A Most Congenial Lady Read online

  ‘Father will be boring them to death, I have no doubt,’ Mary said, ‘Once he gets going there is no stopping him. How do you find the Treblingers? They seem to me the most perfect of people.’

  ‘Oh, indeed they are,’ Susan replied, ‘none could have shown us greater kindness, bringing us here from Springside and treating us to all manner of wonderful things.’

  ‘Does your father not do so?’ Bart asked, a little rudely Mary thought, and made to remonstrate with her brother.

  ‘Father is rather overwhelmed with five daughters, I think,’ Sara said, ‘but he has always provided well for us. The Treblingers are like a second set of parents to us. Their own sons, as I am sure you know, are away abroad on works of empire, and they have come to look upon us as something of daughters to them.’

  Bartholomew found himself a little taken aback by Sara’s forthrightness. She was certainly a young lady who knew how to speak her mind, a quality which although attractive, did present him with something of a challenge.

  He mumbled a response and the party returned to its earlier joviality with Mary enquiring as to the social scene in Springside.

  ‘Oh, you would love it,’ Daisy said, ‘we have the spring dances and the yule log celebration at Christmas time; the summer fair, and of course the harvest is a time for merry making and feasting.’

  ‘It sounds so wonderfully rustic,’ Mary said, ‘I should just love to visit you there.’

  ‘Well you should,’ Susan said.

  ‘Yes, we would love you to,’ Sara said.

  It was a happy party which broke that afternoon after having consumed an entire madeira cake together with a number of fancies and biscuits. The Mills sisters maintained their country appetites, despite now being resident in town.

  ‘We shall see you next at the Hareburn ball, though Bath is so small that we are bound to run into one another beforehand,’ Mary said, taking each of the sisters by the hand and embracing them.

  ‘We look forward to it,’ Susan said.

  ‘A pleasure to know you better,’ Bart said, taking each of the ladies’ hands in turn, pausing the longest at Sara, ‘I do hope it will not be long before we see each other again, prior to the ball I hope,’ and he smiled.

  The three sisters waved the trap off, Mary turning once more to give a final goodbye as the Dinksters returned to their father’s house, passing Lord and Lady Treblinger on the way.

  ‘My gout is bound to flare up,’ Lord Treblinger said as their carriage approached Springside House.

  ‘Well the Duke was certainly not sparing on the red meat, dear,’ Lady Treblinger said, as they pulled up outside the house, ‘and the claret was particularly good.’

  The Mills sisters had only just returned inside when they heard the Treblingers approach. They were soon helping his Lordship up the steps, his foot already giving the tell-tale signs of inflammation.

  ‘Have you had a wonderful afternoon, girls?’ Lady Treblinger said as she mounted the steps after her husband.

  ‘Oh, yes,’ Sara said,’ ‘the Dinksters are most congenial company, well at least Mary is, Bartholomew …’

  ‘Takes some getting used to,’ Lord Treblinger said, turning at the top of the step, ‘just like his father.’

  ‘And your time with the Duke, was it pleasant?’ Susan asked.

  ‘It is always pleasant to be with the Duke, but it is always pleasant to leave too,’ Lady Treblinger said.

  By now they were all inside, and with the heat of the day reaching its zenith and the activities thus far having been quite an exertion of social graces, the household decided that a few hours at leisure in their chambers would benefit them all.

  So it was that Sara found herself in her room, sitting on a chair looking out over the garden and browsing through a copy of Jane Austen’s latest work Northanger Abbey. She could almost picture herself as a character in such a story. Indeed, the people and places she had seen on this adventure so far could amply fill the space which these pages took. Closing her eyes, she wondered if perhaps she too might one day write similarly to Miss Austen; she felt certain that she had something to say.

  ~

  The evening passed uneventfully, the family gathered for dinner at eight o’clock and all were in agreement that the afternoon’s rest had done them good. Nevertheless, with the exception of his Lordship, whose gout had now flared to excruciating proportions with the only respite gained by raising the offending feet from hot water bathing onto a stool, the household retired early. All slept soundly until the next morning when an unexpected letter arrived to add further interest to our tale.

