The next week passed in much the same manner as the last with yet more calls to friends by the ladies, meeting with investors and bankers and employees for Justin Heywood and escorting his mother and aunt and cousin on their own outings for the Viscount. The time he spent outside the company of his relatives was whiled away with visits to White's or fencing sessions or managing his own business affairs which were, admittedly, a good deal less numerous and less prosperous than the younger Mr Heywood's.
The only excitement to be had for the first half of Charlotte's weeks was accepting the Viscount's invitation to Astley's. The sudden and unaccompanied appearance of Georgiana, who had obtained their direction the previous Saturday, at their doorway threw the household into a state of upheaval and they spent some minutes persuading the young lady that it would be in her best interests to return to her guardian's home and the supposedly watchful eyes of Mrs Sidney Parker.
Their efforts to persuade her thus were proven to be for naught when Mrs Parker herself also appeared, the note Miss Lambe had left behind in hand and a most displeased countenance upon her person. With all the civility that might be afforded an urchin lifting one's purse they were thanked by that lady as Georgiana was removed from the doorstep in a most disagreeable manner and eliciting the disapproving frowns of their neighbours through many a street-facing parlour window.
The exotically coloured girl stomped her displeasure before ascending the single step into the carriage and was taken on her way much to the relief of the witnesses to the unfortunate incident. It must be acknowledged that there were several distinct reactions to the return of their street to its normal quiet ambience. The resident's spying the ordeal from their windows scoffed and set to share the outrageous behaviour of the young woman with all their visitors that day; the passers-by continued in their journeys with little more than a raised brow or and condemning expression or two and the Heywoods retreated once more behind the shield of their front door to hide their embarrassment.
So when, the following day, the Viscount arrived to escort them to that evening's entertainment they could only be mortified when the chatter of the demi-monde crowded in the first atrium reached their ears and they discovered that news of the incident had already travelled so rapidly. Charlotte could only be thankful that the very few who recognised her family seemed more inclined to pity them than judge them poorly and the even smaller number who were inclined to the latter were disinclined to be hateful to any individuals clearly in the company of such an exalted family as the Viscount's.
Lord Morpeth had of course heard the mutterings himself and, ever sensitive to Charlotte's discomfort, guided them through the clamour with an ease that could come only from a lifetime of navigating the dangerous waters of the haut ton to escape its grasping clutches. They arrived at the box held by the Howard family swiftly where they were greeted by Lord and Lady Granville and their daughter with enthusiasm and by Lady Howard with a more reserved grace. With Lady Howard was a young girl of perhaps fifteen or sixteen years who was introduced as the Lady Blanche and a lady of an age with the Viscount, Lady Caroline, who were among Lord Morpeth's sisters.
The performances listed on that evenings programme were set to include 'Death of Two Presidents', 'Abduction of an Heiress' and 'The Battle of Brandywine' as well as an assortment of odd skits and skirmishes and the observers eagerly awaited what was sure to be an evening of satirical humour.
Charlotte and Madelaine had been engaged in conversation by Lady Blanche, Lady Caroline and Miss Susan on their plans for the season. Lord Morpeth, while the younger ladies were occupied amongst themselves, took the opportunity to draw his mother and aunt aside to enquire about obtaining vouchers to Almack's for the Heywoods.
He knew his mother and aunt were close with Lady Cowper and that his aunt, particularly, was in a most enviable position of friendship with Princess Lieven and Lady Sefton which might allow her to successfully entreat the revered patronesses. Lord Morpeth was certain that, if nothing else, their own influence should grant an exceptionally favourable light on the application.
"Mother, Aunt, I had hoped to speak to you on a matter of some personal importance." He murmured discretely and directed them to a private and unoccupied corner of the box. "I expect you have heard that Lady Babington intends the closing dance at her ball to be a waltz?" When the elder ladies nodded and confirmed that they too had heard these reports he continued, "And I believe it is still the done thing that a young lady is not to dance a Waltz unless given permission to do so at Almack's?"
"Yes, my dear, that is still true, though the dance is becoming increasingly more acceptable and a young lady whose reputation is beyond reproach may engage in it without such approval from the patronesses. It is still wise to seek permission however." His mother agreed.
"I suppose then that I should inform you that I have already engaged Miss Heywood for the supper and final sets. I confess I should very much prefer to join the dances for both than sit the latter out. Mother, Aunt, may I trouble you to speak with the esteemed ladies of Almack's and apply to them for vouchers for Miss Heywood's family? She will, I believe, be among the young ladies who would still very much need permission to Waltz." He entreated the two women who were among those held closest to his heart.
Lady Granville only smiled at this development and determined most rapidly that she would do all in her power to see her son's request granted. Lady Howard gave her son an appraising look. "You wish us to apply for vouchers for a young lady for the sole purpose of dancing a Waltz with her?" she clarified. "That is very irregular, George."
"Yes, Mother, you understand my purpose, though I might be convinced to confess that I intend to more than simply dance a Waltz." He spoke with an unusually determined edge in his tone and a very meaningful look in his eyes. Lady Howard was silent for a moment, considering what her son was telling her even as her sister looked between the two with poorly concealed excitement. At length she spoke once more.
