Lynne Connolly - Counterfeit Countess

At last, Cerisot spoke. “I have a mourning dress which I can make ready for you in a day, if you wish it, my lady. However, other items will take some time and it may not be advisable for you to appear out in anything else. I would suggest a full consultation. If you would step this way?”

Faith followed her across the room and into a small, private room. There she contained her astonishment long enough to accept refreshment and a maid to assist her to slip out of her day clothes.

It took two hours for Cerisot to measure her, show her the mourning-dress that was daringly fashionable for such an item, and advise on others. Then Faith ordered more clothes than she’d know what to do with. However she graciously took Cerisot’s advice to restrict her choices and select classic styles until she should go out of half mourning towards the end of the season. Faith thought she might remain in half mourning at least until the summer, especially when she saw the colours and fabrics she could wear. She’d been right about the colours colours. Dark greens and blues, but not reds, apparently. Purples and lavenders, greys and white, which, Cerisot informed her, was the old colour of mourning. “Not that I would advise that your ladyship wears a great deal of pure white,” she added. “It is not your best colour.”

Something Faith knew well. A smug triumph ran through her as she examined designs. She’d achieved this for herself. Acceptance by London’s most in-demand dressmaker put her nearer to the close-knit circle John was aiming for. She would do anything to help him with that. Not, she shamefacedly admitted to herself, out of the goodness of her heart and consideration of the employees who might otherwise have no position. No, simply for him. The man who’d accepted her and held her in his arms all night. For him she’d do anything.

When she left the shop with several packages and a promise that she would ensure that she delivered the rest as soon as possible, she had the milliner to visit. Cerisot recommended the right one. Faith guessed they probably had a little business arrangement, but she didn’t object to enterprises of that nature, merely the wearying choice of this feather or that, this braid or that. By this time she had tired of the constant concentration on her appearance. But the visits made her visible. People would talk about her when they met tonight. They would establish their existence when they entered society in a couple of weeks’ time and society would be on its way to accepting them. If she took care.

Back at the house, she gained more information when she joined Lady Graywood for tea. Being a person of refinement, her ladyship served nothing other than bread and butter with tea, but Faith preferred small cakes and scones. Not that she had them today.

Instead, conversation in which Lady Graywood painstakingly instructed her on her duties followed, interspersed with some extremely shrewd questions. It began innocuously enough, with enquiries about her childhood and upbringing, most of which she’d told the dowager before, but maybe the lady hadn’t been listening then. After all she was only an afterthought, someone her ladyship could safely patronise.

To shield herself, she started to ask questions in return. Since they had closed the house to visitors, this being a mourning period, Faith had confidence they would not meet with any interruptions.

But she did not wish her ladyship to become an enemy. Making enemies needlessly never worked out well.

To her relief, John came in after an increasingly uncomfortable twenty minutes. Just as Faith realised that the time they’d spent lovemaking and sleeping might have better been employed creating a story that they both could answer to with confidence. The interruption and the consequent order of fresh tea gave the discussion a different turn, and John explained he’d arranged to have the books delivered to the house. An estate as large as the one he commanded would always have a legal case or two pending. “I need to review everything,” he said.

Lady Graywood demurred, her hand delineating a graceful arc.

“Surely not, Graywood. Roker has had the business of the estate in hand since the Restoration. I doubt there are any irregularities.”

“I desire to understand the business of the earldom completely.

When the steward has recovered from his chill, I want interviews with him as well, although I feel they might be more rigorous. And I desire my wife to meet my own man of business. I have an appointment at his offices tomorrow.”

“Can you not summon him here? That would be more convenient, would it not?” Lady Graywood’s expression said it all.

She strongly disapproved of the Earl of Graywood attending his lessers in that way. “Of course, in your previous life you would have need to take such tasks on yourself. I can see no such requirement now.” Lady Graywood leaned back, as much as she could in her tight stays, with a satisfied smile, as though she had successfully concluded the matter.

“I see it,” John said. If the dowager had known him better, she’d have given in when she saw the light of battle in his eyes. Faith had seen that expression before, in different circumstances. “I control my investments myself. I intend to continue to do so.” He turned his full attention to the dowager and she met his gaze, but stiffened even more than usual. She’d needed some reserve to stand up to that regiment-commander stare. It said much for her character that she managed to do so.

“It is, of course, not my concern,” she said, “Merely that some people will find the practice a trifle-odd.”

“Some people may go hang,” he said bluntly, then swung his attention to Faith.

She braced herself but she saw only kindness and polite interest.

“Would you care to accompany me? The offices are on the docks, so a trifle inaccessible for a woman of sensibility but accompanied by your husband it would be unexceptional.”

Why would he want her? Faith had no idea, but she liked the notion. “Yes please.”

He gave her a sweet smile. “I prefer my wife to know who she may call on in the event of my demise. Mr. Pickering is definitely someone you should know.”

He kept saying that word, ‘wife.’ She felt uncomfortable when he said it, especially when he used the word with such ease. “I don’t want to think about that,” she said without considering her remark, because his use of the other word had unnerved her. It revealed too much. She’d always yearned for him, dreamed of him, but when she finally achieved her aim, it had been so much more than she’d imagined.

