shall order,” she said, leading them into a popular establishment.
Laura had gained enough confidence to choose her own clothes. She liked the gown that was ready. But she also liked being pampered by Lady Maria. And Lady Maria liked nothing better than to spoil her. Gareth had tried to stop her when she had bought a set of rubies for Laura.
“It gives me pleasure to spend my money on people I love,” she had answered.
By ‘my money’ she meant her earnings from the bonnet shop. They were meager in comparison to the substantial income from her inheritance but she valued them much more than the wealth that was her birthright.
“At last!” Lady Maria exclaimed, her eyes lighting up at the bolt of fabric spread in front of her. It was a white jacquard, with fine gold weaving.
‘It’s beautiful,” Laura said, fingering the heavy material.
“It won’t need any adornment except a bit of gold lace.”
Lady Maria moved to another part of the store, to examine their extensive collection of laces, gold buttons, and braids. By her preoccupied air, Laura guessed she was designing the gown and only the exact accessories would do.
Gareth was comfortably ensconced in the reception room, perusing a newspaper sheet. To while away the time, Laura started looking at the ready-to-wear gowns. Suddenly, a child darted out of a backroom.
***
The Duke of Wimberley received a disquieting letter from his mother. Mary Jane had been ill for a week. She was better now but made a fuss about eating. She also asked after him. He decided to immediately return to White Willow. He wasn’t making progress in securing a wife. Instead of focussing on the task, his mind had started to wander in what was surely an improper direction. If Gareth knew, he would bar him from his house, and rightly too.
He summoned his valet. “We leave for White Willow within the hour. Pack a valise for the journey. The rest can follow later.”
“Your Grace, what about Lady Amelia’s list? Shall I send someone to make the purchases?”
“Thank you for reminding me, Roberts. My sister will be sorely disappointed if I arrive without the cherished parcels. Which is the best establishment for procuring all those fripperies?”
“I’m acquainted with one on Bond Street, your Grace. Shall I send the housekeeper?”
“And have her take half the day! We’ll stop on our way. That will be quicker.”
***
An hour later, Anthony entered a large establishment with Roberts in his wake and was met with a most astounding sight. A young woman was cowering in front of an older woman who looked furious. Laura stood beside her, holding a child by the hand. The older woman raised her arm to strike the woman. Laura grabbed her wrist. She let go only after the woman arranged her features into an ingratiating smile. “You may give the boy to his mother, Miss,” she said.
The young woman darted forward and relieved Laura of the child. She turned to the older woman. “I’m sorry, Madam. I don’t know how Benjy slipped away. It won’t happen again,” she said.
“I told you brats aren’t allowed when you came begging for work.”
“I had to bring him today. Old Mrs. Angel was too ill to keep him.”
“You disobeyed me and let the boy run loose. He was mauling this dress. Nobody will buy it now. I’ll deduct the cost of the dress from your wages. That will teach you!”
The woman, already pale, looked as if every drop of blood from her face had drained away.
“Please don’t do that! I’ll buy the dress!” Laura blurted out.
“You mustn’t encourage the lower classes.”
The scene had attracted three customers to the spot. Ladies, all of them. The one who had spoken was the hatchet-faced Lady Merwick. “You mustn’t encourage the lower classes, Lady Laura,” she repeated.
When Laura saw the women, she flushed a deep red.
Lady Merwick thrust herself in front of Laura. “This dear woman has to manage an establishment. If her workers let loose their grubby children, it will be bedlam. If I was in her place, I would dismiss the hussy! Making her pay for the damaged dress is being too soft.”
“She’s sorry and the child didn’t do any damage. He only touched the dress. He was attracted by the buttons.”
“Nevertheless, your offer to buy the dress is ill-advised. The woman looks the cunning sort. She is sure to foist herself on your generosity.”
The only way Anthony could reach Laura was by physically hauling Lady Merwick aside which was no easy task. She was built on massive lines and known to give a piece of her mind.
To his surprise, Laura looked at the shop woman and said, in a quavering voice, “I want the dress. Please pack it.”
Lady Merwick shrugged and moved aside. The other women also left. Only the seamstress remained, clutching her son and looking at Laura with wondering eyes.
Anthony strode to where Laura stood. She looked a little frightened. “Lady Laura, what are you doing here? Why are you alone?”
“I’m not alone. Gareth is in the waiting room and Lady Maria is upstairs, selecting lace.”
Anthony took Laura’s hand and drew her arm through his. He could feel her trembling. He guessed she was badly shaken. She hated scenes or drawing attention to herself. And yet she had stood up to Lady Merwick. Grown men were known to lay down arms in front of the dragon. Many a debutant had burst into tears after being subjected to a scold for some imagined misdemeanor.
Laura looked beyond Anthony at the seamstress. “Do you want a change of employment? You may find it difficult to continue working here.”
The woman nodded. “Call on me tomorrow. I’ll help you,” Laura said, and gave her direction.
“How do you propose to help her?” Anthony asked, intrigued by this facet of Laura's personality. Many members of the ton, even women, habitually mistreated household staff and people of a lower order. His father, the late duke, had thought nothing of riding roughshod over his tenants and staff.
“Lady Maria ...Lady Maria knows someone who owns a bonnet shop. She should be able to help.”
“Let’s find Lady Maria, shall we?” Anthony said, still retaining his hold on Laura’s hand.
Lady Maria had made her purchases. When she heard what had transpired, she wanted to return everything. Laura stopped her. “I don’t want to see that woman. Let’s leave and never come here again!”
They found Gareth yawning and looking at the time, both of which activities earned him Lady Maria’s ire. “Why were you not with Laura?” she demanded.
“Wasn’t Laura with you?” he asked, to which Lady Maria had no answer.
Roberts emerged from the back of the shop, directing parcels to be placed into the waiting carriage. “I’m leaving London,” Anthony said and explained the circumstances.
By now they were in the street. A shop window caught Laura’s eye. “Your Grace, please don’t leave. I’ll be back in a minute,” she said, and dragged Lady Maria off to the shop.
She returned a few minutes later and handed the duke a rag doll. “This is for Mary Jane.”
His Grace frowned for a moment and then a smile lit up his eyes. “Ah! You had one similar as a child. You called her Amy.”
“Wimberley, you possess a remarkable memory!” Gareth said.
“The name wasn’t difficult to remember. My sister, Lady Amelia, has always been Amy to me. The doll isn’t easy to forget either. Lady Laura refused to part with it. She fell off the swing because she clutched the doll with one hand.”
“Children often do that. Is Lady Mary Jane fond of dolls?” Lady Maria asked.
“She has a number of dolls and toys but I don’t recollect a rag doll among them.”
“You may encourage her to name the doll and take her to bed with her,” Laura said.
Anthony carefully tucked the ragdoll inside his greatcoat. It was a precious gift. A gift of tenderness and understanding from someone who knew what it felt like to grow up without a mother.