Lady Eugenia's Holiday Read Free

destined to become fast friends!”
Lady Penelope cried. “Here and now in this little town, we must acquaint
ourselves with the eligible gentlemen. Once we two arrive in London for the
Little Season, we shall reacquaint ourselves with them and both make perfect
matches!”
    Yes, that sounded quite splendid. Eugenia would
love to have a close friend, especially in a place where she knew no one. She
considered what Lady Penelope had said. Indeed, one could never truly know what
might come from a casual meeting. Lady Penelope might make an advantageous
marriage to a duke and then Eugenia would be the very good friend of a duchess!
    The evening came to an unsatisfactory end when Aunt
Rose halted their coze to announce to Eugenia, “I am
ready to leave now, dear.”
    “Now?” Only minutes after making her first friend
since arriving perhaps her greatest friend.
    “I am so very fatigued and there are so many
arrangements to make for tomorrow.”
    Tomorrow? How could Eugenia think of tomorrow when
tonight might have held so many possibilities?
    First thing the next morning, Aunt Rose made sure
the staff clearly understood there would be plenty of tea on hand. Then with
her next breath she continued, “Cakes and sandwiches, and oh, yes, fruit tarts,
ample fruit tarts. Strawberry, current, and apricot. Have Cook bake plenty. I
shan’t have my callers going away unsatisfied!”
    “Do you really think we’ll have many callers?”
Eugenia naively asked. How was she ever to know what to expect? Did everyone
who said they would stop by truly stop by?
    Aunt Rose leveled one of her knowing looks at her
niece. It made Eugenia feel as if she were seven years old again.
    “They’ll come,” Aunt Rose said with a regal air. “They’ll
all come.”
    Promptly at 11 o’clock they had their first
visitor. Each and every person they had met last night who said they would call
was true to their word. Lady Penelope arrived with her mother Lady Coddington.
    “I usually do not accompany my mother on her calls,”
Lady Penelope explained to Eugenia, “but I knew she planned to see your aunt
and I wanted to meet with you again.”
    “I am so very glad you came. I’m afraid I do not
find my aunt’s acquaintances as entertaining as she—and they have been here for
hours it seems.” But, of course, it couldn’t have been.
    “Well, they’ve all overstayed their welcome.” Lady
Penelope glanced about them before suggesting, “What do you think about you and I paying a visit to the lending library? I believe it
is just down the street?”
    “Is that not equally as tiresome?” Eugenia replied,
totally exasperated at her new friend. “I cannot imagine anyplace more
uninteresting!”
    Lady Penelope persuaded her that they should leave.
Eugenia did not put up much of a fight when pressed to collect her pelisse,
hat, and reticule before accompanying her friend out the front door.
    “My dear, Lady Eugenia.” Lady Penelope grasped
Eugenia’s hand and pulled her near as they strolled down the front walk of the
house. “I believe you are quite mistaken—you truly do not understand.”
    Eugenia had to admit that it felt good to step out
of the house and move about after hours of sitting and entertaining visitors.
The company of Lady Penelope made the short foot journey all the more
enjoyable. Twenty minutes later they had arrived.
    The lending library was not at all similar to the
one Eugenia visited at home where one simply borrowed books. Here ladies and
gentlemen not only found books but enjoyed tea and one another’s company. Lady
Penelope could not have been more correct.
    There were so many people deep in conversation and
Eugenia could easily imagine being one of them. Filled with worthwhile,
pleasurable activity, she thought this was where she could spend many a
pleasant afternoon.
    Brighton seemed to be the perfect place to wait out
the interval before attending the Little Season in the fall. Her stay here may
even work to her