Anne Herries - Regency - Mischief & Marriage

‘Will mademoiselle be advised by me as to the style the gowns should be?’ the Frenchwoman asked.

‘Yes, thank you,’ Eliza replied. ‘I am not perfectly sure of the latest fashion—or what would be appropriate for a companion to wear.’

‘You need not worry about that side of it,’ her employer said. ‘I wish you to feel comfortable in what you choose, Eliza, and I am sure madame knows exactly what will become a girl of your age.’ She turned to the seamstress. ‘That is enough for one day. When can you have the first ballgown ready?’

‘By Friday lunchtime, milady.’

‘Very well. Eliza can manage with what she has until then. We shall attend the assembly that night, but until then we have only a dinner with friends and a trip to the theatre. You may wear the grey to dinner at the home of Lady Roberts, Eliza, and the lilac to the theatre. Your own walking gown will be sufficient until madame has made your new ones.’

Eliza thanked her. Her first visit to the Pump Room and the library had shown her that her clothes were by no means fashionable enough for Bath, at least if she were here on a visit for pleasure, though she thought them adequate for a companion. However, Lady Sarah had made it clear that she wanted her companion dressed suitably when they were in company and, although overwhelmed by what seemed excessive generosity, she accepted the new gowns as necessary—a part of her employment.

That did not stop her being excited by the prospect of wearing such lovely clothes. Lady Sarah’s cast-offs were far finer than anything she had ever possessed and she knew that both were almost unworn, though possibly purchased when her employer was younger.

She thanked the seamstress for her help, assisted the young girl who carried out the materials and walked to the door with them both. When she returned to the sitting room, Lady Sarah was sipping a glass of restorative wine.

‘Come and sit down, Eliza. You must be quite exhausted after that,’ she said. ‘I always feel drained after fittings for new gowns.’

‘It was a new experience for me,’ Eliza replied with a smile. ‘I always made my own gowns with Mama’s help. She was an excellent seamstress.’

‘With a little training you could be a fashionable seamstress,’ Lady Sarah said. ‘Your own gowns are quite acceptable for the country, my dear, but you need a little town bronze.’

Sarah wondered why a companion should need to look fashionable but she did not question her employer. She considered herself fortunate to be treated so well.

‘Perhaps you will go to the library for me this afternoon, my dear. I do not like the book I started last evening. It was well recommended, but The Mysteries of Udolpho is not to my taste. I should prefer something more sensible, I think.’

‘Have you read the story of Tristan and Iseult?’ Eliza asked. ‘I have just finished reading it and enjoyed it, but I shall see what else I can find that you might like.’

‘Lady Roberts recommended the story I asked you to bring yesterday, Eliza, but I think it foolish. I will try the story you recommended, but I think I should like poetry or perhaps something of Miss Austen’s—though I believe I have read most of them.’

‘I shall see what I can find. In the meantime I will fetch the book I brought with me.’

Eliza went upstairs to put on her bonnet and pelisse. Thus far she was finding her duties light. Indeed, it was like staying with an aunt rather than working for an employer and she felt very spoiled to be leading such an indulgent life. Eliza had always helped her mother in the kitchen and with parish work when her father was the rector, and she found it strange to be so idle.

It took but a moment to find the book and to put on her pelisse. She went back down to the parlour and took her leave of Lady Sarah, setting out for the lending library. The afternoon was pleasantly warm and the walk would be welcome after a morning spent choosing silks and trimmings for her new gowns.

Eliza reached the library without seeing anyone she knew. She had met only a handful of Lady Sarah’s friends so far and was not acquainted with any other companions, so did not linger to gossip with anyone. Her search for books that her employer might find rewarding took a little longer, but she came away with three she thought interesting. It was as she came out of the library that a man walking backwards as he said goodbye to a friend almost trod on her toes. She gave a squeak of alarm and dropped her books. He turned instantly, an apology on his lips. The colour came and went in his face as he saw her. Her heart raced, for it was the man she had both longed and yet feared to see again.

‘Forgive me,’ he said. ‘Did I hurt you?’

‘No, I stepped back at once.’

He bent to pick up the books, looking at her contritely. ‘I must seem a clumsy fool to you, Miss Bancroft. I am so very sorry for causing you to drop these.’

‘It was a mere accident, Mr Seaton,’ Eliza replied, a slight heat in her own cheeks as she accepted the books and their hands touched. Her stomach fluttered with some disturbing emotion she did not wish to recognise. This was so foolish. To like him so much when she knew it could only lead to distress! ‘I assure you I am unhurt.’

‘No thanks to me,’ he said ruefully. ‘May I help to carry these for you? Perhaps I could buy you tea and cake to make up for nearly knocking you over?’

‘I assure you there is no need to do either,’ Eliza replied. She longed to say yes, to spend the next hour talking with him over some tea and cake, but her time was not her own. She must remember the vast chasm between them. He was related to an earl and she was a lovechild with a dubious background and no prospects ‘I must take these back to my employer. She is waiting for me.’

‘Then I suppose I should let you go,’ he said, but turned and walked by her side. ‘How are you enjoying your stay in Bath? Is your employer an old dragon?’

‘Lady Sarah is neither old nor a dragon. She has been extremely kind to me. I am fortunate to have found such employment. Indeed, there is little for me to do except enjoy myself.’

‘That is fortunate.’ His eyes were intensely blue and seemed thoughtful as he met her gaze. ‘I imagine there are not many companions in that position.’

‘Perhaps not,’ Eliza replied. ‘I did not expect to meet you here, sir. Have you given up your former employment?’ Her eyes sparkled as she teased, for she knew that his one and only attempt at highway robbery had been a mistaken desire to save her from a fate worse than death.

‘I rather think it gave me up.’ Daniel laughed huskily. ‘Had my unfortunate encounter been with any other young lady of my acquaintance, I think I should even now find myself behind bars.’

‘That would be harsh indeed. You gave the coachman a little fright and that was bad of you, but you caused me no harm. Indeed, I have smiled to myself more than once over the incident.’

‘You find me amusing, Miss Bancroft?’

‘I found your attempt at highway robbery amusing.’ She saw him frown. ‘Does that offend you?’

‘Yes and no,’ he replied honestly. ‘I think it was my own fault, but no man enjoys being thought a fool.’ She sensed he had withdrawn slightly and regretted her careless remark.

‘I did not think you a fool, sir. I see I have offended you. Forgive me. I must get back, for Lady Sarah will wonder what keeps me.’

He tipped his hat to her again, stopped walking and allowed her to go on alone. Eliza did not glance back, though she sensed that he was watching her walk away. She was sorry if she had offended him, but that was better than allowing him to imagine she was ripe for dalliance. He had kissed her once without invitation. It must not happen again. A young woman in her circumstances ought not to be seen encouraging the attentions of a man who was related to an earl.