Chapter 4
“Good heavens, Minnie,” Delia said. “Don’t tell me you’re wearing that?”
I had just entered the foyer of my parents’ home and automatically looked down at my sapphire dress, though I very well knew what I had on.
“What’s wrong with it? Aunt Agatha ordered it for me in Paris.
” And at an eye-watering expense. But she had insisted I needed at least one serviceable evening gown for London, and this could be worn to a number of different events.
But perhaps that was the issue, given that my sister wore a much more eye-catching mint-green gown trimmed in pink organza.
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Delia began, in a slightly more amicable tone. “It just isn’t right for tonight. Maybe if we were attending the opera or some such. But not this.”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “Well, I’m not going home to change.”
“No, no. Of course not. You can wear something of mine. We’re nearly the same size, I think.”
I shot her a dubious look. We were about the same height, but Delia had a slim waist and narrow hips, whereas I had given birth to two children and possessed neither.
Delia seemed to read my thoughts, but she remained undaunted. “I have just the thing. Come with me.”
I reluctantly followed her upstairs to her room. Though it was only a little after eight, the house was as silent as a tomb. “Are Mother and Father out tonight?”
Delia gave me a quick, confused glance. “Certainly not. They’re abed. I hardly ever see them after six these days, unless we have company. Otherwise, we all eat separately.”
“Oh, I had no idea.”
Delia shrugged, unconcerned. “How could you?”
“Is it because of Father’s fall?”
I still hadn’t had the chance to inquire about the state of his health.
“I suppose it started then. He hasn’t really been the same since,” Delia said softly. “Though I will say that his memory has grown worse these last few months, especially if he is tired or hasn’t slept well. On those days, it’s as if he’s traveled back in time.”
“I see.” I frowned, recalling his surprise at seeing me yesterday in the parlor, along with the strange words that followed:
You aren’t supposed to be here.
“Mother performs her little circuit of afternoon calls and ladies’ guild luncheons to keep up appearances, but she is rarely away in the evenings now.
There is a nurse who comes by most days to help, but she’s little more than a glorified nanny.
I’ve caught her napping in the afternoon more than once. ”
My mouth dropped open. “I had no idea he needed so much care.”
“Did you think he would go on forever?” Her tone was light enough, but the question still stopped me in my tracks. I certainly didn’t think he would live forever, but I hadn’t really accounted for how much he had aged while I was gone. Delia, who was a few steps ahead, glanced back at me.
“Oh, Min,” she said as her face fell. “I’m sorry. I forget this is all new for you.”
I cleared my throat and shook my head as I moved towards her. “It’s fine. I suppose I just have some catching up to do.”
She gave me a sympathetic look and patted my hand. “You will.”
As if I had a choice.
We then entered her bedroom and Delia marched over to the wardrobe, where she pulled out a stunning black-and-white-striped gown with puffed, elbow-length sleeves.
“Goodness,” I breathed as I ran my fingers down the intricate black-lace bodice.
Even though it boasted a high collar, the lace made it seem much more daring.
“It looks very fashionable.” And far different from the sort of things I usually wore.
Delia seemed to be drawn to things that helped her stand out, while I had to work just to fit in.
“It should be. The modiste assured me it was the latest style in Paris, and it cost enough,” she added with a careless laugh, then held it up to my front with an assessing eye. “Yes, I think this complements your coloring beautifully. More so than mine, anyway.”
“I really don’t—” I began to demure, but Delia would have none of it.
“Off you go,” she insisted as she shooed me behind the dressing screen,
I had forgotten how domineering she could be. Only now, instead of a little girl, she was a full-grown woman, and I could not evade her so easily. I dutifully took the gown and moved behind the screen.
“So, who will be at the gallery opening?” I asked as I began to change.
“Oh, the usual crowd,” Delia drawled. “A few friends from Slade and other acquaintances.”
“Do you always attend these kinds of events alone?” I failed to hide the scandalized note in my voice.
But Delia only laughed. “No. Mother is not quite that permissive. Mrs. Braithwaite usually plays chaperone for me. But I told her she had the night off since you were coming.”
“Mrs. Braithwaite? I don’t think I know her.”
Delia laughed again. “Certainly not. She was my classmate at Slade. But she married a man who is a cousin of Earl Drummond, so Mother considers her a suitable companion.”
