Page 13 of A Lady of Means
The other woman looked down at the simple, rustic piece of jewelry at odds with the fine brocade of her sleeve.“It’s from a village near the Congo.A priestess gave it to my mother on our last trip with one of my father’s religious excursions.”
Moria’s eyes met Carina’s and then Lady Gretchen’s.A young lady on the marriage mart good enough to attract Lady Valentine’s notice with parents traversing to the Congo?Therewas a story for their shared, secret book.
Moria looped her arm through Kate’s and led her several steps ahead.The others followed in her wake; their stacks of books seemingly forgotten.
Moria leaned toward her new companion conspiratorially.“I can see you are new to society.Would you like some advice?”
Kate raised both her brows in answer.If she had any reservations about the sudden interest of one of London society’s most sought after and discussed diamonds, she didn’t show it.
“One’s acquaintances are of the most importance.Maybe you should come with us,” Moria gestured toward the two ladies behind her who, bless them, pasted on the most comically large smiles Moria had ever seen.“We can help you avoid the wrong people.”
“Does that mean I’m invited too?”Valentine called from behind her, Lady Carina giggling with one hand over her mouth, Gretchen looking at him like he had sprouted horns and a tail.
When they exited the library several paces behind Lady Althea, Kate gave Moria a bald smile and a curtsy, retreating to find her chaperones as Lady Gretchen and Carina entered Moria’s carriage.Moria found herself calling over her shoulder at their new acquaintance, “Get in, bluestocking, we’re going shopping.”
The red-headed girl looked from Moria to her companions inside the carriage.Moria suppressed a smile at the sight of the nosey older woman leaning out the window, aiming to get a better look at Miss Herring through a quizzing glass.
“I’d love to, Lady Moria.”
And Lady Moria left the lending library for the shops on Bond Street one companion greater, a companion she might come to regret making.
* * *
“Just the ladyI was looking for!My favorite sister!”
Moria’s youngest sister sprang out to hug her as soon as she opened the front door to their residence.A liveried footman followed Moria inside the door of her family home, carrying her packages and bundle of books.
“I thought Kathleen was your favorite sister?”Moria questioned, taking off her gloves and hat and handing them to the housekeeper.
“I said she was the nicest, I never said she was my favorite.”
Moria observed her sister’s pink cheeks framed by a few red gold hairs trailing from her braid and an open smile.“Were you…waiting for me to return?”
Olivia tilted her head and looked off to the side.“Perhaps I had a particular reason.”
There was the usual mischievous light in Olivia’s green eyes and color in her cheeks.Moria might have been known for her eye for fashion and garments, but Olivia needed little adornment.Where Noelle and Kathleen were tall and lithe, Moria was average height, and Olivia was shorter and curvier, still the prettiest girl Moria had ever seen.Especially when her passion for something glowed within her eyes.
“Don’t leave me in suspense, you little scamp.”
Olivia grasped Moria’s hand and towed her into the summerhouse.In her wake, Ella, her lady’s maid, slipped a folded envelope in Moria’s other palm.For a second, Moria worried that her sister had caught the exchange; but Olivia was too far ahead and in too excited a state to notice.Finally, Olivia stopped and looked pointedly outside to their brother, who was talking with a suitor.For a moment, her heart had started to race, then slowed when she saw it wasn’t the man Moria so badly wanted it to be.
Moria didn’t take her eyes off the two men as she sat on the window seat that afforded the best view, her sister curling beside her.“How long has the Earl of Drysdale been here?”
Olivia tapped her chin.“I’m not sure, I think he was waiting for you.”
“What do you think they’re discussing?”
“I’m sure a sheltered debutante like myself couldn’t hazard a guess.”
Moria looked at her dubiously.
Olivia continued.“When I debut, I’m sure the gentlemen of means will be entirely unaffected.I’ve enough quirks to keep them from taking a keen interest.”
Moria draped her other arm around her sister’s waist.“When you debut tomorrow night, the right man will notice your quirks only add to your limitless beauty.”
“What nonsense,” Olivia giggled, “Is that how your debut went?”
“Close.I have no quirks.”
