Free My Wayward Lady by Evelyn Richardson

would Lord Rokeby think?"
    "In my opinion we all give entirely too much thought to what Lord Rokeby thinks. If his regard for my sister is so tepid that he can be made to cry off because his future sisterin-law is a frump, then we are well rid of him. And he will be lucky if that is all I am," Harriet responded darkly. "If I have to mind my ways so carefully for fear of offending him, I am likely to do something far more outrageous than being seen in a quiz of a bonnet."
    "No, miss, of course not." Recognizing from long experience the unfortunate circumstances that could arise from such a conversation. Rose hastened to intervene. "But you do owe it to the, ahem, your students to acquire some ascendancy over at least one or two of the fashionable modistes in order to be able to find positions. After all, you did promise to do what you could to help."
    "Yeees," Harriet agreed slowly. "And in spite of my lack of a la modality, I am better acquainted with fitting rooms than I am with taprooms."
    "Taprooms?" Rose's jaw dropped in astonishment.
    "Yes. Lucy would like to own her own tavern someday and I have absolutely no knowledge in that area whatsoever. I do not have the slightest idea how to proceed in helping her." 72
    My Wayward Lady
    by Evelyn Richardson
    "I should think not," the maid snorted in disgust. Sometimes she was inclined to agree with her mistress's sister, the angelic Lady Elizabeth, that Lady Harriet needed to be watched constantly. There was no predicting what sort of scrape she would get herself into. Her lively curiosity and generous nature were inclined to overcome her good sense more often than not, and if her family and friends were not careful to keep an eye on her, she could soon find herself in a compromising situation. In Thornby where she was well known and the family highly respected, this was not so likely, but here in the metropolis where one's reputation could rise or fall on a single word it was dangerous business indeed. Rose did her best to steer her mistress toward more acceptable lines of thought. "Now as to the shops you should patronize..."
    "But if that is what Lucy wishes to do, then—" Harriet would not be diverted.
    "Then you can ask John Coachman to recommend her at the Rose and Crown in Thornby," her maid interrupted her.
    "Heaven knows he should have enough influence there. No one could be a more regular customer than he is. But you, my lady, must concentrate on the shops you know best such as Madame Celeste's."
    And thus it was that Harriet, spurred on by her own noble projects, began to acquire such a distinct air of fashion that even her sister was moved to remark in considerable surprise one morning as Harriet was departing to spend a pleasurable hour among the books at Hatchard's, "What a charming 73
    My Wayward Lady
    by Evelyn Richardson
    ensemble! Is that the new Charlotte pelisse I saw described in Ackermann 's? It is vastly becoming." Indeed it was, for the green sarsnet shot with white brought out the rich red highlights in Harriet's hair, while the fullness at the back emphasized the gracefulness of her slight figure, making it appear taller than usual. "Er, yes it is," Harriet admitted sheepishly as she waited for the next remark that would compare it to her usual mode of dress or the drab gray gown she seemed to wear so frequently, but none was forthcoming. Beyond directing a quizzical look at her sister. Lady Elizabeth said nothing further, merely smiling as she continued, "I am so looking forward to Lady Walsingham's musicale this evening. Lord Rokeby has promised to take both of us. I do hope you will like it, Harriet. I feel certain you will find it more to your taste than you have found the affairs we have been frequenting of late."
    Elizabeth directed an anxious glance at her sister. Much as she wished to please Lord Rokeby by making this Season absolutely perfect, she did not wish to do so at the expense of her sister. Harriet could be outrageous, to be sure, and