Frederica in Fashion by MC Beaton Page B

Pembury has reformed and I had it from the Duchess of Dunster that he is looking for a wife.’
    ‘How dare you call me a cat, carrot-top,’ flashed Annabelle.
    ‘Girls,’ admonished Minerva. ‘I would like to make one thing plain. This is my home and I will not have it turned into a bear garden. Control yourselves . Sensible suggestions only, or remain quiet.’
    ‘There is a certain Mr Harrison,’ said Daphne. ‘He has a pretty house in Sussex and a prosperous estate. He is a friend of Dantrey’s. He would escort Frederica to the opera if I asked him.’
    ‘You know,’ said Deirdre reflectively, ‘I called on Frederica the other day. When I asked about Pembury, she did not talk much about him but she blushed a great deal. There may be no hope of Pembury forming a tendre for Frederica, but I am very much afraid she has formed a tendre for him .’
    ‘Oh, dear,’ said Minerva. ‘That will never do. Comfrey is anxious to take me off to the country and I am anxious …’ She was about to say ‘anxious to give the children some fresh air’ but because of Annabelle, she ended, ‘to have some fresh air. Now, which one of you is going to be in town?’
    Annabelle frowned. ‘Brabington has promised to take me to Paris.’
    ‘Dantrey will not be coming to town,’ said Diana, ‘and I do not want to be separated from him. What about you, Daphne?’
    But the elegant Daphne was no longer interested in the pleasures of London. All she wanted to do was return to the country to her husband, Simon Garfield , and to her beloved baby.
    ‘Harry and I will be in town,’ said Deirdre cheerfully. Deirdre flouted convention by alwaysreferring to her husband by his first name. ‘All the rest of you need to do is to send the beaux in my direction and I will take them round to Frederica.’
    ‘In that case,’ said Minerva with relief, ‘we will do all we can to help you. Is there any hope you could persuade Lady Godolphin to let Frederica be brought out by you?’
    ‘I tried,’ Deirdre laughed. ‘But you know how she is. She is firmly convinced that we are all married thanks to her good offices. Lady Godolphin also has Papa’s blessing. But do not worry. I shall be calling on Frederica almost every day so it will almost be the same as bringing her out. Then there is the matter of her clothes. We have all sent her very pretty gowns, but somehow they do not look right on her. She needs a dressmaker with a practised eye. And something must be done about her hair.’
    ‘It is very pretty when it is curled,’ said Minerva, ‘but after only half an hour it is again falling about her face in wisps. We will send Monsieur André to her and see what magic he can perform. In two days’ time, she will attend the opening, ball at Almack’s. She must look her best.’
    ‘Don’t fuss, Merva,’ said Deirdre crossly. ‘I am perfectly capable of taking care of Freddie.’
    ‘Don’t call her Freddie,’ said Daphne. ‘You make her sound like a boy. If some malicious gossip hears you, they will have the whole of the ton talking about “poor Freddie Armitage”.’
    ‘I do not think we should go off at tangents, discussing what we should call her,’ said Diana.‘What is worrying me is Frederica’s romantical disposition. Have you seen Pembury? He is very tall and well-built and looks like a fallen angel. If Freddie is not in love with him already I will be very much surprised. Make sure, Deirdre, that she is not allowed to be alone for a moment in his company. Tell Lady Godolphin to be on her guard. Pembury will no doubt call on her just to be polite and Frederica quite probably will read more into his call than actually exists.’
    ‘I am a married lady now,’ said Deirdre hotly. ‘I am furthermore older than you, Diana, so there is no need to give me orders .’
    ‘I was simply talking common-sense …’
    ‘What about Papa?’ demanded Minerva, cutting across Diana’s angry voice.
    There was a silence. Then Daphne