Chapter 8

Eight

L ily had laid down on the bed for a moment, her eyes feeling heavy. She only intended to rest for a short while, but a knock at the door caused her to startle, as the landlord called out to her.

"There's a letter for you, Miss Porter – from Miss Alicia Saunders. Her maid just delivered it," the landlord said, and Lily got up in a hurry to open the door, finding the landlord holding the letter in his hand.

"Oh, good, I'm glad – I've been waiting for her reply. Thank you," Lily said, glancing at the clock on the mantelpiece and realizing she had only a few hours before the ball began.

To her relief, on opening the letter, Lily discovered Alicia's parents would be only too glad to reciprocate Lily's hospitality to Alicia, and she could return home with them after the ball that evening. Lily did not have much time to spare, and she dressed in her new pink dress, imagining the look on Maximilian's face when he saw it. All her plans were coming together, and now she felt excited at the prospect of seeing Alicia and discovering more about the local society.

But I won't tell Alicia why I'm here. She doesn't need to know, Lily thought to herself, as she made her way downstairs a short while later.

The landlord looked at her in surprise. Lily had transformed herself into the belle of the ball, in her pretty pink dress, a pair of silver slippers, a silk shawl, and jewelry her father had given her for her eighteenth birthday.

"Well, Miss Porter – you're certainly full of surprises," the landlord said, as Lily settled her bill.

The kitchen boy brought down her bags, and a carriage was summoned to take her to the assembly rooms – a short distance away from the inn.

"I'm grateful for your hospitality, and for the things you've told me about…well, everything," Lily said, as she bid the landlord farewell.

"Just remember what I told you, Miss Porter – have nothing to do with the duke's son. You wouldn't be the first young woman to be seduced by his charms," he said, and Lily smiled.

"Don't worry, I'm sure I know what I'm doing," she replied, and now she made her way out to the waiting carriage, garnering admiring looks from several men sitting outside the inn drinking.

"The assembly rooms, Miss?" the driver said, and Lily nodded.

"That's right," she replied, and they set off to make the short ride along the high street.

The building known as the assembly rooms was a handsome one – built in a neoclassical style, with columns and steps up to a large door standing open, where liveried footman stood in attendance. A steady stream of fashionably dressed men and women were entering, and there was much merriment and cheer amongst the crowds. This was the beginning of the season, and there was a sense of anticipation in the air as Lily climbed down from her carriage and looked around her for a sight of Alicia and her parents.

I wonder where they could be. The letter said they'd meet me here, and the bags could be put into their carriage, she thought to herself, even as it was hard to pick out any individuals amongst the crowd.

But at that moment, a commotion occurred along the street, and shouts of "make way," could be heard, as the clatter of horses' hooves approached. Lily watched in fascination as a large carriage – much larger than any of the others – and embossed with an ornate crest on the door drew up. There was much excitement and jostling amongst the crowd, and heads turned as the carriage came to a halt. A footman jumped down, hurrying to open the door for the occupants, who now appeared to a round of applause.

"Who is it?" Lily asked, turning to a young couple at her side, both of whom looked at her in surprise.

"It's the Duke and Duchess, of course – don't you know them when you see them?" the man replied, with indignant expression on his face.

Lily turned to look back at the duke and duchess, now making their progress through the crowds. They were a handsome couple and greeted their well-wishers amicably. But Lily could only look at them with contempt. She remembered her father's words and felt even more determined to enact the revenge he sought. As they reached the top of the steps, they turned, waving to the crowds, who now followed them into the assembly rooms. But Lily lingered, surprised to see the duke and duchess were not accompanied by their son.

I wonder where he is? Lily thought to herself, just as an excited cry came from behind.

"Oh, Lily – there you are. How wonderful to see you," Alicia called out, and Lily turned to find her friend hurrying towards her.

Alicia was a pretty creature, with blonde hair hanging down to her shoulders in ringlets, and a rosy-cheeked face with dark brown eyes. She was wearing a peacock blue dress, and she hurried to embrace Lily, exclaiming again how glad she was to see her.

"And I, you – thank you for replying to my letter. I should've written earlier. But I just had to leave London. My mother and I weren't getting on – you know how it is," Lily said, and Alicia nodded sympathetically.

