Lady Flora's Fantasy by Shirley Kennedy Read Free Book Online Page B

and the Four-in-Hand Club."
    "Time to go, Dashwood." Lord Lynd’s voice held a certain weariness that Flora did not understand.
    * * * *                                                                                                                                                                                                       
    Later, after all the guests had gone, Lady Rensley expressed her delight that Flora was coming to London for the Season. "What made you change your mind?"
    "I'm not sure ." Not for the world would she reveal her infatuation with Lord Dashwood.
    "Well, whatever the reason, I am very glad, not only for your sake, but Amy's." A shadow of concern crossed her mother’s face. "Your sister does not attract suitors the way you do. If only she weren't such a little mouse."
    "She's not a mouse," said Flora, hotly defending her sister. "When she's around us, she's not a mouse in the least. It's only when she's out in public she turns shy."
    "True." In a rare instance of perception Lady Rensley added, "It must be difficult, having an older sister who's the belle of the ball. Doubtless Amy feels inferior because she's so plain."
    "Amy feels she's passed over. No wonder, the way everyone puts such a high value on shallow beauty. Why can't men see how witty she is? Why will they not notice the glorious poetry she writes? How kind and patient she is?" Flora grimaced. "Much more so than I."
    Her mother sniffed, obviously returning to her usual insensitive self. "Well, she needs to be a little less dull and a bit more slender."
    Flora heaved an inward sigh. "Don't worry, I shall keep an eye on her and she'll be fine." Flora knew her reassurance was oversimplified. The only possible way Amy could blossom would be if she, Flora, was married and out of the picture. A week ago, she would not have thought such a solution was possible. Now, thinking of Lord Dashwood, she wasn't so sure.
     
     
     
     
    Chapte r 4
     
    London
     
    "Amy, you look..." Flora struggled to keep a straight face. "Very nice."
    "I do?" Amy, who was trying on her Court Presentation costume, turned, regarded herself in the mirror, and burst into laughter. She playfully tweaked one of the seven huge purple plumes of her elaborate headdress which Baker, their lady's maid, had just placed upon her head. "Oh, my stars, I look ridiculous."
    "You look marvelous, and most appropriate," said the ever-sober-faced Baker, a stringent follower of all society's rules.
    Flora silently agreed Amy looked ridiculous, although she would never say so. When she herself was presented at court, she railed at the costume she was forced to wear: the huge, high-waisted hoop skirt of waxed calico over whalebone; three layers of skirts and over them a skirt of pink satin so elaborately decorated there was hardly a spot that wasn't covered by lace, garlands of flowers, little tassels, or lavish embroidery.
    Worse was the headdress which had to be constructed according to the many strict requirements made by a court protocol which must absolutely be obeyed. Since a minimum of seven plumes was required, her mother had insisted upon eight, just to be on the safe side. 'Elaborate' was the key. Aside from the plumes, the headdress consisted of a garland of white roses upon a ringlet of pearls, a diamond comb, diamond buckles and white silk tassels. Absolutely the worst of garish taste. To make matters worse, Flora, who adored the empire-waisted styles of the Regency which were simplicity personified, was required to adorn herself with every piece of jewelry for which she could find a place. The result was an absurdity.
    Flora hated wearing such ornate trappings atop her head, but at least, being tall, she could carry it off. Not so, short, chubby Amy, who now looked totally