Page 10 of The Lady’s Guide to Deception and Desire
“And where is it we shall be going?” Rosamund spun about, only now thinking to ask.
He cupped his hands to his mouth, and she heard his answer clearly, carried to her through the wind and the cry of the gulls who’d stirred at last from their shaded perches.
“Studborne Abbey.”
Chapter 4
“So clever of you, honey-sweet.”Mrs. Burnell leaned across the carriage to squeeze Rosamund’s hand. “An invitation from a duke, no less!”
Rosamund summoned a wan smile. “Hardly from the duke, Ma. It’s his nephew who has invited us.”
She was still reeling from the turn of events. Even when Mr. Studborne’s letter had arrived, proposing that they join the family at the abbey, she hadn’t realized the significance of the embossed notepaper.
Only when the handsome equipage in black had rolled up, the crest painted large upon the carriage door, had she taken in the true honour.
Mrs. Appleby, who’d been helping them pack their trunks, had come running out to greet the driver, passing along her best wishes to the cook and housekeeper at the abbey, and asking after the health of His Grace.
Her mother’s ears had pricked up.
“Perhaps the duke himself will take a fancy to you, my love.” Her mother's mind was clearly hell-fired and racing.
Rosamund merely looked out at the passing countryside. The sea lay behind them now, rolling hills replacing the heathlands and dunes of the coast.
Were youth and fair looks enough to win a man’s heart?
Rosamund had nothing else obvious to offer. No connections. No dowry.
Her father seemed unlikely to have a change of heart on that front.
The duke mightn’t be in need of a wealthy match but, surely, could take his pick of any lady. An upstart American would hardly be his idea of the perfect spouse.
She slipped her hand from her mother’s grasp and returned to stroking Pom Pom, curled on the seat beside her.
A meandering river, sunk low from lack of rainfall, followed the gentle incline of the road. They entered woodlands, the tunnel of leaves obscuring the light before the carriage emerged again into dappled sunshine.
It served her right of course.
She’d sent a wish out into the world, for Fate to send them a lifeline, and here it was—in the shape of some elderly widower who might "take a fancy to her", as her mother put it.
What then?
Was she supposed to set aside all personal feeling and let him woo her, if he seemed so inclined?
“We must show you to best advantage.” Her mother beamed at Rosamund. “You’ll have my grandmother’s ruby necklace, and the matching earrings; be sure to put them on when we dine.”
Mrs. Burnell had taken to wearing the necklace always, beneath her blouse for safekeeping, but she’d passed it into Rosamund's care, in honour of her birthday, along with the matching earbobs.
Of course, the pieces would have to be sold if they were to fund a stay in any of the fashionable places. Meanwhile, anyone seeing the gems adorning Rosamund would assume her to be the heiress she’d been not so long ago.
Rosamund’s mother was still talking.
“Apparently, the duke was much devoted to his late wife. The heart takes time to heal in such cases, so he mayn’t be looking for a bride at present.”
Mrs. Burnell tapped her chin. “You might need to remind him of why such a thing is appealing. Don’t be too subtle, Rosamund. Mrs. Appleby tells me he’s yet to father an heir, and you’ll be sure to fall in the family way as soon as he lays hands on you. Naturally, after the marriage ceremony would be preferable, but there are more ways than one towards the altar.”
“Really, Ma!” Rosamund rolled her eyes. It was no secret that her own birth had occurred a mere six months after her parents’ nuptials, but she was sure it wasn’t the done thing among the gentry. At least, she didn’t remember reading of it in any of Miss Austen’s novels.
“Best to be prepared.” Mrs. Burnell folded her hands in her lap with a smug expression. “Don’t forget the book I gave you for your birthday, my love. There’s more than etiquette in there, though goodness knows, the advice on table settings is welcome. These English have so many rules!”
