Anne Herries - An Innocent Debutante in Hanover Square

‘Max!’ a voice hailed him loudly from across the road as he was about to enter his sporting club. Max turned and looked round; he grinned as he saw the younger man approaching on foot. ‘I am glad to have caught you. I am just this day come to town. Harry sent me to look at some decent cattle he heard of and I think they are just what I need. I wondered if you would give me the benefit of your advice in the morning?’

‘Toby Sinclair…’ Max clapped him on the shoulder. ‘The newest member of the Four-in-Hand. So Harry put you on the right track, did he? Your uncle is one of the best judges of horseflesh I know. I doubt you need my advice.’

‘I should like it none the less,’ Toby said. ‘I have no engagements in town as yet.’

‘Ah…’ Max nodded, looked thoughtful, then, ‘I am promised to Lady Marsh this evening. I think you know my great-aunt Edith? I am certain she would welcome you.’

‘Thank you,’ Toby said, his eyes lighting up. ‘I could have spent the evening at a gaming hell, but I’ve just accepted an offer from Harry to join him in a business venture and I am trying not too waste too much blunt at the tables.’

‘Sensible,’ Max said and frowned. ‘I happened to see Northaven this morning. I was surprised to see him back in town after what happened at Pendleton last year. He would have done better to take himself off abroad as Harry bid him.’

‘I dare say his pride would not let him.’

‘I dare say you are right.’

‘I have wondered if it was Northaven who attempted to kidnap Amelia Royston in Pendleton woods last summer,’ Toby said. ‘If, indeed, it was an attempt to snatch her and not merely a botched robbery?’

‘Ravenshead has his own ideas on the subject,’ Max said and looked thoughtful. ‘Miss Royston is in town, you know. She has some friends staying—Mrs Henderson and her daughter Helene.’

‘Really? I must call tomorrow,’ Toby said. He looked round as they entered the sporting club together. ‘Are you going to box or fence today?’

‘I thought to see who was here,’ Max said. ‘Do you fancy yourself with the foils, Sinclair?’

‘Well, I’m not sure I’m up to your mark, Coleridge,’ Toby said and grinned. ‘But I’m game if you are?’

‘Delighted,’ Max said and clapped him on the back. ‘Tell you the truth, I’ve been missing Harry and Gerard. Harry invited me down to Pendleton, and I may go in a few weeks, but I have not heard a word from Ravenshead since he went to France. I am not certain he intends to return.’

‘Oh, I think he may,’ Toby said. ‘Susannah told me that he had written to Harry. He has been delayed, but he has engaged an English nanny for his daughter and I think he will open the house at Ravenshead in another month or so.’

‘Ah, that is good news. I dare say he may visit with Harry and Susannah for a while, and I shall certainly go down at the end of the Season.’ Unless he found a lady to propose to in the meantime, Max thought. He said nothing of his plans to take a wife, which had been forming slowly for a while.

He did not know why he had not married sooner—he wished to have children, and not simply because he needed an heir for his estate. Max had been an only child after his younger brother died in childhood. He had joined the army more out of a desire for companionship than a wish to be a soldier and had formed some strong friendships. However, Harry Pendleton’s marriage to a spirited young girl, and Gerard’s absence in France, had made him aware that his life was empty.

If he could find a girl who would put up with him—one he could feel comfortable with on a daily basis—he might decide to settle down quite soon. Max was not sure whether or not he needed to love the girl. Perhaps that was not necessary for a marriage of convenience. Affection and compatibility was possibly more important? He did not think that he could put up with a simpering miss who was interested only in her new gown or some fresh trinket, though he could afford to indulge his wife with all the trinkets she required. A little smile touched his mouth as he recalled the girl and the donkey. Now Helene certainly had spirit and her indignant look had made him smile…

Helene glanced at herself in the cheval mirror. Her gown was not as stylish as some Amelia wore, but, caught high under the bust with a band of embroidery, it became her well. She had added a new spangled stole and some long white gloves and white slippers. Her dark brown hair was dressed simply in a knot at the back of her head, fastened with pearl pins, and she wore a string of pearls about her throat. They had belonged to her father’s grandmother, so she had been told, and were the only jewellery she possessed, apart from a matching pair of earbobs.

A knock at the door announced a visitor. Helene had dismissed her maid once she was ready, and called out that whoever it was might enter. She smiled as the door opened and Emily entered. She was wearing a dark blue gown, very simple in design, but of quality silk and cut most elegantly.

‘You look lovely,’ Helene exclaimed. ‘I like you in blue, Emily. I do not know why you do not wear it more often.’

‘Amelia has been trying to wean me from grey for a long time,’ Emily said. ‘I am particularly fond of blue, but I used to think it was not a suitable colour for a companion.’

‘Amelia does not think of you in that way,’ Helene assured her. Her face was thoughtful as she studied the other woman. Emily looked much younger now that she had abandoned her habitual grey. ‘I believe she values you as a friend.’

‘Yes, she has told me so many times,’ Emily agreed. For a moment she looked sad, but it passed and she was smiling again. ‘You are beautiful, Helene. That dress becomes you.’

‘Thank you.’ Helene glanced at her reflection once more. ‘It is not as stylish as your gown, or those we have ordered, I dare say—but I do not think I shall disgrace Amelia this evening.’

‘I am very certain you will not,’ Emily said and laughed softly. ‘You look everything you ought, Helene. I was sent to see if you were ready—shall we go down?’

‘Yes, of course,’ Helene said. ‘I am a little nervous about this evening. It is my first outing into London society and I am not sure what to expect.’

‘That is why Amelia chose carefully for you,’ Emily said. ‘I am sure everyone will approve of you, Helene, for your manners are good and you think before you speak—and I think you will like Lady Marsh, who is your hostess this evening, for she is very kind. She is Lord Coleridge’s great-aunt on his father’s side. She has been kind to me even though I am just a companion.’

‘You are a lady, anyone can see that,’ Helene said. ‘Being a companion does not make you any the less respectable, Emily.’

Emily laughed. ‘That is not always the opinion of everyone, Helene—but I am very fortunate to have Amelia as my employer. She is respected everywhere. Because of her kindness I have been accepted by most—and you will be, too, Helene.’

‘Thank you, I feel a little better now. Shall we go?’

Helene’s nerves returned when they alighted from the carriage and walked along the carpet that had been laid on the ground outside the large house to protect the ladies from getting their gowns soiled. Lanterns were being held for them by linkboys, and the carriage had been obliged to queue when they first arrived—and this was supposed to be a modest affair! Helene was glad of Emily’s company as they walked into the house together. They were greeted first by their hostess. Lady Marsh was a small plump lady of perhaps sixty years, dressed in a purple gown and a gold turban, and she kept them talking for a moment before allowing them to pass on to the reception rooms.