Alissa Baxter (11 page)

Lady Beauchamp shook her head. “Your wardrobe is woefully inadequate for a London Season, Alexandra. Some of your gowns, I grant you, are pretty enough, but it is all too easy to detect the hand of a country dressmaker in them. Rusticity is not at all in vogue, I can assure you, my dear.”

“Well, if that is the case, Grandmama, I place myself totally in your hands. When Mama was alive, I remember her saying that you have exquisite taste in fashion, and a remarkable eye for colour.”

A shadow of pain crossed Lady Beauchamp’s face at the mention of her deceased daughter, but she resolutely put her grief at the loss of her only child aside, and said brightly, “Well, your Mama was quite right, my dear. And you, Alexandra, will be a joy to clothe! Your lovely figure and striking colouring will present a challenge that any modiste worth her while will be eager to take up. I think that I shall entrust you to Madame Fanchon,” Lady Beauchamp continued thoughtfully. “Although she is the most expensive of the Bruton Street modistes, she is also by far the most talented. She can be relied upon to turn you out in style, especially for your first appearance at Almack’s, my love. You must make a good impression then.”

“I heard, Grandmama, that if one fails to receive vouchers for Almack’s, that one is socially damned. Can that really be so?” Alexandra asked.

“That is so, indeed,” Lady Beauchamp replied. “A young lady who fails to be approved of by the Patronesses of Almack’s — Countess Lieven, Lady Jersey, Lady Sefton, Mrs Drummond Burrell, Emily Cooper and Princess Esterhazy — may as well pack up and return home, for all the good staying in London will do her. Fortunately, it will not be difficult for you to obtain vouchers, my dear. Maria Sefton is a close friend of mine, and has already, on condition of first meeting you, of course, promised to send them.” Lady Beauchamp looked at Alexandra thoughtfully. “Speaking of Almack’s, my dear, do you know how to waltz?”

“No, Grandmama, I don’t. I am familiar with the country dances, the quadrille, the cotillion and the minuet, but Aunt Eliza nearly had hysterics when I suggested that I learn the waltz. She described it as extremely ‘fast’.”

“It certainly is fast — but since Countess Lieven introduced it into Almack’s, it has become accepted everywhere. Consequently it is vastly important that you become familiar with it. Immediately we arrive in London I shall engage a dancing-master to give you some lessons and teach you the steps. However, you may not waltz until you have gained the approbation of the Patronesses,” Lady Beauchamp cautioned. “Only when they have approved of you will one of their number give you permission to dance it by introducing you to a suitable partner.”

“With all these rules and regulations to remember, Grandmama, I am afraid I may forget one and unwittingly make a hopeless social blunder,” Alexandra said in an alarmed voice.

“Nonsense, my love. You will manage perfectly,” Lady Beauchamp assured her. “Nevertheless, I have enough knowledge of the London scene to realise the futility of pitch-forking you into the
ton
, as it were, by having you make your first London appearance at an Almack’s Assembly. There can be nothing more intimidating than that, I’m sure!” She smiled at Alexandra. “I have decided, therefore, that you shall attend some of the more informal parties given at the beginning of the Season so that you can familiarise yourself with Society and make a few acquaintances. It will give you added confidence, Alexandra, if you are acquainted with some people before visiting Almack’s.”

Alexandra nodded her head in agreement, before asking a question that had been on her mind for some time. “Grandmama, when is my coming-out ball to be held?”

“I think in five or six weeks time, dearest,” Lady Beauchamp replied. “That will be just before the peak of the Season so that we can be assured of a full house. We must commission Madame Fanchon to design one of her particularly dazzling creations for your ball. I think a gown of ice blue satin would look enchanting on you, my dear. With your mother’s sapphires — sapphires are not too overwhelming for a young girl to wear — you will be captivating.”

Alexandra smiled her thanks at the compliment, before turning her attention to the passing scenery which was visible through the carriage window. The unseasonably warm weather of the last few weeks had turned suddenly, giving place to cooler temperatures and a light drizzle now fell from a grey overcast sky. The countryside looked dismally bleak in the cold morning light. Yet, neither the inclement weather, nor the dreary scenery could lower Alexandra’s buoyant spirits. Since John had told her, a few days previously, that the meeting the Duke had called between the neighbouring landowners had been successful and that they had agreed to implement reforms, a burden had lifted from Alexandra’s shoulders and she was now looking forward to the future with eager expectation, keen to broaden her horizons and see something of the world.

