dream … hic … dream it could be our own daughter. Oh dear lord, I am beset with troubles, the scandal - how am I to … hic … face—'
'Alicia I have already told you, there will be no repercussions. You should be grateful Isabella is unharmed, pray; why not comfort her, instead of thinking about the ton. '
Horatio grinned. 'Talking of scandal, have you heard the latest about our famous courtesan?
The countess groaned, but kept her counsel, secretly she revelled in gossip.
Giving a wry smile, the earl said, 'Which one?
'Miss Theodosia Shaw, her beauty is much admired ; her figure perfection. Noticed by Prinny, no less. It seems she dined at the house of the Duke of Darnley and was introduced to Sir Allen St. George, nephew of the celebrated Duke of Warminster.'
The earl grinned, 'A fine gentleman, of great standing in royal circles. I haven't heard of his nephew though. But go on - go on.'
'St. George danced attendance upon her and begged permission to pay her a morning visit. Well, it seems it incurred the displeasure of a widow of a Mr . Hurst, a lady of quite remarkable beauty who has entrance to the best circles. It appears that she had some claim on the handsome St. George, as they had spent some time together at walks and balls. Therefore, the lady found out Miss Shaw's address at Arden Street, and the time of the visit. On that morning, she disguised herself as a parlour maid, and knocked at the front door under the pretense of delivering a private message to St. George. When admitted into their presence, she discovered St. George kissing the delectable Miss Shaw. Distraught Mrs. Hurst picked up a cake fork and stabbed him in the chest. Fortunately recognizing her, although injured, St George leapt to his feet and disarmed her before she could give a fatal wound.'
The countess hiccupped. 'Good gracious, what goings on. These courtesans can be quite vicious. Jealousy has no bounds.'
The earl laughed. 'Tis not only jealousy, the courtesans are kept in the utmost splendour, fine houses, jewels and carriages; we are taking about huge sums of money. They fight like vixens to protect their contracts.'
Horatio grinned. 'But there is more, it seems St. George forgave his jealous mistress, as they were seen riding together some days later.
Seeing her father amused, and her mother well inebriated, she broached the subject of Brussels. 'Mama, I will need my maid Sarah and a parlour maid to accompany me. I fear there will be much work if we live in a camp.'
'Camp? Living in a tent? My dear - never. Surely, you will stay in a hotel whilst Alex is on skirmishes?'
Isa pursed her lips. Alex's agent is searching for a house for us, near La Rue Royale.'
'Why yes of course, take who you need. Have you ordered your dresses? You must appear 'much dressed.'”
'Mama I cancelled - after all I thought the devil ruined me, that Alex would not countenance a match after ….'
'No trousseau - wedding dress. Oh - oh - my head - my head.'
The earl looked over to Venetia. 'Would you accompany Isabella to the dressmakers tomorrow; our darling must be richly bedecked with fine clothes and fripperies. I hear the Duchess throws lavish balls in Brussels.'
Venetia nodded. 'Of course my Lord, I would be honoured to accompany Isabella.'
Isa smiled; thank goodness, they'd foregone the subject of camping, as she had every intention of living with Alex if he had to resort to a tent.
Eleven
Isabella awoke with thoughts and images of gowns crowding her head; oh lord the trousseau. There was little time to collate a decent trousseau. Flinging back the covers, she swung her legs from the bed, her feet sinking into the deep pile of the carpet. The door opened quietly to admit her maid Sarah, carrying in the water and fresh towels for her morning ablutions. Scurrying over to the dresser, she poured the hot water into the bowl. 'How fare you this morning milady?'
'Very well Sarah, considering all that has taken place. However, I fear I
'Alicia I have already told you, there will be no repercussions. You should be grateful Isabella is unharmed, pray; why not comfort her, instead of thinking about the ton. '
Horatio grinned. 'Talking of scandal, have you heard the latest about our famous courtesan?
The countess groaned, but kept her counsel, secretly she revelled in gossip.
Giving a wry smile, the earl said, 'Which one?
'Miss Theodosia Shaw, her beauty is much admired ; her figure perfection. Noticed by Prinny, no less. It seems she dined at the house of the Duke of Darnley and was introduced to Sir Allen St. George, nephew of the celebrated Duke of Warminster.'
The earl grinned, 'A fine gentleman, of great standing in royal circles. I haven't heard of his nephew though. But go on - go on.'
'St. George danced attendance upon her and begged permission to pay her a morning visit. Well, it seems it incurred the displeasure of a widow of a Mr . Hurst, a lady of quite remarkable beauty who has entrance to the best circles. It appears that she had some claim on the handsome St. George, as they had spent some time together at walks and balls. Therefore, the lady found out Miss Shaw's address at Arden Street, and the time of the visit. On that morning, she disguised herself as a parlour maid, and knocked at the front door under the pretense of delivering a private message to St. George. When admitted into their presence, she discovered St. George kissing the delectable Miss Shaw. Distraught Mrs. Hurst picked up a cake fork and stabbed him in the chest. Fortunately recognizing her, although injured, St George leapt to his feet and disarmed her before she could give a fatal wound.'
The countess hiccupped. 'Good gracious, what goings on. These courtesans can be quite vicious. Jealousy has no bounds.'
The earl laughed. 'Tis not only jealousy, the courtesans are kept in the utmost splendour, fine houses, jewels and carriages; we are taking about huge sums of money. They fight like vixens to protect their contracts.'
Horatio grinned. 'But there is more, it seems St. George forgave his jealous mistress, as they were seen riding together some days later.
Seeing her father amused, and her mother well inebriated, she broached the subject of Brussels. 'Mama, I will need my maid Sarah and a parlour maid to accompany me. I fear there will be much work if we live in a camp.'
'Camp? Living in a tent? My dear - never. Surely, you will stay in a hotel whilst Alex is on skirmishes?'
Isa pursed her lips. Alex's agent is searching for a house for us, near La Rue Royale.'
'Why yes of course, take who you need. Have you ordered your dresses? You must appear 'much dressed.'”
'Mama I cancelled - after all I thought the devil ruined me, that Alex would not countenance a match after ….'
'No trousseau - wedding dress. Oh - oh - my head - my head.'
The earl looked over to Venetia. 'Would you accompany Isabella to the dressmakers tomorrow; our darling must be richly bedecked with fine clothes and fripperies. I hear the Duchess throws lavish balls in Brussels.'
Venetia nodded. 'Of course my Lord, I would be honoured to accompany Isabella.'
Isa smiled; thank goodness, they'd foregone the subject of camping, as she had every intention of living with Alex if he had to resort to a tent.
Eleven
Isabella awoke with thoughts and images of gowns crowding her head; oh lord the trousseau. There was little time to collate a decent trousseau. Flinging back the covers, she swung her legs from the bed, her feet sinking into the deep pile of the carpet. The door opened quietly to admit her maid Sarah, carrying in the water and fresh towels for her morning ablutions. Scurrying over to the dresser, she poured the hot water into the bowl. 'How fare you this morning milady?'
'Very well Sarah, considering all that has taken place. However, I fear I
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