Chapter Three: Art of the Swoon
"Three proposals?" Letty asked, smiling widely at Daphne.
"Yes," she nodded, sipping her tea.
"None from the duke," Eloise pointed out.
"Eloise," Letty sighed quietly.
"What? It's true," Eloise pointed out.
"The duke is not the marrying type," Anthony reminded them.
"Then what is he doing dancing with Daphne and escorting her all over the ton?" Letty demanded. "Gentlemen don't lead women on that way."
"Maybe he isn't a gentlemen," Anthony mumbled, thinking none of the women could hear him.
"Daphne, have you thought about with whom you'd like to attend tonight's ball with?" Violet asked.
"Please tell me we can flee my family now?" Eloise begged.
Letty held in a laugh before nodding to Eloise, the two leaving the main sitting room and heading to the Everly home.
"What are you wearing tonight?" Eloise asked as they headed up to her room.
"Actually, I have something to show you," Letty smirked, opening her bedroom door and allowing Eloise access into her room.
Eloise gave Letty a curious look before stepping into the room. Eloise looked around, eyes wide as she took in all the fabrics and patterns strewn about the room before her eyes landed on the dress on a mannequin in the corner.
"Oh, wow," Eloise breathed, stepping around a batch of fabric and going to the gown.
"Madame Delacroix sent me a few patterns with instructions and a few fabrics that she'd seen me eyeing. I ordered a few more things afterwards and I made this. Finished it this morning, actually. Elsie helped me put it on to make sure it fit correctly and everything. I'm going to package it and take it over to Madame Delacroix so she can tell me if it's sewn correctly or not so I may wear it tonight."
"You made this?" Eloise asked, looking to Letty with a bright smile.
"I did," Letty looked down, a small blush on her face.
Eloise took her hand.
"Let's package it," Eloise said softly. "I'll go with you."
"Will you?" Letty asked, eyes wide.
"Of course," Eloise laughed. "You seem too nervous to go on your own."
"Thank you, Eloise," Letty whispered.
The two rode in the Everly carriage to the market, Letty carrying the box herself as she was afraid of losing it somehow. Eloise held in her laugh at how nervous Letty was, knowing it would only succeed at making it worse if Letty heard the amusement in Eloise's voice. Madame Delacroix smiled when she saw the two before her smile widened even more upon seeing the box.
"You finished it?" she asked in her French accent.
"I did," Letty smiled. "I was hoping it was good enough to wear to tonight's ball."
"Well, let's get it on you and find out," Madame Delacroix smiled, taking the box carefully.
The base of the gown was made of the rose pink silk she'd been looking at when she'd brought Helena in, a darker pink lace over the top. There was a felt belt of a darker pink, which was also used on the sleeves, collar, and bodice, which Letty then sewed a golden fabric over for embellishment. There were golden flowers handsewn at the bottom of the lace. The silk hugged her body while the lace gave a shadow effect that was sinched towards the top to create a fuller look.
Letty stared at herself in the mirror nervously before looking to Madame Delacroix and Eloise as they walked into the small, closed off area. Eloise smiled brightly at her friend while Madame Delacroix gasped in excitement. She had Letty do a few spins and walk across the room a few times before standing on the podium. She checked over the sewing and hems for a bit, Letty just watched as she did so.
"It is perfect," Madam Delacroix announced, standing straight and giving Letty a proud look. "It is almost as if I made the gown myself. You are a natural."
Letty didn't tell Madame Delacroix that she'd referenced gowns that Madame Delacroix had made for her in the past as she'd sewn the dress. It would be Letty's secret. Letty changed back into her day dress, trying to hold in her excitement but almost completely unable to. Madame Delacroix repackaged the dress and passed the box back to Letty, giving her a soft smile and promising to check any dress that Letty made in the future as well. Eloise and Letty talked excitedly in the carriage until Eloise was dropped at home and Letty was taken down two houses to her own home.
"Aunt Helena?!" Letty called once she was inside.
"In here!" Aunt Helena called from the main sitting room.
Letty set the box on the table in the main area before going to the sitting room, giving Helena a wide smile once she entered the room.
"The gown?" her aunt questioned.
"She said it's perfect," Letty said excitedly, sitting beside her aunt. "I'm to wear it tonight."
"Oh, I'm so excited for you," her aunt smiled.
"This is the best I've ever felt," Letty admitted. "I actually did something on my own. I'm excited to show it off."
