Page 6 of The Disgraceful Duchess

“I am fine. I must simply finish the book.”

“No. You are not fine. You are making yourself ill.”

They sat in silence as the footmen entered to clear the table and bring in the dessert. After they had gone, Lady Theodosia ate a forkful of cheesecake. “The answer is quite obvious. You need a change. So let us go to Bath. That is simple enough. You may work there too, but the waters will help your nerves. And there are assemblies, of course, so it is not too quiet.”

“But… my mother is in Bath.”

Neither of them had to say why living close to Caroline, Viscountess Alford wouldn’t be a good idea.

“Oh. Yes. Of course.” Lady Theodosia rubbed her forehead with one delicate hand. “Well, there is Brighton. Or Lyme? The seaside is restful. Or”—

“Venice.”

Lady Theodosia blinked. “Venice?”

She hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “Never mind. I was only thinking of my book.”

“Hm.” Her great aunt took a sip of wine. “Of course, we should have to make the journey by ship. The mountain passes do not open until spring.”

It was easy to forget that Lady Theodosia was a formidable traveler. “I was not being serious.”

“Really? But why ever not? It is an excellent notion. And if we sail within the fortnight, we shall arrive in time to enjoy the spring weather.”

Within the fortnight?

“But surely you do not”—

“And then in May or June, depending on the weather, we shall remove to the mountains. Sirmione is restful. The views across Garda to the Alps are sublime.”

“Garda? You mean Lake Garda?” Lady Theodosia made it sound as though she was talking of driving to the theatre for the evening. “A fortnight? But… we have not discussed it!”

“We are discussing it now.” She raised an eyebrow. “There can be no need to overcomplicate matters. These are modern times, after all. Venice is but a few weeks away by ship. I know a few people who live nearby. I shall write letters to send on ahead. Everyone will be pleased to see me—and to meet you.”

“But I…” Pomona felt dazed.

“Surely you did not expect that I would sit by and watch while you work yourself into a serious illness.” Her great aunt’s tone was tart.

But... Venice? Pomona felt a giddy spiral of excitement and… hope. Could it actually be possible that instead of facing snubs and whispers in London ballrooms, she would be seeing the Piazza San Marco for herself, gazing at the canals, being moved to tears by the Bridge of Sighs…

“Well." Lady Theodosia folded her hands. "Are we agreed?”

And her book. Seeing the city for herself would make all the difference to her book! “I just… I cannot believe… Yes! Of course!”

“Good. I shall have Whyte begin to make the arrangements.” She studied her great niece. “I have one request.”

“Of course. Anything!”

“I wish you to accompany me this evening. Your low spirits are not helped by spending so many hours alone.”

“Oh.” Well, she supposed that she could tolerate Lady Beaufort’s musicale. After all, in only a week or two, she would be sailing for Italy—and adventure. “Yes. Of course.”

“Good. And do wear your new straw silk. It suits you so well.”

Chapter Three

It began with a strangled throat-clearing as he stepped out of the hired carriage. The frigid night air chilled his throat, and once he began coughing, he couldn’t stop. He found himself standing in the courtyard—surrounded on three sides by the towering wings of Beaufort House—hacking uncontrollably.

He had to get this cough under control. It was too late to leave. And besides, March House wasn’t much warmer. As Mrs. Raines had said, it would take weeks of good coal fires to drive the cold and damp from its walls.