Read A Loyal Companion for Free Online Page B
Authors: Bárbara Metzger
started to talk. I have a feeling you'll be an Original on your own, dog or no, but we'll see. Once the Season gets rolling, you'll send him back to Berkshire fast enough, I'm sure. He'll be company for you till the ball, anyway."
"The ball, Grandmama?"
"Of course; didn't think I'd fire you off without the proper affaire, did you? Invitation list is in the study; you can start on them tomorrow, after your fittings. Marston, he's the butler, don't you know, can help with the details, orchestra, refreshments, that type of thing."
"I… I'm to plan my own ball?"
"You don't expect me to do all that work at my age, do you? I'm too weak for that fardling nonsense. Don't get your garters in a welter; Marston knows how I like things. The ball will be in a month. Plenty of time. Bigelow should have you in shape by then. I've arranged with the war minister's wife to have your scapegrace brother here on leave to stand up with you. That clunch Elvin writes that he will still be on his wedding trip, and George cannot leave the milk-and-water miss he married. We cannot wait."
Sonia ignored the insult to her father; he'd warned her she'd better get used to them. "I'd be more than happy to delay the ball, Your Grace. Couldn't we just hold a quiet dinner, a small party?" she asked hopefully.
"Hmph. I know what's due the Harkness name, no matter if some don't. Wouldn't want those old gabble-grinders thinking I'm a lickpenny, would you?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Elvin's paying anyway. That's not to the point, girl. You are not Out till you've been presented to the queen and to the ton. And until you are Out, you can't go out. No balls, no picnics, no theater. I don't even want anybody seeing you looking like something that's been dragged through a bush backwards. Perhaps next week we might entertain some of my particular friends for tea."
"That sounds… lovely. May I at least go sightseeing?"
"I am too old and frail to go gawking like a tourist at the Tower and Astley's Circus, and it ain't fitting for you to go with no one but servants. You'll make friends at your ball, gentlemen who will be in alt to escort you to such pawky places. In a group, of course. My goddaughter Rosellen has agreed to take you around with her after your presentation, so I won't have to drain my strength with those routs and Venetian breakfasts. Lady Conare, Rosellen is now. She's good ton even if Conare's only a baronet. Carlton House set, don't you know, and only one away from the earldom now."
Sonia did not care about routs or the Regent's friends; she couldn't bear the idea of three weeks in the house with this crusty old tartar. Grandmama was about as frail as medieval armor. "Fitz will need exercise, Your Grace."
"You may take him to the park. The one in the square, of course, not Hyde Park, where you'd be ogled by every half-pay officer and libertine on the strut. Nothing will ruin a gel's chances faster. You'll take servants with you, naturally. We'll hire a groom and a maid for you. No reason to disturb my regular staff."
"But, Grandmama, I'll be safe with Fitz, and I am used to doing for myself."
Lady Atterbury rapped Sonia's knuckles with her lorgnette. "And I am used to being obeyed, young lady. You kick up a dust and I'll send you off to that academy in Bath so fast, you'll be there before Miss Meadow gets the note saying you're coming. You will go to the park and no further, you will wear a bonnet at all times so you lose that gypsy complexion, and you will always be accompanied by servants. Is that understood?"
Sonia bowed her head. "Yes, Your Grace." She thought of one appeal Lady Atterbury might heed. "But the expense…"
"Elvin can afford it. Better he spend his blunt on you than squander it on that young filly."
Sonia had already heard the dowager's opinions on her father's remarriage. All of Grosvenor Square must have heard. Before she was dismissed into Bigelow's charge, Sonia was treated to another lecture about what was due
"The ball, Grandmama?"
"Of course; didn't think I'd fire you off without the proper affaire, did you? Invitation list is in the study; you can start on them tomorrow, after your fittings. Marston, he's the butler, don't you know, can help with the details, orchestra, refreshments, that type of thing."
"I… I'm to plan my own ball?"
"You don't expect me to do all that work at my age, do you? I'm too weak for that fardling nonsense. Don't get your garters in a welter; Marston knows how I like things. The ball will be in a month. Plenty of time. Bigelow should have you in shape by then. I've arranged with the war minister's wife to have your scapegrace brother here on leave to stand up with you. That clunch Elvin writes that he will still be on his wedding trip, and George cannot leave the milk-and-water miss he married. We cannot wait."
Sonia ignored the insult to her father; he'd warned her she'd better get used to them. "I'd be more than happy to delay the ball, Your Grace. Couldn't we just hold a quiet dinner, a small party?" she asked hopefully.
"Hmph. I know what's due the Harkness name, no matter if some don't. Wouldn't want those old gabble-grinders thinking I'm a lickpenny, would you?" She didn't wait for an answer. "Elvin's paying anyway. That's not to the point, girl. You are not Out till you've been presented to the queen and to the ton. And until you are Out, you can't go out. No balls, no picnics, no theater. I don't even want anybody seeing you looking like something that's been dragged through a bush backwards. Perhaps next week we might entertain some of my particular friends for tea."
"That sounds… lovely. May I at least go sightseeing?"
"I am too old and frail to go gawking like a tourist at the Tower and Astley's Circus, and it ain't fitting for you to go with no one but servants. You'll make friends at your ball, gentlemen who will be in alt to escort you to such pawky places. In a group, of course. My goddaughter Rosellen has agreed to take you around with her after your presentation, so I won't have to drain my strength with those routs and Venetian breakfasts. Lady Conare, Rosellen is now. She's good ton even if Conare's only a baronet. Carlton House set, don't you know, and only one away from the earldom now."
Sonia did not care about routs or the Regent's friends; she couldn't bear the idea of three weeks in the house with this crusty old tartar. Grandmama was about as frail as medieval armor. "Fitz will need exercise, Your Grace."
"You may take him to the park. The one in the square, of course, not Hyde Park, where you'd be ogled by every half-pay officer and libertine on the strut. Nothing will ruin a gel's chances faster. You'll take servants with you, naturally. We'll hire a groom and a maid for you. No reason to disturb my regular staff."
"But, Grandmama, I'll be safe with Fitz, and I am used to doing for myself."
Lady Atterbury rapped Sonia's knuckles with her lorgnette. "And I am used to being obeyed, young lady. You kick up a dust and I'll send you off to that academy in Bath so fast, you'll be there before Miss Meadow gets the note saying you're coming. You will go to the park and no further, you will wear a bonnet at all times so you lose that gypsy complexion, and you will always be accompanied by servants. Is that understood?"
Sonia bowed her head. "Yes, Your Grace." She thought of one appeal Lady Atterbury might heed. "But the expense…"
"Elvin can afford it. Better he spend his blunt on you than squander it on that young filly."
Sonia had already heard the dowager's opinions on her father's remarriage. All of Grosvenor Square must have heard. Before she was dismissed into Bigelow's charge, Sonia was treated to another lecture about what was due