The Beast of Yorkshire by Tammy Jo Burns

Author:Tammy Jo Burns
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: historical regency romance, Yorkshire, England, 1800s, Napoleon, Prince Regent, London, Duke Romance, Beauty and the Beast, Fairytale, Fairytale Retelling
Publisher: Tammy Jo Burns

Chapter 17

“Helena, I can’t let you spend all your money on me,” Penelope argued as they sat in a dressmaker’s shop on Bond Street. Penelope’s broken nose and blackened eyes were healing nicely, and Helena had tricked Penelope into an outing. Helena had told her that she, herself, needed new clothes, when, in fact, they were on a shopping trip for Penelope.

“Pish,” the older woman said. “When was the last time you had a new dress?”

“Years,” Penelope said softly. Even when she had gone to Yorkshire, she had continued wearing her old dresses.

“And you want to get your mother out of Bedlam, don’t you?” the older woman asked quietly so as not to be overheard.

“Yes.”

“Well, then, you need the type of clothes that will get you noticed by the men that will help you reach your goal. Now, I never had a daughter, so allow me this one concession.”

Penelope thought to refuse, to call this entire plan off, then she remembered her mother. “If I allow you to do this and teach me all that I need to know in order to secure a b…ben…benefactor,” she stumbled over the word, “I want to try to see my mother today.”

“Of course. Right after we get you a wardrobe. Now, Margaurite, please take Penelope back and have her try on different dresses. She must have all sorts. She will also need two riding habits, and don’t forget the ball gowns,” Helena called after them as they disappeared behind a curtain.

By the end of the fitting, Penelope didn’t think she could be poked or prodded anymore than she had been. After they left the modiste, they went next door to the cobbler’s. Her foot was measured, and he was told that he could check with Margaurite for the various colors needed. Afterward they went to the haberdashery where she picked out several different hats and bonnets. They also chose the finest kid and satin gloves in several different colors. The hosiery and undergarments would be delivered with the clothes. Penelope also picked out a beautiful set of handkerchiefs. She had lost the last one her mother had presented to her on her sixteenth birthday the night she had landed in Helena’s life. These would never replace that one, but her mother had always said that one could tell the class of a lady by her kerchief. She would decorate these to rival any that a debutante might carry.

Penelope flopped back in the coach, exhausted, after they left the last store. “I knew that it took a lot of money to attract a husband of the ton, but I never realized it required as much to attract a protector.”

“More, my dear,” Helena corrected her. “Most of the time you are attempting to lure a man from a wife or fiancée. He has to be willing to support you on top of a family. You must make sure he knows you’re worth the effort.”

“But we don’t even know who my protector will be yet,” she argued.

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