A Sonata for the Rake: A Clean Regency Romance by Sariah Drake

Author:Sariah Drake [Drake, Sariah]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sariah Drake
Published: 2024-04-02T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 23

Augusta

The rest of dinner passed awkwardly. Had it not been for the fact that the ladies would have to spend a few minutes alone in the drawing room, Augusta would have been relieved when their meal was concluded. As it was, she forced her face to remain calm and impassive as she left with Catherine and Helen, the Lytteltons trailing behind. The gentlemen all exited through a separate door, no doubt to smoke or drink or do whatever it was they did in the interim.

They had scarcely entered the drawing room when Lady Lyttelton’s harsh voice came in the first attack.

“How dare you speak to me in so low a manner,” she hissed to Augusta. “I have never been so treated in all my life.”

Catherine and Helen whipped their heads around to stare at the dragon lady, but Augusta took a moment to imagine her spine as though made of steel. She inhaled deeply and then turned to face the woman.

“I beg your pardon? I had only meant to compliment Your Ladyship on the many fine qualities you display to all the world for our grateful education,” she responded smoothly. “My sister and I would not be half the women we are today were it not for the example of Celine and Your Ladyship.”

Augusta could practically feel Helen trembling behind her, and she had no doubt Catherine was now returning the glare that Celine was sending her direction.

“Do not attempt to play with me, girl,” Lady Lyttelton snapped, stalking forward. “You may consider yourself to be quite the wit, but I assure you, those of us with any real value see you for the vulgar creature you are. Were we at my own estate, I would see you whipped for insolence, dreadful thing.”

She drew very close now, and Augusta was enveloped in the odor of powder, perfume, and Lady Lyttelton’s dinner. She had to struggle to resist wrinkling her nose.

“Should you persist in attempting to play any more games with me,” Lady Lyttelton continued, “you will find the sting of defeat to be bitter in the extreme.”

She glared at Augusta for a moment, then huffed and moved towards a seat at the other end of the room. Augusta considered her words carefully before responding.

“Forgive me, Lady Lyttelton, but it seems clear to me that you are the one who is now suffering the anguish of failure.”

The older woman froze, then turned around to stare at Augusta, her cold eyes snapping in anger.

“I beg your pardon?”

Augusta shrugged and then took a seat facing her.

“It cannot have escaped your notice that Lord Seymour’s once moderate affection for Celine has grown quite stale. Indeed, it was apparent to all of us at dinner that he no longer seems to consider her as a likely candidate whatsoever.”

Lady Lyttelton grew purple in rage, but Augusta continued.

“In truth, I know for certain that both you and Celine have become aware of the fact, as your own desperate behavior over dinner was quite pitiful to observe. At this rate, I would be surprised if Lord Seymour did not ask the both of you to leave early.

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