‘But you always do exactly as you please! You didn’t take a single dress with you when you ran away, I checked your armoire! You wore Fred’s clothes and drankdevil’s brewand then you had a duel with some pretend sword and?—’
‘It was Miss Sarah Siddon’s theatrical épée!’ Phoebe objected. ‘Plus, I never ran away! And what have I said about mentioning devil’s brew?!’
Matilda crossed her arms and scowled.
‘Anyway, you’re not the only one who likes adventures!’
Phoebe considered her headstrong younger sister in exasperation, before snatching up a gentleman’s cravat from a colourful pile on the sideboard.
‘Did you know, I also fought adastardlypirate once?’ she murmured, tying the red cloth, bandana style, around her forehead.
Matilda stifled a shriek of laughter and snatched up another, while Josephine smirked and let her book slide to rest.
‘Which one?’ Matilda demanded breathlessly.
‘Why Captain Blackbeard – or was it Bluebeard? The one with the best beard!’ Phoebe pulled a face. ‘Now, choose your weapon! Pistols or swords?’
‘The sword – every time!’ Matilda squeaked, grabbing a parasol from a holder in the corner.
‘My favourite, too! Nowen garde, me heartie!’ Phoebe challenged, pulling out another parasol, while her younger sister lunged with something resembling a banshee’s shriek.
‘Of course, Marchioness Carlisle, and dear Lady Carlisle,’ Madama Paragon’s voice rang out. ‘I was only thinking this morning that the rose silk became Miss Aurelia’s graceful figure so beautifully. Do excuse me while…’
Which became the precise moment that the jade curtain was pulled aside, revealing Phoebe and Matilda mid-battle.
‘Oh … my!’ Madame Paragon gasped, her eyes dancing.
‘Really, Phoebe and Matilda! Whaton earthare you doing?’ Aunt Higglestone exclaimed, goggle-eyed, while Sophie dissolved into a fit of silent giggles.
Phoebe dragged her eyes from her stricken aunt to two highly fashionable ladies of the ton, eyeballing her with something between horror and delighted amusement.
‘I… Please accept my apologies… We didn’t realise there were more customers in the shop,’ Phoebe garbled, trying not to look at Sophie.
‘Not at all, Miss Fairfax!’ Madame Paragon returned valiantly. ‘We have been some time with Sophie’s fitting, have we not, Mrs Higglestone? It is only natural young ladies would wish to … entertain themselves.’
‘Indeed! But one would hope they would do so in a rather less hoydenish way!’ the Marchioness of Carlisle pronounced, the feather on her elaborate hat nodding in violent agreement. ‘When my daughter is in need ofentertainmentshe reaches for her paintbox or harp – you might try them! Our order please, Madame Paragon…’
‘Of course, Marchioness Carlisle,’ Madame Paragon returned, stepping past Phoebe to retrieve a pale yellow silk gown, trimmed with lace.
It looked expensive, and as Madame Paragon sealed the box, Phoebe stole another look at Madame Paragon’s customers. She’d listened to Sophie long enough to know both were dressed in the very latest fashion, with wide-brimmed bonnets trimmed with fluttering ribbons, and day dresses finished in shimmering gauzes and blonde lace. She also recognised the younger lady’s hair was dressedà la chinoise, thanks to Sophie’s regular attempts to achieve the same. She inhaled deeply. They clearly hadn’t had so much as one heroic adventure their whole lives long, and she disliked them on principle. Yet they were also the type of well-connected persons her aunt, Thomas, and the Earl of Cumberland would wish to impress – which meant she had no choice but to wish it, too.
She forced a smile at the haughty marchioness, while pulling the cravat from her head.
‘I’m not convinced it does cure the headache tied thus around the forehead,’ she chattered brightly, ‘but I do declare your presence has proven a tonic – I cannot thank you enough, Marchioness … Lady Carlisle.’
Then she sank into a deep and dramatic curtsey which prompted the younger Lady Carlisle to snort into a delicate lace handkerchief, while the marchioness stared suspiciously at Phoebe.
‘Indeed! I favour bedrest and lemon tea myself,’ she returned through pursed lips.
‘A safe choice, though perhaps bandanas are a new fashion among the young ladies this season,’ the modiste placated, with a twinkle.
‘To be sure!’ Aunt Higglestone chimed in nervously. ‘And it is such a fortuitous pleasure to see you, Your Ladyship! Mr Higglestone and I were rather hoping the girls would make Lady Aurelia’s better acquaintance at the Sydney Gardens picnic this weekend. We hear there are to be fireworks, and a Merlin Swing for the young people…’
Aunt Higglestone beamed encouragingly, while Lady Aurelia glanced at her mama.
‘So I understand!’ the marchioness returned.
‘Yet even if the circus is in town, Mrs…’
