Bertrice Small: The Duchess

"She is a most delightful, but naughty puss," the Marquess of Rowley said with a fond chuckle. "I have always been quite taken with Allegra. But when she and Sirena get together all hell is apt to break loose!" He chuckled again. "You are going to have your hands full, Mama," he said, waggling a finger at her.

"Which is why I shall enjoy a quiet summer back here in the country," his mother said with a smile.

"If the girls bag themselves husbands, Mama, you shall have no peace at all this summer, for you shall be busy planning their weddings. I know that my uncle Septimius depends upon you in such matters, and when Allegra marries, it will be quite the spectacle, I think."

"Miss Morgan has little hope of making a particularly distinguished match," Charlotte interjected. "She may be rich, but her blood is barely blue, and her mama's disgraceful behavior can hardly recommend her, or be overlooked. Is there not a saying, like mother, like daughter?"

"Allegra's mother, you may recall, Charlotte, was my youngest sister," Lady Abbott said. "Her unfortunate conduct cannot reflect on my niece any more than it can reflect upon me, or any children you might finally bear. What twaddle you babble, my dear!"

"Have you ever heard from Aunt Pandora since she ran away, Mama?" Augustus asked, curious.

"Because you ask me, I shall tell you, Gussie, but it is never to be discussed with Allegra, or anyone else for that matter. Yes, I know where my sister is. She married her count, and they live outside of Rome. They are quite well liked, I am told."

"How could a divorced woman be remarried?" Charlotte asked.

"Pandora's first marriage was not performed in the Roman Catholic faith, and therefore not recognized by that church. My sister was first baptized into the old faith, and then married to her count. Septimius knows, but Allegra has never been told."

"She can hardly remember her mama," Augustus said. "She was only two when Aunt Pandora ran off."

"She doesn't remember her at all, but for the portrait of my sister which hangs at Morgan Court. Septimius has never taken it down because he has never stopped loving Pandora. My sister did not deserve such a good man."

"Why, madame," Charlotte giggled inanely, "you sound as if you had a tendre for Lord Morgan." She looked slyly at her mother-in-law, giggling again in a particularly irritating fashion.

What had Augustus seen in this ridiculous girl, Lady Abbott thought. Her dear husband had been dead a year, and Lady Abbott was barely out of mourning when they had met. Charlotte's parents, the earl and his countess, had been delighted with their daughter's prize catch. They certainly should have been! They had rushed the young couple to the altar almost immediately, hosting a large wedding at St. George's on Hanover Square, followed by a wedding breakfast afterward at their rented town house. There had been no time to point out to her son that Charlotte was a featherbrained chit who could be both selfish and mean. Still, she seemed to make Augustus happy, even if she had not yet produced a child. Her son said that Charlotte was afraid of childbirth, having been treated to horror stories from her mother, a brainless creature who had easily managed to produce three offspring despite her alleged fears.

"Will you need the coach to get up to London?" the marquess asked his mother, ignoring his wife's silly outburst as indeed he hoped his mama would. While he loved Charlotte, even he was ofttimes embarrassed by her tactlessness.

Lady Abbott gave her son a small smile, and patted his hand reassuringly. "No, m'dear, I will not. Septimius's traveling coach will convey us all to London in style."

"I hear the fittings on his vehicle are real silver-not gilt," Charlotte said.

"I believe they are," Lady Abbott replied. "Sirena and I are going to travel to Morgan Court in a few days, and from there up to London. I should appreciate the use of your carriage, Gussie, for that short journey."

"Of course, Mama," the marquess replied dutifully.

"But what if that is the day I wish to go visit my sister?" Charlotte whined.

"If it is," her husband said, "I shall drive you to Lavinia's in the Stanhope gig myself, my precious."

"Oh," Charlotte said, brightening, "I should like that!"

The drawing room door opened at that moment, and Lady Sirena Abbott entered, a packet in her hand. She was a very pretty girl with golden blond hair, and blue eyes with just the hint of gray in them. Her complexion was one of the most favored and in fashion- peaches and cream. "Mama, this has just come for you from Uncle Septimius," she said breathlessly. "I think it must be our traveling schedule." Then remembering her manners she curtsied properly to her sister-in-law, but hugged her brother enthusiastically. "Ohh, Gussie, isn't it exciting? I'm going to London with Allegra! We have both decided that we are going to be Incomparables, and have all the gentlemen at our feet. We shall only consider the men who fight duels over us for husbands!"

He laughed heartily, and hugged the slender girl back. "I certainly hope it will be just as exciting for you as you anticipate, Sirena. And, I hope you will find an excellent husband of good family, and better income to take care of you."

"Will he love me, Gussie?" she asked him anxiously.

"How can he not?" her brother replied. "You are beautiful, Sirena, and sweet-natured. You excel at all the feminine skills, and you are virtuous. No man could ask for more in a wife, little sister."

"But you must not be so trusting of the other girls in London as you are at home," Charlotte interjected. "Remember, they are all on the marriage hunt, Sirena, and will not be charitable toward others if it means they might lose a particularly desirable gentleman."

"That is excellent advice," Lady Abbott noted, surprised by her daughter-in-law's sudden generosity. Then she realized that Charlotte would be far happier having Sirena married and out of the house.

"You make it sound like warfare," the trusting Sirena said.

"It is," Charlotte replied. "You cannot let down your vigil until you are well and truly married. I knew a girl in my season who became engaged to a most desirable gentleman, only to have him turn about and elope to Gretna Green with another. She was ruined, of course, and has not showed her face in London since. She has little chance now of making a successful match."

"Poor thing," Sirena said sympathetically.

"If you were not going with Miss Morgan I should truly fear for you, Sirena," Charlotte responded impatiently. "At least your cousin has good common sense."

Again Lady Abbott was surprised. "I thought you did not like Allegra Morgan," she said to her daughter-in-law.

"I neither like her nor dislike her," was the lofty reply.

Lord Morgan's packet was a brief missive asking that they depart in a week's time. The Rowley coach would not be needed. Lord Morgan was sending his carriage for Lady Abbott and Sirena. They would visit at Morgan Court for a few days, and then go up to London. Lord Morgan would be gone when they reached Morgan Court, but he would await them in London. He had already engaged the town's most important modiste, Madame Paul, a refugee from the Terror in France, to make the girls' wardrobes, including the court dresses in which they would be presented to the king.

Sirena was beside herself with excitement. "Just imagine, Charlotte! Uncle has said no expense is to be spared, and we will have jewelry to wear from the family safe! Madame Paul is to make our gowns! We will even be presented to His Majesty and the queen."

"All young ladies of good blood are presented," Charlotte replied sourly. "I was, but I am certainly surprised that Miss Morgan is to be. After all, her blood is hardly blue. Well, perhaps a pale, pale shade," she amended.