Miss Fanshawe's Fortune - Linore Rose Burkard Page 0,29
not a complete surprise, for though Frannie had supposed that most of the upper class did not attend church or care for religion, to her joy the Arundells were an exception. They went faithfully to church upon a Sunday—even Edward—since her arrival. The only lapse was the first week when Mrs. Arundell claimed she could not hear the rector’s sermon, and moreover, hadn’t been attending church since her “deformity” had occurred.
As minutes ticked by, Frannie forgot to be shy of Sebastian, who welcomed her opinion on the Psalms and promised to read her favorites the following night aloud to the family as they sat in the parlour. She knew she must be ignorant of real scholarship in countless ways, but if he thought so, he hid it. As it grew late, he asked if he might escort her to her bedchamber.
Frannie hid a little yawn behind one hand, but then said, “I am determined to wait for your mama. I must know if Mr. Withersʼs device was a success for her.” What she did not say, but what was of even greater concern was if it meant her days with the Arundells were numbered. Indeed, after this lovely evening of easy companionship with Sebastian, she feared it more than ever. Sheʼd been careful, of course, in all she did or said, to keep her growing affection for him out of sight. He mustn’t be made uncomfortable.
After he left, she continued reading but dozed off. It was near four o’clock in the morning when she awoke with a start upon hearing stirrings in the house. Surely it signified Mrs. Arundellʼs return. She picked up the candle sconce that was still lit, though burning low, and hurried to greet her.
Mrs. Arundell was astonished to find her up, told her not to think of waiting up for her again, and then fell into her manner of easy chatting. She had a delightful evening and claimed her “odious deformity” was cured! Indeed, she was filled with raptures, for she was able to curtsey to Her Royal Highness Princess Charlotte and exchange a word even with the Prince Regent! “Of course we all know the prince would hardly be respectable were he not royalty, but he is royalty, you know, and that makes it exciting, doesn’t it?” she asked, as if Frannie might have had exciting opportunities to curtsey to the prince any number of times. To Frannie’s question about whether she would still be wanted as a companion, Mrs. Arundell reacted with raised brows and momentary silence. Finally she replied in the sweetest terms that she had no wish, no wish at all, to lose Frannie, and she must not even think of such a thing.
Frannie was filled with relief and gratitude. Sebastian was right, thank heavens. She accompanied the lady to her bedchamber as she continued to glowingly describe the evening. About Sir Hugo, she said only that she had seen no evidence of his exerting himself with the opposite sex. “Indeed, he failed to put himself forward at all,” she said, shaking her head, “though many eligible ladies were present. Miss Latham, with her ten thousand, and others, many others.” She paused while Betsey, her lady’s maid, lifted off her gown, leaving her in a chemise, stockings, and stays. “If he indeed wishes to find a wife,” she continued, as all but the chemise was removed, “he is not going about it properly.”
A frilly mobcap replaced the turban and Mrs. Arundell climbed into bed. As her maid settled the blankets about her, she turned to Frannie. “My word! I’m keeping you from your rest!” She removed the little hearing device from her ear and placed it lovingly upon her night table. “We’ll talk in the morning, for the boys will wish to hear about the ladies with their fortunes who were utterly ignored by their cousin.” She sighed and looked up at Frannie, blinking. Suddenly her eyes filled with a thought. “Why, my dear, you would make Sir Hugo an excellent wife! Your fortune merely caps it!”
“Oh, ma’am!” Frannie exclaimed, blushing. “A poor orphan?” she said, forgetting for a moment that her father might be alive, and falling back into her long-standing belief that he had died while she was an infant. As soon as she spoke she remembered he was said to be alive, but she merely added, “I think Sir Hugo must set his sights higher.”
Upon hearing that, Betsey, the lady’s maid, gave Frannie a dark look before curtseying to