Belling the Tiger(ess) by M. Culler

Author:M. Culler [Culler, M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FIC027360 FICTION / Romance / Historical / American
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2023-02-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

“Son? Augustus? Well, I hope you’re in. You shouldn’t go leaving your business unattended like that.”

Augustus finished knotting his tie and using the stiffest horsehair bristle brush he could find to force his brazen curls into order. “Yes, I’m home, Father. Also, the store isn’t unattended, the sign on the shop said ‘Closed.’ ”

The sound of creaking joints and clacking walking stick accompanied a huffy groan. “Then your door ought to be locked.”

“It can’t be locked if I intend to go through it.” August trotted down the stairs from his flat and through the workshop, careful not to smudge his good fawn-colored suit on any of his half-finished projects.

Colonel Warwick stared, open-mouthed. “Augustus! Augustus, my lad. You look…what’s happened? Who passed away?” The look of surprise rapidly turned to one of worry.

“I’m not attending a funeral service; I’m heading to a literary soiree. A symposium. Simon Trilby will be there.”

“You wouldn’t dress like that for Simon Trilby.” His father shook his head with a chuckle. “Great Scott, your hair. It’s flat!”

“Hush, it’ll hear you,” Augustus grumbled. “Rowena Mumford and Carrie Earnshaw will be accompanying us. I’m dressing for the occasion.”

His father, for the first time in his life, appeared at a loss for words. He flopped into a chair and clasped the knob of his walking stick in both hands, pop-eyed and slack-jawed. “Mumford? And little Caroline Earnshaw?”

“She’s not little. She’s quite tall, actually.” Augustus cautiously put on his hat, as if afraid the slightest weight would send his curls into rebellion.

“You? And Caroline?” His father beamed.

“No, Father, me and no one. Not yet. Can’t I go out with a pair of ladies as friends?”

“No. It’s not done. And you’ve never done it before.”

“Well, there’s a first time for everything.” Augustus dangled his key in front of his father’s face. “Will you be minding the shop, or shall I lock up?”

****

Rowena had invited Carrie to come over early on Saturday evening so they could await the arrival of Mr. Warwick and Professor Trilby together.

“It’s the first time I’ve ever been out for a social event without Mama and Father,” the breathless young lady gasped. “Oh, Miss Mumford. I’m nervous. I’m far too nervous. I’m not good at talking to gentlemen. Mother says it’s one of my failings. Aside from my face. And my figure.” Her voice was heavy with years of being a disappointment.

“It’s Rowena, or shall I call you Miss Earnshaw? And none of those things are failings. You simply haven’t met the right gentlemen to talk to…or the right dress and hairstyle to complement your natural beauty. You know…I have some dresses that I haven’t hemmed yet. They’re too long for me, but they’d be just right for you. I have a cream-colored one that would make you look simply radiant.”

“Well.” Carrie hesitated, then shook her head. “No. Mama has tried so many styles, and I—”

“You are a persistent young woman. Let’s try.” Rowena gently encouraged, taking her elbow and leading her up the stairs.

In only thirty minutes, a very different Carrie appeared.

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