Behind the Rake's Wicked Wager - By Sarah Mallory Page 0,66
off, shaking her head to dispel the tears
that threatened.
‘Well,’ declared Mrs Wilby, taking up her sewing again. ‘I believe with the Dowager Countess of Gisburne as an acquaintance, Bath society will not dare to shun us!’
* * *
And so it proved. On Sunday the Dowager had attended the morning service at the Abbey and once she had acknowledged Susannah and her aunt, others followed suit, even Mrs Bulstrode and Mrs Farthing, although it was clearly an effort. A visit to Henrietta Street on Monday was also encouraging.
‘I have had no one ask me about Florence House,’ said Odesse, going to fetch a large box from a shelf. ‘And this morning, I received a visit from a most superior personage: a dowager countess, no less. She has ordered a new morning gown and hinted that she might place even more business with me, if I can turn it round quickly. Thank goodness I stayed up last night to finish this for you, Miss Prentess, otherwise heaven knows when I would have time to do it.’
She opened the box and pulled out a new evening gown of apricot silk.
‘Oh it is beautiful,’ exclaimed Susannah.
‘I hoped you would like it.’ Odesse held up the gown for Susannah’s inspection. ‘The flounced skirt is hemmed with lace, like the neck and the puff sleeves, and I have found a pair of long gloves that match the colour exactly.’
‘Quite exquisite,’ declared Mrs Wilby. ‘You must wear it at the ball, my love.’ She beamed at the modiste. ‘It is quite the finest gown you have made yet, Odesse.’
‘Thank you, ma’am. And the walking dress with the lilac-sarcenet petticoat that you ordered for yourself is ready now, if you wish to take it, Mrs Wilby, but I’m afraid I have not had time to finish the green pelisse, I am very sorry.’
‘Oh, never mind about that.’ Mrs Wilby happily waved aside her apology. ‘I do not need the new pelisse yet and would much rather you satisfied your other customers.’
‘Lady Gisburne has lost no time in seeking out Odesse,’ remarked Susannah, when the ladies were once more in their carriage, surrounded by their purchases. ‘I have every confidence that she will be well satisfied with her services.’ She put her hand on the box beside her and chuckled. ‘Perhaps now I can stop buying so many new gowns!’
* * *
That same evening, Susannah smoothed the long gloves over her arms and stood back to look at herself in the glass. There was no doubt that the apricot silk was most becoming. Dorcas had dressed her hair à la Madonna, with a centre parting and the curls falling from a topknot so that they would bounce and shimmer about her head when she danced at the ball tonight.
She wondered if Jasper would like it, but resolutely stifled the thought. He was still not forgiven, so it was of no odds to her at all whether he liked it or not. With something like a toss of those guinea-gold curls she picked up her shawl and hurried downstairs to join Aunt Maude.
* * *
Their reception at the Upper Rooms was noticeably warmer than it had been the previous week. There were smiles and bows from most of the matrons as they entered, and more than one lady promised Mrs Wilby an invitation to drink tea with her the following week.
Aunt Maude caught Susannah’s eyes, a glow of triumph in her own, and Susannah was forced to bite back a smile. A sudden commotion at the door was followed by a reverent hush. Susannah and her aunt stood back as the Dowager Countess of Gisburne was announced. The old lady progressed regally and Susannah noticed that although she carried a stick she rarely leaned on it as she made her way through the crowd with a nod here, a word there. When she reached Susannah she stopped.
‘Miss Prentess.’
Susannah rose from her curtsy to find the dowager was regarding her through her quizzing glass.
‘Hmm. Elegantly turned out, as always. I think you are in a fair way to becoming the best-dressed lady in Bath, my dear.’ She had not raised her voice, but her words carried effortlessly around the room.
‘Thank you, ma’am.’
Susannah inclined her head to acknowledge the compliment but she was almost startled into a laugh when the old lady winked at her before continuing her regal progress towards the ballroom.
Gerald Barnabus had begged her to keep the first dance for him and he came to find her when the