Chapter Twelve #3
‘You should approach the French Bond Street dressmaker, Madame Fleur. She’d be a fool not to purchase your designs,’ Nora said.
As for her sister, she was surprised by her interest in designing lingerie.
Nora had always known she had a talent for fashion, just not this type.
She looked at her younger sister differently.
‘You think so, Nora?’
In this, she was sure. She could imagine all the ladies at the garden party visiting the shop to order the unique designs. ‘I do. All ladies of the beau monde will flood her shop to buy your pieces.’
Sara’s face beamed. ‘I also have designs of day dresses, walking dresses and riding dresses. I dislike frilly bows and excessive Brussels lace and have different ideas.’ Nora knew her sketchbook was filled.
‘But let’s not just speak of me. You should see what Candace has done.
’ Sara covered the mannequin, returned it to the closet, then joined them on the sofa.
Nora looked at her sister. ‘Candace?’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘Don’t be shy,’ Sara said. ‘I haven’t sold any of my designs, but Candace has sold her work.’ She poked her sister in the arm. ‘Show her.’
Nora was infinitely curious. She’d only been gone a short time and had missed all of this with her sisters. ‘Yes, Candace. Show me.’
Candace reached for a sketchbook on an end table and opened it. For the second time, Nora gasped. Seconds later, she tossed her head back and laughed.
‘You drew this?’ The caricature was of Prinny sitting around a dinner table with three of his friends. A gluttonous feast was set before them, but rather than mutton or fowl, the spendthrift regent was spooning gold coins into his mouth.
Candace shrugged. ‘You know how I feel about our regent’s excessive lifestyle while many go hungry in the streets of London.’
Nora pointed to the bottom of the piece. ‘You signed it using a male name.’
‘A nom de plume. I had three names in mind and settled on this one. This sketch is a copy of what I sold. The printer would not purchase a political caricature from a woman. I told him it was from an ill uncle who wishes to remain anonymous. I was paid ten shillings for it.’
The caricature had remarkable detail and Nora suspected the printer had sold it for much more. ‘You are as clever as you are talented.’ Nora was proud of both her sisters.
Candace’s brow furrowed. ‘It’s traitorous to criticize our regent. Mother would have apoplexy if she found out.’
Nora smiled. ‘I’ll never tell. She may be happy I’m a countess, but she would still discourage my science even though Ralston does not.’
‘He has kept his promises then?’ Sara asked.
Nora’s stomach fluttered every time she thought of her science room. She’d never had a space of her own in her family townhouse. ‘He had no objection when I ordered a microscope.’
Both sisters stared. ‘Aren’t they costly?’ Candace asked.
‘Yes, they are.’ She’d been surprised when he didn’t give her a monthly allowance, as well.
‘I’m also hosting a science salon and invited the ladies I’ve met at the garden party. I’ll display my shells and the microscope in our drawing room,’ Nora said.
Now that her plan was becoming a reality, she was excited but also nervous.
Would influential ladies of the ton be interested in seashells and science?
In her mind, she’d already begun to select which shells to display that would impress and interest them.
Pretty shells, but also ones of scientific interest. Shells from faraway seashores given to her from her father and others that she’d collected from Cornwall. There was so much to do!
Candace’s face brightened. ‘A science salon? How different! You will soon be the talk of the ton.’
‘What’s this about the talk of the ton?’
All three sisters turned to find their mother standing in the drawing room doorway. Still in her bonnet and holding her reticule, she had clearly been out. ‘I returned from the milliner’s and heard you were visiting. How are you, Nora?’
‘Hello, Mother.’ Nora rose to embrace her.
Her mother held her away from her and looked over her features. ‘Marriage suits you, my dear. You look well.’ Nora was pleasantly surprised by her mother’s compliment.
She was also aware of Candace discretely closing her sketchbook. Her mother turned her attention to her other two daughters. ‘I have a gentleman caller for you later this afternoon, Candace.’
Candace paled a shade. ‘Me! Why?’
Their mother pursed her lips. ‘Because you are next, dear. With Nora settled nicely, we need to focus on you.’
Candace fidgeted on the sofa and smoothed her skirts. ‘I tried that once, Mother. It didn’t work.’
‘Don’t be dramatic, Candace. That was long ago and a lady must put the past behind her.’
Candace’s voice dropped an octave. ‘A year is not that long ago, Mother. And Society has not forgotten.’
A heaviness centered in Nora’s chest for her sister. She hated that her sister’s heart had been broken. Nora had never taken her mother’s side before, but maybe, just maybe, Candace needed to set the past aside and disregard the vicious gossipmongers and focus on her happiness.
‘There is a man worthy of our dear Candace, Mother,’ Nora said. Of that fact, she was certain.
Candace looked at Nora with gratitude and relief.
As for herself, it was too early to judge her own fledging marriage.