The only city Alexandra had visited previously was Bath. She had travelled to the spa town, a few years before, to pay a visit to an elderly aunt who resided there, and had been fascinated by the hustle and bustle of town life. Although she had been too young at the time to attend any of the Assemblies, Alexandra had enjoyed herself immensely visiting the libraries, attending the theatre and shopping in Milsom Street. The amusements of the Metropolis, Alexandra knew, promised to be even more entertaining. Yet she was determined, no matter how unfashionable it might be, to view something more of London than would the average débutante. Her thorough education made it inconceivable that she visit London without spending some time viewing the wonders in the British Museum. She was also interested in visiting Shakespeare’s memorial at Westminster Abbey, and seeing the famous Elgin Marbles at Burlington House, about which her father had told her so much. Alexandra’s thoughts revolved around and around in excited circles as she envisaged all the wonders in store for her. She was certain that her visit to London would prove to be not only greatly entertaining, but educative as well.

Lady Beauchamp, who disliked travelling at a fast pace, had instructed Biddle, the coachman, not to spring the horses but to take the journey in easy stages. The party, which included her ladyship’s dresser, Jarvis, and Alexandra’s maid, Hobbes, travelled through Devizes that day, and carried on to Marlborough where they put up for the night at The Castle Inn. This was an excellent hostelry where one could be assured of an enjoyable dinner, and where there was no need, as Jarvis informed Hobbes, to check for damp sheets, or for dirt swept under the carpet by slothful chambermaids. Lady Beauchamp and Alexandra retired early for the night and Alexandra, unfamiliar with the rigours of travelling, slept like one dead — not even exciting thoughts about London could keep her heavy eyelids from closing the second her head touched the soft down pillows.

The next morning the party set off early again, travelling past the Forest of Savernake, on to Hungerford, and then to Newbury, where they stopped to rest the horses and enjoy a leisurely nuncheon, before proceeding on to the final stage of their journey to London.

Alexandra looked around her in wonder later that afternoon as the wheels of the carriage eventually struck the cobbled streets of the Metropolis. Unused to city life, she found the clamour of the vendors shrieking out their various wares, and the noise of the traffic quite overwhelming. However, as Biddle steered the horses expertly through the complicated network of streets, she was relieved to discover that the din abated somewhat as they left the city centre and entered the more fashionable part of town.

Notwithstanding her interest in her new surroundings, Alexandra was more than pleased when Biddle eventually drew up before Lady Beauchamp’s imposing townhouse in Berkeley Square, and she was free to leave the constricting confines of the carriage and stretch her cramped limbs. Being of an active nature she had found it difficult to endure sitting still for hours in a carriage and was happy that the seemingly interminable journey had finally come to an end.

Leighton, Lady Beauchamp’s stately butler, formally welcomed his mistress and her young protegée, before relieving them of their cloaks and instructing one of the footmen to conduct Miss Grantham to her bedchamber. Alexandra discovered to her delight that this was a charming room decorated in shades of green and rendered warm and welcoming by a large fire roaring in the grate, and fresh flowers artistically arranged on the mantelpiece. The bed looked most welcoming, and Alexandra lay thankfully down, leaving Hobbes to unpack her trunks. She drifted off to sleep and awoke only a short while before dinner. Startled that she had slept for so long, Alexandra hurriedly changed her crumpled gown and left her bedchamber to make her way to the drawing room where her grandmother was awaiting her.

Lady Beauchamp had informed Alexandra, on arriving in London, that they were to dine early that evening, and spend a quiet evening à deux before retiring early to bed in preparation for the busy days ahead. “Because, indeed my dear, you will need to be totally refreshed to enjoy the upcoming social whirl to the full; and travelling, as I well know, is an exhausting business which can sap the strength of even the most hardy person,” she had sensibly said. Consequently Alexandra, after sampling the culinary delights served by Lady Beauchamp’s French chef, Philippe, retired to bed at the unfashionably early hour of nine o’clock. She slept soundly, her slumber undisturbed by her new surroundings. She was somewhat annoyed, however, when she awoke in the morning and remembered how a pair of glinting green eyes had persistently invaded her dreams.