  ~

  ‘There is a letter for Sara,’ Lady Treblinger said, looking surprised. The family were seated at the breakfast table, tureens of steaming food on the sideboard having been raided for the fine fare within.

  ‘For me?’ Sara said, sounding puzzled.

  All three girls had received letters from their parents the day before, including terse notes from the twins informing them that they were having ‘a most productive time without them.’ A letter had also arrived from Mary Dinkster thanking them most kindly for their generous hospitality.

  But this letter, addressed to Sara, appeared in a quite different hand, but with a fine seal upon its reverse.

  ‘It’s the Mantelhurst crest,’ Lord Treblinger said, himself appearing surprised.

  With trepidation, Sara opened the envelope and pulled out a piece of paper also embossed with the crest.

  ‘It’s from Bartholomew Dinkster,’ she said, ‘inviting me to take a walk in the park tomorrow afternoon; he says he greatly enjoyed my company and would like the opportunity to become better acquainted. He assures me that his sister will act as chaperone should Lady Treblinger consent.’

  ‘Goodness me,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘did he seem to take an interest in you yesterday, dear?’

  ‘He seemed to take an interest in us all,’ Susan said.

  ‘Just like his father,’ Lord Treblinger interjected.

  ‘Well what do you think, Sara?’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘I am happy for you to accept the invitation if, as it says, Mary is to chaperone. I am sure your mother would not object; Bartholomew is certainly an honourable man, if not a little odd.’

  ‘Aren’t we all?’ Lord Treblinger said.

  ‘I believe I shall accept, yes,’ Sara said, ‘Surely no harm can come of a walk in the park and I should be very pleased to see Mary again. I shall write and accept just as soon as breakfast is concluded.’

  And that is what she did. Her letter was concise and simply thanked Bart for his gracious invitation and stated that she looked forward to seeing him and his sister tomorrow at two o’clock to walk in the formal gardens. At just seventeen, she had never been asked to liaise in such a way before and, if truth be told, she felt rather excited and somewhat flattered that he had chosen her above her sisters.

  She passed a day and a night in much anticipation before the hour came the next day for her to depart on this, the newest part of her adventure.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Romantic Notions

  ‘We shall see you back here at four o’clock,’ Lady Treblinger said as Sara prepared to depart for her walk with Bartholomew Dinkster and his sister.

  ‘Four o’clock, certainly,’ Sara said.

  She was wearing a pretty but practical dress and an attractive hat, lent to her by her Ladyship. Her two sisters stood waiting to see her off, even though they were both a little jealous that their youngest sister had been invited on such an adventure.

  ‘Be mindful of what you say, Sara,’ Susan said, ‘we must give the right impression, I suppose.’

  ‘I’m sure Sara will give the perfect impression, Susan,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘and if she does not, I doubt that Mary will hold it against her. Her brother and the Duke might complain a little, but no harm would be done. Goodness, look at the time, you must be off, hurry now.’

  And with
that Lady Treblinger whisked her down the steps of Springside House, in the direction of the park.

  It took only a few moments’ walk to reach the park gates, and Sara could see the Dinkster twins waiting for her at the entrance to the formal gardens. It was another warm and sunny afternoon and the atmosphere was one of considerable jollity as around them others took walks and children were allowed to play on the grass and in the little boating pond which provided the centrepiece to the gardens.

  ‘Sara, you look most radiant,’ Bart said as she approached them, ‘you do me a great honour in agreeing to this liaison.’

  ‘I’m sure the honour is mine, sir. Mary, it is wonderful to see you again, we have talked of nothing else save our meeting since you departed yesterday.’

  ‘Sara, you look so pretty,’ Mary said, taking her arm, ‘we are so pleased you agreed to walk with us this afternoon.’

