Page 8 of Unmasked By a Captivating Lady
The woman stared at her as if she were slightly mad, peering down her nose. “Madam, I am afraid that we do not have any spare appointments for quite a few weeks. Apart from our usual appointments, the Duke of Lancaster’s ball has just been announced, and all our regular clients going to it have booked us up entirely.”
Mrs. Nott looked flabbergasted. “You cannot squeeze us in at all? But that is not to be borne!” She paused. “Can I speak directly to Mrs. North, perhaps?”
The woman smiled condescendingly. “I am afraid not, madam. Mrs. North is busy with fittings at the moment. Perhaps I might suggest another dressmakers, if you are so desperate?”
Mrs. Nott coloured. “Well! If that is your attitude, then we shall take our custom elsewhere.” She turned to Ara and Ruth. “Come along, girls.”
They exited the store. Mrs. Nott turned to them both, her eyes glittering.
“This is terrible,” she whispered dramatically. “Do you think that we shall secure fittings anywhere?”
“I am sure we will, Aunt,” said Ruth reassuringly.
“Does it matter, Mama?” said Ara sharply. “Papa was correct, after all. Wedoalready have gowns that are suitable for a ball. We could just wear them and be done with it.”
Mrs. Nott looked affronted. “They are simply not good enough, Ara. Not good enough at all!” She took a deep breath, staring down the street. “Come along, girls. We must stay positive. We shall find somewhere, I am sure of it.”
By the time they climbed back into the carriage, Ara’s patience had been stretched to the limit. They had been into four different dressmakers before securing appointments. That was in addition to the jewellers. They had been on Bond Street for over two hours.
Two fruitless hours, she thought. Two hours, where I could have been riding if I were still at home in the country.
She stared morosely out of the carriage window, tapping her fingers against the side of the carriage. If she had to go into another shop again, she thought she might scream.
***
That afternoon, she stared out of her bedroom window. Everyone was busy with other pursuits; Ruth was practising piano in the parlour, her mother was having her habitual afternoon nap, and her father was at one of his clubs. The restlessness she had been feeling all day abruptly overwhelmed her.
Suddenly, she remembered Hyde Park. The acres of green lawn, and the Serpentine River. She had seen swans gliding along that river. How lovely would it be to see them up close, just for a little while?
Her heart started to beat a little faster. Hyde Park wasn’t that far from here, and she knew the way…sort of. At least, she had paid attention in the carriage. It couldn’t be that far to it on foot, surely?
I could be back before anyone even realises,she thought quickly.Mama sleeps for at least an hour or two, and Ruth can practise piano for hours, as well. Papa will be at his club until evening…
She hesitated, torn with longing. She had promised her father faithfully that she would not do things like this anymore, and she was in London, not Dorset. She knew that a young lady shouldn’t walk the streets unchaperoned.
Her heart beat faster still. But if she was quick, no one would be any the wiser. She couldn’t sit in this room all day, like Rapunzel locked in a tower. The urge to stretch her legs and be in nature was like a siren’s call to her.
She took a deep breath. She would do it.
Quietly, she went down the stairs, tiptoeing. In the foyer, she retrieved her bonnet and gloves, looking around surreptitiously. Harding, the butler, was nowhere in sight, and neither were any of the maids.
She opened the door quickly, closing it behind her as quietly as she could. The next minute, she was walking down the street, her heart in her mouth. What if her mother was not sleeping, and was peering from her bedroom window?
But no one pursued her. She reached the end of their street, hesitating, looking left and right. Which way was it to the park again?
It is right, she thought determinedly.I will head that way, and simply backtrack if it proves erroneous.
Already, she felt that delicious sense of freedom. She took a deep breath. It was good to be outdoors and walking, even if the smells of London were different to the country. Even if she wasn’t where she wanted to be.
She quickened her steps. She simplymuststay aware of the time. If she didn’t, and returned late, she knew there would be grave consequences.
She felt a sudden stab of guilt. But the next minute, she heard some birds in a tree, and forgot about everything else entirely.
Chapter 5
Miles adjusted his hat as he strode into Tattersall’s horse auction on Hyde Park Corner. The usual cacophony of sound greeted him as he entered. The auctioneer’s voice sounded like a brittle, fast moving stream as he encouraged the bidders to go higher.
He sighed deeply. He had decided to come here at the last minute, on a whim, because he was slightly bored, and because he was interested in buying a new carriage horse. It was something that anyone who worked in his family’s stables could have done, but he was a horse man, and knew horse flesh well. He also couldn’t resist the lure of the auction; the thrill of outbidding someone at the last minute.
