Just then, the sisters heard the front door of the townhome open, letting in noise from the street and the lilting voice of their mother, Lady Charlotte Sinclair, Countess of Norwich. As the door closed, both sisters could hear grunts of assent from their father, Edward, as their mother talked without stopping. The subject of the discussion was of little import, just parties and all manner of rumors from the goings-on of the ton.
Edward and Charlotte entered the front parlor, where Charlotte quickly approached her daughters, ceasing her incessant talking to greet them with affectionate hugs and kisses.
“Girls, how wonderful to see youbothin the parlor,” Charlotte proclaimed, sure to give a sidelong glance to Alaina. Her mother had been pestering her for the better part of the week to give up her sulking and rejoin society. From Charlotte’s telling, Alaina would think there were friends to be found around every corner in London; this had yet to come true.
“Be careful, Mama, you might scare Alaina back upstairs to hide, or even worse, back to the country,” Evelina needled.
“Oh, my darling, people have totally forgotten about that embarrassing display by Lord Finch and his friends.” Charlotte gave a reassuring hug to Alaina, only stopping to clasp her shoulders and look into her eyes with motherly affection, a slight frown knitting her brow. Alaina was not one to lack confidence in any scenario, but a London season could be quite intimidating, and this one was proving unusually difficult.
Even though the Sinclair family had arrived early to prepare for the season and to allow Alaina to attend the first few balls in what they thought would be a low-stakes environment, she had been beset on her debut by Lord Finch and his sister, Lady Barbara. What had seemed like normal societal behavior quickly turned into unwanted and cruel attention when Edward turned down Lord Finch’s inappropriately timed marriage proposal, just three days into Alaina’s first season. After that interaction, it was clear that the Finch family was only out to improve their own status through association with the Earl of Norwich and his newly arrived daughter.
The last embarrassment had come in the form of a mocking proposal from Lord Finch and all his cronies. Through the whole ordeal, the Sinclair family struggled to renew old acquaintances in London; twenty years in the country had isolated them and their daughters. But it seemed to Alaina that London was only an extension of the small-minded society in the country, where women having opinions were shunned, and reading was mocked. Only, in London, you could not easily escape prying eyes. To Alaina’s despair, she found that no one other than her family cared to know her for who she was and what she thought. She felt like her only value was as an ornament on whoever’s arm would tolerate her.
“Your mother is right,” Edward stated, stepping further in the room. “This should be a time of celebration and merriment! Let us forget the past few weeks.”
“Oh, Papa, if only it were so easy,” Alaina countered.
“At my age, it is easy to forget how tough the London season can be,” Edward smiled. Crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes told the happy story of his marriage, parenthood, and life. He certainly had made it a point to see the best in most situations, imparting that spirit to his daughters.
Alaina and Evelina briefly regarded their parents. Both of them in that moment wished for the same kind of love and companionship Edward and Charlotte shared; a love that could conquer all of society’s ills, whatever they were.
Edward and Charlotte presented quite a pair, Edward’s dark hair, eyes, and dazzling smile beautifully contrasted against Charlotte’s petite stature and fair coloring. Both parents, even in their middling years, still dressed at the height of fashion and it was easy to see how they may have captured the eyes of the ton in their younger years.
Alaina and Evelina shared much of both their parents’ features, presenting a perfect blend of the two; their stature was from their mother, eyes from their father, and their strength of will and character from both.
“Now, if you ladies will excuse me, I have been neglecting our estates’ books in town and need to see to those with my steward. I am sure you have much to discuss without me intruding,” Edward said, with looks to each of his daughters and finally his wife.
“Bye, dearest,” Charlotte chirped, placing a kiss on his lips and gracing Edward with a soft smile.
“Bye, Papa,” Alaina and Evelina echoed, as he approached the doorway and disappeared from sight.
“Now, darling, what has you so worried? I am confident you will have a wonderful season and will find love when the time is right.” Charlotte turned to Alaina. “The Mansfield Ball tonight is a wonderful place for a fresh start.”
Before Alaina could answer, Evelina chimed in, “I think Alaina struggles in leaving the rest of the season to chance. Look at how her debut was set on its head by one buffoon and his awful sister. I mean, I cannot fault her for preferring her books, where characters cannot jump off the page and change the course of one’s life.”
A faint chuckle escaped Alaina before she responded, “That is about right. Why are young ladies so at the mercy of society’s dictates and men’s attentions?”
Charlotte paused for a moment before answering. “It may be that a lady has to appear to be at the whim of men and society, but we are nottotallypowerless. Besides, even the best men need a little nudge in the right direction. Your father was certainly enamored with me, but he did not have a mind for marriage at the time. It was lucky I was able to nudge him toward what was best for both of us.”
“Well, how do you suppose I nudgeallof society? After the start I have had, I would be surprised if anyone would want to be associated with me,” Alaina countered with a huff.
“Not all of society, dearest, we just need to attract the attention of someone specific, a gentleman who is eligible and from a good family. Honestly, every family makes their own machinations to that end. It would seem your father and I forgot what London was like, you must forgive us. This season in London has only served to remind me why we spend most of our time in the country, away from the barbarism of a select few,” Charlotte stated simply, with a shrug of her shoulders.
Evelina inserted herself with a mischievous grin. “I may have an idea. Now, I know you have a dislike of any perceived manipulation of events, but what I am thinking may work.”
Alaina fidgeted uncomfortably under her sister’s regard, and did not feel much better when she turned her attention to her mother, who was also smiling. “Ok, so what does this plan entail?”
“Well, I hear the Duke of Ashford is in town for the season, and he is looking for a wife. Apparently, he finds it time to settle down, which makes him motivated to take a wife. As an earl’s daughter, you might be able to gain his favor,” Evelina rattled, her voice reaching a high pitch of excitement. “Besides, the gossip papers are usually unkind, but he gets high marks all around, especially in the looks category. That includes being kind-hearted.”
“I do not see how I would ever hope to garner such attention; it seems I only attract the men who are toads,” countered Alaina, chewing her lip before continuing. “And it all seems a little underhanded to me, fixing my attention and designs on one whoistruly looking for a match, when I am just trying to avoid the next embarrassment.”
“Oh, pish posh!” Charlotte exclaimed, “Youarelooking for a match.Youjust think you will stumble into a love match without any work.” Charlotte paused only to hold up her hand to stay her eldest daughter. Alaina’s mouth clamped shut. “And why should that match not be one of your choosing?” Charlotte asked.
Evelina shook her head slightly, as if to disagree with her mother, and took a different tact. “You want to have fun, right? Dance? Laugh? Avoid any potential Lord Finch imposters?” Evelina questioned, a giggle of affection barely contained.
“Yes, I do,” Alaina said, her voice small, with a slight nod of her head, barely one of assent.
“Well then, it seems we have a target, as it were. Now to teach you how to be subtle, aloof, and charming all at the same time. Time to put your opinions aside, just for the time being. Are you ready?” Evelina inquired, already ten steps ahead in planning.
