When my friend Lucy Brayton first suggested a night at the opera, I imagined a quiet evening of enjoyment whilst we watched pageantry on stage. I could see myself wrapped snugly in my shawl and perched on a chair at the very back of a theatre, where I could remain perfectly anonymous, taking in the sights.
I do not enjoy calling attention to myself.
“Jane, my little sparrow of a wife.” Edward Rochester, my husband, teases me. But I do not mind. If he is smart, a small bird can observe much of the world around him from a safe vantage point, hiding behind the leaves of a tree.
Lucy had other plans.
“You will need a new dress,” she said, adding more sugar to her tea as we sat in the parlor of her London home.
“My garnet silk will do.” I raised my teacup to hide my smile. It seems that any activity will suffice as an excuse for Lucy to visit her mantua-maker.
“No,” she said with a kind but exasperated expression. “Your garnet silk is lovely, but it simply will not do. Dear friend, I recognize you have no desire to stand out in the crowd—and I have no wish to make you feel uncomfortable. Therefore, you must dress as Society dictates. When you are like them, you can easily blend in without calling undue attention to yourself.”
“Who decides what Society wears?” Now I was curious.
“For nearly a decade and a half, Beau Brummel dictated fashion.” She set down her own cup and folded her hands, assuming a schoolteacher’s posture. “Brummel was a bon vivant and friend of His Majesty, Prince George. As a result, men and women both spent countless coins on their wardrobe, each trying to follow the latest fashions. Indeed, those new boots your husband so admires? The ones my brother wears? That style—tall with tassels—was introduced by Brummel.”
It seems that Brummel advised the Prince in all matters sartorial, until the young upstart grew too bold. Not only did he make fun of George’s increasing girth, he also nicknamed Mrs. Fitzherbert “Benina,” a cruel way of comparing the Prince’s beloved to Big Ben. As a result, Brummel was “cut dead” by the Prince, the social equivalent of being banished. Perhaps the final blow came when the Prince ignored him at a fête, and Brummel dared to ask of His Majesty’s companion, “Who’s your fat friend?”
Not surprisingly, their relationship sputtered to an end. When word went out that he no longer enjoyed the Prince’s patronage, Brummel was hounded by his debtors—and finally fled to France. The Prince took Brummel’s place as the arbiter of all fashion. When he became King, George IV decreed that court dress would be more modern, especially for ladies. Hoops were no longer de rigueur but the necklines would still need to be low cut—and only a doctor’s excuse could circumvent that requirement!
Most alarming of all, it seemed that a train was a part of every formal evening gown.
“I have no experience with this,” I said, as the mantua-maker adjusted the trailing piece of fabric.
“Try walking with it,” Lucy suggested. As she, the seamstress, and her lady’s maid Polly looked on, I stumbled about the parlor.
“Hmmm,” said my friend. “You want practice.”
“But I need to take the gown with me so that I can make more adjustments.” The seamstress frowned, imagining (I am sure) the damage I might do to her creation.
“Leave it to me,” said Polly. “I have an idea.”
So it happened that I spent many hours marching around Lucy’s house wearing a tablecloth pinned to my shoulders. Edward promised not to laugh at me, and for the most part, he succeeded. Little Adèle, his ward, was captivated by my maneuvers. So much so that she pestered Polly until the lady’s maid pinned a tablecloth on her, too.
When the night of the opera finally arrived, I still felt ostentatious in my new apparel, as I am wholly unaccustomed to so much finery. But I am pleased to report that I managed the train quite well. Indeed, it was lighter and easier to maneuver than the heavy damask tablecloth!
Thanks to Penguin, I have one (1) copy of DEATH OF A DOWAGER to give away. Leave a comment to be included in the giveaway. The book will be shipped directly from the publisher. Contest ends April 11; US entries only per publisher’s request.
Meet the author
Joanna Campbell Slan is the author of three mystery series, including The Jane Eyre Chronicles, featuring Charlotte Brontë’s timeless heroine Jane Eyre. Slan’s most recent book is Death of a Dowager (Berkley). Critics have said, “For those who love Jane Eyre, she lives on in Joanna Campbell Slan.” Visit the author at www.JoannaSlan.com or on Facebook.
Books are available at retail and online booksellers.
Sounds delightful…Jane Eyre was my favorite book growing up.
Thank you for the chance to win this. I like books set around Jane Austen’s themes.
this series has been on my WishList!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!
I’d love to win!
Thanks to all of you for visiting! Book club discussion questions will be available soon–and if your book club (12 members or more with viable email addys) chooses a book from my Jane Eyre series, I have a special gift for you the organizer.
Joanna, what a wonderful surprise gift. Thank you.
I can’t wait to read this book! Thanks for the chance!
Loved the first book, can’t wait to read this one.
Love this series and look forward to reading this book.
I just finished Death of a Schoolgirl. Loved it! Can’t wait to read this one!!
sounds like a great read. Thanks for the draw:)
please and thank you
Love the chance to win. Just sayin’ – it’s my birthday. Darn – our book club only has 8 members. Oh, well!
This looks like a charming mystery–I have always loved Jane Eyre. I’ve also enjoyed reading Joanna’s scrapbooking myteries, so I have no doubt this mystery will be fabulous.
i love the image of practicing with a tablecloth!
I would absolutely love to win a copy of this book!
Joanna has a knack for lively conversations and real life portrayals in her writing. If anyone can bring Jane back to life, Joanna can. I can’t wait to read the book.
Would love to have a copy of this book
I love the Brontes. Newly discovering Slan. This book sounds like it has all kinds of lessons, life and craft. Sign me up, please. judydee22002@yahoo dot com
I can just picture myself tripping all over with a tablecloth pinned as a train—-I’m just giggling. This sounds like a fun book. Please enter me in the drawing.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
I tried to find humor in Jane Eyre’s life because I can’t imagine intelligence without humor. Glad to hear that the image of the tablecloth caused a smile or two. That actually was how they’d practice back in the day. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to wash my tablecloth…all that dragging around got it dirty.
Allison, since it IS your birthday, I don’t care if your book club only has eight members. Email me at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com with their valid email addys and your postal address and I’ll send you a Jane Eyre pin to wear proudly–provided that you all discuss one of the two books in my series!
I loved the book Jane Eyre! I am very glad we don’t have to wear trains now.
My type of book thanks for giveaway.
Sound like a fun read. Dee
I had never heard of this series until I read about it on Bronte blog. My public library has both series titles so I’m going to request the Death of a schoolgirl. Death of a dowager sounds even more intriguing.
Sounds like another great read!
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in this new series. Happy to know that now there’s a second one to put on my book list. Thanks for the great update!
Oh please, please pick me! I read the first book in this series and have been eagerly awaiting this release. I would LOVE to win a copy and I promise not only to enjoy it, but to review it! Thank you so much for the chance to win and for the wonderful look at this book and series.
I am so thrilled to see that this many of you love Jane Eyre as I do. Thanks for responding!
Hi, I would love to win a copy of your new book.
I’ve read other books by Joanna, but I somehow missed this series. I love mysteries and I love historical fiction and Jane Eyre. Sounds like a perfect reading match for me.
Love Jane Eyre and what an intriguing idea.
Contest is closed, but comments are always welcome