"You'll be the bell of the ball," Helena smiled. "Let's eat a bit before we both get ready."
Helena looked beautiful in her gown, something Letty had told her at least three times before they reached the ball. Helena simply smiled, thanked her for the compliment, and then proceeded to compliment Letty's own dress. Helena could not get over the flowers that Letty had handsewn at the bottom, claiming they were simply too beautiful.
Letty decided her next project would be a dress for her aunt. Something with the same flowers but on a larger scale. The flowers had been the most difficult part, Letty having to be extra careful with the delicate fabric, being the most time consuming part of the dress. She wanted more practice with it and a dress for her aunt seemed like the best practice she could think of.
They entered the ball, smiling to the Bridgerton's before moving on. Helena had a sour taste in her mouth still from Benedict having stood Letty up the week before and causing Letty to not want to marry. It was part of why Helena had happily agreed to stay in the Everly home for another two weeks while her parents took a small vacation, along with the fact that she just liked her niece, the young woman being ridiculously kind. Letty knew the vacation that her parents were on was actually a visit to a new physician for her mother, but she didn't explain that to her aunt.
"Helena. Letty," Portia Featherington gasped at the two of them. "Where did you both get such beautiful gowns?"
"Well, we went to Madame Delacroix and Letty chose my fabrics and design and Madame Delacroix made it come to life. Letty's dress, however, she made herself."
"You made this?" Pen asked, eyes wide as she looked over the dress.
"Madame Delacroix told me she saw promise in me and agreed to teach me a few things," Letty nodded.
"Letitia Everly, future modiste of the ton," Helena shared a soft smile with Letty. "Go on now. Have fun."
Letty gave Helena a grateful smile before she and Pen blended into the shadows of the room.
"I thought your parents would have returned by now," Pen seemed confused.
"They'll be away for two more weeks. They're meeting a new physician for mother. There is a new medicine that should help her but only one doctor has it," Letty explained.
"Oh," Pen nodded, seeming surprised by the news.
"I hope it helps," Letty sighed, looking out at the ballroom as Daphne danced with Lord Weaver. "What is happening there?"
"Why has the duke not proposed?" Pen wondered out loud.
"Anthony says he isn't the marrying type," Letty stated.
"Why would he lead her on?" Pen questioned.
"Why would Benedict do the same to me?" Letty whispered.
"What do you mean?" Pen asked curiously.
"Right. We haven't spoke since. Benedict asked to call on me and promenade but, the morning of, he never showed, nor was he at the park waiting. Aunt Helena is rather cross with all of the Bridgerton's except Eloise at the moment. Thinks it an act against our family due to mother's illness. Eloise came by the next day to see me and I told her what happened. She's rather cross with her brother at the moment and made it very well known when I explained what happened."
"Did Benedict have an excuse? Or have you not spoken to him?" Pen questioned.
"He tried to apologize but couldn't give me a reason when asked so I sent him away," Letty told her. "I decided I did not care for excuses anymore, nor do I care for the idea of marriage anymore either. I think I will continue learned under Madame Delacroix and begin searching for that home for us and Eloise. Unless, of course, Colin Bridgerton ever figures out what is right in front of him."
"Is that the prince?" Pen gasped.
"I believe it is," Letty nodded, watching as the prince moved from lady to lady before the Queen placed him in front of Daphne.
"Well, that doesn't look like it went well," Pen pointed out.
"Oh, they've spotted us," Letty almost groaned as the Queen approached them.
"Spotted you, more like," Pen whispered before the queen reached them.
"This is Letitia Everly," the Queen introduced.
"Pleasure to meet you," Letty and Pen both curtseyed. "This is my friend, Penelope Featherington. How are you enjoying the ton, your highness?"
"It is such lovely weather," Prince Friedrich smiled. "With lovely people. Your hair piece is beautiful, Miss Featherington. That gown is quite exquisite, Miss Everly."
"Thank you, my Lord. I made it myself," Letty smiled.
"Did you really?" he asked curiously.
"Ja. Ich hoffe, die Hitze stört Sie bei Ihrem Besuch nicht zu sehr," Letty said in perfect German. ("Yes. I hope the heat doesn't bother you too much during your visit.")
"Du sprichst Deutsch?" he asked. ("You speak German?")
"Meine Mutter ist Deutsche. Sie wollte, dass ich ihre Muttersprache spreche," Letty explained. ("My mother is German. She wanted me to speak her native language.")
