Chapter Twenty-Eight
London, two days later
“Jenny!” Bella giggled.“Did you see that gentleman ogling us through his pince-nez? His shirt collar pushed up under his chin. He could barely turn his head!”
Jenny took her sister’s arms to cross the street, with Aunt Leonora’s maid and Andrew’s footman in tow. They climbed into Andrew’s barouche. “They are known as Bond Street beaus, Bella. Just ignore them.”
Her sisters stayed with her at Aunt Leonora’s townhouse in Mayfair, only a few streets from Andrew’s huge stone mansion in Grosvenor Square, in order to restore some semblance of propriety. It failed to quash the gossips, however, because as soon as the announcement of Jenny’s and Andrew’s engagement appeared in theGazette, one of the more gossip-oriented newspapers ran an effusive article about the widowed duke who’d found love again with a baron’s daughter from Yorkshire. Fortunately, no mention of her being his governess had yet been discovered, but the scandal sheets followed suit, and tongues began to wag, Aunt Leonora informed her, as her card group spoke of little else.
London was thin of company, with most of thetonretiring to their country estates for the hunting season, and Andrew assured her that many would not return until parliament sat after Christmas; and talk would die away after they were married, especially with the royals always providing something more outrageous.
Jenny tried not to think of her father’s parting words. “You are most fortunate,” he said. “It appears you have become indispensable to the duke, because of your excellent care of his children. And the only way for that to continue, is for him to marry you. I hope that doesn’t mean you’ll become a drudge.”
While she refused to believe her father was right, it did cast an element of doubt in her mind. Andrew was always attentive and affectionate. But was it just affection he felt for her rather than love? They had shared a most alarming experience as they worked to keep William safe. It had drawn them together. Was she foolish to wish for a deep passion? Andrew had been so broken-hearted after Lady Catherine died, he hadn’t sought to remarry for years. How could Jenny, who was not even a beauty, replace Catherine in his heart? Or was she being unreasonable to even want to? Should she be satisfied with less? She feared it might break her heart.
“I have one more fitting for my bridesmaid dress,” Beth said as the carriage rocked through the busy streets. “I can’t wait to try on again. It’s quite the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen!”
Hours were spent at Madam De Launay’s salon while the girls’ dresses were made, and Jenny was fitted for a new ballgown. Andrew had insisted on a completely new wardrobe, explaining that as soon as dinner parties, routs, breakfasts, and balls began, she would have need of it. Madam was known to have created gowns for the cream of society, and her salon was very elegant. The bridesmaid’s dresses of white tulle trimmed with pink ribbon sashes and five rows of silk roses at the hem and sleeves, were almost finished, in what Jenny considered to be a remarkably short time. But Madam De Launay did employ a number of seamstresses.
“Jenny is still hemming her wedding gown,” Bella said with a laugh. “You’ll be the first bride to marry in a half made gown, Jenny.”
Jenny grinned. “I finished it last night, while you two were asleep.”
“I’m relieved,” Bella said. “You don’t want dark shadows under your eyes on your wedding day.”
Jenny’s stomach tightened again with nerves. She hoped Andrew would think her pretty. It wasn’t an elaborate gown, but rather simple in style, the satin good quality, and the Belgian lace had been her mother’s, and was very fine. She would wear her mother’s pearls and Bella was very good at arranging her hair. It was a simple affair in Castlebridge with only family and a few of Andrew’s friends in attendance didn’t require a lavishly adorned gown. Although the ball which was to be held in December at Castlebridge certainly would. Andrew’s secretary, Mr. Bishop had already sent out four hundred gilt-edged invitations. Jenny knew that there would be much to do to arrange such a grand affair and assumed preparations were already underway. It would be required of her to oversee it. How odd to be liaising with the housekeeper. What would the staff make of her? Jenny hoped their recent benevolence would withstand the shock of her becoming their new mistress. She had managed a small staff after her mother died, but nothing of the size of Castlebridge.
She would be a duchess! The thought brought on a crippling attack of nerves, but she breathed deeply and vowed to tackle it heart and soul, determined to make Andrew proud.
Andrew had declined the few soirees and dinner parties they’d been invited to, until Jenny had her new gowns. He escorted her and her sisters to Hyde Park in the barouche which caused quite a traffic jam on the South Carriage Drive, when they were stopped by those riding and promenading, keen to speak to Andrew, and be introduced to Jenny and her sisters, while curious glances appeared at carriage windows. Beth was struck dumb by the experience and had to be told not to stare.
Jenny was quite happy to fill in the short time left before her wedding in less stressful pursuits. Her sisters accompanied her when she shopped for her trousseau, including her underwear, nightwear, shoes, gloves, and hats at the most fashionable stores. The fact that Andrew had an account there made the shop assistants eager to serve her, fussing like moths around a lantern. Boxes and packages were delivered to her aunt’s townhouse hourly.
Aunt Leonora, who was in her sixty-fifth year, confessed to finding the whole affair vastly diverting, and was delighted that Andrew insisted she have a new costume made for the wedding. Surprisingly, she had expressed some eagerness to co-chaperone Bella during her Season next year.
They arrived back at the house and darted inside, laughing about a lady’s outrageously tall hat they’d seen. In the bedchamber, Jenny shared with the girls, they began to open boxes and strip away paper. Bella pulled out a beaded reticule of a beautiful deep indigo blue. “This is quite lovely.”
Jenny smiled at her. “Then you shall have it.”
“Thank you, dearest,” Bella kissed her cheek.
“Aunt Leonora and I discussed your Come-out next year,” Jenny said. “And we have decided we will both be chaperones.” She hoped Bella would be excited by the prospect, but her sister merely studied a royal purple velvet hat with the broad, flat brim, turning it in her hands.
Bella replaced it in its box and sighed. “That is very good of you both.”
“You will be assured of an excellent Season, Bella. You’re so pretty, and now with a duke for a brother-in-law…”
“Yes, I know,” Bella said in a flat voice. “I am most fortunate.”
Jenny put an arm around her shoulders. “But you don’t want it.”
“I should, Jenny. You’ve been so good…”
“It’s because of Glyn, isn’t it, dearest?”
Bella sighed again and nodded.
“Why not write to him and ask him to come to London?” Beth said.
