Faith now understood how this man was related to her father.
The two younger sons, like Teddy, took after their mother in appearance and temperament. Faith wondered idly about the eldest, who was away touring Europe. The younger Iftercasts were both home from university for the season and would thus be acting as primary escorts around town for Faith and Teddy. This fact cheered Faith immensely, as the young gentlemen were jolly, amiable sorts and it would be no pain to dance with either of them on a regular basis.
While Mr Iftercast ignored them, the ladies of his household commenced scheming.
It was decided that the first order of business should be shopping. There were no significant balls of note for several days. Teddy insisted she must peruse Faith’s wardrobe so they could make a list of necessities, and so she might ascertain if Faith’s dresses were of a high enough caliber for London.
Dutifully, after the eggs (which were fried and a little runny) and the bacon (which was more like ham) and the tea (which was delicious), Faith took Teddy back to her room for a wardrobe assessment and exorcism.
With Minnie’s assistance, they perused all Faith’s gowns and accessories. She had packed only her very best options, but they were several seasons old and those were Boston seasons.
Faith started off on the defensive. “When it’s possible, as you can probably tell, Teddy, I like to wear bicycle outfits. I find them less restrictive.”
“A latent adoption of dress reform?”
“Will it cause offense here in England?”
“Not so much in this day and age, but you cannot wear such a thing to a ball. Surely you accept that truth? I mean for travel, and sporting activities, even for walking, and certainly in the daylight. I think you’ll find London is adapting, although such attire is more a matter for the middle classes. You may detrimentally impact your chances with the real toffs. I think a bicycle suit is generally accepted about town. But for dinners? Or balls? It won’t do.”
Faith nodded, reluctantly. If she were really to net herself a werewolf husband, she supposed she ought to look the part, at least some of the time.
Minnie donned her most placating manner. “There, you see, miss? It won’t be so bad.” Minnie would prefer her mistress dress more to the height of fashion and less for her own comfort and taste. But then, Minnie was skilled with a needle and liked to show off. When Faith had been thrown over by her family, Minnie had suffered nearly as badly for lack of attractive dresses handed down and ways to display her art. She’d once earned a pretty penny taking seamstress work on the side. When Faith fell from grace, so did a quarter of Minnie’s earnings.
Teddy began looking through the few dresses Faith had packed, tutting away. “Pardon me for saying so, my dear, but these will not do! The sleeves and skirts are too narrow, especially on the ball gowns. So confining! No wonder you dislike them so. You might trade on a modest character, but do you want to come off as particularly pious or prudish? I shouldn’t say it, but I must – you will look mature in these walking dresses.” Teddy paused, considering. “Which could help to attract werewolves, but your ball gowns must be lighter in color. You are not that old, Faith! Why did your family send you with such dark fabrics, so ill-suited to your complexion? Your mother wishes you to succeed here, does she not?”
Faith said, simply, “My mother wishes me to marry a werewolf and never go back to Boston. Is that your definition of success?”
Teddy was suddenly sharper and less carefree. “Is it yours?”
“I’m not convinced of the efficaciousness of werewolves, but I’ll admit that never returning to Boston has its appeal.”
Teddy looked sad. “You do not enjoy the company of your close family?”
“I’ve caused them problems with my willfulness.” That is one way of putting it.
Teddy shook her head and made a mew noise of sympathy. “Well, my mother is very accepting of the newer ideals of womanhood. I am even allowed to wear split skirts for riding the bicycle, although she has not yet come around to my giving over side saddle. You will not find us so restrictive in this household.”
Faith was relieved. She dared not tell Teddy the real reason for her exile. It was too great a sin for any to ignore. Even Teddy. No one could be that generous of spirit. Faith could only hope that her shame wouldn’t cross the Atlantic and taint these sweet people by association. Still, it was nice to know she would not be monitored and punished and reprimanded for acting in a manner that came naturally.
She confessed some smaller truths instead. “I don’t know why I’m so independently minded. My sisters all boiled to the correct temperature. Four of them in respectable marriages, and me with my rocks and my split skirts and my refusal to marry the candidates presented. Maybe Mother thinks a werewolf could better control me. Then I’d stop embarrassing my family.” Any more than I already have.
Teddy was shocked. “I could hardly countenance it, you are such a charming creature. Embarrass them indeed. Preposterous!”
So I, too, thought, once. Faith dipped her head. “So, I need some new dresses. Now, is my jewelry good enough? I haven’t much. Mother doesn’t believe unmarried girls should sparkle.”
Teddy nodded. “It’s the same here. Pearls, of course, but only a single strand. A velvet ribbon about the neck is very popular right now. Thin enough not to hide bite marks, of course. Unmarried girls don’t call on vampires and must prove it.”
They moved on to other accessories.
As she sorted through scarves and shawls, Teddy probed, not rudely, but simply in an effort to better understand Faith’s position and character. “I thought Americans hated werewolves. We were always told your branch of the family was not politically allied with ours in the matter of supernatural acceptance. That was one of the reasons they emigrated.”
“You’re not wrong. The gloves will pass muster?”
Teddy examined Faith’s glove box. “Pass muster? Oh, you mean prove acceptable? Yes, they should be sufficient. No one wears them only once anymore. Hats next?”
Minnie pulled out Faith’s hatboxes and opened each with a flourish.
Teddy was not pleased. “Oh, these will not do at all. How many seasons old are they? They look as if they might have been worn by your mother at her coming out. No offense, my dear.”
Faith was not upset. She knew her hats were awful. “I know what you mean.”
Teddy’s shopping list was getting longer and longer. Faith worried over money. Her parents had given her very little and only enough for one slim season. She was embarrassed to bring it up but felt she must curb her new friend’s enthusiasm.
“Teddy, dear, I’m not able to fund a whole new wardrobe.”
Teddy’s face fell. “Oh, you poor darling, they do not care much about you, do they?”
Faith thought of her parents in their big house. Her mother’s diamonds. Her father’s pocket watches. Her sisters’ debuts had been things of beauty. As indeed had hers. All new dresses, fans, and gloves (the same ones she had with her now). But that was years ago. Faith’s coming to London was an act of desperation, not celebration.
“My parents have the ability but not the will.” Faith kept her tone carefully neutral.
Teddy flushed in anger. Her pretty face showed all she felt without guile. “And all because you would not marry where they wished? This thing with the werewolves, they consider it a punishment, don’t they?”
Faith nodded.
Teddy tilted her head. “Which is difficult for me to comprehend, as here in London it is considered a very good match, especially for a widow. Was there something particular that caused them to insist on a supernatural approach?”
“Yes, but please don’t ask. Maybe someday I’ll tell you, but it’s not easy for me.”
Teddy touched Faith’s hand. “Say nothing further, dearest cousin. I will get it out of you eventually, you know I shall. But I understand well that not everyone can chatter so ceaselessly as I.” She grinned. “It’s a gift. Although Daddy calls it the family curse. He is one of those not blessed with the capacity for easy conversation.”
Faith said, on a hush, because she did not want to seem critical of her host, “I don’t think I heard him string six words together during all of breakfast.”