Page 85 of A Winter By the Sea
The duke wore a red coat with gold braid and epaulets over light pantaloons, a blue sash across his chest. Without a hat, his bald pate gleamed by candlelight, or perhaps with perspiration.
The duchess wore an evening dress with a flounced necklineand puffed oversleeves over sheer full-length sleeves. Dangling earrings caught the candlelight and swung as she nodded to those she met. A small plumed hat sat atop her head, and dark hair curled on both sides of her face. She looked lovely, yet her demeanor was reserved, and Emily noticed her glance at her husband more than once in measuring concern.
She and Sarah joined the queue, looking around in curiosity and occasionally exchanging greetings with people they knew, Mrs. Fulford among them.
Charlotte Cornish noticed Emily and stopped to speak to her in the receiving line. “Miss Summers. I did not expect to see you here.”
“Did you not?”
“Well, no. Your family is not ... That is, you did not mention you were coming when I saw you at church.”
“That is true.”
“I suppose you were invited on account of your sister’s husband?”
“Not at all. I wonder you should think so.”
Their turn came, and from the corner of her eye, Emily saw that Miss Cornish lingered, perhaps curious to witness the Duke of Kent’s reception of two boarding-house keepers.
“Ah, Miss Summers!” he boomed, a smile brightening his plump, sweaty face. “How good of you to come.”
A wave of pleasure swept through Emily at this mark of kind remembrance. She was glad Charlotte was near enough to hear Prince Edward use her name.
He turned to his wife. “My dear, this is one of our near neighbors. I believe I mentioned her. Mr. Thomson is staying with them, as are a few others.” He added something in German and the duchess nodded and smiled at her.
Emily turned to include Sarah. “Please allow me to introduce my sister, Miss Sarah Summers.”
Sarah curtsied.
Emily added, “And you probably met another of our sisters earlier—Mrs. Hutton?”
“Ah, the major’s wife, yes. You are all very welcome. Do help yourself to refreshments in the next room.”
He turned to hide a cough. “It seems I could use a cup of tea myself. Pray, excuse me. Throat is a bit dry.”
But Emily knew more than a dry throat was ailing him.
They thanked the royal pair and moved on.
Emily glimpsed Mr. Lousada and nodded to Sir John and Lady Kennaway. Lady Kennaway paused to greet them, asking after their mother’s health.
As they stood chatting, Emily saw James Thomson, striking in full evening attire, talking with an equally well-dressed gentleman perhaps ten years his senior.
“Who is that?” Emily wondered aloud.
Lady Kennaway looked over. “I don’t know the younger man, but the other is Sir Thomas Acland, baronet and former member of Parliament.”
Emily wondered what the two men were talking about so earnestly.
A short while later, Lady Kennaway’s attention was claimed by someone else in the crowd.
Mr. Thomson nodded farewell to the baronet and stepped over to greet Emily and Sarah.
“I am glad to see you here.” He bowed. “You both look lovely.”
“Thank you for inviting us.”
“You are a guest of Their Royal Highnesses. I am but a hired pen.” He sent her a sly wink. At his veiled reference to her secret occupation as writer for hire, Emily bit back a grin.
