Page 69 of It's All About the Duke
“What is it?” she said taking the garment.
“Don’t open it here,” Marlena told Eugenia as she glanced at Veronica. “It’s clothing. I wanted to give you these things. There are gowns in the trunk and I want you to have them. It’s something I want to do.”
Eugenia’s pale blue eyes searched Marlena’s. “Why are you giving me your old clothing?”
“No, no, they aren’t old. I mean the cape they’re wrapped in is. But you can return that. I couldn’t fit everything in the trunk. Everything I’m giving you is new.”
“I still don’t understand.”
How could she tell her she felt sorry for her because her brother-in-law had spent the money that was intended for her? It was up to Veronica to do that. All Marlena knew to do was help her friend look as prosperous as most of the young ladies who would be attending the Season.
“You know I’ve been going to dressmakers and fittings with Lady Vera and Justine every day recently. They are constantly saying I must have this and this. Ikeep saying I don’t need any more, but they are quite deaf to my pleadings. I—Eugenia, I have so much clothing for the Season. I wanted to share some of the things with you for your Season.”
“Oh,” Eugenia said softly. “I suppose my gowns aren’t as stunning as yours, and I certainly don’t have many. Three I think.”
Marlena felt as if a lump had swelled in her chest. She glanced at Veronica. Marlena really needed her sister to help right now. “I’m not doing this because I don’t think what you have is as good or beautiful as mine. It’s because you are my friend, my partner. No, more than that.” She hoped Eugenia could see the sincerity in her expression. “I think of you as the sister I never had and always wanted. Even when I lived with my aunt and uncle you know I only had boys to play with. I loved them, but now I have you and Veronica. I want to share with you as I would with a sister.”
“Thank you, Marlena,” Veronica said. Tears clouded her eyes. “We are grateful and it will help Eugenia. I had wondered how we could make her the diamond of the Season and you’ve just settled that for me. We are happy to take these things and alter them to fit her.”
“And you can change the colors of the bows, move the lace, and shorten the sleeves. There are many things you can do to make the gowns look different and no one will ever know.”
Veronica nodded. “I understand, and I’ll make sure we rework them.”
“So you think it’s all right for me to accept them?” Eugenia asked her sister.
“I certainly do,” Veronica said joyfully. She sniffed and wiped the corners of her eyes. “We’ll consider Marlena your sister and benefactor, too. Most young ladies entering the Season have one, don’t they?”
“Yes, Veronica, they do,” Marlena said, grateful that she had finally caught on to what Marlena was trying to do. But Eugenia looked no happier. In fact, she looked sad.
Marlena touched Eugenia’s shoulder affectionately. “But you don’t have to accept them.”
“No, no, I will,” Eugenia said wistfully, “I want to. It’s just I find it difficult to get excited about the Season. I had hoped to avoid it for a couple of years, as you did. Until I’m older.”
“Oh, but you must start looking for a husband,” Veronica said earnestly. “So you can have a house and family of your own.”
“I know,” Eugenia said even softer.
Marlena then realized Eugenia was thinking about Mr. Bramwell from across the street. She had already found the man she wanted to marry and have a home and family with, but Veronica would never accept Mr. Bramwell for her sister.
Marlena looked over at the bench where she had her first kiss with Rath. She remembered the touch of his lips on hers. His fingers caressing her cheeks, his strong arms and warm embrace making her feel cared for, desired.
Suddenly she knew she was feeling the same way Eugenia did.
Chapter 18
He could be a rake if he sees an opportunity to have some time alone with a lady and takes it.
MISSHONORATRUTH’SWORDS OFWISDOMANDWARNINGABOUTRAKES, SCOUNDRELS, ROGUES, ANDLIBERTINES
Spring was inching closer. Temperatures were getting warmer. Today a heavy mist had settled over London. It was early afternoon but the skies were so gray the lamps had just been lit in the card room at White’s when Rath sat down at a table with Hawk and Griffin. He was looking forward to a long afternoon of laughing, winning, drinking, and companionship. He hadn’t seen both his friends together since he’d walked into his house and found them enjoying his brandy—and a fair amount of gossip about him—in front of the fire in his book room.
He knew this afternoon wouldn’t end the way they used to when the three got together. In the past they’d stayed up all night drinking, playing cards, throwing dice, shooting billiards, and reliving stories from their misspent youth. Stories that he was sure had been told so many times they no longer resembled the truth. Theirdays of debauchery had ended once Griffin and then Hawk had married.
And that was probably for the best.
The crowd at White’s was thin, which was to Rath’s liking. It was that time when most gentlemen were paying calls at the homes of friends or still trying to recover from their overindulgence into a bottle of brandy, port, or wine from the night before. Tankards of ale were placed before Rath, Hawk, and Griffin while they exchanged the usual pleasantries about Esmeralda and Loretta, members of Parliament, and the Lord Mayor’s latest scandal before Griffin asked Rath, “How long has it been since you’ve seen Miss Fast?”
Thirteen days and twenty-three hours, give or take a few minutes either way.
