Louise Allen - Regency Pleasures and Sins Part 1

‘There you are.’ It was Nick. She could not retreat and it was too late to hide the tear tracks on her cheeks. ‘Kat? What is wrong?’

‘Nothing.’ She forced a smile on to her lips; it was not so very hard after all. ‘I am simply being foolish and sentimental.’ She tucked a hand under his elbow and walked away from the stairs. ‘You’ll not say anything yet, please, but John and Jenny are getting married.’ She chattered on, telling him all about their plans and omitting anything of her proposed part in them.

‘That is good news indeed.’ He stopped just before the arch into the main yard and took her by the hands. ‘I would have offered them places here, however things turned out, but this is best for them.’ He released one hand and fished in his pocket, producing a large white handkerchief. ‘Do not cry, Kat.’

The gentle pressure of the linen under each eye as he dabbed made her want to weep more, throw herself into his arms, confess her new plan to escape him, be comforted and persuaded that she was wrong, she could stay and that was the right thing to do.

‘Stop it,’ she ordered lightly, conjuring up a watery smile. ‘I am being foolishly sentimental and you are encouraging me in it. Now, were you looking for me?’

‘I have ordered the carriage to be brought round to the front in half an hour—we cannot waste any time in ordering clothes for Father’s confounded ball. In any case, I have to visit a tailor soon or all Robert’s coats will be out at the seams.’

‘But I need to find a Newcastle Directory, otherwise how am I going to find a modiste?’

‘I know just the one for you, and I have checked that she is still in business. Madame LeBlanc will be able to recommend a milliner and so forth.’

‘French?’ Katherine enquired, interested despite her worries about paying for all this. ‘I have never been able to afford a French dressmaker, even when things were much better at home.’

‘She is probably from Wallsend,’ Nick said cynically, ‘but she knows her business. Where are you going?’

‘To fetch Jenny. I cannot possibly go shopping in town without a maid, think what an appearance that would present! ‘

‘I was rather hoping I would be adequate company,’ Nick said with a grin.

‘And you know perfectly well what that would look like,’ she scolded, walking back towards John’s room. ‘We will be in the hall in half an hour.’

It did not occur to her to wonder exactly how her husband had acquired such a knowledge of Newcastle modistes until the three of them were standing outside Madame LeBlanc’s chic establishment.

‘Very smart,’ Jenny approved, eying the green paint picked out in gold and the tasteful window display.

The lady herself swept forward to greet the new arrivals, a smile on her lips. ‘Good day, madam, sir. How may I be of assistance?’ Then the smile changed to one of warm recognition and she cried, ‘Lord Seaton! Why, it must be five years at least since you have visited us.’

‘More like seven. Your memory is excellent, Madame. This lady is Miss Cunningham, who is a guest at Seaton Mandeville. Unexpectedly the Duke has decided to throw a ball and Miss Cunningham has no suitable wardrobe for such an occasion.’

‘But of course, I perceive this is a matter of the utmost urgency, my lord. When is the ball?’

‘In nine days’ time. Are we setting you an impossible task, Madame?’

‘For you my lord …’ she cast him a look which could only be described as coquettish ‘… for you we will contrive. Please, be seated while I fetch some pattern books and samples.’

‘Nicholas,’ Katherine said with a deceptively sweet smile, ‘how, exactly, does Madame know you so well?’

‘Not because we have had a liaison, which is what I suspect you are most improperly assuming. In my younger, wilder days I paid for a number of charming barques of frailty to be dressed by Madame.’

‘Really, Nicholas, I wonder that you tell me such a shocking thing.’ Katherine tried to sound outraged and failed.

‘I did tell you I had been a rake, Kat. But of course, that is now all behind me as I am a sober married man.’

Jenny, who had been correctly sitting to one side appearing not to listen, let a giggle escape her. Katherine gave both her companions a severe stare. ‘Shh! Madame is returning.’

Madame returned with a veritable train of attendants bearing fashion plates, pattern books and swatches of fabrics that made Katherine’s mouth water just to look at.

After almost an hour of flicking, pondering and discussion Katherine said, ‘This one.’ It was a charming gown, very simple, but given distinction by elegant bell sleeves and a graceful neckline. It also had the advantage of appearing relatively cheap compared to some more ornate offerings and simple enough to be made in a rush.

‘But, yes, you have excellent taste Miss Cunningham—’

‘No.’ Nick tossed a fashion plate on to the table. ‘This one.’

‘But Ni … Lord Seaton, surely this could not be produced in time.’ It was breathtaking, a slender, sleeveless column of a gown with a scooped and twisted neckline, given a touch of drama by the way the skirt was cut at the back to form a demi-train. The hemline was heavily beaded, as was the bodice, and Katherine could almost feel how the weight this would give to the fabric would make the gown hang and move.

‘It is not suitable for an unmarried lady,’ she said regretfully, letting her finger trail down the line of the drawing.’

‘Not in that strong colour with the jet beads, no.’ Madame flipped back a pile of silks and produced one with a flourish. ‘But in this and with crystal beading, what could be more refined and suitable?’

This was a silk of the softest primrose yellow. Madame urged Katherine to stand in front of the mirror while she draped a length of it over her shoulder. ‘You see? Over a white satin underskirt and with slippers and gloves of kid a few shades darker—enchanting.’

Katherine turned from the glass with a pang. ‘That fabric, that colour, but in the style I picked out first, if you please. The other is delightful, but I can tell it will cost considerably more and I had not budgeted for this expenditure,’ she said firmly.

‘There is no time to lose,’ Madame announced, scribbling in a notebook. ‘If Miss Cunningham and her attendant would be so good as to accompany Hortense to the fitting rooms, measurements may be made.’

Nick stood up. ‘Madame, will you be so good as to give Miss Cunningham directions to suitable shops for her slippers, gloves and so forth? Miss Cunningham, I will meet you back at the Lamb and Flag at three o’clock, if that will be enough time? And I will order a late luncheon.’

He smiled inwardly. Kat already had that focused look, which, in his wide experience, women always acquired on a serious shopping expedition. She might be acting most sensibly about her choice of gown, but he did not delude himself that by the time she and Jenny arrived back at the inn they would have subjected Newcastle’s most eligible emporia to a thorough pillaging.

‘Yes, thank you Lord Seaton, that will be delightful,’ she said over her shoulder, already halfway through the door. Then suddenly the focused look vanished and she smiled at him, excited and enchanting, and his heart contracted painfully, startling him. It seemed this business of being in love took some getting used to.

‘Madame!’ He pulled himself together and lifted the second design, the one he had chosen. ‘This gown, if you please. There is no need to say anything to Miss Cunningham until the first fitting. And, Madame, send the account to me.’

The knowing black eyes narrowed and he smiled at her. ‘No, Madame, this is absolutely not what you suspect.’ As he opened the door on to the street he added, ‘Quite the opposite, in fact.’