Chapter One #2
The rest of what they needed to know in order to make their come-outs into Polite Society would come from Mama herself.
She had already begun giving them lessons in the many aspects of running a household.
They knew the role servants played in various positions and could speak knowledgeably about when to change linens and how often new ones needed to be purchased.
Mama had created lists for them to study regarding activities which took place within a household, from beating the dust from rugs to canning fruits and vegetables in different seasons.
Mama had even shared with them questions to ask when interviewing future employees, and things to look for in their answers when hiring for various positions.
Once in her own bedchamber, hot water appeared for her to wash with, and a maid unpacked for her.
Verina was happy they had made this long journey to Merrifield.
It would also be interesting having a bedchamber of her own.
She and Justina relied upon one another a great deal, but if she were to wed in the next year or so, they should become used to being apart.
Her Alington cousins Lucy and Dru had been fortunate enough to fall in love with titled lords who lived in close proximity to one another, as well as near to Ariadne and her husband Julian.
Verina envied the three of them being so close to one another.
Con, who lived on the western side of England in Somerset and had recently taken up his title, must be a bit sad for his sisters to live so far from him.
Verina collected Justina, and they joined the others in the drawing room. Tia poured out beautifully, and Verina saw a new maturity about her cousin which had not been present before.
“Marriage seems to suit you,” she told Tia as she accepted a saucer and cup of tea.
“Speaking of marriage,” Tia began. “We have news. I decided not to write to you because you would have missed my letter as you traveled here. Our cousin Con is no longer a bachelor.”
It was common knowledge within the family that Val and Con had determined to remain unwed until they came into their titles.
Con’s mother, their Aunt Charlotte, held tightly to the purse strings, and Con had to live a very frugal life in town.
With his father’s recent death, though, Con had come into his title, along with great wealth.
“Tell us about his countess, if you know anything of her,” urged Verina.
“I am to thank, in part, for helping get Con and Rowena Stanhope together,” her cousin revealed.
Hugo laughed and took his wife’s hand, threading his fingers through hers. He lifted her hand to his lips for a tender kiss, affirming that they were very much in love.
“My wife, the matchmaker,” he said. “You should let an objective party tell the story.”
“I will tell this story, Husband,” Tia said saucily. “I will not go into the particulars, but for a while during my come-out Season, I was at odds with Polite Society. Not that I was ever given the cut direct, but I was . . . pushed aside . . . for defending Hugo.”
Justina gasped. “What on earth did you do, Tia? And you, too, Hugo, to alienate the ton and cause Tia to need to defend you?”
Tia waved the questions away. “We can discuss all that another time,” she said dismissively, and Verina suspected the topic might never come up again. “The point is, a ball came—and no one would sign my dance programme. I was relegated to sit amongst the wallflowers.”
“And that is where you found Rowena?” Tray asked, curious.
“It was indeed. Rowena Stanhope was known as a bluestocking, and Polite Society does not look upon women who use their minds with great favor. I found Miss Stanhope delightful, however. She was so interesting. And pretty, behind the gold spectacles she wore.”
Tia took a sip of tea before continuing.
“To make a long story short, I was forgiven for my imaginary sins, which led to my betrothal to Hugo. Knowing how charming Con can be and that if he danced with Miss Stanhope, it might draw some attention to her, I asked our cousin to do me a favor and dance one set with her. He agreed—and so began their most interesting love story.”
Tia shared what she had learned from letters she had received from Con’s sisters and Ariadne, who had been present at the very recent wedding in London held at Ariadne and Julian’s townhouse.
“Apparently, Con was taken with Rowena and thought to call upon her the day after they danced at the ball together, something he had never done with any other woman,” Tia shared.
“Unfortunately, Uncle Arthur died after the ball, and Con and Aunt Charlotte returned to Marleyfield to bury him.
Con, being a man, had not thought to send word to Miss Stanhope of the reason he was absent from her drawing room, after promising he would call.
“When he returned to town, he learned she was gone to the country. In Dorset. He also learned that she would be attending an upcoming house party at her neighbors’ country estate.”
“So, Con went to this house party to seek out Miss Stanhope?” Justina asked eagerly, obviously taken by the story. “But how could he show up without an invitation?”
“Ah, that is where the story becomes more interesting,” Tia said, smiling.
“Con managed to bribe Lord Clay, who had been invited to Pebblestone for the house party. He is known as a notorious gambler, and Con actually gave Lord Clay money to gamble with if he would remain in town and allow Con to take his place at the house party.”
“That sounds quite romantic,” Verina said, knowing how handsome and dashing Con was, thinking he had swept the wallflower off her feet. “Did Miss Stanhope agree to wed him the minute he arrived?”
“Not according to Lucy,” Tia said. “It was a hard fought—yet heartfelt—week. Couples around them became betrothed, left and right. They wound up being the only couple present not engaged by party’s end, but our Con came through, declaring his love to Rowena.”
“I cannot wait to meet her,” Justina proclaimed. “I may even be a bluestocking myself, now that I think about it.”
The others laughed, causing Justina to blush profusely, and she asked, “What is wrong with being a bluestocking? You obviously do not have to hide how intelligent you are, and I like that.”
“As I mentioned earlier, bluestockings are out of favor with the ton,” Tia cautioned her younger cousin.
“You do not wish to ruin your chances of finding a husband by declaring yourself one. I am not saying you must hide your intelligence, Cousin, but flies are attracted more to honey than vinegar.”
Justina frowned. “What do flies have to do with bluestockings? Oh, well, it does not matter. I have no intention of wedding as it is.”
“You are but six and ten, Justina,” Tray said gently. “You may change your mind by your come-out Season.”
“What if I do not wish for a come-out Season?” Justina said stubbornly.
“You would break Mama’s heart if you do not do so,” Tray cautioned, his tone brooking no nonsense.
“At least make your debut,” Tia urged. “You can watch Verina make hers next year and learn a great deal. You do not have to take a husband that first Season.” She chuckled. “Of course, I said the same thing, and look who I wound up with before Season’s end.” Tia looked lovingly to Hugo.
They talked another half-hour, and then Tia suggested they might wish to rest a while before dinner.
“Do not forget that Matthew and the duchess are coming for dinner this evening,” reminded Hugo.
“Oh, that is right,” Tia said. Looking to her cousins, she added, “Matthew is the Duke of Reddington. He and Hugo are close friends, along with Hugo’s cousin. Anthony Drake is our local vicar. You will meet Anthony soon, as well. He is a frequent visitor to Merrifield.”
They left to go to their bedchambers, and Verina lay upon her bed, telling the maid to awaken her in three-quarters of an hour so that she might dress for dinner.
She had never dined with a duke before, other than her cousin Val, and that did not count.
She wondered what this duke was like. Was he old and stuffy, or young and handsome, as Hugo was?
And what of his duchess? Eden, her former governess, was Val’s duchess, but even Verina understood that was a highly unusual situation.
Was the Duchess of Reddington friends with Tia?
Hopefully, the woman would approve of Tia’s cousins.
With Verina making her come-out next spring, it might be nice to know this duke and duchess going into the Season.
No matter what, she hoped this couple would be the first of many whom she would meet during her time at Merrifield.