Page 38 of The Quiet Wife (Stately Scandals #2)

London – Kensington

Frances added the finishing touches to her toilette before going down to dinner. It was to be a large affair, but mainly friends and family, although some of Frederick’s closer colleagues from Bibby would join them.

She stood and twirled, pleased that the dark green suited her well.

She felt more than a little nervous as Fannie and Florence were joining them for dinner, along with Freddie.

Elinor was beside herself at being left out, but she was simply too young, and Frances didn’t want her over-exerting herself after her recent ill-health.

She would pop up and see her over the course of the evening, and so would Lizzie and Edith to keep her company and share all the gossip.

Frederick opened the door, a scowl on his face. “Are you ready?”

She managed a smile as he checked her dress. “I am.”

“That will do,” he pronounced, his perfunctory inspection complete. “I need to see what the girls are wearing.” He ran a hand around the back of his neck, massaging it.

“Are you quite well, my dear?” Frederick was never ill, but he’d been looking rather tired of late, and tonight he was unusually pale.

“I have a headache,” he said tersely.

His admission surprised her. “I’m sorry to hear that. Would you like to take something for it?”

He shook his head. “I want to see the girls.”

“Of course, but I assure you, my dear, they are wearing the most circumspect gowns.”

“I still want to see. Your judgement regarding circumspection leaves something to be desired.”

Frances clamped her lips shut. She was used to his criticisms, but she was finding it hard not to react. Ever since meeting Jemie, in fact, she had developed something of a fighting spirit.

She gestured to the door and followed him out. “They are terribly excited,” she informed his back as he strode down the hallway. “Do you think you might give them a compliment?”

He threw a glance over his shoulder but said nothing which made Frances apprehensive.

He knocked on the door and strode in. Florence and Fannie were both ready with Nanny Jenks and the maid fussing about them, and each one of them looked so beautiful it filled Frances with pride.

“Darlings,” Frances gushed before Frederick could comment. “You look simply stunning.” She kissed them both on the cheek. “Don’t they, my dear?”

Frederick narrowed his eyes at the girls. “You’ll do. Make sure that you behave like ladies tonight. I’ll have no nonsense. No giggling or girlish behaviour. If you do, you will go to your rooms. Understand?”

The light that shone so brightly when they had walked into the room dimmed.

“Of course, papa,” Florence hurriedly agreed, eyes downcast. Fannie’s cheeks were red as she nodded.

Frances wanted to hit her husband. Why couldn’t he simply say something nice?

Would a single compliment hurt? He may well have a headache, but did that really stop him from being kind to his girls who would never do anything to embarrass him?

Before he could say anything else cutting, Freddie appeared and sailed past his father.

“My word,” he put a hand to his heart dramatically. “How beautiful you both look! Are you truly Fannie and Florence or have some angels of glory come and taken your place?”

They both giggled, and their excitement returned.

“It’s us,” Florence sighed, “as well you know. You look awfully handsome,” she added.

“Why, thank you.” He ran a hand down his waistcoat then tugged at his sleeves.

“But I’m a poor second to you, lovely ladies.

You are going to take London by storm in the spring!

I can see it now. You will truly have a magnificent debut looking like that, and all the young bloods will be falling over themselves.

I can see I shall have to fight them off! ”

Both girls blushed furiously, but their eyes shone, and smiles illuminated their faces again. Frances wanted to hug Freddie but had to make do with just patting his arm.

“Are you ready, my love?” she said to her son.

“As I will ever be.” He crooked his arm and Frances took it.

“Girls, why don’t you take papa’s arm?” she persisted when her husband just stood there.

Frederick bestirred himself and crooked his elbows. Both girls hesitated, but then tentatively placed their arms on his and they headed downstairs.

“Thank you, darling,” Frances murmured to Freddie when it was safe. “They needed to hear how well they look.”

A muscle ticked along Freddie’s jaw. “I heard what he said, and I saw their faces.”

“Oh, love,” Frances sighed. “He’s just working terribly hard at the moment.”

“You can defend him all you wish. It doesn’t change the facts.”

Frances bit her lip and squeezed his arm knowing her son was right.

In the drawing room, Lizzie and Edith exclaimed delightedly at what a pretty sight the girls were, and Alastair and William bowed over their hands, proclaiming them to be simply stunning.

