Chapter 22
Dearest Joanna,
Thank you so much for the book recommendations. I look forward to reading them, and so do my friends. I cannot believe that I will be having my debut Season in less than a year! That is wonderful and terrifying at the same time.
I will have to face the men of the ton and, hopefully, find a suitor or two. Do you think I will find any suitors who see value in a well-read woman? I do not think I could stand to marry a man who tried to discourage my reading. There is nothing as pleasant as a good book, after all.
I have heard the most disturbing rumor from Abigail Summers, whose sister is in London for the Season. Apparently, you have been seen in public with the Duke of Blackwell. There are even rumors that you are courting him!
I beg you to tell me that this is not true.
From all accounts, he is not a man whose attention you want.
Some would even go as far as to call him a monster.
I understand the situation with our fortune is dire.
I know you worry about my debut. Even I worry about it.
But I beg of you not to let yourself fall into his clutches on my account.
We can make do without someone who goes by the Duke of Ice.
Give Mother and Father my love.
Aurelia.
The day after the ball, Joanna read through her sister’s letter, which had arrived yesterday when Joanna was getting ready for the ball.
She had not had a chance to read it before now, and she was glad that she had not, because she didn’t quite know how to respond to it, except to tell her sister that she should know better than to pay heed to rumors and gossip rags that sought to see the worst in people.
Joanna set the letter aside and went to the breakfast table, feeling tired from the late night.
Her mother was already there, brimming with excitement.
“It has been a most eventful morning,” she said as she poured tea for both of them.
“Three invitations have arrived for you today. Two for upcoming balls, and one for afternoon tea next week. I have also been invited to a ladies’ luncheon with the Countess of Ellwood! Can you believe it?”
Joanna smiled. “That is wonderful news, Mother.” She sat down at the table and noticed that the tea was made with fresh leaves for once, and a roll accompanied her stew.
She hoped this lavish breakfast was just her mother’s way of celebrating and wasn’t a sign of them being more extravagant.
Despite their turn of fortune, they could not afford to spend any extra money on themselves.
All of that money needed to go to Aurelia’s dowry. “Where is Father?”
“He’s attending to matters of Parliament today, but he will be back this evening.”
She smiled, relieved that he wasn’t already at a card table. “I am pleased to hear it. It has been too long since I have properly seen both of you.”
Her mother beamed and took a bite of the bread. “I am so happy, my dear Joanna. I knew you could find a wonderful match, but I never expected you to catch the eye of a duke. When will you see him again? If Mary can be spared, perhaps you could visit today?”
Her stomach twisted at the thought of seeing him again so soon, especially after that kiss that he clearly regretted.
She also felt a pang of guilt for getting her mother’s hopes up for an upcoming betrothal to the Duke of Blackwell.
“I cannot visit him today. I am joining Lady Penelope for afternoon tea. Besides, would it not be proper to wait for an invitation from him first?”
“The two of you are courting, Joanna! That is already an accomplishment, but you must be diligent. Until the marriage license is signed, nothing is certain.”
“I shall keep that in mind, Mother. But I do not wish to scare him off by being insolent and visiting him without an invitation. The moment I get an invitation from Blackwell Manor, I will be sure to visit.” She finished her breakfast and stood up from the table before kissing her mother’s cheek.
“I must go. I wish to respond to the invitations before getting ready for tea with Lady Penelope.”
Her mother kissed her cheek back. “That sounds wonderful, dear.”
Joanna smiled to herself as she went to her bedchambers. It was lovely to see her mother in such good spirits. She hoped the viscountess would not be too heartbroken when the courtship ended. Their situation would still be greatly improved.
Mary arrived just as Joanna had finished replying to the invitations. The woman helped her get ready for afternoon tea, even though it was hardly necessary to dress up for tea with her best friend.
It was nice to have a maid at her disposal again, and she and Mary got along quite well. It also felt very strange after making do without one for so long.
In mid-afternoon, the two women walked together to Northwick Manor, where Penelope was waiting for tea. She hugged Joanna immediately as soon as Joanna entered the drawing room. “Thank heavens you were at the ball last night. I swear, that place would have been excruciating without you.”
They both sat down for tea, and Joanna immediately helped herself to the small cakes and finger sandwiches being served. Despite eating breakfast, she had quite an appetite.
“Oh, Penelope, I am so happy! I woke up to three invitations,” Joanna said. “Mother was thrilled as well! It looks like I will be quite busy for the remainder of the Season. And here I was, thinking the adventure would be over when I told the truth to His Grace.”
Penelope smiled. “I am so glad you are finally getting the Season you deserve. And you looked absolutely marvelous in that dress last night. It’s just a pity it has to be on the Duke of Blackwell’s arm.”
