Page 43 of A Virgin for the Duke of Scars
“Iwill escort you to the sitting room before I take my leave,” Aaron said when they finally arrived at Blackwell Manor.
He stayed with her while the horses were led to the stables, permitting her to feed his horse a handful of sugar cubes.
“I am afraid I don’t know what they intend to teach you.”
“Whatever do you mean?” Theresa asked as they walked into the manor.
“Please take the packages to the Duchess’s chambers,” he called over his shoulder, before turning his attention back to her. “It is Grandmama. She and Lady Sophia have an afternoon planned for you. I hope you will not find it as dull as I do, but I fear you will.”
“I am sure whatever she planned will be lovely,” Theresa said with her characteristic optimism.
She always wanted to see the best in those around her, and the Dowager Duchess had given her no reason to think otherwise. She had been immensely helpful the past few days as Theresa settled in.
“I hope to hear about your afternoon later,” Aaron murmured, just as they stopped outside the sitting room.
He reached for her hand and kissed it, just as the Duke of Hiverville had done. Her cheeks flushed for what felt the umpteenth time.
She then entered the sitting room to find the Dowager Duchess seated with another old woman, both of them cackling.
“My dear,” the Dowager Duchess greeted. “This is my best friend, Lady Sophia. You will come to know her as well as you know me and Juliette. Until you make friends of your own, Sophia and I will keep you company.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Sophia,” Theresa said, bobbing a small curtsy.
She had no idea how to properly greet someone of Sophia’s station, but a curtsy seemed like the safest option.
“And she already curtsies,” Lady Sophia noted with appreciation. “You told me she had no idea how to behave like a lady.”
“I said nothing of the sort,” the Dowager Duchess scoffed. “I told you she was not raised by the Marchioness, but in a convent. The manners she was taught were different, not befitting her station as the new Duchess.”
“It is all right, Grandmama. Lady Sophia speaks the truth. I have no idea how not to embarrass myself.”
“Which is why we are here, Your Grace,” Lady Sophia said. “We are here to teach you everything you need to know to survive theton.”
“You must learn it all, Theresa. How to address people below your rank, how to curtsy, and how to host a fabulous party. Thetonwill judge you, and it makes no difference to them that you were not raised here. Your actions will reflect on our family,” the Dowager Duchess explained.
“I will do my best,” Theresa promised. “Where do we start?”
“Since you are so intent on curtsying, we shall start from there.”
Lady Sophia stood up from the brocade chair and pulled herself up to her full height, commanding the room as she did so. It was impossible for Theresa to take her eyes off the older woman.Theresa thought about what she must have been like in her younger days, spry and full of life.
She wasstillfull of life.
In one smooth move, she slid her foot behind her, dipping low to the floor with her head bowed. She held it there, giving Theresa time to grasp the mechanics of the curtsy, the deference it showed to those of a higher station.
When she felt Theresa had been sufficiently educated, she stood back up and gestured to Theresa.
“Again,” she demanded.
Theresa tried to mimic the older woman, sliding her foot behind her. But as she made to bend her knees, she swayed slightly to the side.
“Too far back,” the Dowager Duchess remarked. “Bring your foot closer, for balance.”
Theresa slid her foot closer and tried again, this time dipping low and bowing her head. The Dowager Duchess clapped her hands and shouted praise at the quick learning.
Theresa was certain that her curtsy mirrored the one in front of her.
“Now, rise,” Lady Sophia instructed, straightening her knees and rising to her full height. “In one fluid motion.”
