Page 15 of The Duke of Seduction
Chapter 3
She walks soft, her steps kiss the sand.
Her copper hair glows in each strand.
She speaks sure, with wisdom and wit,
To her charm, I wholly submit.
-FromAn Ode to Lady Lavinia Gillingham
by The Duke of Seduction
Hopefully tonight’smusical performance will be entertaining.
Lavinia determined that was the only way the evening would be saved. After a second poem,A Song for Lady Lavinia Gillingham, addressing her attributes had appeared in that morning’s paper, she’d wanted to bury her head in a book and stay in her room for a week. Her parents, however, had differing ideas.
Mother was ecstatic and had even insisted on dragging Lavinia—and Sarah, since she loved shopping, and Lavinia wouldneverturn down an opportunity to have her best friend at her side—to Bond Street that afternoon for something new for Lavinia to wear this evening.
They’d actually found a ready-made gown that required only minor alterations, and so now Lavinia found herself outfitted in the most recent evening fashion. The gown was ivory with a small repeating pattern of pink flowers with green leaves. The hem bore a wide flounce with a ruffled edge and was topped with rosettes of pink silk. The short sleeves and bodice were worked with more of the pink silk and another ruffled edge. A matching wrap completed the ensemble along with a pair of ivory gloves, ivory slippers, and a bandeau for her head with another trio of pink rosettes. With the floral pattern and the profusion of rosettes and pink, she felt like a bloody garden.
Sarah had assured her she would look lovely and would be the envy of every woman at the musical performance. Upon arriving, Lavinia squinted over the attendees in an attempt to find Sarah, but couldn’t locate her. Instead, she noticed Miss Pemberton, who’d received the Duke of Seduction’s attentions before Lavinia.
Without pause, Lavinia marched over to the young woman who stood with a couple who were probably her parents. Miss Pemberton’s eyes lit with recognition as Lavinia approached.
“Good evening, Lady Lavinia.”
“Good evening, Miss Pemberton. Might we take a turn?”
“Yes, let’s.” Miss Pemberton turned to her mother and excused herself, then linked her arm with Lavinia. They started off on a circuit of the Fortescues’ large drawing room. “I’m so glad you came to speak with me.”
“I thought it prudent that we join forces,” Lavinia said.
Miss Pemberton’s pale blonde head tipped forward. “Because of this Duke of Seduction nonsense.”
Lavinia blinked at her, thrilled to hear she thought it was nonsense. “I’m so glad we agree. It’s ludicrous. The attention, I mean. No one cared who I was or what I did until he wrote a poem.”
“A poem that isn’t based on anything,” Miss Pemberton scoffed. “I don’t know a single gentleman who could—or should—write such things about me.”
“Me neither. It should be a scandal, but since it’s worked for three young ladies, it’s suddenly acceptable.”
“Enviable even,” Miss Pemberton said with distaste. “My mother thinks it’s the best thing that could have happened to me.”
“Mine too!” It felt so good to have an ally. Sarah and Fanny had, of course, been incredibly supportive, but they hadn’t endured it. Miss Pemberton had.
“The attention might not be such a bother if the men were genuine.” Miss Pemberton peered at her with pale-lashed, light brown eyes.
Lavinia wasn’t sure she agreed with the former sentiment, but the latter was certainly true. “They’re just too fulsome with their praise, aren’t they?”
“What an excellent word,” Miss Pemberton said. “Yes, that’s it exactly.” She pursed her lips. “And yet three women have found happiness.”
“Or so it seems,” Lavinia noted darkly.
“Actually, I can attest to Miss Stewart’s contentment. She is quite thrilled to be marrying Mr. Allardyce in a few days. Theirs seems a love match.”
Lavinia felt a slight pang of jealousy, as she always did when she learned of a couple who had married for love—like her friend Diana, who’d wed the Duke of Romsey two months ago. In fact, Diana and Romsey had arrived in town just yesterday, and Lavinia was eager to see her.
“I’m delighted to hear of Miss Stewart’s success,” Lavinia said.
