Chapter Seven

E ffie could hardly contain her excitement. Both Pippa and Georgie had arrived in town and were coming to visit this afternoon. James and Sophie had come to town yesterday, bringing George, Ida, and Aunt Matty with them. Her spirits were soaring as she thought of her family and knew they would only grow higher once the others showed up for the Season.

Despite having doubts about what she would do in the month before the Season, being away from her beloved Shadowcrest, Effie had kept busy. Besides fittings for the numerous gowns being made up—and those seemed endless—she had seen Lady Ada almost daily. She couldn't help but enjoy seeing her new friend come out of her shell. Lady Ada had been a bit timid and reserved when they had first met, but now she was much more sociable and less reticent. Effie thought lady Ada grew prettier by the day and knew she would attain her goal of finding a husband once the Season began.

They had gone riding at Rotten Row several times, accompanied by the Duke of Waterbury. He was Lady Ada's shadow. His Grace had also taken them driving through Hyde Park. Even when Mama went on an outing with them, the duke insisted upon going. She supposed he did so to prevent Lady Ada's mother from accompanying them. Anytime the dowager duchess came along, Lady Ada's enthusiasm was tamped down at the constant, cutting remarks made to her by her mother.

Effie couldn't quite figure out the duke. He was very quiet, rarely contributing to their conversations. She supposed he was solemn because he was a widower and missed his wife. His Grace never brought up anything regarding his personal life, and she couldn't help but wonder what his duchess had been like. Effie had only said that her sister-in-law had died in childbirth, so Waterbury was not only mourning the loss of his spouse but that of his first child. She couldn't imagine going from having a family to suddenly losing it.

At least the duke had his sister. Though Effie estimated there was at least a decade between the pair, they seemed close. In a way, she felt sorry for him, having chosen a wife and started his life with her, only to lose her so tragically. And his mother didn't seem sympathetic in the least. The dowager duchess had mentioned a few times that her son would be taking a bride again this Season and that she would guide him in this decision.

That seemed laughable to Effie. Why would a grown man need his mother to make such an important decision for him? Unless His Grace had allowed her to do so the first time around. Knowing how opinionated and overbearing the dowager duchess was, Effie could not see her backing down and keeping silent while either of her children decided upon a spouse. She did believe the duke would look out for his sister, though, and not force her to wed a gentleman she opposed to entering into marriage with. She also assumed it had been His Grace who had allowed Lady Ada to see Effie so often, and for that, she was grateful to him.

Though Effie did not know anyone in Polite Society, her family certainly did. Perhaps she could enlist her relatives to help introduce eligible men and women to Lady Ada and His Grace.

"Oh, no!" she cried aloud.

They were coming to tea today. Mama had invited them so they might meet James and Sophie. This was before they had received word that Pippa and Georgie had reached town and would be coming to tea. While she knew Lady Ada would not mind, since she was eager to meet Effie's many relatives, she thought His Grace would be less inclined to be present with so many others. She saw him as a lone wolf, always observing.

On top of that, the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury would be thrown into the fray. Not that her family would be disorderly or some fight would break out, but she knew with so many of them, things could get quite lively. Anything above a whisper, the dowager duchess termed too boisterous.

She went to find Mama and found her in her siting room, working on an embroidered blanket.

"Who is that for?" Effie asked, fingering the intricate threading.

"Georgina's babe," Mama replied. "I know the babe will not come until November, but once the Season starts, I will not have the luxury of time as I do now, leading up to it. I thought if I got a good start, I could pick it back up in the autumn and complete it in plenty of time." She paused. "You look worried. What is it, Effie?"

"I had forgotten that we had asked Lady Ada and her family to tea this afternoon so they might meet James and Sophie."

"Yes, I recall that." Mama hesitated. "Are you worried how the dowager duchess will react since so many others will be present?"

"I will admit it has crossed my mind. You have seen her, Mama. She is quick to judge. Haughty. I am afraid once she sees a room full of Strongs and their spouses, it will put her off so much that she will not allow Lady Ada to see me again."

"If that is the case, I will feel sorry for Lady Ada, but the Season starts in two weeks, my dearest. She cannot follow her daughter around at every event and prevent her from talking to others, especially you. Let us make the best of today. If we see the dowager duchess reacting poorly, you may have to cool your friendship with Lady Ada until the Season is in swing. Her Grace will be sitting with the matrons at balls. She will not be hovering over her daughter. Lady Ada—and you—will have more freedom than you might think."

Mama smiled to herself, causing Effie to prompt, "What? What are you not telling me, Mama?"

"I suppose it is time we have the first of a couple of talks." Mama set aside her sewing, placing it in her sewing basket and closing the lid. "We need to talk about the gentlemen you will be meeting."

She frowned. "What of them? I know I am not to speak to anyone unless we have been introduced. You will be there for most of those introductions."

