I agree that the situations of the four women in Alverstoke’s life are different: Lady Buxted, a widow, definitely wants Alverstoke to pay for Jane’s ball but she probably does want a nicer event than she can afford (even if her son would prefer they pay for it themselves; Lady Jevington would not ask Alverstoke to pay for her daughter’s debut but it is clear she and her husband are very comfortably off; Mrs. Dauntry, another widow (his heir's mother and distant cousin by marriage), is not well off and does need Alverstoke’s help for even a moderate come out (but it is clear Chloe is young to make her curtsey to society and her mother is nearly as spiteful as Lady Buxted (just prettier and more subtle)) – and Frederica wants nothing for herself, just for her sister to make a comfortable match. Can I just say that we eldest sisters are misunderstood? All we want is what is best for everyone: is it our fault if we sometimes seem managing?
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| My back-up copy |
Chapter 3
Although Charles Trevor (who, it is agreed, we all like very much, even if we disagree on other characters) does not dare remind Alverstoke of his pending invitation, Alverstoke decides to visit Upper Wimpole Street. He notices the house is shabby (can you imagine what it would cost to rent an entire house in London these days?) and is curling his lip when he meets Frederica. She is about 24, with light brown hair and gray eyes (heroine alert!), and is attractively dressed but not “dashing or expensive.” She has friendly manners, which Alverstoke, used to toadeaters, finds surprising. She explains that she had been looking forward introducing her sister to society but discovered her aunt’s family is not sufficiently well connected (in fact, they are in trade). Instead, she applied to Alverstoke for assistance.
“I am seven-and-thirty, ma’am, said Alverstoke, somewhat acidly, “and I should perhaps inform you that I am never of use to anyone!”
Rallying from this negativity, Frederica asks if he could introduce her to Lady Alverstoke, and eventually learns he is unmarried. Not to worry, she says, we can contrive. “We?” he asks ironically, but he is amused by her and his mouth twitches. Frederica explains to him that her father died a year before and she knows they are distantly related, so would like him to introduce her sister Charis (and Frederica herself) to the ton. She realizes that it is more customary for a suitable matron to provide such entrée but most creatively suggests they pretend Alverstoke is their guardian. While Alverstoke recovers his breath, she tells him her family was happy although not affluent, and consists of her, Harry, Charis, Jessamy, and Felix, as well as their maternal aunt Seraphina, who is their chaperone. She explains that she and Charis will have a dowry of £5000 and she wants Charis to make a good match like the Gunning sisters. She rented the family estate in Herefordshire and moved everyone but her brother Harry (at Oxford) to London. Alverstoke politely tells her she is being too ambitious and might have better luck at in Bath or Tunbridge Wells where she and Charis could aspire to a lesser tier of society.
Chapter 4
Fortunately for the Merrivilles, Frederica and Alverstoke are interrupted by her younger siblings, the rambunctious Felix, serious Jessamy, and their irrepressible dog Lufra. Felix immediately describes their unsuccessful outing to see a locomotive and, emboldened by Alverstoke’s response, goes into great detail about his mechanical interests and then Jessamy, who prefers horses, asks many questions about the Marquis’ stable. Alverstoke participates in the conversation, to his own amazement, but is about to make his escape when Charis and her aunt arrive. She is even more beautiful than he had expected and he is impressed.
[Her] words were spoken in a soft, placid voice; and the Marquis, under whose critical eyes the beauties of many season had passed, noted with approval that this one, the most stunning he had yet beheld, used no arts to attract, but, on the contrary seemed to be unconscious of her chares. As one who had figured for years as the most brilliant catch on the Matrimonial Market, he was accustomed to meet with every artifice designed to ensnare him; and it was with approbation that he recognized the younger Miss Merriville’s unconcern.
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| March 1818 Ball Dresses, Ladies' Monthly Museum |
When Alverstoke and Frederica are left alone, he contemplates an idea before making up his mind. Then he tells her he plans to host a ball for one of his nieces and will include her and Charis, and that they will be presented by his sister. Frederica, delighted, laughingly says how fortunate that Charis came home just in time to change his mind, and he agrees. Astutely, Frederica points out that his sister may not like it if Charis’ beauty casts the niece into the shade (it is obvious no one would) but he just smiles. He does not tell her the real reason for his change of heart but makes it clear he has not fallen in love with Charis. Then they try to come up with a an ostensible reason why he would assist barely-known relations, and Frederica suggests he imply he was under an obligation to her father.
Curious about the household, Alverstoke asks her why her brothers aren’t at boarding school and she explains they have had tutors but the tutors eventually fall in love with Charis and have to be dismissed. She says jokingly he could find a tutor if he is taking on family responsibility but he declines. Still, Alverstoke is waylaid by Felix on his way out and finds himself agreeing to take Felix to visit a foundry in Soho.
Thus, by the end of Chapter 4, Alverstoke has agreed to sponsor the Merrivilles basically to punish Lady Buxted for her demands on him (be careful what you wish for, Louisa!). Can you blame him?
Although Frederica and Alverstoke have easy and very candid conversation, she finds him too haughty, and “his eyes were cold, and unpleasantly cynical.” Yet he is about to do her an enormous favor. Is she too critical?
As I said before, the Merrivilles are one of Heyer’s happy families. Yes, Frederica is masterful but she lost her mother at a young age and had to assume control of the family finances to prevent her father from reducing the family to penury. Even the trip to London was financed by cleverly renting out Graynard. Can’t you give her credit for managing the family so advantageously? She gets little help from her brother or aunt.
So, who wants to attend the ball at Alverstoke House?
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