As much as the engagement was a success that filled its way into the scandal sheets, Lexa was torn between eagerness and nervousness. She could not wait to become Edward's wife, and as the month of May rolled away giving into June. The wedding went underway, and Alexa hardly saw Edward, as her mother had her in a busy schedule.
Right now they were on their way to Sally's. Run by the infamous Sally Hawkins, a former courtesan. Sally, a very scandalous woman whose dress shop was situated near Wilton in the small parish village of Bulbridge. Lady Pembroke was horrified by the idea that Lexa should have her wedding gown made by a former courtesan.
"I really don't see why we can't see Miss Thickle," said her ladyship, "she is much more refined in her dressmaking skills."
"Mother," chided Lexa, "Sally's an excellent dressmaker. You even admired my engagement dress."
Lady Pembroke's lips curled in disapproval. "That is where that dress was made?" She humphed, "I can't say that I'm impressed."
"You should be," said Amara, "she does well with her job."
"And you would have her make your wedding gown, Araminta?" Her mother asked. Lexa noted the way she addressed Sally as 'her' was as if she was a lowly creature.
"Yes," said Amara, firmly without hesitation. Lexa smiled at her youngest sister.
"Asteria would have agreed with me," said Lady Pembroke, "had she not gone to see Miss Lowell."
Miss Honorie Lowell who was not only their neighbor, but also Asteria's best girlhood friend was the daughter of Viscount Mayron. While Asteria was in America, Honorie had been updated with what Asteria was doing there. She also found ground with Lexa, as Honorie was also fond of Lexa's interest in natural science. Lexa made a mental note to visit Honorie and tell her of James's newest travel guide.
The carriage suddenly stopped and Lexa's attention snapped as the door was opened and a footman appeared.
"I do hope Sally won't mind our sudden arrival," said Lexa, as the footman help her down, "We are dreadfully late."
"Then perhaps-" began her mother, but Amara cut her off.
"Nonsense," said her youngest sister, "We ought to proceed."
And it was settled quickly. Miss Sarah Hawkins was in fact delighted to see that she had customers. She immediately set Lexa to be measured, and said as she wrapped the measuring tape around Lexa's curved waist, "Ye 'ave a fine waist, m'lady."
She then wrapped the tape and then continued the measurements of Lexa's skirt, chest, arms, and neck. Satisfied with the result, Sally smiled at Lexa and said Lady Pembroke, "I got the measurement write down, m'lady. I will 'ave the dress made 'efore yer daughter's wedding day. I wont to know 'he type of silk needed."
Nodding, Lady Pembroke turned to Lexa, "What color of silk are you preferring to your dress, dear?"
"White silk and lace designs," said Lexa, "As it is the rage these days."
"White's a fine choice," said Sally, "Much ado with 'Er Majesty introducing the 'rend."
"I wouldn't chose white for my wedding," said Amara.
"Dear," said her mother, "You are far to young to talk about marriage."
"Eighteen years isn't young, Mother," said Amara, "But crème ivoire would be a splendid color."
"Araminta..." said Lady Pembroke, "You have been read too much books."
"Hardly romance ones to form my ideas," said Amara, "I'm intrigued by the latest medical reports. You see; I intend to be a nurse."
"A lady, especially the daughter of an earl, should not be engaging with the labors of the workforce."
"Oh Mother," said Lexa, "It wouldn't hurt anyone to gain interest in other subjects other than the domestic duties of a wife."
"Yet you are to become a wife, Alexandra," said her mother, "You are to do your duty, just as I did mine to your father. You must remember that." She turned to Amara, "You as well, Araminta."
"I don't think I want to marry for duty," said Amara, "I want to marry for love."
"No one marries for love," was her mother's reply, "You father and I weren't in love when we married. It developed over time."
"Now they can't get their hands off each other," muttered Lexa. Amara muffled a laugh, just as her mother snapped and turned to glare at her. Her mother was also red in the cheeks. Clearly embarrassed.
Miss Honorie Lowell was beyond pleased when Lexa called on her the next day. Lexa was wearing a salmon pink dress with a pearl choker around her neck. Her hair was nearly done in a tight coiffure. As Viscount and Viscountess Mayron were gone, Honorie was rather glad she had company for a while. As the servant brought in the tea and biscuits into the drawing room, Honorie looked at Lexa and replied, "Of course, I've heard about your engagement. I was worried that you would forever stay spinster studying in your garden."
"I had thought so as well," confessed Lexa, "But my father and His Grace had arranged our marriage."
"Do you at least like him?" asked Honorie, who took a sip of her tea.
"I do," said Lexa setting her cup down.
"That's good," said Honorie. Then her amber eyes sparkled, and added, "Father's had been admitted to the Botanical Society, did you know?"
"No. But I have heard of it," said Lexa. "Lady Arthur Graham moved to London because her husband gained membership."
"Dorothea?" Honorie asked, "Is she in London?"
Lexa nodded, "She came to my engagement party."
"Oh, I'm sorry I never came," apologized Honorie, "I was terribly ill."
Lexa waved her hand, unconcerned, "Do not fret over such matters. I wasn't upset."
Honorie was relieved to hear that.
Tried of being the subject f the topic, Lexa asked Honorie about the ongoing Season.
"Well of course I've danced," said Honorie, "Why else would my mother drag me off to London for?" she then paused and said, "Julie's not so fortune."
