Author's Note: I don't think there's much that needs explaining in this chapter, but I did want to make a couple of remarks on Regency Era fashion. During the Regency, girls who had not yet "come out" (in the debutante sense!) were expected to dress modestly. They might own gowns with low necklines, but until they were "out" they would wear a detachable collar or modesty panel to avoid showing too much bosom.

Rachel, being Rachel, is rather behind the current fashions of 1818. She likes to wear the long, Greek and Roman influenced dresses that were popular around 1800-1810. I personally like this style of dress, but to 1818!Kurt they would seem terribly outdated. By 1818 gowns were being cut in a somewhat different style and tended to have more trim and ruffles. When 1818!Rachel tries to keep up with modern fashions she overdoes things and ends up with gowns that look even worse to Kurt than her old-fashioned ones.


Once in Lady Susan's carriage, Kurt discovered Miss Fabray's real reason for offering him a ride. She wanted to secure him as her escort to an upcoming public ball, discuss plans for her wedding clothes, and confirm the date of Finley's arrival in Bath. Although Kurt also looked forward to his stepbrother's arrival and always enjoyed advising women on their gowns, this conversation did not engage him the way it normally would have. His mind was elsewhere.

Were he with Mr. Anderson in that gentleman's curricle then there would be ample room for both of them on the seat. Kurt would not be crammed between Miss Fabray and the door and Lady Susan would not be making pointed remarks about how young people had a duty to make themselves smaller when necessary for the comfort of their elders. If Kurt were with Mr. Anderson, they would sit close to each other only because the night air was a bit chilly. Mr. Anderson would surely have brought a blanket, he was such a considerate gentleman, and Kurt would pull it up around them for added warmth. How cozy they would be together under the blanket, under the stars.

Kurt shifted uncomfortably. He could not think of looking up at the stars without remembering his frightening encounter earlier in the evening. He did not know whether to feel more angry or ashamed about what had happened. If any lady of his acquaintance had been mistaken for a harlot and subjected to an unwanted kiss then Kurt would have been outraged on her behalf, but his own situation was more complicated. Sitting now beside his stepbrother's bride-to-be, Kurt recalled the wish he had made on the night of Finley's engagement ball. He had looked up at the moon and stars and asked them to send him someone to love.

Perhaps the stars had done the best they could. Kurt could not love a woman, not in the way that a man should love his wife, and he understood that few men would tolerate being loved by him. His tenderest regard would inspire only revulsion from respectable gentlemen. Kurt wanted romance, he wanted music and flowers and sweet, gentle kisses, but perhaps it was foolish to hope for anything more than the rough attentions of nameless men met in the dark.

Perhaps it was foolish to hope that someone like Mr. Anderson would ever think of him as more than a friend.

Kurt masked a sigh with a yawn and apologized to Miss Fabray, who had been speaking at some length about the trim for her gown. "I am afraid I am too tired to pay you proper attention. I promise I will be more alert when we visit the mantua-maker and advise you as best as I am able."

"That reminds me, have you had the chance to offer Miss Berry advice on her appearance?" asked Miss Fabray.

"Not yet," said Kurt. "I am to call upon her and Miss Jones tomorrow. I will raise the subject then."

He was not able to raise the subject immediately upon making his call to the two ladies the next day, as they were eager to hear all about the concert. "What was your favorite piece?" Miss Jones asked after Kurt had described the evening in general terms.

"I much enjoyed the Braham song, 'On This Cold Flinty Rock'."

"Is Mr. Braham in Bath?" Miss Berry asked, her eyes wide.

"Of course not," said Kurt. "Would you not have heard if he were? He is probably in London, or on the Continent. His composition was performed by a local tenor."

"I would so love to hear Mr. Braham sing," said Miss Berry. "It has long been an inspiration to me to know that one of the most highly regarded vocalists in the world is of my own people. It is a shame his personal conduct has not always been as admirable as his singing and songwriting. I am glad that he finally married. Some say that he should have taken a Jewish wife, but I do not object to mixed marriages. Where there is love, such differences in religion and background do not matter."

"I quite agree," said Miss Jones. "What do you think, Mr. Hummel?"

He thought that Miss Berry's open-mindedness on this subject had much to do with the fact that Finley was not Jewish, but instead Kurt said "It can be difficult for a couple if their families do not approve of the match, or if society refuses to accept them."

"I do not speak of imprudent matches between people with incompatible characters, or where there is dishonesty or vice," said Miss Berry. "Certainly there are marriages which will bring only unhappiness to all involved. But if two people are well-suited to each other and are truly in love, they should not let fear of what others will think keep them apart."

This must be how Miss Berry justified pursuing a man who was promised to another. She was fooling no one but herself. Kurt knew that Finley did not love her and would never marry her. By refusing to accept this, Miss Berry risked damaging her own reputation as well as Finley's. It was time for Kurt to implement his plan.

"I say, do you ladies plan to attend the public ball on Monday?" Kurt asked. "I am to escort Miss Fabray."

"We had talked of it, but we have so few acquaintances in Bath," said Miss Jones. "I would not like to go and spend the entire evening without a dancing partner."

