Harlequin Historical August 2020--Box Set 2 of 2 by Christine Merrill

Author:Christine Merrill
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2020-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Seth skimmed over the Lady Observer column the following morning while sipping a piping-hot cup of tea. Sunlight poured into the window and lit the blue and white room with such brilliance, it nearly hurt his eyes.

Details of Lady Norrick’s soirée were described in great detail: what was worn, down to the ostrich feathers in a certain lady’s turban that had accidentally jabbed her husband in the eye. Allusions as to who danced with whom, people Seth didn’t know well enough to care about. Apparently, the baked custard was worthy of the saints themselves and was described in such gratuitous detail, Seth regretted leaving before having had the opportunity to sample it.

Strange that his abrupt departure was not mentioned, nor was Caroline’s absence or even the amount of time he was on the veranda with Violet. Surely at least one of those occurrences would fall under the scent of a social-function gossip hound.

Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen himself or Violet’s interactions mentioned at all in the gossip column. At least nothing outside of a brief mention of his return to London. It was for the best, of course. But still, it was quite odd.

‘Do you actually read that?’ Caroline sank gracefully into her seat across the small table from him.

A beam of sunlight streaked over the table and made the curl of steam rising from Seth’s teacup glow smoky grey.

‘I wanted to see what all the hullabaloo was about.’ He lifted his shoulders.

‘And?’ Caroline reached for it.

Seth scowled. ‘There’s considerable detail about gowns.’

She laughed. ‘Oh, but did you see Lord D.—that’s Lord Devonington—danced with Lady S. in her sparkling gown—that’s Lord Norrick’s eldest daughter?’

‘No,’ he said slowly.

‘She’s barely come out.’ Caroline gave a shocked gasp. ‘He’s beastly old to consider such a young thing for a wife. Last year, he set his sights on Lady Eleanor, now the Duchess of Somersville.’

‘Ah, yes. Lady Violet’s cousin, correct?’ He vaguely recalled the red-haired young woman. He did, however, know Somersville quite well. They had gone to university together with Rawley and Kentworth. He was a good chap with an eye set on adventure like his father.

‘Yes. The new Duchess was the first one to hire Lottie to help her find a husband and she landed a duke!’ Caroline tapped her spoon at the top of her egg, gently breaking its shell.

‘And you’ve set your cap at a viscount,’ Seth drawled. ‘I feel as though I ought to be charged less.’

‘Oh, stop—you.’ Caroline cast him a chastising glance as she peeled back a sliver of delicate eggshell to reveal the quivering white beneath.

‘While we’re on the topic, how did your first lesson go?’ he asked.

‘Capitally.’ Caroline dashed a few grains of salt over the egg and buttered a toast point. ‘I’m quite sure I’ll know exactly what to do when I next see him.’

‘Thank God.’ He rolled his eyes with exaggeration.

She glared at him with mock outrage and he laughed.

‘I only wish to see your happiness,’ he said with sincerity.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.