"How so?"
"Robert was not even there. Jules said that he's still in Eton."
"He has graduate in order to attend university."
"I wish I could attend university," Honorie bummed.
Lexa snorted. That, the thought of women going to university was not going to happen in the lifetime of Her Majesty. Like the older generations, women's place in society was to the house. Lexa pursed her lips. She was sick of that. Being just the wife, but just the mother, the producer of the heir.
"It isn't going to happen anytime soon," said Lexa in a chipped voice.
"But it happened in Canada," said Honorie, "When I went to visit my cousin, Josephine. Plus, there is a rising suffrage movement going on in London. Have you ever met Miss Elizabeth Garrett Anderson?"
"I have heard of her," said Lexa.
"She's the dean of the London School of Medicine. It is quite remarkable as she is the first woman to become physician. Amara admires her greatly."
"I know," said Lexa, "Amara inspires to be a nurse. Very much like Miss Nightingale."
" Does your mother approve?"
Lexa snorted, "Of course not."
Honorie sighed, "And your father?"
"He would accept it regardless."
"At least you have that."
And Lexa was glad she did.
In the last few days before her marriage, Lexa had a surprise guest. She was just coming from the garden (after dressing herself respectably), when she heard voices and laughter coming from the drawing room. Lexa smoothed out her navy blue dress, and once she entered the drawing room. Her mother, sisters, and the guest stood up to face her.
The guest was a lady no more than eighteen years. She had dark brown hair that was neatly done into a tight coiffure, and her dark hazel eyes were sparkling with mirth. She was wearing an evergreen dress with white lace ruffles on the sleeves. She wore a matching hat and her gloved hand clutched to purse.
She looked familiar, and the lady's face was expectant, as if she expected Lex to remember.
"Come now, Alex," said the guest, in her strong American accent, "Don't tell me you've already forgotten."
She hadn't been called Alex since her days in America. Lexa confusedly looked at the guest, and then turned to see Amara, Asteria, and Lady Pembroke waiting for her to remember they were all smiling, as if what they were watching was far too amusing.
Then a light went up and her face lit recognition as she stared at her guest. "Phoebe! Phoebe, is that you?"
Miss Phoebe Abernathy laughed and clamped her gloved hands together in delight, as her purse slumped to her lap. "I was afraid you'd completely forgotten me, Alex."
Phoebe got up from where she sat and Lexa hugged her in delight.
"Never," said Lexa, "I would never. But why did you stop with the letters?"
"I am so sorry," said Phoebe, "It's just the Abernathy hotel's been expanding beyond the States. Father sent me with Seth to open the Abernathy hotel in London."
The two of them sat and Lexa exclaimed, "I have heard of that. It's to be opened in Westminster, am I correct?"
Phoebe nodded, "I heard about your engagement as well. To the Marquess of Douro?"
Lexa blushed, "Yes."
"I saw him," mused Phoebe, "Madeleine invited me over to her place when I saw him with his father."
Now that Lexa thought about it, Phoebe looked strangely like Edward. Where they related? Lexa shook her head. No, it was impossible. Edward had said he was an only child.
"Come now," said Lexa, "How have you been? I need updates on what you have been doing since I left."
Phoebe shrugged, "Nothing really changed, Alex. Your cousin, Bertha Croft married Seth in an elaborate wedding. Minerva's mother, Mrs. Jackson finally gave birth to a son, the much-awaited heir, and ..." she trailed off, "I can't think of much, really."
"I have heard of Cousin Bertha's marriage," said Lexa, "Asteria told us."
Phoebe fondly looked at Asteria, "Where you at the wedding?"
"Of course," said Asteria, "I would not miss it. Aunt Althea had Betsy and I prepare everything."
"And it was Seth she married to," said Lexa, "Now she's an Abernathy by marriage."
"Yes she is," said Phoebe, "I'm rather glad. I like Bertha far more than Griselda Button."
"I really don't understand why you dislike Miss Button so much. I found her to very sweet."
Phoebe snorted. "That was years ago. Now she's a total strumpet."
"Phoebe!" exclaimed Lexa, "That's not polite."
"I don't give a fig about politeness. You should know that by now, Alex."
"Why the hostility?"
"She broke his heart," Phoebe flatly replied.
"Seth?"
"Yes. He was infatuated with her, for years. It tore him apart when she betrayed him."
"How?"
"They were betrothed to be married," sighed Phoebe, "It was to a autumn wedding. Everyone was invited. But when she left him at the alter; he was humiliated. And even worse was the scandal sheets could stop talking about it. It took months for the gossip to die down. And when it did. He was changed forever."
"But everything's alright now," said Lexa in a attempt cheerful tone, "He's married now to Bertha."
"Yes," concluded Phoebe, "I do hope they have a happy marriage."
Lexa couldn't help but agree with her.
"Speaking of," said Phoebe, "When's your wedding?"
Lexa stopped to think. Good heavens! She completely forgot about her wedding. Looking at the expectant Phoebe, "She said, "Net week or so."
"Let's just hope, its not on the opening of the hotel," said Phoebe.
"When is the opening?" asked Lexa
"I don't know," said Phoebe, "I will have to consult Mr. Kenner about it."
"Let's hope it doesn't fall on the day of my wedding."
"Yes," said Phoebe, "One can only hope."