Page 16 of The Model Debutante
Rainbird hid any reaction he felt at Tallie’s second, unexpected, call of the day. ‘Her ladyship is At Home, Miss Grey and has no-one with her at present.’
‘Talitha! What a nice surprise.’ Lady Parry put down the book she was reading and looked up with a pleased smile as Tallie was announced. ‘Come and sit down by me.’
‘I…I think I would rather stand, ma’am.’ Tallie took a deep breath. ‘I am very sorry to appear ungracious, Lady Parry, but I feel I should not have accepted your kind offer this morning and I thought I should come and say so immediately.’
‘Why ever not? My poor child, stop standing there looking like a parlour maid who has broken the best Minton and sit down. There, that is better. Now, I know you must have had a shock this morning but–’
‘It is not that. I had not considered what a difficult position I would be putting you in.’
‘Because you have had to work for your living? If I do not regard it, be certain that Society will not, not when they learn of your family and fortune, and observe your ladylike deportment.’
‘My friends, ma’am.’
‘Your friends are more than welcome in my house, Talitha.’
‘Lady Parry,’ Tallie said with some emphasis, feeling swept along. ‘My only friends are a governess, a lodging house keeper and an opera dancer. I do not believe you could have been aware of that fact when you made your kind offer just now.’
‘I have never met a governess who was not respectable and I am sure if the lodging house in question is where you make your home, its proprietress is bound to be most acceptable.’
‘The opera dancer is her niece and lives with us,’ Tallie persisted.
‘And is she a nice girl?’
‘Very. And despite what the world thinks of actresses and performers, she is a modest, virtuous and respectable young woman into the bargain.’
‘There now, so where is the problem?’
‘You would not object if I were to continue my friendships?’
‘Certainly not. Your friends are most welcome in my home whenever they wish to call upon you.’
‘Thank you. But not everyone will be of your opinion.’
‘By everyone, I assume you mean my nephew?’
‘Er…’ Tallie had no wish to tell tales or to sound in any way critical of Lady Parry’s family.
‘And which of your friends has Nicholas been viewing with that chilly eye of his?’
‘Miss Scott, the governess.’
‘Foolish boy. He has always been overprotective. And has he set eyes upon the young lady from the opera yet?’
‘I believe not.’
‘He will,’ his fond aunt prophesised cheerfully. ‘At least, he probably has already met her if she is pretty. Never mind, Tallie. Who I allow under my roof is my decision. Once Nicholas gets to know you better he will soon cease to worry.’
‘That is not all, Lady Parry.’
‘I thought we had agreed that you would call me Aunt Kate?’
‘You will not wish me to when I tell you about the other matter,’ Tallie said, feeling ready to sink now that the moment for confession had come. ‘I am not just a milliner, I have been earning my living in another way as well.’
‘I know,’ Lady Parry said calmly.
‘You know? But, you cannot…I have been sitting for an artist.’
‘Indeed. Mr Harland, a most talented gentleman, I believe.’
