A bid for independence by Karla Hocker

Author:Karla Hocker [Karla Hocker]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Nov. Rom
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHERRY and Maria stepped out of Miss Swift’s haberdashery in Bond Street. "Whew!" Cherry exclaimed. "You called this a treasure trove, and indeed it is. But a bazaar with all its hustle and bustle would appear a paradise of quiet compared to Miss Swift’s prattle."

"Ah, but where else could you match your silks quite so perfectly? And I think the trim you selected for your spencer is most elegant."

"The price is elegant, too," Cherry grumbled.

"Cheer up, the shilling more you paid for the trim, you saved on the silks and the ribbons you purchased," Maria consoled. "Oh look! There’s Lucinda Newcombe with her mother. Let’s ask if Lucinda may go with us to Somerset House this afternoon to see the exhibition."

Lucinda saw them approach and waved her parasol gaily. Mrs. Newcombe looked up, squinted short-sightedly to make out the faces of the two young ladies bearing down on her and her daughter, and grabbed Lucinda’s arm. There was a brief, whispered argument, then Mrs. Newcombe dragged Lucinda across the street, ignoring the heavy traffic and the shouts and curses of irate drivers who had to pull up their teams to prevent a nasty mishap.

Cherry and Maria stared after them in bewilderment. "What do you suppose that is all about?" Maria demanded indignantly.

Cherry sighed. "I expect Mrs. Newcombe doesn’t approve of me," she said quietly.

"Oh, Cherry, you are mistaken! Everyone adores you. I swear you’ve made the biggest splash in town since Sarah Siddons came to Drury Lane."

Cherry shook her head and smiled sadly. "I’ve encountered several turned backs and overheard snatches of conversation about Marcus and me, about our rides...Somehow they’ve even found out that he gave me the velvet rose—there’s wagering among some of the ladies whether the pearl drops on the rose are paste or real!"

"Who will they call on to settle their bets? You or Marcus?"

Taken aback, Cherry slanted a glance at her friend, just in time to catch a quickly concealed gleam in her hazel eyes. And suddenly it all seemed rather ridiculous.

"Let’s go and wheedle Lady Bolwood’s cook to prepare a pot of her delicious chocolate and we’ll celebrate my purchases," she suggested, her spirits buoyed by Maria’s presence and loyalty.

They’d just settled into the parlor to enjoy the rich, sweet brew when Lady Bolwood stormed in, eyes blazing dangerously, and demanded their presence in her sitting room.

"I’ve just returned from Lady Cowper’s, " she said with a groan, settling herself into her favorite wing-back chair. "And I never want to suffer through such a grueling half-hour again! I was quizzed by the Ladies Jersey and Dexter, your mama, Maria, and the Misses Arbuthnot—the two most vicious gossipmongers in town it has been my misfortune to encounter. Poor Emily tried so hard to give the conversation a different turn—but to no avail."

"But whatever was the problem?" asked Maria.

"Cherry and the Duke of Belcourt!"

Cherry and Maria exchanged glances but found they had no comfort to offer.

"I finally excused myself with a sudden attack of nausea and

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