Chapter 4

Chapter Four

“ I do love this color on her.”

Lillian stared at her reflection in the mirror - she was wearing an unfinished dress in a lovely shade of pale blue. The modiste pinned the dress to fit the silhouette of her bust perfectly, allowing the skirt to hang freely around her. The soft material swished as it moved and gently caressed her arms which were hanging at her sides.

“It suits her very well, my Lady.”

The modiste smiled at Lady Welsford and winked at Lillian in the mirror’s reflection.

The modiste, Madame Periaux, had a talent for transforming rolls of silks, cotton, and lace into the most exquisite gowns, and has even created the occasional pair of shoes as well. She had told Lillian and Lady Welsford that her father was a cobbler, and he had taught her how to fashion shoes and boots. She did make elegant evening slippers upon request, but her forte was stylish gowns and day dresses for her clientele, who were solely members of the ton . Her prices were high, but with it came social status, and being seen in a creation that came from her shop held a certain prestige.

Ever since Lillian was a young girl, she and her mother had visited Madame Periaux’s, and the modiste had never disappointed. Her dresses were of high quality, and she took pride in her creations, as she knew the ton were difficult to please. She always delivered the perfect gown.

“I do love it as well. It will suit me even better as soon as this dreary winter ends. I cannot wait for the Spring to arrive,” Lillian uttered, eyeing herself in the mirror.

Her golden hair was pinned up and to the side, and then tumbled down past her shoulder in one thick curl, with wisps of golden locks framing her face.

“Are you hoping to catch the eye of a certain gentleman next Season, Lady Lillian?” Madame Periaux inquired with a broad smile.

Lillian was on the verge of answering the question when her mother interjected.

“Perhaps sooner. It will be Lillian’s third Season, and prospects will start to thin as new ladies make their Come Outs in society.”

“I cannot believe it has already been three Seasons since your Come Out, Lady Lillian.”

“Indeed it has. I do feel the need to double my efforts to secure Lillian a match, possibly before the Season opens.”

“If it is anyone who has the tenacity to succeed, it is most certainly you, my Lady.”

Lillian wrinkled her nose, as her mother’s words left a bitter taste in her mouth. She had hoped that she would have met someone who she found interesting, and who made her feel seen in an ocean of young women, but the ballrooms were crowded, and the mamas were relentless in their pursuit of finding their daughters a match.

It was a great fear of Lillian’s that she might have somehow missed her love match, that she had not noticed him hiding in the corner of a ballroom, or perhaps concealed in an alcove, not wishing to be spotted by the scouting mamas. Perhaps he had been on the verge of approaching her, only to be intimidated by the gentlemen who attempted to impress her with their boasting.

Lillian bit her lower lip, hoping that this was not true and that her love match was still roaming the streets, determined to find her. But she was constantly reminded by her mother that love matches were rare and that she should not depend on that possibility. Many fine gentlemen in London were seeking wives, and she should not hold out for a love match.

But how could she not hope for love? How could she agree to marry a man she did not love? Was that not the ultimate injustice? Or rather the ultimate punishment? How could she learn to love a man who she did not feel any attraction towards? She had certainly found many of the gentlemen whom she had been introduced to to be handsome and charming, but none of them felt right. Of course, her mother thought that she was being preposterous in saying such things.

This was why her mother was set on arranging a call from Lord Bertram. He was certainly handsome, and slightly older than Lillian, but he came from a wealthy and influential family. Although Lillian had not spent much time in his company, he was a delightful dancer, and he was well-spoken. And of course, he had attended Oxford University, which made him not only well-schooled but also intelligent. Perhaps she ought to give Lord Bertram a chance to prove himself. After all, being the wife of a Marquess was better than being a spinster.

“I wonder what color Lord Bertram prefers,” Lillian blurted out.

Lady Welsford stared at her for a moment, rendered speechless, but a satisfied smile appeared on her lips shortly after the shock had settled.

“Perhaps we ought to ask him.”

Lillian nodded quietly. She did not wish to fight with her mother, especially not when it was about suitors. She did not stand a chance, as her mother ruled WelsfordHouse and all those who lived under its roof, with an iron fist

“Lord Bertram, the Marquess?” Madame Periaux inquired.

“Indeed.”

“I have heard that he is quite handsome, and he attended Oxford. He sounds like a very fine match, Miss Colborne.”

“We shall see,” Lillian smiled slightly.

From the far corner of the store, two young women were heard, despite their attempts to keep their voices hushed.

“Did you hear that he has returned to London?”

“I am quite surprised that he dared to show his face here, after all the rumors about his antics.”

“Are you certain that those are true?”

“Why would they not be true? His Grace does frequent Brooks’. He was seen there again last night with a friend of his.”

“Why would he frequent such places if he is financially ruined? And for that matter, where would he get the resources to travel to London from his estate in the countryside?”

Lillian’s brow furrowed and she turned to her mother.

“Who are they speaking of?”

“Does it matter?”

“Of course it does.”

Lillian stepped down from the pedestal before Madame Periaux and Lady Welsford were able to stop her.

