“Launching,” her sister muttered, delicately wrinkling her nose. “Why does it make me feel like a ship?”
Oliver let out a sharp bark of laughter. “I have never seen it that way but Claire is right. It does make a lady seem like a ship being launched on its maiden voyage.”
“And with as much pomp and circumstance as possible, too,” his sister agreed with a laughing twinkle in her eyes.
“By the way, Claire,” Oliver said, holding the book up. “I found the book I have been searching for in the library. Would you mind if I borrowed it for a while?”
Claire smiled and dipped her head slightly, the sun catching her dark hair as she moved. “Please do take what you need, Your Grace.”
“Very well,” his sister smiled widely and patted Claire’s hand. “We have stayed long enough and although we need to discuss your coming out ball at greater length, Oliver and I must be off.”
“Will you not stay for luncheon, at least?” Trixie pouted.
Lady Suzanna laughed and patted her cheek. “I know you love having me here but there are errands that need to be done, my dear.”
“You will be back?”
“Why, of course!” his sister laughed. “After all, there is a lot more that we need to discuss!”
“There is more?” Claire muttered bleakly.
“Oh, just you wait, Claire. This is only the beginning!”
* * *
Over the course of a few days, the Slade siblings became a regular sight in the Rowley household. Claire, herself, had taken to bringing a journal with her to note all the advice that Lady Suzanna dispensed, taking these matters to heart.
While she learned a lot from her mother and Aunt Amelia, Lady Suzanna was well-versed in maneuvering the social circles of the fashionable elite. She felt that she learned quite a lot listening to her stories and the Duke’s sister had a way of making these lessons rather entertaining.
She learned which people she could safely approach, which ones she should steer clear of, and which ones she should approach with caution. It was enough to make her head ache.
Fortunately, there were times when they did just gather to discuss other topics besides the Season. Trixie, too, would join on occasion, provided that she was done with her lessons.
It was on one such occasion just a sennight after the Viscount left to attend to the affairs of his late sister when the footman came bearing news.
“Milady,” he bowed towards Claire. “A missive from Lord Rowley.”
“Word from Father!” Trixie clapped her hands in excitement. “Will he be back home soon?”
Claire opened the sealed letter, her dark eyes scanning the elegant paper filled with her father’s familiar handwriting. When she looked up, there was disappointment written all over her pretty features.
“Father has been called away on business matters,” she said softly. “It will be several weeks before he can come home.” She turned to Lady Suzanna and the Duke. “I fear we might have to put our plans on hold, Your Grace. We cannot leave for London without Father.”
Chapter 4
Dinner was a dismal affair as Trixie sat from across Claire, poking at her food with none of the usual exuberance with which she approached life. She understood rather well the crushing disappointment after days of planning on their eventual trip, only to have those hopes dashed to the ground.
Claire placed no blame on their father for she knew deep in her heart that it was not something he wanted himself. Before he left, he had been quite set that she was Presented to Society.
Nobody truly wanted this delay to happen but there were far more important matters.
Besides, there is always next year.
She only needed to be patient just a little bit more.
After dinner she bid her sister goodnight and proceeded to her rooms, trying to keep her disappointment from painting her features and worsening Trixie’s mood. She smiled sadly when she saw her worn leather folio bearing her initials lying amid several books on architecture and design. Her Father had it made for her when he found out that she had an interest in architecture, winking at her when he presented it to her in his study.
“You do what you want and then you show me your designs when you are ready,” he said to her with a doting smile. “I am certain that we will be expecting great marvels from you.”
