“I have decided to frame the invitations as a thank you for all the support from our dear friends during these sad times. We shall, of course, continue wearing our mourning dresses, but a few enhancements might be considered acceptable. Flowers in the hair, pearls, a pastel handkerchief, the slightest hint of rouge on the cheeks and lips.”
Both Charlotte and Ann looked at each other and smiled. They did not need to speak because it was understood between the two of them that they had found their way to meet alone with Beaumont.
“But mother, what about Lucy?” Charlotte asked.
The Duchess pulled in her chin and glared. “She shall be excluded.”
“And George will allow that?” Ann asked.
“Iwill take care ofthat.And now, to the next matter. Ann, Charlotte, you need to stop your mutual obsession over Mr. Goodwin. He can only marry one of you. And with you both fawning over him each time he appears, you distract him. Ann, you must give up any thought of him choosing you. It will not happen. You must step back and allow Charlotte to have a chance.”
Ann stood up, indignant. “Mother, how can you say that to me?
“My dear, you need to be realistic. You are too old for him, and you have become increasingly shrill and rather dried out. I think it is time for you to surrender to the idea that you shall remain a maid. And you will start to dress appropriately after the period of mourning is over.”
Charlotte would not speak, but her grin gave away her happy thoughts.
Ann was outraged and swept out of the room.
“She will get over it,” the Duchess said, and then turned to Betsy. “Now then, Betsy… now that we have Charlotte taken care of, I want to ask you… it has become clear to me that you and Mr. Harold are courting. Is that not a fact?”
“It is, Mother,” Betsy said smiling. “He is just the most…”
“Spare me the details. Has he made a proposal yet?”
“Not directly. But we…”
“Then after a suitable length of time… say six weeks… I want you to be engaged. You must make certain that happens. He seems like a suitable young man… despite his attachment to Lucy… and I expect a marriage within six months. Is that understood?”
“Yes, Mother.”
The Duchess turned her attention to her tea.
“But Mother,” Charlotte said, “Are you truly going to dismiss Ann out of hand like that? Certainly, there must be someone out there…”
The Duchess looked up again. “Charlotte. It is time we all stop dreaming of impossible alliances. Your sister is what is known as a harridan. Unless she can radically transform her personality, I see no chance for her to find a suitable man—even with her attached living. We must look truth in the face.”
“Then if we are truth-telling, you should know that Mr. Beaumont has his sights set on Lucy. Unless we can get her out of the way, I feel he will continue to pursue her.”
“I am aware of that. And I shall have a word with Mr. Goodwin privately at the dinner. I can assure you he will no longer see Miss Lucy as desirable.”
“What will you say?”
“Just leave that to me.”
* * *
The idea came to George that he should speak to Lucy before he decided what to do about Harold. His conversation with Nanny had reminded him of the bond that he and Lucy had when they were younger and shared everything together. He had become lost in his romantic feelings for her and had forgotten that they were also great friends. And he wanted to talk to her now as his friend.
He sought her out in her suite, but she was not there. He had not seen her about the house and then he thought she might have gone to the studio to write, hoping for more solitude.
He went to the studio and, as he neared, he caught a whiff of linseed oil and turpentine and felt the urge to begin painting again. But his new responsibilities were preventing him from returning to his painting just yet.
He entered the studio and saw Lucy at her desk.
“Oh, hello,” she said with a smile. “Have you come to paint?”
“Not today, unfortunately.”
