Annabelle, The American by Lavinia Kent

Author:Lavinia Kent
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: HarperCollins US
Published: 2011-08-01T04:00:00+00:00

Annabelle sat in her parlor and stared down at her needlepoint unhappily. Normally she was an accomplished needlewoman, but today for every stitch she took she pulled out two. It was hard to be careful when her eyes kept blurring with tears.

Putting down the cloth, she walked to the window and peered out at her gardens. Even when she was in the darkest of moods, they normally cheered her. The bright colors and careful blendings brought joy to her heart.

A riot of pansies played in the gentle breeze, their faces shining in a glow of purple, orange, and crimson. Today they didn’t even make her smile.

She’d never felt so out of sorts, so unsure of what to do. She’d taken a great risk last night and now it felt like she’d jumped off a burning ship into shark-­infested waters.

And she still hadn’t decided what to do about Lucille.

“Of course, she’s receiving. Don’t even try to tell me otherwise.” The voice was unmistakable. Linnette, the Dowager Duchess of Doveshire, swept into the room. Annie, Lady Richard, and Kathryn, the Duchess of Harrington, followed behind. The fifth of their group, Elizabeth, the Countess of Westhampton, was conspicuous in her absence. “You do want to see us, don’t you, Annabelle? I am sure that you don’t wish to go through this alone. I know when that cartoon of James and myself was published that I wanted to hide for a day, but then I did desire my friends about me. Do tell me you desire the same?”

Annabelle stood to greet them. The last thing she wanted at this moment was to talk to anyone. If it had been possible, she’d have asked them all to leave, but friendship went two ways. Annabelle could see that it was important to them to stay, to feel helpful. She pasted a bright smile upon her face. “Of course, I am overjoyed that you are here. Nothing could make me happier.” If only it were possible to feel any happiness at this moment. “And where is Elizabeth?” She glanced at Kathryn. “Although I suppose a certain incident in the park may explain her absence.” She turned and studied Linnette.

Linnette reddened in the fashion that redheads were prone to. “We have not quite resolved that. I would like to pretend that it never happened, but Elizabeth is not willing to take that step. Neither one of us admits fault. It leaves an uncomfortable situation—­and all over a swim in the park.”

“Fully clothed.” Annie giggled a bit. It was clear she was remembering just how silly Linnette had looked emerging from the lake like a half-­drowned rat.

Linnette shot her a look and then turned to Annabelle. “I was moving in the direction of thinking that perhaps Elizabeth was not behind the cartoons—­and now this one. How can I be sure that she is not still bent on damaging us? For reasons I do not understand. It made some sense when she was after me. I did know that she fancied James and was not at all pleased that he had turned his attentions to me.

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