"Very well, dearest, we shall see what can be done. But do be careful. Though Miss Heywood seems to me a very good match for you, not everyone will agree with us. I would not see either of you harmed by sharp tongues and ill-considered actions if things do not end as you want them to." Lady Howard cautioned her son earnestly, a calm hand resting upon his arm.
"Yes, nephew, I do agree. This is a very pleasing development but, though your mother and I certainly approve of your choice, we all know not everyone will be as happy for you. It would not do to see either of your reputations damaged by this." The group considered several individuals who Lady Granville warned against as she spoke those words, not least of which was his own grandfather. Fortunately, he was holed up at Chatsworth having chosen, those past few years, to eschew the Season and its excitement.
Their attentions were diverted then to the rest of the party as the hubbub in the foyer slowly faded and people could be seen taking to their seats and readying themselves for the first set of performances. Lord Morpeth made his way back to their guests and escorted Charlotte to a seat next to his on in the front row of their box. His mother and father sat to his left and Miss Levson-Gower sat to her right on the remaining seats of the front row. Mr and Mrs Heywood occupied the seats behind their sister and were joined in that row by his own sisters while his aunt and uncle positioned themselves to the rear as, having already seen this performance the previous week, they did not require the best views of the arena.
The Viscount drew a small velvet pouch from an inner pocket of his evening coat and offered if to Charlotte. "One of my sisters lent me these for the evening, Miss Heywood. We were not certain if you had a pair of your own but thought you might appreciate the assistance they grant one when observing performances." Charlotte turned to him with a smile and accepted the little bag which, upon opening it, revealed a delicate set of silver opera glasses.
"That was very thoughtful of your sister, my lord. You must thank her for me as I do not have a set of my own and I am certain these shall enhance my enjoyment of the evening." She expressed her gratitude as she turned back to her companion with a tender smile and gentle hand on his arm. Her smiled was returned in kind as they looked to each other, silently acknowledging the slowly growing tension between them.
Charlotte broke her gaze first as trumpets sounded and the performance began as a group of riders paraded into the arena below them mounted on a half dozen or so horses and launched into the first performance. The Viscount gazed at her as she lifted the borrowed opera glasses to her face and thanked the fates that had first brought Charlotte and Lady Susan into each other's company before he too turned to watch the spectacle playing out before them.
There then followed some three hours spent in amusement at the antics and follies of the performers and, when the evening drew to a close, all who departed were in good cheer. The Heywoods were escorted home by the Viscount once more and plans were made en-route for a visit to the theatre or the opera a week or so hence. Charlotte and Lord Morpeth parted ways that evening with fond farewells and promises of calls and walks to come.
In the days that followed, Lady Granville and Lady Howard endeavoured to convince the great patronesses of Almack's that it would be no terrible thing to grant the Heywoods vouchers to attend the assembly rooms. They were initially met with no little resistance though some success was to be had when Lady Susan reinforced their efforts with her own social weight.
Lady Jersey, Lady Gwydyr and Lady Castlereagh were stalwart in their reluctance to adhere to the present customs and the Countess Esterhazy had no opinion on the matter nor the inclination to argue the case of a gentleman farmer's daughter whose brother was a cit. It was from Lady Cowper, Lady Sefton and, most particularly, the Princess Lieven's quarter where support was to be found.
Lady Susan, who had formed a sort of friendship with the former countess had, with Lady Granville with whom the latter was already great friends, spent some time in the princess' company in Moscow while their younger companions had been exploring the city. Though the Princess and Charlotte had not been introduced then, Dorothea was able to recall the young woman who had often been seen in company with the other ladies and remembered a distinctly pleasant impression of the girl's carriage. She was, with some significant effort, convinced to support their application for vouchers for Charlotte Heywood, though on a highly provisional basis.
Lady Sefton took far less convincing, having been already introduced the girl in question at Lady Granville's dinner party and been impressed with her ability to hold herself within the boundaries of propriety even while making known the strength of her character. The Countess had, of course, already reached her own conclusions regarding the true purpose of her friends' generosity and could find no fault with it.
Lady Cowper proved the most supportive of all the Lady Patronesses, though this was no great surprise to any who knew her. A great lover of any romantic tale, she had long since gained a reputation for being tender-hearted and was all too willing to support the people nearest and dearest to her in any of their endeavours. She could hardly have resisted the opportunity to encourage the match between an admired member of the peerage and this unknown Miss Heywood when it brought these two aspects of her very personality into a single thread. Yes, Lady Cowper would argue the case of these ladies on Miss Heywood's behalf at the next meeting of the committee on Monday.
Of course, in a few years' time, the marked exclusivity of the noted assembly rooms and the attached influence of the Patronesses would begin to decline and such manoeuvrings on the parts of the Ladies Granville, Howard and Worcester might not have proven necessary. Most certainly not for sole purpose of allowing a single female to Waltz for the dance was very nearly almost respectable.