From Delia’s wry tone, I suspected that this Mrs. Braithwaite was not, in fact, that suitable when it came to actually chaperoning.
I stepped into the gown and was relieved to find that it slid easily over my hips and waist. Then I pulled my arms through the sleeves, draped my discarded dress over the back of a chair, and stepped out from behind the screen.
Delia let out a theatrical gasp. “Oh, Minnie! You look dazzling!”
I ducked my chin at her praise and turned around. “Can you button me up?”
“Of course.”
She made quick work of the buttons and then ushered me over to the floor-length mirror in the corner. “See? Dazzling.”
I smiled at my reflection and ran my palms down my sides, where the gown nipped in at my waist to flattering effect before flaring out around my hips, while the skirt featured several artfully placed pleats.
It accentuated my figure far more than what I was used to wearing, but I couldn’t deny that it was a flattering silhouette.
I met Delia’s eyes in the mirror and found her frowning at my hair, which I had worn in a tidy but simple chignon. “A pity we don’t have time for your hair.”
“It’s fine, Delia.”
“I have a comb you can borrow,” she said, then scurried away before I could dissuade her. She returned with a large ebony comb trimmed with pearls. “Don’t worry. It’s all paste,” she said as my eyes widened.
“That’s a relief,” I said honestly. The last thing I needed was to be worried about losing her pearls this evening.
Delia chuckled as she gently placed the comb on the side of my head. “There. Just a little something to elevate the look.”
“Thank you. It’s lovely.”
“You don’t wear much jewelry, do you?” she said as we made our way back downstairs.
“No, not really. It isn’t very practical on Corfu, where I spend most of my time in the garden or doing chores.”
Now it was Delia’s turn to look shocked. “Don’t you have a maid?”
“I have a housekeeper, but there is too much work for only one person. And besides, I like feeling useful.”
I did not add that, since Oliver’s death, money had grown tighter with each year.
My work with Mr. Dorian over the spring had provided a much-needed surplus of funds, but it was only a temporary solution.
I could always approach my parents for a loan, but I intended to avoid that scenario for as long as possible.
Delia looked dazed. “How wonderfully rustic your life sounds. I must come to Corfu one of these days.”
“Yes, you should.”
“Do you miss it?”
“I do,” I said. “But a change of scenery has been nice too.” After my near-death experience last spring, coupled with my tumultuous parting from Mr. Dorian, a strange kind of restlessness had come over me.
When my aunt had come to visit over the summer and offered to pay for Cleo’s school, it seemed like the perfect opportunity to escape for a bit.
Though I was sad to leave our home, I had easily found a tenant for the fall and winter.
Our housekeeper, Mrs. Kouris, offered to stay on, so I knew the place would be well cared for until our return.
When exactly we would return remained to be seen.
As much as I didn’t like the idea of Cleo being at school so far away, I couldn’t very well stay in London indefinitely.
Tommy loved our life on Corfu even more than I did, and it didn’t feel right to keep him here.
We then reached the entrance, where Morris was waiting. “The carriage is ready for you, ladies.”
“Thank you kindly, Morris. And don’t wait up!”
The usually dour-faced butler looked faintly amused and gave her a nod. “Yes, Miss Delia.”
“My goodness. Don’t tell me you can charm Morris,” I teased as we walked down the front steps.
Delia turned to me in surprise. “What do you mean? He is an absolute angel.”
“Not that I remember,” I said with a laugh. “We used to be terrified of the man as children.”
“Well, you and the boys were rather a handful,” Delia pointed out with a teasing smile.
“Perhaps,” I acknowledged. “I suppose it’s different when you’re the youngest.”
“And a delight. Don’t forget that,” she said with a wink, before letting the coachman help her into the carriage.
I threw back my head and laughed. “As if I ever could,” I replied and followed right behind her.
I don’t know what I expected a gallery opening to be like, but it certainly wasn’t an absolute crush.
Yet that was what greeted us when we entered the Elysium Gallery, located at the edge of Soho.
My first instinct was to turn back, yet Delia sailed through the crowd, completely unperturbed, and I nearly lost sight of her in the swell of bodies until she grasped my hand.
“Come along, Min,” she said and tugged me behind her while she called out “Excuse me” and “Pardon” every few steps. Eventually we made our way towards the back of the gallery, where it was much less crowded.