The Scandalous Marriage (The Dukes and Desires Series Book 7) by Beaton M. C

Author:Beaton, M. C. [Beaton, M. C.]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: RosettaBooks
Published: 2014-01-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

The Bliss family and their host stopped for the night at a posting house on the road to Sarsey. Lucy was not obliged to make conversation over the dinner table, but then, with Mrs. Bliss around, very few people could manage to get the opportunity to say anything.

As usual, Lucy let the tide of her mother’s voice wash over her, but suddenly sat up straight and listened when Mrs. Bliss said to the duke, “Of course, you may have no fear that Lucy will not be able to manage a large household. I shall be there to train her.”

“No,” said Lucy abruptly.

Mrs. Bliss stopped short. “I mean,” said Lucy, “the housekeeper will be able to explain things to me. It would be better if I started on my own right away. I shall choose the menus, for example.”

“A good idea,” said the duke smoothly, although he wondered what Lucy was up to.

Lucy smiled and stood up. “Now, if you will excuse me…”

“Where are you going, Lucy?” demanded her mother.

“Really, Mama!” Lucy made for the door.

“Oh!” Mrs. Bliss colored, assuming that her daughter was going to the privy.

On their arrival at the posting house, Lucy had spied a likely couple in the common dining room. The duke’s party was dining abovestairs in his private parlor. To her relief, the couple was still there, and as awful as she had remembered them to be.

The woman was tall and overdressed, with a common accent which strove ludicrously to be genteel. She had brassy blond hair under a huge bonnet ornamented with feathers died pink and purple, which clashed with her scarlet and white-striped gown. Her eyelashes were so clogged with lampblack that they looked like spiders. Her bosoms, mostly bared by the lowness of her gown, were, Lucy judged, false ones, made of wax and strapped on. Her companion was a small, foxy man with sparse red hair, a crooked nose, and a knowing look.

Lucy approached them. “I beg your pardon,” she said. “I saw you earlier and was taken by the cut of your gown, madam. I am Miss Lucy Bliss. I wonder whether you would be so good as to furnish me with the name of your dressmaker.”

“Charmed,” said the lady. “But I would not betray the name of my dressmaker, not if you brought in wild ’orses to drag it out o’ me. I’m Mrs. Hardacre, and this is my… husband, Mr. Jonas Hardacre.”

Mr. Hardacre shot to his feet and bowed so low that his nose touched the table.

“Do you belong to these parts?” asked Lucy.

“Naw. We’re stoppin’ here for a few days afore going on south,” said Mr. Hardacre. “What’s it to you?”

“I shall be honest with you. I am affianced to the Duke of Wardshire, whose home, Sarsey, is four hours ride from here. I shall have the running of his house and would like to see how I can manage a little dinner party. You seem to me so congenial, so lively—for I am of a timid disposition, you know—I wondered whether you would honor me with a visit.

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