Page 1 of A Duke, a Virgin and a Baby
CHAPTER ONE
“How long has it been? Surely she has not met her untimely demise in one way or another?”
A snort of disbelief cut through the sharp and pretty tunes of the orchestra, and its owner stated,
“I am sure if such a tragedy had struck, her family would have made a whole show of her passing to amass the sympathy of the ton. No, I think the disappearance of the quaint Miss Snowly is more suspicious than a dire affair. No one has seen or heard from her in six months.”
“Six months?” the first woman echoed, her voice tinged in surprise. “That is quite a long time. And with the season underway, whatever is keeping her out of the ton’s view is costing her a potentially good husband.”
“Perhaps she has already found one and has eloped. I would not be surprised – you know that is what many young ladies prefer these days.”
“If that were the case, then that would explain why her family has fallen silent. No one would dare show their face in public if their child chose to run away with some… unworthy charmer. However, I do see her mother quite often at the bakery and she moves like someone who has nothing to be ashamed of. Perhaps the Miss is merely ill.”
“One would have to be on death’s bed after being that ill for so long. Which would lead us right where we started. I think… she might be with child.”
“Oh, my!”
Anna Munro stifled the urge to sigh again as she refocused her attention on the group of ladies she had been conversing with, letting the gossip that had distracted her fall back into the background noise.
She did not care for it, the disgusting habit many women seemed to pick up without regard for what it made them look like as they tore other people apart with their words.
Those ladies might feign concern, but truly, they were only curious about what had happened to the subject of their discussion and not at all worried about the young lady’s well-being.
Anna gave a small glance around the ballroom, trying to find her mother among the people dancing about, her discomfort growing when she couldn’t catch sight of her.
“My mother has turned it into something of a show for our family, now. With so many suitors coming in and out of our home, she has asked them to write poems on any subject of their choosing, which they will share with us. It has been quite entertaining to listen to the extent of a man’s creative inspiration.” Lady Bloomington sighed, as though she couldn’t find anything more tiresome than the affairs surrounding her search for a husband, managing to capture Anna’s attention once more.
Although she was fond of pretending as though she could do without the gentlemen who boldly expressed their interest in her, pretty much everyone else knew that Lady Bloomington was desperate for a match. She had been heard by a passing maid begging a gentleman not to rescind his proposal behind closed doors, and the fact that she was still unmarried spoke volumes about the outcome of that secret meeting.
“I was fortunate to attend one of such readings and I must say – Lord Rutherford is certainly a highly ranked contender. The man’s voice sounds like it is coated with honey and his words felt as though they were meant for any maiden who happened to hear it.” Miss Cecilia stated with a dreamy sigh.
Cecilia was a close friend of Lady Bloomington and to the trained eye, it was clear to see that she envied the array of men her friend had to choose from. She was far too whimsical and herfantastical thoughts always made men uncomfortable. She had once told a gentleman caller that she expected that after they were wed, she would be expecting five months after the wedding and they were to have no less than seven children by the time she was thirty.
“Well, it wasn’t. It was meant for me.” Lady Bloomington huffed, looking irritated.
“My mama insisted that my betrothed accompany my father on a hunting trip before we are to be wed. She insisted that they got a chance to get along before he joined our family,” Miss Prudence Cabot quickly spoke up, trying to stop an argument from starting.
“Either that or she simply wished to give your father a chance to shoot the poor lad before he stole you away from the family.” Lady Bloomington smirked.
“That is not a kind thing to say, Lady Bloomington, not to mention horribly untrue. Miss Cabot’s parents are thrilled to have Lord Alderidge joining her family and are doing all they can to make him feel welcome. Which is more than I can say for your mother’s choice to make your courtship into a spectacle, berating the men who might fancy you.” Anna spoke up, stepping closer.
Lady Bloomington’s face turned bright red and she huffed angrily before storming off, her friend Cecilia following her closely.
Anna sighed and turned back to Prudence who looked relieved.
“Thank you. You did not have to do that, but your kindness is appreciated.” Prudence told her gently.
Anna shook her head.
“She had no right to say that to you when you are so excited to begin a new journey of your life. Many of us can only still dream of getting that far.”
Prudence had been courted by a Baron at the beginning of the season and although many tried to dissuade him from marrying her, he stood his ground and chose the woman he claimed to have stolen his heart. It was quite fortunate for him that she thought fondly of him as well, enough that she was willing to marry him and leave London to live with him.
“Perhaps if she stopped playing games with her suitors and their affections, she would not be struggling to find a husband so much. Although, I owe my mother all the praise for my betrothal. If she hadn’t insisted that both Lord Alderidge and I admit our interest in one another, we would still be dancing in circles,” Prudence laughed, light and heartily. “But, oh, how wonderful it has been since then. I’m so excited to marry him. I do not believe I’ve ever wanted anything more than this in my life.”
Anna smiled, happy for the young woman but her heart grew heavy with unease as she wondered if she would ever be so fortunate as to experience such a wonderful thing. Although itseemed as though she had managed to attract the attention of a few suitors, they either fell short when it came to meeting Anna’s needs, or things got complicated due to her mother’s interference.
“I am glad to hear your mother was instrumentally helpful in your courtship. Mine… my mother has been acting rather strangely, as of late. My sister married a marquess a few months ago and I suppose it has made her quite… eager, to have me marry just as well. And I know – I really do – that she truly wants my future to be one of comfort and ease. But her methods are a little bothersome.” Anna confessed, feeling more anxious as more time passed without her mother by her side.
