Chapter Three

E ffie looked out the window as they traveled through the busy streets of London to the dressmaker who would make up Effie's entire wardrobe this Season. She longed to be back in the country, tending to her animals and breathing in the fresh air, but she would keep a positive attitude. She owed Mama that much because of the sacrifices she had made for her girls. Though she doubted she would come out of it with a husband, she did hope she would make some friends beyond her sisters.

"I have used Madame Dumas for years," Mama remarked. "You will remember her, I am certain, for she has made a few gowns for you in recent years."

She did. "I like her because she is no-nonsense. She is a woman who is talented at what she does."

"Madame rarely takes on new clients, especially for the Season," Mama told her. "She has always been good to me and all you girls, especially as you have turned older and your needs for gowns have increased." She paused, hope in her eyes. "I want you to enjoy today, Effie. Oh, I know you are not one to relish talking about and wearing gowns, especially fancy ones, but you are striking with your height. I believe that Madame will enjoy dressing you for this Season."

Placing her hand over her mother's, Effie said, "I promise I will not be difficult, Mama. I actually am looking forward to this Season because I will get to see all my sisters and cousins. It seems as if it has been a long time since were together, thanks to marriages and babes appearing."

Her mother smiled gently. "Yes, it will be good for all of us to be together again, even if we are not under the same roof. That is what makes the Season so special. You get to be with your loved ones, as well as see your friends. Old ones—and even new ones you make each year."

"I am looking forward to making friends with others," she declared, determined to do that very thing.

They sat in contented silence until they reached the dressmaker's shop. A footman handed them down, and they entered.

Immediately, Effie sensed something was wrong. She spied Madame Dumas with another, older woman and a younger one who looked painfully embarrassed. The older woman looked none too pleased and spoke sharply with the modiste.

Mama turned to Effie. "That is the Duchess of Waterbury. Actually, the dowager duchess. I recall reading in the newspapers of her son's marriage. Shall we try and rescue Madame?"

They moved through the shop toward the three women. Effie noticed the younger girl's beautiful dark hair and luminous green eyes, which reminded her of Daffy's. She looked as if she wished for the floor to swallow her up.

"I insist this is the date which you provided to me, Madame Dumas," the dowager duchess said emphatically. "No, I am not confused, and we will not return tomorrow. You will see to things now, or I shall ruin you."

Effie winced at such a threat, but she trusted her mother to handle the situation with aplomb.

Mama smiled brightly and said, "Good morning, Your Grace. How lovely to see you. And you, as well, Madame Dumas. My daughter and I are so looking forward to our appointment with you today."

"It is good to see you, Your Grace," snapped the dowager duchess, a strained smile on her face. "Madame has obviously confused our appointments, however."

Effie looked at the modiste and knew no confusion had taken place. That it was this dowager duchess who had mistakenly come to the dressmaker's shop and now refused to admit her error. She did wonder, however, if Mama would correct the two women, both whom had addressed her as the duchess she once had been.

Mama said, "May I present my daughter, Your Grace? This is Lady Euphemia, the youngest of my six girls. And this is Her Grace, the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury."

The dowager duchess smiled grimly. "It is nice to meet you, Lady Euphemia. Might I present my own daughter, Lady Ada. She is to make her come-out this Season, and that is why it is imperative we begin on her wardrobe immediately."

"Ah, my daughter is also making her come-out," Mama said calmly. "What a wonderful opportunity for our girls to meet prior to the beginning of the Season. It is such an overwhelming task, trying to choose all the fabrics for a come-out wardrobe. Why, I would feel privileged if we accomplished this difficult task together. I would appreciate your input, along with Madame's, of course. Might we share this appointment with you and allow our girls to get to know one another better?"

Effie could see the dowager duchess thinking over the request. She decided to help sweeten the pot.

"Oh, Mama, what a wonderful idea. You know I have been looking forward to making friends with the other girls in my come-out group, and I think Lady Ada and I will become good ones." She looked to the girl and said, "Would you like to share this time together, Lady Ada.? I would enjoy being able to visit with you while we are looking at sketches and materials for our gowns. I am certain your mother has excellent taste, as does my own. Together, we will be the best-dressed girls making our come-outs this Season."

Lady Ada smiled shyly and looked to her mother. "It would be rather fun, Mama. Would you please consider doing so?"

They all waited with bated breath until the dowager duchess gave a quick nod. "It will take longer, but this will be good for Ada to make her first friend, especially the daughter of a duke and duchess."

She thought her mother would now remind this woman that she was no longer a duchess or at least inform her of her marriage to Captain Andrews. Mama kept silent, however. Effie realized her mother did so because she was using her former status in Polite Society to convince this disagreeable woman to stay and keep the peace. Effie glanced at Madame Dumas, seeing that she looked hopeful.

