The Unaccomplished Lady Eleanor by Wendy Burdess Page B

Carmichael and her threat.
     
    E leanor had never been to London before.  In fact, apart from the odd hurried essential purchase, she had never really been shopping before.  As their carriage rattled its way along the wide, cobbled streets, she wondered at all the traffic, the cacophony of sounds, the intermingling smells – some more pleasant than others - and the plethora of glass-fronted shops offering everything from pigs’ heads to exquisite jewels.  Never before had she seen so many bu ildings crammed into one space .  S he gazed wide-eyed at the ancient magnificence of some juxtaposed with the fashionable modernity of others.
    ‘ Many years ago, w e used to take a house in Grosvenor Square for the Season , ’ informe d the d owager , ‘ b ut I am too old for such upheaval now.  Whitlock serves us well enough being only a few miles from the centre . ’
    E leanor nodded her agreement .  Being a country girl, she didn’t think she could have stood it at all if she had been forced to stay in such a place for more than a few hours.
    Winding its way into th e centre, the coach passed a dark-haired man on horseback who, from the rear, put Eleanor in mind of James.  She had admired his spirit that morning after yesterday’s confrontation with Felicity .  A nd she had greatly appreciated him not divulging the real reason Mickey Humphreys had turned up with the rabbits .  Indeed , she would go as far as to say that she had enjoyed hi s company at breakfast.  She had never seen him laugh before.  It had affected his features very pleasantly indeed . 
    The d owager , it soon became apparent , was not only intent on buying Eleanor a new gown, but seemed set on replenishing her entire wardrobe.  T hree ball gowns were ordered , all a little too revealing for Eleanor’s taste , along with a selection of day dresses , evening dresses, hats, shoes, bonnets , petticoats and boots.  By the time they arrived home, Eleanor was exhausted. Milly, on the other hand, could scarce contain her excitement as s he rifled through the packages, marvelling at the delights within. 
    ‘ Ooh , miss, you’re going to look mighty fine when we get you in all of this.  I can hardly wait for all t hem new dresses to come.  Y ou’re go ing to look better than a queen . ’
    Most of the dresses were to be made up and delivered later that week, but in her excitement, for dinner that evening, Milly forced Eleanor into the one new evening dress she had brought back with her.  The garment was of dove-coloured silk, with a narrow skirt and a lace-trimmed bodice.   She also spent a little longer on her hair, arranging it i n a cluster of curls held in place with a new pearl clip.  At the end of the girl’s efforts Eleanor admired her reflection in the mirror.   She looke d - and she felt - v ery nice indeed.
       
    Eleanor’s satisfied op inion of herself lasted only until she entered the saloon where they gathered before dinner. 
    ‘ Ah, Eleanor, ’ said the d owager , seated in her usual fireside chair, cradling a large brandy glass . ‘ Allow me to introduce our new guest, Lady Madeleine Bouvray, from Hungary. ’
    Lady Madeleine rose from her chair and turned to face Eleanor.  It was all Eleanor could do not to gasp at the woman’s perfection.  She was a little shorter than Eleanor with a slim figure and ample bosom .  Her hair was white- blonde and dressed high on her head, accentuat ing sharp cheekbones, startling blue eyes and a perfect rosebud mouth.  She was wearing a beautiful gown of rose - pink sarcanet, which sat well with her flawless alabaster-like skin.  She was, thought Eleanor, the image of a f ragile china doll.
    The woman held out a tiny hand to her .  ‘ Delighted to meet you, ’ she purred , in an exotic foreign accent. 
    Accepting the proffered hand, Eleanor marvelled at its softness . In the presence of this perfec t petite creature, she suddenly felt large and gawky.  She attempted to return