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  “No, I have not had the opportunity,” Elisabeth admitted.

  “There is nothing like it in world,” Shelley said unexpectedly, contributing to the conversation for first time, once again fixing Elisabeth with his intense gaze. “You must sail someday, Miss Ashwood, indeed you must. Preferably on a schooner where you may feel one with the sea.”

  “Percy is quite mad about sailing,” Mary Shelley said to Elisabeth. “Now that the topic has come up we shall hear nothing else for the remainder of the meal.”

  Mary’s prediction proved correct and the rest of Elisabeth’s afternoon was spent listening to a discussion of sloops and schooners and the finer points of sailing. Shelley’s descriptions of the look and the feel of the sea caught Elisabeth’s imagination and she attended carefully to his words.

  The party broke up about five o’clock when Mrs. Hunt’s children rushed in to the dining room and began pulling on her skirts, demanding their mother’s attention.

  “The trials of motherhood,” Mrs. Hunt commented with a laugh as she pulled a small child onto her comfortable-looking lap.

  “When the children arrive I leave,” Hazlitt pronounced, rising from the table and suiting his action to his words.

  Giving Elisabeth a meaningful look, Sherbourne also rose and Elisabeth followed suit as the viscount took leave of their host. Outside, Sherbourne stopped to speak to Peacock while Elisabeth stood a short distance away, waiting. Suddenly Mary Shelley ran out of the house and over to Elisabeth.

  “Miss Ashwood,” Mrs. Shelley said breathlessly as she came up to Elisabeth. “I am so pleased to have made your acquaintance. I must see you again. Promise me.”

  “Of course, Mrs. Shelley,” Elisabeth agreed, taken aback by Mary’s intensity. “I shall be delighted.”

  “Mary, please,” Mrs. Shelley corrected. “Thank you. I shall depend upon you.” With that, Mrs. Shelley ran back into the house, leaving Elisabeth staring after her with a bemused expression until Lord Sherbourne joined her a few moments later followed by Molly.

  “Well, what did you think of your literary afternoon?” Sherbourne asked Elisabeth as the carriage rolled out of the yard and the three began their ride back to London.

  “It was not quite what I expected, but I enjoyed it,” Elisabeth replied honestly.

  “You seem to have made a conquest of the Shelleys,” Sherbourne observed.

  “I liked them both very much, although I must confess I found them rather odd,” Elisabeth admitted. “They appear to have very strong feelings about everything. What is Mr. Shelley’s poetry like? I do not believe I have ever read any of his poems. Have you?”

  “Not that I recall, although it is possible we have both read some without remembering, for I believe Hunt always prints the poems of his favorites in The Examiner. I shall have to look for some of his poems in the newspaper. I only met Percy Shelley myself when I returned from India and went to see Hunt. Shelley is a half-score years younger than I, and I did not know him before I left England.”

  “I found his descriptions of sailing quite fascinating,” Elisabeth confessed. “It must be an extraordinary sensation to be alone on the vast sea in a small boat.

  “You must have sailed in large ships, Lord Sherbourne,” Elisabeth added. “What was it like?”

  Sherbourne obliged Elisabeth with descriptions of his voyages to India, and the two enjoyed a pleasant drive home discussing the afternoon, Elisabeth feeling an ease in Lord Sherbourne’s company she had heretofore not experienced. When they reached Lady Parker’s townhome and Lord Sherbourne took his leave of her in the hall, Elisabeth thanked him for the afternoon with obvious sincerity.

  “I enjoyed it also, Miss Ashwood. I hope we have many more such pleasant afternoons ahead of us,” Sherbourne said with a smile that caused Elisabeth’s heart to turn over and her breath to quicken.

  Instinctively Elisabeth held out her hand and Lord Sherbourne took it between his own, pressing her fingertips. At his touch an unexpected tingling and warmth radiated from her hand up through her arm to her body and she knew from the slight widening of his eyes that he had felt it too. Her cheeks flushed and she veiled her eyes, startled by the unfamiliar feelings flooding her body.

  “Good evening, Miss Ashwood,” Sherbourne said as he released her hand with reluctance. “I shall return on the morrow.”