Smoothly, Madame said, "I have enough assistants. We will be able to accomplish quite a bit over the next several hours, Your Graces."

Effie noted even the modiste, who was certainly aware of Mama's second marriage, was using Mama's former title in order to keep the peace.

"And your girls are quite different, so it is not as if they will be competing for the various styles of gowns I design for them. I am known for dressing women of all ages and flattering their figures."

Mama beamed. "Then it is settled. We will share this appointment, and if for some reason we do not finish our work today, we can come back tomorrow and extend our time together."

"Let me take the young ladies to the dressing rooms to be measured," the modiste said, "while Your Graces enjoy a bit of conversation."

Effie followed Madame Dumas to the dressing room, slipping her arm through Lady Ada's and guiding her along.

When they were out of sight, Lady Ada said in wonder, "Your mother managed Mama so easily, Lady Euphemia. She can be... difficult. I am so glad we get to stay. I have longed to make friends. We live in Kent, and I have never been to town before."

"Never?" she asked, remembering that it was the habit of most couples to leave their children in the country during the Season. "I, too, live in Kent. My brother is the Duke of Seaton, and I grew up at Shadowcrest. It is about thirty-five miles southwest of Maidstone."

"My brother is the Duke of Waterbury," Lady Ada said. "I, too, grew up in Kent. Waterside is close to Canterbury, on the coast."

"We are practically neighbors," Effie declared. "And you must call me Lady Effie. Euphemia is a mouthful, and I never go by it. My entire family calls me Effie."

"Is your family small or large?" Lady Ada asked as Madame had Effie stand on a raised platform and her assistants removed Effie's gown so that she might be measured properly.

"Oh, we are quite large," she said. "There are six girls in all, and my brother, along with my cousin Caleb. He is the Shadowcrest steward. I am thrilled that all my sisters and cousins will be in town for the Season, minus Caleb. He never attends."

While she was measured and then Lady Ada was, Effie ran through the roster of her family, explaining how Lyric and Allegra had been raised alongside the four daughters of the household and how she considered her two cousins to be more like sisters. She named each of their husbands and children, as well.

"All these marriages have taken place within the last couple of years," she explained. "I am the last of the girls, but Mama also has a baby boy. Little James, whom we all call Jamie, so as not to confuse him with my brother James."

Lady Ada's eyes grew round. "Your mother has a babe ?" she squeaked.

"Yes. She was a widow and married Captain Andrews. The captain now helps to run Neptune Shipping, which my sister-in-law Sophie owns."

The other girl looked flabbergasted. "A duchess . . . owns . . . a business?"

She laughed as the assistants redressed Lady Ada. "She most certainly does. James was most insistent that his bride keep her company. My brother is an unusual man. You will meet him when the Season begins, if not before. Why, you and your mother must come to tea soon so that we might become better acquainted."

"You keep calling him James, but you said he is a duke," Lady Ada said. "Why do you not refer to him as Seaton?"

"He is my brother. James is his name. What else would I call him?"

"But dukes go by their titles, Lady Effie. Never their names. Even Mama and I call my brother Waterbury at all times."

Effie was beginning to see her family was quite different from others.

"James prefers us to refer to him in that manner, just as he wanted Sophie to keep her business. Their son George will become the Duke of Seaton one day and inherit Strong Shipping, our family's shipping line, while their other children will own and operate Neptune Shipping."

"You mean the sons will inherit," Lady Ada corrected her.

"No," she said. "The company will go equally to their other sons and daughters. James and Sophie are quite insistent about that. They both believe that girls can do anything boys can. My sisters believe the same."

Confusion filled Lady Ada's face. "But their husbands cannot believe that. Or... do they?" she questioned, clearly rattled by what Effie was sharing with her.

Madame said, "We may return to your mothers now and talk about styles and fabrics, my ladies."

Once more, Effie slipped her hand through Lady Ada's arm. "I think my family is most unusual. I hope you will become friends not only with me but also my sisters, cousins, and sister-in-law, Lady Ada. If you would like, I can show you a bit about town. We came every year during the Season, and Mama always took us about to different places. Museums. Hyde Park. Bookshops."

Perplexed, Lady Ada asked, "You did not remain in the country?"

She felt almost guilty, saying, "No. Mama would have been beside herself having to leave all her girls for several months. Papa rarely saw us, so it did not matter to him where we were."

Lady Ada viewed her with new eyes. "You—and your family—are quite different, Lady Effie. I find it... refreshing." She smiled widely. "I am eager to get to know all of you."

They joined Mama and the dowager duchess, who were seated at a large table. Effie took the seat next to her mother, while Lady Ada sat beside her mother.

Madame Dumas sat at the head of the table. "All the measurements have been recorded, Your Graces. I have several ideas already how to dress each of your daughters."

