She knew there was no way she would find a husband, let alone a wealthy one. But if Christine could escape with a kind man, someone who’d care for her and offer her a better life, then the Duke Hunt would have been worth it.
“If you do not find employment in one month, then you will work in my house until you pay off your debt to me, or you will be out on the street,” said Lady Gillray.
Anxiety curled in Selina’s stomach. Her godmother could be a cruel spendthrift. If Selina worked for her, then she would never be paid a single cent for her labor. Lady Gillray would find ways to ensure Selina stayed indebted to her for the rest of her life. Selina would also be in no position to help her sister if she could not even get herself out of Lady Gillray’s control. She needed to find outside employment, and quickly.
I have one month to be free from her. I will find a way. I swear it.
Two
Lady Gillray decided Selina would be sleeping in the servants’ quarters until it was time to leave for the Duke Hunt, but Selina didn’t care. She knew there was no use arguing with her godmother, and she was happy that she was reunited with her sister.
“It’s so wonderful to see you again,” Christine said. “Honestly, sometimes I wish I had been sent to boarding school with you.”
Selina smiled. “Boarding school was rarely fun. I would have enjoyed seeing you more, but I’m glad Lady Gillray let you stay with her. Everyone would have thought you were in on Charles’ schemes as well.”
Christine made a face at the mention of their older brother, while Selina felt a pang of sadness. She had been close to her brother. At least, she had thought they were close, but she didn’t really know him at all. Christine reached out to grab her hand. “You are innocent, too. You had no idea Charles was askingeveryone to invest in railroads in America, let alone that the railroads were not real!”
“They never would have believed that, even if Lady Gillray allowed me to stay,” she said.
Selina shook her head, as if she could rid herself of the painful memories. “Let’s talk about something else,” she said. “Are you excited for the Duke Hunt?”
Christine grinned. “The Dowager Duchess of Greystone has a reputation for being a little eccentric,” Christine said. “Perhaps this event’s main attraction will be her grandson, the Duke of Greystone.” She shuddered. “I suppose he will be at the gathering. Hopefully, he will take no notice of us.”
“Is he an unpleasant man?” Selina knew nothing about the Duke of Greystone. She had never met him during her first Season, and because she had no taste for gossip rags, she knew very little about people of the ton except what her sister had told her in letters.
“Most unpleasant,” Christine said. “I have never met him personally, of course. But he has a reputation since… well… something about the late duchess. But from what I understand, he is cruel, and people try to avoid him if possible.”
Selina smiled. “Well, rest assured, we would surely not spark his interest. However, there will be plenty of other men there, I’m sure. Perhaps one of them will catch your eye.”
Christine giggled and blushed. “Perhaps you’re right. Just think, one of us could end up with an engagement by the end of the Duke Hunt!”
Two days after Selina arrived at Gillray Manor, it was time to go to the Duke Hunt. Selina got herself ready to go to Greystone Manor and then helped Christine, who needed to hurry. She had been delayed because Lady Gillray insisted Christine act as her lady’s maid while denying her one of her own.
On the way to the manor, Lady Gillray again insisted that Selina find employment. “I might have been generous with your schooling, but I will not stand for you to bleed me dry. If you do not find a suitable position tonight, then you will have to start earning your keep in the manor. I’m sure the chef could use your work in the kitchen.”
“For heaven’s sake, that is not necessary,” Christine said, looking aghast. “You told her she has one month.”
“She has one month to find employment so she can start paying off her debt to me,” Lady Gillray said. “But that doesn’t mean she can put herself into more debt with me. If she wants to stay under my roof after the Duke Hunt, then she must earn her keep.”
“It’s all right,” Selina said. “I learned to cook at school, and I admit I quite enjoy it. I will be happy to lend a hand, if the cookis willing to take it.”I would rather be in the kitchens than be forced to talk to you every day.
Lady Gillray looked disgruntled; her insult hadn’t had the same sting that she had expected it would, and she was silent for the rest of the carriage ride, much to the delight of the two sisters, who chatted merrily about the upcoming event until they reached the manor.
The butler welcomed them into the home, giving them a slight bow as they entered. He showed them outside to the pavilion right outside the manor, where some of the other guests were mingling with each other over refreshments.
The dowager duchess greeted them immediately with a warm, cheerful smile. “I am so pleased to see you three,” she said.
Selina couldn’t help but return the smile as she curtsied. “Thank you for your generous invitation, Your Grace. Your home is lovely.”
She beamed. “I cannot wait to show you the grounds. You will get a good look at them during the main event.”
“May I ask what the main event is, Your Grace? I must admit, I am intrigued by the name Duke Hunt.”
“You shall have to wait and see,” she said. “Not even my own grandson has been able to get me to reveal my secrets.”
Before Selina could respond, they heard a shout in the distance, and something small came hurtling at them. Several of the ladies leaped back, gasping.
“Heavens!” Lady Gillray exclaimed. “What feral creature is this?”
