“Indeed,” Evan said. “We will depart at one of the clock tomorrow.” He looked at his sister and added, “Elizabeth will join us.”
“I couldn’t.” Elizabeth protested. “I have not yet had my come out.”
“Consider it a soft launch.” Evan patted her hand. “You are of an age that you should be in society. No one will bat a lash at your presence.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I suppose not,” she conceded.
“How wonderful,” Mother gave him a warning look, then nodded toward Lady Montgomery. “The Countess and Lady Charlotte received an invitation as well. What fun we shall have.”
“Indeed.” Lady Montgomery sat her teacup on the table beside her. “We called to see whether we could expect to find you and your mother in attendance. I do not mind saying that my dear Charlotte and I look forward to spending time in your company, Your Grace.” Lady Montgomery beamed at him. “And of course Lord Montgomery will accompany us and be most pleased to find that you accepted the invitation as well.”
Mother fluttered her fan. “House parties are such fun. Wonderful venues for making grand announcements. Engagements and such.” She slanted her gaze toward Evan, then smiled at Lady Montgomery. “Don’t you agree?”
“The very best.” Lady Montgomery patted Lady Charlotte’s hand and grinned at Evan.
Evan’s stomach lurched. He’d had enough of Mother putting false hopes in Lady Montgomerys mind. He’d further wager that Lady Charlotte did not have designs on him beyond her Mother’s prodding her to charm him.
He glanced at Lady Charlotte. She was staring into her tea cup. A light blush streaked across her high cheekbones.
Even would wager the lady was both uncomfortable and embarrassed. She had never sought his company or attention. In fact, she usually took every opportunity to escape him. A fact he was rather pleased about, for he knew she was not for him and had no wish to see her hurt.
He narrowed his gaze on mother. Her behavior did them all a great disservice. He would put an end to it at his first opportunity. However, that opportunity would not come in the presence of Lady Charlotte and her mother.
Evan finished his tea and excused himself.
Annie looked up as Gran strolled into the parlor, a piece of vellum in her hand.
“The duke has accepted our invitation,” Gran announced as she waved the vellum like a fan. She took a seat on the carved rose wood chase beside Annie. “He and the dowager duchess shall arrive shorty before two of the clock tomorrow.”
Lilli clapped her hands and beamed at Annie. “We must prepare.” She turned her attention to Eva and Henrietta. “Annie must be at her best if she is to catch the duke.”
“You are mad.” Annie dropped her fan into her lap and stared incredulously at Lilli. “The duke is not my true love.”
Gran patted Annie’s hand. “One never can predict what the rose quartz knows to be true. It will do no harm to let it work its magic. If you are correct, then nothing will come of the duke’s visit. But if you are wrong…”
“One can do f-far worse than a dashing duke,” Eva finished for Gran. Her eyes lit with joy. “Think of it, Annie, you’d be a duchess.”
If the duke in question were any other duke, Annie would agree. However, this particular duke could—and likely would, if given the chance—destroy her. He was a rogue, a scoundrel, a womanizer. It would not take him long to tire of her and move out of the marriage bed.
Henrietta stood, then smoothed her pale yellow skirt. “I quite agree. There is no harm in looking your best, Annie. There will be other gentleman about as well and one never knows what might happen.”
Lilli followed suit, coming to her feet. “Let us go select your gowns for tomorrow.” She bounced on the balls of her feet. “Come, it will be great fun.”
“Very well,” Annie reluctantly stood, but not before Gran gave her hand a slight squeeze. “But I am not doing it for that rogue of a duke. I am thinking of the other gentlemen.”
“They say rogues make the best husbands so long as you capture their hearts.” Lilli clasped her hands together and swayed.
“Have you any proof of that notion?” Henrietta asked, her eyes speculative.
“Of course not.” Lilli pursed her lips. “Or rather, yes I do. Just look at Lord and Lady Craycroft. He was a rogue and anyone can see how well she has reformed him and how happy they are.”
Henrietta tapped her fan on her thigh. “One would be hard pressed to argue with that.” She turned her gaze to Annie. “Perhaps you should not dismiss the duke so quickly.”
“You all are impossible,” she huffed.
Eva paused for a moment before she stood to ask, “What o-other gentlemen are expected?”
Gran pressed her lips together in thought, then said, “I invited all the best families from the surrounding area, as well as a few from afar. The Viscount Greenford, Marquess Farrow, Baron Homestead, Viscount Smithton, and Earl Killerford. There will be plenty of suitable gentleman about.” She waved her fan in dismissal. “Perhaps more than one of you will find a match. Go on now, prepare yourselves.”
