Josephine's Lists

Chapter 4- Breakfast Drama

CHAPTER 4

Morning couldn't come soon enough for the two young ladies. After writing letters to assure their safe arrival in London, Josephine and Constance went down to breakfast. Lord Cavender was already seated reading the Times while Lady Cavender generously buttered her dry toast.

"Girls, you both look lovely this morning," Lady Cavender complimented. "I feared you might be exhausted on account of yesterday's journey as well as my hasty dinner party."

Constance began filling her plate, stifling a yawn. "No, not at all Aunt Elizabeth. May I ask though, did you have any special arrangements for us today?"

"None in particular, I fancied we could peruse Cavendish Square. But only if you are not too fatigued. Clark & Debenham have a large assortment of cottage twills, stuffs, bombazines, sarsnet, and simply beautiful satins! Your uncle happily agreed to my entreaty of purchasing you each a new gown. Did you not, darling?" Lady Cavender smiled appreciatively at her husband, who returned the sentiment while folding down one corner of his paper.

"You are too generous Lord Cavender. You should not spoil us so. We may never take leave of you." Josephine tucked her dress beneath her, taking the seat beside Constance.

Although fond of his niece and Miss Yorke, Lord Cavender's primary motivation was pleasing his wife. He knew the venture of dress buying would provide Lady Cavender with entertainment, and swell her pride when the two beauties donned their modish frocks about town.

"Yes Uncle, it is too good of you," Constance thankfully replied, before directing her attention to Lady Cavender. "We are overjoyed to attend shops with you Aunt Elizabeth, but would you be terribly saddened if we put it off until tomorrow? It is just, well, Josephine and I had hoped to visit Berkeley Square today and..."

"Oh I see!" Lady Cavender winked. "No, you must go call on Miss Isabella Tennyson. Do not lose your head on account of me girls, I insist you go!" Lady Cavender knew any visit to Berkeley Square could only further her felicitous matchmaking agenda. "There will be abundant time for shopping tomorrow, and I have plenty to keep me busy today."

                                        ~*~

The breakfast table was a far different scene in Berkeley Square later that morning, instead of planning lavish shopping excursions, an incensed Mr. Charles Tennyson loudly objected, "Why the devil would you ask them to call here Isabella?! I have never known you to be so thoughtless!"

"It was not thoughtless Charles. I knew precisely what I was doing. That is why I repeated my invitation a second time. I accepted the Cavender's dinner invitation on your behalf, not realizing you would have the nerve to beg off." He bit his lip glaring across at her with fiery indignation. Miss Isabella continued unfazed, "You cannot hide from Miss Yorke forever, and if you would only meet her, I daresay you would not want to hide at all!"

"Do not presume to know what I want, because clearly you do not!" Charles hated yelling at his sister, but Isabella had overstepped her bounds more than usual.

Sir Cartwright uncomfortably entered the room and upon observing the severity of discord immediately tried retreating but to no avail.

Mr. Charles Tennyson was nothing if not observant. "Where do you think you are slinking off to, Cartwright? I gather you are just as entangled in this as Isabella. Please, do sit down for breakfast."

Sir Cartwright understood this not as an invitation but rather an unyielding command. He regretfully complied, but concentrated on the cup of tea before him.

"What have you to say for yourself Cartwright? I distrust your innocence, as Isabella informed me of your marked attentions to a Miss Whitmore last night, the closest friend of the very lady you are supposed to be helping me avoid. I assume you encouraged them to visit us as well."