The Duchess Read Free Page A

day I wish to go visit my sister?” Charlotte whined.
    “If it is,” her husband said, “I shall drive you to Lavinia's in the Stanhope gig myself, my precious.”
    “Oh,” Charlotte said, brightening, “I should like that!”
    The drawing room door opened at that moment, and Lady Sirena Abbott entered, a packet in her hand. She was a very pretty girl with golden blond hair, and blue eyes with just the hint of gray in them. Her complexion was one of the most favored and in fashion—peaches and cream. “Mama, this has just come for you from Uncle Septimius,” she said breathlessly. “I think it must be our traveling schedule.” Then remembering her manners she curtsied properly to her sister-in-law, but hugged her brother enthusiastically. “Ohh, Gussie, isn't it exciting? I'm going to London with Allegra! We have both decided that we are going to be Incomparables, and have all the gentlemen at our feet. We shall only consider the men who fight duels over us for husbands!”
    He laughed heartily, and hugged the slender girl back. “I certainly hope it will be just as exciting for you as you anticipate, Sirena. And, I hope you will find an excellent husband of good family, and better income to take care of you.”
    “Will he love me, Gussie?” she asked him anxiously.
    “How can he not?” her brother replied. “You are beautiful, Sirena, and sweet-natured. You excel at all the feminine skills, and you are virtuous. No man could ask for more in a wife, little sister.”
    “But you must not be so trusting of the other girls in London as you are at home,” Charlotte interjected. “Remember, they are all on the marriage hunt, Sirena, and will not be charitable toward others if it means they might lose a particularly desirable gentleman.”
    “That is excellent advice,” Lady Abbott noted, surprised by her daughter-in-law's sudden generosity. Then she realized that Charlotte would be far happier having Sirena married and out of the house.
    “You make it sound like warfare,” the trusting Sirena said.
    “It is,” Charlotte replied. “You cannot let down your vigil until you are well and truly married. I knew a girl in my season who became engaged to a most desirable gentleman, only to have him turn about and elope to Gretna Green with another. She was ruined, of course, and has not showed her face in London since. She has little chance now of making a successful match.”
    “Poor thing,” Sirena said sympathetically.
    “If you were not going with Miss Morgan I should truly fear for you, Sirena,” Charlotte responded impatiently. “At least your cousin has good common sense.”
    Again Lady Abbott was surprised. “I thought you did not like Allegra Morgan,” she said to her daughter-in-law.
    “I neither like her nor dislike her,” was the lofty reply.
    Lord Morgan's packet was a brief missive asking that they depart in a week's time. The Rowley coach would not be needed. Lord Morgan was sending his carriage for Lady Abbott and Sirena. They would visit at Morgan Court for a few days, and then go up to London. Lord Morgan would be gone when they reached Morgan Court, but he would await them in London. He had already engaged the town's most important modiste,Madame Paul, a refugee from the Terror in France, to make the girls' wardrobes, including the court dresses in which they would be presented to the king.
    Sirena was beside herself with excitement. “Just imagine, Charlotte! Uncle has said no expense is to be spared, and we will have jewelry to wear from the family safe! Madame Paul is to make our gowns! We will even be presented to His Majesty and the queen.”
    “All young ladies of good blood are presented,” Charlotte replied sourly. “I was, but I am certainly surprised that Miss Morgan is to be. After all, her blood is hardly blue. Well, perhaps a pale, pale shade,” she amended.
    “Certainly as pale as yours,” Lady Abbott replied sharply. “I think a duke and a duchess for