  ‘And what a fine afternoon it is,’ Bart said, as he offered Sara his arm, which she hesitantly took.

  Bartholomew Dinkster was somewhat older than Sara. At twenty-one, he and his twin sister looked further on in years than they indeed were. For Mary, this resulted in an attractive and handsome look, while her brother only appeared to be old before his time, his hair beginning to bald a little, a family trait which also afflicted his father, of whom it was certain that Bart would eventually resemble, not just through inheritance of title but also in looks. This fact, the reader can be assured, was not advantageous, the old Duke being less attractive in old age than many of his contemporaries.

  They took several turns about the garden. Being Bartholomew’s invitation, Mary hung back and allowed her brother to lead the conversation. He was a little more relaxed today. No longer confronted by three Mills sisters, he felt some of his confidence returning. But sadly for the heir of the Mantelhurst estate, this confidence could easily be mistaken for arrogance, something he was rather guilty of too. Sara began to tire as he boasted of his prowess in almost every field imaginable.

  The Mills children had not been exposed to aristocracy, unless one counts the Treblingers themselves, who, as we have noted, rather distanced themselves from such fancies. Sara and her sisters were used to the more straightforward and honest ways of the simple gentry who, like her father, prided themselves on hard work and education as a means to get on in life, rather than being born with the silver spoon in one’s mouth, as Bartholomew Dinkster had been.

  At length, their circulation of the park came to an end, for there are only so many times that one can walk around a boating pond without becoming bored, and Sara was glad when Bartholomew let go of her arm and Mary caught up with them.

  ‘It’s been so good to see you again, Sara,’ Mary said, embracing her once again.

  Mary Dinkster had that rare quality of being part of a family whilst not resembling their features at all, either in looks or in charm. She was strikingly beautiful, a beauty matched only by her wit and personality which shone out like a bright star amidst a darkened night.

  Sara could not imagine a better companion and so, for the sake of keeping the company of Mary, she readily agreed to Bart’s invitation to meet again.

  ‘We shall see you at the Hareburn ball on Thursday then, Sara,’ he said, ‘I do hope you shall allow your favours to be given.’

  ‘I’m sure I shall,’ Sara said, smiling.

  She had never been to a ball before and, if truth be told, she was rather dreading it. The dances she had attended in Springside had been merry affairs with little formality. The idea of dancing in lines and squares, careful not to touch one’s partner, was somewhat alien to her. Nevertheless, she felt sure that Lady Treblinger would prepare them well for the party.

  ‘Well goodbye, Sara,’ Mary said, ‘do write during the week, I should greatly wish to continue becoming better acquainted.’

  ‘I shall, and thank you sir for this gracious invitation, I have so enjoyed our walk and talk.’

  ‘It has been my pleasure,’ Bartholomew said, ‘I look forward to seeing you on Thursday.’

  And with that they parted company, the Dinkster twins returning to their father’s lodgings, whilst Sara walked the short distance back to Springside House, where Lady Treblinger and her sisters were awaiting her.

  ~

  ‘Tell us everything he said,’ Daisy said, as soon as Sara entered the salon where the family sat taking tea, ‘Was he just as we expected?’

  ‘Daisy,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘give the poor girl a moment to compose herself. Would you like a slice of cake, dear?’

  Sara seated herself between her sisters and began to recount the afternoon’s events.

  ‘He would be so much nicer if he weren’t so arrogant,’ she said, ‘he just boasts of his achievements, one thing after another, and he considers women to of a lower class than himself, a thing to be possessed rather than to have and to hold in equality.’

  ‘I’m afraid such views are often found amongst the aristocracy, dear,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘You have a very modern view of things. Certainly, some men will see you in this way, though others perhaps differently. Give him a chance though, there is goodness there’

  ‘But how does one change a person? I wanted to shout at him. Why is he not more like his sister?’ Sara said.

  ‘They seem like the most perfect opposites,’ Susan said, ‘She is everything he is not, and he has nothing of what she has.’

