Debutante in the Regency Ballroom: A Country Miss in Hanover Square

She was smiling as she joined her mother’s tea party that afternoon, unconsciously practising her society manners. Soon now she would have the chance to shine in society drawing rooms—and who knew what might happen then! Dreams did come true sometimes, it seemed, for just an hour ago her hopes of a Season in town had been just that …

Susannah looked towards the house as a groom opened the carriage door and helped her down. It was a pleasant L-shaped country residence built of yellowish stone with an imposing front door and leaded windows. However, it was no larger than Papa’s house had been, modest by country-house standards, but the gardens were particularly beautiful and there were some graceful old trees. She thought that she would very much like to explore the garden at the earliest opportunity.

Susannah followed her mother into the front hall, smiling at a young maid who came to assist her. Mrs Hampton was speaking to a lady Susannah suspected must be Miss Royston’s housekeeper.

‘Miss Royston apologises for the delay in greeting you, Mrs Hampton,’ the woman said. ‘If you will allow me to take you upstairs to your rooms, she will be with you shortly. An unexpected visitor arrived just a few minutes ago …’

‘Yes, of course. It is no matter,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘Come along, Susannah.’

Susannah hesitated. ‘Mama—do you think I might take a little stroll in the gardens? I shall be only a few minutes, but they are rather lovely. Would Miss Royston mind, do you think?’ She threw an appealing look at the housekeeper.

‘Miss Royston is a keen gardener. She has taken great pride in them since she came to live here,’ the housekeeper said and smiled at her. ‘You take a little stroll, miss. Riding in a carriage is so confining. If you stay close to the house, I can call you when Miss Royston is ready to receive you.’

‘Very well, you may go,’ Mrs Hampton said. ‘But do not go off on one of your long walks, for that would be very rude.’

‘No, Mama. I shall just wander as far as the rose arbour and back.’

Susannah went back towards the front door, which was opened for her by an obliging footman. She gave him a bright smile, feeling delighted to have a few moments of freedom before meeting her hostess.

When the carriage had stopped at the front of the house, she had caught sight of the rose garden. The bushes were well tended and growing lustily, though it was too early in the year for them to be at their best, of course. In another month or so this garden would be a riot of colour and she imagined the scent of roses would reach the house. Besides the roses there were wide beds of lavender, peonies and other perennial flowers. Miss Royston must spend a deal of her time in her garden; it was clearly well planned.

Susannah hesitated as she approached the rose arbour and heard a raised voice. The fencing had hidden the fact that there was anyone there; she was about to turn away when she heard her mother’s name.

‘Margaret Hampton is a good friend of mine. I made the offer, Michael. Nothing was asked of me, I assure you. I will not allow you to say such terrible things. Margaret and Susannah are not hangers-on. Nor will they take advantage of my good nature.’

‘You are a fool, Amelia,’ a man’s voice answered sharply. ‘Upon my word, I do not understand you! You refuse to make your home with Louisa and myself—and you open your home to strangers …’

‘I have told you that I shall never live under the same roof as Louisa again, Michael. Your wife does not like me. She never has and she never will.’

‘You were pleased enough to take advantage of my generosity before you inherited a fortune,’ the man snapped back irritably. ‘If Agatha had left it to me, with an income for you—as any sensible woman would!—none of this would have occurred. She might have known that you would not know how to protect yourself.’

‘If Aunt Agatha had wished to leave her money to you, she would have done so,’ Amelia replied, her voice calm but with an underlying anger. ‘She told me that she had done all she intended to do for you or your sons. We share the same father, Michael, but it was my mother of whom Aunt Agatha was so fond.’

‘I dare say, but Agatha was Father’s aunt and I am as entitled as you, Amelia. I did not fight the will; it would cause a scandal, and I dislike that of all things, as you know. However, you could have put things right. You could help your cousins, at least.’

‘I may do so in time if I feel they deserve it,’ Amelia said. ‘However, that is a matter for me. You may not command me and I shall not be bullied into …’

Susannah jumped guiltily as she heard a twig snap underfoot and realised that she had been eavesdropping. She moved away quickly, turning back the way she had come, running now because she believed that someone was leaving the shelter of the rose arbour and she did not wish to be seen.

