Charlottes education continues apace as the war in Europe starts to swing against Napoleon. Charlotte, Annabelle and Clarissa have their coming out year and are presented to the King. This make a girl eligible to marry and William asks for Charlottes hand in marriage - this caused consternation with her mother.

The next day mama and Miss M dressed me very carefully and styled my hair then I want down into the sitting room to meet Mr Dillman again.
He looked at me and breathed, “Enchanting Miss Grenford absolutely enchanting.”

He then sat me as he wanted to then asking if I were comfortable. Once I had confirmed I was comfortable he sat opposite and started to sketch me.
Sitting so still was an absolute torment for me but I thought that the result would be worth it, as William will have a splendid portrait of me.
After 5 days he finally was satisfied with the sketches he had produced – it was not a moment too soon for me.

The rest of the season passed in a whirl of theatre, balls, visits to the pleasure gardens and one to the coast we went to Brighton. This was the first time I had seen the sea and I was truly amazed actually seeing the expanse of water.

Unfortunately I did not see William as he was with his regiment. I was disappointed and started to question my feelings for him. I had read Miss Austen novel ‘First Impressions’ (Historical note Later renamed Pride and Prejudice) and knew about love but was I in love? These musings really concerned me for if I was in love surely this was wrong.

We went back to the country and our life continued very much as before I was being refined more and more until I was the finished article namely a young Lady of breeding ready in all respects to take her place in society.

A few months after we had left London my miniature for William arrived I was delighted with it as it really made me look exceedingly attractive.
Edward surprised me by engaging the artist to do a portrait size picture as he said that it really caught my innocence and beauty!
Mama’s reaction really surprised me as she burst into tears exclaiming, “Oh my dear, dear daughter you have turned out so beautiful.”

I sent the miniature to William with a hand written note on the back saying ‘From Charlotte to William a token’.
His letter back to me was loving and dare I say it somewhat passionate (not the done thing) he loved the picture and had purchased a small silver box to keep it safe as he intended to carry the picture of his beloved (me) where ever he went.
That letter was very well concealed from mama – I was thrilled that he called me his beloved.

Then in late 1805 part of Williams regiment was deployed to Germany to liberate Hanover (where our King originally called home).

In October 1805 the Battle of Trafalgar took place and England lost her greatest Admiral Lord Nelson. Edward was quite upset by this as he admired Lord Nelson greatly.

Lord Nelsons body was returned to England preserved in a barrel of Brandy he had a full state funeral In January 1806 which William and Mama went to at St Paul's while I watched from a vantage point with Annabelle and Clarissa.

The funeral parade was spectacular as befitted the saviour of our nation. There was in total 5 days of national mourning

William’s regiment returned home in February 1806 for that period I had been so afraid for him and said so in my letters.
His letters were part passionate calling me his beloved and the rest a military report telling me how they were the vanguard on the advance and rear guard on the withdrawal as always he told me how much he missed me and how much he wanted to see me again. (Another letter mama must not find)

I saw William when we went to London for the season and once again we were always seen together though always with a chaperone and he still could only touch me when we were dancing or when helping me should I stumble.
Mama noticed our relationship was getting stronger and I could see that it did concern her but I had no knowledge why.

In 1807 William took part in the second battle of Copenhagen under Arthur Wellesley where they captured the Danish Fleet then the army withdrew back to England.
Again I was with William at Christmas, which was held at Grenford Hall Annabelle, Clarissa and I were really firm friends and to have them with me for a whole month was excellent.
As their regiments were in England all of Annabelle and Clarissa’s brothers were present and this naturally included my William. (which is how I thought of him)

He had changed quite a lot since I first met him. Now he was broad and very muscular and I noticed very self-assured though to ladies he was always the epitome of a gentleman.
He had (to my eyes) always been handsome but now he was ruggedly handsome as I say this I mean that to some extent he was no longer a ‘soft’ son of privilege.

When I mentioned it he laughed it off explaining that as an independent scouting company he is in very close contact with his men, which had caused him to harden a touch. He fleetingly touched my hand (A social taboo) saying, “But to you dearest Charlotte I would never harm you’.

Again we spent as much time as society allowed together again to mama’s obviously growing concern.
We three girls were told that 1808 was the year we would be ‘coming out’ the season of 1808 would be for us a while of coming out balls and of course being introduced to the king.

This was an essential process for a young lady of society and proclaimed that they were eligible for marriage when William was told he said to me when we were out of earshot of others, “Next Year dear Charlotte I will speak to your brother as you must know I have feelings for you!”

These words caused my heart to flutter I exclaimed, “But William we cannot be one until I am 21.” He smiled that wonderful warm smile of his answering, “Sweetest Charlotte I don’t want to loose you we can become betrothed.”

We left things at that and after Christmas made ready to move early to London and Lord Beaufort was sitting in Parliament as was Lord Ffinch and my brother Edward was to be introduced to people who would help him in public life.

Another reason is that for the coming out season a girl must have clothes and lots of them as there are lot’s of balls to attend and it would be a social faux pas to be seen in the same gown.

Also there was the special ‘court gown’.