  ‘He takes after his father. Beneath the exterior is a nicer creature, but he does himself no service in the way he behaves at times,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘At least we have not offended and I am sure at the Hareburn Ball there will be many such gentlemen as might match your ideal, Sara. Though I rather think you have some romantic notions in your head.’

  The little party mulled over the afternoon’s events a little longer, and at length Sara took a walk alone in the garden, pausing at times to sniff the roses which were now at their best in the warm summer sun of that early evening.

  She had well and truly settled into life in Bath, and felt such pleasure in having made a new friend in Mary Dinkster as well as encounter her brother and father, as odd as they may be. She felt certain that the coming Hareburn ball would be a wonderful opportunity to meet new and fascinating people, and since this may be her only chance to ever enjoy the season in Bath, she intended to take every opportunity afforded her.

  ~

  ‘That’s right, girls,’ Lady Treblinger said from her position behind the harpsichord where she was playing a merry tune redolent of those they might hear on Thursday at the ball.

  ‘One step, two step, twirl, one step, two step, twirl and left, and right,’ she continued.

  Lord Treblinger had been commandeered to partner the ladies, and even Mrs. Killingdon had joined them in the salon along with two servants, to help the Mills girls practice for the forthcoming Hareburn ball. With just a day to go they needed to be fully prepared for the dancing and they were indeed taking to it most ably.

  ‘That’s excellent Daisy dear, you too Susan,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘A few feet wrong there, Sara, but that was his Lordship’s fault. George, left step, right step and then twirl, that’s it.’

  The music played on as the party continued to practice. Sara was greatly enjoying herself as she and Lord Treblinger danced to the music and Daisy and Susan took one another for partners, twirling each other round and finally taking a solemn bow as the tune came to an end.

  ‘By Jove, I think they’ve got it,’ Lord Treblinger said, ‘you’re almost as good as me, girls.’

  At this they all fell about laughing, and even the servants allowed themselves a sideways laugh at their master’s expense.

  ‘I shall have to give you your own lessons later on,’ Lady Treblinger said to his Lordship, ‘Come now, once more from the top, and left step, right step, twirl and round.’

  The afternoon passed over in this fashion, as the three Mills girls and the Treblingers enjoyed their mock ball,
so much so that they missed tea and were ravenous by the time dinner was announced later that evening.

  ‘I shall sleep so well tonight,’ Sara said as they prepared to retire to the drawing room after the final course had been served.

  ‘As will I,’ Daisy said, ‘All I can hear in my mind is ‘left step, right step,’ it’s going to be so wonderful, the music, the dancing. I can’t wait to write to Mother and tell her of it all.’

  The three sisters soon made their way up to bed and in the sitting room which adjoined their apartments, Daisy took Sara’s hand and twirled her around as Susan provided the musical accompaniment.

  ‘Tra la, di di, di, tra la, tra la,’ she sang, as together they danced across the room.

  ‘I can’t wait for tomorrow,’ Sara said, as finally the three said goodnight and went to their beds, ‘I just know it’s going to be the most wonderful day.’

  Tomorrow was indeed to be quite a day for the Mills sisters, and for Sara in particular, a meeting that would change the course of her life forever.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  A Difficult Social Whirl

  ‘Good morning, girls,’ Lady Treblinger said, as the three sisters arrived at breakfast, ‘I trust you all slept well. I hope so, we have quite an exciting day ahead of us.’

  ‘I could hardly sleep a wink,’ Susan said, ‘I was so excited at the prospect of tonight.’

  ‘Me too,’ Daisy said, helping herself to kedgeree from a tureen on the side board.

  ‘Well we have plenty to do before tonight,’ Lady Treblinger said, ‘We must be ready by six o’clock for the carriage to transport us to Hareburn Grange.’

  ‘Is the Duke a terribly old man?’ Sara said.

  ‘Why no dear, he’s a terribly young man and married to an even younger lady named Charlotte. His Grace is named Cecil and he inherited the title at a very young age indeed.’