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Selina walked over, kissing the air beside her uncle’s, and then her aunt’s faces.

“It was long,” she replied honestly. “However, nothing too arduous. Luckily, nothing too interesting happened.” She laughed; interesting was all very well and good—only when one was comfortably at home.

“We’re so glad that you could come.” Aunt Georgiana, Lady Kirby, sat down beside her husband on the settee. She was a slim, elegant lady, with blonde hair—very much like Selina and her own mother, Aunt Georgiana’s younger sister.

“Thank you for inviting me,” Selina untied the silk ribbon beneath her chin and removed her bonnet as she walked over to the settee upholstered in royal-blue velvet and opposite her aunt and uncle. She sat down, her eyes on the window across from her.

A gentle breeze blew the filmy, white curtains, and she could see, through the window, a very fancy barouche-landau with a pair of white horses rushing down the drive.

“We’re ever so glad that you could come,” Uncle Latimer said. “Especially during such a joyous time.”

Selina turned her gaze toward her aunt and uncle, who were beaming happily. “Indeed,” Selina replied. “My mother was saying how pleased you must be to have your only daughter engaged.”

“We’re overjoyed,” Uncle Georgiana said. “With the entail on your uncle’s estate, we were quite anxious to have Leah happily married as soon as we could. Wait until you meet the Duke—he’s such a kind gentleman.”

“He breeds horses on his estate,” Uncle Latimer added. “Just like I do.”

Before Selina could ask anything further about Lady Leah’s pending nuptials or sterling fiancé, the door opened, and Lady Leah Bowles entered. Selina’s cousin was almost Selina’s polar opposite. She had chocolate brown hair and eyes. Her skin was pale and freckle-free, nearly matching her cold, aristocratic demeanor.

“Welcome, cousin,” she said soberly, sitting down on the settee beside Selina.

“Thank you, cousin,” Selina replied, trying not to be burned by the frigid welcome. “Are you on your way out?”

Leah was dressed in a stylish silk gown, in a dark blue which complemented her dark hair and eyes. Her hair was arranged elaborately in a chignon.

“She’s on her way to oversee preparations for the engagement party,” Aunt Georgiana said, beaming with pride.

“The Dowager Duchess expects me.” Lady Leah beamed.

“I see,” Selina mused. “Well, I won’t keep you.”

“You should invite Selina along,” Aunt Georgiana suggested. “She’s got an eye for floral arrangements.” Leah’s face curdled—as if she was smelling something vile.

“Would you like to come? You can meet the Duke,” Lady Leah offered, although it was clear that she didn’t want Selina to tag along and meet her fiancé. Leah and Selina’s relationship had always been tense.

“I’m sure I’ll meet him at the party,” Selina murmured. “I can’t very well show up in my traveling clothes.”

“You do look travel worn,” Leah said, eyeing her. Selina knew that Lady Leah had always been jealous of her, ever since they were young ladies.

Selina smiled, gritting her teeth. “I suppose not to meet a Duke.”

“No. That wouldn’t be proper at all,” Leah replied. “I’m afraid I can’t linger. I’m expected—a Duchess is never late.” She gave Selina a triumphant grin as she stood.

“Will you be home in time for supper, sweetling?” Lady Kirby asked.

“I’m expected to dine with the Dowager Duchess and His Grace,” Lady Leah replied.

“Very well,” her mother replied, smiling. She looked over at Selina. “We’ll have Lady Selina to keep us company.”

“Tell that Duke of yours that he promised to show me that new hunter of his,” Lord Kirby added.

“Father,” Lady Leah said, horrified. “I can’t say something so gauche.”

With that, she left the room.

“I didn’t realize that horses were out of style,” Uncle Latimer said.

Selina beamed at her aunt and uncle. They were kind people, and Aunt Georgiana reminded Selina so much of her mother.

Source: www.allfreenovel.com
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