"Excellent," the Queen nodded her approval. "I do hope we see you tomorrow at the art exhibit, Miss Everly?"
"Yes, your majesty," Letty and Pen curtseyed before the pair wondered to the next ladies in waiting.
"I need you to tell me what just happened," Pen smiled brightly.
"We spoke of the weather," Letty admitted. "I told him that I hope the heat doesn't bother him and then told him my mother is German, which is how I know the language."
"Amazing," Pen gasped. "I think you may very well just snag yourself a prince. A castle for the three of us instead of a house."
Letty let out a laugh before she and Pen found a corner to hide in for the night, listening to all of the gossip around them.
Miss Letitia Everly continues to surprise this writer. With a stunning knowledge of the German language and the exquisite gown she was wearing, which Miss Everly made herself, she was able to impress a prince and her royal majesty, the Queen, in one fell swoop! With a German mother, it is expected for her to know the language. The surprise was that Lady Elizabeth Everly had time to teach Miss Letitia Everly anything, what with her illness that has taken her out of town for the next two weeks to see a new physician. Maybe, if this one works out, she can suggest the physician to our mad King.
Maybe the prince sees something that Mister Benedict Bridgerton did not in Letitia Everly. The second eldest Bridgerton seems to have left Miss Everly waiting once more. After having told her that he sees her as nothing more than his sister's friend, he then danced with her three times and asked to call upon her the next morning. The two made plans to promenade in the park, but when the next morning came, Mister Bridgerton was left no where to be found. What is it about Miss Everly that drives the men of the ton away? Is it her bluntness? Or is it the fear that she too will end up mad like her mother and the headaches she claims are her excuse to visit her own physician? This writer believes it is a mixture of the two, along with Miss Everly's strong independence that is only becoming stronger now that she is receiving lessons from our dear modiste, Madame Delacroix.
Letty stared down at the paper, hands shaking as rage filled her. The only person Letty had ever shared information about her mother with was Pen. There was no doubt in Letty's mind anymore. She had Elsie dress her quickly before she rushed to the Featherington home, ignoring everyone around her as she held the paper tightly in her hands.
Letty was standing in the main room, waiting as the footman went to gather Pen. She had no clue what she would say when she saw Pen, hoping the words would come to her when she did. Instead, when Pen came down the stairs, excitement on her face before it fell into concern, Letty said nothing. She stared at Pen with so much anger and hurt clear on her face that Pen took a step back, mouth open in shock.
"Letty?" Pen asked.
Letty looked down at the paper in her hand before placing it on the table and looking to Pen again, tears in her eyes. Pen stared at Letty, no words escaping her as she waited.
"Do you have anything to say for yourself?" Letty questioned, pointing to the paper.
"What ever do you mean?" Pen questioned. "What has she written now?"
"You know what you've written," Letty said, voice low as tears escaped her. "I suspected for a while but I said nothing because you are my friend and I knew you wouldn't betray things that I told you in secret because that is not what friends do but this is too far, Pen. I trusted you."
"Letty, please, let me explain," Pen tried, fear on her face.
"I told you last night that I am tired of excuses," Letty spat. "Did you believe I meant only Benedict's? I was going to remain silent and not tell you that I knew. I wasn't going to say anything. In fact, I was going to try to find a way to help you if you ever needed. This, though. This is too far."
"Everyone knows your mother is mad, Letty. It is not news."
"Not everyone knew about the physician. No one except my aunt, El, and you knew about Benedict. It hurt when he did not come but it is heart breaking to read about it the day after I confided in someone who is supposed to be my best friend. To say that people worry that I will turn out like my mother, Pen? That's low."
"Letty, I-"
"No," Letty's voice betrayed her calm anger. "Just, no, Pen."
Letty turned to walk away and Pen rushed after her, catching her arm as they reached the door.
"Please, Letty," Pen begged.
"I won't tell," Letty told her, still not turning to face her. "You are making your own path in a world that is built for men. I will not tell and I may even route for you behind closed doors but we are no longer friends, Pen. Let me go."
Pen released Letty slowly and Letty ran out the door the moment she had the chance. Elsie was just coming up the steps, looking panicked as Letty came out of the house.
"I'm going home," Letty stated, wiping at her face. "I don't feel well and will be staying in today."
Letty ignored the curious look she received from Benedict across the way, waiting to cross over until she was in front of her own home. Once inside, Letty ran up the stairs, slamming her bedroom door closed before throwing herself on her bed. Letty cried for the next few hours before her tears dried up. She continued laying in bed until her aunt knocked on her door. She felt her aunt wrap an arm around her shoulder, laying beside her in bed and just holding her.
