9. Chapter 9

Chapter 9

The Modiste

M argaret and Helen completed their ablutions with the help of Margaret’s lady’s maid, Miss Molina. After which they hurried downstairs to break their fast. Helen ate as if she had been starved for days. Cook fixed a large plate filled with breakfast fare for Helen and a plate of mixed fruit, scones, butter, and tea with cream for Margaret. As they discussed their plans for the day, Lord and Lady Maxwell came into the small breakfast room. “I see you ladies are enjoying a fine breakfast. What shall we have this morning, my love?” Edward lovingly inquired of his wife.

“I think I shall have a breakfast such as Margaret is eating. And what for you?”

“I think I shall have a breakfast such as Helen is eating. It looks scrumptious.” He smiled at Helen and patted her arm. “It is a healthy habit to have a hearty breakfast. You should teach these two ladies the benefits.” He winked at Margaret.

“I’m never too hungry when I break my fast.” Margaret had grown accustomed to a small breakfast from her mother’s constant lectures on the benefit of having a trim waist for the marriage mart. Looking at Helen, one might argue her mother’s logic, but Margaret knew better.

“We were discussing our plans for the day. Have you any shopping to do today, Mama? We could come along.”

“No, I think not. I’m going to the modiste. I think you ladies would be bored waiting for me.”

“No, we would not. Lady Helen and I were talking about picking out material for a carriage ride during the fashionable hour. And I need another ball gown. We have another ball in a few days. Would it be alright if we came along?”

“In that case, it would be fine. Perhaps we could stop by Gunter’s on the way home.”

“Not without me. You must come back and I will go with the three loveliest ladies in Town. What say you, Lady Maxwell?”

“I say, I have one wonderful husband.” She gave her husband an alluring look. Margaret wished for a husband who would flirt with her over the breakfast table in front of their children.

“Can we take the open carriage?” A gorgeous day such as this one should require an open carriage.

“I think we can do that if it continues to stay nice.” Lady Maxwell agreed.

“Helen, we should go get our pelisses and bonnets.” She noticed Helen still eating. “Helen, where do you put it all? I shall go gather our things for the carriage ride. You should be finished by then, hopefully.”

“Margaret, I can’t help it. I’m hungry.” She said in between bites. Helen’s mantra.

“One day you are going to wake up and weigh two hundred pounds.” Margaret puffed out her cheeks, held her arms out from her body, and waddled like a duck, imagining Helen with that poundage.

“Never. Margaret, are you trying to ruin my appetite?” Helen moaned as she kept eating.

“Have I found something to slow your eating? I’m shocked.” Margaret tapped Helen’s shoulder. “Put your serviette down and come with me to collect our things.”