“We do.” Lady Dare breathed out a sigh of relief, and patted Hyacinth’s hand. “And there’s no reason why we can’t revisit the idea of a season next year.”
Next year?Lachlan restrained an impatient growl. Bloody nonsense. Finn was right. If Hyacinth didn’t debut this year, she never would.
Finn cleared his throat. “Before you make a decision, Hyacinth, you should know Lachlan and I have agreed we’ll bring Isla out this season.”
Isla had remained quiet during the discussion about Brighton, but now she glanced up, and a smile lit her face. “A London season? Truly?”
“If you’d like it, then yes, of course.” Finn looked pleased at her reaction. “We’ll have a job managing theton, but it will be a great deal easier if you and Hyacinth have each other for support.”
“Oh!” Isla clapped her hands together with delight. “I should love that above all things! What fun we’d have, Miss Somerset!”
“I wouldn’t suggest it if I didn’t think you could manage it,” Finn added gently to Hyacinth. “I don’t say it won’t be a challenge, but I’ve no doubt you have the strength to rise and meet it, especially if you have a friend by your side.”
A tense silence descended on the room. Lady Dare and Lady Chase traded uneasy glances, and Lady Huntington was looking at her husband as if she wished to box his ears, but Lachlan only spared them the briefest glance.
He was watching Hyacinth.
A look of intense longing crossed her face, a look so poignant, so heartbreaking, it made his breath seize in his chest. She was frightened, yes—of thetonand the gossip, of the damage done by the scandal, and she was concerned she’d worry her sisters and grandmother by remaining in London—but even so, and despite her doubts about herself, a part of Hyacinth Somerset desperately wanted her season.
Then, in the next breath, the look of yearning was gone, and in its place was a blank face, one that gave nothing away. “I thank you, Finn, for the kind suggestion, but I think…I think I prefer to go to Brighton.”
Finn’s face fell. “Hyacinth—”
“It’s for the best, Lord Huntington.” Lady Chase levered herself up from the sofa with the help of her cane, and held out her hand for her granddaughter. “Well, come along, Hyacinth. You look fatigued. It’s time we went home, my dear.”
“Wait, Grandmother.” Hyacinth ignored her grandmother’s hand, and instead crossed the room to where Isla sat. “Forgive me, Miss Ramsey, for not joining you this season, but I hope you’ll tell me how else I can help you before my grandmother and I leave for Brighton.”
Lachlan could see Isla was disappointed, but she hid it under a smile. “How kind. I confess I’m a trifle apprehensive about a London season. I got a glimpse of the ladies’ gowns when we passed by the ballroom the other night, and I already know mine won’t do.”
Hyacinth was quiet for a moment, her face thoughtful. “Perhaps all my gowns needn’t go to waste, after all. Because of my grandmother’s generosity, I have enough gowns squeezed into my closet to dress a dozen ladies for an entire season. I’m certain you’d find something there to suit you. We’re close enough in size it won’t take any time at all to have some of my gowns made over for you.”
Isla’s eyes went wide. “Oh no, I couldn’t ask that of you.”
Hyacinth smiled. “You didn’t ask. I offered. Please do let me help you, Miss Ramsey. Nothing would make me happier.”
“Why, how generous you are!”
Isla looked as if she wanted to say more, but Hyacinth’s cheeks colored, and she hastily interrupted her. “Will you come to Bedford Square some afternoon this week? We’ll send for Madame Bell, you can choose which gowns you like, and we’ll have a fitting of sorts. You’ll need a ball gown right away, because Lady Bagshot’s ball is the week after next, and it’s very grand, and…” Hyacinth trailed off, biting her lip. “Oh, dear. We haven’t yet worked out how to secure the Ramseys an invitation to Lady Bagshot’s ball, have we?”
Iris shook her head. “No, I’m afraid not. It’s lovely of you to offer your gowns to Isla, Hyacinth, truly it is, but as of yet, she has no place to wear them. Even under the best of circumstances Isla’s debut would be tricky, and these are not the best of circumstances.”
A brief silence fell as they all considered this, then Lady Chase gave a great sniff. “What a pity it has to be Lady Bagshot, of all people.”
“Indeed.” Lady Dare seated herself on a sofa beside her husband. “But if Lady Bagshot snubs Isla, she won’t be invited anywhere else. However we proceed, we’ll have to prepare for gossip. God knows thetonis vicious when it comes to scandal.”
“Not all of theton,” Finn said, with a calm sip of his tea.
Lady Chase snorted. “I hope you don’t mean to try and persuade us Lady Bagshot isn’t vicious. Why, I’ve known her for years, and she’s always been as mean as a snake.”
“No, she’s vicious enough, but there are a few kind, decent souls to be found tucked into the corners of the English aristocracy. Among all of us, we know most of them. There’s no way around the gossip, but it isn’t as if we don’t have any resources at our disposal.” Finn looked around the room. “Dare. You know the Worthingtons fairly well, don’t you?”
Nick nodded. “Andrew Worthington and I have known each other for years, and my aunt, Lady Westcott, is dear friends with his parents.”
“Is Lady Atherton in town?” Finn turned to Lady Chase. “I understand she spends a good deal of time in Bath.”
“She does, the poor dear. Ill health, you know. But she’s well enough now, and in town for the remainder of the season.”
Iris tapped her lip, thinking. “Lady Bagshot’s ball is next week, and then Lord and Lady Hayhurst’s ball is after that.” Iris turned to Isla. “Lady Hayhurst is my friend, and a dear, kind thing. If I ask her to, I’m certain she’ll invite you to her ball. That alone will go a long way toward ensuring your acceptance with theton.”