"Yes, I will stay by your side when we first enter a ballroom or other event. I will happily introduce everyone who approaches us. You will be the one to decide if you wish to spend more time with any of them, whether they are gentleman or lady. I know how particular you can be and how opinionated you are, Effie. I am not saying do not speak up, but at the same time, temper your words and actions with a smile. It will go a long way."

"Yes, Mama."

"Dance with the gentlemen you find interesting. Talk with other young ladies and find out what you have in common with them. I encourage you to make friends beyond Lady Ada. While she is a lovely young woman, you want to meet as many others as you can.

"And that includes kissing a few gentlemen, Effie."

She blushed. "Mama. We have talked about this."

"No, we really have not. I require your full attention now, Euphemia."

Oh, Mama was serious if she was calling her Euphemia.

"I am listening, Mama. You have my full attention."

"There are many aspects which should be considered going into a marriage. You want to like the person you are to wed. They should be someone you enjoy being with and talking to. Hopefully, you will find you have some things in common, but you do not want to wed someone who is simply the male version of yourself. While I believe you will be drawn to those who value the same things you do—family, loyalty, honesty, respect—they may be different from you in other aspects. You are quite outgoing, Effie. As effervescent as the bubbles in champagne. You will attract men who share that same quality, but you might also draw others who wish they could be that way."

"You mean how Lady Ada used to be quieter and now she appears freer now."

"Yes. You might find a most somber gentleman grows fond of you and wishes to pursue an attachment with you because of your outgoing nature. Regardless of the gentlemen who become interested in you, you will be able to get to know them better as the Season progresses. Those who wish to pursue you will call in the afternoons and send beautiful flower arrangements to you. Use your time wisely in getting to know these suitors."

She frowned. "Where does the kissing part come in?"

"I am getting to that." Mama cleared her throat. "Besides liking a person enough to want to spend the rest of your life with them, you must have a physical attraction to them. You will understand when this occurs. You will be drawn to their looks. Their smile. Their scent. Their touch. Only with the ones you are truly considering as your husband should you take the next step. A step to see if you have that special spark between you. Kissing is a very good way to see if that is the case."

"I see you kissing the captain all the time, Mama. I know you like him—and kissing—because you would not do it so much if you didn't."

"There is a fine line you must walk, Effie," Mama continued. "You are not to be alone with a gentleman under any circumstances. If you are found alone with him, it is understood that he must extend a marriage proposal."

"This is very confusing, Mama. How am I to kiss a man if I cannot be alone with him?"

"There will be opportunities which come along, which you should use sparingly and only for the men whom you truly have an affection for. A stroll along the darkened terrace at a ball or through the gardens. A stolen moment in an alcove when you might walk a suitor to the front door from the drawing room after he has called upon you."

Mama took Effie's hands in hers. "I want you to take those opportunities. Just be very careful about doing so. As I mentioned, if you are caught kissing a gentleman, you are ruined for other men. He must offer for you—and you must accept."

"But what if I find I do not like his kiss and do not wish to wed him?'

"Then be honest as you let him down gently. Remember, he is kissing you to also determine whether or not you might suit. Kissing can be pure drudgery with a man you have no affection for. Or it can be the most glorious thing in the world."

"You are talking about Papa and comparing him to the captain, aren't you?" she asked.

Her mother nodded. "I had no choice but to wed Seaton. My parents were dazzled by his title and thought my life would be one of ease and status if I became a duchess. While it was nice to live in such splendor, I never felt close to your father and wished I would have had the chance to make my own choice regarding a husband."

"You and the captain love one another a great deal. That is why kissing is so pleasant. Something you wish to do often."

"Yes, we do love one another, Effie. So much that it hurts sometimes." She squeezed her daughter's hands. "I want you to have the right to choose the man you love. If one does not touch your heart, I will never force you to enter a marriage."

Mama paused. "I know you are making your come-out for me, Effie. Because you know it is important to me for you to do so. I also hope you will open your heart to the possibility of love and marriage."

"I would be a fool not to do so, Mama. I see how happy other Strongs are. I would never deliberately not wed out of stubbornness. But I must say, I like myself the way I am. You have raised me to think for myself. Most girls making their come-out will not think at all. They will wed for looks or a title or prestige. Then they will think as their husband tells them to do. I would never stand for that.

"So, yes—if I can find that rare man who will accept me as I am, flaws and all, then perhaps I will make a love match."

Mama kissed her cheek. "That is all I can ask of you, my little love. I am off to the nursery to see Jamie before his nap. I think I will bring him downstairs after it so that everyone can see him. I wonder if Georgina and Pippa will bring their children."

"They most certainly will," Effie predicted. "Or August and Seth will. And I fully expect James to wander into tea carrying George in one arm and Ida in his other."

Her mother laughed. "The men in our family are a bit indulgent when it comes to their children."

"Let us hope all those children will behave and not frighten the Dowager Duchess of Waterbury so much that she runs from the drawing room in terror," she joked.

"I am certain tea will go well," Mama predicted. "Her Grace will see what a loving, happy family we are."

Effie was not nearly as certain as Mama as to how this afternoon's teatime might fare.