"Why Miss Jones, I would dance a set with you! You as well, Miss Berry." Struck by a sudden inspiration, Kurt added "I will invite Mr. Anderson to join us. Then you will each know two gentlemen." Both ladies had admired Mr. Anderson's looks and manners, and his presence would certainly make the evening more enjoyable for Kurt.

"It is a shame Finley will not be there," said Miss Berry. "Otherwise we could make three couples."

She had no shame at all. Kurt would have been embarrassed for her were she not so frustrating. "There is no need to worry about having too many ladies in our party," he said. "I am sure there will be many eligible gentlemen in attendance. The Master of Ceremonies can introduce you to other dancing partners."

"It will be hard on us with Miss Fabray there," said Miss Jones. "Most men would prefer to dance with a woman who looks like her."

"Miss Fabray is very pretty," said Kurt. "But not all men are drawn to English Roses. Shakespeare himself was captivated by a dark lady."

"Still, most prefer women whose features are not too exotic," Miss Berry said. "No one writes sonnets in praise of a nose such as mine."

"Strong features need not diminish a woman's beauty," said Kurt. "Your problem, Miss Berry, is in the way that you present yourself. If I may speak freely, your manner of dress is neither fashionable nor flattering." Seeing her hurt face, he continued quickly. "I often advise Miss Jones on such matters, will you let me do the same for you? I can instruct you on how to distract from your flaws and emphasize the best aspects of your face and figure."

"I do not wish to appear vain or immodest."

"Modesty is a virtue, but too much of it and a lady risks not being noticed at all. Do you wish to spend the evening sitting and watching others dance? I thought not. Shall we look at your gowns now? I will tell you what to wear on Monday evening so that you may appear to best advantage."

Miss Berry led the way to her wardrobe. As she moved to throw open the doors, Kurt cast his eyes away in dread of the awful sight that was about to befall him. He steeled himself and looked, barely able to suppress a cry. He felt such horror as Emily in The Mysteries of Udolpho must have felt when she first drew aside the sinister black veil and saw what had been hidden behind. Kurt had seen Miss Berry's gowns before, but not all at once. His face grew pale as he gazed upon this nightmarish collection of garments that had not been fashionable in many years, if ever.

"I can see this will not be an easy decision," he said.

Were Kurt's present goal to make Miss Berry look a fright then it would be simple enough. He would hardly have to do anything. Yet the task he had set for himself was a far more difficult one. Kurt did in truth intend for Miss Berry to look her best for Monday's ball. He did not aim to humiliate her publicly, and Miss Jones would surely intercede if he attempted to give Miss Berry poor advice at this point. He also relished the challenge of turning Miss Berry into the belle of the ball; this would truly be a test of his skills. If she caught the attention of some gentleman who would turn her attentions away from Finley then Kurt would consider it a job well done. If not, Kurt would still have gained Miss Berry's trust in matters of dress. She would not question the more extreme suggestions he would make later.

"One cannot go wrong with white," Kurt said at last, selecting a muslin gown he considered the least offensive. "With a few small changes this will be quite the thing. Can the collar be detached?"

"Yes, but I...I have never worn it that way. The neckline seems so...plunging."

"Miss Berry, are you even out?" Kurt asked, rather more harshly than he intended. "If you are old enough to attend a ball, you are old enough to go without being covered to the neck." He turned to Miss Jones and gestured to the true neckline of the gown. "Miss Jones, would you raise an eyebrow at a young lady whose gown was cut to here?"

Miss Jones shook her head. "I would not consider it at all surprising, though it is not Miss Berry's normal manner of dress."

"There, do you see?" Kurt held the gown up to Miss Berry. "This will need to be taken up as well. No one wears floor-length gowns anymore. Will your maid be able to perform the alteration? Excellent. That leaves only the trim to consider."

After some discussion it was decided that they would all go to the shops together. Kurt and Miss Jones waited while Miss Berry's maid pinned up her gown, then they set off for Milsom Street. Under Kurt's guidance, Miss Berry purchased some lace and ribbons to trim her gown.

More persuasion was necessary to convince her to acquire some cosmetics. "Oh, I do not wear rouge," she said when Kurt broached the subject.

"Does your uncle forbid it?"

"No. At least, I do not think so. I have never asked."

"If he objected I am sure he would have mentioned it." Kurt ushered the ladies into a perfumer's shop. "There is nothing unwholesome about a touch of rouge. You will look quite pale in a white dress without some color on your cheeks. You do use lip salve?"

Color appeared on Miss Berry's cheeks without the help of rouge. "Yes, a little rose lip salve. It has a very natural look."

"I think you will want a darker color for evening." Kurt selected for Miss Berry lip salves in deep pink and carmine red, a container of rouge, and, after some argument, kohl paint. He also advised Miss Jones on a new perfume; she seemed eager to choose one that met his approval.

Once these purchases had been made, the three returned to Laura Place. Kurt and Miss Jones assisted Miss Berry in re-trimming her gown. They had a merry time of it, taking turns singing their favorite songs as they worked. Although the gown was not finished that afternoon, enough progress had been made that Kurt trusted the ladies could complete it without his supervision. He promised to call again on Monday morning to help the ladies with the selection of their ornaments and the dressing of their hair for the ball.