Meredith brushed away her daughter’s attempt to display the wagtail feather, and summoned a maid to take Lily into the kitchen for a snack. Isabelle removed her gloves and gauged which sensible words to share before her stepmother worked herself into a full-blown panic.
‘We have just arrived. You must give it a little time before your expectations climb so high.’
‘That could be true.’ Meredith’s woeful tone sounded too self-indulgent to be considered sincere. ‘But I will double my efforts to make acquaintances and participate in all social circles. By my doing, we live across the street from the most popular man in London.’ She jerked her gaze to the window. ‘I wish I could accompany the ladies who linger in the square but those dreadful flowers make me sneeze. If I dare to venture out there, I will look wretched in no time; my eyes red rimmed and my nose horribly runny.’
‘I doubt his lordship gives a care to the conspicuous women who mill about his corner. I suspect he hardly takes them seriously.’ A twinge of unbidden guilt chased her words but she refused to offer credence to the preposterous situation in the gardens.
‘In truth, I cannot depend upon your advice.’ Meredith’s tone expressed complete exasperation. ‘When you venture into the square, you actually look at the scenery, not the fashion and definitely not the gentlemen. So lost in your botanical explorations, I wonder if you see anything beyond the flowers in your path.’
An image of Lord Highborough’s flexed muscles beneath the fabric of his lawn shirt rose with startling clarity. Flowers, indeed. Meredith’s flippant remark struck a sensitive chord and all charity evaporated. She did not want to believe her stepmother meant the unkind words with intention, so she did her best to disguise the emotion in her voice in a practice born of habit. A change of subject was in order. ‘I plan to take Lily to Hyde Park tomorrow. The botanical sights promise to be uncommonly rare.’
‘Yes, of course.’ Meredith offered a distracted nod. ‘Enjoy the day. I must work harder to further my pursuit. I am having tea with three ladies I met at the Rochester ball. By association, if in no other way, I will obtain the Windlesham invitation. The event remains several weeks away. There is plenty of time for me to garner Lord Highborough’s attention, but a fool would take unnecessary chances. If I have not managed to attract him before then, it will be imperative I attend.’ She stopped pacing and placed a finger against her chin in deliberation. ‘I suppose you are right. It has been less than a week. It may take a little more effort on my part. You possess such a practical way of looking at things.’
With her stepmother mollified, Isabelle climbed the stairs to change her clothes and consider her spontaneous decision to visit Hyde Park in the morning. Certainly, it had nothing to do with Lord Highborough and his very blue eyes and charming likeability. He did seem at ease with Lily when he brought her up to discover the bird’s nest, but his goal was likely to disprove her immediate assumption he was a wicked seducer of women. If only when they stood together, she could ignore his delicious mouth, then she’d keep a thought in her head and manage a sensible conversation with the man.
She sat down on the corner of her bed with a sigh. Why would he choose to tease her with such persistence? In most ways, the male mind remained a mystery to her, although she did understand resentment and cruelty due to the years spent with her father. Lord Highborough’s jests were nothing like that. Somehow his cutting words managed to please, even while she knew he wished to get the better of her.
Isabelle fell backward and hit the mattress, deep in thought. She promised herself as she packed her luggage in Wiltshire, that were she to be dragged away from home she would embrace new experiences. Every adventure begins with a first step. And she was curious to see the upside-down tree. It mattered little how she came by the information.
However, the secrecy of it all made her incredibly uncomfortable. At least she’d effectively declined Lord Highborough’s invitation and therefore would be able to enjoy the park without preoccupation over another accidental meeting. Or worse, why when the overlong wisps of his hair edged over his collar he did not brush them back as she wished to do.
His hair. How incredibly soft it must feel. Foolish thought, she chided. She brought herself up in a swift motion to ring for her maid and change her clothes for supper.
Janie was accustomed to her no-nonsense style and Isabelle was dressed for dinner, her hair in a tidy bun, in no time at all. When she came down the stairs, she found Meredith seated near the front window. A fashion magazine lay open on her skirt but her focus strayed to the window twice in the time Isabelle crossed the room and sat in the chair beside her.
She drew her stepmother’s attention with a light touch to the arm. ‘I am glad you are here. I wished to speak to you concerning Lily.’
Meredith brought her eyes from the window. ‘What has my daughter requested now? A pet elephant? A trip to Paris?’
‘No, nothing at all.’ Isabelle shook her head to confirm Meredith misunderstood.
‘Very good.’ She dropped her gaze to the magazine on her lap. ‘Look at this exquisite design.’ She turned towards Isabelle with a smile on her face and held up the fashion plate, her index finger tapping the left page. ‘I cannot decide whether to have this gown made in amber or byzantium silk. They are my best colours and this is the latest design. With a more daring neckline, it would make a lasting impression.’
‘It is very pretty.’ Isabelle watched Meredith give the window another glance. ‘I am sure the modiste will accommodate you.’
‘Yes, I shall order it when next we shop. I think a silver underskirt would be the thing, just a tad longer than the hem. What a splendid gown it will be.’
Meredith continued to study the picture, a pleased gleam in her eye, and Isabelle prompted a return to the topic that concerned her. ‘Lily has kept very late hours since we’ve arrived in London and I worry that she is not getting enough rest. She appears tired soon after she wakes and sometimes wishes I lie down with her after luncheon, when usually it is she running circles around me all afternoon.’
Meredith flicked her gaze upward. ‘Posh, I wouldn’t think twice on it. If Lily wishes to nap more often, I relish the fact. It is the only time when the house is utterly quiet.’ She shook her head to dismiss the subject, then turned the page, and reversed the magazine to provide Isabelle with a view of another design. ‘Now this is the perfect gown for you. The square neckline will flatter your full bosom, yet show enough skin to charm any gentleman that asks you to dance.’ She narrowed her eyes and studied the sketch in deliberation. ‘Perhaps in a pale blue water silk. It would complement your colouring and bring out the natural blush of your skin.’
‘Thank you. It does sound lovely.’ She pushed to regain Meredith’s focus. ‘There are evenings when I hear Lily singing or telling stories far past her bedtime.’
‘Yes, she is a fanciful child, but I don’t see a cause for concern.’ Meredith offered her a tolerant grin. Then her eyes returned to the magazine on her skirt and she grinned in unabashed pleasure. ‘If you are going to worry about something, worry about fashion. It is ever changing. You know, we could have scallop shaped sleeves added to this dress. It would be magnificent.’
When Isabelle made no reply, Meredith continued. ‘I think you should heed your own advice and put a little more effort into your pursuit of adventure. This gown would fortify your cause.’
Meredith’s words persisted the next morning when Isabelle and Lily set out for Hyde Park. The sky was overcast, but the dull clouds did not dampen their excitement. Lily carried a velvet bag for keeping safe all the treasures she hoped to find and her animated chatter filled the carriage as they rode through the city streets.
Meredith slept in and did not see them off. Relieved, Isabelle considered what her stepmother would say were she to discover who had told them about