Chapter Nineteen
Stacey returned from the carriage ride with her mother and Mrs. Bridgerton. With the coachman and footman’s help, they were able to get her mother to walk around a small lake outside of London. Stacey thought it might be nice for her mother to get some fresh air and exercise, but she didn’t want to do it where other people would stare at them. They would know something was wrong with her mother, and they would either gossip about it or come up to her and ask her questions she didn’t feel like answering.
Stacey had hoped her mother would say something or make eye contact with her during the walk. Then she would know her mother was starting to snap out of her condition. But her mother didn’t, and she couldn’t help but feel disappointed.
Stacey had to force back the tears during the ride back home. Once she helped Mrs. Bridgerton get her mother comfortable in the rocking chair by the window in her bedchamber, Mrs. Bridgerton placed a hand on her arm.
“I think your mother knows you’re with her,” Mrs. Bridgerton said in a tender voice.
Stacey nodded, hoping the lady was right. She grabbed a blanket and tucked it around her mother’s legs. She glanced at her mother’s face, once more looking for something—anything—that would let her know her mother was aware of her. But her mother seemed to look right through her.
Someone knocked on the bedchamber door, and Mrs. Bridgerton hurried to answer it.
The footman stood on the other side of the doorway and said, “Lady Steinbeck wishes to have a word with Lady Whitney.”
Mrs. Bridgerton turned to Stacey.
“I’ll see her,” Stacey called out to him. “See her into the drawing room and prepare tea and crumpets for her.”
The footman said he’d do as she wished and left.
Stacey gave her mother’s hand a gentle squeeze then kissed her forehead. She thanked Mrs. Bridgerton for her help before she left the room.
When she made it to the drawing room, the butler was placing the refreshments on the table in front of the settee. Iris glanced her way but waited until the butler was gone before speaking.
“I wanted to know how you’re doing,” Iris said. “My coachman said you had decided to run off to Gretna Green.”
Stacey poured tea into their cups and smiled. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you directly. Piers and I just came back yesterday, and I took my mother for a walk outside of London. I haven’t had any time to visit you.”
“Are you still busy?” Iris asked. “I was thinking of leaving a card asking if I could visit you, but I saw the carriage pulled up front and thought I’d say hello.”
“I just returned.” Stacey handed Iris her cup and sat next to her. “This is a good time to talk.”
“How are things? I heard you’re no longer a member of Ladies of Grace.”
“That’s true. I’m not.”
“Are you upset?”
“No. To be honest, I’m relieved. I no longer have to worry about every little thing I say or do. I figure my reputation is already ruined because I wasn’t with a chaperone when I was with Piers. So being banned from the group is a minor thing.”
“Neither the elopement or your removal from the group made it in the Tittletattle.” Iris picked up a crumpet. “However, Miss Wilmington is letting everyone know about the group. She hasn’t gone into detail as to why you were removed from it. She just said the group needs better people.”
The group needs better people? Stacey frowned. Did that mean Miss Wilmington never liked her? Was the fact that Stacey was without a chaperone only an excuse to get rid of her?
“I wouldn’t concern yourself with Miss Wilmington or Ladies of Grace. There are a lot of people who don’t care about either one of them.” She bit into her crumpet then swallowed it. “I was wondering if you’d like to join Enduring Friendships. Lady Gareth is a part of it now. I think you know a couple of other ladies who are in it, too. Lady Erandon and the Duchess of Lambeth are its leaders. They used to be in Ladies of Grace.”
Yes, Stacey remembered that Miss Celia Barlow and Miss Loretta Bachman—their names prior to their marriages—had created Enduring Friendships in order to rival Ladies of Grace. No one had taken their group seriously. It never did rival the social standing of Ladies of Grace. At least, it hadn’t before the whole thing happened between Lady Eloise and Lady Youngtown at Hyde Park.
“That’s a nice offer,” Stacey began. “Can I think about it?”
