When the guest arrived, everyone scurried out of sight and a hush fell over the house as the man with the deep-throated cough entered and made his way up the stairs, leaving the smell of stale cigar smoke in his wake. Some evenings, at six o’clock prompt, Violet and Sonia, wearing their most beautiful dresses, would be taken downstairs to Mrs Keppel’s parlour for tea.
On the guest’s departure in an enormously grand carriage – Flora had spied the roof of it from the window of her bedroom – it felt as if the household gave a collective sigh of relief, and things would return to normal. Flora longed to glean information from either of the girls on who it was they met behind the firmly shut parlour door, but felt it was rude to pry.
‘There, Miss Flora. Do you like it?’ Barny stepped back to admire her handiwork.
Flora surveyed the upswept style Barny had achieved, but doubted the combs would be strong enough to hold her hair for longer than a few minutes. Despite herself, she was surprised at the difference fine clothing and tamed hair could make.
‘I look . . . different.’
‘I’d say you look beautiful, miss,’ Barny said with a smile. ‘I think you’re ready to go down. Mrs Keppel wants to see you in her parlour.’
Flora rose, the bustle on the back of her dress and the tightness across her chest from the corset hampering her progress to the door. ‘Thank you, Barny,’ she managed as she walked out onto the landing, just as Sonia was being shepherded down the stairs by Nannie.
‘Lawks!’
This was Sonia’s new favourite expression, gleaned from Mabel, the parlour maid, when a large black spider had scuttled out of the coal bucket. ‘You look very pretty, Flora! In fact, I wouldn’t recognise you at all.’
‘Thank you.’ She chuckled and dipped an awkward curtsey to Sonia.
‘Where are you going?’
‘Your mama is holding a salon in the drawing room and has invited me.’
‘Oh, that means lots of ladies standing around drinking tea and eating cakes, doesn’t it, Nannie?’
‘It does, my love.’
‘It will be frightfully boring, Flora. Why don’t you come to the park and listen to the organ grinder and stroke the monkey and have ice cream with us instead?’
‘I wish I could,’ whispered Flora in Sonia’s ear before heading for Mrs Keppel’s parlour.
Mrs Keppel’s face was a picture of satisfaction at Flora’s appearance. ‘My dear, you look quite the refined young lady. So, let us go and greet the guests I have invited to meet you.’ Mrs Keppel offered her elbow and they escorted each other down the stairs. ‘And I have a surprise for you. Your sister is attending.’
‘Aurelia? How wonderful! I didn’t even know she was yet back in London.’
‘No, well, I think that perhaps she became a little tired of waiting for something that never seemed to happen in Kent.’ Mrs Keppel lowered her voice as they entered the drawing room. ‘Although she insisted on bringing that rather dull friend of hers, Miss Elizabeth Vaughan. I hear she has become engaged to a tea planter, of all things, and will leave for Ceylon soon after her marriage. Do you find her dull, Flora?’
‘I . . . don’t know her well enough to judge her character, but she’s always seemed sweet enough.’
‘You are so very discreet. It will serve you well in London,’ Mrs Keppel answered approvingly as the clock chimed three and a carriage drew up outside. ‘Now, let us show your sister – and London – just how you have blossomed.’
‘Flora! Is it really you?’ Aurelia said as she entered the drawing room and embraced her. ‘You look . . . beautiful! And your dress . . .’ She took in the expensive lace on the collar and the cuffs and the intricate embroidery on the skirts. ‘Why, it’s exquisite.’ Leaning closer, she whispered in Flora’s ear. ‘It seems you too have a sponsor now, dearest. And Mrs Keppel, of all people; she’s one of the most influential women in London.’
After greeting an elated Elizabeth, who was smugly showing off her very substantial sapphire engagement ring, Flora led Aurelia away so they could speak in private. ‘Indeed, Mrs Keppel has been most awfully kind,’ she said, indicating a chaise longue. ‘Shall we sit down? I want to hear all about your summer.’
‘Then I’d better stay for dinner, and breakfast tomorrow morning,’ Aurelia sighed, none too happily. Other women were arriving and the sisters watched Mrs Keppel greet each of them with warmth and interest. ‘If only Mama could see us now: her two girls sitting amongst the cream of London society. I think she’d be very proud.’
‘Well, apart from one shopping trip, this is my first day “out”. Mrs Keppel was reluctant to let me be seen until my new wardrobe of clothes had arrived.’
‘I’m not surprised. She runs the smartest salon in London.’
‘I must admit, I’m rather confused by this turn of events. I thought I was coming here as a tutor to her girls, but Mrs Keppel seems to have other ideas.’
‘If she has chosen to back your launch into society, you could have no one better. Although you must know that there are a few dissenters and some doors that are closed to her, and I’m sure that, living here under her roof, you’re already aware of—’
‘Flora, my dear girl!’ Aunt Charlotte appeared in front of them and Flora stood up, attempting to give her aunt a quick bob of respect, but handicapped by her newly trussed-up state.
‘Aunt Charlotte, are you well?’
‘Exhausted from the Season, of course. But you, my dear niece, look utterly divine. London must suit you.’
‘I am only beginning to learn how it all goes here, Aunt.’
‘It really is quite a miracle that Mrs Keppel has decided to sweep you up. But then again, I suppose one can understand why. You must come to call on us at Grosvenor Square very soon. Dear Aurelia has been such a delight to have about the house. I will be very sorry when she leaves us to go home to your dear mama and papa. Now then, do excuse me, but I must go and talk with Lady Alington about our little orphan charity.’
‘You’re going back to Scotland?’ Flora turned to her sister.
‘Yes.’ Aurelia’s eyes clouded suddenly.
‘But surely there are dozens of young men desperate to take your hand in marriage?’
‘There were, yes, but I’m afraid I turned their attentions down and they have since moved their affections elsewhere. My Berkshire viscount is engaged to a friend of mine. It was announced in The Times earlier this week.’
‘There really was no one who captured your heart?’
‘Oh yes, but that was the problem. And should I say, still is.’
‘What do you mean?’ With a sinking heart, Flora already knew.