Her insides clenched. ‘I am supposed to relieve myself while standing?’
Colour stole into Mantheria’s cheeks. ‘Well, yes... Sometimes you must stand for hours at court before you are presented to the Queen.’
‘I don’t see what all the fuss is about,’ Becca said. ‘Animals relieve themselves standing. I cannot think of even one that sits to complete its business.’
Louisa watched Mantheria make a creditable effort at keeping in her laugh. Her face went red and her cheeks puffed out. Her lips were pinched together tightly.
‘They don’t even use a dish,’ Becca added.
It was too much for the young Duchess. She burst into laughter. Louisa couldn’t help but giggle with her. Wick’s little sisters were positively incorrigible.
‘Can we not discuss the habits of animals relieving themselves just now?’ Mantheria said, but there was still a smile on her lips. ‘Come, Louisa. Miss Chandler will bring thebordaloue, just in case... Most ladies try to drink and eat as little as possible at social events to avoid such a need.’
‘I don’t know why you’re so missish about it, Mantheria,’ Helen said, from the hall. ‘’Tis only a part of nature, and there will be a screen to go behind.’
The Duchess waddled towards Helen in her enormous dress, but Helen was easily able to escape her—not being hampered by hoops and trains.
Louisa followed behind Mantheria, and had to turn sideways to fit through the door frame. When she reached the front staircase she saw Wick, standing at the bottom. He was looking particularly handsome in knee breeches, an intricately tied cravat, a golden waistcoat and an embroidered green coat with long tails. The same colour as her own dress. She couldn’t help but wonder if the choice had been intentional. She hoped so.
Wick smiled up at her as she walked carefully down each stair. ‘Louisa, you are a vision of loveliness and sure to be this season’s diamond of the first water.’
Louisa grinned back at him and decided that her gown was the perfect amount of sumptuousness. She hoped that if she looked pretty enough he would change his mind about courting her.
‘And me, Wick?’ Mantheria asked, holding up her fan as if it were a weapon. ‘Where ismycompliment?’
‘It’s still trying to find its way out of all that silk.’
Mantheria whacked him on the arm with her fan. ‘You’re as rude as Helen.’
‘No one is as rude as Helen.’
Louisa saw his sister’s head peek out from above the stair railings. ‘I heard that!’
‘Come,’ Mantheria said, sweeping past him to the foyer. ‘I daresay we are going to hurry to get there just to stand and wait. But that is the way of court.’
The butler opened the front door and Wick offered his arm to Louisa. She happily took it, but they were unable to walk together through the entrance. Her skirt was simply too wide. After their second failed attempt, Wick spun Louisa around and pulled her through after him.
He helped both Mantheria and Louisa into the carriage, but they had to sit on opposite seats because their dresses were simply too wide to accommodate a second lady. Wick was forced to lift up part of Mantheria’s skirt in order to sit down beside her on the carriage seat.
‘Ooh! I have found the compliment. You look as pretty and delectable as a Frenchmacaron... Also, you’re the same colours.’
His sister tried to whack him again with her fan, but this time his hand came up to block it.
‘And Louisa looks like alangue de chatdipped in green icing.’
‘Oh, please stop talking about cakes,’ Louisa said, clutching her rumbling middle. ‘My stomach is already in knots and I feel rather sick.’
When they arrived at St James’s Palace, a footman opened the door. Mantheria helped Louisa wrap her long train over her left arm, and then did the same with her own gown. They were led into the redbrick castle towards the drawing rooms, and then to a long gallery. Louisa was relieved to see that every young lady there—and some not so young—was wearing the same kind of ornate court dress.
Mantheria touched Louisa’s cheek. ‘You look beautiful. Now, all we can do is wait until you are summoned to the Presence Chamber. The Lord Chamberlain will announce your name. You will then enter the Queen’s presence and make the deep curtsy that we have practised. Because you are the daughter of a peer, you do not kiss her hand. She will kiss your forehead. Then you may arise. Queen Charlotte may want to exchange pleasantries. But if she does not, you will curtsy deeply again and walk backwards slowly. You must never turn your back on a queen.’
Louisa looked down, once more clutching her rumbling tummy. ‘I don’t know if I can do this...’
‘I know you can,’ the young Duchess said with an encouraging look. ‘You are one of the bravest people I know, Louisa. You left your home and your family, all on your own, and set off on an adventure to make your dreams come true. I am proud to consider you one of my friends.’
Louisa’s eyes filled with tears, for this was what she had hoped for. Longed for. A friend of her own age. ‘Truly? You consider me a friend?’
‘Of course,’ Mantheria said, leaning forward and kissing Louisa’s cheek. ‘I am so glad that Wick brought you to me.’