Chapter One
Spring, Harrow Court, London, 1825
Beth Harrismith entered the breakfast room her mind full of what awaited her that evening. She greeted her sister, Jenny, the Duchess of Harrow with a quick smile, eager to divert her thoughts. “That’s a divine lace cap,” she observed taking a seat beside her at the table. She reached for the teapot and poured herself a cup.
Jenny patted her cap covering her dark brown hair. “I’m pleased you approve. I thought you might accuse me of dressing like a dowager.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” Beth’s lips curled slightly as she observed her sister. “What does Andrew think?”
Jenny looked down at the toast she was buttering. “Oh, he likes it well enough.”
“That bow under your chin?”
Jenny grinned as she reached for the jam. “Oh stop, Beth. Aunt Augusta is coming for a visit next week. This is how she will expect a married lady of my years to dress.” A reluctant smile teased her lips. “Andrew doesn’t approve either. He has already pulled it off once this morning.”
Beth chuckled. No one would take her sister for a dowager. Now twenty-eight, she’d changed little since she’d married Andrew. And no dowager would look quite so happy. Beth loved living with Jenny and Andrew. Although the city did not hold the same delights for her as it did for them. But the long windows overlooked the pretty spring flowering borders, and the sky above was clear although not quite the azure blue one found in the countryside. It was going to be a fine, wonderful day.
“I believe I shall have eggs.” Beth rose to inspect the heated dishes on the sideboard. On raising the lids the room filled with mouth-watering aromas. “Mm. Bacon.” She picked up a plate and spooned a pile of eggs onto it and added a rasher of bacon.
“I don’t know why you never put on a pound,” Jenny said crossly a hand on her stomach over her apricot sarsnet morning gown. “I’ve struggled with my weight since George was born.”
“Not there, my love. But most fetchingly placed I must say,” Andrew said from the door.
The footman, Barker, coughed and busied himself with the duke’s coffee.
A flush spread over Jenny’s cheekbones. “Andrew, you are incorrigible.”
Beth discreetly looked down at her cup. Andrew, Duke of Harrow could be guaranteed to speak his mind. One was never sure what he might declare. But one thing was clear, he adored her sister and had done ever since Jenny had first come to Castlebridge, Andrew’s ancestral home in Oxfordshire, as governess to his children, William, and Barbara, five years ago.
“Please forgive my riding clothes,” he said smiling at them both as he took his seat at the table. “The park was surprisingly busy this morning. I met Jackson Brenton…”
Beth returned to think of the evening awaiting her as Andrew discussed a friend of his with Jenny.
The footman placed his coffee before him. “Your usual breakfast, Your Grace?”
“Thank you, Barker.” Andrew sipped some coffee. “Are you enjoying your Season, Beth?”
“I am. My come-out ball was splendid.” It wasn’t entirely true. She strained to make the best of it, but being the center of attention to so many men kept her on edge. Was she pretty enough? Poised enough? She did love her new apparel, however. “I have a lovely gown to wear this evening. It is white satin embellished with pearls and has a pink satin border and roses embroidered above the hem.”
Andrew picked up the newspaper. “Mm? Good, good.”
“You can guarantee to lose his interest if you speak of women’s apparel,” Jenny said. “Hats especially.”
Beth giggled.
Andrew rattled the paper and when Barker placed his breakfast before him, requested more coffee.
“I should imagine Countess Wallington’s cotillion ball this evening will be enjoyable,” Jenny said. “She always invites unusual guests. I believe she strives to shock.”
Andrew raised his eyebrows. “And often succeeds.”
“I confess to being a little nervous,” Beth admitted at last. “But you and Andrew are very supportive.”
“I wouldn’t miss it! Nor would Andrew.”
Andrew sliced into the bacon on his plate, his paper resting beside him. ?
??I look forward to it.”
“You don’t mean a word of it, Andrew,” Jenny said cheerfully. She sighed. “We both miss the baby, the children, and Castlebridge. It’s always hard to leave them in the care of nanny and their governess.”
“They are both extremely capable, my love.” Andrew patted her hand.