A Sisterly Regard Read Online Free Page B

taste,"
Phaedra said.
    "You will find, dear, that there are rooms in Carlton House that
make this one seem plain and colorless," her mother replied dryly.
    "Will we go to Carlton House, Mama?" Chloe clapped her
hands. "Will we meet the Prince of Wales? Oh, I should like that above all
things!" At her mother's cautious admission that an invitation might come
their way, she bounced in her chair. "Oh! I do want to go there! Just
think, Phaedra! To be invited to the Prince of Wales' palace. How
wonderful it is to be in London at last!" She looked around. "But how can
you criticize this beautiful room? It may be just the tiniest bit shabby, but
it is so elegant, so royal in appearance."
    Both her mother and Phaedra laughed. "As you say, Chloe. It is
much more your style than mine, though." Phaedra barely restrained a
yawn. "You should know, however, that the prince's residence, though it
has the reputation of being very ornate and expensive, is nothing
approaching a palace. Do you never read the newspapers, goose?"
    She rubbed her temples. "I am so tired. Let us go to bed."
Suiting her actions to her words, she rose and walked to the door.
"Coming, Mama?"
    "Yes, dear," Lady Gifford answered, as she stifled a yawn.
"Come, Chloe, you must get some sleep. Tomorrow will be an exciting
day, for we must begin organizing your wardrobe."
    I shall not close my eyes," Chloe vowed. "We are truly here!
We are in London! She twirled in the center of the room, narrowly
avoiding a collision with a sofa. "I shall be a succes fou ! I feel it in
my heart." She patted her bosom.
    "The feeling will cure easily with a cup of warm milk," Phaedra
said, too tired to be amused by her sister's dramatics.

Chapter Two
    The following days were a whirl of shopping and fittings.
Although she enjoyed watching her daughters discover the joys of
shopping, each evening found Lady Gifford prostrate with exhaustion.
Chloe had constantly to be restrained from choosing fashions and
accessories far too dashing for a girl in her first Season. Phaedra, on the
other hand, had to be sternly ordered to select frivolous bonnets and
dainty slippers, her taste being much more for practical headgear and
serviceable shoes.
    Lady Gifford had her hands full at the Pantheon Bazaar, where
Chloe invariably fell in love with unsuitably garish fabrics, while Phaedra
selected those which would have had her labeled a drab. All was finally
resolved, however, and both girls, while not completely satisfied with
their growing wardrobes, would be clothed in a manner fitting their ages
and station.
    Unused to spending all of her days indoors and relatively
inactive, Phaedra finally rebelled against the constant round of shopping
and fittings. During a rare afternoon at home, she jumped to her feet, cast
her needlework from her, and stated, "I am going for a long walk. My
body is stiff and aching from too much sitting, standing or riding in
carriages. I need fresh air and exercise."
    "Of course, dear. Just remember to take Betty with you, for I
need your sister's help to hem her primrose gown."
    Phaedra and Betty strolled along the streets toward Green Park.
Although she wished Betty were more inclined to stride along at a good
pace, Phaedra was content just to be out of doors. "Phew. I almost wish I
did not have to breathe," she said, wrinkling her nose. "How do you stand
the odors, Betty?"
    The young maid who had come with the house raised her brows
in puzzlement. "Odors, miss? I don't smell nothing out of the ordinary."
She sniffed. "Well, maybe a sort of moldy, nasty smell, but that's
all."
    "That's damp earth," Phaedra told her, shaking her head in
defeat. Perhaps the denizens of London were so used to the scents of horse
and smoke and the other, less pleasant, odors of humanity crowded
densely together that they never noticed.
    Once in the park, she said, "If you would prefer to rest here on
this bench, you may. I intend to get some exercise."
    Betty sat, with a grateful smile. "It feels