A Most Congenial Lady Read online

  ‘It’s a pleasure to meet you,’ Mrs. Killingdon said, ‘I am sure we have everything ready for you, please come this way.’

  Daisy, Susan and Sara were led into the hallway of the house, which was pleasantly furnished in the modern style. The household staff had assembled to greet the arrivals; the cooks, chamber maids, housemaids, and footmen all greeted them warmly, for Lord and Lady Treblinger were as well known here for their goodness as they were in Springside. And as the ladies soon discovered, Mrs. Killingdon’s brusque exterior concealed beneath it a heart of gold such that she offered them great kindness throughout their stay in that fine city.

  The three ladies were now led to their rooms which were in fact an apartment on the first floor consisting of three bedrooms and a most pleasant sitting room looking out over the gardens to the rear which, though not extensive, were nonetheless attractive, particularly at this time of the year when they were in full bloom.

  All declared their quarters to be most fitting. Indeed, they were far more luxurious than those they enjoyed at home, where Susan and Sara shared a bedroom. Daisy being the only sister considered of sufficient age to warrant her own bedroom, which was tucked away in the attic rooms at Springside, opposite that belonging to the twins.

  ‘It’s just lovely,’ Sara said as Daisy emerged from her own bedroom.

  ‘Isn’t it just,’ her sister said, ‘I can see right across the city from my window, and the gardens are just wonderful.’

  ‘We’re going to have the most perfect time,’ Susan said.

  And so it was a happy scene that saw the arrival of the three Mills ladies to the home in Bath of Lord and Lady Treblinger, and at dinner that evening thoughts and discussion turned to what was to come over the weeks.

  ~

  ‘We shall have the next six weeks here,’ Lady Treblinger said as the soup was being served, ‘that is, as long as you girls won’t be homesick for such a long period away?’

  All agreed that they would not be, and so she continued.

  ‘Now there are several balls coming in the season ahead of us, to which we are invited, and I just know that so many people will want to meet you. I’ve told ever so many of our acquaintances that you are to be in town. We will of course entertain here at Springside House, but I have no doubt that invitations will be forthcoming.’

  ‘It’s one long celebration,’ Lord Treblinger said, ‘The summer season in Bath rivals anything that London can offer; somehow it’s less stuffy here.’

  ‘But first,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘tomorrow we shall go out shopping, I know that you will be eager to see the sights and what better way of doing so than by allowing me to treat you. Bath has some wonderful places to shop and I am sure each of you would enjoy choosing something special.’

  Once again, they all agreed that they would and so the matter was settled and dinner continued.

  The party did not stay up late. It had been a very long day in the carriage and they were ready for bed. Sara bid her sisters goodnight after they had all in turn done the same downstairs to Lord and Lady Treblinger before making their way up to their apartment.

  ‘Sleep well,’ Sara said as she closed the door into her room.

  The bed had been turned down and the window left open enough to allow a slight breeze to freshen the room. Sara could not remember feeling happier than she did at that moment, the beautiful scenery which they had passed, the congenial company and now the splendours of this city which seemed to hold such opportunity. That night, she fell asleep picturing the many adventures they were bound to have in the six weeks that followed. She slept deeply and soundly while in their respective rooms, her sisters did just the same.

  ~

  ‘Well girls,’ Lady Treblinger said as three Mills sisters entered the dining room the next morning, ‘our first invitation has arrived.’

  A chorus of excitement went up as Daisy, Susan and Sara began to help themselves from steaming dishes on the sideboard.

  ‘Next week we are to attend the Crescent Ball hosted by the Duke of Hareburn, a most interesting character. He has recently returned from Africa where he has mining interests. You’ll adore him, he’s eccentric of course, but aren’t all aristocracy?’

  ‘We certainly are,’ Lord Treblinger interjected.

  ‘Oh, we’re hardly aristocracy, George,’ his wife said, ‘we’re just old stock. The estate at Springside has been of lineage for centuries. Old money, that’s what we are.’

