A Second Season

Langton

Chapter One

March 1819

Francesca Ashton stood at her bedroom window, staring glumly at the passers-by and traffic passing below on South Audley Street. She heartily wished she wasn’t in London; she yearned to be back home in the Lake District, tucked away in the safety of the cozy family house.

She should have put up more of a fight against Mama and Phyllida, her younger sister! For Francesca, London was a reminder of a painful past that she would far rather forget.

As if thinking about her sister had conjured her up, Phyllida Ashton suddenly burst into the room. As fair as her elder sister Francesca was dark, Phyllida glowed with enthusiasm and happiness.

Phyl has clearly enjoyed her morning’s shopping with Mama, Francesca thought, and sighed wistfully, recalling her own excitement on her first visit to London four years ago.

How naïve she had been!

My gown for my come-out ball is nearly ready, Fran! Phyllida announced. They’re just finishing sewing in the seed pearls around the neckline. Phyllida had indeed spent a delightful morning shopping, and had had the final fitting for her ball gown. It would be delivered any day now.

Phyllida had fallen in love with London within a day of their arrival, and was eagerly looking forward to when the Season would start in earnest. That was now only a week away, and all the balls and parties and other delights would begin. She could hardly wait.

Suddenly noticing her elder sister’s despondency, Phyllida gave Francesca a stern look. Still sulking, Fran? And why are you standing by the window? Are you hoping to see Mr. Winter pass by?

Francesca hastily moved away from the window. I most certainly am not, Phyl! Whatever gave you that idea? And I’m not sulking!

Phyllida smiled mischievously. You are. But if you’re still worried about seeing Mr. Landon, you mustn’t be, Fran. He’s living on the Continent and likely to stay there, according to Mama.

Francesca didn’t want to think or talk about either Mr. Winter or Mr. Landon – but especially Thomas Landon, the man who had broken her heart. He was the reason why she hadn’t wanted to return to London.

As for Mr. Winter, Francesca was unsure what her feelings were towards him.

The Ashton family had made Hugo Winter’s acquaintance shortly after their arrival in town, when Francesca, Mama and Phyllida had visited the circulating library. Francesca had been reaching for a book on a high shelf. Unable to touch it even when she stood on tiptoes, she was about to call for the assistant’s help when a masculine hand had fetched it down for her.

The gentleman had introduced himself as Mr. Hugo Winter, and a conversation was struck up. Since that initial meeting, Mr. Winter had paid several visits to the Ashton household in South Audley Street, and Phyllida had been assiduously teasing Francesca about her new beau, much to her annoyance.

More and more people are arriving in town every day, Phyllida was now chattering. And Mama’s received yet more invitations, Fran! Her blue eyes sparkled with anticipation. We’ve now been invited to visit the theatre with a friend of Mama’s, and to a soirée, although we can’t go to any balls yet until I have my come-out, of course. But now you must come downstairs – tea is about to be served.

Francesca accompanied her sister downstairs to the sitting room, where the tea things were laid out. Sitting beside Lady Ashton on the sofa was an unknown lady. The two girls, who had not been expecting any visitors, stopped short in surprise.

Ah, here are my daughters, Lady Helmswich, Lady Ashton announced. This is Francesca, my elder daughter, and my younger daughter, Phyllida. Girls, this is an old friend of mine, Lady Helmswich.

Pleased to meet you, girls! boomed Lady Helmswich, a lady of generous proportions. She was also clearly possessed of a dominating nature, as her powerful voice indicated. I knew your mama when she made her come-out more than... well, never mind how many years ago it was. What very pretty girls, Anna, she remarked, turning back to Lady Ashton. You shouldn’t have any trouble firing them off, even if this will be Francesca’s second Season!

Francesca, taken aback, dropped onto a nearby chair. Who was this Lady Helmswich, discussing with her mother her first disastrous Season? And how did she know about it? Francesca was certain she hadn’t met Lady Helmswich before. She wasn’t a person one would easily forget!

There’s been many a scandal come and gone, Lady Helmswich went on loudly. Her voice was so powerful that Francesca wouldn’t be surprised if she could be heard in Green Park. Her broken engagement is nothing that anyone would recall now, although it was certainly discussed to death at the time! But if anyone does dare to mention it, I’ll put them in their place, never you fear. She gave Lady Ashton a conspiratorial look. I’m sure both girls will be suitably affianced before the Season’s end, Anna.

Yes... Lady Ashton looked uncertain. Then she sat up straighter. But I won’t have my girls bullied into accepting anyone they dislike, Martha, she added, more forcefully.

Lady Helmswich’s eyes opened very wide. Of course not, my dear Anna. Unthinkable! She then abruptly changed the subject. Now, don’t forget, you are to be my guests at my dinner and soirée next week. Nothing too fancy, understand, just my friends and some young people for the girls to befriend. It’s an excellent function to begin the Season, if I do say so myself.

Lady Ashton graciously accepted, as Francesca had known she would, and soon afterwards Lady Helmswich took her leave.

After seeing her out, Lady Ashton returned to the sitting room. She dropped onto the sofa with a sigh of exhaustion. Good heavens! Lady Helmswich hasn’t changed a bit from when I was a girl!

But who is Lady Helmswich? Phyllida enquired. She must be someone important. I don’t know whether I like her. She’s a bit frightening.

"She’s very frightening, Lady Ashton corrected her younger daughter. But yes, Phyllida, she is a very important lady. Lady Helmswich knows everyone and everything about Society. I met her when I made my own come-out, and she introduced me to your father. I’ve kept up the acquaintance ever since, although it’s been a great many years since I’ve actually seen Martha."

She paused, and both girls were silent. Their father had died when they were quite young, and Lady Ashton had never remarried.

Do we have to go to Lady Helmswich’s dinner, Mama? Francesca asked after a while.

Lady Ashton looked at her, frowning slightly. We do indeed, Fran. As her ladyship said, it’s just the thing to start the Season, and the sooner we begin to attend functions, the sooner you’ll begin to enjoy the Season! And I’m sure we’ll enjoy the evening; Lady Helmswich is a renowned hostess.

I wish you had let me stay at home, Francesca muttered mutinously. Someone’s bound to remember my first Season and the end of my engagement. It was talked about enough at the time!

Now, now, Lady Ashton