AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“It all happened very suddenly,” she rushed. “It was just last week, at the Assembly. I wasn’t even sure if I should accept at first, given his reputation, but ultimately I’ve decided that I must do my duties to my sisters.”
“Reputation?” her uncle asked, shocked. “What kind of proposal have you received?”
Whispering, she told them, “The Duke of Marigold.”
Her sisters shrieked, flocking around her.
“The duke?” Trinity asked, clutching her hands, “He was only there for a few minutes, how did you manage? Though, that smile he gave you was-”
“I just knew it!” Lucretia interjected. “He stared at you the entire evening.”
“And not just at that radiant smile,” Marcia chimed in with a wink.
“Girls, sit,” Martha commanded. The chatter subsided instantly, then with the stern look on their mother’s face, the girls returned to their respective seats. She turned to Lydia. “Lydia, this is quite remarkable news. I had thought that you had caught his attention. Have you let the duke know you’ve accepted his offer?”
“I wrote to him just this morning,” she said, blushing.
“Well then, I’m quite surprised,” Francis said, taking Lydia’s seat on the settee, which annoyed her. She took a less comfortable chair with a scowl. “Perhaps, I can call on the duke later this week, congratulate him on your upcoming nuptials and start making arrangements.”
“NO!” she cried, too quickly, then continued, “No, please, I wish to speak with him first, personally, before we make any formal announcement.”
“This will cause quite a stir,” Martha noted. “The duke is a known rake, Lydia. Are you sure this is the man you want to accept?”
“I must,” she said, raising her chin. “For my sisters.”
“Quite responsible of you,” Francis smiled, leaning back with his arm over the back of the settee. “I’m quite looking forward to announcing this engagement. It will be the talk of theton.”
“Indeed,” Lydia smiled, weakly.
“Well,” Francis said, rising, “We should make arrangements soon, though. Please, let me know as soon as I can call upon him.”
Wilting, she nodded solemnly.
* * *
After supper that evening, Lydia, and her sisters retired to their rooms. While getting undressed for bed, she found herself the subject of their bedtime chatter.
“You had to pick the most rakish duke,” Trinity teased as she worked her stays loose. “Though, admittedly, the most handsome.”
“His reputation is pure rumor,” Lydia argued, pacing her bedroom. “Just because he is incredibly good looking doesn’t mean that he’s a rake.”
“Well, I heard that he will never marry,” Marcia added. “Everyone says so, otherwise he would have found someone by now.”
“Pure speculation,” Lydia insisted. “He is one of the most eligible bachelors in society. He simply must marry and produce an heir.”
“You haven’t even spoken to him,” Marcia said. “How many times have you even seen him this Season? Twice?”
“Lydia, why did you lie to Uncle?” Johanna asked, from the sitting room. Her innocent question drew groans from her older sisters.
“What does it matter?” Lucretia called out. With her hairbrush in hand, she stepped away from the mirror. “Uncle believed her, which should keep him at bay for a while.”
“Until he goes to make arrangements for the marriage settlement with the duke!” Trinity called out from her room.
“What are you going to do?” Marcia asked, turning to Lydia.
Lydia opened her mouth to answer, but stopped when their door opened, sending them into silence.
“Girls, gather around,” Martha instructed, waving the girls to come closer. As she sat down, her four younger sisters sat around their mother. Lydia dragged her feet until Martha’s waving became impatient. Her mother’s cool gaze made her heart race.