"I look forward to hearing them," Mama said before the other woman could respond. "I have always trusted your judgment these many years we have worked together, Madame Dumas."

Mama turned to the dowager duchess and said, "Madame has dressed me, as well as my six girls. I trust her advice immensely. I am certain you will do the same. No one has quite the command of fashion as our modiste."

"This is the first time I have tried Madame Dumas," the dowager duchess replied. "She came highly recommended."

"I would not have anyone but Madame Dumas dress my family," Mama said firmly. "Not only will she create my wardrobe again for this Season, but she will make up the Duchess of Seaton's and the other women's in my family. Though my other daughters and nieces have all wed now, they know a gown designed and sewn by Madame Dumas is the only gown worth wearing during the Season."

The dowager duchess smiled, and Effie felt the entire table let out a sigh of relief seeing it.

"Shall we view some sketches, Your Graces?" the modiste asked.

They did so, while Madame sketched gowns as they spoke and came up with new ideas. Effie learned more about the types of events which she would be attending and the gowns expected to be worn to each. When Mama mentioned there would be over fifty balls to attend, Effie bit back a curse. Not that she was one to do so, but Caleb released one every now and then when he was frustrated, and she had picked up the habit.

She would have to watch herself around Polite Society's members and make certain she did not slip up.

The more the three older women talked, the more Effie realized just what a large investment James was making in her. It became apparent that she was expected not to repeat wearing a gown the entire Season. The thought of having over fifty ball gowns alone appalled her. That did not even include the many day gowns she would be required to wear, especially when suitors came calling.

Then there were other events held, both day and night. Venetian breakfasts. Garden parties. Card parties. Routs. Musicales. Trips to the theatre and opera. The number of gowns that must be made up astounded her. Effie promised herself she would wear these gowns for the next decade and never ask her brother for anything again. The fact that James had provided entire wardrobes for other women in their family did not surprise her, but she began to have a greater understanding of the Season. How important it was to be seen wearing the right gowns, created by a few, select modistes.

Once they had decided upon a large number of designs, Effie thought they would leave the shop, but they were only getting started. Assistants began bringing out bolts of material, and Mama and the dowager duchess had to examine each, fingering the fabrics and matching them to various sketches. That process took another two hours.

By the time it concluded, Effie was exhausted—and she had done nothing but sit there and agree every now and then. She had told Mama to make these kinds of choices for her, and she was glad to have done so because her mother had exquisite taste in matching a design to the right color and fabric.

Even Madame Dumas acknowledged Mama's skill, saying, "You have quite the eye for fashion, Your Grace."

"Yes," the dowager duchess agreed. "My Ada will stand out in every ballroom she enters, thanks to your advice in selecting designs and fabrics. I am grateful we decided to share this appointment, Your Grace. Thank you for all your help today regarding Ada's wardrobe. Because of it, she—and Lady Euphemia—will be the most elegantly-clad girls of their come-out group."

Sensing things were coming to an end and wanting to see Lady Ada again, Effie spoke up. "It would be nice if we could continue this friendship, Mama. Might we ask Her Grace and Lady Add to tea tomorrow afternoon?"

"What a delightful idea, Effie," Mama praised. "We would be happy to host you. My husband and I live in a wing of my stepson's townhouse."

Mama gave the dowager duchess directions to the Seaton townhouse. Effie saw the other woman was a bit perplexed.

"So, you and your husband live with your stepson, who now is the Duke of Seaton."

Her mother smiled warmly. "I was widowed several years ago. I have since remarried. You might not have been aware of that, Your Grace. Actually, I am plain Mrs. Andrews now. I should have reminded Madame Dumas of that. One just becomes used to being called Your Grace. It quite slipped my mind."

"So, you are Mrs. Andrews," the dowager duchess mused.

"Yes, I am. His Grace and my husband are the closest of friends. More like brothers, in fact. Their Graces would be delighted if you and your daughter came to tea. Unfortunately, they are in the country now and will not return to town for another week or so. Until then, I am charged to act as hostess in Her Grace's absence. I would very much like for you to meet my husband, Your Grace. Would you mind if I asked Mr. Andrews to join us at tea?"

Before the older woman could reply, Lady Ada said, "That would be wonderful, Mrs. Andrews. Might we also bring my brother with us? Waterbury would be happy to escort us to tea."

The girl's mother frowned at her a moment, and Lady Ada's gaze dropped to her lap. It was apparent the dowager duchess was always the one to speak up and make decisions. Effie felt sorry for Lady Ada. She had always been both outspoken and opinionated, and her family had taken that in stride because it was simply the way she was. Once again, she gave thanks for growing up in the family she had.

She watched as the dowager duchess mulled over things a moment and then said, "We would be happy to come to tea tomorrow afternoon, Mrs . Andrews."

