Mama is suspiciously obtrusive for someone who’s about to hear a rumor about a friend.
“The scuttlebutt is that the Duke sent Henrietta and her daughter away so that he could gamble and fool around with loose women.”
Lavinia’s stomach roiled with disgust. She was not someone to tolerate ruinous gossip, but whispers like this, being spread by a respectable lady like the Countess of St. Vincent, were a different story.
Mrs. Caulfield frowned. “That is too grievous to be true. No son would send away his mother and sister so he could—” She broke off and shook her head as if she were too revolted by the idea to voice it.
“I had my doubts at first, too.” Lady St. Vincent nodded her head so vigorously that the small wobble in her chin became more pronounced. “But I think the gossip is too outlandish to be ignored.”
“No,” Lavinia countered. “We should not believe it precisely for that point. If the rumors are too outlandish, then we should not believe them.”
“You are absolutely right,” Mrs. Caulfield declared. “I am resolved to meet the Duke of Pemberton and treat him just as cordially as everyone else I encounter.”
The Baroness bobbed her head in agreement. “Well said.” She smiled sweetly at Lady St. Vincent. “The Duke will be a guest in my home, so I cannot very well treat him with disdain.”
Lady St. Vincent arched a cynical eyebrow and looked at them all as if they were simpletons. “I know Henrietta is a good friend of yours, Lady Crawford, but that son of hers… we must all be on our guard.”
“But why?” Mrs. Caulfield said, a bit of incredulity coloring her tone. “The Duke has not even set foot on the property, and already we are planning to shun him.”
“We shouldn’t shun him,” Lavinia said as she gave all sides of the conversation a bit of thought. “But perhaps we should be cautious, as Lady St. Vincent advised.”
“Thank you,” Lady St. Vincent murmured, haughtily lifting her chin. “I would hate to think that my kindly meant words fell on deaf ears.”
“But, ladies,” the Baroness spoke up, spreading her hands wide in a bid to appease everyone, “can we not have a lovely weekend and treat everyone with civility?”
“We can,” Lavinia assured her. “But we must not ignore everything that has been done and said before this week.”
“Exactly,” Lady St. Vincent said crisply. Then, she lowered her gaze to Lavinia’s necklace. “I am happy to find that you are not just another ornament, dear. You may look lovely, but you’ve got a good brain in your head.” She shot Mrs. Caulfield and the Baroness a withering look. “Try to retain your wits about you, even when others lose theirs.”
With those parting words, she side-stepped the small group and proceeded onward toward the drawing room.
Lavinia turned and watched her go, thinking of everything the Countess had said and wondering where the gossip ended and the truth began.
The guests slowly filled the drawing room and the conservatory, then some went out to the gardens, while others went to their rooms to get changed for dinner.
Meanwhile, Lavinia floated from one room to the next, looking to make new acquaintances. From time to time, she would self-consciously lift a hand and stroke the diamonds around her neck. She liked the smooth, slick feel of the stones under her gloved fingertips.
As she entered the drawing room, she ran her finger over the largest stone, set in the center of the necklace, and that was when she noticed a few gentlemen staring at her.
Lord Edgeworth, Mr. Norton, the Viscount Trowbridge…
Two years ago, during the last Season she’d spent in London, she had been forced to stand with all three men an inordinate number of times. She had partnered with Lord Edgeworth at nearly every ball, had endured having her toes trampled by Mr. Norton more than once, and had been heartily ashamed when the Viscount Trowbridge had spilled a cup of punch down her gown during Lord and Lady Munnerlyn’s ball.
So, Lavinia smiled pleasantly at all of them, then veered to the left so she would not need to approach them.
Why can’t I find the man I’ll marry?
Suddenly, as if the room heard her thoughts, she felt the curious stares of other gentlemen she had not noticed earlier. A shiver ran down her spine, and she felt the repulsion in not only her body but her whole being as a pack of eager bachelors suddenly surrounded her.
“Miss Fitzroy, how delightful to see you.” The most blithe and familiar voice pierced her ears immediately.
She looked up to find the Marquess of Selway staring at her.
“You are even more enchanting than the night,” he continued.
Lavinia could not help grimacing at that very moment.
“I am glad you could join my family to celebrate this occasion,” she said as she worked up a smile just for Lord Selway.
