Page 92 of If the Duke Dares
The line of coaches in St. James’s Square was impressive, and the press of people inside the house nearly overwhelming. Persephone hadn’t realized the event would be this heavily attended.
“There are so many people here,” Pandora said. She looked slightly worried, her gaze darting about.
“You’ll blend in more,” Aunt Lucinda said but then paused to survey Pandora from head to toe. “On second thought, you are too pretty to not be noticed.” She turned to Persephone. “As are you. That teal blue gown makes your eyes look like glittering jewels.”
“Thank you.” Persephone never had to worry about feeling as though she were less than her sister when with her aunt. Now, thanks to her, she wouldn’t have to worry about it ever again, for she had no intention of returning to her parents’ household. She would, however, like some of her things. She and Pandora had books and clothing and other items at Radstock Hall that they would like to claim. They feared their parents would retaliate against them by selling everything.
The dowager duchess greeted them in the staircase hall. “I’m so glad you are here.” Her gaze lingered on Pandora as she gave her a subtle nod of approval. Or perhaps admiration.
“Thank you so much for inviting us,” Aunt Lucinda responded before they made their way upstairs to the drawing room, which was definitely the heart of the soiree.
As soon as they stepped inside, a woman came to congratulate Persephone on her betrothal. Irritated but trying desperately not to show it, Persephone forced a smile. “I do appreciate your kindness; however, I’m afraid that was an error. I am not betrothed.”
The woman’s eyes rounded. “My goodness. I’m sorry to hear that. How confounding. I wonder how that happened.” She looked at Persephone expectantly as if she’d asked a question and was awaiting a response.
Aunt Lucinda intervened. “Please excuse us, Mrs. Ogilvie.” When they were far enough away from her, she glanced toward Persephone. “Pay her no mind.”
“Should I continue to refute the announcement or simply smile, nod, and walk away?” Persephone could see how this night could become exhausting very quickly.
“You must do what you think is best,” Aunt Lucinda said. “Meanwhile, I will start putting it around that this announcement was an error. I will ask my friends to ensure that is passed along.”
“I am confident they will have no trouble sharing the latest on-dit,” Pandora said.
Persephone laughed, and Aunt Lucinda grinned before taking herself off.
“What should we do?” Pandora asked.
“Cling to the wall?” Persephone suggested.
Pandora looked about the room. “I’m supposed to be holding my head high and daring people to give me the cut direct.”
“We can do that too.” Persephone almost didn’t want to move. Their parents were likely here somewhere, or would be, and she’d no desire to encounter them.
Linking her arm through Pandora’s, Persephone guided them to an empty space near the windows. She watched Aunt Lucinda make a circuit around the room, talking and laughing with everyone she met. Occasionally, she would look toward them—as would whomever she was talking to—and everyone would smile. Whatever she was doing, it seemed to be having a positive effect, for no one was looking at Pandora with censure or Persephone with pity.
Persephone wondered where Acton was because he certainly wasn’t in the drawing room. She’d looked over every person and hadn’t seen him.
A few people engaged her and Pandora in conversation, and only one mentioned the betrothal, saying she’d heard it was a mistake and how awful that must be. Aunt Lucinda’s plan had worked exceedingly quickly—and effectively.
Still, Persephone was beginning to grow anxious. Where was Acton? She needed to see him, to tell him that she was leaving Bath with Pandora.
Would he be upset? Would he try to persuade her to stay? He hadn’t raised the prospect of marriage again, and why would he after she’d explicitly told him not to?
Aunt Lucinda returned a short while later, and Persephone excused herself to visit the retiring room. Climbing to the second floor, she was so wrapped up in thoughts of Acton that she failed to see one of the people she’d been desperate to avoid: her mother.
They met at the top of the stairs. Persephone tried to move past her without saying anything, but the baroness clasped her elbow and drew her aside.
Perusing Persephone’s gown with a narrowed eye, the baroness pursed her lips. “I see Lucinda bought you a new gown.”
“Pandora too.”
The baroness looked surprised. “She’s here?”
“Yes, and things are going quite well. I told you the scandal would pass.” Or something similar. “You only had to give it time—and solicit Aunt Lucinda’s help. She wields a great deal of power here in Bath.”
The baroness looked at Persephone intently. “I don’t understand why you’ve turned so completely against us.”
Persephone blinked at her. The woman couldn’t be so daft. “Perhaps because you keep trying to force me to marry people I don’t want?”
