Her Lady's Whims and Fancies Read online

  Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies

  Lords for the Sisters of Sussex

  Jen Geigle Johnson

  Contents

  Lords for the Sisters of Sussex Series

  Follow Jen

  Prologue in Which June Standish Receives her Wedding Gift.

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  The Duke’s Second Chance Chapter One

  Lords for the Sisters of Sussex Series

  The Duke’s Second Chance

  The Earl’s Winning Wager

  Her Lady’s Whims and Whimsies

  Suitors for the Proper Miss

  Pining for Lord Lockhart

  The Foibles and Follies of Miss Grace

  Follow Jen’s Newsletter for a free book and to stay up to date on her releases. https://www.subscribepage.com/y8p6z9

  Follow Jen

  Jen’s other published books

  The Nobleman’s Daughter

  Two lovers in disguise

  Scarlet

  The Pimpernel retold

  A Lady’s Maid

  Can she love again?

  His Lady in Hiding

  Hiding out at his maid.

  Spun of Gold

  Rumplestilskin Retold

  Dating the Duke

  Time Travel: Regency man in NYC

  Charmed by His Lordship

  The antics of a fake friendship

  Tabitha’s Folly

  Four over protective Brothers

  To read Damen’s Secret

  The Villain’s Romance

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  Prologue in Which June Standish Receives her Wedding Gift.

  Kate Standish, the second youngest of five Standish sisters, held a letter with shaking hands as the words blurred in front of her. She blinked furiously. Even happy tears caused red-rimmed eyes, and she could be nothing but perfectly beautiful on her sister’s wedding day. They would have to cry all their happy tears together. She read through her letter again. And now to receive this news.

  June was so deserving of every happiness. Kate’s new and first brother by marriage would be Lord Morley. Could they be anymore blessed? Their broken-down old castle looked more beautiful every day. They had been enjoying full meals on the table and even a modiste for new gowns, two things that Kate wondered if they would ever have again. The reason for her work on Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies fashion plates, and for this most recent letter. And now, to receive such news when the direst need had truly passed—or had it? She would have to consider carefully. For Kate would never, ever go hungry again, not she or any she loved.

  But today was a day for celebrations. She grinned. And hoped. Though June had tried to keep the wedding small, Lady Morley—soon to be dowager—had been determined to throw the largest wedding Brighton had ever seen. Perhaps she was hoping to make amends for her abhorrent interference in June and Morley’s courtship?

  The castle was full to bursting.

  Kate exited the family wing of their home. She was dressed and ready. Her hair done up in the very latest fashion. She’d drawn up a fashion plate of the style just yesterday and sent it off to the paper. One advantage to drawing the plates herself? She would be wearing the very style The Morning Sun touted as the latest fashion, before anyone else saw it. She smiled to herself.

  One additional change Kate thought she’d never have again was the entrance of five lady’s maids, one for each of the sisters. Kate’s was a talented young woman named Hannah, who was studying all the magazines and papers she could find for ideas on what hairstyle they could create together.

  A few doors down the hall, Amelia stepped out of her bedroom; the sounds of a baby laughing behind her in the room followed her out.

  Kate’s heart swelled. “Good morning to you, Your Grace.” She curtseyed.

  “Oh, Amelia, please. When we are here at home just us, please call me Amelia.”

  “I don’t want to slip up and use your name when there are others around. Lucy might cut off my braid in my sleep.”

  “She would never do such a thing.” Amelia laughed. “Though she might be tempted.”

  Kate’s sister Lucy found every reason to be immersed in the world of the nobility. She studied them, knew all their forms of address, and corrected the others for any impropriety. If that sister didn’t marry a rising duke, Kate would be shocked.

  “How is sweet Peter this morning?”

  Amelia’s face softened even more, and she smiled. “Gerald and Richard are in there playing with him right now. I will admit, it is one of the sweetest scenes I have yet to see.”

  “I’m so happy for you.” Kate stepped closer and embraced her friend. Amelia had come to their family with her new husband, The Duke of Granbury, right when they had needed him most desperately.

  They moved down the stairs in search of breakfast together. Amelia wrapped her hands around Kate’s arm. “You look beautiful. There will be talk of which of all the Standish sisters is the most beautiful. I’m certain no one will be able to decide.”

  “June, certainly, as she is the bride. I haven’t seen her yet this morning.”

  “I think Morley left rather late last night.”

  Kate smiled. “He is better than I would have imagined for our dear June.”

  “Yes, Morley is the second best man that I know.”

  Kate smiled. “Soon, he might be relegated to fourth.”

  “To fourth, you say?” Morley had just stepped in the front door.

  “What are you doing here? It’s not right to see the bride before the wedding.” Kate stepped forward and embraced her almost brother-in-law.

