Page 63 of His Duchess of Scandal
Hyde Park was mercifully emptier that day. By no means did that mean it was ever truly empty, for the pathways were almost always packed, but at least the usual crush was absent that day.This way, she did not have to endure as many not-so-discreet stares.
Her sisters chattered enough that it distracted her from constantly wondering who had passed by and seen the painting.
But Alicia looked at her keenly, understanding flickering in her ever-watchful eyes. “People have all but forgotten, you know,” she assured her. “About the painting. It has been a month, and it has been dubbed an engagement present that was revealed before it was ready. A private matter made public. Which I do believe it was, anyway.”
Hermia blinked, surprised. “People believe that?”
Isabella’s grin was sly. “People will believe anything as long as it is spun prettily. Words are powerful, dear sister.”
“Ah, yes, Isabella, you are the mistress of the written word, there to charm every suitor with your wit.” Alicia rolled her eyes.
However, Hermia sympathized with her sister, for she knew the chess game that debutante balls were. Alicia would understand one day.
Both of her sisters would be like queens on the board in very different ways. Both forces to be reckoned with.
“Either way,” Isabella muttered, ignoring Alicia, “Lord Francis is a real suitor, and he and I are looking positive for a courtship anyday now! Mama is rather happy with the prospect, which is how I knew she would not object to us crossing paths with him.”
“You must tell me about him some time,” Hermia said, knowing that Isabella would dominate their catch-up now if given the chance to speak about a man. “Sibyl, how about you? You must update me, too.”
If any of them noticed how she delicately avoided their questions about her life, they did not comment on it.
“Oh!” Sibyl squeaked. “I have been reading this absolutely riveting novel! It is about an undersea maiden who has lost her ability to see through a terrible happenstance. Such a curse is ever so dangerous below the waters, of course, but it can be lifted by true love. However, she must hunt down three precious artifacts that, together, will bind her back to her sight! Once that happens, the reward is undoubtedly going to be her hand in marriage.”
She let out a wistful sigh, while Alicia groaned in disgust.
“What?” Sibyl scoffed. “It is beautiful.”
“Yes, and you will be sorely disappointed to find out that real life is very different, Sibyl. In this world, no man will hunt down precious items. He will not even hunt down the depths of your desires, or what interests you have. All he will care about is himself.”
“My, my, you are a pessimist,” Sibyl muttered. “I do not comment on your hobbies, Alicia, so do not comment on mine.”
The two of them scowled at one another, but it was all good-natured.
Four girls were bound to clash, and they had several times over the years, but their girlhood had still bound them. The looming threat of the ton had bound them in earlier years, and now Hermia could see thatnavigatingthe ton would only cement that.
“I do not care for romance or gossip or Lord Francis,” Alicia sighed as they rounded a bend in the path, passing through the long shadows of a weeping willow to their right.
On the ground, some apples had fallen, and Hermia thought of Phoebe.
“I care to know how His Grace has been treating you, Hermia,” Alicia continued. “I want to hearfacts. True things, not whimsical fairytales that have no place in reality. One must be braced for anything, not just romance.”
Hermia bit back a retort. Once, she would have sided with Sibyl, but the years had made her somewhat jaded. Still, her hope had remained like an ember in an extinguished fire: not quite enough to stir a fire again, but not quite gone, either.
“It has been well,” she answered, her eyes sweeping their surroundings. “How are your lessons?—”
“Oh, do not evenmentionthose.” A weary groan escaped her sister’s lips. “He is as infuriating as ever, and with you gone, I think Mr. Maudley believes he can get away with being so much more?—”
“Bastardly?” Sibyl cut in, making them all halt.
“Sibyl,” Isabella admonished gently. “Do not repeat Alicia’s words.”
“Who is to say that is my word?” Alicia cried.
“Because you are the only one of us brave enough to use it in regard to a tutor,” Hermia pointed out, stifling a giggle.
Ah, I have missed this so much.
Alicia sniggered, nodding. “That is true. Well done, Sibyl. You are taking after me.”
