Page 5 of A Scandalous Love for the Enticing Duke
“Hail Mary, mother of Jesus! Music to my ears!” he cried, dramatically.
She finally laughed, covering her mouth as she did so, for she never wanted to be anything but prim and proper.
“Oh Williams! Stop it. I am so thrilled by this proposal. Of course, we must speak to Agnes at once and send a message to the Duke and Duchess, confirming our acceptance of their proposal. I have no doubt this would be an excellent match.”
She began floating around the room – for she never paced – as plans began to hatch in her head. As soon as Agnes accepted this proposal – and she would, for Victoria was on her last patient nerve when it came to that first daughter of hers – wedding preparations would begin! They would use the biggest parish, of course, and the entire ton would be present. It was to be the grandest wedding of all time after all. Her daughter was finally going to get married, and no one would stop her from throwing the best wedding of all seasons. One that would only be rivaled by Isabelle’s, which would come next.
“Mayhap, you would want to listen to what Agnes has to say before you commence your plans for the grand wedding I am certain you have already begun to plan.” She stopped floating and shifted, so she could face her husband. He continued,“Bear in mind that Agnes is twenty and four summers, and this would be her seventh season. Our daughter has turned down every single suitor, even till this moment, and there have been quite a number; men of status and wealth. What if she has resigned herself to a life of spinsterhood and decides to have no interest in the Duke?”
“Nonsense! No daughter of mine shall live a life of spinsterhood, not even over my old grave.” How could he consider something so utterly ridiculous?
“Agnes has only been behaving so badly because you have refused to clip her wings, Williams. However, after last season, I let her understand that this is to be her last, and she must choose a husband or we would do so for her. We are only in luck that an offer came so early. It is time to put our foot down for that child for she is not getting younger! She should be grateful that there is still a young man interested in her, at this age. Many have had to settle for so much lesser than she is getting. I have met Nicholas a few times, and he is a fine young man. Agnes will marry him, or I shall wash my hands of her!” she ended on a note of finality, huffing in exasperation. A life of spinsterhood? Her own daughter? Never!
There was a long pause as neither of them said anything. Victoria knew he was considering her words, and she hoped he would see reason with her. With his support, they could get Agnes to do the needful.
“I suppose you are right, Victoria. Mayhap, it is time to let Agnes know that her options and time have run out.”
She heaved a sigh of relief at the words that broke the silence. Lifting her skirts, she walked over to place a quick kiss on his lips.
“I knew you would see reason! Well, if that is all, I shall dismiss my guests and have that talk with Agnes. Lord knows they have overstayed their welcome, and apart from the season, I now have a wedding to plan for. Oh! It is surely going to be the grandest wedding ever witnessed, Williams. You just leave it to me!”
Without waiting for a reply, she floated out of the study, her skirts flowing behind her.
Chapter 3
Agnes stopped her humming and looked up from the silk scarf on which she was embroidering flowers. She stayed still, straining her ears to listen so as to ascertain if there was indeed someone by her door, or her imagination was simply performing a trick on her senses. The former was confirmed when a knock sounded again. It had to be one of her sisters or the maid, she reasoned. Without bothering to ask who it was, she called, “You may enter.” She returned to her chore and resumed her humming as she began to work the needle. She kept her gaze fixated on her work, not bothering to look up when her chamber doors came open.
“What is it?” she asked, still not looking up. It wasn’t until the footfalls drew closer that she realised they had made no sounds until now, and even at that, they sounded so softly, hard not to miss except one was listening carefully. There was only one person she knew who walked that gracefully in this household. She finally looked up to confirm her suspicions.
“Mother,” she greeted, putting the scarf aside so that she could pay attention to whatever her mother wanted to say. They were rarely ever on agreeing terms, but this was her mother, and she tried to give her due respect when it was necessary.
“Agnes. I see you are still working on that scarf. How’s it coming along?”
“Very well. I should be done with it within a few days.” She could not help wondering what her mother wanted this time for she only sought her out herself when it was a matter of importance. They were still a few weeks shy from the season, and although preparations had already begun, surely, the sermons about proper behaviour and snatching a right husband could not be starting so soon. Despite her wonder, she said nothing. Her mother would state her reason for this call in due time. She only had to wait.
“Hmm. I see. Have you decided who you would give it to?”
The lie came easily, and she hoped her mother would not catch it. If anyone looked clearly, they would see that the scarf was in fact, a cravat. It was no secret only men wore cravats, and this was not for her father, or any man in this household for that matter.
“Eleanor, mayhap? Gifts usually go to the baby sister, they say.” Her mother was studying the scarf, so she held her breath, watching her carefully to see if she would figure out anything. She released that breath when Victoria turned to look at her with a genuine smile.
“Of course. That is quite sweet of you, dear. Eleanor will love it, I am certain.”
Great. Now, she had to make sure she embroidered an identical scarf for her little sister.
“I would love that, Mother. I am glad you think so. Thank you.”
Victoria gave a hearty laugh that took Agnes back. It was obvious that something hung in the air, and since her mother was being so charming, she feared that it was something heavy. She shifted in her seat, suddenly scared and uncomfortable.
“For how outspoken you can be, you are also terribly modest, Agnes. Indeed. I confess it is one of the things I enjoy about you, dear child. It is no secret that your embroidery skills are excellent. If you were not born into such privileges, I am sure you would have made an honest living from the sales of your handiworks.”
Agnes did not know how to feel about those words, whether to take them as a compliment or not. So she simply said nothing, only offering a small smile in return. She only wanted to learn of the reason behind this visit to her room. Victoria must have read her mind, for at that moment, she began floating around the room, her hands clasped around her back as she checked for nothing in particular.
“You must be wondering why I have come here myself, are you not?” She angled her head to look at her, and Agnes bobbed hers.
“Well, there is news, you see. I was quite eager to break it to you by myself –still am, but I feel it would be best if your father and I are both present. You must come with me to his study. We have things to say to you.”
Her breath caught in her chest. The dread that was steadily creeping up on her told her that her intuition had been right. Whatever hung in the air was heavy. She suddenly did not want to hear it. After all, if she did not, no one would expect her to act on whatever this mystery was about. A fool’s hope for she knew when her father summoned, she must answer. Keeping her emotions at bay, she rose on her feet and proceeded to smoothen out rumpled edges on her skirt.
