Page 35 of Unmasking a Wicked Marquess
“Why am I to have a hastened wedding, Ma?” Juliet asked cautiously. Lord Ashton had shot into her mind: the way they had kissed and their bodies had pressed together in that alcove. She had no wish to think of marrying any man right now, only to think of that heat.
“Hardly so quick.” Cecily laughed at the notion, waving her hand in the air. “But we must consider a match for you sometime.”
Juliet turned an accusatory glare on her sister, angered she was about to be thrust in front of so many men when Violet knew she only wanted to see one. Strangely, Violet just continued to smile back.
“Vi,” Brandon said quietly, clearing his throat. He’d been told the whole story many months ago about the rift between their family and the Duke of Lantham’s, and his worries were plainly plaguing him now. “We know why your family does not go to Ascot.”
“That does not need to apply this year, though. The Duke of Lantham and his family are not attending Ascot this year.”
“Aren’t they?” Cecily said, her smile somewhat a curious one. It was such that Juliet couldn’t be sure if her mother was truly happy at this news or not.
“That does change things somewhat.” Robert was nodding slowly in thought now. “This is what you heard?”
“Yes. Rumours say the duke and his family are spending a few weeks at one of their country estates down on the south coast. So, we will be quite free to go and enjoy the races without fear of anything or anyone else bothering us. What do you say, Father?” Violet said, her eagerness only growing greater by the second. “We could enjoy ourselves without worry, could we not?”
“Perhaps I could consider it.” Robert was sitting back in his chair now, swirling the claret in his wine glass around and around. “We have received an invitation to stay with the Duke of Darby at his estate for a few weeks across the races. I understand he has invited a few families.”
“Is it settled then?” Cecily clasped her hands together, her excitement palpable. “We can go to Ascot this year?”
“Very well.” Robert sighed as if resigned to the idea. “I shall write back to the Duke of Darby and tell him we will accept his offer.”
“This is wonderful.” Cecily reached for Juliet’s hand beside her. “You shall meet so many eligible men, Juliet.”
“I thought you said I would love it because of the horses,” Juliet reminded her mother, trying to retrieve her own hand but failing.
“Oh, you will, you certainly will, but what is the harm in enjoying some gentlemen’s company, too? You shall be following your sister up the aisle soon.”
Juliet groaned audibly, to which Robert laughed, but Violet’s reaction puzzled Juliet the most. Despite her certainty that the Duke of Lantham and his family, therefore Lord Ashton, would not be there, she was still smiling.
Why is Violet so happy when she knows I will not have a chance to see Lord Ashton now?
***
“Lady Juliet, come, give me your opinion on these horses.”
“Lady Juliet is currently looking over the piano music with me.”
“Actually, we’re going to discuss theatre together.”
Juliet sighed and looked away from the three men now vying and arguing over her attention. She caught Violet’s eye across the breakfast room, who waved at her with what appeared to be a self-satisfied giggle.
What has got into Violet?
Juliet let the men argue around her as she drank her tea and looked at the others at the table. The Duke and Duchess of Darby had been most welcoming to her family. Having arrived the afternoon before, her whole family was greeted with open arms, and an evening followed in which Juliet was constantly plied with conversation and attention. What pleased her most was how happy her mother and father were.
It seemed despite Cecily’s and Robert’s insistence that they enjoyed their quieter lives these days, they were enjoying rekindling friendships with people they hadn’t seen for some time. The two had stayed up so late talking with friends that they were now both subtly trying to stifle yawns behind their coffee cups as they chatted around the table.
It was a gathering of thirty people at least, so many that Juliet could scarcely remember the names of everyone gathered. She started making associations in her mind to remember the names of the gentlemen who would not leave her alone.
There was Lord Nosterley, who had a rather large nose, and Mr. Beaker, who had a habit of talking nonstop. The third man who now sat nearby was Mr. Hamworthy, who she noted was always pink in the face and the colour of ham.
Unable to even join in the conversation as they argued over who would be spending time with her, she sat back, taking no joy in the conversation at all. Each of the men was plainly only paying attention to her because of her position.
Not one had glanced her way when she was first introduced to the room until the Duchess of Darby had introduced her as the daughter of the Earl of Clarence. Miraculously, as if summoned by some spell, all three had appeared at her side.
It's typical, is it not? They only want a dowry!
Fortunately, they were all so caught up in their argument that she was able to slip away and walk around the table, nearing Violet, who sat alone, smiling gleefully, as Brandon was talking about horses with some of the other gentlemen gathered.