Susannah was overcome with embarrassment and shame. She had overheard what was clearly an argument between Miss Royston and—she presumed, for she had heard the name—Sir Michael, Miss Royston’s brother. What a revealing argument! She would not have listened if she had not heard Mama’s name, but she had wanted to know what was being said and could not leave when what she heard was so very shocking. Poor Miss Royston! Mama was right to suspect that she had been bullied and made unhappy by her family. It was not surprising to Susannah that she did not wish to live with them ever again.

Susannah stood at the front of the house, looking back at the tree-lined avenue, composing her thoughts. It was uncomfortable to know that Miss Royston’s brother had been warning her of hangers-on. Had she heard only that, Susannah might have begged her mama to take her home at once, but she had heard Miss Royston’s spirited defence of her friends—and she was quite certain that Sir Michael was merely angry because he wanted his sister’s fortune for himself! What a truly unpleasant man he must be to speak to his sister in that tone!

Having made up her mind that she would not let what she had overheard spoil her pleasure in the coming visit to town, she turned towards the house just as the front door opened. The housekeeper beckoned and Susannah ran towards her.

‘Miss Royston has come in now, miss. Your mama is ready to join in her the small parlour and I thought you would like to be there too.’

‘Oh, thank you,’ Susannah said. ‘I hope I have not kept her waiting?’

‘Miss Royston would not trouble if you had,’ the housekeeper said. ‘She is too good natured, miss—but you have not, for I cannot think you went far.’

‘Just a short wander towards the rose arbour,’ Susannah said, a faint blush in her cheeks. ‘Does Miss Royston have many visitors, ma’am?’

‘She has been living quietly since Lady Agatha Sawle’s death, though she entertains now and then … just friends of her aunt …’

‘Does her family visit often?’

‘No, miss, they do not.’ The housekeeper’s mouth pulled into a prim line. ‘Miss Royston has talked of your visit for days. I can’t say when I’ve seen her so pleased with life …’ She smiled at Susannah. ‘Here is your mama, waiting for you. Miss Royston is in the front parlour.’

Mrs Hampton looked at her daughter. ‘Well, dearest—are you ready?’ She looked expectant as the housekeeper knocked, opened the door and then announced them.

Susannah looked past her and saw a woman standing by the window. She had her back to them, but turned as her housekeeper spoke, a smile on her face. Had she not overheard the quarrel, Susannah might have missed the telltale signs of distress. Her mother saw nothing, moving towards Miss Royston eagerly.

Susannah hung back a little, watching.

‘Amelia, my dear friend,’ Mrs Hampton greeted her with an embrace and a kiss. ‘I cannot express how grateful I am for all you are doing for us!’

‘I explained in my letter that you will be doing me a favour,’ Amelia said and smiled in welcome. ‘I do not wish to stay in town with my sister-in-law, and I cannot stay alone. As yet, I have not thought of taking a companion. Besides, it is so much nicer to have friends, is it not? Once we are invited out, we shall meet all our acquaintances, but it will be more comfortable for us to attend the various affairs together, do you not think so?’

Listening, Susannah realised how true Amelia’s words were. She had felt that they were very obliged to Miss Royston for her invitation, as of course they were, but what she had overheard in the garden had brought home how very uncomfortable Miss Royston must have been in her brother’s home. His angry tone, the unkindness in his words, were hurtful, and she could imagine that Miss Royston had had much to bear in the past from her family. The knowledge made her angry that anyone could be so unkind to their own sister, and it made her wish to protect and help Miss Royston.

‘Yes, much more comfortable to have a friend,’ Mrs Hampton was assuring her as Susannah’s eyes wandered round the room. It was a large room, furnished with important, dark mahogany pieces. Comfortable rather than fashionably elegant. ‘You are looking very well, Amelia. I see you are wearing grey. I myself have put on my lilac for the first time today. Shall you go into colours once we are in town?’

‘I think grey and lilac would be suitable, and perhaps some dark colours as the weeks pass,’ Amelia said. ‘I have only just put off my blacks, but I shall wear colours again soon. Aunt Agatha would not expect me to wear black for ever. Indeed, I doubt she wished it at all, but in the circumstances I thought it right to show respect. She has been so very generous to me. I knew she intended to leave me something, but I had no idea how much that would be.’

