Deceived. Bertrice Small

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СКАЧАТЬ me the opportunity to introduce Calandra into society. The Prince of Wales is a fine fellow, and there has been talk recently of his marrying. There will be much gaiety, and Calandra will enjoy it until such time as she is with child.”

      “She hasn’t a proper wardrobe,” Oralia protested. “There has been virtually no time to prepare a trousseau.”

      “St. Timothy’s is not aware of the latest fashions,” he replied. “I will have a brand-new wardrobe made for my wife in London. And one for Miss Spencer-Kimberly as well that will be awaiting her upon her arrival the following month.” He patted Oralia’s hand comfortingly. “You must not fret yourself, ma’am. I will take splendid care of your daughter. After all, she is to be the Duchess of Farminster.”

      Cally jumped up, clapping her hands with delight! “Oh, yes, Mama! Imagine! A brand-new wardrobe for me, and one for Aurora too! The latest London fashions!” She turned to the duke. “Will I have wonderful jewelry too, sir? And a coach and four? And a wench to help my Sally? Will we see the king? Will your horses race? May I have pin money to wager upon them?” Her pale cheeks were pink with excitement.

      “Calandra!” Her shocked mother could barely speak.

      Aurora and George were astounded, for they had never before heard Cally so enthusiastic. They didn’t know if they dare laugh.

      Valerian Hawkesworth, however, did laugh. It was a deep rumble of mirth that filled the room. What an enchanting child, he thought, this girl he was to marry shortly. His late father’s meddling had, it seemed, turned out well after all. He arose from the settee, taking Cally’s hands in his and smiling down at her indulgently. “Yes, my precious Calandra,” he said boldly. “You shall have everything that your little heart desires from me, and more, I promise you!”

      He had spoken her name. “Ohhh, Valerian!” she murmured, looking up at him for a moment before the thick, dark lashes brushed her snowy white cheeks. Then she said, “I shall never be fearful of anything as long as you are with me.” She gazed up at him again, her hazel eyes limpid. “Would you like to see our garden?”

      George Spencer-Kimberly choked back a snicker even as Aurora rolled her eyes heavenward unbelievingly.

      “What a lovely idea!” Oralia pounced upon her daughter’s suggestion. “I will call Sally to bring you a hat and your mitts, my child.” She stood up. “Come, Aurora, George. Let us leave these young people alone.” Then she hurried from the drawing room, her son and stepdaughter following.

      “Oh, la, sir! You have quite stolen my heart!” Aurora mocked her stepsister, fluttering her lashes at George.

      “Quite, Miss Kimberly! Quite so!” George responded, kissing Aurora’s hand with a loud smacking noise, and twirling her about.

      “Stop it, the pair of you,” Oralia scolded.

      “But Cally is being so silly,” Aurora said.

      “She’s a young, inexperienced girl, and but following her heart. She is quite overwhelmed by the duke, and I think that he is taken by her, for which I thank the good Lord. Especially”—and here she lowered her voice—“especially considering what you two have done. I can only hope, Aurora, that you have no regrets now.”

      “None, Mama” came the quick reply. “Cally is quite welcome to the duke. I find him arrogant and odious.”

      “He is to be your host in England. You will have to be mannerly,” Oralia said, and then, “Oh! You cannot travel alone to England!”

      “Martha will be with me,” Aurora reminded her.

      “No! No! It will not do, my child. Martha is a servant. No respectable young woman of good family travels alone but for a servant.”

      “I am just as happy to remain here, Mama,” Aurora told her. Oralia shook her head. “You must be married eventually, Aurora. Most of the planters’ sons are dissolute creatures involved with their slave women, and with St. Timothy you would not have a great deal of choice despite your dowry and income. The heirs are looking for heiresses, and must find them in England, or France, where their wicked practices are not known, and they appear respectable to a discerning parent. No. You must go to England to find a mate. There your little fortune will be acceptable to some baronet of good breeding.” She thought for a moment, and then she said, “George shall go with you! That is the solution to our problem. It is quite acceptable for you to travel under the protection of an elder brother. And perhaps George will find a nice young wife while he is in England. We must ask the duke if he knows which ship follows the Royal George, and then see that the passage is booked on it for you both.”

      “The harvest will not quite be over if I leave so soon,” George protested. “And who the devil will oversee the planting, Mama? I cannot leave now. The duke has asked me to remain as his manager and overseer. I have responsibilities to him, and to my sister.”

      “You have a greater responsibility to Aurora,” his mother responded meaningfully. “She must have her chance too!”

      “I do not have to follow on Cally’s heels to England, Mama,” Aurora said sensibly. “Let her and the duke settle into married life. George can finish the harvest and see to the new planting. Then in late autumn he and I can depart for England. It will be over a year before the new crop is ready to harvest, which will give him plenty of time to be a young gentleman of fashion, perhaps even a macaroni, in London. And I shall have a lovely visit with Cally before we have to return home to St. Timothy for the next harvest.” She smiled at her stepmother. “Isn’t that really a better plan, Mama? Let the duke sweep Cally off to England and her new life without our interference. He will have little love for his in-laws if they land on him too quickly.”

      “But you will be almost eighteen then,” Oralia objected weakly.

      Aurora laughed. “Oh, Mama, I’m certain there will be someone willing to overlook my vast age in exchange for my dowry.”

      “You are quite impossible,” Oralia said. “I wonder if you will ever find a man to put up with you.” But she smiled as she spoke.

      “I’d rather be with you here on St. Timothy” came the reply.

      “Does Aurora’s plan suit you, George?” Oralia asked her son.

      “Aye, it does,” he agreed.

      “Then it is settled,” Aurora said, and they all agreed it was.

      Chapter 3

      The duke’s valet, Browne, awakened him quite early, as his master had requested he do. While the sky was light, the sun was not yet up. The air was warm and quite still for a change. He bathed and dressed quickly, for he was to ride with George and Aurora before the sun became too hot for his inspection. By ten o’clock in the morning George told him the heat would be too much for him, as he was unused to it.

      Browne handed him a deep saucer. “A bit of tea, sir. The cook was kind enough to make it up. The family stock is really quite palatable. We may not be in civilization, but it ain’t bad here but for the heat. I hardly closed my eyes all night.”

      “You’ll be quite used to it by the time we leave, Browne,” Valerian Hawkesworth said with a smile. He drank the fragrant tea, setting the saucer down on a small table when he had emptied it.

      “Master СКАЧАТЬ