“A receiving line at a musicale evening is quite out of the norm.”
“I’m sure it is for the coup of having Mrs. Billington for entertainment,” James said.
“Sir James, Lady Branstoke, I am so glad you could make our musicale, and I am so dismayed at not knowing you were in town to have sent it earlier.”
“We only arrived yesterday. When Lady Oakley said she would tell you we were in town, I hardly expected you to extend an invitation at such a late time,” Cecilia said.
“Did you know Cecilia and I met at your spring musicale?”
“You met at our musicale? I had no idea,” said Lady Amblethorpe.
“Yes,” Cecilia said. “And that is why we are delighted to be here tonight.”
“Gracious! Then we are honored. It was such a surprise to thetonwhen you married. You are well now?” Lady Amblethorpe asked, for last spring, to all of society, Cecilia had appeared as a woman of fragile health, always with one health complaint or another. Ill health was the ruse Cecilia used to encourage others to ignore her presence and talk openly around her, certain she wasn’t attending, so involved she appeared in her own health.
“But please, you must meet our guest of honor, Mrs. Elizabeth Billington!” Lady Amblethorpe enthused.
James bowed over the singer’s hand. Mrs. Billington was a stout woman with a hawk nose and a mass of frizzy curls. Hers was a beautiful voice, though some decried a lack of emoting in her singing. Nonetheless, she’d ruled the Vocal Concerts for many years until her retirement in 1810. “My wife and I are looking forward to your performance, madam. You have been away from the stage for far too long.”
The woman smiled slightly and acknowledged his comment with a slight nod but otherwise appeared bored. Cecilia and James shared covert glances before continuing to the staircase leading to the ballroom set up for the musicale.
The room looked much as it had at the spring musicale, with rows of Gillows of Lancaster mahogany chairs for seating. Though this time it was not as profusely decorated with flowers, nor as heavily perfumed—understandable, owing to the time of year. The grand ballroom was white with ornately carved and gilded moldings, large-framed mirrors hung every ten feet, and painted murals on the ceiling.
Few of the guests were seated yet, most preferring to mingle and whisper to each other as they awaited the Amblethorpes and their guest, Mrs. Billington. A small ensemble of musicians gathered at the back of the room, murmuring amongst themselves as they sorted their music.
James led Cecilia to where Lady Soothcoor stood with her escort.
“Sir James,” Lady Soothcoor said warmly as they approached.
“Lady Soothcoor, I am happy to see you,” said James, taking the lady’s hand and bowing over it. “I would like you to meet my wife, Cecilia.”
“Delighted,” the woman said.
Cecilia curtsied slightly, acknowledging the woman’s rank.
“Do you know Dr. Jonathan Lakewood?” the Dowager Countess asked.
“I have not had the pleasure,” James said, tipping his head toward the gentleman.
“Pleasure,” the man responded back to them.
“I knew Dr. Lakewood nine years ago, when he attended my daughter Anne after the difficult birth she had with George. Since then he has become quite famous for his study of the medicinal properties of exotic plants.” There was warmth and pride in the Countess’s voice.
“What made you develop an interest in exotic plants?” James asked.
“I spent five years in India as a physician with the East India Company and learned about the plants there that are used in Ayurvedic medicine. In fact, it was Lady Soothcoor’s stepson who sparked my interest in Ayurvedic medicine and the plants used.”
“How is that?” Cecilia asked.
“I had some prior acquaintance with Mr. Sedgewick, as I had met him when I treated Lady Anne. He was much troubled byarthritis deformansat that time and was making plans to sail to India for work and relief. When I met him again in India, the good health he enjoyed shocked me. Delightfully shocked. While his hands showed evidence of the disease, he did not seem to be bothered by it. He told me that was because of the local medicine he took. This sparked my interest.”
“Dr. Lakewood brought back many different plant seeds, rhizomes, and tubers for further study. I have lent him the use of my conservatory until he can get a proper scientific facility built.”
“How wonderful, and quite generous of you, Lady Soothcoor!” Cecilia exclaimed.
“Well, I love exotic plants, so it is for my benefit as well. He has one plant in particular I am in love with, theGloriosa Superba. It looks like a candle flame when it blooms.”
“And it is the plant that was the most beneficial for Mr. Sedgewick’s affliction.”