If her father succeeded in spreading those horrible lies about Piers, Stacey didn’t want to tarnish Enduring Friendships with her membership. Even if they weren’t as socially significant as Ladies of Grace had once been, they still had a good standing in London. She didn’t want to ruin that for them. She doubted they would have the heart to throw her out of the group since they were much nicer than Lady Eloise and Miss Wilmington.
“Of course, you can think about it,” Iris said. “The invitation is open whenever you want to take it.”
“That’s very nice of you.”
“It’s not just me,” Iris replied after she swallowed another bite. “The others in the group feel the same way.”
The footman came into the drawing room. When they looked over at him, he said, “Miss Webb has asked to speak with you, Lady Whitney. Should I tell her to come back at a later time?”
Iris shook her head and rose to her feet. “There’s no need to send her away,” Iris told Stacey. “I have some more things to do this afternoon.”
“Tell the members of your group that I’ll consider the offer,” Stacey replied.
Iris nodded then turned to leave.
“You may send Miss Webb in,” Stacey instructed the footman.
The footman escorted Iris to the entryway, and within a few seconds, he returned with Miss Webb. One good thing about not being a part of Ladies of Grace anymore was that she was free to see Iris any time she wanted. No one could throw her out of the group because of it. So if Miss Webb didn’t like it, there wasn’t anything she could do about it, though Miss Webb had spoken kindly about Iris, so maybe she didn’t mind. Either way, Stacey didn’t have to worry about it.
Stacey had no idea that this could be such a liberating experience. She finally had the freedom to do what she wanted. Yes, she’d gone to Gretna Green and married Piers. Then she’d brought her mother here to live with her. But this was different. In this case, she was standing right up to the respected members of the Ton without worrying over what they said about her.
“I heard you were back in London and thought I’d come by,” Miss Webb said. “I hope you don’t mind.”
“No, I don’t mind.” Stacey gestured for her to sit and poured her a new cup of tea. “I am wondering why you’re here. I’ve been told that I’m no longer a part of Ladies of Grace.”
“I don’t recall saying you’re no longer a part of the group,” Miss Webb said.
Stacey handed her the cup and sat beside her. “You didn’t. Miss Wilmington did.”
It was funny that she wasn’t nervous around Miss Webb anymore. Was this what it was like when someone didn’t feel as if they had to watch every little thing they said and did around someone? She’d never experienced this before with Miss Webb…but she enjoyed it. She enjoyed it a lot.
“The last time I checked, Miss Wilmington wasn’t the only member who is allowed to make these kinds of decisions,” Miss Webb said. “I’m also allowed to make decisions for the group. She and I agreed to share the duties of leadership. It’s a partnership. I heard what she did, and I came here to tell you that you’re still a part of the group. I have no intention of letting someone with a reputation as good as yours go. You’re an asset.” She glanced around the room. “More so now that you’re married to Lord Whitney. He’s one of the best gentlemen in London any lady could have married. You did very well in this match.”
Stacey’s eyebrows furrowed. “Did you hear that I was caught with him in a carriage without a chaperone?”
Miss Webb shrugged. “After what Lady Eloise did, does it even matter? People are more interested in her than they are in you.” She took a sip of the tea. “Her marriage to Mr. Bachman is all anyone cares about. The two were caught at a ball the other evening, and she was telling everyone who’d listen about how much she despises him. Mr. Bachman made it no secret that he despises her just as much. The two were insulting each other all through the evening.”
“That’s awful.” Even if Stacey didn’t like Lady Eloise, she didn’t like hearing how badly her marriage had turned out.
“You’re a nicer person than I am. To be honest, I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. A part of me likes knowing she’s finally getting the treatment from the Ton that she deserves.”
“I meant that it’s awful that her marriage is as bad as it is,” Stacey clarified.
“Oh. Yes, I suppose it is. I hadn’t thought of that. I was too busy thinking about all the times she used people for her advantage and tried to destroy those who wouldn’t do what she wanted. I didn’t like being in the group, but my brother was adamant I be in it.”