‘Well, I am sure you deserved it,’ Mrs Hampton said with a look of warm approval. She turned towards Susannah, beckoning her. ‘Come forward, my love. You remember Miss Royston, of course.’

Susannah made an elegant curtsy, smiling a little shyly. ‘Yes, I do remember Miss Royston. It is exceedingly kind of you to invite us to stay with you in town, ma’am. I do not know how to thank you—for everything. If you are certain you wish to do so much …’ She had to ask, since she had heard what Sir Michael thought of her and Mama, but there was no hesitation in Miss Royston’s response.

‘You may thank me by being happy,’ Amelia told her with a look of such warmth that Susannah’s last reservation fled. ‘I knew that you must be finding things difficult since your terrible loss, and I wanted to help a little if I could. Besides, as I told your mama, I wish for friends to stay with me in town. You are doing me a great favour by agreeing to accompany me to town.’

‘I think you are very kind, ma’am,’ Susannah said, glowing with pleasure. Miss Royston was so exact in her manners and did not make one feel one was receiving charity at all. She had been a little nervous of meeting her, especially after hearing the argument—but her charm banished all Susannah’s doubts. ‘It is so exciting. I can hardly wait!’

‘Once it is known we are in town, I am sure we shall be invited everywhere,’ Amelia went on. ‘You will make many new friends and I dare say you will be one of the prettiest girls of the Season—if not the prettiest!’

Susannah blushed and shook her head. She thought Miss Royston was beautiful with her reddish toned hair and green eyes, though she would not have dreamed of saying as much to her face. For a wealthy woman, her attire was modest. Although still in mourning, Amelia was wearing a stylish gown that owed everything to good taste and nothing to ostentation. Indeed, the only jewellery she wore was a small but pretty gold-and-pearl brooch pinned to the bodice of her gown.

Susannah remembered that she had thought Miss Royston had been a little quiet when they met in Bath, though she knew that their friend had possessed a lovely smile. She had not smiled often then, which was hardly to be wondered at in her situation! She could have had nothing to smile about living in her brother’s house, for he was undoubtedly a bully.

‘Come and have tea,’ Amelia said and indicated that they should sit. ‘You must wish for some refreshment after your journey. I am sorry that I had to keep you waiting. My brother came unexpectedly to call …’ A look of anger and distress passed fleetingly across her face, but was gone so quickly that it might never have been there.

Susannah glanced around the large, square room. The décor was all in varying shades of green and cream, soft muted colours that gave it a feeling of comfort and ease. She thought that the curtains had not been changed in an age, but liked the homely feeling that prevailed. The room had an atmosphere of having been lived in happily for some years: a book lay on a table, a sewing basket stood by a comfortable elbow chair, and the pianoforte had a well-loved shine that seemed to indicate it was often used. A pretty Canterbury held sheets of music that had been much handled.

Amelia rang the bell and almost immediately a butler brought in a large silver tray displaying a handsome set of plain silver. A maid followed and set up the stand so that he could deposit his burden and another maid brought in an arrangement of dainty cakes and biscuits that she set on an occasional table.

As the tea was poured and Susannah got up to hand a cup to her mama, she observed that Miss Royston seemed more in command of her situation than before, which was understandable. In the past she had been obliged to consult her sister-in-law before making plans. Now she was free to do as she pleased, and it seemed she was full of plans for the coming Season.

‘I have written to one or two friends, telling them of the date I intend to be in town,’ Amelia said. ‘We already have several invitations to dine, and I am certain there will be many more. I shall give a dinner the first week we are in town and I thought we might have a little dance for Susannah once she has made friends.’

‘Oh, Miss Royston,’ Susannah exclaimed, struck by this extra kindness. ‘I had not expected a dance of my own. Do you truly wish to go to so much trouble on my behalf? You have done so much—some would say far too much. We are not even family …’ She glanced away, her cheeks heating as Miss Royston’s eyes flew to her face. She nibbled at a delicious almond comfit as Amelia sipped her tea and looked thoughtful.

‘You are my very good friends,’ she said after a pause. ‘At one time your mama was the only friend I felt I might trust. To me you are as much and perhaps more than family. Besides, it will be no trouble at all,’ Amelia said and laughed. ‘I shall employ others to make certain that everything goes well on the night. Besides, I love to dance and to see young people enjoying themselves.’