“Lillian…” Lady Welsford hissed, but she ignored her mother.

Lillian approached the two young women, who were approximately her age, and cleared her throat.

“Pardon me for the very abrupt intrusion, ladies, but who do you speak of?”

The two young ladies were stunned momentarily and stared at Lillian. After they regained their composure, one motioned to Lillian’s half-finished dress.

“That certainly is a lovely color on you.”

“Thank you,” Lillian nodded. “I do apologize for asking, but I could not help but overhear part of your conversation. Who were you two speaking of a moment ago?”

“The Duke of Yarmouth.”

“He has been frequenting Brooks’ gentlemen’s club and has gambled away his fortune, so it is said.”

“It is also said that he was spotted in various undesirable haunts here in London, with Haymarket ware.”

“What does that mean?” Lillian asked.

“He was seen in the company of Birds of Paradise.”

Lillian’s brow furrowed and she shook her head. Still not understanding.

“Brothels, of course.”

Lillian cringed and was taken aback by the harsh word that the young woman had used, but she now understood what she spoke of. Lillian was not allowed to bring up such improper topics, despite her knowing that Timothy frequented Brooks’ as well. He would often parade into Welsford House, more than a little half-sprung, at ghastly times of the evening, or rather the morning. She could only imagine what her mother would say if she was aware of what he did. But then again, she would do nothing, or Timothy would get off very lightly. He always did.

“Where did you hear all of this?” Lillian inquired with a frown.

“Do you not read the newspaper?”

“A whole article was written about the Duke.”

“That’s probably why he is visiting London.”

“Was he not residing in London before the article?”

Lillian cocked her head to the side.

The two young ladies exchanged puzzled glances and shook their heads.

“He resides in the countryside most of the time, apparently.”

“Hiding away from the ton because of his shameful actions.”

Lillian was still puzzled.

“But why would he return to London?”

“You ask many questions.”

Lillian shrugged.

“My mother tells me that on numerous occasions.”

“Lillian, come here at once.”

Lillian cringed as her mother suddenly appeared beside her.

“Mother, I was merely inquiring-”

“That is quite enough. Proper young ladies such as yourselves should not be concerned with such gossip, especially not about disgraceful men.”

“Do you know the Duke of Yarmouth, my Lady?”

Lady Welsford’s eyes widened, and a vein began throbbing in her temple, which Lillian found rather odd. Did her mother know the Duke of Yarmouth? If she did, how did she know him?

“Men such as the Duke of Yarmouth give a bad name to their families and all people associated with them. Merely speaking his name taints your reputations, which is not what young ladies such as yourself need.”

Lady Welsford wrapped her hand around Lillian’s wrist and practically dragged her back to where Madame Periaux waited for them.

“Mother, you did not need to manhandle me so roughly,” Lillian complained as she rubbed her bruised arm.

“I will do whatever is required to keep your reputation as flawless as it needs to be, Lillian.”

The air was filled with tension inside the dress shop, and even the two young women Lillian had approached were silent.

“Mother, I was merely asking who they spoke of. You have never stopped me from listening to gossip before. Why are you so affected by the antics of the Duke of Yarmouth?”

Lady Welsford appeared even more angered by Lillian’s question, much to Lilian’s confusion. Her mother’s actions and overreaction seemed unnecessary and suspicious.

“Do not waste your breath on men of that kind. Your attention should be focused on finding a husband, or I shall do it for you. Now, allow Madame Periaux to continue adjusting your gown, Lillian.”

Lillian narrowed her eyes, staring at her mother, but did as she was told before her mother rang a fine peal over her. She felt embarrassed enough and did not need to feel any more humiliated. With colored cheeks, Lillian nodded and turned back to Madame Periaux, who appeared as uncomfortable as she was.

The seamstress smiled and turned to Lady Welsford.

“Perhaps some tea, my Lady?” she offered.

Lady Welsford sighed theatrically and pressed her hand to her forehead.

“That would be lovely. Thank you.”

Madame Periaux ordered her assistant to bring tea, and within a few moments, the young woman brought out a tea tray and offered tea to Lady Welsford. When she lifted it from the tray, the porcelain cup clattered against the saucer, clearly indicating the extent of Lady Welsford’s distress.

Lillian stepped onto the small stand again, and Madame Periaux continued adjusting the fabric of her bodice. She stared into the mirror at her mother’s reflection, watching her nervously sip the cup of tea, and her brow furrowed.

Why was her mother so shaken by the gossip of the Duke of Yarmouth? And why did she not wish Lillian to engage in that gossip? She had never pulled Lillian away so harshly before, and gossiping was something that Lady Welsford did not mind at all, usually, as it brought information, and she knew that Lillian did not enjoy sharing gossip, so would not spread it further.

As Lillian continued to watch her mother in the mirror subtly, she realized that this could only mean one thing; that her mother personally knew of the Duke of Yarmouth, and was greatly affected by these rumors.

But how?

Lillian was fully aware that her mother would not be the one to reveal that to her, which made her even more adamant about finding out for herself. Perhaps Timothy would be able to assist. After all, he knew how to wrap their mother around his finger.