Her Lady to Love by Jane Walsh

Author:Jane Walsh [Walsh, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781635557442
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2020-09-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

The Duchess of Hawthorne’s ball was an absolute crush and therefore heralded as a smashing success before Jacqueline and Lady Honora even reached the end of the receiving line. Half of the conversations that they could overhear were admiring comments about the size of the crowd and the preening boasts that they were part of it.

The other half were about the duke—or more to the point, the duke’s continued public absence from his duchess’s side.

“I swear, I hear all sorts of gossip about the dullest of people, and as soon as it turns interesting, it’s as if I know no one of any importance who knows anything at all,” Jacqueline muttered. “I do hope we get more of the story tonight.”

They inched their way forward. Slowly, they indeed gained more information through half-heard exchanges and whispers.

The duchess was not young, but still young enough to bear a passel of children if the duke would only stay in England now and do his duty.

The duchess was well regarded, but no one could claim to know her with any intimacy.

The duchess was beautiful and could have any paramour that she chose, but instead remained faithful to her absent husband.

The duchess had not entertained in London for several years, and this was the first ball she had held in all that time.

The duke had returned to London, but was rumored to be not in attendance tonight, at a ball hosted by his own wife and in the ducal estate that he resided in.

Finally, they reached the front of the line.

The Duchess of Hawthorne cut an intimidating figure. The first thing Jacqueline noticed was her posture, which was impeccably correct, and then her sapphire eyes, which bore into her with an intensity that startled her. The duchess was the most beautiful woman that she had ever seen in her life, but with a coldness and remoteness as if she had been carved from marble.

Jacqueline curtsied unsteadily and felt as though all her secrets were laid naked before her.

“Welcome to Hawthorne House,” the duchess greeted them. With a regal nod of her head, she dismissed them.

They entered the house in silence, awed by its grandeur and intimidated by its mistress.

But within the ballroom, the atmosphere was livelier. With the sight of a packed room and people she recognized, Jacqueline felt her tension ease. She was close enough to Lady Honora to give her arm a familiar squeeze without anyone else noticing. “I’m so glad your aunt agreed to allow you to come with me,” she murmured.

They had traveled in the company of Jacqueline’s mother in the carriage, and had waited in the receiving line with her for the past hour. Immediately upon entering, her mother had found her friends, and this was their first chance to talk alone.

Lady Honora’s smile lit up her whole face. “I am sure that you are not as glad as I am. My aunt is a wonderful woman, but being her constant companion has been difficult at times.”

“I am happy to be your companion for the evening,” Jacqueline told her.

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