AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What did you talk about?”
Justine looked at Lady Aleksander. She also seemed to have far less regard for decorum than Justine. How could she possibly think it appropriate to inquire of Justine anything? In Wesloria, no one spoke to her unless invited to speak. Certainly, no one but her parents and their closest advisers ever questioned her.
Then again, she didn’t know why she bristled, other than from habit.
“She was very curious to know how the matchmaking was proceeding, actually. She thinks it has gone on far too long, and the more days I am allowed to languish in this body without a proper prospect, the more difficult potential suitors will think I must be, as there is nothing apparently wrong with my looks.”
Lady Aleksander’s eyes widened with surprise. And then she laughed. “What rubbish!”
Both sisters looked at her in amazement.
“Well?” she said to their startled looks. “Itisrubbish. After you’re married, no one will ever recall how many gentlemen you considered. Just because Queen Victoria fell in love so readily doesn’t mean you must.”
“Did she?” Amelia asked.
“Oh, she’ll have you believe differently,” Lady Aleksander said and took a seat, crossing her legs beneath her gown and letting her arms rest on the arms of the chair. “She will say she had no interest in him, and thought he was too quiet or some such. But she was smitten with him the first time she laid eyes on Prince Albert. What else did she say?”
Justine tossed the sketchbook aside. “She said I ought to develop the habit of giving alms. That as queen, I must be among my people—allpeople—and not just the handsome and rich ones. She said that my subjects must see me caring for the less fortunate or they would grow to resent me.”
“That’s sound advice,” Lady Aleksander said.
“I thought so, too.” Justine perched on the edge of a chair and studied the matchmaker. “I really do wish I could do more.”
“But you’re so nervous, Jussie. You’d probably die of fright among the poor.”
“It’s not that they are poor, Amelia. It’s merely that they are people.” She smiled sheepishly at Lady Aleksander. “I am uncomfortable in large crowds. But enough of that—youseem to be in fine spirits.”
Lady Aleksander’s smile brightened. “I have news that I hope will please you. I’ve arranged for you to meet Mr. Jonathan Ashley of Kent this evening.”
Justine grimaced, but Amelia gasped with delight, clasping her hands together like a young girl.
“He is attractive.”
“Really? Very?” Amelia asked.
“Darling, when do you depart for the country with Lady Holland?” Princess Justine asked her sister.
“Four o’clock. Why?”
“Shouldn’t you be packing your things?”
“Seviana has done it. You sound as if you want to be rid of me.”
Amelia could be so obtuse at times. “I never want to be rid of you. But I think that after the last visit from a gentleman caller, I should see you away from Prescott Hall before anyone arrives. Don’t you?”
Amelia gaped at her. “Are you going to hold that over my head every time there is a caller? Why does no one in this family care about me?”
“I don’t think you can say no one cares. Clearly, Mama does.” She arched a brow at Amelia, silently reminding her of the telegraph they’d received yesterday.
Amelia looked as if she was about to speak, but as the telegraph had included the very real threat of being yanked back to St. Edys, she wisely, for once, thought the better of it. She stood up and said stiffly, “Good day, Lady Aleksander.Justine,” she added darkly, then swept out of the room without a word.
Justine glanced at Lady Aleksander. “My apologies.”
“None needed. Princess Amelia has her own burdens to bear. With a little experience in a place where she is not the spare heir, she will see she is a princess in her own right. She’s like a fine wine—her complexities will be better with age.”
“Then perhaps we ought to tuck her away in a barrel for a few years.”
Lady Aleksander laughed.