  “Good evening, Lord Sherbourne,” Elisabeth replied, her flush deepening at the thought of seeing him again. “I shall look forward to it.”

  As Elisabeth mounted the stairs to her bedchamber in a near daze, she dared to think for the first time what it might mean to share a love as close as that of the Shelleys’ and that just possibly it might come to be like that for herself and Lord Sherbourne. What happiness it would be to be loved as Mrs. Shelley was loved! Little had she dreamed when she had agreed to the arrangement between herself and Lord Sherbourne that in such a short time she would not only become reconciled to the marriage but long for it.

  Chapter Four

  Late the following morning Elisabeth discovered Lady Parker in the drawing room sorting through the post. “We are beginning to receive invitations to musical evenings and other small entertainments that are held before the Season,” Lady Parker said, her dark eyes thoughtful. “We really must go to Bond Street this morning and order new gowns.” She glanced at the ormolu clock on the mantelpiece and added, “And we do not have much time since ladies are not supposed to be seen on Bond Street after noon. Elisabeth, can you be prepared to accompany me in a quarter hour?”

  “Lady Parker, I—” Elisabeth faltered. “It is not within my means to purchase new gowns,” she stated baldly.

  “My brother has made funds available to me for such purchases,” Lady Parker assured her guest.

  “Please, I cannot accept,” Elisabeth said uncomfortably. “It would not be proper as we are not yet officially betrothed.” Since the awakening of her new, softer feelings toward Lord Sherbourne, Elisabeth had felt a new shyness. Somehow accepting something as personal as a wardrobe from the earl before they were even officially betrothed did not seem quite right.

  “Then allow me to give you a new wardrobe,” Lady Parker suggested. “It is easily within my means and I was looking forward to the pleasure of having someone to accompany me to the stores and to share the pleasures of selecting new styles and fabrics.”

  Elisabeth hesitated a moment more but on seeing disappointment beginning to cloud her hostess’s eyes, she agreed. “Thank you, Lady Parker. It is most generous of you.” Elisabeth was rewarded for her capitulation with a warm smile from Lord Sherbourne’s sister.

  “I had best make haste to be ready,” Elisabeth added, turning to go back upstairs and fetch her bonnet.

  Twenty minutes later Lady Parker’s town carriage stopped before the first shop. The proprietress, recognizing the signs of a customer with adequate funds, had the doors opened with ceremony and seated Lady Parker and Elisabeth at a large table where they could look over books of plates showing the latest fashions.

  Elisabeth viewed the gowns depicted in the plates with growing dismay. To her they appeared over-trimmed with their rows and rows of elaborate ruchings, pleats, fabric flowers or all three. Some of the gowns were entirely covered with sewn-on fabric leaves and flowers. Elisabeth knew her looks were only passable, at best, and felt the over-trimmed gowns would make her appear to less advantage than her simpler, out-of-date ones. She glanced at Lady Parker and was relieved to see her grimace as she turned the plates over one by one.

  The dressmaker hovered nearby, aware she was not getting the reaction she had hoped for. “My lady, these plates depict the very latest in fashion I assure you,” she said.

  “Madame Parenteau,” Lady Parker addressed the proprietress, “I have no doubt these gowns are of the latest fashion but we—how shall I put it? We wish to be in fashion yet not to stand out as being in fashion. We would prefer fine fabrics made up in simpler styles. I am sure you will be able accommodate us,” she fin
ished with an encouraging look.

  “Your ladyship is most obliging,” Madame Parenteau said, her assurance returning as she understood what her new customers wanted. “I believe my lady wishes the classic styles in fashionable fabrics, yes?” She flipped through the plates and pulled out several which she laid before Elisabeth and Lady Parker.

  “May I suggest this style for one day dress for the young lady,” Madame Parenteau said, placing a plate depicting an untrimmed high-waisted gown of a jonquil yellow. “This will set off the young lady’s beautiful brown hair,” she opined.

  “Excellent,” Lady Parker agreed.

  “And for your ladyship, may I suggest this as a day dress,” Madame Parenteau continued, laying a plate showing a gown with wide bands of intricate, multihued embroidery around the neck and sleeves. “It has simple lines but done up it will flatter my lady’s unusual coloring of dark eyes and fair hair.”

