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Chapter Seven
Lady Josephine had hoped that her experience in Rotten Row had been as distasteful to the Earl as it had been to her. Perhaps he would ignore her at the next ball, and she would then hear through acquaintances that his ship had left England earlier than expected. Surely any other man in thetonwould be better husband material.
But no—it was as if her spirited, emotional response to the Earl’s rudeness had even further piqued his interest in a match. For the next morning, immediately after breakfast, another note arrived for Lady Seraphina, as Lady Josephine’s formal chaperone for the Season. The Dowager Countess of Worthington was offering to sponsor Lady Josephine in her formal presentation at the Court of St. James, before the Prince Regent himself.
In Society’s view, such a gesture by the Worthingtons would be perceived as tantamount to a marriage proposal.
“Oh, my dear!” exulted Lady Seraphina. “Your Season is made—you are clearly marked as this year’screme de la creme! With the Dowager Countess so senior a peer, and with the Earl sure to be named the Prince’s First Lord of the Admiralty one of these days...cousin, I am so happy for you! It will be the wedding of the Season!”
Lady Josephine said nothing. It was all happening too fast.
One could not politely refuse the Dowager Countess’s offer of sponsorship. It would be like publicly slapping the old lady in the face. Her lord Papa would be shamed by such behavior.
But if I accept this enormous favor from her, it will be publicly understood that I am being welcomed into the Worthington family. There will be no turning back. What do I do?
As it happened, she was given no choice. Lady Seraphina immediately and fulsomely accepted on her behalf.
* * *
Two nights later, Clover House hosted the Duke’s coming-out ball for his only daughter. It was an impressive event. Thehaut tonattended in force, even certain royal personages.
Gossip had spread; the socially powerful Dowager Countess of Worthington had offered to sponsor Lady Josephine at Court. It was expected that an engagement announcement must shortly follow—perhaps even this night, at the Clover House ball. For why would the clannish Worthingtons so put themselves out, if not for a new family member?
Lady Josephine had dressed with the utmost care. Her ball gown was of the palest green crepe de chine—the first green of spring. Instead of wearing jewels, she emphasized her youth by decking her hair and her slender neck with tiny greenish-white blossoms, specially brought on ice in a cart from Cloverdene’s hothouses. She looked like a forest nymph.
True to her word, she let little Horace carry her train as she first entered the ballroom. The effect was most charming. It elicited a round of spontaneous applause from the gathered assembly.
Horace’s governess then took him away. Dressed in night clothes, the child was given leave to watch for a few more minutes from the hidden minstrels’ gallery.
“I wish,” said Horace to his aunt, when she left the dance floor for a moment to come kiss him good night, “that the other boy could be here to watch, too.”
Lady Josephine was taken aback. “Other boy?” And that was how she learned that her lord father the Duke had for several weeks been allowing Ted Smith, Ace’s adored little brother, to come to Clover House and take his lessons alongside Horace.
* * *
The Earl danced with Lady Josephine three times. He was awaiting his moment.
She certainly is lovely. She will have to be taught her proper place within the Worthington family, of course. But taming her will be half the enjoyment of possessing her. She must reach the point at which she acknowledges that I am everything, that she is powerless. Then I can truly enjoy as my own that creamy, slender white neck, that lovely, full young bosom now peeking above her bodice….
“I seem to recall that Clover House has a fine conservatory,” the Earl said to Lady Josephine at the conclusion of the third dance, a stately minuet. “Shall we stroll there, where it may be a little cooler?”
He liked that she quietly acquiesced to his wishes.See, she is learning already.
They walked among the exotic potted trees in the moonlit conservatory. A small fountain burbled quietly within a circle of plants.Very nice indeed,he thought.But of course when Clover House is mine, I will have that fountain enlarged.He guided her to a bench near the sound of the trickling water.
“My dear Lady Josephine, you must have noticed by now that I have repeatedly singled you out from all the other girls this Season.”
Lady Josephine stayed silent, with her eyes a little lowered.She looks so demure. I like that. Perhaps she is already giving way to my stronger nature.
“Lady Josephine, let me be blunt. I have reached a point in my life and my naval career at which I ought to take a wife. I believe you would be quite suitable. My lady mother agrees with me. Our families are well matched in fortune and prestige. You yourself are a little young, but that will hopefully give you more childbearing years ahead.”
Lady Josephine said nothing.
Can it be that she is weighing her options—that she thinks there is actually a decision to be made here? I am one of the most eligible bachelors in England. Surely she doesn’t think she can do any better!
“Both families strongly favor the match for you.”
“I know,” Lady Josephine said. “It’s just that….”
