course I must go and without delay.”
“What dreadful news,” Mallory said. “Poor little girl. Let me call for my brother and apprise him of the matter, so that you may be quickly on your way. Edward will know precisely what is to be done. Then I shall ring for the maids to help you with your packing.”
Lady Edgewater rose to her feet, reaching out a grateful hand. “Lady Mallory, you are such a dear girl. So kind and good. But oh, what is to be done about a chaperone for Claire, since the dowager duchess is not yet in residence? Your family is highly respectable and above reproach, but still some might disapprove of Claire unwed and living here with only you other young people for company.”
Claire stood. “But I must come with you, Mama. Nan will be utterly miserable and in need of all the aid and comfort we can give her. I can’t possibly remain behind.”
Her mother’s mouth firmed. “Of course you can. I am sure something may be worked out. Lady Mallory, you must have some female relation who could come to stay until your mama returns?”
Mallory nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I have any number of cousins and quite a few in Town. I expect one would be willing to relocate to the town house for a short while.”
“There, you see, Claire. Everything is settled.”
“But Mama—”
“No buts. The Season starts in only two more weeks and I will not have you miss an instant of it.”
“I have missed the Season before,” Claire said in a patient tone. “It won’t be so very great a loss.”
“Of course it will be!” Lady Edgewater said with a disbelieving flip of her hand. “This is your one and only opportunity to enjoy the social Season before you become a bride. It shan’t be the same at all once you wed, and I will not have you miss it simply because your sister is so foolish as to have broken her leg.”
“But Nan will be so unhappy—”
“And so she should,” her mother declared. “How many times have I told her not to climb those trees around the house, and for this very reason too. She is headstrong and disobedient and should be thankful she hasn’t suffered a worse injury than a broken leg. You are right that she’ll be miserable, but she will recover.”
Reaching out, she patted Claire’s shoulder. “In the meantime, her distress should not be your own nor keep you from enjoying your time here in Town. Just because I have to return home doesn’t mean you must suffer as well.”
But I wouldn’t be suffering , Claire thought. I want to go home.
But she couldn’t very well tell her mother that. Her mother, who would neither approve nor understand. Mama was delighted by her engagement to the duke. If Claire ever expressed her real feelings and fears, her mother would only shake her head in confusion and ask if Claire had taken leave of her senses.
Not want to marry the duke? What nonsense! her mother would say.
If Mama had any idea what she was plotting, her mother would be aghast.
And when Edward jilts me , she thought, Mama will be far angrier with me than she is now with Nan . But she was counting on her mother and father getting over their displeasure and disappointment with her, just as they would with Nan.
Eventually.
Poor Nan. Claire sympathized with her sister, knowing she climbed trees because it made her feel alive. But now that Nan had injured herself, she would find her freedom sorely curtailed. Claire wished she could go to her, but mayhap it was better if she remained here in London for now, since if all went as planned, she would be joining her shortly.
Claire frowned. “You are sure, Mama? I would accompany you in an instant.”
“I know you would,” her mother said in a solemn voice. “But we shall manage at home without you. Ella will help me with your sister and we shall muddle along just fine. If it would relieve your mind, why do you not go now and write letters to them both? If you are quick about it, there should be time while I pack and the
“What dreadful news,” Mallory said. “Poor little girl. Let me call for my brother and apprise him of the matter, so that you may be quickly on your way. Edward will know precisely what is to be done. Then I shall ring for the maids to help you with your packing.”
Lady Edgewater rose to her feet, reaching out a grateful hand. “Lady Mallory, you are such a dear girl. So kind and good. But oh, what is to be done about a chaperone for Claire, since the dowager duchess is not yet in residence? Your family is highly respectable and above reproach, but still some might disapprove of Claire unwed and living here with only you other young people for company.”
Claire stood. “But I must come with you, Mama. Nan will be utterly miserable and in need of all the aid and comfort we can give her. I can’t possibly remain behind.”
Her mother’s mouth firmed. “Of course you can. I am sure something may be worked out. Lady Mallory, you must have some female relation who could come to stay until your mama returns?”
Mallory nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I have any number of cousins and quite a few in Town. I expect one would be willing to relocate to the town house for a short while.”
“There, you see, Claire. Everything is settled.”
“But Mama—”
“No buts. The Season starts in only two more weeks and I will not have you miss an instant of it.”
“I have missed the Season before,” Claire said in a patient tone. “It won’t be so very great a loss.”
“Of course it will be!” Lady Edgewater said with a disbelieving flip of her hand. “This is your one and only opportunity to enjoy the social Season before you become a bride. It shan’t be the same at all once you wed, and I will not have you miss it simply because your sister is so foolish as to have broken her leg.”
“But Nan will be so unhappy—”
“And so she should,” her mother declared. “How many times have I told her not to climb those trees around the house, and for this very reason too. She is headstrong and disobedient and should be thankful she hasn’t suffered a worse injury than a broken leg. You are right that she’ll be miserable, but she will recover.”
Reaching out, she patted Claire’s shoulder. “In the meantime, her distress should not be your own nor keep you from enjoying your time here in Town. Just because I have to return home doesn’t mean you must suffer as well.”
But I wouldn’t be suffering , Claire thought. I want to go home.
But she couldn’t very well tell her mother that. Her mother, who would neither approve nor understand. Mama was delighted by her engagement to the duke. If Claire ever expressed her real feelings and fears, her mother would only shake her head in confusion and ask if Claire had taken leave of her senses.
Not want to marry the duke? What nonsense! her mother would say.
If Mama had any idea what she was plotting, her mother would be aghast.
And when Edward jilts me , she thought, Mama will be far angrier with me than she is now with Nan . But she was counting on her mother and father getting over their displeasure and disappointment with her, just as they would with Nan.
Eventually.
Poor Nan. Claire sympathized with her sister, knowing she climbed trees because it made her feel alive. But now that Nan had injured herself, she would find her freedom sorely curtailed. Claire wished she could go to her, but mayhap it was better if she remained here in London for now, since if all went as planned, she would be joining her shortly.
Claire frowned. “You are sure, Mama? I would accompany you in an instant.”
“I know you would,” her mother said in a solemn voice. “But we shall manage at home without you. Ella will help me with your sister and we shall muddle along just fine. If it would relieve your mind, why do you not go now and write letters to them both? If you are quick about it, there should be time while I pack and the
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