  ‘Old money?’ Lord Treblinger said, ‘I think just old.’

  The company burst out laughing and Lady Treblinger explained that the ball would take place a week on Thursday at a fashionable house belonging to the Duke, on the Royal Crescent.

  ‘Our shopping expedition is most warranted now,’ she said as breakfast concluded, ‘We shall depart in an hour.’

  ~

  An hour later they were assembled in the hallway. The day was to be warm. Indeed, that summer proved to be one of the hottest anyone could remember. Dressed appropriately, the four women left Lord Treblinger to enjoy the sunshine on the terrace, and made their way out into the town.

  There was no need for a carriage as the seamstress shops were close at hand, and in no time at all the party had arrived at ‘Cullercoats Coats, Seamstress and Tailoring’ on The Circus, in the centre of the city.

  ‘Lady Treblinger,’ the proprietress said as the little bell above the door dinged its welcome and the four women entered the shop, ‘Such a pleasure to see you and your young companions.’

  ‘I just said to the girls, we shall not find a finer dress shop in all of Bath than that of Mrs. Cullercoats,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  ‘Well I am most honoured, and it is dresses you are seeking then, ma’am?’ Mrs. Cullercoats said.

  ‘Three dresses, that is correct, one for each of them, and no expense must be spared, they deserve only the best,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  Several beautiful designs were on display and the three girls could not believe their fortune in being allowed to choose from them. In turn each chose a dress, Daisy a white one with a yellow sash which fitted her like a glove; Susan a dress in red with a golden sash which the others declared made her look most elegant, and finally Sara chose a peacock blue dress, exquisitely embroidered and finished with a peach coloured sash inset with glass beads, so that it sparkled as it caught the sun.

  The three admired one another as Lady Treblinger and the seamstress looked on.

  ‘Why, they look as pretty as a picture,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  ‘I must say the fit on each of them is just perfect,’ Mrs. Cullercoats said, ‘I did wonder if I should have some taking in or sewing up to do, but they can walk away with them this very day.’

  ‘And indeed they shall,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘if you are all quite happy with the look, girls?’

  ‘Oh, we are,’ they said in chorus, for there was no doubt that they all looked as pretty as a picture in their new attire.

  ‘Then we shall take them,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  The dresses were reluctantly removed and left for Mrs. Cullercoats to package up. They would be delivered later that day to Springside House, and so all that remained was for the girls to thank the seamstress, and thus the party went on its way.

  As the reader will no doubt be aware, Bath is a most picturesque town, full of pretty buildings and goings on. Daisy, Susan and Sara were captivated by its charms as Lady Treblinger spent the day showing them around its most fashionable quarters and offering them pieces of advice in order to make the most of their time there.

  ‘Now, I shan’t act as chaperone to you at all times,’ she said as they walked through the park, ‘I am sure you are all capable of looking out for one another, so should you choose to take a walk, or visit a new acquaintance without me, I shall neither be worried nor offended.’

  ‘Oh, I am sure we would delight in your company at all times,’ Sara said, ‘and that of his Lordshi
p too. You have been so kind in bringing us here, why should we not wish for you to join us on our expeditions?’

  Susan and Daisy readily assented, and so Lady Treblinger happily agreed that it would give her the greatest of pleasures to do so, confiding in them that, though she loved her own sons with great affection, there had often been times when she had longed for daughters of her own, and she saw these coming weeks as a chance to enjoy a little of that privilege with the Mills children.

  ‘You and Father should have done a swap,’ Daisy said, laughing as they climbed the bank above the ornamental flowerbeds in the park, ‘some days I think he longs for male company.’

  They had just approached the top of the bank and were looking back out across the town when they chanced upon male company in the form of friends of the Treblingers, who it turned out had just come from town that day and were to spend the next few weeks taking the waters.

  ‘Lord in heaven above, if it isn’t Elizabeth Treblinger,’ the older man in the party of three said.

  ‘Your Grace,’ Lady Treblinger said, an air of surprise in her voice.