  “Also an excellent suggestion,” Lady Parker agreed. “I see we may place complete faith in your taste, Madame.”

  The proprietress visibly puffed with self-importance at the compliment and within an hour all the styles and fabrics for a complete wardrobe for each had been selected and measurements taken.

  “I shall give your ladyship’s wardrobe my first attention, and all the gowns should be delivered within a sennight,” Madame Parenteau promised Lady Parker.

  “Now for the milliner’s,” Lady Parker said gaily as a shop attendant opened the door for them and she and Elisabeth walked back onto Bond Street. “I believe we have time to stop there before noon, it is only two shops down.”

  After they had selected several hats apiece Lady Parker glanced at clock on themillinery wall. “It is later than I thought, Miss Ashwood. We must make haste, as it is almost the noon hour.”

  “Do you wish to have everything delivered, my lady, or do you wish an attendant to take the packages them to your ladyship’s carriage now?” the proprietor asked.

  “Please have them taken out to our carriage,” Lady Parker ordered, thinking that Elisabeth would enjoy being able to try on the hats with her maid that afternoon.

  The owner snapped his fingers for the attendant to carry the bandboxes but the young man was not able to carry all at once. “I will take these out first and come back for the last two, your ladyship,” he proposed.

  “There are only two, we shall carry them ourselves,” Lady Parker said. “The carriage is not far away and we shall not be noticed,” she added at the shocked look on the proprietor’s face at the idea of a lady carrying her own bandbox.

  “Please, my lady, it will only take a moment for me to come back for them after I have put these in the carriage,” the attendant dared to insist.

  “Nonsense, time is running out. I shall carry one and Miss Ashwood will carry one,” Lady Parker said, handing one of the bandboxes to Elisabeth and taking one herself.

  Knowing better than to argue any further, the servant left the shop as the proprietor himself held the shop door open for the ladies. Lady Parker exited, holding the large bandbox before her, and began walking toward their carriage. Laughing, she turned back to speak to Elisabeth, and in a flash Lady Parker and the bandbox were both on the ground. The attendant stood motionless, not knowing whether to drop all his boxes and assist Lady Parker or to run to the carriage and relive himself of the boxes and then return to help her up.

  “I beg your pardon, madam, allow me to assist you.” A gloved hand was offered to Lady Parker, who accepted it gratefully and rose with some difficulty.

  “You are injured,” the gentleman added, his gaze settling on Lady Parker’s torn glove, a reddish stain spreading down the soft kid. “It was unpardonable of me not to be paying attention where I was going.”

  “It is nothing. Do not distress yourself,” Lady Parker said, brushing her skirts off and attempting to restore order to her dress as the Elisabeth ordered the attendant to take the bandboxes to the carriage and return for the others. “I am at fault for insisting upon carrying my own parcels.”

  “Allow me to introduce myself,” the gentleman continued. “I think such informality may be excused under the circumstances. I am John Orcutt, Duke of Norland, at your service,” he said with an elegant bow.

  “Your Grace,” Lady Parker said with an equally elegant curtsey. “I am Lady Parker and this is my houseguest, Miss Ashwood.”

  “You must allow me to accompany you home and assure myself of your safe arrival,” the duke insisted.

  “Thank you, Your Grace, but such attention is not required,” Lady Parker assured him. “It was only a fall. I am quite recovered.”

  “You must at least allow me to call upon you and Miss Ashwood tomorrow to assure myself of your well-being,” the duke insisted.

  “Thank you, Your Grace,” Lady Parker agreed with admirable sang-froid, given the damage to her toilette. “We shall be honored to receive your call at our residence on Half Moon Street.”

  When the duke had continued down Bond Street on his business and the women were safely seated in their carriage, Elisabeth turned to Lady Parker with a teasing smile.

  “I do believe you have made a conquest, Lady Parker.”

  “I think not,” Lady Parker disagreed. “His grace was only very well-bred and concerned about the mishap. I have no doubt the duke is married and has several grown children. I should perhaps recognize him, but I have been absent from London for so many years I do not recognize most of the members of the bon ton any longer,” she admitted.

