Page 73 of A Duchess Mistaken
Caroline flushed now that she was the subject of everyone’s attention. She tried busying herself with her tea with shaky hands, avoiding everyone’s eyes.
Agnes felt pride stretch through her body. Caroline had never stood up to her aunt before. Even though it wasn’t with any force, the mere fact that she did was enough to make Agnes wonder if she was finally developing the strength to stand up for herself.
And if she could do so with flowers, then perhaps she would be able to do so with the man she loved.
“I am inclined to agree,” Mary interjected, smiling softly at Caroline. “Prudence, let us move on, shall we? There is so much we need to get done in so little time.”
Lady Reeds sank back into her seat with a huff. “Why we need to have this ball on such short notice, I will never understand. I doubt anyone will even be able to attend.”
“Well perhaps not many people we know in London,” Mary agreed. “Though we have received word from a number of my close friends and families that they will begin making their way.”
“Then what is the point? This would be much better if it were organized for later in the season when everyone has time to prepare themselves. Us, included.”
For once, Agnes was inclined to agree with the countess. Though she would much rather stick a bar of soap down her throat than admit it out loud.
“I do not know understand it myself,” said Mary. “I only know that His Grace approached me about it early this morning and asked if it was possible.”
“And of course, you said yes,” Agnes surmised with a smile.
Mary returned it with a wink. “What else was I to say? Anything else would cause His Grace to doubt my party-planning skills. And we cannot have that, now can we?”
“He approached you?” Lady Reeds pressed. “Why would he approach you and not me? He is to marry Caroline, after all, so I would assume he’d approach the lady who will be giving her away on her wedding day.”
“I believe Uncle will be giving me away,” Caroline murmured. It was soft but everyone heard it. While everyone else—save for the dowager duchess who had gone back to ignoring them—smiled, Lady Reeds scowled.
“You know what I mean!” she snapped. “I think it is quite odd and rather rude that His Grace did not think to ask me to attend to the engagement party.”
“Why don’t you take it up with the duke then?” Agnes challenged.
Lady Reeds narrowed her eyes at Agnes as if she couldn’t quite tell what her aim was. At last, she said, “Perhaps I shall. I shall let him know my exact thoughts on this. The duke should make sure that?—”
“That what?”
Right on cue, Agnes’ heart went to her throat. It took every ounce of her strength not to shoot to her feet and run into Johnathan’s arms as he strode into the room with long strides.
Lady Reeds faltered. “Oh, that I, well I thought that…”
“My aunt thought it rather odd that you did not ask her to plan the engagement wedding.”
Agnes was growing more and more impressed by Caroline every time she spoke. She caught Caroline’s pleased smile, partially hidden behind the rim of her teacup, and knew that Caroline was only growing more confident in herself.
“Oh?” was all Johnathan said as he sank into the vacant spot next to Agnes. Tingles rushed through her body at his nearness. He didn’t touch her, didn’t even make any indication that his choice to sit next to her had been a deliberate one. But the fact that he chose to do so rather than choosing the spot next to Caroline was very telling.
“It was just a passing thought, Your Grace,” Lady Reeds said quickly. “It is nothing that needs to be paid any attention to.”
“Very well then,” Johnathan said, reaching for a scone. “I shall take your word for it.”
Agnes could see the laughter in his eyes. She hid her own smile in much the same way as Caroline had.
“Do you happen to know where your brother and my son are, Your Grace?” Mary asked.
“I believe they have gone riding together. Or perhaps it was racing. I cannot be too sure because I decided to stop listening as soon as they mentioned horses.”
“Racing?” Caroline gasped, sounding distressed. “Is that not dangerous? I do not think Paul is that accomplished of a rider, is he?”
“He is foolhardy enough to think that he is,” Agnes sighed. “Perhaps it would have been best if you’d joined them, Your Grace.”
“I thought about it but before I could offer my company, Lord Sutton beat me to it.”
