Chapter 11
“What do you mean, you’re buying an estate?” Hudson asked as they left the ball.
“Exactly what I said. Do you know of any of worth for sale?”
“Where? Why?”
“Because I plan to stay in London and a hotel does not offer the privacy I now require.”
“So, you want an estate in London?”
“Yes. Perhaps another in the country in time.”
“That’s going to cost you a pretty penny.”
“Good thing I am obscenely wealthy by English standards.”
“Truly?”
“Of course, Hudson.”
“And here I thought, Russian princes were as common as wildflowers.”
“We are. That doesn’t make us any less rich.”
“You’re going to need a solicitor and a land agent.”
“Excellent. Where do I get those?”
“I will have my brother make an introduction.”
“Perfect. Thank you, Hudson. Let’s celebrate with a good cigar.”
“You want to torment Carlton again at the club, don’t you?”
“Only he can torment himself.”
Hudson laughed. “You’re a wily one.”
“Not wily. Russian.”
“I heard she was of no particular interest to him whatsoever. He is ingratiating himself with British society, dancing with all the respectable matrons. I think Christianna would make him a beautiful wife. Both blond and perfect. Can you just picture the wedding?”
From where she waited with Sophia and Louisa in a private room at the dressmaker, Thea knew she was the topic of conversation. Or rather, Prince Alexander was.
Her uncle had said nothing about the matter of her dancing when she saw him for brief moments in the breakfast room before he left for some male pursuit.
Their conversation had stressed his impatience with neither girl receiving an offer yet.
“Take them back to the dressmaker and get something new made for them. Clearly, their wardrobe is lacking. Yours as well. We must not waste this opportunity. I prefer never to have to do this again.”
So, here they were, accommodated on short notice by the very enterprising Madam Celine. Thea had to wonder if the gossip had something to do with that.
Madam Celine came into the room with two assistants and shut the curtains behind them.
“Now, I understand we are making somewhat bolder creations for the three of you—and in a rush.”
“Does that mean I can have colors?”
“Pastels, bolder cut, my lady,” said Madam Celine.
“Perhaps a few with patterns. Maybe a silver,” she said to Sophia.
“Lilac and sunshine for you, my lady. Pure white as well.” This was directed at Louisa.
Then she turned to Thea. “And for you, Miss Templebourne. Midnight silk, gold, a ruby, and jade. I know exactly what we are doing.” She clapped.
“Measurements first, and I will show you sketches.”
She proceeded to direct the assistants and adjust the tape herself, calling out numbers and notes.
“For her, draw the attention lower. Men cannot resist. Demurer for this one. The innocence draws them in like a moth to a flame.”
When it was Thea’s turn, her gaze glittered.
“And you, Miss Templebourne, I hear you have attracted the attention of a prince. Which means all eyes will be on you. And that, if you excuse my bluntness, is good for my business. For you, we will make dresses fit for a princess. Understated elegance with detailed craftsmanship and exquisite fabrics.”
“That sounds expensive.” Thea knew her uncle would not welcome the extra expense for her.
“Lord Templebourne will never know the difference. We will make sure of it in the billing. That is my gift to you. Now, when is the next ball where we can make a statement with the three of you?”
“A fortnight. The Cavendish ball,” Louisa said. “It is said to be the largest and most grand of the season.”
“Done. You will each have something new and stunning. Now, we must go to work.” Madam Celine nodded at them and then whirled out of the room with her assistants following behind her.
Thea already knew the next two weeks would pass slowly. She had also realized that she was in deeper trouble than she had previously grasped when, as they made their way to the dressmaker’s shop this afternoon, she gazed out the window, looking for a glimpse of the man riding in the park.
As they exited the shop onto the sidewalk, where their carriage waited beyond, a sharp, high-pitched voice caught Thea’s attention.
“Do you think new dresses will help your prospects? Doubtful.”
She turned to see one of the other debutantes speaking to the girls, and Thea was almost certain this was the one Sophia didn’t particularly like.
“Lady Gilbert, it is lovely to see you as well,” Louisa said with a sugary-sweet tone that Thea mentally applauded.
The young girl turned her glare on Thea. “I don’t get it.”
“Good day, Lady Gilbert,” Thea said.
“Why does he look at an old woman and not me?”
Thea’s head jerked back at the venomous tone from the viper in virginal white lace.
“Excuse me?”
“The Duke of Carlton is mine. Don’t get in my way.”
Relief swept through Thea as she realized Lady Gilbert wasn’t speaking of the prince.
“I wish you the very best of luck in your pursuits, my lady,” Thea replied with a genuine smile.
The she-beast blinked. “Really?”
“My word of honor. Carlton is all yours. You have nothing to fear from me.”
Her gaze narrowed. “As if I ever would. You’re old.”
Thea couldn’t help but giggle. “Thank you, my lady. We must be on our way.”
The young girl scowled at them.
“How can you be so polite to her? She’s dreadful,” Sophia said.
“She can’t help it. She’s just being what she is.”
“Dreadful? I know,” Sophia replied.
“Poor Carlton. Can you imagine? I pray he is wiser than she is cunning, for his own future happiness,” Louisa said.
Thea looked at the girls. “I am going to share something with both of you that more life experience has taught me. Men do not think like us. They do not see what we see when we look at women. They see through a completely different lens. Fear not for the Duke of Carlton. He is no doubt used to being the prey of women like that.”
“What do men see when they look at me?” Louisa asked with curiosity in her tone as they climbed into the carriage.
“I am not a man, so I cannot tell you. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
“I want one who looks at me like the prince and the duke look at you,” said Sophia.
Thea couldn’t help but blush. “Then be your own woman. Know your own value. Place a high worth upon yourself. And refuse to accept anything less than true love and adoration.”
Sophia breathed out a long-suffering sigh and fell against the cushions. “Like that will ever happen for me before I am a spinster.”
“Not with that attitude, it won’t. Seek to be interested, not interesting.”
“I want to be you when I grow up, Thea,” Louisa said. “How do you know so much? And with such authority?”
“Wisdom often comes at a price. Just be yourself, dear. Everything will fall into place. Know that a perfect plan is working out in your favor, always.”
“Yes, everything is always working out perfectly for me,” Louisa said. “I choose to believe that.”
“I choose to believe it’s teatime, and I am famished,” Sophia said.