Page 75

London

It took a couple of weeks, and several more trips to galleries and exhibitions, to arrange, but the day of the excursion to the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens arrived. Their friends and relatives had taken to teasing her and Robert about the amount of time they spent poring over artifacts and paintings, but she didn’t care. Robert Ellice was the best companion for such an outing because he knew so much, but more than that, much more than that, he sought her opinion. He listened to what she had to say with genuine interest. Their combined knowledge made any visit fascinating, but being able to talk to someone who understood, and who wanted to know what she thought, who valued her contributions, was beyond price.

Her mama had warned her repeatedly about the danger of appearing to be a bluestocking, and she tried to bear it in mind, but she couldn’t look at the exhibits with the same kind of languid disinterest that most women did. As though having any kind of thought or understanding would be fatal to their enjoyment of the world.

She was excited about the Pleasure Gardens as she had heard so much about them. Hannah, it seemed, was equally excited as she changed her outfit three times to Eliza’s knowledge. There had been so many balls and parties in that time, Eliza was beginning to feel a little frazzled. It was such a whirlwind, but this excursion she was definitely looking forward to.

Eliza tapped on the door of her sister’s chamber and peeped in. Hannah was staring at herself in the glass, turning this way and that.

‘You look lovely,’ she said. It was true, she really did. Something of the bloom had returned to her cheeks, and it had been sadly lacking since she lost George. If it was Edward Ellice putting that bloom there, then she hoped that Mr Ellice held her in the same regard. Eliza was not sure that Hannah could take another blow to the heart.

‘You don’t think the grey would be better?’

‘No, the blue suits you perfectly. You look truly lovely.’ She did. Dressed in gorgeous empire line blue silk that fell in perfect folds, and a darker blue spencer and bonnet that Eliza had to admit she envied.

Hannah nodded, eyes still fixed on her image in the glass.

‘It was kind of Mr Ellice to invite us.’

Hannah glanced at her. ‘It was, wasn’t it?’

Eliza sighed and went to take her sister’s hand. ‘Oh, Hannah. You really do like him, don’t you.’

For a moment, her eyes looked glassy and Eliza thought she might cry, but she shook herself. ‘I do.’

‘Then let us have a splendid time,’ she said and hugged her gently.

Another knock came to the door, and Hannah bid them enter. Charles poked his head around the door.

‘Are you two ready? Everyone is waiting for you.’

Hannah squared her shoulders, and they set off together.

The journey took a little while as there were so many carriages on the roads. It was as though the whole of London was heading that way. Eliza spotted a particularly gorgeous carriage, and then realised it bore the Devonshire crest.

‘Oh,’ she said, turning to her sister. ‘Perhaps Hart will be there with Haryo?’

Charles raised an eyebrow. ‘Hartington again? Are we to expect an announcement?’

Eliza knew her brother well enough to know when he was funning and when there was more behind his words, and she detected the undertone of concern.

‘Would you object?’

That seemed to take Charles by surprise. ‘Would I need to?’

‘Oh, for goodness’ sake, Charles. Don’t start going around in circles. We are not in the House of Lords now. Would you object to Hart if he was interested in me?’

‘My dear Eliza,’ he said fondly. ‘I am sure I could not possibly object to Hartington, but you have been in London precisely two minutes. I am sure you will fall in love at least a dozen times before you choose someone to marry.’

And that, it seemed, was the closest she was going to get to an answer.

The carriage rumbled on towards Lambeth, on the south of the river, in silence before Charles bestirred himself.

‘So, do you ladies know what to expect here?’

Hannah sighed, ‘Charles, I have been married. I have been to London before. I am not completely green.’

Eliza chuckled. ‘I’m afraid I am. I know that there will be music and the gardens will be lit up. There will be dancing and food. I also know that there are some areas well-bred young ladies should not walk, so I would appreciate someone telling me where they are.’