Page 9 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
To think I did not want to come to Bixby Hall.
When Uncle Felton first presented him with the invitation, Phineas was sure he would spend the next several weeks doing what he always did when he was with his family members.
He would dine with them when required to do so but spend the rest of his hours trying to duck into the library rather than sit about and play games of Whist or go out for horseback rides in the middle of the afternoon. But with Lady Christianna at his side and the prospect of teaching her more about a subject he already cared about a great deal, he found that his entire attitude changed.
He looked forward to the coming days and knew his time with the lady was not to be squandered. So, he refocused his attention on her reading and reminded himself to make the most of their time together while it lasted. For in two weeks’ time, Lady Christianna would become Percy’s wife, the Duchess of Bixby, and she would not have time to spend sitting with him in the library, exploring the wonders of the human mind and body.
Chapter 5
“Oh, what a splendid idea,” Christianna’s dear friend, Lady Bianca Shorewood, squealed as she clambered into the carriage. “I was so hoping to do a bit of shopping whilst we were in town.”
“Yes,” the dowager duchess agreed. “Our shops here in Bixby might not be equal to those in London, but I do fancy our milliner to be one of the best around.”
“I would like to get a new turban and perhaps a few ribbons for you, Christianna,” Auntie Mary-Anne said as she snuggled more closely into the seat next to the window.
The carriage was fit to burst as it was packed with six ladies this morning. Not only were Lady Christianna, Lady Bianca, the dowager duchess, and Auntie Mary-Anne all going on this shopping excursion, but the lady’s maids, Miss Albina Scriven, who attended the dowager duchess, and Miss Betty Fitzroy, the young lady who assisted Auntie Mary-Anne and Christianna, were also bound to make the journey.
“If you think it is necessary,” Christianna replied in a subdued tone.
“Oh, but are you not excited, Christianna?” Lady Bianca trilled. “This is to be your first outing in Bixby. All the shopkeepers will be fawning all over our party, trying to curry your favour so you might feel compelled to return to their shops once you are the duchess.”
“She is right, my dear,” the dowager duchess allowed. “You should take every opportunity today to enjoy yourself as you will find all the shopkeepers will be aiming to please you especially.”
“I shall try,” Christianna whispered. She was situated in the middle of the bench, between her lady’s maid and aunt, and she shifted a bit in her seat, trying to find a comfortable position.
“Are you all right, my dear?” Auntie Mary-Anne asked quietly. The others were in raptures, talking about what they wished to buy, so the dowager viscountess’ words were only heard by her niece.
“I am well,” Christianna replied simply.
“But something is wrong, darling. I can see that much,” Auntie Mary-Anne pressed.
“It is just that I was hoping to spend some time with His Grace this morning,” Christianna admitted. “Before the prospect of heading into town was announced, I did believe he meant to take me out in the curricle so we could go on a tour of the park.”
“There is no need to fret,” the dowager duchess interrupted, which took Christianna by surprise. She had mistakenly thought the dowager was engaged with the other ladies, rather than listening in on the conversation she was having with her aunt. “There are two more carriages coming to town this morning. I do believe a fair number of ladies wished to join the party, and if I am not mistaken, Percival and Felton were in a third carriage.”
“You see,” Auntie Mary-Anne said in a sweet, placating voice as she reached over and patted Christianna on the knee, “all has been managed quite nicely. Perhaps the duke can squire you about town, introducing you to the shopkeepers.”
“That would be lovely,” the dowager duchess said as she gave an approving nod. “I am sure he will be thrilled with such a prospect.” Her eyes sparkled merrily, but before much more could be said on the subject or Christianna could even give voice to her own feelings about the plan, the carriage rolled to a slow stop.
“Are we here already?” Bianca asked as she reached over and flicked the heavy curtains aside.
“We are so happily situated near the shops,” the dowager duchess explained. “I have always said that it was as if the town sprung up around our estate. When walking through our park, it seems as if the trees and woods could go on for miles and miles, but in truth, we are but minutes from a bustling centre of commerce.” One of the footmen rushed to open the door and lower the step, and a moment later, the ladies alighted from the coach.
“Where shall we start?” Bianca asked excitedly as she grasped hold of Christianna’s arm.
“I…” she started to reply, but her words were whisked away when the carriage that was meant to convey the gentlemen rolled into view. It stopped just behind the one the ladies had just vacated and almost at once sounds of rollicking laughter could be heard. “Did some ladies travel with the gentlemen into town?”
Bianca shook her head. “I cannot say.” They stood still for a moment as the door swung open. Lord Linfield was the first to make his exit. He was followed by Percival, then came Lady Lydia Scotfeld as well as Miss Violet Kreese. “What are they doing with the gentlemen?”
Christianna shook her head, feeling rather bewildered. “I did not even know they were joining our party.”
“Well,” Bianca hissed, “to be fair—they did not exactly joinourparty. It looks as though they were guests of the duke.”
And it was as Bianca said. Percival stood there, offering his hand to each of the ladies in turn, helping them from the carriage. It was such a gentlemanly thing to do, and yet, the scene had an unnerving aspect to it.
“Why did they travel together? I thought all the ladies were meant to come as one, and all the gentlemen were set to arrive in their own carriage. Had I known we were mixing the parties, I would have…”
Bianca interrupted Christianna’s musings with a gentle, tittering laugh. “Do not begrudge our friends for spending time with your handsome husband-to-be while they can. You will soon monopolise all his attention, I am sure.”
