Chapter 2

CHAPTER 2

"Lady Katherine has gone to the dressmaker's this morning," Miss Primrose said. "She asked me to extend her apologies for not being here to meet you in person, Mrs. White."

Mrs. White's entire countenance deflated, though to her credit she gathered her composure and replied with the requisite politeness.

Oh my. Already I liked Lady Katherine Winchester very much. Even I, with my limited comprehension of the ways of society in the ton , knew that this was a burn on Mrs. White, though her notion that she'd be welcomed to sit and share tea with Lady Katherine Winchester when she was little more than my paid handler had been quite audacious, even for her.

Our hostess, Miss Primrose, turned to me and smiled. "I am so pleased you are here. I am certain we will be fast friends."

Mrs. White sniffed as though warning me not to get attached to this young lady whom she felt was not proper company for me. However, her desire to curry favor with Lady Winchester meant that we would stay for at least the requisite quarter hour visit.

A bit of a devilish plan came to mind.

"How nice to meet you, Miss Primrose," I said. "I could not help but admire the rose garden next to this beautiful home. Would it be possible for us to take a stroll through the lovely blossoms?"

"Of course," Miss Primrose said. "Would you care to join us, Mrs. White?" she asked my handler.

Mrs. White cut her gaze to me before smiling at Miss Primrose. "I am frightfully allergic to roses, my dear," she said with sugary sweetness. "I shall content myself with the view from your parlor if that is agreeable, while the two of you enjoy the flowers. Though don't tarry too long," she said to me. "Too much sun is not good for the complexion."

Miss Primrose and I walked the length of the first floor of the Winchester townhouse, through a cheerful breakfast room and then out into the rose garden. As soon as the door closed behind us, she turned to me. "Oh my, but she is ghastly," she said. "I had been surprised that Lady Katherine did not wish to be part of your call today, though she is rather stuffy and a stickler for the rules. Well, she used to be, though marriage to Lord Winchester has helped her to loosen her corset a bit, if you know what I mean."

It had been so long since I had had a young lady near my own age to speak to, at least one that was not hired to help me dress or style my hair, I simply gaped for a moment and then burst out into very unladylike giggles. "Oh, Miss Primrose," I said when I could catch my breath, "I am sure we will be most devoted friends. You are very much correct that Mrs. White is simply ghastly. Of all the ladies' companions my father could have hired, why did he have to choose her? She was recommended to him and she has been ingratiating herself to him since she laid eyes on him, and no doubt his pocketbook. You are so fortunate to have a caring guardian to help you through your season, Miss Primrose."

"Please, do call me Cassie. Everyone does. It is short for Cassidy."

"What a lovely name. I hope you will call me Sarah, though it is not nearly so exotic as Cassidy."

"Sarah, I am so glad to meet you. I am fortunate to have Lady Katherine as a sponsor for my season but I have met very few young ladies my own age and those I have met seem quite cutthroat."

"Cutthroat?" My eyes widened. "I did not know they were prone to violence."

Cassie laughed sweetly. "No, they are not prone to violence. At least not physical violence, though they can assassinate a person's character with only a few words or a look. The worst are the Borden sisters, Lady Lizbeth and Lady Emma. One look from either of them will slice through you like an ax. Their father spoils them with every new dress or hat they ask for. I assume he is trying to make up for the horrid woman he married who is now their stepmother. They make no secret of how they feel about her. If she was wise, she would watch her back. Even worse than that, at least as far as I am concerned, they are hateful to anyone they believe to be beneath their notice."

"They are jealous of your beauty," I said. "They are threatened by you."

Cassie seemed genuinely surprised by this. "No, that cannot be it. I assume it is because I am not titled nor did I grow up amongst them. I am from Canterbury. My mother and Lady Katherine were dear friends and when my mother died, Lady Katherine took it upon herself to see to my season. It was going swimmingly until my friend Tallie eloped with her guardian."

"So it is true!" I said. "Mrs. White made some reference to a scandal on our walk over here and she gave the impression that she felt you were tainted by it as well, though I do not know why that would be." Then I gasped. "Oh, did you help your friend escape in order to elope?"

Cassie laughed. "No, though I would have. But Tallie did not need anyone's help for that. She was quite capable on her own. She is living in South America now. Her letters are most exciting."

"Miss Hancock!" a sharp voice called from the doorway. I did not need to turn to know who it was.

"Yes, Mrs. White?" I said, taking my time in turning to address her.

"I must insist that you come inside. You have been in the morning sun for more than ten minutes. No doubt your nose will be covered in freckles just in time for the Waterfords' Ball if we do not go home immediately and put a salve on it to stop the outbreak."

"Heaven forbid someone gets a freckle," I whispered under my breath and Cassie snickered then pretended it was a cough to cover her impudence. "Of course, Mrs. White," I replied. "I am on my way."

"I am pleased to know you will be at the Waterfords' Ball. I shall be attending as well. We will be brave in the face of the clique of privileged ladies who look down on outsiders. No doubt the Borden sisters will be there." She grimaced.

"I shall enjoy that very much," I said, then hurried inside before Mrs. White came running after me with a scarf to hang over the end of my hat like a veil in order to keep the sun from my face.

Sunshine killer. That's what she was.

Thankfully no freckles dared to appear upon my nose or cheeks. A catastrophe avoided, or at least in the opinion of Mrs. White.

She still fussed excessively over my appearance as I prepared the next night to attend the ball at the home of Lord and Lady Waterford for which invitations were extremely scarce.

I was certainly heartened to know that my new friend Cassie would be there, and no doubt the formidable Lady Katherine Winchester as well. I looked forward to meeting her, for she was reputed to be quite a beauty and Cassie was very fond of her.

Apparently, an invitation to the Waterfords' Ball for a newcomer such as myself was quite an honor. Pardon me if my gratitude did not overflow for the opportunity to be scrutinized and evaluated like a chicken hanging in the butcher's window.

Mrs. White scowled and tucked an uncooperative bit of my hair back into place then announced it was time to leave.

I crossed my fingers and wished myself good luck.