Chapter 37
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Ariot of laughter beckoned Charlotte to Aurelia’s room, where her daughter was supposed to be practicing her French verbs.
Charlotte left her with the nurse as she spoke to the cook about adding a guest to their dinner table.
Her daughter should have nearly completed her daily exercises.
It sounded like Aurelia had been granted a welcome distraction.
Having only briefly interacted with Perry’s sister in the ballroom as a young debutante, she was nervous to learn how time had changed—or not changed—the sophisticated, elegant woman.
Lady Louisa Mandchin was blessed with perfect poise and manners.
A luxurious sweep of long blonde waves perfectly framed her heart-shaped face, and was always styled in the latest fashion.
Her bright blue eyes were always keen with interest, making you feel like you were the only person in the room.
Though Charlotte had not spent much time in her presence, she instinctively knew Louisa would be the perfect person to orchestrate a smooth reintroduction to society.
Often the subject of gossip, the marchioness was popular and invited to the most exclusive events by the prominent members of society.
“And this is how you use this one… ‘Papa, j’aimerais une belle robe immédiatement.’” An unfamiliar voice spoke, eliciting a wild giggle from Aurelia.
“Papa, I would like a beautiful dress immediately,” Charlotte translated in her head.
Was it possible that someone was teaching her daughter to order her father about? Using French conjugation as a method for manipulation? Charlotte brought a hand to her cheek, scandalized.
“Oh, I could never,” her daughter replied, a bright laugh bursting from her mouth.
Charlotte shook her head, a smile teasing her lips. It felt good to have someone making her daughter so happy. The sound of Aurelia’s laughter was truly a balm to her heart.
“Of course, my dear. And if he says no, you bat your eyelashes like so and give him one of your most darling smiles… You try.”
“Like this?”
“Oh, that is perfect. Yes, my darling girl.”
The voices grew louder as Charlotte approached the room just in time to see her daughter giving the most adorable smile with an accompanying batting of eyelashes. It appeared Aurelia’s aunt was giving her lessons in how to charm a man already. She had wasted little time.
“Welcome, Lady Mandchin. I expected the servants to announce your arrival. I apologize for not coming sooner,” Charlotte said, nodding at her new sister-in-law.
“Nonsense, please call me Louisa. We are family after all. I told Bentley I needed to meet my niece immédiatement. There was no time to waste once I heard the wonderful news.” Louisa stood, wrapping her arms around Charlotte and squeezing her affectionately. “How incredible it is to have a sister.”
Charlotte blinked back tears at the words. To be accepted by Louisa so warmly was a blessing. She had no idea until then how much she needed to be accepted by his family.
“My brother informed me of your pressing need for a new wardrobe, so I took the liberty of bringing my modiste with me to measure you and the little mademoiselle.”
Aurelia shot up from her chair abruptly, the piece of furniture clattering on the hardwood floor behind her as it fell over. “Oh, dear,” she said, bending to pick up the chair and set it right.
“We must go immediately and have a fitting. Madame Auclair will take your measurements and show you some fabrics to start building a wardrobe of essentials very quickly. I’ve told her the earl will spare no expense to dress his countess.” Louisa grinned and quirked a brow. “His words, not mine.”
Charlotte was touched by Perry’s generosity.
It made complete sense, but it was such a foreign concept to her.
To be gowned in something other than the practical clothing she wore in the country.
There, she went mostly unseen and dressed in a rather unremarkable fashion.
Sensible colors and fabrics, heavily leaning toward the functional side of fashion.
She saw no reason to indulge in bright hues and lush silks when she would be the only one seeing them.
Releasing a breath, Charlotte followed Louisa toward the dressing room, where Mme Auclair was waiting along with a few assistants. The woman spoke in a thick French accent and welcomed the women as they entered the room.
Charlotte and Aurelia were poked and prodded, examined and measured, while the assistants took copious notes and ran around the room following Mme Auclair’s instructions.
Charlotte had never seen her daughter glow with pure happiness as she had that afternoon, looking through books of fabric for the ball gown her father had promised her.
Shaking her head at the indulgence, Charlotte relented, because who could resist a gift that brought her daughter so much joy?
“Now, my lady, I know just the fabrics to complement your beautiful coloring. This silk here will bring out the golden flecks in your eyes.” Reaching a hand to stroke the luxurious grassy green silk, Charlotte sighed at the sumptuous feel of it beneath her fingers.
The shade reminded her of the verdant fields at Fermoy. It was comforting.
“This one will suit you as well. The deep blue will enhance the lovely color of your hair and the striking shade of your eyes.”
Charlotte flushed at the compliments. It warmed her to think someone appreciated her appearance besides herself.