"I read Lady Whistledown," her aunt whispered.
"Everyone reads Lady Whistledown," Letty whispered back. "They'll all have read it by now."
"Your friend, Eloise, came by to check on you a while ago. I sent her away and told her you'd call on her when you were feeling better," Helena whispered.
Letty debated on if she should tell Eloise before remembering her promise to Pen. Pen may speak harshly of her in an anonymous gossip rag, but Letty was still Letty. She wouldn't break her word. Then she would be no better than Penelope herself.
Helena convinced Letty to come down stairs and eat supper with her, reminding Letty that she hadn't eaten all day at that point. Letty allowed herself to be led down stairs and picked at her food a bit before eating enough to be dismissed. After laying in bed for a while, Letty sat up and moved to her window with a sketch pad. She began sketching out designs in the pad for different gowns and even a few suits. She worked all through the night, taking a small nap before waking up and continuing to sketch. For three days, that is all Letty did before she decided to go to Madame Delacroix.
Helena and Letty walked into Madame Delacroix's shop and Letty froze for a moment upon seeing the Featherington's.
"Letty," Portia smiled brightly and Letty put a fake smile on her face. "How have you been dear?"
"I am well," Letty smiled brightly. "I have been working on a few designs that I wished to show Madame Delacroix. I was seeking her opinion and some fabric."
"Oh. She is in the back with the girls," Portia explained. "It may be some time."
"Not to worry," Letty smiled. "We can return later."
Letty sighed as they headed home, the carriage slowing on their street.
"Would it be alright if I visited Eloise?" Letty asked her aunt.
"Of course," Helena nodded, knocking on the roof of the carriage and causing it to come to a stop just in time.
Letty stepped out of the carriage and walked up the steps of the Bridgerton house, being allowed in immediately. Letty walked around the house a bit, having been told that Eloise was not in her room but somewhere inside. The sound of paper ripping caught Letty's attention and she turned into one of the large rooms, finding Benedict tossing a piece of paper into a bin, other scraps around him.
"Come now. They can't be that bad," Letty smirked, picking up the paper and unfolding it to find multiple sketches of hands.
"They're not good enough," Benedict stated, staring at Letty in wonder.
"Hmm," Letty hummed.
She did a slow turn to look around the room before finding what she was looking for. Letty grabbed a spare chair from the wall and carried it over to the table. She sat down, angling the chair so she faced Benedict before pulling off her gloves and holding her hand out.
"What are you doing?" he questioned.
"Giving you a hand to draw," she told him with a soft smile.
Benedict stared at her for a moment before smiling brightly. He removed his legs from the table and sat up, taking Letty's hand and angling it differently before he began drawing, glancing back and forth between her hand and his sketch book. She remained still, forcing herself not to move so he could concentrate. After a few minutes, Benedict moved her hand to a different position, drawing another sketch with her palm facing upwards instead.
Benedict set down the sketch book, grabbing her hand to move it again when his hands froze. He traced the lines on her hands slowly, causing a shiver to run through Letty's body and for Benedict to look into her eyes. It was if time stopped for Letty then as she stared at Benedict, the feelings she'd repressed and forgotten about after Pen's betrayal being the only thing she could think about outside of her sketches in the past few days.
Benedict leaned forward slightly and Letty felt herself moving closer to him, an electricity forming between them that drew her closer and closer. Their lips were just centimeters away from one another. Letty could taste his breath on her tongue when he breathed.
"Letty!" Eloise's voice yelled, causing Benedict and Letty both to jump in surprise.
Letty heard Eloise's footsteps coming closer and she slid her gloves on quickly, standing and leaving the room.
"I'm here," Letty told her, slightly out of breath. "Where were you, El? I've been looking all over."
"Sorry," Eloise smiled. "What's that in your hand?"
"Nothing," Letty shook her head, folding the page gently and sliding it into her own sketch book. "I was at Madame Delacroix's but she had a few customers to attend to. Thought I'd stop by and see you on the way home."
"I wanted to check on you," Eloise admitted. "Lady Whistledown's latest article was rather harsh towards you and your family."
"It was not the nicest thing she's written about me," Letty grumbled. "Let us speak no more of it. What have you been doing? How's your novel?"
