Page 12 of A Bride for the Forbidden Duke
“As they could be true?” Lady Fernwell’s voice cut in, and she appeared from the crowd of ladies and suitors, dressed in her trademark pink.
Her gown was elegant and draped over her figure, her cane finished with a pink bird in flight. It was fine craftsmanship.
“Mama,” Evelina whispered. Eyes continued to linger too long, making the back of Veronica’s neck prickle. “Please do not make anything unpleasant for your guests.”
“I shall not,” Lady Fernwell sniffed. “I am a woman of society, Evelina, as you should be. Listen to those around you.”
“Veronica is also around me. And I shall listen to her.”
Lady Fernwell had the same hesitance to address Veronica and her mother as she had the day Veronica had dined here earlier in the week.
“Thank you both for attending my ball to start what I hope to be a glorious season! Evelina wasquiteinsistent on your attendance.” She gave an awkward laugh that said enough.
Her eyes flickered around them, as if not wanting to be known to be speaking with them. She stepped back.
She had not wanted to invite us at all, Veronica realized.
She smiled and curtsied.
“We are most grateful for your hospitality, Lady Fernwell,” Judith said. “Are we not, Veronica?”
“Certainly,” she answered, smiling. “I do hope those gossip sheets are keeping you busy. You must see many things about many people.”
Do not focus solely on our downfallwas what she meant.
“Indeed,” Lady Fernwell answered, her smile far too polite. “If you will excuse me, I believe I see Lady Ashley and I must speak with her about…”
Her words trailed off, and Veronica winced as the woman swanned away in that way of hers. The guests parted for their host, and moments later, laughter was heard, tinkling over the music.
Evelina grasped Veronica’s hands, turning her attention back to her. “I am sorry for my mother’s behavior,” she apologized, her delicate brows furrowing.
“It is quite all right,” Veronica assured her. “I understand.”
Judith looked troubled for a moment as she listened, as if she truly did manage to delude herself into thinking that nobody noticed their downfall or noticed her goings-on with Lord Barwicke.
Veronica’s nerves frayed, hoping she would not see the Lord tonight. If she had to witness his smarmy smile, knowing exactly what he was doing to her mother…
She could not bear it.
“Well, time shall not wait for two young ladies!” Judith encouraged. “Veronica, darling, please do mingle. Do not linger on the outskirts on my account. It would make me ever so happy to see you have at least one dance tonight.”
Judith’s eyes looked over Veronica’s dress, and she thought to herself,do not waste the money your mother has endured such atrocities to secure in order to buy this gown.
And as much as the truth speared her heart to accept, Veronica knew there was nothing she could do about the dress now. It had been bargained for in a terrible deal, bought, but the deal would not end at a dress. No, her mother would not give up this awful bargain until their fortunes were secured.
Evelina linked her arm through Veronica’s. “Come! Your mother speaks wisely.” She smiled prettily at Judith and began to tug Veronica away. “We shall not rest tonight until we have spoken to every eligible suitor here!”
Veronica mustered a smile.
More chatter surrounded them, finally moving away from the Granthams’ downfall onto who might pair up tonight for a dance.
Gentleman laughed about having skipped a few dance lessons, and yet they still sought a lady who knew every dance knownto man. Veronica despised it so as Evelina took her for a turn around the room.
“How are you faring?” Evelina asked, and Veronica realized, with a start, that she had still not told her friend of her mother’s dealings with Lord Barwicke, and Evelina was graciously not speaking of the gossip sheet.
Veronica still could not find words for the situation at hand.
“I am tired,” she admitted. “I am well, but… I must find a husband before the rumors about Robert get out of hand. Do you hear everything they are saying? It is awful!”