‘You speak as if you were past your youth,’ Margaret Hampton said and shook her head. ‘You are still young enough to dance and enjoy life yourself, Amelia.’

‘Yes, perhaps I am, if anyone wished to dance with me,’ Amelia agreed, and her eyes reflected amusement. She looked at Susannah. ‘Please, my dear, you must call me Amelia, at least in private. I want you to think of me as your good friend—an older sister, perhaps.’

‘Oh … thank you,’ Susannah said, a faint colour still in her cheeks. Had Miss Royston suspected her of overhearing her argument with her brother? ‘Yes, that would be very comfortable, when we are all together.’

‘Good. I want you to be comfortable and happy, Susannah.’ Amelia assured her. ‘Your things have been taken to your rooms, though only the small bags have been unpacked, for the day after tomorrow we set out for London.’

‘This will be my first visit to London. I have been to Bath twice. Mama took me to the theatre and the shops. I think London will be very exciting.’

‘You will find it strange and new, but I am sure you will enjoy yourself. There are many theatres and excellent shops in town.’ Amelia smiled at her. ‘Come, we shall go upstairs, for I understand that you have not yet seen your room, Susannah.’

Susannah followed her hostess up the wide staircase, glancing at the portraits hanging on the wall. She felt excited and nervous at the same time, because she understood how lucky she was that Amelia had offered her this Season in town. Amelia’s claims to need friends were mere politeness, because she could have employed a companion for far less than she was giving Susannah and her mother. It was sheer good nature on Amelia’s part, and Susannah was suitably grateful.

The room she was shown into upstairs was pleasant. Decorated in various shades of blue and cream, it had a cool elegance that she guessed was Miss Royston’s doing. The bedchamber had clearly been refurbished recently, and she guessed that their hostess had used her time of mourning to good purpose, ordering the house to her own taste. She had left the parlour untouched, perhaps because it was so very comfortable. Susannah approved of what had been done here and thought how nice it would feel to be in a position to do as one wished. She would love to have the task of refurbishing a large house, but it was expensive. Money was certainly important for a comfortable life.

Left to herself, Susannah sighed. She so longed for romance, but she also knew her duty to Mama. Mama belonged in a house like this, not the cottage she was forced to live in these days. Her only chance of a better life was for Susannah to make a suitable match.

Susannah had finished her examination of the room and begun to change out of her travelling gown when someone knocked at the door. Thinking it must be her mama, she called out that she might enter. A young girl with brown hair and dark eyes came in. She smiled and bobbed a curtsy, seeming a little shy.

‘My name is Iris, Miss Hampton,’ she said. ‘Miss Royston says I am to be your maid for the next few weeks and accompany you to London.’

‘Oh …’ Susannah was surprised; she had grown used to looking after herself at the cottage, but it would be nice to be waited on again, if only for a few weeks. ‘Please come in, Iris. I knew someone had unpacked the gown I wished to wear for this evening—was that you?’

‘Yes, miss. I pressed it while you were having tea.’ Iris looked at her with interest. ‘You have lovely hair, miss. May I dress it for you?’

‘Do you know how to?’ Susannah was hesitant, for her hair was so fine and she could never get it to stay tidy for long.

‘My mother used to be a lady’s maid before she married,’ Iris told her. ‘She taught me all the skills I need and Miss Royston took me on a few weeks ago. She has her own dresser, but I was allowed to help—and now I am to serve you. It will be exciting to visit London, miss.’

‘Yes, it will.’ Susannah smiled at her. ‘Well, you may put my hair up for me this evening,’ she said. ‘I have been experimenting with it myself, but it always falls down again. We shall see what you can do, Iris.’

‘I think I can manage to make it stay in place, miss,’ Iris said. ‘You will be surprised at the difference it will make.’

Susannah felt very grand as she went down for dinner that evening. She was wearing an expensive yellow gown Mama had bought her for her birthday a few weeks before Papa died. She had not worn it since, because she had not had reason to do so, but this evening was a celebration and she wished to look her best. Her hair was dressed softly into a double loop at the back of her head, caught back with a silk flower and a few wisps allowed to curl at the sides of her face. She looked elegant and quite different from her normal self.