I will have to explain this. In 1808 the fashion was for Empire Style dresses, which were loose and soft flowing unfortunately the Court of St. James’s had not caught up with this so the ‘Court Gown’ was totally different.

Hoops and wide skirts had gone out of fashion decades earlier. For my dress the hoops were worn under a petticoat, which made the gown exceedingly wide and exceedingly difficult to walk in. Over these hoops my skirt of rich white satin that was covered in fine white and gold lace.
My tight fitting bodice was also white satin but had handmade silk roses in white and softest pinks as decoration.

Etiquette demanded a debutante wear from three to eight ostrich feathers in her headdress so collectively our mothers decided that seeing as Clarissa’s social standing was slightly higher than Annabelle or myself she would wear six feathers while Annabelle and I would wear four a small thing but essential in our society.

The first time we were all together and the plumes had been affixed to our tiara I really felt sorry for Clarissa as these plumes seemed to have a mind of their own controlling four was difficult but for poor Clarissa six must have been awful.

After we had practiced walking in these special gowns and had changed into a lot more comfortable walking dress Clarissa complained to us about her plume’s Annabelle teased her about her social standing and we all ended laughing and giggling in a very unladylike manner.

Then came the day we were introduced to the King and Queen three landau’s had been hired as with the court dresses we needed larger coaches than we had.
Also our mothers were also in court dress and our fathers - or in my case Edward wore dress uniform.

The journey to the Court was both exciting and full of apprehension I was praying that the three of us would be able to walk in these cumbersome dresses and that none of us would commit a social faux pas also that our ostrich plumes would behave especially poor Clarissa’s six plume’s!

We arranged ourselves in order of precedence with Clarissa being ahead as her father was an Earl while Annabelle and I were included in the ranks of the Viscount’s – and we were the only two this year.
So we were close together the rest of the ladies being presented were of a lower social rank hence queued behind us.
The meeting of the King and Queen was really a bit of an anti climax. Our parents presented us we gave a deep curtsy (very difficult with the hooped skirt) and then we moved on the introductions over.
This then meant that we were eligible young ladies a target for young males the thing now was to make a match that is beneficial to both families.

And so began the rounds of balls, theatre, tea’s and promenading always with our chaperone’s now the three of us girls had been presented we began to receive invitations to different functions or my brother and/or mama would be invited in the hope that I would accompany them.

Promenading was another essential social function where we would wear really rich dresses then ride in an open carriage through the royal parks or walking in Hyde Park.

It was a wonderful period of my life I saw William on many occasions and by now I had decided that I was in love with him though I did not fully understand all the ramifications of this.

Then in August 1808 his regiment went to Portugal from his letters (again were part passionate and very personal and part a military report) I gleaned that the 95th had landed first and dug in covering the landing of the rest of the army.
Then they had a skirmish with the French at Obidos where Williams superior officer was killed a certain Lieutenant Ralph Bunbury. William received a battlefield promotion to Lieutenant, which was later confirmed by the commanding officer of the regiment.

I meanwhile was blossoming although Mother Boville had unfortunately died at the grand age of 80!
Mama made sure that she had a good funeral ensuring that there were refreshments available for everyone on the estate.
Her potion had most certainly worked as my breasts were full and comely the size of two very large oranges. My hips were wide and my waist a slender 18” wearing a corset.
By now my hair was down to my rather pert derriere it was always worn in a bun with ringlets covered by a jaunty bonnet.

The close of 1808 and we had Christmas at Lord Beaufort’s estate us three girls were present but no men folk as they were all away serving their country the talk of the elder men was all about the army in Portugal apparently they were fighting their way through the country.

We three girls tried to act as normal but we were worried Annabelle and Clarissa about their brothers and I about my dear William.
In January 1809 we went to London as Edward was now a member of the House of Lords and as the country was at war Parliament was nearly always in session.

We received news about the Battle at Corrunna where the French were heavily defeated but at great cost I was frantic with worry was my William still alive?
Finally in the middle of March I received a letter from William telling me he was safe but that the 95th had taken many casualties however the good news was that most of the regiment was returning to England to re-equip and re-fit.

He told me that on this time in England he was going to speak to Edward and ask for my hand in marriage!
I had just received this letter when he arrived home! I was so very pleased to see him that it took me all of my restraint not to rush into his arms.
He looked drawn but exceedingly dashing with he new insignia of rank on his uniform.

We met socially and he showed me the small silver box that contained my portrait. The box was exceedingly battered but the portrait was still perfect. He told me that whenever he is going into action he looked at my likeness and pray to return to me.
I was so very touched that tears came to my eyes.

Then he arrived at our house one morning – I spied him as I descended the staircase he had a resolute look on his face and much to my vexation did not look my way.
He was shown immediately into Edwards study and I guessed that the purpose of his visit involved myself.
In a state of agitation I entered the drawing room where Mama was doing her embroidery. “Who was that at the door darling” she asked me. “William mama he is with Edward.”
Mama looked startled and “Oh” escaped her lips. I sat down and picked up my embroidery not looking her way.
Edward was the head of the household even though mama was very much alive but on all things concerning the family– including my future his decision was final though he did rely on mama’s knowledge and often deferred to her judgement.

