Page 26 of My Secret Duke
A visit to Madame Annabelle’s dressmaking establishment was always something to look forward to. Today, they were to have the final fittings for Justina’s debut. Justina was so excited about her grand event that she hadn’t even noticed those times over the past week when Olivia and Roberta had slipped away together. Normally, she would have demanded to know what they were up to, but her head was full of hemlines, dance steps, and hairstyles.
Olivia’s horse riding skills were coming along nicely. She could confidently push Mable into a shuffling canter during their misty mornings in the park, and was no longer terrified she would fall off. She was even getting used to the other riders exercising their horses before the day properly began, although she was careful to duck her head if anyone looked at her in her groom’s disguise. But Arrow would not be as amiable as Mable. And when it came to racing with Ivo, there would be no time to remind herself of all the little things Roberta was always telling her to do. Sit up straight, tighten your leg muscles, push down into the stirrups, just to name a few. There would be no time for anything except trying to stay on Arrow’s back.
Roberta was already endeavoring to bring her around to face the fact that she would lose.
At least you will have been brave and made the attempt, Olivia. It’s admirable, really. You should be proud of yourself.
But Olivia was, by character, a competitive girl. Being satisfied with runner-up, no matter how brave she was being, wasn’t in her nature. She knew that once the race started, she would be doing her very best to win it.
The dowager had a slight cold and had decided to rest at home rather than brave today’s chilly weather, so she had sent the girls’ companion, Miss Starky, with them to Madame Annabelle’s. Olivia was pleased that her grandmother was trusting her granddaughters more and more, while at the same time she still felt a twinge of guilt when she thought about the dare. It helped to remind herself that no one would ever know. She had stopped listening to that inner voice that cautioned her of the consequences of another scandal.
Justina’s dress fitting took a long time. As well as the variety of garments she needed for the remainder of the Season, there was her debut gown. It was of simple design, as befitted the occasion, and the pale pink color suited Justina’s complexion. The high-waisted bell shape flattered her slim figure, and she had matching slippers. On the night, her hair was to be curled and adorned with a mixture of silk and real flowers.
While Madame Annabelle made the necessary alterations, Olivia and Roberta prowled about the shop. They were listlessly examining a box of ribbons when Roberta leaned in closer and spoke in a loud whisper. “I followed Mama the other day.”
Olivia gave her an astonished look. “Whatever for?”
Roberta flushed. “Don’t you ever wonder what she does all day? She wanted to come to London with us, but she never joins in when we go out anywhere. She takes most of her meals in her room. If I hadn’t been paying particular attention, I would have thought she spent all of her time staring out of the window.”
“Doesn’t she?”
“No.” Roberta’s eyes sparkled. “Several times, I’ve seen her sneaking out of the house in her outdoor clothing, and yesterday, I decided to follow her.”
“Where did she go?”
Roberta grinned. “She walked in the park.” Olivia tried not to think about Roberta indulging in the sort of behavior she would have expected from the Bow Street Runners. “She met a man. Well, a gentleman, I suppose. She seemed to know him, and they strolled about for a bit. And then she went home.”
“Hardly earth-shattering,” Olivia said. “What did this gentleman look like? Old, young, in between?”
Roberta considered the question. “About Mama’s age, I suppose. He seemed very solicitous, asking if she was warm enough and if she wanted him to take her home in his carriage.”
“You were close enough to hear their conversation?”
“Well, yes. There were trees to hide behind.”
Olivia pondered on the matter further. “I think we should ask who she was visiting.”
Roberta’s voice rose. “Then Mama will know it was me who was spying on her!”
That was true enough, and Felicia could be coldly intimidating. All the same, Olivia didn’t trust her mother. Could this solicitous gentleman be a relative? They knew little about their mother’s life before she married their father—as far as they were aware, her parents were long dead.
“It is a little strange,” Olivia said.
Before Roberta could answer, their tête-à-tête was interrupted by Justina, smiling brightly and looking beautiful in her coming-out gown. “What do you think?” she asked, making a twirl.
“Oh, you look so pretty!” Roberta responded.
“You look beautiful,” Olivia assured her favorite sister, and squeezed her hands as she reached up to kiss her cheek. “All of the gentlemen will want to dance with you, and Gabriel will glower at them. You know how he is.”
Justina laughed. She looked as if she wanted to say something, but she bit her lip instead.
“I hope they will dance with me.” Roberta sounded mournful. “When you had your coming-out, Olivia, I had to stay upstairs. It’s so dull being a younger sister.”
Olivia rolled her eyes. “Think how Edwina must feel then.”
“I wonder if you will both be married by then,” Roberta mused. “I’m sure Olivia will be,” she added with a certainty Olivia did not feel. “You’re so pretty that the gentlemen follow you with their eyes. And, Justina, you have your admirers too.” She clasped her hands under her chin. “I am not going to get married. I want to be a bareback rider in a circus, and every evening, I will perform to rapturous applause.”
Olivia choked as Justina burst out with, “How on earth will you manage that? Grandmama would march in and drag you home.”
“I’d just have to call myself by a different name. The Amazing Robbie! Or the Spectacular Berta!”
Justina and Olivia exchanged looks.
Their companion had been chatting with one of the seamstresses, but now she came to join them. Olivia was relieved to put an end to the conversation. Did Roberta really mean the things she said? It was a horrifying thought, and with the Ashton propensity for scandal, she could see trouble ahead. She imagined her sister riding bareback under a circus tent, and gave a shudder.
“Please don’t mention this to Grandmama,” she said.
Roberta shot her a look, and for a moment, Olivia feared she was going to blurt out her own secret. Her dare with Ivo was all very thrilling, but she didn’t want the whole world to know. Thankfully, Roberta thought better of it and gave a shrug.
“I am far from being a fool, Olivia. One day you will see just how clever I am.”