The corner of his mouth moved but she did not mistake the hunger that entered his gaze. “Thank you. None of us wish to think about it, but in that eventuality, it must be considered, and it would be better if you knew the key people.”

“I don’t think my son mentioned a Pickering.” Concerned at the quaver in her ladyship’s voice, Faith turned her attention back to her, but as usual, the lady showed no emotion.

“Pickering is my agent,” he said. “He is a sound man. I intend to ask him to examine the shipping concerns of the earldom and compile a report for me.”

The dowager showed no response, only a shrug. “You will, I’m sure, excuse me from such considerations.” She shot Faith a glare.

“It’s not a woman’s affair.” She seemed most insistent on that point.

Had her husband instilled it in her?

“Indeed,” she said immediately, and then saw a way she could mollify the countess without upsetting her. “But if my husband wishes me to meet the gentleman, then I am obliged to comply.”

The responding nod was of the infinitesimal variety. “You are right. A shame, because I was planning to introduce you to my dressmaker, who will call tomorrow.”

“I called on Cerisot,” she said, “And she wishes to supply me with some mourning gowns. I didn’t want to put your woman to the trouble.”

The air froze as the dowager took a deep breath, swelling her formidable bosom and the light of anger sparkled in her eyes.

“Cerisot and Dalkeith have been at odds this last five years. It is doubtful they will serve the same establishment. I have patronised Dalkeith for that time, but I fear she’ll take umbrage if Cerisot sets foot across this threshold.” She leaned forward, as if to impart confidential information. Faith resisted the urge to lean further back in her seat. “Most of society considers Cerisot a little too daring, too dashing. She serves the racier set. It isn’t something the Countess of Graywood must encourage.”

“By the racier set,” Faith said coldly, “Do you mean the likes of Lady Caroline Lamb, or the demimonde?” She’d wager she saw nobody of that nature in the shop that morning.

“The former,” her ladyship said coldly.

“While her behaviour might be seen as regrettable, her ton is impeccable,” Faith pointed out. “If I ask her she might consent to accept you as clients. But we should make it clear to both women that what they do outside this house is their concern.” A notion struck her. “Or we may foster the rivalry. It would certainly bring us to the forefront of society.”

The dowager shuddered. “In a way I cannot think either of us would wish.”

“Oh I don’t know,” John said, “It could serve our purpose.” He exchanged a smile with Faith she couldn’t resist sharing. So wicked, it reminded her of last night. But then her mind hadn’t been far from that experience for most of the day, despite the rapidity of events.

“I placed orders with Cerisot for full mourning and half mourning.”

“Ah, then you may tell her that her services aren’t needed once those orders are placed.”

“I don’t think so,” said Faith. “I intend to give her a fair trial.”

Her ladyship snorted. “I hardly believe she’ll starve for want of our business, and why should we worry ourselves with that in any case?”

Faith didn’t answer.

When John got to his feet, she did too. “I think I’ll go upstairs and rest.” She didn’t miss the gleam in his eyes.

“I’ll escort you.”

Just outside the room, she leaned towards him. “Is that what they’re calling it? Escorting?”

“Wicked woman,” he said without heat, but with a great deal of feeling.

The earl and countess had the magnificent suite on the second floor. Two bedrooms, a sitting room and associated powder rooms, each of a size that would take up two of her rooms in her house in Red Lion Square. The furnishings were formal, especially the Countess’s. Faith examined the tester bed, with columns carved in a severe classical style, the dull green upholstery, the daybed that didn’t appear comfortable at all.

“I think we’ll redecorate,” he said from behind her. “The earl’s bedroom is dark. Very old-fashioned. Do you agree?”

“Yes,” she said with relief and turned to face him. He stood closer than she’d thought, and he caught her upper arms as she threatened to topple forward. With a huge upswelling of relief, she closed her eyes and stretched up for his kiss. He didn’t disappoint, but gave her the embrace she needed. Enclosing her in his arms, he pressed his lips against hers and she returned it, opened her mouth so he could slide his tongue inside and caress her more intimately.

His hands worked the fastenings at the back of her gown, and the fabric fell to her feet. When he broke the kiss, she glanced down.

“More green than black, but that gown has accompanied me a long way. I’ll be sorry to see the end of it.”

“You could keep it.”

“I think I will.” She might need it.

He stroked her back, turning her attention back to his face.

Much more pleasant than her old gown. “You’ll have new ones.”

He kissed her forehead. “Which reminds me. We are now free to marry, if we wish.” He watched her, eyes coolly perceptive. What did he expect to see?

She jerked away from him in an action that made her stumble over her gown. “You’re serious?”

“Indeed. I visited Doctor’s Commons and had a discreet word with the official there. I told him that we had a field marriage and we’ve lost the papers, so in the eyes of the law it might not be considered proper. Since we have no children, the question of legitimacy hasn’t emerged—yet.” He stepped over the gown and cupped her face, forcing her to look at him. “After last night, it’s possible. If we have a child, if that child is a son, I want him to become the Earl of Graywood, not watch a younger but legitimate brother take that honour. I want us married, tied up tight, Faith in that circumstance.”