Joanna frowned. “What do you mean? I thought you liked him.” Penelope seemed to get along well with him the night before. Joanna had even seen them dancing for a moment or two.
“I did at first,” Penelope said as she took a sip of her tea.
“Truly. I was just happy that the two of you got along so well together, and that you were finally able to join the rest of society thanks to association with him. But I have to be honest. After watching the two of you throughout the night, my opinion changed.”
Joanna looked down at her tea, surprised at the turn of conversation.
She thought Penelope was happy for her, but she did not realize her friend had misgivings about the duke.
“You must not have been watching very closely. How could you be that observant when you were dancing with every available man present? You scarcely got away from the dance floor for more than one or two dances.”
“Believe me, it was quite easy for me to watch you and the Duke of Blackwell when both of you were far more interesting than the boors that asked me to dance.” She shuddered.
“Especially that Baron of Suffridge. Did you know that he had the audacity to say that Mary Shelley is a better writer than Susan Ferrier? The nerve of the man! But at least my mother disapproves of him. I think she would faint dead away if I became a baroness. So naturally, I will happily dance with him again at the next possible opportunity.”
Joanna smiled as she pictured the handsome young baron, who was apparently well-versed in female authors.
She had a feeling the young man would win her friend over by the end of the Season.
But right now, she had more pressing matters to think of.
“Do not get sidetracked, Penelope. Why on earth don’t you like the Duke of Blackwell? ”
“Because I saw how he looked at you when you danced with other men. There is nothing wrong with a man’s jealousy, to be sure, but he looked downright monstrous.
I also know that both of you left the party to be alone somewhere, and when you came back, you looked absolutely miserable.
And he looked like a brute. Did he do anything untoward to you? ”
A thrill of fear went down Joanna’s spine. “You saw us leave? Did anyone else?”
Penelope waved her hand dismissively. “Do not worry. Everyone was too intoxicated to be observant. The only reason why I saw you was because I was stuck in a horrid conversation about hunting, of all things.” She shuddered.
“But you were despondent for the rest of the night, and I can guess about what he did to you. Do not worry, I will not tell a soul, because I have no wish to hurt you. But I will never forgive him.”
Joanna smiled wanly at her friend. She appreciated Penelope’s loyalty, but she could not help but rise to Evan’s defense. “He did nothing untoward to me, I assure you,” she said. “You are right. We met each other in the sunroom, but it was only for a private conversation. Nothing more.”
Penelope arched an eyebrow at her friend. “That is a lot of risk for merely a conversation.”
“It was reckless, I know. But His Grace was a perfect gentleman all night. I was just tired because I am not used to staying out so late anymore.”
“Joanna, I love you dearly, but if you are going to mingle with ladies of the ton, then you must learn to be a better liar. Or they will destroy you.”
Irritation bristled through her. “Perhaps you should think better of people,” she said sharply.
“The duke didn’t hurt me. He’s not a brute in the least. He’s actually very kind.
So what if he doesn’t hide behind fake smiles and simpering pleasantries?
It just means he is honest, and that is an admirable quality in anyone. ”
“All right, I am sorry. Perhaps I was too hasty in judging him,” Penelope said quickly.
“I just don’t like that he put you at risk like that.
You could have been ruined if anyone caught you there.
His reputation would have survived, but yours would never.
Can you blame me for being cautious about him?
Besides, how can you be sure of his real intentions?
I am pleased that he’s courting you publicly, of course, but will he go through with marriage?
What will happen if he decides to abandon you for someone else? ”
“I appreciate your concern, and I value your opinion, Penelope. Truly. But I am made of sterner stuff than that. I will not fall apart just because I lose a suitor, even if he is a duke and my only suitor. I admit I was careless about going into the sunroom with him, and it will not happen again. I certainly don’t want a scandal.
But I implore you to keep an open mind about him.
He is truly not the man the scandal sheets make him out to be. ”
Penelope’s expression softened. “Oh dear. You are developing feelings for him, aren’t you?”
Joanna shrugged and turned her attention to her tea. “I am merely saying that he is kind. Besides, I know better than to pay the scandal sheets much mind.”
She was disturbed by the thought that she might be growing feelings for the duke.
Did she have feelings for him? Of course, she enjoyed his company.
He had been kind and incredibly generous to her.
But the Season would end eventually, and so would their courtship.
She had to remember that this was a business deal, to secure a better future for herself and her sister, and nothing more.
Still, Joanna remembered all too vividly the look of regret Evan wore after the kiss. A mistake, he had called it. A lapse in judgement. Despite all rationality, that stung.