Three young ladies
Joy Babbington, Isabella Crowe and Anne Parker walked arm in arm as they enjoyed a relatively bright day in London. Joy particularly enjoying the freedom while her father visited his London club. Joy knew her father had never gotten over the death of their mother and it didn't help she was the spitting image of Esther. Christopher had finally convinced their father and Joy was going to make her debut at the age of 19. She was thankful her friends were debuting with her and they could support each other. Isabella Crowe who had inherited her father's easy nature wasn't concerned while Anne Parker couldn't contain her excitement for the season.
"What do you want to do this morning? I have two hours before I need to be home. Papa worries when he doesn't know where I am" spoke an anxious Joy who hated to disappoint her father.
"We could go to the dress marker and look at the latest designs?" suggested Isabella.
"Yes! Papa had promised to take me this week but…" confessed Anne
"You would like a woman's opinion" finished off Isabella. She often got frustrated with her friends but had to remember they had not always had happy childhoods.
The women arrived at their destination and observed the carriage bearing the arms of the Worcester Family. They were a powerful family and had influence throughout society. It was rumoured the eldest son of Lord and Lady Worcester was searching for a wife. Lady Susan was also the person everyone followed in fashion and they hoped they would get some tips from the great lady in regard to their own outfits for the coming season.
"Charlotte… what about this colour for one of Elizabeth's ball gowns?" Susan holding up a fabric piece for Charlotte to inspect.
"Susan dear… you are going to decide anyway even if I told you, it was a terrible colour." teased Charlotte.
"I want my niece's clothes to be perfect for her first season" Susan defending her actions. Charlotte loved her sister-in-law who was one of her dearest friends. It was Susan who had introduced her brother Hector to Charlotte. Charlotte going over to inspect the fabric and agreed it would set off 18-year-old Elizabeth's complexion.
"I always trust you with the choice of clothing… it certainly ensured Harriet was matched" smiled Charlotte when she thought of her stepdaughter who was expecting her second baby.
Harriet had already decided she was to marry Lord Campbell before her first season in London. She had been the highlight of London with many offers of marriage, but none compared to her Angus. She was engaged by the end of the season after Angus travelled from Scotland to offer himself to Harriet. They were to be arriving in the next couple of days as they wanted to support Elizabeth and Sidney. Lord Sidney Montrose or the Earl of Montrose had finished his university studies and was taking full control of the family holdings. He was a serious young man who was prone to brooding. He had arrived in London to help accompany his mother and sister to the various gatherings.
"Will we be expecting to see Sidney tonight?" Susan asked
"Yes, he was meeting some university friends but promised to be in attendance for our family dinner" Charlotte commented.
Anne who had been pretending to look at a dress maker's pattern book paused when she heard the name Sidney. It was an unusual name and the only person she knew who had that name was her father.
Charlotte looked up noticing Joy Babbington and gasped. Joy moving forward to offer her assistance and called for some barely water for the older woman.
"Are you well?" breathed out Joy
Charlotte thought she was seeing a ghost… the young girl looked like her old friend 'Esther Babbington'. She had read in the papers many years ago that she had died leaving Charles Babbington a young widower with two children.
"My name is Joy Babbington or Lady Babbington" Charlotte smiling as she was looking at the daughter of Esther.
"I am Lady Montrose and I knew your mother before she married your father… just call me Charlotte" Charlotte taking hold of Joy's hands and tears formed in her eyes. Joy's eyes lighting up as she only knew her mother through the memories of her father. Charlotte introducing Joy to Elizabeth and the two girls seemed to form an instant bond.
"Could you tell me about my mother?" Joy asked boldly
"Why don't you bring your father to visit us for afternoon tea tomorrow and I will willingly tell you" Charlotte offered and turned to see that there were two other young ladies waiting in the corner. Joy realising her mistake and introduced her two friends.
"It is a pleasure to meet you Miss Parker and Miss Crowe" Charlotte giving the girls a polite smile.
Susan hearing the names moved to seat herself with Charlotte. She took control of the conversation and asked the girls about their coming season. Charlotte spending the time observing their appearance and the traits they had inherited from their fathers. Isabella had clearly taken after her mother while Anne was a mixture of her two parents.
Charlotte had wondered when she would see a child of Sidney and Eliza Parker. The girl was pretty and thankfully didn't have the snobbish nature of her mother. Charlotte hiding a smile when she discovered the girls were out without permission.
"They are at their club and we will be back before they return" Joy speaking but it was evident she was feeling guilt for not following her father's wishes.
"Dear, how are you going to explain my invitation?" asked Charlotte with a smile. She saved the girl by calling for some paper and wrote a letter to Charles Babbington. Joy thanking Charlotte and bid the ladies a good morning. Joy breathing out in relief when told her father was still out and placed the letter from Charlotte on the letter desk.
While back at the dress maker Charlotte and Susan were talking about their latest acquaintances.
"We knew this day would come… what are you going to do?" Susan speaking first
"I guess face my past" Charlotte keeping calm but knew this London season was going to be difficult.