More Than a Governess. Sarah Mallory
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ma’am. Mrs Hartley has taken the gown to clean it.’
‘You shall have a new one, I will buy it for you,’ announced the Major abruptly.
Lady Varley cast a sympathetic look at Juliana as she handed her a cup.
‘It is so simple for my brother, Miss Wrenn. He says he will buy you a new gown, as if there were any number made up, just waiting for you to choose one. You forget, Damon, that you leave town on Friday. Why, even Madame Fleurie could not turn out a decent gown in such a short time. Although I have been most surprised at her endeavours on my behalf this week—she called here today for a fitting and I had only chosen the muslin yesterday! And that reminds me, dear brother. I must crave your indulgence and ask you to let me stay on here for a few more days after you leave for the north, because my gowns are not complete, and although I have had word from Sir James, begging me to return as soon as ever I can, I really must stay in town until all my gowns are ready.’
‘Yes, yes, Louisa, but you are straying from the point. Surely you know where to buy a new gown for Miss Wrenn that she can take with her?’
‘Sir, I pray you, it is no matter,’ put in Juliana, distressed by so much attention. ‘I am sure there will be no lasting damage; besides, I will not be requiring such a gown again for some months.’
‘Well, you may leave one of your old dresses with me, Miss Wrenn,’ pronounced Lady Varley. ‘I will have my modiste make up another to fit and it shall be sent on after you. Not another word, Miss Wrenn, my mind is made up. Now, let us talk of something else—Damon, did you go to White’s today? I hear Meyler was there, telling everyone that Mr Brummell is quite done up.’
The Major frowned. ‘Aye, I saw him.’
‘I have never liked Meyler. Bad ton, I always thought.’ She refilled her brother’s teacup. ‘How has Mr Brummell taken it?’
‘I have no idea. He was not there.’
‘But this is not good enough, brother. I made sure you would know.’
The Major shook his head. ‘I admire Brummell’s style of dress, Louisa, not his way of living.’
Giles had been sitting quietly in the corner all this time, but now he came forward. ‘I thought you were one of his friends, Papa.’
‘Sufficiently so that I would not listen to Meyler’s accusations. However, it is for the Beau to refute them.’
‘And will he do so, do you think?’ asked Lady Varley.
‘With Brummell one never knows. He has come about in the past: we shall see what he does over the next few days.’
However, Thursday morning brought even more exciting news for Lady Varley. Juliana had already joined the Major and his daughters in the breakfast room when she came in, saying as she took her place at the table, ‘Damon, you will never guess! I have had word that Lady Maltby is in town. I must call upon her this morning.’
‘Must you, Louisa?’ asked the Major, helping himself to a cup of coffee.
Lady Varley gave a little sigh. ‘Of course I must. She is James’s cousin, you know, and I would not want to be thought backward in paying her any attention.’
‘Especially since she is a viscountess,’ he murmured.
‘And what if she is?’ retorted Lady Varley. ‘Family connections are important. I shall take Gwendoline and Wilhelmina with me, if Miss Wrenn will give them leave—Lady Maltby was very taken with the girls when she came to stay with us last year.’ ‘Ooh, yes, please. May we go, Miss Wrenn?’ asked Wilhelmina.
Gwendoline said nothing, but Juliana saw her hopeful glance.
‘Of course,’ she said, ‘if Major Collingham agrees.’
He shrugged. ‘If that is what you wish, Louisa…’
‘Damon, how can you be so tiresome! A connection with the viscountess could be very useful for the girls when it comes to finding them husbands.’
Major Collingham gave a bark of laughter. ‘Good God, I trust I have several years before I need to address that issue!’
‘One should always be prepared,’ replied his sister. ‘Now, come along, girls, finish your breakfast, for we must make you ready. Miss Wrenn, I do hope I am not interfering with your plans?’
‘Not at all. I have to collect some last-minute purchases, which I can do this morning while you are out.’
‘I will send one of the maids with you—’
‘Oh, there will be no need for that, Major,’ Juliana interrupted him quickly. ‘I shall have Thomas and Amy with me—there is no need for any other companion.’
The Major would not countenance Miss Wrenn and her family taking a hackney carriage and, as Lady Varley would be using the landau, he ordered his own travelling carriage to be made ready. This was a large, impressive vehicle complete with liveried servants hanging on the back, and Juliana was not surprised to see a group of ragged boys standing on the opposite side of the road, watching with interest as the carriage rolled away.
‘This is the carriage we shall be using for our journey,’ she told Amy and Thomas. ‘Miss Gwendoline and Wilhelmina will be travelling with us, while Nurse and the Major’s man will follow in the baggage coach.’
‘And Major Collingham will be leading the way in his curricle, with Mr Giles beside him,’ added Thomas. ‘We shall create quite a stir when we drive through the town.’
‘And there will be plenty of room for the five of us in here,’ Juliana observed, leaning back with an appreciative sigh against the padded seat.
‘Then we will be able to bring Sarah and Lady Arabella?’ asked Amy, holding her doll on her lap.
Juliana smiled at her. ‘Yes. They shall have a seat to themselves.’
Due to the press of traffic in New Bond Street, Juliana had decided it would be quicker to walk between the shops and she ordered the coachman to pull up and wait for her. The errands were soon accomplished, ending with a visit to Hatchards the booksellers, and with the children beside her she began to retrace her steps. They had not gone far when she saw Major Collingham walking towards them. He stopped, looking a little surprised.
‘Miss Wrenn. I had thought you would be in New Bond Street, buying bonnets and gloves.’
‘I would not bring Tom and Amy along for that, they would find it very tedious work. No, you will see that our parcels are quite small—paper and pens for drawing, and I have purchased more reading books. I ordered them Tuesday and they promised to have them ready for me today. We are on our way back to the carriage now.’
‘I, too, have concluded my business, so I will walk with you, if I may?’
He turned to accompany her. Juliana took his proffered arm, glancing back to make sure the two children were close behind.
‘And have you ordered another gown, Miss Wrenn, as I instructed?’
‘No. Mrs Hartley has worked miracles with my grey silk and it will be ready to take with me tomorrow.’ She saw he was looking severe and added, ‘Lady Varley has already wrested an old gown from me, and will use it as a pattern for the new one that is being made up for me. She has promised to send it on as soon as it is ready.’
‘Quite right. I am very sorry for what happened last night.’
‘It was an accident.’
‘We both know it was nothing of the kind,’ he retorted. ‘Gwendoline does not want you to come with us. I shall talk to her today, and make sure she understands I will not tolerate her disobedience.’
She stopped. ‘Oh, pray do not be harsh on her, sir. It—it