subject?”
“Oh, child, don’t bother to trifle with me now. I’ve heard everything.”
“You have?” I asked, climbing in next to her. The driver urged the horses on, turning towards Grosvenor Square.
“You should be more careful about receiving gentlemen visitors late at night, my dear. It can lead to all sorts of gossip.”
“What exactly have you heard?”
“All of London has heard tales of you and the Duke of Bainbridge.I will admit to having been most distressed by your conduct until I heard about last night.”
“Last night?” I was mystified.
“Have you and Jeremy settled all the details between you? I imagine he spoke to your father at his club.”
“Mother—”
“I think you ought to be married from our house, Emily. Berkeley Square is too much the domain of your late husband, and a duchess should have a completely fresh start. I am so pleased that Jeremy does not object to your having been married before. Some men, you know—”
“Mother!”
“Do not interrupt me, Emily. Have you told Mr. Hargreaves? He is a dear man, and I hate to see him disappointed, but don’t concern yourself with that too much. He’ll recover nicely. He’s so much in the company of the Marlborough Set that I can’t help but think he knew his suit was hopeless. Oh, Emily, a duke! I’m so happy!”
“Jeremy and I are not engaged.”
“What can you possibly mean by saying such a thing?” She gave me a sharp look.
“I don’t know that I could speak more plainly.”
“Of course you are engaged. Were you not chasing him through Berkeley Square, calling out for him? Odd behavior in any case, but I suppose young persons in love must be forgiven for such transgressions.”
“How on earth do you know I did that?” I had not seen anyone in the square. Surely the undercover policeman sent by Inspector Manning would not have started such gossip.
“Everyone is talking about it.”
“Hardly evidence of a betrothal, Mother.”
“Well, if you are not engaged to him, you’d better remedy the situation quickly. Whatever were you thinking to send Mrs. du Lac and Miss Seward away in the middle of the night?”
“It was not the middle of the night, and I did not send anyone away. Jeremy dined with us. Cécile and Margaret went to a ball. I stayed home.”
“No wonder Mr. Hargreaves has thrown you over. Who would want a wife with so little a sense of propriety?”
“Mr. Hargreaves has not thrown me over, and I can’t believe that you are angry at me over this. Shouldn’t your anger instead be directed to whoever is spreading this gossip?”
“There was nothing malicious in the story, Emily. People assume that the daughter of an earl would always act honorably, and, given your behavior, which is completely lacking in discretion, that would necessitate marrying the Duke of Bainbridge.” There was a little too much satisfaction in her voice.
“Colin’s called on me innumerable times in similar circumstances, and no one’s ever raised an eyebrow over that. I’m a widow, and not subject to chaperones like an unmarried girl.” She did not reply. “Have you orchestrated this, Mother?”
“How could you accuse me of such a thing?”
“It’s not difficult in the least. You’ve made no secret of your desire to see me married again.”
“I will not allow my own daughter to speak to me like this.”
“Then I’ve nothing further to say on the subject.” I rapped on the side of the carriage to signal for the driver to stop and climbed out, slamming the door behind me. “I do not appreciate being so brazenly manipulated and can assure you, Mother, that such tactics will never succeed.”
“If you are not engaged to the Duke of Bainbridge, you’d better find a way to become so as soon as possible. I’ll not have my daughter providing fodder for gossip.” Much to my chagrin, tears filled my eyes, and I turned away before she could see them. Suddenly, the day felt oppressively hot.
10
L ADY A
“Oh, child, don’t bother to trifle with me now. I’ve heard everything.”
“You have?” I asked, climbing in next to her. The driver urged the horses on, turning towards Grosvenor Square.
“You should be more careful about receiving gentlemen visitors late at night, my dear. It can lead to all sorts of gossip.”
“What exactly have you heard?”
“All of London has heard tales of you and the Duke of Bainbridge.I will admit to having been most distressed by your conduct until I heard about last night.”
“Last night?” I was mystified.
“Have you and Jeremy settled all the details between you? I imagine he spoke to your father at his club.”
“Mother—”
“I think you ought to be married from our house, Emily. Berkeley Square is too much the domain of your late husband, and a duchess should have a completely fresh start. I am so pleased that Jeremy does not object to your having been married before. Some men, you know—”
“Mother!”
“Do not interrupt me, Emily. Have you told Mr. Hargreaves? He is a dear man, and I hate to see him disappointed, but don’t concern yourself with that too much. He’ll recover nicely. He’s so much in the company of the Marlborough Set that I can’t help but think he knew his suit was hopeless. Oh, Emily, a duke! I’m so happy!”
“Jeremy and I are not engaged.”
“What can you possibly mean by saying such a thing?” She gave me a sharp look.
“I don’t know that I could speak more plainly.”
“Of course you are engaged. Were you not chasing him through Berkeley Square, calling out for him? Odd behavior in any case, but I suppose young persons in love must be forgiven for such transgressions.”
“How on earth do you know I did that?” I had not seen anyone in the square. Surely the undercover policeman sent by Inspector Manning would not have started such gossip.
“Everyone is talking about it.”
“Hardly evidence of a betrothal, Mother.”
“Well, if you are not engaged to him, you’d better remedy the situation quickly. Whatever were you thinking to send Mrs. du Lac and Miss Seward away in the middle of the night?”
“It was not the middle of the night, and I did not send anyone away. Jeremy dined with us. Cécile and Margaret went to a ball. I stayed home.”
“No wonder Mr. Hargreaves has thrown you over. Who would want a wife with so little a sense of propriety?”
“Mr. Hargreaves has not thrown me over, and I can’t believe that you are angry at me over this. Shouldn’t your anger instead be directed to whoever is spreading this gossip?”
“There was nothing malicious in the story, Emily. People assume that the daughter of an earl would always act honorably, and, given your behavior, which is completely lacking in discretion, that would necessitate marrying the Duke of Bainbridge.” There was a little too much satisfaction in her voice.
“Colin’s called on me innumerable times in similar circumstances, and no one’s ever raised an eyebrow over that. I’m a widow, and not subject to chaperones like an unmarried girl.” She did not reply. “Have you orchestrated this, Mother?”
“How could you accuse me of such a thing?”
“It’s not difficult in the least. You’ve made no secret of your desire to see me married again.”
“I will not allow my own daughter to speak to me like this.”
“Then I’ve nothing further to say on the subject.” I rapped on the side of the carriage to signal for the driver to stop and climbed out, slamming the door behind me. “I do not appreciate being so brazenly manipulated and can assure you, Mother, that such tactics will never succeed.”
“If you are not engaged to the Duke of Bainbridge, you’d better find a way to become so as soon as possible. I’ll not have my daughter providing fodder for gossip.” Much to my chagrin, tears filled my eyes, and I turned away before she could see them. Suddenly, the day felt oppressively hot.
10
L ADY A
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