Page 53 of A Duke for Adela
“It should be my turn by then,” Marigold said. “We can enjoy the Season together.”
“That is very sweet of you,” Gory said, “but I have no intention of wasting my life on a fruitless endeavor.”
Adela took her hand. “Don’t you wish to be married?”
“To one of those clowns on the marriage mart? No. I plan to save up enough funds to get me to Scotland. They do not frown on women holding positions of knowledge there. My father was an earl, so that should lend me some standing.”
“You could find yourself a Scot to marry right here. Some of them come down to London for the Season. Any one of them would take you back to Scotland,” Syd suggested.
“That won’t work. Then I would have to be his wife, and if he is titled, then he will expect me to carry out the duties of a lady.”
“But were you not trained for this?” Adela asked.
Gory arched an eyebrow and cast her a wry glance. “Like all the othertondiamonds? Yes. But I just want to be left alone to learn all I can about medicine. Why should my uncle care? He inherited a prosperous estate and does not need to marry me off to secure the family’s fortunes. I’ve begged him to let me be, but he ignores all of my pleas.”
Adela frowned. “Why do you think he is pushing you out in Society, Gory?”
“I don’t know.” She shook her head and sighed. “It has nothing to do with his caring for my welfare. I think he wants me out of the house and away from him and his wife. He wants me away and married to some clunch who will keep me out of his hair permanently.”
“Then should he not be putting some effort into marrying you off?” Adela asked. “Surely, a few new gowns cannot be too much of an expense for him to manage.”
“I thought the same, but those two– my uncle and his wife– are acting very strangely lately. Something about this inheritance business does not feel right, but none of the solicitors will tell me anything, nor will my father’s bankers give me the time of day.”
Syd took her hand. “Perhaps this shall be our next investigation. Imagine the doors that will be open to us once Adela is a duchess. No clerk is going to condescend to the Duchess of Huntsford.”
“Oh, look! We are passing near The Red Drake now.” Adela knocked on the roof of the carriage to gain the driver’s attention. “My friends wish to be dropped off here.”
The driver drew the team to a halt and one of the footmen positioned at the rear of the carriage climbed down to assist Syd and Gory.
“Thank you,” they said, tittering as they scurried off.
The footman and driver both turned to Adela and eyed her warily, no doubt ready to report this suspicious action to Ambrose.
Oh, dear.
Perhapsthiswould tip him over the edge and cause him to end their betrothal.
Well, the damage was done.
No going back now.
She sank against the plush squabs as the carriage rolled on. “Marigold, I’m so sorry. We are setting a terrible example for you.”
“Not at all. This is the most fun I’ve had since arriving in London.” She leaned forward and gave Adela’s hand a light squeeze. “Please do not worry about me. I think I am clever enough to understand what you are doing is dangerous. I would not have followed your friends to that tavern. Nor would I have chased that bounder through the museum.”
Adela breathed a sigh of relief. “Good.”
“But I do see the importance of making something of myself beyond the role of wife. Oh, I would still love to marry. But the man must be someone like these Thorne men, encouraging to all who seek knowledge and not threatened by ladies who have a little brain matter between their ears. Julius seemed awfully nice. Do you think he is in love with anyone? He was paying a lot of attention to Gory. I like her, too. Do you think he will ever notice me?”
Adela cast her a sympathetic smile. “I wish I could be more helpful, but I only met His Grace’s brothers today. I know as much about them as you do. But Marigold, I know you will charm dozens of men when you have your come-out. Maybe Julius will be among them, assuming you are still interested in him a couple of years from now.”
Marigold nodded. “I suppose.”
To Adela’s surprise, the Duke of Lotheil’s impressive conveyance was standing in front of Eloise’s home when they arrived.
Marigold gave her a quick hug. “I shall tell Aunt Sophie I had a marvelous time with you today, but will not reveal any of the sordid details. I’m sure they’ll find out soon enough since this seems to be what we Farthingales do best, nose about and snoop.”
Adela watched her run to the Farthingale house next door, making certain the girl made it inside when the faithful Farthingale butler, Pruitt, opened the door to allow her in. Only then did Adela hurry through Eloise’s gate, now curious about what the duke had to report.
