Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening (Summerset Abbey Trilogy)

Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening (Summerset Abbey Trilogy) Read Free

Book: Summerset Abbey: Spring Awakening (Summerset Abbey Trilogy) Read Free
Author: T. J. Brown
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entered the downstairs drawing room, laughing. A much subdued Coterie was in force, surrounded by their wealthy and eagle-eyed relatives. Most of the members of their strange little club were set to inherit large sums of money and property, but as most were well under thirty, they were dependent on the goodwill and the annual stipends of their elders. Though they were a randy, irreverent lot behind their benefactors’ backs, they attempted to keep up appearances in their presence.
    Edward raised a glass in mock salute as Victoria moved to greet her aunt and uncle. She liked Edward, who was handsome and smart and, most important, completely in love with someone else. He was uncomplicated, unlike Kit, who was becoming more complicated by the day. “Good evening, Uncle. Good evening, Aunt. You’re looking smashing this evening.”
    As always, Victoria resisted the urge to curtsy before her auntas if she were the Queen. The impulse made her voice brisker than it would have been with someone else of her aunt’s peerage and status. Aunt Charlotte rather intimidated her, and Victoria detested being intimidated by anyone. Even though she knew all too well that her aunt was a woman to be feared, Victoria couldn’t help the disrespectful edge in her voice whenever they conversed.
    Her aunt offered a cheek, which Victoria kissed dutifully. “Really, darling, is that how you spoke to the wardress?” Aunt Charlotte asked in a whisper as Victoria leaned close.
    Victoria stiffened, then whispered back, “No, Auntie, I reserve it just for you.” She drew away and her aunt Charlotte gave her a lovely smile. Those who didn’t know Charlotte would think her sincere. Those close to her knew that her genuine smiles were rare and reserved for her husband and son.
    “Lucky me,” Aunt Charlotte answered, her eyes amused.
    Aunt Charlotte unnerved Victoria, who hastily kissed her uncle’s cheek and joined the Coterie in front of the fireplace.
    “Where’s Rowena?” Victoria asked, looking around.
    “She has a headache,” Sebastian answered. “She won’t be joining us this evening.”
    “If I had five glasses of champagne and ran about like a madwoman in the heat, I would have a headache too.” Annalisa grinned.
    Victoria frowned. Rowena had good reason to want to drown her sorrows.
    “Well, good for her,” Kit said, then drained his glass. “A body has to do something to dull the boredom.”
    “If it’s so boring here, why do you even bother?” Victoria flashed.
    “Sometimes I wonder,” Kit snapped back.
    Stung, she stared up into his clever blue eyes, then tossed her head. “I know I certainly do.”
    “Oh, stop it, you two,” Colin ordered. “You’re both becoming boring, and we have far, far better things to talk about.”
    Victoria took a deep breath and let it go. “Like what, dear cousin?”
    “How about . . . the fact that I’ve officially joined the army?” Colin answered quietly.
    Next to her, Elaine gasped, and Victoria couldn’t believe that around them people continued drinking their tea and gossiping just as if the phrase he’d just uttered were completely commonplace.
    “Mother’s going to kill you,” Elaine said flatly.
    No mention of how their father would feel, but everyone knew that even though Lord Summerset could be a cold, hard man, it was Lady Summerset who could make a person wish she had never been born with a single disapproving glance.
    “What the hell did you do that for?” Kit barked.
    Colin glanced at the Dowager Countess of Kent, who had wandered near to the group. Everyone went still and smiled at her, which caused the old lady’s brows to fly upward toward the old-fashioned lace cap she wore on her graying head.
    “Lovely day, isn’t it Lady Barrymore?” Victoria asked sweetly. “A perfect Little Red Hen day!”
    Lady Barrymore’s pale eyes blinked rapidly. “You’re quite mad, child.”
    “ ‘Oh, we’re all mad here. I’m mad. You’re

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