Free The Companion of Lady Holmeshire by Debra Brown Page B

Lady Genevieve someday will have a husband to acquaint her with the more benevolent ways of humanity,” countered the handsome young man. “I see that not a few people remain quite concerned about His Majesty, King George the Fourth, and his marital meddlings.” Wills then emphatically announced, “And now we shall honor the peace of His Grace’s home and his gracious hospitality.”
    “ Perhaps, then, we should change the subject of our conversation,” the dear lady duplicitously announced. “Lord Holmeshire, are you looking forward to some time alone with Lady Genevieve tomorrow, perhaps on your knee in the garden?” The room fell silent with the ultimate in painful toleration. It was left for the portraits, the statues and the stately columns to demonstrate nobility—and hope that the occupants would perhaps learn the art of it.
    Mr. Hughes made a particular effort to spend time talking with Emma, later in the evening, making sure she was quite comfortable at all times and uninjured by Lady Embry’s attacks. He gave her a rosebud from the table for her “beautiful black and shining hair.”

~ Chapter 5~
    A Visit to Handerton House
     
    Elizabeth and Anne were comfortable, spending much of the day in the nursery suite with Gwyndolyn and a warm and friendly woman, Miss Adelina Darivela, who had stepped in to greet them. She spoke pleasantly with an appealing foreign accent. Outside the house, Miss Darivela kept to herself. She wore lacy brown veils and could not be recognized from any distance. But she seemed to have Helena’s confidence and was invited to have tea alone with the Duchess upon occasion. Adelina was a servant, of sorts, the creator of floral bouquets in huge crystal vases that beautified the great house from one end to the other. Although she lived in her own home elsewhere, supported by the Duke and Duchess, she was often to be seen in the mansion with baskets full of long-stemmed roses and irises.
    Though five and twenty years of age spread between the four women in the nursery, they enjoyed each other’s company greatly. They helped to entertain Nicky and then talked quietly of books they had read while he napped. They tried a new hair style on Gwyn for the evening at Handerton, as she would be accompanying the boy. They helped her dress in a beautiful, pale yellow gown loaned to her by Helena for the occasion, and she acted out being a lady, ordering them around.
    Along with Adelina had come a housemaid, Hattie, who did not have nearly the same friendly attitude. Assigned to be under Gwyn as the nursery maid for The Season, she was required to be present and to take orders. Because of her continual scowl, she was much ignored after an attempt by the three to earn her friendship. It was just as Adelina had signaled; she could not be won over.
    Hattie was angered that she would have to eat upstairs with Gwyn and Nicky for the summer. It would ruin her life, she said, and she will have only one life, as far as she knows. Anne and her sister were happy to leave Hattie behind to dress the ladies for the evening.
    ***
    Emma descended richly carpeted stairs to meet the waiting Winnie and Helena on a vast landing. A silk settee of floral embroidery had been placed for those who cared to watch Belgravia through a red-velvet-draped window; the ladies were very much enjoying the show, while awaiting the others for their outing to dinner at Handerton. Outside the window, carriages bore gentlemen toward home for the evening and couples to their engagements. Nannies led children home from late outings and greeted others who were likewise pushing perambulators across the streets. Hearing Emma approach, Helena rose and turned away from London’s happy proceedings.
    Winnie had chosen for Emma the most angelic dress that she had ever worn; it was a sheer, white gown with faceted golden beads across the top, off the shoulders and with billowing sleeves. She looked heavenly, standing before the sun, as she