“I am more than a fashion plate, you know,” Maggie said with a touch of wryness. “As you’ll recall, I’ve had my share of perilous adventures. But, yes, I would like to assist in your venture, Fancy, in any way that I can. In fact, I’m holding a small fête in three days and would be honored if you and Knighton would be my guests of honor.”
“Oh…thank you.” Fancy glanced at Aunt Esther, who gave a fervent nod. “We would like that.”
“Lovely,” Maggie said, beaming. “Lady Brambley, I hope you will join us. And I understand Knighton has siblings who are, ahem, newly arrived from France. They are welcome as well.”
Fancy admired Maggie’s delicacy. The duchess was implying that she knew the illegitimate status of Knight’s brothers and sisters and would still receive them. Having Maggie’s stamp of approval would no doubt give the campaign to launch Jonas and Cecily into Society a much-needed boost.
Fancy knew she had interpreted the situation correctly when Aunt Esther said with gruff gratitude, “You are very kind, Your Grace.”
After a bit more chitchat, Aunt Esther excused herself, leaving Fancy alone with her friends.
“Now that we are done with the fashionable talk,” Tessa declared, “onto more pressing matters. Fancy, do you have the note and christening gown you mentioned?”
“Yes.” Fancy retrieved the objects from a nearby table, where she’d set them earlier. “Here they are.”
They all gathered around as Tessa started with the note.
“May God watch over this babe. For her own safety, she must never return to London,” she read aloud. “Sounds to me like someone was trying to protect you, Fancy. What do you think about the handwriting?”
“The penmanship is rather unrefined,” Maggie mused. “There are not the usual flourishes that I associate with an upper class lady’s hand.”
“Maybe it was written in a hurry?” Gabby suggested. “I leave out the curlicues when I have to scribble a quick note.”
“Or it could have been written by a woman with less formal education,” Maggie said. “A servant, perhaps.”
Impressed with her friends’ observations, Fancy said, “You all make excellent points.”
“Now for the gown.” Tessa held up the silk garment, tilting her head this way and that as she studied the embroidered flower. “Flora and fauna are not my strength. I cannot tell a cornflower from a cabbage. What do you think, Gabby and Maggie?”
“Is it a rose, perhaps?” Gabby squinted at the embroidery. “I wish it wasn’t so small…”
“I have something that’ll help.” Reaching into the pocket of her skirts, Fancy took out her tinker’s friend. She found the correct handle and swiveled out a small magnifying glass.
“How clever!” Gabby exclaimed.
“And handy,” Tessa said. “Wherever did you come by such a contraption?”
“My da made it. He calls it a tinker’s friend, and I never go anywhere without it.” Fancy showed her friends the other tools and smiled at their oohs and ahs of delight. When they were done admiring, she held the magnifying glass over the embroidered flower.
“The bell-shaped petals resemble a rhododendron or azalea, I think,” Maggie said. “What do you make of those yellow specks?”
She pointed at the tiny stitches at the center of the flower.
“Stamen?” Gabby guessed. “I count ten of them.”
“Why don’t I do a drawing?” Maggie suggested. “I’ll show it to my gardener; he is quite knowledgeable about such things.”
“That is a wonderful idea,” Gabby said brightly. “We could also consult with the Ladies’ Botanical Society, if needed. I am a member.”
Looking at the ladies’ determined faces, Fancy felt a welling of gratitude.
“Thank you,” she said sincerely. “I don’t know how I would manage without you.”
“That is the point of having friends, isn’t it?” Tessa’s wink was roguish and heart-warming. “None of us have to manage alone.”
29
The next day, as the carriage wound into the heart of Spitalfields, Severin wasn’t certain how Fancy had talked him into the current undertaking. Well, that was a lie: he did have some inkling. He suspected it had to do with the conversation he and his duchess had shared in bed the night before.
She had been telling him about her day and visits with her new friends whilst simultaneously wending a trail down his body with her lips. She’d apparently enjoyed his prior eve’s lesson and wanted to try it again. He’d known, without a doubt, that he was a lucky bastard. Just as she had done something with her tongue that made his hips buck and his hands clench the sheets, she’d asked him for a favor.