Effie heard the emphasis on the Mrs. part and suppressed a chuckle. Apparently, this woman thought she had been duped by both Mama and Madame Dumas, as they both had pretended Mama was still a duchess. Still, the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury hadn't been able to pass up an invitation from a former duchess and most likely only accepted it because Effie was the daughter of one duke and the sister of another, and would make a suitable friend for Lady Ada.

"Then we will see you at four o'clock tomorrow afternoon," Mama said cheerfully.

The outside door opening caught Effie's attention. They had been in the shop the entire time without a single customer entering. She believed because it was still early March that browsers were not in town, and the only clients Madame was seeing were those wishing to discuss their wardrobes for the Season.

A tall, lean man with a serious countenance moved across the shop toward them. It was obvious that this was Lady Ada's brother because they resembled one another so closely. Both had hair as dark as midnight and those incredibly green eyes. The duke was about six feet in height and possessed an athletic frame. He moved with catlike grace.

All the women stood as he approached, and the dowager duchess said, pride evident in her voice, "This is my son, the Duke of Waterbury. Your Grace, this is Mrs. Andrews and her daughter, Lady Euphemia."

The duke took Mama's hand. "Enchanted to meet you, Mrs. Andrews." He kissed her fingers before releasing Mama's hand and turning to Effie. "Equally charmed, my lady," he said, his voice low.

He claimed her hand and brought it to his lips, his gaze fastened upon her. The duke kissed her fingers and lowered her hand, not releasing it. Thinking he must have forgotten to do so, Effie tugged gently and then pulled harder to reclaim her hand again.

"Mrs. Andrews has just invited us to tea tomorrow, Waterbury," Lady Ada said, her happiness plainly written across her face. "Lady Effie is also to make her come-out this Season. We are going to be the best of friends."

"It is good you have made a friend, Ada," Waterbury said.

"Mrs. Andrews was formerly the Dowager Duchess of Seaton, but she has remarried," Lady Ada continued, earning a disapproving look from her mother.

"Is that so?" His Grace said. "Regardless of your title, Mrs. Andrews, I would be happy to escort Mama and Ada to your house for tea."

"You are invited as well, Your Grace," Mama told the duke. "In fact, my husband will be joining us. I am certain you will find plenty of topics to discuss with him."

Waterbury nodded. "Then I accept your kind invitation, Mrs. Andrews." He looked to his mother. "I came inside to find out what was taking so long."

"We are done for the day, Waterbury," the dowager duchess replied.

"Since you have agreed to accompany your mother and sister to tea, Your Grace, why don't you bring Her Grace, as well?" Mama asked.

A pained expression crossed his face, quickly passing. Effie wondered why.

"I am a widower, Mrs. Andrews."

Mama smiled sympathetically. "I am sorry to hear that, Your Grace."

"These things happen," he said vaguely, not offering any details of his wife's passing.

"We should be going, Effie," Mama said. She turned to the modiste. "Thank you again, Madame Dumas, for taking on so many Strongs this Season." She smiled graciously at the pair of women. "We look forward to continuing our conversation with you tomorrow, Your Grace."

They left the dress shop and climbed into the waiting carriage.

Mama sighed as the carriage took off. "My, that was certainly challenging. Her Grace is a bit snooty."

"But you handled her beautify, Mama. I feel sorry for Lady Ada, though. She seems quite cowed by her mother."

Mama patted Effie's hand. "I believe you will be a good influence on her."

She thought the same but had not voiced it, deciding she would need to practice curbing her tongue a bit while in town.

"I do think Lady Ada and I are going to be friends."

"I think so, as well," Mama agreed. "I wonder when His Grace lost his wife—and if he is looking for a new one yet."

"No matchmaking, Mama," Effie warned.

Mama laughed. "I was not thinking about that."

"You were. You simply are not admitting it," she said, teasing her mother.

"Well, perhaps the thought did cross my mind, but I know you have a very strong will, Effie. You will need to be the one who decides which gentlemen you are interested in and which ones you will allow to call."

"I am glad you will have the captain present tomorrow. He can keep His Grace occupied, while you can sacrifice yourself and do the same with Her Grace. That will give me time to visit with Lady Ada. In fact, I may even suggest a tour of James' townhouse so we can spend some time alone. And she has never been to town before, Mama. Ever! We must take her on a few outings with us before the Season begins."

Mama laughed. "I am pleased you are so enthusiastic about making a new friend, Effie. We will most certainly ask Lady Ada to go with us to a few places. Preferably, alone ."

They both began laughing, and Effie was glad she was having this special time with Mama. Ever since her marriage to the captain, the couple spent a great deal of time in town, while Effie preferred staying at Shadowcrest with all her animals. She had missed being around Mama, who always approached life with such joy.

"I know where we take Lady Ada first," Effie decided. "A trip to Gunter's!"