Page 12 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Sera

Minta placed the final page on the desk and burst into tears. She sobbed in relief, knowing that before the Season ended, her twin and she would be together again. If she did receive an offer of marriage, that meant Sera would stand by her side as Minta made her vows. Nothing could have pleased her more than this. She dried her tears and then read through each letter again slowly, savoring every line written by her family. She then took the letters upstairs and placed them under her pillow for safekeeping.

Returning downstairs, the housekeeper told her that her aunt wished to speak with her and Minta went to Aunt Phyllis’ sitting room.

As she entered, Aunt Phyllis beamed at her. “We have received an invitation to dinner this evening, Minta. We are to dine with the Marquess of Kingston.”

“So soon?” she asked. “I wonder why.”

“Perhaps Lord Kingston realized he had made a poor first impression upon us and wishes to correct that assumption. At any rate, we are to sup with him tonight.”

The idea of seeing the handsome marquess again intrigued Minta. She wondered if she was correct in assuming he was shy. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if she could get him to open up? Why, it might even allow them to become more than acquaintances and on the road to a friendship.

Or more . . .

Her aunt told her when they would leave and the two of them went upstairs to choose the gown Minta should wear. She didn’t think anything would come of this dinner with Lord Kingston, but she wanted to look her best all the same. They went through the limited number of gowns suitable for dinner because much of her wardrobe which had been completed consisted of morning gowns, which were not suitable for an evening meal with a marquess. They finally settled upon a teal gown and then Aunt Phyllis rang for Bertha. Her aunt had the maid arrange Minta’s hair in several different styles before they all agreed upon one which seemed the most flattering.

As Bertha styled Minta’s hair, Minta shared with Aunt Phyllis that Sera would be arriving sometime in June. Her aunt was delighted by the news and despite Sera wanting to refrain from attending any events, Aunt Phyllis was determined to talk her into coming to several.

The rest of the day passed quickly and then it was time to prepare for their engagement. Minta only had to change gowns since they had decided to leave the final hairstyle in place. Once she was dressed, she headed downstairs, anticipation filling her. She hoped they would get to know a little more about Lord Kingston this evening. She hoped since they had already met him that his initial shyness might have died away and they could enjoy their meal, along with decent conversation.

Her head must have been in the clouds, thinking of all of this, because somehow she missed a step and tumbled the remaining few stairs to the bottom of the staircase.

Uncle West, who was waiting in the foyer, quickly ran to her and righted her, placing her on the last stair.

“Are you all right, Minta?” he asked, concern on his face.

She rotated her ankle and winced. “No, Uncle. I think I might have sprained my ankle.”

“Minta!” her aunt cried, rushing down the stairs.

The butler and a footman also hovered nearby as her uncle checked her ankle, rotating it gently.

“I do believe your diagnosis is correct and that it is a sprain, Minta. We should send for the doctor at once. I’ll also sent a footman to Kingwood to let Lord Kingston know we won’t be coming, after all.”

“No, don’t do either, Uncle West,” she protested. “I sprained my ankle once before, years ago, and know exactly how to care for it. My little accident shouldn’t keep you and Aunt Phyllis from dining with his lordship.”

They argued about it for a few minutes but Minta prevailed. She allowed her uncle and a footman to carry her back up the stairs to her bedchamber and then rang for Bertha to undress her and help her into her night rail and dressing gown.

Aunt Phyllis appeared. “Are you certain you wish for us to go without you, Minta? I don’t believe the marquess is interested in our company. I think he was looking forward to seeing you, my dear.”

“Please, Aunt, go without me and give my apologies to Lord Kingston. I should only be indisposed for a day or two. We can host Lord Kingston for tea in a few days if you truly think he is so eager to see me.”

“Very well.” Aunt Phyllis placed a kiss upon Minta’s brow. “I will look in on you when we return.” She sighed. “Hopefully, this evening will not be as dull as I now expect it to turn out.”

“I will see you later.”

After her aunt left, Minta wondered if Lord Kingston would truly miss her presence at the table this evening.

Because she would certainly miss seeing him.

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