Alicia had seen the growing animosity between Lily and her mother, and it would surely have come as no surprise to her to be told Lily wanted some time away from London.

"Oh, yes, I can only imagine. You poor thing – but I wasn't sure…why Lancashire? Though I'm thrilled to see you, of course. It's hardly the society you're used to," Alicia said, lowering her voice, as a pair of young women walked by arm in arm.

"My father lived here once," Lily said, by way of explanation, and Alicia looked at her in surprise.

"Did I know that? No, I don't think I did. How interesting. Oh, but look – my mother and father are here," she said, taking Lily by the hand.

Mr. and Mrs. Saunders were a thoroughly respectable couple, a little older than Lily's own parents, and now they greeted Lily warmly.

"How pleased we are to see you, my dear," Mrs. Saunders said.

She was a large woman, her height extenuated by a large plumage of feathers emanating from her fascinator, and her red skirts trailing somewhat behind her. Her husband was quite the contrast, thin, and in no way possessed of the countenance one might expect of a man who traded in liquor for a living. Alicia had once confided in Lily as to her father's absolute abhorrence for the demon drink, even as he had no qualms in selling it.

"And I you, Mrs. Saunders. Thank you so much for agreeing to my staying with you for the coming weeks. I was just saying to Alicia, I've come north because my father once lived here," Lily said, and Mrs. Saunders nodded with interest.

"Really? How fascinating? And, of course, you must stay – we haven't forgotten your kindness to Alicia when we were abroad, have we, Timothy?" she said, and Mr. Saunders shook his head.

"No, certainly not – though I'll be glad never to see another sugar plantation for as long as I live," he replied, smiling, and shaking his head.

"What a pretty dress you're wearing, Lily – is that the one…oh, it was in Miss Anderson's dress shop, the modiste," she said, and Lily nodded.

"I thought I'd make an impression. If I'm going to be here for the season, I thought I should make an effort with my dress," Lily replied.

"Oh, we're going to have such fun, aren't we? It's my first season here, too. I've found Lancashire society to…somewhat different from London, but not less pleasant because of it. It's a smaller world, of course, and intrigues travel fast. Are still writing the society listings?" Alicia asked.

In this, too, Lily had not been entirely honest. Her friend knew she wrote accounts of the happenings in London society, but these were factual and informative, rather than damning and divisive. In Alicia's mind, Lily wrote accounts of pretty ball dresses and the music danced to at this or that aristocratic gathering. She knew nothing of the scandal sheets, and she would surely have been horrified to have learned the truth as to Lily's real occupation.

"Oh, yes, but these things are always planned in advance. I was able to learn all I needed to know before leaving London, and I'll just make up the colors of the dresses," Lily replied, laughing, as Alicia took her by the arm and led her into the throng of guests still crowding the steps up to the assembly rooms.

"Did you see the Duke and Duchess arrive? She's always so elegant. I've seen her a few times since we arrived here. She's ever so pretty. I feel sorry for her," Alicia said, and Lily looked at her curiously.

"And why's that?" she asked, even as she thought she already knew the answer.

"She's got a son, but he's a terrible rake, or so everyone says. It must be so awful for her – and no daughter, either. I know fathers wants sons, but mothers want daughters, don't you think?" she asked.

Lily smiled. She thought of her own mother, and felt fairly certain she would have rather Lily been born a Luke or a Lance. As for her father, she could not imagine him with a son, and she knew he was proud to call her his daughter.

"I'm sure they do," she replied, as they made their way up the steps.

As they approached the door, the reason for the throng became apparent. Invitations were being checked, and Lily took her forgery from the pocket of her dress, even as Alicia looked at her in surprise.

"Oh, you've got an invitation. I thought we were going to have to make an excuse – my father supplied all the liquor for the ball this evening. It wouldn't have been a problem," Alicia said, as Lily handed the invitation to the steward.

