She measured the herb, confident the charm would enhance her beauty and draw in her intended suitor.
I think we will be married in September, then an extended honeymoon in the south of France. I long to visit my homeland. Now the Emperor Napoleon is defeated, I can travel south again. How I long for the hot sunshine of Antibes, instead of this dull, gray climate.
She poured more liquid into the bowl, adding wormwood the way that her grandmother had taught her. She inhaled the scent of absinthe. Something sizzled as she whispered ancient words of the love charm to the Goddess Venus.
She tossed her head back laughing and drank her potion. Soon, very soon, she would be Lady Hatfield, and once the old duke had died, and he couldn’t last much longer, then she would be Duchess of Hargrove, reigning as one of the highest ladies of the land.
Chapter 7
“They’re so beautiful,” whispered Jocelyn, as she bent and buried her nose in the flowers to inhale the fragrance.
“You must have an admirer,” said Olivia. “Ellen, Was there a note? What did Mrs. Jennings say about their arrival?”
“Just that a carriage pulled up outside the house and a footman handed them to Mrs. Jennings.”
“No note or letter with them?” Olivia asked.
“No, nothing. Shall I put them in water, Lady Jocelyn?”
“Yes please, Ellen. Let’s keep them in here, in Mama’s morning room.”
While Ellen went to collect a vase and water, Jocelyn looked excitedly at Olivia. “It’s him, isn’t it?”
“You mean Lord Ludlow?”
“Of course. He has sent a note saying he will call this afternoon and would I like to go for a carriage ride.”
“It seems you have made a conquest my dear Jocelyn. I’m delighted for you.”
“And I believe you have good news too.” said Jocelyn.
Olivia blushed, assuming her niece meant the Earl of Hatfield. Jocelyn was busy looking at the flowers and didn’t notice.
“You’ve sent it to the publisher. How long before you hear back?”
Her niece meant her finishing her novel and sending it to Bertram & Stead, a publishing house in London.
“I don’t know. Perhaps in a week or two.”
Jocelyn waltzed around the room, handing a rose to Olivia. “I can’t believe you’ve written a whole book, and it’s a compelling story. Lady Leighton and I both loved the twist at the end. You’ll be famous soon.”
“No I won’t. I used a pseudonym. No one will know it's written by me.”
“A disguise. What name did you choose? Something romantic like Guinevere de Montford?”
“Absolutely not. I used the name Mary Newnham. I did wonder about just M Newnham.”
“You used Mama’s name. I like that,” said Jocelyn. “I wish she were here Olivia, for my coming out season. I miss them so much.”
“I know dearest Jocelyn. I miss them too. Everyday.”
She took Jocelyn in her arms to give her comfort.
Soon the flowers were in the vase, and they awaited the arrival of Lord Ludlow.
“Jocelyn, I don’t believe you’ve settled down since those flowers arrived,” said Olivia in exasperation.
“But he might come to call at any point,” insisted Jocelyn.