  ‘Come on now Elizabeth, Sidney to you,’ the man said laughing. He was probably around sixty years of age and was wearing an ill-fitting wig and spectacles, his dress was that of a faded aristocrat, for indeed that was what he was.

  Sidney Dinkster, Duke of Mantlehurst, had been a friend of the Treblingers for many years, being widowered for much of that time, his wife having died during childbirth. He now spent his time travelling between the fashionable resorts, somewhat neglecting his own estate in Northamptonshire.

  ‘Well fancy meeting you here,’ he said, ‘I didn’t know George would be down for the season.’

  ‘It was a somewhat hasty decision,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘May I introduce my companions: Daisy, Susan and Sara Mills, they have joined us from Springside for the season.’

  ‘A pleasure to meet such fine young ladies. Allow me to introduce my son Bartholomew and my daughter Mary.’

  ‘A pleasure to make your acquaintance,’ Mary said, smiling at the Mills girls.

  Sara noted how alike the two were, and it emerged a little later in the course of the conversation that they were twins. Mary was most handsome, tall and slender with black hair and deep blue eyes, her brother similarly built, with short hair and the same deep eyes, which looked searchingly at each of the women in turn.

  ‘Likewise, a pleasure,’ he said, catching Sara’s eye in particular, and holding her gaze.

  ‘Well I’m sure we’ll be seeing plenty of you,’ the Duke said, ‘I certainly hope so. Tell me, are you invited to the Hareburn ball?’

  ‘We are indeed,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘Did you think we would not be?’

  ‘My dear Lady, of course not. Though if you hadn’t, I should have taken the carriage around and insisted upon it to his Grace. But it seems we shall all meet again in a weeks’ time, unless we chance upon one another here in the park or about town, as one is want to do in a place such as Bath.’

  ‘We shall look forward to it,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  ‘Bartholomew and Mary, perhaps you would care to call on us in the coming week, at your convenience? I’m sure the girls would delight in making acquaintances of their own age.’

  ‘What about the older age?’ the Duke interjected.

  ‘I’m sure Lord Treblinger and I can find it in ourselves to call upon you. Besides, we wouldn’t want to inflame your gout.’ Lady Treblinger said.

  ‘We’d be most pleased to, wouldn’t we Bart?’ Mary said.

  ‘We would indeed,’ the young heir said.

  And so it was agreed that they would see one another on Saturday when Mary and her brother would call at Springside House, while Lord and Lady Treblinger would pay a visit to the Duke at his residence. The Duke agreed, provided the Mills girls would pay a return visit to see his son and daughter and allow him the pleasure of their company too.

  It was a happy scene that returned to Springside House that afternoon, with new dresses and new acquaintances, it seemed that the city of Bath was fast becoming a most congenial place in which to dwell.

  Sara had taken an instant liking to Mary Dinkster who seemed so warm and friendly, and so genuinely keen to seek their friendship. As to the motives of the Duke and his son, she was unsure. Nevertheless, she felt certain that more would be revealed at their next meeting, as indeed it was.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Pretty as a Picture

  The next few days passed quickly as the Mills girls settled into life at Springside House and in the city of Bath. Each day the girls and Lady Treblinger took a walk out into the district or around the town, meeting a variety of characters and seeing an impressive array of sights.

  ‘Oh, how I love Bath,’ Susan declared on the Saturday morning after they had walked through the meadows by the river, the smell of wildflowers permeating the air.

  ‘It’s such a wonderful place, I just feel as if anything could happen here, but that whatever does happen is going to be a joy,’ Sara said, ‘ I am so looking forward to making the proper acquaintance of the Dinksters this afternoon.’

  ‘The Dinksters are certainly an interesting family,’ Lady Treblinger said as they walked toward the house, ‘The Duke has been a friend of ours for many years. If truth be told, I find him a little odd at times and he has thought himself a suitor to a good number of young women over the years. Bartholomew was always a queer child, ever so reserved and serious, though I think he has mellowed over the years. Dear Mary however is the true commendation in the family, a true rose amongst thorns, a sheer delight and whom I know will delight in your company too, Dears.’

