Page 2 of Made for the Marquess (Second Sons of London 4)

Papa allowed the twins to show Mama around the house, a spacious three-story home which had been bare when they’d arrived. Furnishing and decorating it had been an arduous task but one Minta and Sera enjoyed very much. It had given them both confidence for the time they would be managing their own households. Minta wondered if she would marry a man with a title as her aunt had done. She hoped so. She knew despite what a wonderful man Papa was, that Mama’s parents had not liked the fact their daughter had fallen in love with a mere baron. They had favored her aunt, who had wed the Earl of Westlake.

After they had shown Mama the house from top to bottom, her mother’s praise was effusive for their efforts.

“I am simply astounded that you could take a blank canvas and create such a lovely home,” Mama praised.

“We did it together,” she said. “It will probably be my favorite project I ever work on.”

“Until you have a household of your own, Araminta,” Mama said. “Come, let us call for tea. We can have a nice chat then. For now, I am going to freshen up.”

“I will see to tea,” Sera said and left them.

Minta went to their parlor, her father absent since he had duties to see to. He had told them he would return in time for dinner.

A quarter-hour later, the three gathered in the intimate parlor.

“This will be your space, Mama,” Sera said. “There is a larger room we have used for limited entertaining, though not much of that has gone on during the war.”

“I only received a handful of letters from you girls,” their mother said. “I wrote you and your father once a week but I was told that very few of those letters would get through with all the naval battles disrupting the post. Because of that, I seem to need to get to know both of you all over again.”

Mama gazed from Sera to Minta and added, “When you left me, you were on the cusp of womanhood. You are both now matured and so lovely.”

Mama looked to Sera and said, “I do know that you have a man you are interested in. Captain Marsh. Tell me about him.”

Immediately, Sera’s eyes filled with tears. Even Minta’s throat grew thick with emotion, hurting for her twin.

“I must excuse myself,” Sera said abruptly. “I have something in my eye.” She fled the room.

“What did I say wrong?” Mama asked. “Has the young man broken it off with her?”

“Captain Marsh died in battle last July, Mama,” Minta explained gently. “Although no formal betrothal existed between them, Edward had promised to court and marry Sera when he returned from the war.”

Her mother’s cheeks flushed. “Oh, dear. I have put my foot in my mouth, reminding my dear Seraphina of something so painful to her.” She hesitated and then asked, “Did your sister love this man? You would know better than anyone.”

She shrugged. “They were quite fond of one another, Mama, but I cannot say Sera loved Edward. They had only known each other for a short while before he left to go to the front. I think that is why he wanted no betrothal announced between them. In case he did not return. He would not have wanted Sera to grieve.”

“And yet Seraphina still does,” Mama said wisely.

“She does. She has spoken very little about Edward’s death, even to me.” Minta paused a moment and then decided to plunge ahead.

“I know you have just arrived in Ontario, Mama, and I have yet to learn from Papa what his plans are. I believe it would be in Sera’s best interest, however, to return to England and attend the Season next April if Aunt Phyllis still wishes to sponsor us. We have only had one letter from her during the entire war. You stayed with her and Uncle West. What are your thoughts?”

“Of course, Phyllis still wants you,” Mama insisted. “The both of you. We spoke many times about that very thing. If your father wishes to remain here in Canada, then I will stay with him. I would want you girls to go to Westfield. I think you are right. Seraphina must get over this loss. The sooner, the better. The Season—and finding a husband—would be the perfect solution.”

“Then you wouldn’t be upset with us leaving? We have been apart so long and that would mean another long separation if you and Papa remain here.”

Mama took Minta’s hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “I have always wanted what was best for you girls. I think this time with your papa has been good for you but you need the company of Polite Society. Oh, I so hope that you both will find a love match as I did.”

Minta wasn’t especially interested in a love match. She knew they were uncommon among members of theton. She was independent from birth, the first exiting her mother’s womb, and always had a mind of her own. She did not see herself misty-eyed, catering to a husband’s every whim. She wanted the thrill of society and all the many activities it provided. She also wanted the assurance of a husband and his name. She looked forward to providing an heir for her husband but she assumed they would go their own ways and pursue their own interests, just as her aunt and uncle and most other couples of thetondid.

She figured Sera would have a very different opinion, however. She did not think Sera had been in love with Edward Marsh, only the idea of being in love with him. It would do Sera a world of good to get away from Ontario, particularly since they seemed to run into Edward’s parents far too often for Sera’s emotional wounds to heal.

“We will enjoy some time together,” her mother promised, “and then I will suggest that the two of you return to London. Crossing the Atlantic in the harsh winter months is difficult. I would not want you to wait until spring because there would be no time to outfit you with a new wardrobe, which Phyllis has promised for you and Seraphina.”

“When do you think we should return then, Mama?” Minta asked with enthusiasm.

“I believe early September would be best. By then, I would know your father’s plans and if we were to accompany you or if I needed to find a chaperone for the two of you.”

Minta did not point out that she and Sera were already one and twenty years old and of legal age. She hoped her parents would return with them but if that proved not to be the case, she prayed an appropriate chaperone could be found because she did not see Mama letting them leave otherwise.

“Shall we keep our conversation between us?” Mama asked. “We will talk again in a couple of weeks and begin making plans.”

“Whatever you say, Mama,” Minta said, eager now to know what her future held.

And by this time next year, she would have completed her first Season, hopefully with a fiancé in hand.

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