Chapter Eight
The next morning, holding up her muddy skirts, Harriett met her mother on the stairs.
Her mother’s eyebrows rose. “Where on earth have you been?”
“I went for an early morning walk, Mama. The weather is so perfect, and the air so fresh! But I’m afraid I fell afoul of a puddle.”
“It hasn’t rained all week! You must have sought far and wide to find one!”
Harriett gave a rueful shrug. Her mother was quite right; it had taken her longer than she expected.
“Give that to the maid and hurry up and change or you will be late for breakfast.”
“Yes, Mama.”
“Wait!” Her mother grabbed her arm as she walked past. “You only have your two best gowns. We didn’t pack for a long stay. You’ll have to borrow a morning gown from your sister, before she leaves for London.”
“But it will be too short.”
“It shall do for now,” her mother said crossly. “We’ll add a flounce later this afternoon, when we have time. I believe I might have something suitable in my sewing basket.” She glanced at the watch she wore on a gold chain around her neck. “I can’t help you this morning. I want to discuss the appalling state of the linens with the housekeeper.”
“Very well, Mama.”
Harriett found Leonora in her allotted bedchamber, organizing the maid’s packing. When she related their mother’s request, Leonora burst into tinkling laughter. “It will be scandalously short.”
“We’ll add a flounce.”
“One flounce? You’re so tall, Harriett. Two or three, I would have thought.”
With her tiny feet and hands, Leonora made Harriett feel like a clumsy giant. “We’re sending for more clothes. I will only need wear it for a day or two.”
Leonora turned to the maid. “Remove the French beige percale from the trunk, Sarah.”
“I look a fright in beige. Have a heart, Leonora. Might I have the pale yellow muslin?”
“But that’s a favorite of mine.”
“Don’t be mean. You know Aunt Georgina will buy you more.”
Leonora went to the mirror to tie lilac bonnet ribbons beneath her chin. “Yes, I expect she shall.” She studied herself in the glass, and tweaked a curl. “Very well. You’d best have the spencer to go with it. Take out the yellow, Sarah.”
Sarah removed the gown from its silver paper and shook it. Harriett had always liked the self-striped material and the simplicity of the style. It would suit her. Leonora usually favored more ribbons and lace. More importantly, the dress would also be easier to get in and out of in the dark, with only a few hooks to worry about. At the thought of anything so outrageous, she almost gasped aloud.
A servant arrived to remove the trunk as Leonora pulled on short lilac kid gloves. “I must go. Aunt Georgina will be waiting.”
“Have a lovely time in London.”
“I may not stay long; especially if I don’t find a suitor at Almack’s. Gerard is an earl after all. He would have to change though. He doesn’t care enough about appearances to my mind.” Leonora threw her arms around her sister and hugged her. “But I shall have a very nice time, I just know it. Poor you, stuck here in the dull countryside.”
Harriett stifled a nervous laugh and went to change into the gown. Leonora had guessed correctly, an embarrassing expanse of stockinged ankle and calf showed between her shoes and the hem.
She came down to join her mother on the carriage drive. They waved Aunt Georgina and her sister goodbye.
After the carriage disappeared from view, Mama ran her gaze over Harriett. “We must alter that dress after luncheon.”
Harriett followed her mother inside. She felt she should apologize for taking after her father in height, her mother being a small dainty woman like Leonora.
“Primrose does suit your complexion, though,” Mama said. “I confess I would never have thought of it.”