A maid knocked and entered saying, “Lady Arabella Lord Edward would like to speak with you.” I could feel mama looking at me as she stood and followed the maid. I sat trying to sew but fretting wondering what was happening in the study.

After what seemed like an age the maid appeared and I was asked to go to the study.
When I arrived there stood William with mama sitting my brother Edward was not in the room.
I went and stood near William mama looked sadly at the two of us before speaking, “Charlotte, William is here today to ask for your hand in marriage.”

I gasped not knowing what to think of feel. Mama continued looking at William,
“I have been aware that you are very much taken with my daughter but I must ask you to reconsider.”

William stood straight looking at mama and answered, “Lady Arabella if I would like to speak frankly if I may.”
Mama looked startled as this was unheard of eventually she nodded giving William permission to speak.

He began, “Lady Arabella I have been seeing Charlotte for the past 5 years I have seen her blossom from a attractive child to a sophisticated, eligible and beautiful girl – who I love deeply and respect highly.”

He stopped to draw breath mama was about to speak when William continued, “Please Lady Arabella let me finish and then if you still do not want me to marry Charlotte I will abide by your opinion and never see Charlotte again.”

Without thinking I blurted, “Oh no please no!”

Mama looked sharply at me before speaking, “Please continue William.” William nodded and looking at me with adoration in his eyes continued, “Lady Arabella I have thought long and hard but I love Charlotte deeply and as I have already said I would never do anything that would cause her any harm.”

I gasped at this then he carried on, “You see Lady Arabella I know why you do not want me to marry my love Charlotte. I have known for five years her secret and I simply do not care. To me Charlotte to me is a charming accomplished and very beautiful girl who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”

I was totally unaware of the silence that had descended as I gasped, “Oh William I do so love you.”

Historical Note: Nelsons final voyage and funeral - Nelson's body was placed in a cask of brandy mixed with camphor and myrrh, which was then lashed to the Victory's mainmast and placed under guard. Victory was towed to Gibraltar after the battle, and on arrival the body was transferred to a lead-lined coffin filled with spirits of wine..
Collingwood's dispatches about the battle were carried to England aboard HMS Pickle, and when the news arrived in London, a messenger was sent to Merton Place to bring the news of Nelson's death to Emma Hamilton. She later recalled,
They brought me word Mr. Whitby from the Admiralty. "Show him in directly", I said. He came in, and with a pale countenance and faint voice, said, "We have gained a great Victory." – "Never mind your Victory", I said. "My letters – give me my letters" – Captain Whitby was unable to speak – tears in his eyes and a deathly paleness over his face made me comprehend him. I believe I gave a scream and fell back, and for ten hours I could neither speak nor shed a tear.
King George III, on receiving the news, is alleged to have said, in tears, "We have lost more than we have gained."
The Times reported
We do not know whether we should mourn or rejoice. The country has gained the most splendid and decisive Victory that has ever graced the naval annals of England; but it has been dearly purchased.
The first tribute to Nelson was fittingly offered at sea by sailors of Vice-Admiral Dmitry Senyavin's passing Russian squadron, which saluted on learning of the death.
Nelson's body was unloaded from the Victory at the Nore. It was conveyed upriver in Commander Grey's yacht Chatham to Greenwich and placed in a lead coffin, and that in another wooden one, made from the mast of L'Orient, which had been salvaged after the Battle of the Nile.
He lay in state in the Painted Hall at Greenwich for three days, before being taken upriver aboard a barge, accompanied by Lord Hood, chief mourner Sir Peter Parker, and the Prince of Wales.
The Prince of Wales at first announced his intention to attend the funeral as chief mourner, but later attended in a private capacity with his brothers when his father George III reminded him that it was against protocol for the Heir to the Throne to attend the funerals of anyone except members of the Royal Family.
The coffin was taken into the Admiralty for the night, attended by Nelson's chaplain, Alexander Scott. The next day, 9 January, a funeral procession consisting of 32 admirals, over a hundred captains, and an escort of 10,000 soldiers took the coffin from the Admiralty to St Paul's Cathedral.
After a four-hour service he was interred within a sarcophagus originally carved for Cardinal Wolsey. The sailors charged with folding the flag draping Nelson's coffin and placing it in the grave instead tore it into fragments, with each taking a piece as a memento.

Coming Out Ceremony the “coming out” ceremony coincided with the start of the London high social season (just after Easter). Two or three days would be set aside for the presentations, about one to two hundred girls each day queuing up in their carriages outside St. James’s Palace (later Buckingham Palace), carrying bouquets and dressed rather like it was their wedding day.
For much of the 1800s wedding dresses were actually simpler than court gowns, brides often selecting something that could be worn again, even dark coloured travelling suits acceptable.
Later in the century some women had their presentation outfit altered for their nuptials, and the modern wedding dress is probably a direct descendant of the white silk debutante court gown.
Applications for young ladies inclusion in the coming out ceremony were required to be made by ladies who themselves had been presented to the sovereign when they were young, often the mother, grandmother, step-mother, or someone else known by the family; the higher in aristocratic rank the better.