Eloise and Letty ended up in the sitting room, Colin, Hyacinth, Gregory, and Francesca joining them a few minutes later. The three youngest Bridgerton's began playing loudly, Colin egging them on and causing Eloise to groan before dragging Letty to another sitting room where Daphne was playing quietly.
The two spoke quietly for a few minutes before Daphne and Eloise argued over Daphne's playing. Letty held in her laugh before wishing Eloise a good day and heading home for supper. She passed Benedict along the way, their hands just barely brushing as Letty headed out of the house, her breath catching slightly before she fled.
Letty and Helena made their way back to Madame Delacroix's, the modiste smiling brightly when she saw Letty enter. After going through the sketches, Madame Delacroix giving Letty a confused look when she grabbed the folded page and hid it in her handbag, they went through fabrics. Letty and Helena went home, three footmen carrying armfuls of fabric and supplies. Letty got started immediately, practicing on the light blue lace to sew pink and purple flowers for her aunt.
She worked through the majority of the next seven days, completing two gowns and making quite a bit of progress on the one for her aunt, only stopping when her aunt reminded her of the ball that night, Letty having promised to attend it when her aunt had reminded her she was out in society. Letty looked at her gowns, feeling disappointed before looking to the dark blue gown she'd finished the night before. Letty chewed her lip for a moment, thinking of the electricity between herself and Benedict before remembering his actions. She thought of Pen and her harsh words in Lady Whistledown and of her mother's illness, how it affected the entire family.
Letty grabbed the blue dress, going over it and making sure it was sewn properly before having Elsie help her dress. The dark blue made her eyes seem darker, shining brighter especially after Elsie darkened her lashes and lined her eyes. The rouge made her cheek bones higher and the darker pink tint made her lips even more pouty. Letty had her hair in a half up do, a few stray curls lining her face, jewels in her hair. Helena gave Letty an approving nod before they entered the carriage and headed to the ball.
Letty arrived at the same time as Daphne, both staring at one another for a moment before they walked in together. Letty knew Daphne was dressed in the silver dress for a reason, just as Daphne could tell Letty was dressed in dark blue for a reason. The two held their heads high together as they walked inside. All eyes turned to them as they stood at the top of the staircase, Violet and Helena a few steps behind them and whispering back and forth a bit. Daphne and Letty looked to one another, giving each other approving nods before they each headed down a different set of stairs, attention splitting between the two.
The prince seemed at a loss for words, almost as if he didn't know which way to go before the queen bumped his arm, nodding her head towards her diamond and making the decision for him. The prince moved to Daphne as Lord Howell, Lord Grover, and Lord Soloman went straight to Letty. All three wrote their names on her dance sheet before Benedict finally reached her, pushing pass Lord Cho in the process.
"Letty," he breathed.
"Mister Bridgerton," Letty bowed her head slightly.
"May I?" he asked, pointing to her dance card.
"I'm afraid you may have cut in the que a bit," she told him, turning to Lord Cho and bowing slightly.
Lords Cho, Livingston, and Chadwick signed her card, leaving one last slot open that Letty debated lying about as Benedict was in front of her again.
"May I?" he asked, voice soft.
"I believe dance cards are only for those who have serious intentions of courtship, Mister Bridgerton," Helena spoke up, glaring at Benedict.
"I believe it is my turn now," Lord Howell smiled gently to Letty.
"It is," Letty smiled back, taking his arm.
Letty took turns with each of the men that had signed her card, the final dance of the night drawing closer and Benedict standing by. She was saved when the prince appeared in front of her.
"Miss Everly," he smiled, giving her a bow.
"Your highness," Letty curtseyed.
"Ich hatte gehofft, du hättest noch einen Tanz?" ("I was hoping you had another dance?")
"Natürlich, mein Herr," Letty smiled. ("Of course, my Lord.")
Prince Friedrich smiled brightly at her German before leading her to the dance floor. He bowed as she curtseyed before danced a quadrille, smiling playful in the process. When the dance ended, Friedrich bowed again before taking Letty's hand and placing a small kiss on it.
"It was lovely to dance with you, Miss Everly," he spoke in German.
"You are quite the talent yourself," Letty responded perfectly.
"Ah, but I've had royal tutors."
"It paid off well," Letty smirked.
"I do hope to see you again soon? Perhaps tomorrow morning in the park?" he asked.
"That would be lovely," Letty smiled.
"I shall see you then," he nodded.
Letty curtseyed before moving to her aunt, the prince going back to the queen. Letty fell asleep with a smile on her face.