29. Society

Chapter twenty-nine

Society

L ouisa discovered that Alphonse was only too happy to announce his cousine Anglaise to polite society in Paris. The next day, invitations to card parties and soirées began to arrive, all of them located along the expensive Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré. Louisa agreed to accompany Alphonse to an exclusive salon in two weeks' time. She hoped fervently that her modiste would finish her new gowns by then.

When she placed her order, Madame Ballesdens, the modiste, had recommended the sheer white muslins that were popular among Parisienne ladies. This recommendation had given Louisa pause. She had avoided the colour white ever since her unfortunate encounter with the Earl of Yarmouth at Carlton House. That had proven something of a difficulty, for white was a standard colour for young ladies; however, for her debut in London, she had satisfied the expectations of the ton by wearing primrose pink and a delicate sky blue. Now, she decided to give up pastels altogether and opted for solid gowns in deep amethyst, rich burgundy, and bottle green.

Although she refused to wear the popular sheer fabrics, she was determined not to be a dowd. The contours of her new gowns were based on the latest French fashion plates, and the necklines were much more daring than those she had worn in London. Madame Ballesdens assured her that to show one's decolletage was de rigeur . The Empress Josephine—whom everyone knew was far more alluring than Napoleon's new Austrian empress—regularly revealed most of her bosom.

On the day of the salon, Louisa told her maid Cosette to have a bath drawn in her room. She did not remember that the hot water would be carried up the stairs by none other than her faithful footman. Louisa's cheeks flamed red as she sat in her dressing gown by her mirror and watched Gyles pour steaming bucket after steaming bucket into the copper tub. She avoided his eye. Somehow, the thought of him handling her bathing water was too indecent for words.

But you must remember that you refused to engage a second footman. Surely, you knew that this would throw you further into Gyles Audeley's company?

"Will that be all, milady?" asked Gyles. A little of the water had sloshed onto the front of his new livery, but the dark navy colour hid that admirably. He had taken off his powdered wig since he was not receiving visitors at the door, and his chestnut hair was damp and ruffled from the steam.

"Yes, that is quite enough," said Louisa brusquely, trying to get rid of the handsome Mr. Pebble as soon as possible. She detected a mischievous smile on Cosette's face as the maid feigned busyness at the door of the open wardrobe .

Gyles touched his forelock as he left the room without a word. As soon as he shut the door, Cosette closed the wardrobe. She helped Louisa disrobe and climb into the bath.

" La ," said Cosette, "I wonder you can keep from staring at Monsieur Pebble in his new livery. Madame Laurent was forced to chase the maids from the neighbouring house away from our window, for they cannot help but stop and stare when Monsieur Pebble has his sleeves rolled up polishing the silver."

"Can they not?" said Louisa, filled with an unreasonable sense of pique. She could not tell whether it was the thought of Gyles' taut forearms or the insolence of the neighbour's servants that gave her the most discomfort.

"But perhaps all the gentlemen in England are this handsome, eh bien ?" Cosette's tone was coy. "Perhaps all the footmen and gentlemen across the Channel are tall and handsome and charming…."

"No, far from it," said Louisa, grudgingly admitting the truth of it to both Cosette and to herself. Gyles was one of the most handsome men she had ever met. Handsomer than Uncle Nigel and Cousin Alphonse. Handsomer by far than any of the five men who had paid her court during her season as the Incomparable.

"Ah, well, it is good that you shall leave him home tonight when you go out with le comte , so that le comte is not too jealous." Cosette gave a mischievous grin. "Do not fear. Madame Laurent and I, we shall keep him safe from the housemaids."

Somehow, the idea of Gyles spending a cosy evening at home with Cosette Bouchard was as distasteful as sour milk to Louisa, but as she was not riding in her own carriage, she had no need for Gyles to escort her .

Why can you not put Gyles Audeley out of your head? Your cousin Alphonse will introduce you to a host of cosmopolitan men tonight. Stop letting a provincial gardener from Derbyshire spin your mind around like a whirligig.

Despite her admonitions to herself, Louisa continued to be distracted in mind. She dried herself beside the fire, and then Cosette attired her in shift and stays, laced up her bottle green evening gown, and coiffed her honey-gold hair. "Monsieur Dupont delivered the jewellery you requested," said Cosette, retrieving a case in the wardrobe.

" Bien," said Louisa. She had instructed the agent from the bank to sell her most expensive diamond necklace to finance her mounting expenses, but to bring another of the pieces to her house. Her mother's emeralds would still be brilliant enough to draw appreciative stares.

When Cosette had finished with her, she brought out a looking glass for Louisa's approval. Louisa stared. The pastel debutante from last season was gone, and in her place was a supremely elegant and supremely confident lady of fashion. She could have graced the arm of the highest-ranking man in France. She could have been the hostess for the most exclusive salon in Paris. The emeralds glittered alluringly on a curvaceous canvas of creamy skin.

Cousin Alphonse came to the door, fashionably late. Louisa was already downstairs in the entry hall, calling for her cloak as the footman admitted her escort.

"Ah, my comtesse ," said Alphonse with a smirk, brushing past Gyles. He kissed the back of her gloved hand and then added several kisses to her cheeks for good measure. Taking Louisa's gloved hand, he lifted his arm high and spun her around in an allemande, observing her figure from every angle. " Très magnifique . Shall we depart?"

Louisa nodded at Gyles. He took the velvet cloak Cosette was holding and draped it about her shoulders. She felt the tips of his fingers brush her collarbone as he settled it in place. That accidental graze sent a fire through her veins that all of Alphonse's kisses had failed to kindle. Louisa turned her head and saw Gyles's eyes studiously avoiding her face, or indeed, any part of her. Had he felt it too?

She adjusted the velvet cloak to cover her half-exposed bosom and took her cousin's arm. It was stiff from the dark wool coat he wore but not as firm as the support Gyles often lent her.

They exited the door into the cold evening air, but as Alphonse was handing her up into the carriage, she was acutely aware that her servants had come out onto the chilly porch and were watching them take their leave. "Do you like milady's new gown?" she overheard Cosette say.

"No," her footman replied. His voice was taut with some emotion—displeasure, no doubt.

"Oh, Monsieur Pebble," said Cosette with a laugh. She tapped a pert finger against Gyles' nose. "You are so severe. I daresay you dislike my gown as well." She pulled her shoulders back and thrust her bosom forward. Gyles blushed, and Cosette began to laugh.

Louisa bristled as she watched this display from out the carriage window.

What does it matter if Cosette flirts with him? He is not bound to you in any way. Have you not told him repeatedly that you do not want him and that he should return home?

Alphonse, on the seat beside her, reached out and pressed her gloved hand. He was magnificently attired in a red silk waistcoat and a coat of black superfine that matched his curls. A ruby stickpin glittered in his snowy white cravat, and he looked like the hero of a Drury Lane stage play. "Are you ready for tonight, ma cherie? You will dazzle all of Paris with your emerald fire!"

Louisa forced a smile. "If you do not blind them first with all your elegance, mon cousin ."

He lifted her hand and kissed it, his flamboyant gesture framed by the carriage window, before they rolled away along the cobblestones to the Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré.