A Taste of Honey (2 page)

When the girls arrived back at the house, they were told to visit their mother in the parlor, where she was waiting impatiently for her medicines.  Mrs. Wellings smiled up at her daughters as they entered, looking healthier and happier than she had in weeks.

“Sit down,” Mrs. Wellings said, motioning to a settee beside her.  “I'd like you both to meet someone.”

After stepping into the room Katherine was able to see another woman sitting in the large wing-back chair that their father often used when he sat with them.  She did not recognize the woman as one of her mother's friends.  In fact, she was quite sure that she had never seen her before.  Still, she watched as her mother beamed at the other woman as if she were an old and trusted friend.

“This is Mrs. Brentley.  She has come to interview the two of you.”  Mrs. Wellings explained as if it was common for her daughters to receive unexpected guests.

Robin shot Katherine a questioning glance and it was clear that neither of them had been warned about Mrs. Brentley's arrival.  As they went to take their seats both girls watched the woman closely, taking in the fine cut of her gown and the pristine condition of her lace gloves.  It was strange for them to see their mother quite so excited about anything other than new gossip from town.

Taller than most women, Mrs. Brentley had clearly been a beautiful woman in her younger years.  Her nose was a bit sharper than was considered beautiful but her slight lips and dark hazel eyes made up for any negative qualities.  Her light blond hair was speckled with grey strands that had been carefully swept up into one of the more modern styles.  To be honest, she looked like a woman who belonged in Robin's mythical versions of London.  A swift glance at her sister reveled that she wasn't the only one to think so.  Robin was positively beaming.

“You girls appear to be very charming,” she told them warmly before turning to their mother.  “I have never seen two sisters look quite so similar,” she remarked.  “Both are very beautiful and delicate, as you said they would be.”

“They are very polite as well,” Mrs. Wellings insisted, flashing each of her daughters a look of warning that they should follow along with the praise she was giving them.  “Neither girl speaks out of turn.”

Mrs. Brentley appeared to be wiser than Mrs. Wellings had anticipated.  She glanced over at the two girls and seemed to know by simply looking at them that they were not as quiet as their mother would have led her to believe.  Her eyes drifted to Robin's tapping foot and the clearly confused look that Katherine felt creeping across her face.

“Do either of you remember Lucy Talbert?”  Mrs. Wellings asked her daughters.

Both of them nodded mutely although Robin's eyes seemed to widen at hearing her name.  Lucy Talbert was their mother's second cousin's daughter.  Usually a relative that distant was rarely spoken of, especially since she had been born into an even poorer family than the Wellings twins.  However Lucy's name had taken on a certain amount of notoriety in their family after she had procured the interest of a prominent sponsor who took yearly trips into London.  It had taken Lucy's mother years of grooming and multiple interviews with the sponsor before she had agreed to take Lucy with her that year.  Now married to a well to do Lord, she was considered the family's jewel and their only claim to higher society.

Katherine tried to recall the name of Lucy's sponsor but she had never paid much attention to the fairytale like story.  She looked a little more closely at the woman who sat across from her trying to decide if she was the same sponsor that Lucy had acquired.

“I have been exchanging many letters with Mrs. Brentley over the last few months and assuring her that both of you stand a good chance to fetch prized husbands if taken to London.  Also your cousin Lucy sent a wonderful letter of recommendation for the two of you.  It took some convincing but Mrs. Brentley has agreed to interview you both.” 

When their guest looked briefly out of the window Mrs. Wellings silently threatened her daughters to behave with a sharp glance.  “This is a great honor for her to even consider taking either of you to London.  I hope that you will thank Mrs. Brentley for her attentions.”

Both girls offered a quick thank you before becoming obediently silent once more.  Unless Robin could be on her best behavior, Katherine knew it was unlikely that they would be chosen.  Besides it had taken Lucy months of interviews before being taken in and London's season was supposed to start in less than a week.  She could not imagine Mrs. Brentley choosing two girls that she hardly knew.

However Mrs. Brentley's eyes constantly shifted between the two faces as if the twins were a phenomenon rarely seen.  Their identical looks seemed to work to their advantage in this case.

“Each year when I travel into London for the season, I choose one young woman to take with me to act as a companion for me and my daughter,” Mrs. Brentley explained.  “Also I enjoy helping some of the less fortunate women, offering them a chance at finding a well to do husband and during our time together in London we attend many events.  I do not choose them for their high breeding or financial status, but off of their poise and intelligence, which some, including myself, value above riches.”

“I was not born into a very high status,” she continued without pause.  “While growing up, my father and mother kept a profitable little shop in London's market.  It was a comfortable life, if not a wealthy one.  Some of the friends I made were patrons of my father and of a higher class.  One even invited me to a ball with her.  Despite my poorer background I was then courted by a young gentleman of great financial means who appreciated me for my taste and sense of style and responsibility, instead of being critical of my lack of status.”

Katherine was convinced that they were hearing the same speech that had been given to other young women many times before.  It was meant to speak to them about their situation and about not giving up despite the difficulties that they faced in making a good match.  Had Mrs. Brentley known what Robin was aspiring to be, she would not have bothered in trying to pep her up.

“The next year, after being married, I introduced one of my poorer friends to my husband's circle of eligible bachelors. She was a delicate creature, despite her upbringing and many of the men flocked to her.  That year I was able to help her marry even better than I had.  It was then that I decided to choose one girl each year that I felt could climb to better means if guided and instructed correctly.  Over the years I have helped twenty-seven young women marry to a higher status than they were born to.  I have always been very picky in choosing a girl that is in her first season and who has exceptional qualities.  My interviews are usually extensive and my girls have come to be sought after by many men.”

A proud smile spread across her lips. “My charges are somewhat famous in some circles.  The girls I take with me often have many proposals and are able to choose their husbands.  Due to the unique circumstance of finding a set of twins such as yourselves, I have decided that I would be willing to take on two girls this year, rather than choosing only one of you.”

Katherine could feel Robin grasp her hand and squeeze gently.  It appeared to her sister that all of her dreams were finally coming true.  With a stern look from their mother, both girls silenced their many questions and untangled their hands.  They tried to be the obedient young women that their mother had claimed they were.

Looking around the small room for something to drink, Mrs. Brentley appeared disappointed to find that no tea had been set out for her, let alone biscuits to break her hunger from the long journey.  “You do not entertain often, do you?” she asked Mrs. Wellings, motioning to the empty side table.

At once Mrs. Wellings realized her mistake and turned to her girls.  “Go and fetch Laney.  Tell her to get us some tea and cake,” she instructed.

Katherine rose to do her mother's bidding before being stilled by Mrs. Brentley.  “I would like to speak to your daughters alone for a moment.  Would you be so kind as to retrieve the maid yourself?”  The words were spoken kindly, yet with authority and Katherine could not remember her mother ever being told to do something by someone.  She did not keep any friends who might question her.  Their father had long ago given up on trying to direct their mother to do anything, as she often did the opposite merely to spite him.  For a moment Katherine thought that her mother would refuse Mrs. Brentley.  Then, with a stiff smile, she stood up and nodded before leaving the room.

Mrs. Brentley waited for the door to click shut, then released a light sigh.  Turning to the girls she smiled warmly.  “Your mother wrote to me over a year ago asking for my assistance.  She has told me much about you through our correspondence, and you both appear to be likely candidates for my assistance.” 

Robin smiled and nodded her head, clearly excited to please the woman in any way possible, at least for the moment.  Katherine wondered how long her sister's good behavior would last before she would again sink into a state of ill tempers.

“However,” Mrs. Brentley continued with a far less friendly tone, “I have not yet decided.  As I would be taking care of you girls for as long as four of five months, I would like to know that we will be able to enjoy each other's company.”  Sitting back in her chair Mrs. Brentley seemed to be testing them.  “What can you tell me about yourselves that your mother might have missed?”

“Well, we're nothing like our mother,” Robin said rudely before Katherine could poke her in the ribs.

Instead of lecturing her for speaking ill of their mother Mrs. Brentley fought to hide a smile.  “What else?”  When the girls remained silent, Mrs. Brentley pushed a little harder.  “Do you know what kind of men you would be looking for and what kind of talents you posses
s
that would tempt them?”

“I want a rich husband,” Robin declared before Katherine could stop her.

Mrs. Brentley smiled warmly despite being taken aback by the girl's bluntness.  “Yes we all want wealthy husbands, but is there anything more particular that you see yourself searching for?”

Robin thought for a moment.  “I supposed that I would be looking for the new money sort of men.  They are quickly becoming richer than even some of the oldest Lords and I would be very useful because I have an impeccable eye for things like fashion.  From what I have seen and heard about most of those men, they grew up very poor and have no idea of how best to use their money to show their status.  Since I am constantly keeping an eye on the newest trends in hair, clothing, and how to decorate one's house I believe that I could best help by giving them a direction for their money.”

Mrs. Brentley's smile faded for a moment as she considered how to respond.  “There are a few advantages to marrying men such as the type that you describe.  However, I should warn you that in London, if not here, there is a certain stigma attached to that particular group of men.  They are known for being quite rowdy and irresponsible.  They allow their mistresses to appear publicly with them and are often encased in one scandal or another.  You must consider these kinds of things before choosing a husband.”

“That might be true but I don't care about the man's reputation,” Robin blurted out even as Katherine pinched her side to keep her silent.

They shared a simmering glance in which they spoke more quickly through thoughts than they could have with words.  After a moment Robin relented and fell back against the seat.  “I'll give it some thought,” she said moodily.

“What about you, Katherine?”

“I know French and a little German.  I have also been instructed in sewing and I play a few instruments.”  Mrs. Brentley nodded her head as she received the kind of information that she had expected.  Katherine hoped that she could smooth out any ruffled feathers that her sister had caused.  “I also have a great fondness for reading.”

“That's wonderful.  Like many others I enjoy listening to music.  I would like for you to play for me some night after dinner.  There is a small piano forte at my apartments that rarely gets much use.”

“I would enjoy that very much.” Katherine was surprised to hear Mrs. Brentley offer an invitation.  It seemed that their chances were better than she could have hoped.

“What kind of husband do you consider yourself appropriate for?”  Mrs. Brentley asked.

It was a strange question for Katherine to ponder and she wasn't given much time to do so.

At the same time that Mrs. Brentley finished asking the question Mrs. Wellings entered.  Katherine could tell that her mother had been listening in on at least most of their discussion and she wasn't too surprised.  “Katherine will marry a Duke,” Mrs. Wellings said forcefully as she took her seat.

Mrs. Brentley frowned for only a brief moment before she was able to mask her reaction.  “Why a Duke?”

“Perhaps a Viscount or even a Lord, either of those would be suitable as well.  It is really a matter of influence and wealth that is important.”

Katherine knew that her face reflected the same kind of shock as Mrs. Brentley's.  Her mother had never mentioned to her that she expected anything quite so ambitious from her daughters.  Even in London girls did not fall across eligible Dukes at every turn.

“Are you expecting this of both of your daughters?”  Mrs. Brentley asked.

“No, of course not.  Robin is far too wild to marry into the aristocracy.”  Mrs. Wellings made a motion with her hand as if to dismiss Robin entirely.  Her attentions seemed focused on Katherine alone.  “She may do whatever she likes.  However Katherine has been raised to be suitable for such high circles of society.  Don't you agree that she would be a fine wife for any titled man?”