With Fannie in palest lilac, and Florence in white, they were a vision and it filled Frances’ heart to see her babies as young women.

The girls found themselves quite the centre of attention but behaved impeccably, as she had known they would.

Frederick paid attention to the gentlemen who had arrived with their wives from Bibby, and it pleased her to see Rosa Caldicott join them, along with her husband. She went to speak to her.

“I’m so pleased you could come,” she smiled.

Rosa hugged her lightly. “I’m delighted to be here.” She scanned the room. “Are those your lovely girls?”

Frances nodded, a lump in her throat. “They are indeed.”

“They are an absolute credit to you. You must be so proud.”

“I am. I can scarcely believe they are old enough to be coming out soon. I’m not sure what I’ll do when they fly the nest.”

“I doubt they will go far. They love you too much.”

Frances laughed. It was a kind thing to say, but it would all depend on who they married as to where they ended up. She prayed they would stay close, but if Frederick had his way they would be marrying into aristocracy and could end up anywhere.

“I hope so. Tell me, how have you been? You were looking for a housekeeper last time we spoke.”

She tucked Rosa’s arm in hers and they wandered through the rooms chatting as they went.

Frances felt her confidence lift as people smiled and nodded at them as they passed, some pausing to chat.

The coolness towards her and Frederick of some previous social events seemed to have lessened, and that was a huge relief that perhaps his business dealings were now not a source of gossip.

Eventually, Rosa excused herself as her husband seemed to be trying to attract her attention.

She was preparing to sally forth again when the doors opened to admit Jemie and Anna along with Mr Rossetti and Mr Prinsep.

Mr Rossetti made a fuss of the girls, and Mr Prinsep seemed to pay particular attention to Florence, much to her delight.

Jemie clapped Freddie on the back, telling him how glad he was to see him again, making her son grin widely.

“Oh, to be in the first flush of youth again,” Aunt Agatha mused as she came to stand beside her.

Frances chuckled softly. “Indeed.”

“They are beautiful girls. They will break hearts. Frederick’s mother would have been so proud.” She gave her a soft smile. “So would yours, I imagine.”

Frances sighed. “She would indeed. I so wish she could see them.”

They stood in quiet introspection for a moment or two until Freddie ambled over and Aunt Agatha demanded that he tell her all about his schooling.

He obliged, taking her by the arm to a comfortable seat, and Frances drifted over to where Jemie stood in a way that she hoped wouldn’t be noticed, just rather a hostess circulating among her guests.

“Good evening,” she murmured when she stood beside him.

He appeared terribly handsome tonight. His hair gleamed almost as much as those blue eyes.

Since the revelation about his son, she had felt closer to him than ever and it warmed her heart to stand beside him.

The evening felt somehow complete and perfect.

“Good evening.” He bowed over her hand. “Don’t they look a picture?” he nodded to Fannie and Florence, who were now holding court and relishing the attention.

“They do.”

“They must be terribly excited, but I wager Elinor’s nose is well and truly out of joint.”

“She is beside herself,” Frances confided.

“Would you mind if I nipped up to see her?”

“If you are careful about it, don’t let Frederick see and perhaps take your mama?”

He nodded. “I’ll do that in a little while.”

“That’s awfully kind of you.”

“Not kind at all. The little wretch has quite stolen my heart.”

Frances laughed because Elinor certainly had that effect on people.

“I’ve already done two drawings of her. Now she’s demanding a portrait, and what can I say? I have no defences.” He held his hands up playfully.

Frances laughed harder as Lizzie joined them, and they talked until the bell for dinner sounded.

Frances took a deep breath because this would be the real test. She had no qualms about how the girls would comport themselves; rather it was Frederick she was worried about.

***

Frances’ relief when dinner passed without incident was immense.

Her only qualm now was retiring to the drawing room with the ladies and leaving Freddie to the tender mercies of his father over the port.

She caught Jemie’s eye, and he winked. She sensed he knew exactly what was on her mind, and she breathed a little easier in the knowledge he would keep an eye on her son.

She looked around the dining room that they had only recently decorated in shades of green and wondered what dinners would be like in the new house with all the porcelain and portraits that Jemie was working on.

She tried to dismiss the thought for now and walked with the ladies to the drawing room for tea.

As cups rattled on saucers, and teaspoons tinkled against china, Frances relaxed.