Chapter 21 #2
While Kathryn was looking over the patterns with her mother, Grace came out of the fitting room.
“Oh, dearest, you look so beautiful,” Audrey said. “That color suits you very well.”
“I do love it. Do you think Mr. Wallings will like it?”
“My dear, your husband-to-be will like anything you wear,” Lady Devon said. She and Audrey shared a conspiratorial look, knowing that Mr. Wallings would waste no time in taking the dress off his bride once they were alone.
“Lady Kathryn, what do you think?” Grace asked.
Kathryn looked up and smiled. “I think you’ll be the prettiest bride I’ve ever seen.”
“That’s most kind of you to say.”
“Not kindness, but the truth. Lady Fletcher is correct—that color makes your eyes appear even bluer, if that’s possible,” Kathryn said.
Mrs. Spencer looked Grace over with a critical eye. “Miss Parker, I do believe the bodice could use a bit of a tuck. I don’t like the way the wool falls.”
“Of course, Mrs. Spencer. Whatever you think is best,” Grace said.
“A minor adjustment,” the modiste said. “The dress will be ready tomorrow. Shall I have it delivered?”
“Yes, that would be most helpful,” Audrey said. “We have much to do to prepare for the wedding.”
Grace went back into the dressing room, where the shop girl helped her out of the dress. “Such a lovely dress,” the shop girl said.
“Thank you.”
After Kathryn had picked out a pattern and been measured, everyone walked down to the inn for a spot of tea.
“Kathryn, that green wool you picked out is stunning,” Audrey said.
“I do love it,” she said, squeezing her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Mama, for ordering it for me.”
“I’m glad to see a smile on your face, my darling.”
The waiter came over and took their order.
It wasn’t long before a pot of tea and an assortment of sandwiches were delivered. After they’d eaten their fill, Grace asked, “Do you mind if we stop at the bookshop? I’d like to see if they have the novel Sense and Sensibility by A Lady in stock yet.”
“Not at all,” Audrey said before turning to Lady Devon. “My lady, would you care to sit here while they shop?”
“Yes. Perhaps you’d be so kind as to keep me company, Lady Fletcher?”
“Of course.”
Grace, Kathryn, and Mia took their leave and headed to the bookshop.
Audrey poured another cup for both herself and Lady Devon.
“Lady Fletcher, I know my daughter confides in you. What do you make of this Mr. Clifford? Do speak plainly, my dear. My daughter’s future happiness depends on it.”
“Of course, Lady Devon. When I asked Kathryn to join us for the summer, I knew that she wasn’t enjoying her Season on the marriage mart.
She was afraid to speak, lest someone take something she said out of context, or worse, repeat it in a way that was derogatory and reflected poorly on her.
Her sweet and lively personality shrank after each event until it was nearly gone, and her eyes dulled.
I witnessed the change every week, and it broke my heart to see what was happening to her. The ton can be quite vicious at times.”
“Oh, dear, I’m afraid I was remiss in not noticing these things. My other daughter had no such troubles during her Season, and I believed Kathryn would be equally successful in garnering a proposal.”
“My lady, Kathryn isn’t like her sister.
She’s much more sensitive to what others think of her, and when she realized that gentlemen didn’t appreciate her wit or intelligence, she no longer tried to impress them and fell silent.
I hated to see her so upset, week after week, and that’s why I asked her to accompany us to Dandridge Manor before the Season was over.
I thought a break from London would help her regain some of her enthusiasm for life. ”
Lady Devon nodded. ”I did notice that she was quiet those last few weeks in London. I should have been more perceptive and helped her more.”
“Lady Devon, there was nothing you could have done if the gentlemen didn’t wish to court your daughter. Not only did they not want to court her, but they also failed on every occasion I witnessed to come to her defense. It must have been a nightmare for her.”
“Oh my dear, I had no idea it was as bad as all that.”
“It was, my lady. I began to see the light back in her eyes when she met Mr. Clifford. Evidently, they’d noticed each other when he was the gardener for your neighbor, Lord Ashford.”
“Hmmm… she never mentioned anything to me about him.”
“They never spoke in London. Over the last two months, I’ve seen a spark grow into a love of mutual respect and admiration.”
“I see.”
“Does that mean you approve of the match?” Audrey asked.
“I want my daughter to be happy. Society can be harsh, though, especially regarding the suitability and stations of a couple.”
“I agree. Will you help convince Lord Devon to give his permission for them to marry?”
“I have tried to convince him already, but my husband needs to come to these decisions in his own good time. I don’t know what his final decision will be, but I hope it will be in their favor.”
“As do I, my lady.”
“Thank you for your frankness, my dear.”
“My pleasure, Lady Devon.”