True to her word, the morning after Alexandra’s arrival in town, Lady Beauchamp whisked her granddaughter off to Madame Fanchon’s elegant establishment in Bruton Street. The two ladies were ushered into a showroom that was carpeted with an Aubusson and furnished with the gilt spindly chairs that were all the fashion in London. A slim, elegant woman of indeterminate age, whom Alexandra assumed to be Madame Fanchon, moved forward to greet them, curtseying respectfully. When she heard Lady Beauchamp’s commission that she design an entire wardrobe for her granddaughter, a worried look crossed the modiste’s face, and she said in regretful tones, “Madame, usually I would welcome such an order, but I fear that with the Season almost upon us...” Madame Fanchon turned to look apologetically at Alexandra as she said this, but her expression changed as her sharp eyes looked over Alexandra’s person. Looking back at Lady Beauchamp, Madame Fanchon said abruptly, “But, Madame, you bring me a goddess to clothe! A Titian beauty, no less! I shall, of a certainty, undertake to fashion Mademoiselle’s wardrobe. The limited time we have — it will be difficult,
bien sûr
, but I shall contrive! Indeed I shall.” She looked thoughtfully at Alexandra once again, and said, “Your colouring, Mademoiselle — it demands that you do not dress in the pastel colours —
non
and again
non
! They will not do you justice. We must look elsewhere
pour l’inspiration
!”

Madame Fanchon hurried off and returned with jewel-bright silks and satins, and endless rolls of muslin, cambric and crape. She and Lady Beauchamp immediately fell into a discussion about styles and fabrics, while Alexandra stood mutely by, listening to the excited interchange between them. Privately, she was somewhat shocked at the number of dresses that her grandmother seemed intent on ordering for her. She gathered, from what her grandmother was saying, that she would in all probability end up changing her clothes at least three or four times a day! Alexandra only hoped that she did not get confused and wear morning dress in the afternoon! Such a
faux pas
would not be overlooked by the fastidious members of
beau monde
, with their set rules and regulations for every occasion.

Two hours later, Lady Beauchamp and Alexandra left Madame Fanchon’s rooms and proceeded on to Miss Starke’s expensive milliner’s shop in Conduit Street. Miss Starke was all attention and urged Alexandra to try on an elegant Satin Straw hat, exclaiming in a rapturous voice, “It frames your face exquisitely, Miss Grantham!” Lady Beauchamp agreed that it suited Alexandra very well, and Miss Starke smilingly placed it in a bandbox to be delivered to Beauchamp House later that day.

Alexandra then tried on one of the Waterloo hats on display, but decided that she preferred the more understated look of a charming fur hat decorated with a curled plume. “At least my
ears
will be warm, Grandmama!” she said dryly, as she looked at her reflection in the mirror. Alexandra had been amazed to discover that, in the name of fashion, modish ladies had to be prepared to venture outdoors in freezing weather in the thinnest of muslin dresses. When she had queried Madame Fanchon’s decision to make her up four muslin dresses, saying sensibly that it was surely too cold in London at present to wear them, Madame had looked at her in a shocked fashion, and said reprovingly that if a lady desired to be modish, she was obliged to make “zee sacrifices that are necessary!”

Lady Beauchamp purchased four more stylish bonnets for Alexandra from a delighted Miss Starke. The two ladies then left the milliner’s exclusive establishment and climbed into Lady Beauchamp’s barouche which awaited them outside. Biddle then drove them to Bond Street where, Lady Beauchamp explained to Alexandra, they would be able to purchase the various items of fashion without which a lady’s wardrobe was incomplete. Shoes, half-boots, lace handkerchiefs, silk stockings, gloves, colourful ribbons... to Alexandra the list of essential items seemed endless. Eventually, however, Lady Beauchamp declared that they could return home. Settling back against the squabs of the barouche as it moved forward again, she sighed in satisfaction. “My dear, we have done very well today. Very well, indeed! There are a few trifling purchases that we have yet to make — but they can wait for another day. The important thing, however, is that you are well on the way to being one of the most fashionable débutantes in London!”

“I hope that I shall not disappoint you, Grandmama,” Alexandra said pensively. “I have been so much in the habit of leading a tomboyish existence, that I fear very much that it will take more than an elegant wardrobe to make a modish lady of me!”