“Father, everyone in England knows I do not have a dowry,” she said. “Perhaps some people in Ireland and France as well.” She didn’t say it with anger. For once, she could not be angry at her father. She was too relieved and happy that her sister would have the chance to have a proper Season.
However, her father looked ashamed anyway.
Her mother spoke next. “I assume a man like him would not need a large dowry,” she said. “This is still so unexpected.” She sat down in one of the drawing-room chairs, looking stunned. Absent-mindedly, she grabbed one of the leftover tea cakes and began to eat it. “He will want to take you to balls, I am sure. A man of his power and influence could even get you invitations, despite, well, everything. You will need dresses for that. I don’t know how we will afford those.”
“He told me he would take care of those expenses.” As long as they didn’t know that he would also be taking care of Aurelia’s expenses and her dowry, then it would be all right. Her father would not be able to gamble away the money.
“You are not to spend too much of his money,” her mother said sternly. “You certainly don’t want to dissuade him from marriage. Save that type of behavior for after the wedding.”
“Well, perhaps Lady Penelope can lend me some jewelry,” Joanna said. “I am sure she would be excited to help me. Can I go tell her the news right now?” She was hoping, in all the excitement, that her mother would have forgotten that she had forbidden her daughter from seeing Penelope.
“Yes, dear,” her mother said, taking another cake from the table. “Mrs. Lucas can take you.” She sounded like she was still in disbelief. She shook her head. “My daughter. A duchess,” she whispered to herself.
Joanna felt a pang of regret for deceiving her parents this way. But it was necessary. Even though her courtship with the duke would officially end with the Season, her standing in society would greatly improve, and she would have a chance at finding a real suitor. Her sister would also have a chance to escape their family curse.
Mrs. Lucas walked with her to Lady Penelope’s house. “Thank you,” Joanna told her. “For keeping this a secret.”
She nodded. “It’s no trouble on my part, my lady. I hope it’s not so bold of me to say, but I am happy you and Lady Aurelia have a chance to escape. It’s a generous deal His Grace has offered you, but I doubt the viscount and viscountess will see it that way.”
Joanna smiled and reached out to squeeze the older lady’s hand briefly. Mrs. Lucas had been hired two years ago, after her mother had been forced to lay off the remainder of the house staff. Despite the scandal surrounding the family, the woman had always been nice to Joanna.
When they reached Northwick Manor, Joanna was beckoned in immediately while Mrs. Lucas made the trek back to Clifford. Joanna was ushered to a drawing room, where Penelope was waiting for her. “I didn’t expect you over today!” Penelope said. “I just sent the maid for tea. What brings you here?”
“I have so much to tell you,” Joanna said as they sat down. She told Penelope about the duke’s visit. “He wants to court me. Apparently, all the other ladies pale in comparison to my wit and charm.”
“Truly? But you don’t have a dowry!”
“He doesn’t care about that, and he’s even willing to sponsor me for the Season so we can have a proper courtship.”
Penelope squealed in excitement. “I will finally get to see you at all the balls and gatherings! Oh, they are so dull without you!”
Joanna grinned, but she also felt nervous. It had been over three years since she had been to a ball. She felt horribly out of practice with everything. “I am so scared,” she whispered.
“Don’t be,” Penelope said, grabbing her hands. “This is the most wonderful news.” She frowned. “Unless you think the duke is up to something nefarious. Does he scare you?”
“Definitely not,” Joanna said.
Doubt crossed her friend’s face. “Perhaps he should. Doesn’t it sound too good to be true that he is willing to sponsor your Season just so he can court you? Yes, you’re lovely, but you don’t have a dowry.”
Joanna sipped her tea. “Believe me, you don’t need to remind me. I’m very aware of my situation.” Even though the duke undoubtedly found her antics entertaining and her looks passable, he most likely singled her out because of her financial situation, and not because he actually cared for her in particular. Not many other eligible ladies of the ton would be willing to enter into a false courtship, especially with a man they barely knew, and one who was feared by all of London. He needed someone desperate, and that was exactly what Joanna was. However, she didn’t want to tell Penelope about the deception. If she swore the duke to secrecy, then she should follow suit. “Perhaps he finds pure joy in being called an overgrown, enchanted snowman.”
Penelope giggled. “I still cannot believe you called him that.”
“I was trying to dissuade him from any more dates. It clearly did not work.” She couldn’t help but smile a little at the thought. “I am as surprised as you that he wants to court me, but I’m not about to question it, not when it gives me a chance to be out in society for the first time in three years.”
“I understand,” Penelope said. “I’ll be happy to see you more often, because balls will certainly be more interesting with you there. Just be careful. You don’t know if you can trust him or not.”
“I will be all right. After everything that has happened to my family, the Duke of Ice doesn’t scare me.” But even as she said it, she knew it wasn’t the complete truth. The duke did scare her because even though he was cold and aloof, she found herself liking him. Perhaps she even liked him a little too much. And that would be very dangerous indeed.
CHAPTER 13
Evan was relieved to be back home from his visit to Clifford Manor. Peter was busy with his work in the middle of the day, but he knew where he would find his grandmother.
The dowager duchess was in her sitting room, playing the pianoforte. She loved to practice it, even though she rarely played publicly these days. Evan always loved the sound of it. Her music would often bring him great comfort.
She looked up and smiled at him as he came in. “You are back,” she said. “Where did you go?”
He sat down on the sofa closest to her. “I went to Clifford Manor to call upon Miss Thorne.”