“Ah, yes, I see it,” Louisa approved with a nod. “We need something very special for this ball, Mme Auclair. Charlotte has spent much time in the country, and we need her to be spectacular.”
“Oui, je comprends. Mario! Le ciel étoilé! Here, my lady, I have this very special fabric, it is stunning and would look beautiful with your warm complexion. We call it starry sky.”
Charlotte eyed the navy silk woven with what seemed like a sea of stars, small sliver dots made that sparkled in the light.
She had never seen anything so beautiful, so delicate.
Imagining such a hue against her skin was a dream.
How it would shimmer under the light of the glowing chandeliers.
Her mouth curved into a smile, wondering if Perry would find her irresistible in such a dress.
“We will add a few lovely details to enhance your shape and draw attention to your most enticing features,” Mme Auclair said with a saucy wink and a wiggle of her shoulders.
“Oh, dear, my brother will faint dead away, of that, I am certain,” Louisa remarked with a laugh.
Aurelia’s eyes grew wide as saucers. “Then we mustn’t, Mama.” She tugged on her mother’s sleeve, staring at her with great concern.
“Not really, darling. Your aunt is merely jesting.” Charlotte laughed. “Perhaps it is time for your tea.”
Charlotte waved to Ann to take her daughter away before the girl’s aunt said anything else shocking. After a few protests from Aurelia, the women were left alone as the modiste continued waving sample after sample of gorgeous fabric before them.
“Yes. No. Yes. Yes. No. Yes. Absolutely yes,” Louisa said, pointing at the many options. “When did this fabric come in? Charlotte must have it.”
“It is far too much, Louisa.” Charlotte passed a hand over a shimmering white raw silk fabric dotted with inlaid flowers. It was stunning.
“You must be enchanting. The ton will have no choice but to accept you.” Louisa gave her a pointed look as she added several items to the list of clothing to be delivered to the home over the next few days.
“The ball gown is needed tomorrow. I want all your best people on it. Society will not wait for its newest member to be introduced. She must be enchanting and beguiling, while also maintaining a certain mysterious appeal.”
The women turned at the sound of a soft knock on the door. Perry stood, leaning in the doorway, his mouth quirked up into a half-smile. Charlotte wondered how much of their conversation he had overheard.
“Peregrine, how lovely to see you,” Louisa said, giving him a wave before turning back to the many silk samples.
“I trust Louisa is being helpful, Charlotte?” Perry asked, coming up and placing a soft kiss on his wife’s cheek.
Her heart raced at his sudden proximity, and she searched for the words to communicate. “Yes, she has been a godsend.”
“Good,” Perry said. “I have one small request. Would it be too late to add one more guest at our table tonight?”
Charlotte shook her head. “No, I can speak to the cook immediately. I would be delighted to welcome another guest. Who is it?”
“I have asked my friend to join us. He may have some helpful suggestions about our…investigation, I suppose you would call it. Beau recommended I consult with him. Louisa is already up to date on the latest happenings, so I have no qualms if she is present.”
She touched her lips, delighting in being considered a part of their “investigation.” She would rather not have someone attempting to murder the earl, but knowing they had resources to help them discover the villain was reassuring.
“Who may I tell the servants is coming?”
“Lord Michael Talbot, the Viscount Witney.”
A clatter of samples sounded behind them. Perry and Charlotte turned to glance at Louisa, who was stacking the books and handing them to Mme Auclair.
“Clumsy me,” Louisa said with a cough. “Mme Auclair, I believe we are done here. Remember, this one is for tomorrow. I want it to be dazzling.” The marchioness pointed to the fabric they had chosen for the ball gown.
“Oui, Madame la marchionesse, bien s?r. We will begin immediately. My lady will be exquise,” the modiste replied, signaling to her assistants to collect their stock.
“Charlotte, I believe it is time for a drink, wouldn’t you agree? I am parched,” Louisa asked, eyeing her brother as he stood in the room with them. “Perry, we will see you at dinner?”
The earl frowned at his sister’s dismissal, nodding slowly and retreating from the room.
“I must speak with Mrs. Danvers in the kitchen, then I will join you in the drawing room,” Charlotte said, turning to Mme Auclair. “Thank you, madame. I look forward to seeing your stunning creations.”
Louisa fled from the room as Charlotte made her way to the kitchens.
Her sister-in-law’s reaction to the new guest Perry announced was puzzling.
Charlotte was intrigued; desperate to discover what could possibly have unsettled Louise so much.
Her curiosity was piqued as she went to make dinner arrangements.
It was nice to have something else to focus on besides her new husband.
Perhaps she wasn’t the only one in the house harboring secrets.