The Marriage Season by Jane Dunn

Author:Jane Dunn [Dunn, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Boldwood Books

The day dawned bright and fresh and Sybella was indeed woken from the deepest sleep by the warm wriggling body of her son snuggling under the covers and eager for her to get up. ‘Mama, promised the ’Gyptian Hall today. Want to see bones and turtle shells and giant snails an’ all. Get up, do.’ He was gently prising her heavy eyelids open with a small chubby finger. Sybella awoke to find a cherubic face very close to hers, breathing warm air up her nose, his blue gaze intently peering into her sleepy eyes. ‘Dragon bones,’ he was whispering in awe. ‘There be dragon bones?’

She struggled to sit up. ‘Hello, darling. Yes, we’ll go today, but it’s too early. Have to breakfast first and then wait until the museum opens. Where’s Nurse?’

‘Still snorin’,’ the small boy said with satisfaction. ‘Creeped out. To find you.’ He threw his arms around her and buried his small golden head in her breast.

‘Well, perhaps it’s time to find Nurse and get dressed. Then your mama can get dressed and we’ll discuss the day. I have a letter to write to George after breakfast and then we can go.’

He slipped off the high bed and dashed towards the door. ‘A rum do, Mama,’ he flung over his shoulder and had gone before Sybella could say a word.

Lucie was also up early for breakfast and strangely agitated. ‘I wonder how the race goes today. It’s so dangerous. I couldn’t bear for anything to happen to Freddie or Val.’ She was looking rather pale after their late night and did not seem to have her usual appetite for eggs and toast. Sipping her coffee, she looked reflective. ‘Val’s papa seems to be more than usually anxious about him. He’s so popular and lovable, I don’t know why the Duke would worry. Except about his gaming debts, I suppose. And these occasional wild scrapes.’ She looked at Sybella for clarification.

‘I think loving parents do worry. I would be beside myself if anything happened to James.’

‘I think poor Freddie feels he has no parent to care about him.’

‘He does have Mr Brabazon, who seems to take his role as guardian seriously.’ Sybella poured herself some coffee.

‘But it’s not the same. He doesn’t love Freddie in the same way as you and the Duke love your sons.’

‘We don’t know that, Lucie. I think Mr Brabazon’s feelings go much deeper than he would like the world to know.’

‘I wish he’d show them a bit more often then. He seems to be so distant and superior and amused. More likely to admonish than praise.’

‘But dearest, you are comparing him with the most devoted of fathers. Not many parents are as doting as the Duke, or me, for that matter.’

Lucie suddenly remembered the gossip. ‘Just think of Lord Rockliffe.’ Lucie was round-eyed as she continued. ‘Freddie was telling me he has so many side-slips, as he calls them, children from his libertine liaisons with wives and widows, Cyprians, adventuresses and Covent Garden bawds. And he refuses to acknowledge any of them.

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