Sylvia Andrew by Lord Trenchards Choice

Author:Lord Trenchards Choice
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Ivo left for Calthorpe soon after. At first Jossie was somewhat cast down, but she soon recovered and worked hard to learn what her godmother was teaching her. If Lady Frances had an uneasy suspicion that Jossie had more in her mind than a simple desire to be a success in London, she was too delighted at the change in her protégée’s spirits to give it voice. The lassitude, the depression, were now things of the past, and Jossie was soon as active and as eager as ever, devoting her considerable energy and talents towards achieving her objective.

But as time went on Lady Frances began to wonder whether something of the old Jossie, the qualities which had made her so special—her delightful transparency, a spontaneous warmth of heart—had been lost forever on that disastrous evening in July. The new Jossie might have the appearance of openness, but was in fact considerably more reserved than before. If she hesitated now before speaking, it was not because she felt lost. She was taking time to consider the effect of what she was saying.

It had been thought that Peregrine might come home for a short time, but he sent to say that he was unable to leave Derbyshire, so Christmas and the early weeks of January passed quietly without the company of either of Lord Veryan’s sons. Jossie and Lady Frances were invited to be present at the wedding of Major Morley and Mrs Cherton shortly after New Year, but not only did Lady Frances develop a bad cold, but the weather turned so severe that it would have been foolhardy for the ladies to attempt the fifteen miles along country roads to Lyne St Michael. No one was disappointed when they were forced to send their apologies.

But for Jossie the days were busy enough. She was a willing and intelligent pupil, and Lady Frances was soon delighted with the girl’s progress. Her memory was excellent and she seldom needed to be told anything twice. Names, dance steps, conventions, all were quickly mastered. And, far from being a handicap, the active life she had led at Lyne now stood her in good stead, too. As her confidence in social skills increased, it was seen that she moved with natural and unconscious grace. Though her carriage was upright, it was not at all stiff or awkward. She held herself beautifully.

For a while she found it difficult to remember to limit her boyish stride to the smaller steps conventionally required of a lady of fashion, but soon that too was mastered. Lady Frances constantly gave her advice and instruction in the ways of London society.

‘You mustn’t think of London as a huge city,’ she said one day. ‘The part of it you will know is actually very limited and you will quickly learn your way about in it. Not that you will ever go out unaccompanied, Jossie. You must always, always be accompanied by a footman, or, at the very least, a maidservant. Which reminds me—we must find a suitable maid for you.

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