“Miss Parker, you’re a very kind person to try to cheer me up, but nothing could be further from the truth. This year’s debutantes seem more ruthless than ever, each willing to do anything by whatever means at their disposal to get what they want. That terrifies me. As you can imagine, I don’t have many friends.”
“Well, I’d be thrilled if you would count me among them.”
“I would like that very much. If we are to be friends, you must call me Kathryn.”
“And I’m Audrey.”
“There’s a musicale tomorrow evening sponsored by Lady Castor. Would you like to attend?”
“I don’t believe I can. I don’t have an invitation.”
“Don’t worry about that. My mother will talk with Lady Castor about you attending as our guest. I’m sure there won’t be a problem.”
“Thank you. I must confer with Lord Fletcher first and seek his permission.”
After that enlightening conversation about the Season and ruthless debutantes, Audrey turned her attention to Lord Easton. She enjoyed his enthusiasm and found herself chuckling numerous times during the meal. The next time she stole a glance at Jacob, he was staring at her, and he wasn’t pleased, if the scowl on his face was any indication. Had something happened she didn’t know about to make him look so cross?
When the meal ended, Lady Devon stood and escorted the women into the drawing room. Once thetea tray had been delivered, Kathryn said, “Mother, I would like to invite Miss Parker to attend Lady Castor’s musicale tomorrow evening. Would you be able to secure an invitation for her?
“Of course. Lady Castor is a dear friend of mine. So, Miss Parker, does that mean you’d like to participate in the Season?”
“I’m still not sure, Lady Devon. First, I like to see what an evening is like. I’ll also need Lord Fletcher’s permission to go with you tomorrow.”
“Don’t worry about that, my dear. I’m sure he’ll not object.”
Audrey had to admit she was excited to go to the musicale. Music was her favorite pastime, and she had never attended one before.
Lady Devon spent the next half-hour educating Audrey on what a Season entailed and all the different types of activities it offered.
By the time the men joined them, she was more confused than ever. The Season sounded exciting, according to Lady Devon, but then she looked at Kathryn and saw the slight frown on her face.
Had Lady Devon given her daughter the same speech?
Chapter21
After enjoying port and goodconversation, Jacob followed Devon and Easton into the parlor. He wanted to dislike Easton for his attention to Miss Parker, but he was so very affable. There was really no cause to dislike the young man, but his ire had been piqued when Easton managed to be the recipient of several stunning smiles from Miss Parker during dinner while Jacob had barely gotten two smiles out of her in all the time he’d known her. How did Easton do that so effortlessly? Jacob could see nothing out of the ordinary about the man, but Miss Parker seemed to be enjoying herself immensely talking with him.
“Ah, there you are, my dear,” Lady Devon said. “I thought you gentlemen were going to spend all night drinking your port.”
Lord Devon walked to his wife, picked up her hand, and kissed her knuckles. “My sincere apologies, my darling. We were enthralled, listening to stories of New York. Fletcher has had quite the life thus far.”
“Is that so, Lord Fletcher?” Lady Devon asked.
“Merely a different life, my lady. Nothing extraordinary.”
“Well, not many men can keep my husband’s attention for so long, so I commend you.”
Jacob inclined his head. “Thank you. It’s kind of you to say.”
“While I have your attention, my daughter has asked Miss Parker to join us at a musicale tomorrow evening. However, Miss Parker informed us that she needs your permission to attend.”
“Oh? I’ve received no invitation for a musicale, Lady Devon.”
“Do not worry about that. Lady Castor is a friend of mine, and she will have no problem issuing an invitation.”
Jacob looked at Miss Parker. She was her usual reserved self, and he couldn’t tell what she was thinking, but it was Lady Katherine’s face that he couldn’t turn away from. She had a look of such hope that he could not in all good conscience deny her Miss Parker’s company. It would also be a chance for Miss Parker to finally decide whether she wanted a Season or not. “Of course she may go.”
He saw Lady Kathryn squeeze Miss Parker’s hand and knew he’d made the right decision.
