Mama sniffed, narrowing her eyes at her daughter. “That’s good. Now, take a little more tea. Please refrain from touching the cakes, those are for any gentleman callers you may receive.”
Mama had indeed been a beauty once upon a time. She had been fair, with perfect flaxen curls and blue eyes at a time when fair beauties were praised and admired.
She now seemed quite colourless as her beautiful curls had started to change into a lighter shade of white.
Ursula had listened to Mama bemoan her fading beauty more often than she could recall.
Last night’s ball had been hosted by her cousin Georgie’s family, the Worths, a family known for their vanity. The ballroom was ringed by mirrors, and Ursula’s reflection had followed her around all night. She’d spent more time than she would have liked in watching herself, eyeing a tall, willowy woman with rich chestnut curls and immaculate porcelain skin float around the ballroom, smiling benevolently on whichever man chose to approach her.
There were a number of men who had approached her and Ursula did entertain the notion that she would enter into matrimony with one of her suitors in the very near future.
Please not Lord Mullen, though.
The butler entered the room again, just as pompous as before.
“Another gift, Lady Farendale. This time it is from…” he hesitated, almost imperceptibly, “Lord Roderick Black.”
Mama flinched. “That rake? What a cheek! Throw them away at once, Evans, and any card which has been left with it.”
Evans bowed. “Of course, my lady.”
He retreated, leaving Mama to her ruffled feathers.
“How dare he?” Mama muttered under her breath. “As if we’d allow your dowry to go to paying off his debts. Now, I’d sooner see you wed an old man like Lord Mullen than a young rake likethat.” She paused, shooting a suspicious look at her daughter. “You didn’t do anything to encourage Sir Roderick last night, did you, Ursula?”
“No, Mama.”
“Good. See that you don’t. You aren’t for the likes ofhim, Perish the thought.”
Evans entered again almost immediately.
“Lady Farendale, Lord Ashford has sent flowers.”
Mama gave a shriek of delight, bouncing to her feet.
“Aha! Nowthisis the one we have been waiting for. Bring it all in, Evans. The man isn’t here himself, then?”
“No, your ladyship.”
“Pity. Ooh, a letter.”
Mama plucked the letter out of the flowers, tore it open, and began to read. She nodded approvingly.
“Nowthisis a proper letter. He’s making his intentions quite clear. Oh, this is wonderful news. You’re going to be wedded to Lord Ashford, I am quite positive. This means upon the demise of Lord Ashford’s father, you’ll be aduchess. The Duchess of Lakewood! Consider that, Ursula!”
Having reviewed the letter, Mama tossed it idly to her daughter and turned back to the flowers.
Sighing, Ursula glanced down at the letter. It had obviously been written hastily as the letters were scrawled across the page and duly complimented with an ink blot in one corner.
My Dear Lady Ursula Fairmont,
I hope this letter and my modest gift finds you in good health. Many thanks for the dance you bestowed upon me at the ball last night.
I write in hopes that you might come promenading with me in the Park tomorrow at the fashionable hour. Your Esteemed Mama gave me to believe that this proposal would be acceptable, and so I shall assume that the arrangement is set.
Your Most Humble Servant,
Lord Colin Ashford