He barely looked at it, and it seemed appearance was what mattered, rather than the invitation itself. In her new dress, slippers, shawl, and jewelry, Lily was every bit the society belle, and it was just the appearance she needed to bait the attentions of the duke's heir. But Lily had no intention of seducing him – she could hardly write about such a thing, nor did she wish to compromise herself in such a way. Her appearance was part of the act, she would befriend Lord Maximilian, and attempt to enter his confidence. In this way, Lily could be assured of observing him at close quarters and watching for any sign of scandal on his part. From the accounts she had heard, it seemed the young heir was not averse to the company of any woman on whom his gaze rested, and with so many debutantes and visitors at the ball, Lily felt certain one of them would fall into his trap.

"They hardly looked at it," Lily said, as she and Alicia entered the assembly rooms.

A grand room opened up before them, where the swish of ball gowns mingled with laughter and conversation, and musicians played to accompany in the background, the formal dancing to take place later. A long refreshment table stood along one side of the room, whilst windows on the other looked out over a terrace and gardens. The doors were open, the place scent of lavender wafted in from outside. Lily enjoyed such occasions – whether she was searching for scandal or not, and she was hopeful of dancing, even if it meant doing so with Lord Maximilian himself.

"Let's get some punch. I'm not sure I know anyone here. That's the problem with moving to a new place. It takes so long to become acquainted. I recognize a few faces, of course, and one can't mistake the Duke and Duchess," she said, glancing over to where the couple were being received by the Lord Mayor.

Lily watched, imagining the look on the duke's face when he read whatever it was she would write about his son. She would ruin him – she would ruin them all. Lily felt a sense of power at the prospect of what was to come. She would bide her time, dangling the sword of Damocles above the unsuspecting couple, knowing she could take her father's revenge whenever she desired it. For Lily, the scandal sheets were a means of income. But this was different. She had never before written out of spite, for she had never had a reason to do so. Lily told the truth, but this time, the truth was different – it was personal.

"No, they make quite the couple, don't they?" she replied.

"He's ever so handsome – the Duke, I mean. I know he's older, but still…" Alicia said, and Lily turned to her and raised her eyebrows.

"He's twice your age, and married," she said, and Alicia laughed.

"Oh, I know, but…there's something about an older man I find…alluring," she said, blushing, as Lily shook her head.

She herself was wary of men. She had seen enough of human nature for such wariness to be justified. Even men who appeared to be perfect gentlemen could have their secrets. There were times in London she despaired of ever finding the sort of man she would wish to marry – one who did not behave in the way so many others thought it appropriate to do. Men were, on the whole, rakes, and Lily had had her fair share of rakes. It was why she wrote about them, even as there were any number of women complicit in such behavior, too.

What is it about the aristocracy that makes them behave like this? She thought to herself, glancing around the room, and picking out various dresses and ball gowns on which to comment when she wrote her report of the ball for the Broker Press.

Every shade and permutation of color was there, forced onto ill-fitting bodies, be they too tall, too short, too fat, or too thin. Fashion was painful – for some, more than others – and Lily smiled at some of the sights, shaking her head in astonishment at some of the outfits on display.

"It's quite a gathering, isn't it? I suppose in the provinces, everyone just has to get along with one another," Lily said, as she and Alicia helped themselves to punch.

"Yes, I've thought that, too. In London, you'd never have the likes of a duke and duchess rubbing shoulders with the middle classes like this. They have their balls, the rest have theirs. My father always finds himself stuck in the middle. He's rich enough to rival most any aristocrat but born so as not to even outrank the lowliest viscount," Alicia replied, taking a sip of punch.

Lily smiled. Such a fact was certain to provide an interesting perspective for her scandal sheet, and she could only imagine the possibilities.

"I'm sure we'll see some interesting sights," she replied, as now the musicians struck up a waltz.

This was the signal for the dancing to begin, but neither Lily nor Alicia had a partner, and they remained on the wall, watching as Alicia's parents joined the throng, led by the duke and duchess. There was still no sign of Maximilian, and Lily wondered if he was even going to bother putting in an appearance. He had spoken of how much he detested such events, and Lily could only imagine he had retreated to the inn, where even now he would be ingratiating himself with whatever woman would give him the time of day.

But if he doesn't come, what am I going to do? she thought to herself, for she could hardly write a scandal sheet without its subject giving rise to scandal…