Barbara Metzger by Rakes Ransom Page A

slightest breach of this etiquette would see her sent home in disgrace. His lordship certainly wouldn’t want a wife who was laughed at, no matter what he claimed.
    “It’s more than just my manners and breeding, Madame. Samantha says that Priscilla says that it will take a great push to get me into Almack’s—it’s this exclusive club attended by everyone who is anyone. My aunt, Lady Parkhurst, won’t make the effort to get me vouchers. She doesn’t quite approve of me, you see, and doesn’t wish to jeopardise her own good standing. And Samantha says that Priscilla says I’ll be ignored totally if I’m not accepted at Almack’s. You know, not invited to balls and parties, not recognised by other young ladies.”
    “This Samantha I met, but who is this Priscilla who has so much to say?”
    “She’s Squire’s niece Priscilla Ponsonby, and she’s an Incomparable. That’s what they call the most admired women. She had five offers in her first Season, but no one was good enough for her. Besides, she’s tall and pretty and never has stains on her gloves or a single hair out of its pins.”
    “Ah, so we shall steal all of her beaux, yes?”
    “Oh, Madame, I wouldn’t want any of them, just…just…”
    “Just to show this chat that Mademoiselle Trevaine can shine in the first circles also?”
    “Yes, but I don’t see how.”
    “Didn’t my grand-nephew ask me to see about your debut? Today is what, Friday, and this Almack’s meets when?”
    “Wednesday.”
    “Oui, plenty of time. Don’t worry, petite . I’ll see it done.”
    Jacelyn did not want to offend the older woman, though she couldn’t see how Mme. Aubonier could have any influence whatsoever in London, having been isolated in Durham for so long. She hesitantly mentioned, “Vouchers are extremely hard to come by, ma’am. Samantha says one must know the patronesses who run Almack’s. Priscilla’s mother is close with Lady Jersey, which means we couldn’t ask her.”
    “Enough of this Priscilla, child. I am tired of her already. And that Jersey chien is a scandal unto herself, l’affaire with your prince. No, I would not let her invite us. Princess Esterhazy is still a patroness, no? She is a connexion of Claibourne’s grandfather, my father le Duc. And Lady Drummond-Burrell, her husband brought her to la maison on their wedding trip, many years ago. Il fait . It is done.”
    “I am sorry, Mme. Aubonier, for doubting you. I did not realise you had such connexions in London.”
    “Call me tante, petite , as Leigh does. I like you. And non , how could you know I would still have good friends and good correspondents, so long since I have seen them?”
    “But, tante , if you have all these friends, why did you stay alone all those years while Leigh was away? Weren’t you lonely?”
    “Child, I had lost my home, my husband, my son. The last of my family was Mignon-Marie, Leigh’s mother. Then she too was taken, and the boy went off to fight to save my country, too late. How could I be anything but lonely, wherever I went?”
    “I understood there were many other French men and women in London. Perhaps you could have stayed with them?”
    “Ah, I could have stayed French, and stayed lost in memories, n’est-ce pas ? But Claibourne Abbey had no mistress, and the boy had no one else to come home to. So I stayed and made a new life and new friends. It was still sad, triste . But listen, Jacelyn, and remember, you can be lonely among the largest crowds, without your own loved ones. They are who matter, not people like this Priscilla, whose opinions are worth cabbage, yes?”
    “Yes, belle-tante ,” Jacelyn said, impulsively reaching over to kiss the other woman. “Thank you.”
    After a relaxed luncheon at the Crowned Drake, about halfway to London, Leigh handed Baron’s reins to one of the outriders and settled in the coach with the women. He took the corner opposite Jacey, his back to the horses, his long legs in tight buckskins and