Chapter Fifteen

 

The following day brought replies from Lady Wentworth and Lenore, both expressing their pleasure on her arrival in town. Lady Wentworth wrote asking her to dine with the family that evening, and Lenore suggesting she call on her the following afternoon at three. Both were acceptable to Julia, and she duly departed by hackney coach that evening for her dinner engagement.

The Wentworth family were delighted to see her. Both Susan and her husband Toby were staying, and it was a real pleasure for Julia to meet up with them again, and see the young mother to be who looked blooming.

Caroline, the beauty of the family, had never looked lovelier, thought Julia, and many male admirers would be gathered around her like moths to a flame. She was enjoying every moment of her introduction to society, and was pleasurably excited about her coming out ball the following week at the London home of her wealthy aunt, Lady Maria Inglesby.

She was the butt of fond teasing from her brothers; Anthony on leave from the army, and Harry from the seminary. Gareth the youngest was away at school, but would be joining the household next week.

After dinner there was much discussion about the events on in town, and as it was a fine night Julia refused the offer of the family’s coach to take her back to Grillon’s, deciding to walk escorted by the two brothers.

The next afternoon, accompanied by Smithers, Julia made her way to Lenore’s establishment. The same neat maid opened the door to her, and Lenore rose from her escritoire to greet her as she walked in to the drawing room.

‘Ah, Julie cherie, so good to see you,’ smiled Lenore, radiant in sky blue sarsnet as she saluted Julia as usual on both cheeks, and then rang the bell for tea.

‘Have you had any reply from that dreadful Carswell as to when he will see you?’ Lenore asked archly as they sat themselves down.

‘Yes, I received a reply this morning,’ Julia answered. ‘I have an appointment for next Tuesday at eleven o’clock.’

‘I will come with you,’ Lenore said firmly. ‘I think if there are two of us, he cannot be so insufferably rude and, how do you say, condescending?’

The maid appeared with the tea things, and when she had left Julia slowly answered her hostess.

‘Yes, I know what you mean regarding this man. I did speak to Sir Henry Wentworth in private to explain our situation and to see if he would accompany me, and he agreed to do so.’

Lenore’s eyes were bright with anticipation and there was a flush of colour in her cheeks, as she held the teacup to her lips.

‘I felt,’ Julia began apologetically, ‘that having a respectable man like Sir Henry with me, would make much more of an impression on Carswell, and he would not be able to fob him off. Of course you are more than welcome to come with us, and here what he has to say.’

Lenore’s lips were a firm line. ‘Sir Henry does not approve of me.’

There was little Julia could say to this except to answer, ‘Sir Henry is an honest man, and if he has said he will help us, I believe that he will. Naturally I had to explain the details of the ownership of the ‘Lady Lydia’ to him, and though he was just as surprised as we were, he never made a disparaging remark regarding you, that I promise you.’

Lenore put her cup and saucer down on the table in front of her.

‘Very well. I cannot disagree that having a man with us would be an advantage, as long as he is for us, and has our best interest at heart.’

Julia looked shocked. ‘Of course Sir Henry would support us in this. What makes you presume that he would not?’

‘As I said before, I was Gerald Hamilton’s cherie amour, not something that Sir Henry regarded as proper in a place like Winchelsea. I should have remained hidden, out of sight there instead of being talked about by half the county. Had I been tucked away here in London it would not have mattered. After all, most young men here have their cherie amour.’

Yes, thought Julia, and I wonder where Giles Arbuthnot is right now. Instead she reassured the Frenchwoman. ‘I think you are being overly sensitive, Lenore. I assure you Sir Henry could not have been more helpful, and he is a true gentleman who has offered us his assistance. I think we would be wise to accept.’

The fact that she herself had asked Sir Henry to escort her, she felt best to not mention again. If Lenore wanted to come with them she most certainly could, but Julia felt that Sir Henry was essential for her well being, as she dreaded facing Carswell alone.

‘You are right Julie cherie. I am being, what is the word, too sensitive of my feelings. I will come with you, and Sir Henry can be our knight, and make sure we are not robbed of money that belongs to us by that charlatan of a lawyer.’

Julia felt a rush of relief. ‘That is good to hear Lenore. I feel sure it is the right thing to do.’

Lenore looked hard at her. ‘I had thought of asking Alain d Augusseau if he would accompany me when I visited Carswell, but he was in Paris at the time so it was of no use.’

As if she could read Julia’s mind she continued on. ‘I could not ask Giles to come with me, because he is insanely jealous of my relationship with Gerald, and poof, at heart he is still a boy.’

Lenore smiled again as she passed Julia a plate of dainty pastries. ‘You are not shocked by my frankness, are you Julie cherie?’

‘No, no of course not.’

‘I had thought you might have liked to take Alain as your escort yourself Julie, for he is now back here in town.’

There was mischief in the teasing tone she used, and Julia, carefully chewing her pastry, felt her colour rising.

Lenore watched her with amusement as she continued on. ‘Perhaps that would not be a good idea to take a Frenchman with you on such a visit. Sir Henry is older, and far more suitable as an escort.’

