“He will, you’ll see,” Lady Margaret replied.
Harriet bit her tongue. She knew her husband would never agree to this, let alone a masquerade ball. “There has to be another couple we could go as, Mother.”
“No,” she replied.
“So we have to attend a ball given in our honor and none of the guests will know who we are?”
“Don’t be so dramatic, my dear. Everyone will reveal themselves at midnight.”
Thank goodness right at that moment the butler and a footman brought in a tea tray. It would give her a few minutes to think things through. Lucien’s parents—they were obviously invited—but with her mother-in-law out of town, she may not be able to make it back in time. It would depend on her sister.
“You are aware Lucien’s mother is out of town visiting her ill sister, don’t you?”
“I invited both of course. We’ll just have to hope his mother will be able to attend.”
“Lucien will not attend if both his parents aren’t in attendance,” Harriet replied.
“Then I suggest you write the woman and convince her to return. I’ll not have my ball canceled for any reason. If she can’t attend, we’ll still go on.”
“As I just told you, Mother, Lucien will not attend unless both are present,” Harriet replied. She knew she had to start keepinga close eye on what her mother was doing or this soiree would turn out to be all about her mother.
“What are you and Father going as?”
Lady Margaret beamed. “Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn. I had thought of Catherine of Aragon, but she was too serious.”
“That’s an interesting choice. Perhaps we could switch out. You and father go as Antony and Cleopatra.”
Harriet finished fixing tea for the two of them and passed her mother a cup. She picked up her own cup and took a swallow as she watched her mother.
“I’m afraid that’s not possible. Your father was quite specific that he wished to dress as Henry.”
“He’ll make a good king,” Harriet replied.
“Yes, he will,” she said. “By the way I’ve been invited to the Duchess of Leeds for her semiannual afternoon soiree tomorrow. Just women and she thought to ask me to see if you’d like to accompany me.”
Harriet knew she wouldn’t be able to get out of attending. She had nothing going on and her mother would surely figure it out. On the other hand, it would be an ideal situation for her to meet some of her peers.
“Yes, I’ll accompany you. It sounds interesting,” Harriet said.
Lady Margaret hadn’t been expecting that her daughter would agree without some sort of discussion or confrontation. She appeared surprised.
“Wonderful. I know you’re going to enjoy yourself.”
“My life has changed now. I’m married and I must represent my husband to the best of my abilities.”
“And hopefully bring some grandchildren soon,” Lady Margaret replied with a sly smile.
“Mother!”
“It’s only a matter of time if you two enjoy bed sports as much as I imagine the two of you do.”
“And this topic is something you shouldn’t be discussing with me. When it happens, you’ll be one of the first to know,” Harriet replied. She knew her face had to give her away. It was a subject she and Lucien hadn’t really discussed, and it would happen when it was meant to.
“Your husband’s going to need a male heir, you know.”
Harriet shook her head in frustration. “Yes, I’m quite aware of that.”
She watched as her mother set her empty cup down on a table next to her. “I hate to rush along, but I’m meeting Lady Hampton. We’re going to a flower exposition and then lunch. With traffic in this part of London…well, you know.”
