The Most Unlikely Lady by Barbara Devlin

The Most Unlikely Lady by Barbara Devlin

Author:Barbara Devlin
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Regency England, Romance, Britain, Military
ISBN: 9780985854829
Publisher: Amazon
Published: 2014-03-12T14:00:00+00:00


CHAPTER TWELVE

The event passed as quick as it began. The meal had been a singular success, and everyone loved the orchestra. The games kept the children occupied, and there was only one casualty, a scraped knee. Before long, the guests dwindled to those staying the night.

The Brethren of the Coast were in full attendance, and with the constant complaints of the marchioness, Sabrina was grateful for their support. Rebecca, Dirk’s new wife, had brought her younger brother Lucien, sixth earl of Calvert and a lieutenant in the Royal Navy. Sabrina thought him a perfect match for Celia, but there had been little she could do to further a liaison between the two. In a gross miscarriage of fortune, duty called him to London in the morning, because his ship, the Intrepid, would sail the following evening.

After a celebratory dinner, the women withdrew to the dining room, leaving the men to take their brandy and cigars.

“Sabrina, you must speak to the cook. The turbot was tough and the sauce too thin. And this tea is weak. Mind you, servants need a firm hand, or they will put forth only half an effort.” With an imperious expression, the marchioness returned her cup to the trolley. “I seem to have misplaced my handkerchief. Must have left it in the dining room.”

A tense silence held the room prisoner like an iron shackle, until the harbinger that was her mother-in-law disappeared down the hall. Sabrina gazed at her lifelong friends, her sister, her mother, and Celia. Shame, incompetence, and defeat loomed as a storm cloud. And her embarrassment compounded when she considered how her ineptitude reflected on Everett. “I apologize if the meal was unsavory.”

“Nonsense,” her mother snapped. “There was nothing wrong with dinner, my dear.”

“Everything was perfect, Brie.” Caroline crossed the room and sat beside her.

“She is right,” Alex chimed. “You are quite the countess.”

Despite their praise, she had her doubts. “Do you really think so?”

“My little sister has become a true lady. And I heard Blake and Damian make similar remarks.” The picture of perfect feminine deportment, Cara clasped her hands in her lap and smiled. “I am so proud of you.”

The pall lifted from her heart, and Sabrina enjoyed a modicum of vindication. “I could not have done it without Celia.”

“Oh, stuff.” The lady of the moment basked in the compliment. “I did nothing, because Sabrina is a marvelous countess, and I admire her courage.”

“You are too modest.” Sabrina snorted. “She taught me how to walk after comparing it to fishing. I tell you, she is a bloody genius.”

“Well, it was the least I could do.” The picture of innocence, Celia inclined her head and blinked. “After all, you taught me how to swear.”

The room filled with a chorus of gasps, which mutated into giggles, before erupting into riotous laughter.

#

The harmonious outburst from the other gathering brought Everett alert.

“My heavens, it sounds as if someone sneaked rum into the teapot,” his father bellowed as he lit another cigar.

Ensconced in the dining room



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