Deserted (The Duel Book 3) by Mary Lancaster

Author:Mary Lancaster [Lancaster, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-06-19T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Lady Frostbrook was wound so tightly with fury that she was afraid the tension would shatter her.

How dare her son defy and humiliate her, and with such a nonentity? If, indeed, the Wallace girl was as wealthy as Judith had implied, then Lady Frostbrook might have been induced to countenance the match, despite his deliberate and public thwarting of her own plans. But the hoyden showed no shame, no humility or apology. She behaved as though she had every right to be here, every right to walk on the terrace by moonlight with her son, behaving like some lightskirt! If they had not been engaged, the girl would be ruined, a fantasy Lady Frostbrook would have liked to indulge, if only she had the time.

But she rarely hid from the truth. She was aware her son was less besotted than defiant. He imagined he was teaching his mother a lesson.

Let him think it, she thought with a curl of her lip as she strolled into the garden with a party of the dowagers who had remained behind while the young people went riding. In fact, she had no intention of allowing him to marry the Wallace girl, simply because it was quite clear that she would never be able to awe Miss Wallace, let alone overawe or control her. And Lady Frostbrook would never tolerate any such daughter-in-law. Standards must be maintained. Her standards.

Maintaining the pleasant conversation without even trying, she guided her guests to the pretty arbor where they could sit comfortably out of the sun or wander a little about the garden.

The countess chose to sit on one of the benches. Most of the others began to stroll along the paths, but she noticed that Mrs. West seemed to hesitate between joining her or following the others.

Mrs. West, who was a cousin, apparently, to Miss Wallace. And mother to Allegra who was, at the moment, joint second in Lady Frostbrook’s list of suitable daughters-in-law.

She smiled invitingly, and Mrs. West came toward her.

“Such a lovely garden,” Mrs. West said, sinking onto the other side of Lady Frostbrook’s bench.

“I find it soothing, and a most pleasant respite from the demands of the Season.”

“I imagine you might.”

Lady Frostbrook smiled again. “I had not realized just at first that you are related to Miss Sophia Wallace.”

“I am afraid I no longer speak proudly of the connection,” Mrs. West said ruefully. “Indeed, I feel I should apologize. No one could be sorrier than I that she has got her claws into Lord Frostbrook.”

Well! Here was plain speaking with a vengeance…

“Although I am not well acquainted with your son,” Mrs. West added, “I can see immediately that he deserves better.”

Lady Frostbrook hid her surge of triumph and instead allowed a trace of fear into her expression. “You must know something I do not, ma’am!”

“Many things regarding Sophia, sadly. Did you know, for example, that she jilted my son for yours?”

“No… No, I did not know that.”

“She wishes to be a countess, of course,

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