Page 17 of The Duke Who Loved Me (The Duke's Estates 1)

Inured to the older lady’s manner, the footman did not even blink.

Cecelia had been expecting her new friends. It was fortunate that their visit hadn’t coincided with James’s. “Send them up,” she said to the footman. “And fetch tea and cakes.”

“Honey cakes?” asked her aunt.

“Of course.”

“Well, I will stay a little while. But I shan’t speak.”

“You never do, Aunt.” The words came out sharp after their previous exchange, but her aunt didn’t seem to notice.

Sarah Moran, Charlotte Deeping, Harriet Finch, and Ada Grandison entered in a chattering mass. It appeared that they had taken advantage of numbers to dispense with duennas. Cecelia welcomed them as a happy diversion until their first words to her. “We passed the handsome duke in the street as we were coming here,” said Ada.

“He looked out of sorts,” said Sarah.

“He was glowering,” said Charlotte. “I was so pleased to see it.”

“Why would you say that?” asked Harriet.

“I like knowing that very handsome people have troubles. Men in particular.”

“Oh, Charlotte, everyone has trials and tribulations,” said Sarah.

“Tribulations? What a word. He was scowling. There was no plague of frogs raining from the sky. He’d probably mussed his neckcloth or scuffed his boot.”

Cecelia didn’t wish to discuss the causes of James’s frown. She turned to Harriet. “Your note said you had something particular to talk about.”

“We’ve received some invitations,” Harriet replied.

“Harriet had the most, of course,” put in Charlotte. “As she is so grand now.” She and Harriet made faces at each other. “Ada is next because of her ducal fiancé.”

“My charming personality,” argued Ada.

“Or your frightening eyebrows,” Charlotte teased. “Sarah and I are neck and neck in last place with only a few.”

“There seem to be so many different kinds of parties,” said Sarah. “We wanted to ask you how to choose.”

“And how to go on at each sort,” said Ada.

“I have begun a chart.” Charlotte took a sheet of paper from her reticule, unfolded it, and held it up. A grid had been drawn on it.

This attracted the attention of Cecelia’s aunt, who peered over at the page.

“I’ve put the types of events across the top,” Charlotte continued. “Then there is a space for each of us down the side with our strengths and weaknesses. Well, not Ada. She is finished with all this nonsense.”

“What nonsense?” asked Cecelia.

“Husband hunting,” replied Charlotte with distaste. “Or at least seeing if we wish to acquire a husband.”

“What other choice do we have?” asked Sarah.

“That is the trouble.” Charlotte’s scowl deepened.

“You will meet someone and fall in love,” said Ada. “All of you.”

“Because you did? Not convincing evidence,” replied Charlotte.

“The bees have a much better system,” said Aunt Valeria.

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