Page 2 of Tutoring a Lady into Sin
It was a logical conclusion to draw, and it made Christianna feel a keen sense of despondency. She was not in love with the duke, per say, but she did find him attractive, and she hoped that in time, an admiration for one another would blossom.
But first…he must make an appearance.
“Christianna is not a miracle worker, Isabella,” Auntie Mary-Anne said as she settled her empty cup into the saucer and placed it on the table. Christianna gazed at her aunt.
These past few years had been trying for her, as she’d not only lost her husband to a battle with tuberculosis, but her sister and brother-in-law, Christianna’s parents, had left this world behind as well. Auntie Mary-Anne, being her most charitable self, had taken in Christianna gladly, but it was no secret that she wished for her niece to make a suitable match immediately. “She cannot be expected to right all the wrongs of the world.”
The dowager duchess laughed haughtily. “You are a card, dearest Mary-Anne. Whoever said we were putting the weight of the world on Lady Christianna’s shoulders?”
“No one…I suppose,” Auntie Mary-Anne said quietly as she gave her head a tiny shake. “Do forgive me, Isabella. I am but a bit fatigued and find this waiting about to be testing my forbearance.” Just then, before the dowager duchess could add anything, the butler appeared in the doorway to the drawing room. “Yes, Mr Bedford?” Auntie Mary-Anne asked.
“A messenger has delivered a missive for the dowager duchess, my lady.” He bowed stiffly, then walked forward slowly. Mr Bedford had been with Auntie Mary-Anne since she first became the lady of the house.
He was a rather elderly fellow with thin wisps of white hair combed neatly to the side. When he spoke, his words came out in an almost inaudible whisper. But Christianna was used to his ways, and so she waited as the man toddled forward and handed the small slip of paper to the dowager duchess.
“Thank you, Bedford,” Auntie Mary-Anne said, and he shuffled out of the room as the dowager opened her note. She pursed her lips while skimming the words quickly.
“It seems that His Grace is currently indisposed. He will not be joining us today,” she said crisply as she folded the letter and tucked it into her reticule.
“That is a shame,” Auntie Mary-Anne whispered. Her normally soft, full lips pulled tight into a very straight line, and her blue eyes looked like frozen blocks of ice. “Both Christianna and I were looking forward to getting to know him better.”
“That shan’t be a problem,” the dowager returned as she waved her hand airily in front of her face. “Now that we know it is just going to be the three of us today, let us begin the negotiations.”
“I would prefer to have this discussion with your son,” Auntie Mary-Anne said icily.
“I speak on the duke’s behalf,” the dowager duchess replied tartly. “If you wish for this betrothal to continue, as previously planned, we have not a moment to delay.”
“Yes, of course,” Auntie Mary-Anne agreed. Then, she cast a worried glance at Christianna. “Will it suit you to begin, without your fiancé present?”
No…I do not like this arrangement at all. Percival should be here…on his knee…asking me to be his bride.
But Christianna did not share her thoughts. Instead, she bobbed her head respectfully at her aunt and the dowager duchess, giving her silent agreement to the situation.
“Since we have already discussed Lady Christianna’s sizable dowry, I see no need to rehash what she brings to the marriage,” the dowager duchess said as she pulled a long letter from her reticule.
“I agree,” Auntie Mary-Anne said as she reached for a small stack of papers that had been sitting on a table nearby. “What we must do today is begin making the final preparations. When do you think the wedding should take place?”
“The end of July, of course,” the dowager duchess replied matter-of-factly.
“That will not do,” Auntie Mary-Anne tsked. “It will be much too hot to enjoy ourselves, and it is so very soon. I wish for my niece to get to know your son better before they take their vows.”
“But of course, she will know Percival…better than anyone…once she comes to stay at Bixby Hall.”
“I am to leave Henchingbock Manor…before the wedding?” Christianna had been ready to sit quietly and listen to the two women discuss her future, but at this, she felt she must interject with her question.
“I was thinking that you might like to come to Bixby Hall, about a fortnight before the wedding date,” the dowager duchess explained. “Since it is to be your home very soon, it will be prudent for you to become acquainted with the staff, and of course, I will take that time to prepare you for all the duties you will have as the new Duchess of Bixby.”
“But what of my aunt?” Christianna asked. “Must I leave her so very soon?”
The dowager duchess smiled indulgently. “Your loyalty to your dear auntie does you credit, my dear. But there is no need to worry yourself. The invitation to come to Bixby Hall is one I wish to extend to you and your auntie, as well as any friends you might wish to entertain.”
“My friends?”
“But of course, dear girl. You must have several close friends you wish to have at your side on the day of your wedding,” the dowager duchess said as a small, pleased smile drifted onto her face.
“And I do think it might be rather nice to create a festive atmosphere leading up to the day. I only ask that you gather a list of friends and acquaintances you wish to invite and forward them to me directly. I shall have invitations drawn up, and we will be happy to host as many friends as you would like.”
“We already have our list of guests prepared,” Auntie Mary-Anne said as she pulled a stiff piece of parchment from her stack of papers. “We were thinking they would only be in attendance at the wedding but….”
