Page 21 of The Secret Word (Twist Upon a Regency Tale #10)
He also instructed Mrs. Bellowes to buy the wedding dress and organize a wedding feast for fifty people.
Chris, Clem discovered, had been permitted to purchase the common license that meant they did not need to wait for banns to be called, but he had had no say in any other detail of the wedding, and Father saw no need for any further planning.
Clem was not surprised when she expressed her desire to choose her own dress, and Father told her to button her lip. He then went out for the evening.
Mrs. Bellowes was no better pleased than Clem.
The budget Father had given her was totally inadequate to hiring a half-way competent modiste to make a gown in time for the wedding, let alone putting together a breakfast that would meet Father’s expectations.
Added to that, she had been told her services would no longer be needed after the wedding was over, and yet she was being kept too busy to seek another position.
Lady Fernvale, who had asked Clem to call her “Aunt Fern” in anticipation of the wedding, met Clem and Mrs. Bellowes in the Burlington Arcade one day just as the frustrations hit the boiling point.
When Aunt Fern asked how they were, Mrs. Bellowes erupted, downloading all her frustrations, and then bursting into tears.
“Come,” said Aunt Fern. “My carriage is just along here. Clementine, dear, bring your chaperone. We shall go to Fourniers, eat as many of their delightful little cakes as we can, and discuss what is to be done.”
Fourniers, Clem discovered, meant a tea shop where Aunt Fern’s footman had soon secured a private room. By the time the three of them were safely ensconced in comfortable chairs within the room, Mrs. Bellowes was making apologies for her emotional behavior but was unable to stop sobbing.
“Mrs. Bellowes is worried and overtired,” Clem explained.
“Father set her tasks to organize for the wedding, and has not given her a sufficient budget. Even if we had enough money, I do not know how we could manage a breakfast that Father would consider sufficient in the time we have to prepare. Our cook is certainly not capable, and we do not have sufficient servants for the numbers expected. As for the gown, Father does not realize that modistes are booked up months in advance, and the money is not enough, even if we could find someone with time to make it. Not even the off-Bond Street dressmaker I’ve used in the past has been able to accept the commission.
It’s quite a conundrum, and Mrs. Bellowes is most concerned that Father will blame her if all is not to his liking. ”
Aunt Fern frowned thoughtfully. “What sort of gown do you want, dearest? Not, I think, the flounces and frills that make you look shapeless.” She seemed to avoid looking at Mrs. Bellowes’ as she said this, though—thanks to Aunt Fern’s words—Clem’s chaperone stopped sobbing and instead looked peeved.
Clem, who had been dreading wearing whatever Mrs. Bellowes chose for, agreed enthusiastically. “No, and not pastels that wash out my coloring, either.”
“Your father said…” Mrs. Bellowes began.
Aunt Fern raised an imperious brow, which temporarily silenced Mrs. Bellowes. If Clem didn’t soothe the silly women’s ruffled feathers, she’d have her chaperone complaining and scolding all the way home.
“Aunt Fern makes a good point, Mrs. Bellowes. While your taste is most suitable for a tall, slender debutante on the younger side, it has become apparent that it does not suit my form. So, if we obey what Father says, he is going to be angry about the results, and you shall not get your bonus.” Which gave Mrs. Bellowes thoughts a different direction, Clem hoped, but did not solve their problem.
“But Aunt Fern, how can we find a modiste at this late stage, and with very little money?”
Aunt Fern waved a dismissive hand. “The money is not a difficulty. I assume my godson will receive your dowry after the wedding? Ask him for the money. Tell the modiste that your father has no understanding of the cost of women’s gowns, and that your husband will pay, but only after the wedding.”
Clem stared at her. As easy as that! Chris had already proposed that she completely replace her wardrobe once they were married. This would simply be the first gown in that wardrobe. Sharing that promise of future—and plentiful—orders would make finding a willing modiste that much easier.
“That will solve Mrs. Bellowes’ problem, too,” said Aunt Fern, “since she can use the gown money for the wedding feast.”
Of course! Mrs. Bellowes cheered up, but Clem still did not have a modiste, willing or otherwise.
Aunt Fern had a plan for that, too. “I know a young woman who has just set up on her own. She is brilliant, Clem, but has not yet been noticed by the ton, which means she is a lot cheaper than you might expect, and she probably has time to make your gown. You could be her opportunity to be seen by those who matter. I shall introduce you.”
It all sounded wonderful, but Clem saw a flaw. “Father will object if he finds out,” she said.
“Your father will find out, and he will not object,” Aunt Fern predicted. “I shall call on him myself and point out how these changes will cost him nothing and will allow him to give you a wedding to impress his competitors and any members of the ton who attend. As I intend to do.”
She was as good as her word. What she said to Clem’s father Clem never discovered, but he emerged from the study to see her to the door, then told Clem, “Lady Fernvale is a real lady. You could do worse than to study her, Clementine, and model yourself on her. A bit of a bossy boots, but she has good reasons for what she does. Yes. A real lady. Not like that Bellowes female. I was mistaken in her, and it’s not often that Bertram Wright gets taken in.
I have to give her a bonus and a good reference, Lady Fernvale says.
Can’t have her hinting that I’m not to be trusted, or worse.
But she’ll be gone after the wedding. If you doubt that, just watch me. ”
“I don’t doubt it, Father,” Clem told him. Gracious! Aunt Fern had done it! Furthermore, tomorrow morning, she was taking Clem to visit the new modiste. And Chris had said that, if she liked the woman’s work, she might as well make a start on ordering her new wardrobe!
Clem, who had already been looking forward to being married, was now looking forward to her wedding.