‘Susannah!’ Mrs Hampton stared at her daughter in surprise. ‘You have done your hair differently, my love. It makes you look older and more grown up.’

‘I think it suits her very well,’ Amelia said as she came to join them. ‘Are you pleased with Iris, Susannah? I thought she would be a help to you; if this is an example of her work, I am well satisfied.’

‘Iris put my hair up for me,’ Susannah said. ‘She says we shall try different styles and see which looks best. I think she is very clever with her fingers, for I could never have achieved something like this.’

‘I think I like it now that I am getting used to it,’ Mrs Hampton said, looking slightly pensive. ‘I have been used to thinking of you as my little girl, but I must get used to the idea that you are a young lady now.’

‘And a very beautiful one,’ Amelia said in a tone of approval. ‘I believe she will create something of a stir in town, Margaret. I think you must accustom yourself to the idea that Susannah will be much sought after by the gentlemen.’

‘Well, I hope she may meet someone nice,’ Mrs Hampton said, giving her daughter a fond look. ‘She is a good girl and has been a great comfort to me these past months. I am not sure what I should have done without Susannah’s support.’

‘Yes, of course she has,’ Amelia said and laughed. ‘But we must stop talking about her, for we are making poor Susannah blush.’

Susannah shook her head. She had always known she was pretty, of course, but with her hair styled differently she was beginning to feel like someone else—a young woman instead of a girl.

‘I hope that I shall meet someone I can like well enough to marry him,’ she said. ‘There was a gentleman at home who might have proposed marriage, but he was some years older and I did not care for him …’

‘I dare say you will be able to pick and choose when we are in town,’ Amelia told her. ‘I was thought pretty when I was your age. I might have married several times, but I hesitated and then …’ She sighed, shaking her head. ‘It was too late. I wasted my chance, Susannah, but you must make the most of yours.’

‘Yes, I shall,’ Susannah agreed. ‘If I am lucky enough to meet a gentleman I can like.’

In her mind she substituted the word like for love. She wanted to fall desperately in love with a handsome man, one who would carry her away on his white horse to a castle where she would live happily ever after. As her mother and Amelia turned to walk into the dining parlour, Susannah laughed at her foolish thoughts. It was unlikely she would meet a prince and live in a castle, of course, but she did hope that something exciting would happen.

The evening was as pleasant as any Susannah could recall for a long time. Her mama was so happy, so clearly pleased to be with her friend, and content with the arrangement that Susannah had almost made up her mind not to mention what she had overheard. However, Amelia drew her apart when Mrs Hampton stopped to enquire a recipe from the housekeeper.

‘Susannah my dearest,’ Amelia said softly, ‘my housekeeper tells me that you took a little walk towards the rose arbour earlier.’

‘Yes …’ Susannah blushed. ‘I will tell you that I heard Mama’s name mentioned and then … an argument. I did not listen long … Forgive me. I know I should have walked away immediately, but I could not help listening for a moment or two.’

‘If you heard someone say unpleasant things of you and your mother, please forgive me,’ Amelia said. ‘I am sorry if you were hurt and I hope you will not let it spoil your visit—or our friendship?’

‘It will not, for you said only good things,’ Susannah said. ‘I think he must be very unkind to speak to you so! Oh, I should not have said that—but I did not like to think he could speak to you in such a manner.’

‘Yes, my brother has been unkind,’ Amelia replied, a hint of sadness in her eyes. ‘His wife more so. Louisa can be spiteful when she chooses. However, I do not speak of it. I did not wish to be rude by appearing in town without informing my family of my intention, but Michael came down after he had my letter and we quarrelled. I shall say no more of the affair. I just wished you to know that his thoughts were not mine. I hope you know that I am truly happy your mama accepted my invitation.’

‘I do know,’ Susannah said and smiled. ‘You are kind and generous and I think we shall be very happy together.’

‘Then that is all I ask for,’ Amelia said. ‘Run along to bed now, my love. You have had a long journey and you must be tired.’

Susannah kissed her cheek on impulse. ‘You are so good! I hate him for being unkind to you,’ she said rashly and then ran away because she feared she had said too much. However, when she looked back, she saw that Amelia was smiling.