  “I won’t even look at her. But I couldn’t stay in that inn one moment longer knowing that everyone I hold dear in the world would be here at the castle.” He leaned forward and kissed Amelia’s cheek. “And how are my two godsons?”

  “Up creating havoc on the bed with their father.”

  “And all in the world is right where it should be.” He cleared his throat and eyed the staircase enough that Kate laughed. “Would you like me to fetch June for a moment?”

  “If you could. I have a wedding present.” His eyes shone with so much hope and love, Kate couldn’t refuse him.

  “Oh, very well. I shall see if she is available.” She laughed to herself as she ran back up the stairs.

  She entered the corridor where all of their bedrooms lined the hallway. Her sisters’ friendly chatter coming from the room at the end of the hall made her smile. Were they all together in June’s room?

  As she entered, Kate’s eyes welled again, and this time, she did nothing to stop the tears. June stood in front of her mirror, a white gown shimmering and billowing all around her in lovely folds that fell to the floor. June had let her design the dress, and Kate had given the modiste very specific instructions and drawings. Between the two of them, the dress had turned out perfectly.

  Her other sisters—Charity, Lucy, and Grace—came and stood at Kate’s side. Charity handed Kate a handkerchief. “Doesn’t she look beautiful?”

  Kate nodded and dabbed her eyes. “June.” She ran to her sister and squeezed her tight. “You are just exquisite.”

  The other sisters gathered round, an
d soon, they were in one hug, all together, laughing and wiping their eyes.

  “Mother would have loved this day.” June dabbed at her own eyes and then smiled at them all. “Could we be so blessed?”

  Each sister shook their heads. And Kate remembered her purpose. “Morley is downstairs.”

  June’s face lit to a happiness Kate could not even imagine for a person.

  “He says he has a wedding gift.”

  “Should we invite him up?” June’s eyes danced with mischievous merriment.

  “It will soon be his set of rooms as well as yours.” Grace shrugged.

  “Technically, they already are his set of rooms.” Charity huffed just a touch and then laughed. “Oh, let him up.”

  “I will tell him!” Grace ran from the room, and though she was already fourteen, Kate loved the easy, innocent manners of the youngest of her sisters.

  “Does anyone else but me remember that it is bad luck for the groom to see the bride? Or that this is her bedchamber? Or . . .”

  “No, Lucy, none of us remember.” Charity put her arm across Lucy’s shoulders. “It’s Morley. Our brother needs us to celebrate with him as well as June.”

  “He did say he was lonely at the inn when all he loved were here at the castle,” Kate said.

  “Truer words never spoken.” Morley stood in the doorway, and Kate admitted just a little swoon on behalf of her sister, who looked like she was swooning enough for all of them. He stood tall, in a dark coat, his cravat crisp and white and perfectly knotted. His jawline sharp. His hessians were the newest style and shined so much that she wanted to peer over and see if her reflection was visible. He was also using an interesting type of button. It reflected some of the sunlight in the room in a dark, shiny manner, and she found herself wanting to touch one of them. A lovely gold chain hung from one pocket to presumably a tucked-in pocket watch. His rings—just two, a signet and another gold band—fit his fingers just right. As Kate’s gaze travelled over all his presentation, she decided yet again that Lord Morley was perfect for her sister June.

  He entered, with eyes only for June. He carried a box in his hands, small, blue. “For you.”

  The sisters gathered closer.

  “I think you will all appreciate this.” Morley nodded at June. “Open it.”

  She lifted the cover and then sucked in a breath, tipping it so that everyone could see.

  Kate’s heart flipped over inside. “Are those the jewels from William the Conqueror?”

  “The very ones. I’ve had them reset. And I think this sapphire is perfect for June’s dinner this evening. Don’t you?” he turned to ask Kate, and she stood taller. “Yes, they will be amazing with her dress.”

  “They are yours. I’ve had all the jewels either reset or strengthened in their original settings. It is only right that you sisters have them.”

  “Thank you, Nicholas.” June stepped closer, and the sisters faded away.

  Grace giggled into her hands. “Does it bother anyone else when she calls him Nicholas?”

  “He’s Morley to me.” Kate shrugged.

  “Lord Morley really.” Lucy turned away as Morley kissed June.

  Kate looked over her sisters. “Have you told your maids the instructions for your hair?”

  “Yes.” Lucy nodded. “We need to look like we fit in with . . . the nobility.”

  “I modified your instructions somewhat.” Charity lifted her eyebrows as though she knew what Kate was about to say.

  “Modified it to what?” Kate shook her head. “It wouldn’t hurt you to be perfectly and completely in the mode for once—this day particularly, as all of the ton is likely to show up.”

  “Yes, thanks to Mother. It won’t be too much of a hardship, I’m sure.” Morley winked at them. “I have heard of a few perhaps notable attendees.” He dipped his head at Lucy. “The almost Duke of Kently, Lord Tanner.”

