Page 42 of A Rake's Redemption
“Soup. It is almost always the first course,” Caroline said. “The smaller, thinner spoon is for dessert. There will be a third if a pudding is served. The forks on the other side are for the second and third courses, most often a small serving of fish or game followed by a more robust helping of venison, pork, or lamb. The heavier knife is for slicing the meat, of course, and the small one on the bread plate is for spreading butter.”
“It sounds confusing. One of each should be enough.”
Caroline pasted a bright smile on her face, which made Inis feel a little guilty over her deception.
“What helps is to remember that as each course is removed, you allow the footman to take that silverware with it.” Caroline demonstrated by placing the soup spoon in the empty soup bowl that sat atop two more plates and nodded at Alex, who assumed the role of footman and took the dish. She placed a fork on the first plate to indicate she had finished the course, and Alex removed that, too. “You see? The silverware dwindles down, so it is fairly easy to know which piece to use next.”
Inis frowned. “And why do we have five glasses?”
“The large one is for water, the flute for champagne, the two rounded ones for red and white wine, and the smaller one for sherry.”
Inis rounded her eyes. “Do ye intend to land a person in a stupor then?”
Caroline’s smile became more determined. “Of course not. The glasses are only half filled.”
“Seems a waste to me,” Inis said. Caroline gave a silent sigh, which edged Inis’s conscience.
“Different wines are served to complement the different courses,” Caroline said and looked to Alex. “Perhaps we should actually have food and drink for this lesson.”
“Is this necessary?” Inis asked, making herself sound dubious. She turned to Alex, too. “I thought ye wanted to make me attend your brother’s ball, not a dinner.”
Alex smiled at her. “Perhaps attendance at several dinners, soirees, and perhaps the theater could be practice runs.”
She looked down at the table so he wouldn’t catch a glimpse of the panic she was feeling. She couldn’t attend multiple events. Someone would surely recognize her. If her uncle got word of her whereabouts, her game—and Alex’s—would be over.
“Ye said ye would nae force me to attend such things.”
“I agreed not to push you until you are ready. That is why Caroline is here,” Alex replied. “George hosts an elaborate ball for the Prince Regent and his cronies in May. Presenting you to the Prince will be the ultimate achievement.”
Inis felt her eyes widen. Sweet Mary and all the saints. The Prince Regent? Every duke in England would probably be in attendance. And her uncle knew most of them. At least one or two of them would recall that the Duke of Kildare had a red-haired niece, especially if they’d heard she was missing.
“I think I would feel like Cinderella from the faerie tale.”
Caroline laughed. “Do not worry about that. This prince is not about to be searching for a woman wearing a glass slipper. He prefers his—”
“Never mind,” Alex interrupted. “All Inis needs to do is be congenial and charming with every earmark of a real lady. The Prince will be intrigued, and my brother will be taken down a few pegs when Inis is acknowledged even though she has no pedigree.”
“That might not be pretty,” Caroline said and looked at Inis. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
Inis was only too aware that Alex was watching her intently. Was he still willing to give her a choice? If she said no now, he’d probably dismiss her from his employ completely. Then where would she go? She didn’t have enough coin saved up since she was repaying him for the wardrobe. He didn’t think her educated, so there would be no references for any position above chambermaid. If that. No one would hire a girl to take care of horses, and she couldn’t pretend to be a boy forever.
Beyond that, though, was something more important. Inis had given Alex her word she would help him with this scheme, insane as it was. She swallowed hard. “I agreed to it. It does nae matter what is said later. I will nae be here, because Mr. Ashley agreed to fund my trip to America when this is over.”
Several emotions flitted across Alex’s face. Relief? Gratitude? Confusion? Inis couldn’t really tell. Caroline looked surprised but didn’t comment, which was just as well. The situation was getting more complicated than the place settings in front of her.
…
“You are actually serious about presenting Inis to the Prince Regent?” Caroline asked Alex as he walked her to the door after they’d finished the lesson. “Teaching her enough etiquette to get by at several events is one thing. Having to converse with the Prince is quite another. With the Regent present, the atmosphere will be like attending Court. Every panderer in southern England will be there vying for his attention.”
“Precisely,” Alex replied. “All Inis has to do is impress him with impeccable manners for a minute or two, and I will escort her away.”
Caroline raised an eyebrow. “Are you forgetting all thosewiveswho will also be seeking Prinny’s attention? I have been at Court and at Carlton House and Brighton as well, thanks to my father’s high-reaching aspirations. The wives are catty enough at regular events, but in the Prince’s presence, they are vicious. Inis does not deserve their kind of treatment.”
“I will be by her side. If need be, I can soon have the ladies clawing at each other.”
Caroline’s brow arched higher. “How would you do that?”
“The negligees, of course,” Alex answered, looking around to make sure none of the servants hovered nearby. “One subtle mention, and the ladies who have received them will start preening, and the ones who have not will start making snide remarks.”
