Only a Lady Will Do by Tamara Gill
Chapter 2
Iris took the footman's hand, needing the assistance to climb down from the carriage after the last several hours on the road. The trip from Cornwall had taken several days. She'd had to stay an extra night at an inn due to her leg cramping up over the many hours sedate in a carriage.
Even now, it ached, and she rubbed the upper bone in her leg where it had fractured several years ago. She supposed she ought to be relieved that it had not broken entirely, or so the doctor had stated.
She stood on the flagstones before the Duke of Penworth's London residence. Her home for the next three months of the Season. The house was one of the largest in London, having a private driveway and fencing along the street front.
Flowers and hedges lined the front walls of the home. The house could not look more opposing to how Iris was in life. It was orderly and well-kept. She was none of those things, and a little niggle of dread settled in her belly that she would not be good enough to escort the duchess. To be part of their family for the next few months.
Would the duchess still wish to sponsor her this Season when she saw her charge was not as perfect as so many other ladies present in London?
Rumor had it the beautiful Lady Sophie from Hampshire was the belle of every ball. It was said that the Duke of Penworth himself had taken an interest in her prior to the Season.
The front door opened, and a liveried footman came down the stairs, giving her his arm. "The duchess is in the front drawing room, Miss Cooper. She charged me in bringing you to her."
Iris smiled at the young man, thankful for the support up the many steps. Normally she would not struggle, but the sedentary hours had left her sore and stiff. After a nice cup of tea and a comfortable chair that did not rock or drop into every pothole the wheel could find, she would be better.
"Thank you. That is very kind."
They walked up the stairs, and she gaped at the sight of the interior of the home. Marble and polished wood floors, magnificent paintings, some as large as several walls at the vicarage, hung all over the home. Opulent flower arrangements sat on several sideboards, and the foyer itself smelled like a sweet hothouse.
They made their way across the room, the sweeping staircase leading up to the first floor, a piece of art in itself.
She knew her mama had come from a similar home as the duchess, being an earl's daughter and she couldn’t help but wonder if they were alike.
They entered a room of soft yellow with wood paneling on the lower quarter of the walls. Three cream settees hugged the fire burning in the grate, and a woman she'd never met before stood, a welcoming smile on her aged but attractive face.
"Iris, how lovely for you to be here. I have been so looking forward to your visit."
The duchess's warm smile quelled some of her misgivings. Her Grace stood, arms outstretched, before pulling Iris into a warm embrace.
The footman bowed and left, leaving them alone.
"Forgive me. I'm Sarah Worthingham, the Duchess of Penworth, but just as your dear mama always has, you may call me Sarah." The duchess reached up, taking Iris’s face in her hands and studying her. "You look like your mama when she was your age. How lovely to meet you.
Iris remembered to dip into a curtsy. "Thank you for having me, Your Grace. I'm honored to be here. I cannot tell you how thankful I am that you’ve sponsored me."
The duchess waved her concerns aside and walked her over to a settee. Iris sank onto the seat, biting back a sigh of delight at the comfortable chair that would help with her aching bones.
"Dearest Jane, I could never refuse her, and as I'm certain she has already informed you, all my daughters are now married. My youngest just this past year."
Iris did know all of this. She glanced about the room, this space, too, very homey and welcoming. Not cold at all, which she had heard some affluent families tended to prefer when it came to their furnishings. "I wish them very happy." Iris all but purred when a footman brought in a steaming pot of tea and almond biscuits. How long since she'd had a lovely cup of tea in a comfortable chair and not awful hours of travel still ahead of her?
The duchess thanked the footman but dismissed him, preferring to pour the tea herself. "Do you have milk or sugar, my dear?"
"Both please," she answered, taking the cup and saucer when it was ready. "Thank you." Iris relaxed at the duchess’s ease and welcoming disposition. She hoped that it would remain so. "Mama sends her regards, and I have a letter in my trunk for you that she charged me with delivering when I arrived."
"Wonderful," the duchess said, smiling brightly. "Jane's letters are always entertaining."
Iris found herself smiling in return, hope blossoming in her chest that perhaps the Season in town would not be so very bad. Not with the Duchess of Penworth at her side. Her time in town several years ago had been a disaster, and she did not want anything of the same to occur again.