  Lucy’s eyes lit, and she tried to hide her reaction, but her face burned a bright pink.

  “And . . .” He turned to Kate. “Lord Dennison.”

  Her throat caught. How could he know of her interest in Lord Dennison?”

  “Um . . . who?” She tried to appear uncaring.

  “As if you don’t know of the most fashion-conscious lord in all of England. Well, perhaps besides Beau Brummel and his set, but Lord Dennison, it is said, is somewhat of a protégé of Brummel himself.”

  “Oh, yes.” Kate nodded. Of course, everyone had heard of him.

  Morley studied her for a moment. “You are excited to see him, I presume, if anything, just to take note of how he dresses?”

  Kate forced a laugh. “Of course.”

  “And now, I must check in on Gerald and his lads.” He bowed to them all. With one last look at June, he was out the door.

  Charity turned back to her sisters. “I have no desire to be completely in the mode, as you call it. I don’t mind adding a touch of myself, if you know what I mean.”

  Kate opened her mouth to tell her that she must not do such a thing, but June clapped her hands. And her huge smile stopped all other conversation. “This is really happening, my sisters.”

  They gushed and loved each other, and Kate noted how each of their gowns was exquisite, down to the smallest detail. June had asked her to oversee such things.

  Once the sisters were finished with their hair, Charity even succumbing to the maid and Kate’s attempts to fashion her hair in a large, cascading mound of curls on the top of her head, Kate took a moment in her room.

  She reread the letter.

  We are pleased to inform you that all of your next drawings have been accepted for this month’s Whims and Fancies. We look forward to what you might send for next month. As discussed, we would also like to offer you a space for your thoughts on the fashion of the day, who was seen wearing what, and what you predict will become on mode shortly. This would be a columnist position, and we would expect a weekly on-dit from you.

  Tonight would not be all about June, no. For Kate, tonight was also about research.

  And, as Morley had informed her, Lord Dennison would be there. She’d watched Lord Dennison from afar, for a long time. There was something about the ton’s fascination with his daring fashion choices, his visits to certain families over others, his appearances at balls. She watched for him in every bit of the weekly gossip columns, as if trying to make him out. In part because of one bit of gossip she read. The day Lord Dennison was the only man to dance with Wallflower Willow. Whoever that was. The paper had made note that he had asked her to dance, not once, but twice, and soon, her card had filled.

  So now, Kate wanted to know what motivated such a man. She wanted to see what he wore and how he did his hair, of course. Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies would eat up any information she had about Lord Dennison—unnamed, of course—but she could never claim her interest in him was solely to appease the gossips. Not when she’d ended many a day wondering what color were his eyes.

  Chapter One

  Lord Logan Dennison lifted his chin to allow for one more fold of fabric at his neckline. This new knot would be the rage of London in two weeks’ time, when Logan would move on to another. Although, this might be his favorite knot so far. It just looked . . . regal.

  But his valet had a devil of a time learning how to do the intricate folds and ties and keeping the various degrees of crispness to the material.

  “Wiggins. You have outdone yourself.”

  “Thank you, my lord.” His nimble fingers created the final touches, and at last, the two-hour ministrations were at an end.

  Wiggins brushed down the jacket again, tugging at the lines and his sleeves, and then he stood back, eyeing his hessians. “They are shined to perfection.”

  Logan turned, appreciating the lines, the straight jacket, and most of all, his hair. “This style. Let us hope too many others do not copy it all at once. I’d like to linger here for a time.”

  “Yes, it suits you.” Wiggins nodded. “You are rea
dy, if I do say so.”

  “I shall return to prepare for the dinner hour and ball this evening. We are off to the church to see some poor chap tie his own knot, in an endless noose of matrimony.”

  “Very good, my lord.”

  Logan was to sit near the front. He and his sister and mother had been invited by Lady Morley. He joined them in the carriage. “Been waiting long?”

  “No. We just sat in this moment.” His twin sister, Julia, eyed his cravat. “Still wearing the Croatian?”

  “Well, it is my own invention. I thought it fitting to wear it more than one time at least.”

  “How long do you think it will take before any of the others attempt it?”

  He lifted his chin. “As if their valets could manage such a thing. It took Wiggins two hours to tie this masterpiece.”

  “It is quite the thing, really.” She leaned closer. “Seems incredibly complicated. Not at all simple like the Mathematical, or the Oriental. Those seem so outdated now that you and your set walk around with these newer demonstrations.” She unfolded a paper and began to read.

  “What are you reading?”

  Julia lifted up the paper to show him. “The latest copy of Her Lady’s Whims and Fancies.”

  “Oh?” Logan adjusted his sleeves. “And what does it instruct this week?”

  “She offers drawings—four fashion plates.” She lifted the paper to show him.