“He was?”
Miss Webb nodded. “I had no choice. Not if I wanted to stay in his townhouse.”
Stacey was tempted to ask Miss Webb more about her family life. She hadn’t heard Miss Webb ever mention her family. This was the first time Stacey learned she even had a brother.
But before Stacey could ask about her family, Miss Webb continued, “I want Ladies of Grace to be better than what it used to be. I don’t want another group like the one Lady Eloise ran. I do agree that it’d be nice to have a group that is highly respected in the Ton, but that doesn’t mean the members in the group have to look down their noses at everyone else.”
“What about Enduring Friendships? Have you considered joining that?”
“I can’t. My brother would never allow it. I have to stay in this one. The name Ladies of Grace still means something to people. Lady Eloise has been removed from it. People understand that. This is a chance to make the group better than it ever was. You could be an important part of the group. You’re nice and sincere. You never talk about people behind their backs. You don’t speak unless you carefully consider your words first.” Miss Webb paused, a blush hinting on her cheeks. “You were much better of a person than I ever was. In fact, I’d say of everyone in the group, you were the best definition of what it meant to be a lady worthy of the Ton’s respect.”
Stunned by Miss Webb’s praise, it took her a moment to reply. “Thank you.”
“I mean it. Every word. That’s why I’m hoping you’ll stay in the group.”
“What about Miss Wilmington?”
“I already told Miss Wilmington she has no right to remove you from the group. I said my vote counts just as much as hers, and in my opinion, we can’t do better than you.”
“And Miss Wilmington accepted that?”
“She had to. She rushed off to marry Sir Tristan Blakemoor with a special license while you were gone, and he isn’t quite the gentleman everyone thought him to be.”
“But wasn’t that the gentleman you were with when we took a walk in Hyde Park?”
“He was. Apparently, he and Miss Wilmington decided to get married. I think Miss Wilmington did it because he’s Lady Cadwalader’s nephew. Miss Wilmington’s mother was getting along very well with Lady Cadwalader, and I think Miss Wilmington decided to marry the gentleman who gave her the best advantage in the Ton.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I was upset at first, but then I thought about it and realized if he was willing to marry someone else, he never cared about me to begin with.”
Miss Webb made a good point. Even if it hurt, it was better to find out now than to marry him and learn he was with a mistress. Stacey was glad she’d never have to deal with that. Piers wanted her—and only her. That was something she’d never take for granted.
“So will you stay in the group?” Miss Webb asked.
“What about Miss Wilmington?”
“She’s still a part of it.” When Stacey grimaced, she hurried to add, “But I am, too. And if you’re there as well, then that makes two of us who can insist things be better for the other members who join.”
Maybe Miss Webb was right. Maybe Ladies of Grace could be both a respectable group and be one in which all of its members were valued. If she stayed in the group, she could have an influence in it. If she didn’t, then Miss Webb’s vision for the group might never see fruition. And, if it turned out the group didn’t become what Miss Webb hoped, Stacey could always leave it.
“All right,” Stacey said. “I’ll stay in the group.”
Miss Webb smiled. “Thank you. I was hoping you’d come back to it. If Miss Wilmington gives you any trouble, you tell me. I have equal say in what happens. My family has just as much influence as hers, so she can’t laud that over my head.” She took another sip of tea then added, “I like this side of you.”
Stacey’s eyebrows rose. “This side of me?”
Miss Webb nodded. “You’re saying what’s on your mind. You’re not keeping your thoughts to yourself. I think you should do that more often.”
Pleased, Stacey returned her smile. “I will.”
“Good. You can call me Tara, by the way.”
“You can call me Stacey.”
The two continued to talk for the next half hour, and Stacey had to admit that Tara was a much nicer lady than she had thought. She would have to decline Iris’ invitation, but she suspected this was the right move. Who knew? Someday, Ladies of Grace and Enduring Friendships might even be on good terms. With her in the group, it was a possibility, and it was one she liked.