“Yes. You are under the wing of all the Ashton family now. We will take care of you and if it is a husband you want, a husband is what you shall have.”
Could she achieve her plan so easily? “And what if I do not land a husband this season? What will happen to me then?”
“Why, nothing. Although, you are an incredibly beautiful young lady so I am sure you will have many admirers. It will not be long before you steal the heart of some lucky fellow.”
“You say that with such confidence I am worried I shall let you down.”
“Balderdash. My own, exceptionally beautiful sister had her first season last year and got two proposals of marriage. Luckily for her, we could ascertain they were not suitable, and now she is more experienced in the marriage mart, she has learned to see the difference between a man and suitable husband material.”
“They are not the same?”
“Absolutely not. Fear not, Miss Sterling, we will guide you, and between Warrington and me we will weed out the unfavorable ones.” He plucked a flower and presented it to her. She smiled in thanks and twirled the bloom in her fingers asthey reached the fountain. She should have been buoyed by his confidence, but reminded herself not to raise her hopes. Until she saw his declarations in action, they were nothing more than pretty words meant to console her.
“Did you make me a list of things you require?”
“I did but I am afraid I have only two dresses that fit. I do wish for the rest to be returned to Miss Covington’s, for dear Pamela will need her clothes back.”
“Of course. My mother and sister are due to arrive tomorrow, and I am sure that they will be more than happy to take you to their modiste. They know better than I what you will require. As for the other items, I will have them purchased for you posthaste.”
“Thank you, Lord Anthony. I know I am a problem you had not asked for. I shall try not to be a burden to you or your mother.”
“My mother loves shopping, and introducing you to the ton will make her quite unbearably happy. You will find she loves to talk. And by talk, I mean to gossip. You shall know the ins and outs of everyone by the week’s end.”
Lucinda noticed he did not refer to her as being a burden. Did that mean he did think her a burden, or was he simply dismissing her concern? Perhaps he intended to ignore her once his mother and sister arrived. She was not sure if that would be a blessing or not.
The next eveningthere was a great commotion downstairs and when May arrived in Lucinda’s room she announced proudly, “The family has arrived.”
Lucinda spun around from her chair at the dressing table. “What? All of them?”
“Why, yes, miss.” May looked confused by her questions.
Sweat broke on her brow. “I can’t go down there.” She looked down at her dress, its dull-brown hue not suitable for any table, let alone a duke’s. She looked disowned, felt disowned… was disowned.
“Why ever not, miss? They are expecting you.”
“All of them, you said. I thought it would just be the dowager and Lady Marianne. Oh, this is bad, very bad.” She could feel her throat constricting in panic. She could not go down and meet the family looking a little better than a beggar.
May smiled. “It is just nerves, miss. They are all nice.”
“But all at once?”
“Lord Ashton will be arriving soon to escort you down. Take some deep breaths and all will be well.”
Lucinda paced the floor, the back of one hand on her forehead, the other on her hip, May all but forgotten as her panic rose with every passing moment. She needed to calm down, but her body was disinclined to listen.
What did she think might happen if she went down there? Would they swallow her up with their good intentions and spit her out once they found her lacking? Would they snicker behind their napkins at the state of her dress?
A knock at the door made her jump. May was nowhere to be seen. She squeaked out, “Yes?”
“Miss Sterling, it is Lord Anthony. May I come in?”
Her first thought was to say no. Her panic was quickly turning to anger. She wanted to know why he had been so thoughtless as to do this to her.
“Come in,” she said and sat on the bed gathering with all her might what composure she could.
When he entered, he left the door open, and May stood in the hallway. Lucinda did not want to look up at him, did not want him to see her fear. “Is it true?” was all she said to him once he was fully in the room.
He stopped mid-stride. “Is what true?”