  They had now returned to Springside House and Lord Treblinger was waiting for them at the door, the carriage prepared at the front.

  ‘My dear, we shall be late if we do not hurry,’ he said, ‘The Duke has sent word that we are to lunch with him if we so please, so I am afraid we must leave immediately.’

  Lady Treblinger was accustomed to her husband’s often erratic scheduling, and she calmly removed her outer coat and donned that which the maid now held out for her before turning around and proceeding to the carriage.

  ‘Duty awaits,’ she said, smiling at the Mills sisters who found the whole thing terribly funny.

  The carriage departed with Lord and Lady Treblinger, the gentleman waving heartily to them as they were left on the steps.

  ‘What time are the Dinksters expected?’ Daisy asked.

  ‘At two o’clock I believe,’ Sara said, ‘so we have a little time to prepare.’

  The ladies used the time to cut fresh flowers from the garden and produce a most attractive display, which they placed in a vase on the table in the salon in which they were to receive their guests.

  ‘The Duke was a funny old thing, wasn’t he?’ Susan said, ‘He spent the whole time just looking us all up and down as he was talking.’

  ‘I’m glad he’s not coming,’ Daisy said, ‘I do so want to get to know Mary though, and of course Bart is rather handsome, isn’t he?’

  The three girls caught an attack of the giggles and in no time at all it was approaching two o’clock and the expected time for their guests to arrive.

  Sara first spotted the open trap carrying the Dinkster twins, who had decided, given the heat of the day, to travel in the open carriage. As they approached, Sara let out a cry of delight, bringing forth her sisters from the salon.

  ‘They’re here. Is all prepared?’

  ‘All except us, I fear,’ Susan, ‘Our dresses are all creased from our work.’

  ‘There’s no time to do anything about that,’ Daisy said, as the sound of the bell ringing resounded through the house and the voice of Mrs. Killingdon welcoming the guests could be heard in the hallway.

  ‘Would you come this way, please, ma’am, sir? she said as the three Mills girls stood in the salon awaiting them.

  ‘Sara, Susan, Daisy, how wond
erful to see you. We have so looked forward to our visit,’ Mary said as she and her brother entered the room.

  ‘The pleasure is ours, ma’am,’ Sara said stepping forward.

  ‘Please, no formalities,’ Mary said, ‘We are all of good class here. Why, you all look as , has no one ever thought to paint your portrait?’

  The suggestion of painting the Mills children had indeed once been made and attempted by Lady Treblinger herself some years before, but the attempt had been consigned to the attic of his Lordship’s home in Springside, her Ladyship realising that her talents lay in rather a different direction than portraiture.

  ‘We could never sit still long enough,’ Susan said, laughing, ‘won’t you come and sit with us, we have the windows open to let in the breeze, and we picked out some wonderful cakes this morning on our walk in the town.’

  ‘You should not have gone to such efforts on our behalf,’ Mary said, ‘Should they, Bart?’

  ‘No, er, no, of course not, it embarrasses us that we have not brought a gift for you,’ he said.

  ‘Oh, your gift is your presence,’ Sara said, ‘I just know we are all going to be the greatest of friends.’

  Bartholomew Dinkster found the company of women a difficulty. Those love affairs he had enjoyed had come about due to his privileged position rather than for any positive attraction. He was used to getting what he wanted and, having spent just a short amount of time in the company of the Mills sisters, it was the youngest, Sara, who had caught his eye, although her elder sister Daisy also had a look of beauty about her.

  Her charm, vitality and beauty reminded him of his sister and, as they sat taking tea together, he became more and more enchanted by her. So much so that he resolved to get to know her better and possess her as his own.

  ‘I wonder what the Treblingers and your father are talking about?’ Daisy said as they began tucking into their second piece of cake that afternoon.