  Back in the town house on Half Moon Street, Elisabeth hovered around her hostess while the maid tended to her mistress’ scrapes. Lady Parker submitted to the attention with good grace and then ordered tea to be brought to the drawing room. Revati, seeming to sense her mistress needed comfort, curled up at her side, purring.

  “The Season will begin early this year, since Easter day is early,” Lady Parker commented as she allowed Elisabeth to pour the tea. “We must soon begin making calls and attending small entertainments. However, I shall not be applying for vouchers to Almack’s. There really is no need, since you are to be betrothed to my brother. I suspect we might not receive them if I did apply, since I have been in India so long and your family keeps to the country. I hope that will not disappoint you unduly?” she finished interrogatively.

  “It is of no consequence,” Elisabeth assured Lady Parker. “I shall not miss attending Almack’s. Truly I had not even thought of it.”

  The footman entered with a large basket, which he placed on the low sofa table near his mistress. “This was just delivered, my lady.”

  Lady Parker pulled a card from the basket.

  “I shall call tomorrow to assure myself that you are recovered from this morning’s mishap,” she read. “Meanwhile, I hope these fruits from my hothouse will aid your recovery.”

  “How thoughtful!” Elisabeth exclaimed as Lady Parker set the card down and began to investigate the contents of the basket.

  “Mmm, oranges! And a mango,” Lady Parker said in wonder. “How I have missed mangos since I returned from India!”

  “I have never tasted one,” Elisabeth admitted.

  “Then you must try one now,” Lady Parker said. She rang for the footman and ordered a fruit knife and plates be brought, after which she then carefully peeled and sliced the mango, placing several slices on a plate and handing it to Elisabeth.

  “It has an unusual flavor,” Elisabeth commented after she tried a bite. “But I think I like it.”

  Lady Parker laughed at Elisabeth’s conditional recommendation and finished the mango on her own plate with obvious relish.

  “Hothouse fruits, sister? Do you intend to consume then all or will you share with your hungry brother and his friend?” Sherbourne asked, entering the drawing room with Earlywine, both clad in the standard morning dress of frilled shirt with starched cravat, waistcoat, dark blue coats, trousers and shining boots. Only in their waistcoats did their toilet differ, Sherbourne’s being of plain buf
f while Earlywine’s was of more modish stripes.

  “Please help yourselves,” Lady Parker invited. “But I must confess that I already consumed the only mango.”

  “Who do you know who is sending such delicacies?” Sherbourne asked after he and Earlywine had exchanged greetings with Elisabeth.

  “It is the Duke of Norland,” Elisabeth volunteered. “He and Lady Parker collided in Bond Street this morning.”

  “Dear sister, this will never do, making a spectacle of yourself in Bond Street!” Lord Sherbourne teased as he and Earlywine each selected a fruit from the basket.

  “I thought he was quite taken with Lady Parker,” Elisabeth continued, much more at ease with her betrothed since their excursion to Hampstead. “However, she assures me he is mostly likely married with six children.”

  Earlywine swallowed his bite of orange. “No, Norland is a widower. Matchmaking mamas, my own included, despair of him ever entering the parson’s mousetrap again, though. Not that m’sisters are interested in trying to attach his interest—they find him much too old. Any gentleman over two score years they consider ancient.

  “Miss Ashwood,” Earlywine continued, turning to the younger woman, “how did you find Mr. Hunt and the literary set Saturday last?”

  “I found them interesting—intelligent and well-spoken, if a bit eccentric in their manners,” Elisabeth answered. “Except for Mr. Keats, who said very little but appears to enjoy his food greatly. Mrs. Hunt was very kind and the Shelleys were personable and appeared very well-informed about a great many issues.”

  “I have heard Shelley is a bit of a crusader,” Earlywine agreed. “But now I fear that after such stimulating company you will most likely find the invitation I bring rather dull,” Earlywine added with a twinkle in his blue eyes. “My mother and sisters wish me to deliver this invitation to my sister’s come-out ball. She plans to have it early in the Season, before there are many entertainments,” he finished, handing Lady Parker a cream-colored envelope.

  “I should enjoy it of all things,” Elisabeth protested. “And shall very much enjoy meeting your sisters.”