Julia nodded her head in agreement, desperately trying to swallow the pastry.

‘You will no doubt be seeing Alain while you are here in London, will you not Julie?’ said Lenore silkily.

Julia swallowed a mouthful of tea. ‘It is possible, Lenore.’

‘Be very careful Julie. I have warned you regarding Alain. A total charmer, but penniless of course, apart from his position in government with the Bourbon regime. His family apparently lost everything in the revolution, so naturally an heiress would come in very handy, if you understand my meaning?’

‘I understand it very well indeed, thank you Lenore, and I am not an heiress.’ Julia said stiffly.

‘Now, now, do not take offence. I only wish to warn you. I know that you have a very devout admirer in your Revenue officer, and as for your fortune that is your own business naturally. If we can sell that wretched ship for a good price, we will both be in funds, which I for one can certainly do with.’

Remembering the bank manager’s letter, Julia could only agree with her.

Lenore’s eyes roamed over her, and Julia was conscious that her hostess had seen her costume many times before.

‘Do not forget to see me at Madame Laurette’s this week. I will be there in the afternoon from one o’clock. She has a peach silk evening gown that would be perfect for you, and I can get you a special price.’

Julia had not forgotten the French modiste where Lenore worked from time to time, and tempted ladies of quality to purchase the latest fashions.

The bank manager’s letter again flashed through her mind as she weakly agreed, ‘Yes, I will call in later, but I am not really in a position to purchase much at the moment.’

‘Never mind that, just call in when I am there.’

On this hopeful note the ladies finished their tea, and finalised the arrangements for the meeting with Carswell, and Julia returned with Smithers to Grillon’s Hotel.

 

***

 

Julia sat up in bed, sipped her morning chocolate and pondered over the events of the previous day. Having Lenore with her on the visit to lawyer Carswell still caused a niggling feeling of doubt as to whether Sir Henry would entirely approve, despite the Frenchwoman’s involvement.

Smithers bustled in bearing an envelope on a tray and by the crest on the notepaper Julia knew at once that it was from Arabella.

Apologising for the short notice, it was an invitation to a dinner party at Stratton House the following night, and among the guests coming was Julia’s old friend from Court, Colonel Fortescue. Arabella sincerely hoped that she would be able to attend, and if so they would send their carriage to collect her.

This brought a smile of pleasure from Julia; how very considerate and kind of them. Not just for the carriage to collect her, but how well it would be to meet up with the former equerry whom she had seen last November at Sharnborough.

‘The Stratton footman is waiting downstairs for your answer, Miss Julia,’ Smithers announced as soon as soon as she had finished reading.

‘Oh, I will reply at once.’ Julia got out of bed and went across to the desk where there were writing essentials, dashed off the reply and gave it to Smithers to take downstairs.

The following evening, dressed in turquoise crape over satin with matching feathers in her hair, and diamond earrings firmly in place, Julia was pleased with the reflection the looking glass showed her as Smithers placed a silver embroidered shawl around her shoulders.

There was a tap on the door and a footman announced that her carriage had arrived and Smithers, pleased with her handicraft, accompanied her downstairs.

Philip and Arabella greeted her warmly on her arrival and she was soon in conversation with Lady Furnbridge who was staying in London with them, and the Colonel, who was delighted to see her. Since the death of Queen Charlotte, he had been appointed as an aide de camp to Prince William, Duke of Clarence, and was still moving in the royal circle. Julia could not help but notice the easy familiarity between the Colonel, and Philip’s widowed aunt Furnbridge, and she idly wondered if there was perhaps more than just friendship between them.

Her mind though was soon in a whirl with the arrival of the last guest, none other than Alain d’Augusseau.

‘Miss Farraday, what a pleasure it is to see you again. I had so hoped we would meet up again when you told me at Dover you were coming to London.’ His smile revealing perfect teeth was warm and welcoming, and the pleasure was reflected in his eyes as he lifted her hand to his lips.

‘It is good to see you too Chevalier,’ Julia replied, and she meant it.

‘Oh no, not Chevalier! Alain, for are we not friends? May I not call you Julia, or the French Julie, both so perfect for one so soignée as you?’

The easy familiarity of the man took her breath away, and she felt unable to correct or reprimand him in any way as he chatted on so easily and happily, taking it for granted that she did not mind the liberty he was taking. In fact, she didn’t mind at all, and was rather thrilled by his audacity and total lack of conventional propriety.

In a lowered tone he asked. ‘Have you managed to see the lawyer in the city regarding your interest in the ‘Lady Lydia’?’

‘No. I am meeting with him next Tuesday, and Madame Fouquet is coming with me.’

He looked at her intently, and then in a gentle tone suggested, ‘Would you like me to escort you on this visit?’

Julia could tell that he meant what he said, and was surprised at how touched she was by his offer.

‘That is most kind of you Chev… Alain, but I have asked a neighbour of mine who is here in London, Sir Henry Wentworth, to accompany us, and he has agreed to. I do appreciate your offer though, and I’m sure Lenore would too.’

His smile was a little tight lipped as he answered, ‘I think it is probably better you have an Englishman with you in this situation. As a foreigner here, I would be regarded possibly with some suspicion, whereas…’ and he shrugged and spread his hands.

