Free Loving Protector by Sally Quilford Page B

something to
show that we are all friends again.”
    “It is most generous,” said Blanche, her
eyes shining.
    “Thank you,” said Calista, wondering
what had brought about Lady Bedlington’s sudden rush of generosity. Then again
she had already been generous in giving them a roof over their heads for the
season and making sure they met the right people.
    “What I suggest,” Lady Bedlington
continued, “is that you, Evelyn, and Miss Kirkham go on ahead to the shops and
order your dresses. Tell the dressmakers to add the bill to my account. If Miss
Haywood will be kind enough wait for me, she can accompany me in my carriage.”
    Whilst it seemed a strange request,
Evelyn and Blanche agreed, leaving soon after.
    “That was very clever of me, do you not
think, Calista?” said Lady Bedlington.
    “I am not sure what you mean.”
    “I mean that I wished to buy you a new
dress for the ball at St. James Palace but I did not want to put Blanche’s nose
out of joint as, I gather, my great nephew did earlier.”
    Calista did not feel comfortable enough
with Lady Bedlington to ask if she thought the colonel was merely trying to get
back at Blanche. “You really do not have to buy me a dress. Unless… well unless
you think the one I have will not be good enough for St. James Palace.”
    “It is a perfectly suitable and charming
dress. However Brook mentioned that it seemed unfair to him that Blanche was to
have a new gown and you were not, so I said I would buy you one. And it seemed
to me that things would be much worse for you if I left Blanche out. Now, let
us go and purchase your gown. Then we will dine out for luncheon.”
    The morning was spent in a flurry of
activity, as Lady Bedlington took Calista first to a dressmaker, then to a
milliner and then on to luncheon at a fine restaurant. Calista could not help
noticing that the dressmaker was not the same one that Blanche used, despite
Lady Bedlington saying they would meet them at some point.
    “I thought we were only buying a ball
gown,” said Calista when they sat down to luncheon.
    “You do not like your new morning
dress?”
    “I like it very much only…”
    “Do you think your step-sister notices
anything you wear, Calista?” asked Lady Bedlington.
    “No, I do not suppose she does.”
    “Then the extra dress will be our
secret.”
    “I think she might notice it is finer
than all my other clothes,” said Calista with a smile. “I am very grateful,”
she added hastily. Not only had Lady Bedlington bought her two new gowns, but
also new under garments and other accessories such as ribbons and bows, and a
reticule to match her ball gown. All Calista could do was obey meekly as Her
Ladyship gave orders to the dressmaker and milliner to measure her.
    Despite her reservations about accepting
the clothes, she could not deny the pleasure of choosing new gowns and
accessories. Or at least choosing as far as she were allowed. Lady Bedlington
knew instinctively what was right for Calista and was not shy about sending the
dressmaker back to find something more suitable. When the dressmaker emerged
with one particularly bright-coloured gown, Lady Bedlington snapped, “You are
dressing a decent, well-bred young woman, not an actress.” The tradespeople
were clearly terrified of her, and she seemed to actively enjoy their fear,
having them scurrying all over the shop to find the correct attire. “When you
get to my age,” she had murmured to Calista, “tormenting tradespeople is one of
the few pleasures in life.”
    And yet, despite Lady Bedlington’s
sometimes waspish tongue, everyone seemed to adore her. Perhaps because she was
never unfairly sharp. She would often follow up a tongue lashing with a
charming and well-deserved compliment, to the point that it was sometimes
impossible to see the join.
    It was the same in the restaurant. There
were other diners there, some of whom Calista recognized as being higher up the
nobility than Lady Bedlington. Yet it