The duchess sipped her tea, taking in her carriage dress. Iris believed it had too much frogging on it to be fashionable. A little gaudy for her style. "You will need new gowns, and we shall start shopping for them tomorrow. I'm certain we shall be able to have several delivered before your first ball this Friday, but until then, you may wear whatever your maid has packed for you. I’m certain they will do very well for the time being."
Iris's eyes went wide. Several gowns? "How many gowns do you suppose I shall require, Your Grace?"
"Please, call me Sarah. I insist. And you shall have at least ten ballgowns to start. We shall have more made as the Season continues. You will have your morning gowns, evening wear, and ballgowns. And then let us not forget you will need all new shifts, stays, petticoats, stockings, and shoes. A hat for the different occasions and events we're to attend. A parasol and gloves. And if you're fortunate to gain an offer of marriage, which after seeing you, my dear, I do believe will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead, you will need new night rails, a dressing gown, and wrappers."
The idea of so many clothes, the many balls and parties she would have to attend muddled her senses. She could only hope her leg would not cause too much strife at having to dance so much and stand for several hours at a time.
As if sensing her unease, the duchess set her cup down, settling her hands in her lap in a businesslike manner. "I knew of your carriage accident several years ago. Your mama informed me of it when it happened. I did visit you when you were taken ill, but you probably do not remember."
Iris did not remember that day at all. Well, that wasn't exactly true. She remembered figments of it, but only leading up to being picked up by Dudley before their turn in Hyde Park. After that, the day was eliminated from her memory. She could recall waking up several days later, no longer betrothed and a cripple.
"I will not push you to dance if you do not feel up to it, and we shall always have a comfortable chair to sit in when the need arises. I want this Season to be pleasant for you, dear. Successful too. You deserve as much happiness as my children have found with their respective life partners, and I'm determined to find you yours."
Relief poured through her at knowing the duchess would be considerate of her lameness. "Thank you, Your…" she cleared her throat, testing out the familiarity the duchess wanted for the first time, "Sarah, for your kindness. I do wish to enjoy myself. It has been so very long since I have been in town, and although several of my friends are married now, it will be nice to see them again if they are here."
"Wonderful. There is a writing desk in your room, and if you give your letters to our butler, he shall have them posted posthaste."
Iris finished her tea, picking up a biscuit and taking a bite. She bit back a moan of delight at the sweetness that spread across her tongue. It would seem the cook the duchess employed was also marvelous.
"I understand that your son the duke is still unwed. Is he in town this Season?"
The duchess’s eyes brightened with affection at the mention of her child. "He is indeed, and he will be here with us for your first ball. He's had to travel down to our estate in Surrey but will return before Friday. I hope you do not mind, but I have secured his assistance, and he is here to ensure your Season is an enjoyable one and successful. A dance with a duke always makes a lady more popular, and so I'm determined that you shall be the most sought-after young woman in the ton. You will have your choice of gentleman to take your hand in marriage, but with copious amounts to choose from, I'm hoping you shall find the man who stops your heart at the very sight of him. A love match will only do."
Iris inwardly sighed at how delightful that sounded while a pang of sadness also followed the emotion. Poor Dudley, the silly fool did not deserve such an ending. He too should be happily married, and to her. She wondered for a moment if they would have had children by now. Would they have been happy? All an unknown and forever to be that way since he was gone and she was back in London, searching for a new fiancé.
"You do not think my injury will put me at a disadvantage? Walking can become difficult sometimes. I have a small limp when the weather is chilly, and the scar does not help," she said, pointing to the cut across her temple and brow.
"None of that will matter, my dear. Not to a man who is genuine of character and in love with you. While I do not doubt your troubles are vexing, your difficulties do not impede your happiness. The scar is nothing at all, and we shall not overtax you so that you are pained to walk or dance. All will be well, my dear. I will ensure it is so."
"Thank you, Sarah. I do not know how I shall ever repay you such kindness."
The duchess waved her thanks aside, picking up an almond biscuit also. "Jane is my friend, and this is no trouble at all. I enjoy the Season and will enjoy having you, the daughter of my closest friend, under my roof for several months. I am in my element, my dear. No thanks necessary."