At that moment dinner was announced and there was no further conversation.

Julia was seated next to the Colonel, and Digby Mortimer was on her other side, so the conversation ranged from the visit to Sharnborough, the Colonel’s new position in the household of the Duke and Duchess of Clarence, and the current gossip and happenings in London.

Alain was across and further down the table, and every so often she would catch his eye, and he would give her a kind smile. On the Colonel’s other side was Isabella Furnbridge, and Julia became even more convinced that there was a strong tie of affection between them.

After the gentlemen had finished their port, they joined the ladies in the drawing room, and Alain made his way leisurely across to her, where she was sitting with Arabella, having coffee. Almost immediately Arabella excused herself and Alain joined her on the couch.

‘I am sorry we have not been able to talk to one another much tonight. It is ever so, at agreeable parties such as this,’ he added ruefully. ‘I am intending to get up a party to go to Vauxhall Gardens on Friday night, and would be delighted if you would be able to join us. It is a gala night and a masquerade party is planned. Masks are worn until midnight, when they are then removed. You would be collected and returned to your hotel, as I understand from our hostess you are staying at Grillon’s?’

‘Yes, I am, but…’

‘Please say that you will come, I would like it so. I only hope it is not offensive to you in any way, but I have invited Lenore Fouquet and Arbuthnot, as well as friends from the French Embassy, and Sir George Nugent who is coming with his fiancée Lady Cecily, who were guests at Sharnborough when you were there, I believe.’

Julia’s mind was in a whirl. Vauxhall Gardens had a slightly risqué reputation, yet it was frequented by all the ton. It was a place that Julia had only heard of and never been to, with its booths for wining and dining, plus secluded arbours, shady paths, and shrubberies to wander in.

If Sir George was coming and bringing Lady Cecily, well, the Reeftons obviously didn’t object. Also members of the embassy, so it must be respectable, and yet Lenore…

Would they realise what her connection was with Arbuthnot, or would she carry it off in her own estimable style? The men though would surely know she was Giles’s ladybird, yet how could she be so censorious when she was involved whether she like it or not with Lenore through Gerald Hamilton and her great uncle?

‘Please, please, say you will come,’ Alain was pleading with her in a quiet voice, his brown eyes full of emotion, as she felt his warm hand cover hers on the couch.

‘Very well, I will.’ The words seemed to come from nowhere, and she felt a thrill of anticipation run through her being.

He raised her hand to his lips, his face radiant. ‘I am so, so happy,’ he breathed. ‘I shall send you the details of when I will collect you to your hotel before next Friday, and I promise that you will have an enjoyable evening. Do not forget to have a mask, as it is ‘de rigueur’ for that night.’

Julia nodded in agreement, looking hastily around the room to see if they were being watched by the others, but they all seemed to be engrossed in conversation and appeared to have noticed nothing.

Lady Furnbridge came up and joined them accompanied by the Colonel, and joined them in small talk, Isabella’s eyes bright with amusement.

As she was leaving Julia felt that Arabella gave her a knowing look, and was sure that what had occurred when Alain kissed her hand, had been witnessed by at least two people.

 

***

 

On Thursday afternoon Julia visited Madame Laurette’s salon and was greeted by Lenore who immediately took charge of her. Despite her protestations Julia weakened immediately she saw the peach silk. After being convinced to try it on by Lenore, Madame Laurette herself joined them, and together the ladies in unison cajoled Julia into agreeing to buy the beautiful creation to which Julia had succumbed after seeing herself in the looking glass, just wishing that the Chevalier could see her in it.

A circlet of matching roses was added to the ensemble for her chignon, and Lenore whispered about the large discount she had arranged for Julia from Madame. Julia promised herself fervently that this would be her only purchase and it was for a very special occasion, the Wentworth ball.

As Madame took the dress away to be sent around to the hotel, Lenore said teasingly to Julia. ‘I believe you are going to go with us to Vauxhall tomorrow night, Julie cherie.’

‘Yes. The Chevalier d’Augusseau told me he had made up a party to go, and that you and Giles Arbuthnot were attending also.’

Lenore’s smile widened. ‘I am sure we will have a very pleasant evening together. Do you have a mask?’

‘Why no, I am getting Smithers to make me one.’

‘We have them here. Have a look at these.’

Lenore brought several out of a deep drawer from one of the cabinets. They were all different, some sequinned and feathered, others quite plain, but in a variety of colours and materials.

‘They are most reasonably priced,’ said Lenore, as she held up an elaborate red velvet mask trimmed with feathers. Julia picked up a rather plain mask of ivory brocade, and Lenore came behind her and tied it on.

‘That will agree with whatever you intend to wear, Julie, or have you not decided yet? Bring a warm shawl whatever you do, as it can get cold there later in the evening.’

‘Yes this will do, very well. I’ll take it.’

Lenore smiled her thanks and wrapped it up. ‘I shall look forward to seeing you tomorrow night, Julie cherie. Do remember though, what I have told you about our Chevalier.’

And on that warning note, Julia left the salon.