Charlotte,' she said in icy tones that sent a shiver down her only son's spine. 'Your dowry was not particularly overgenerous I recall, and yet you managed to attract my son's affections. You are married five years now, and have produced no heir. Still, I do not complain. Sirena's dowry was set aside by her father, God rest my darling husband, as were the monies for Sirena's debut in London. My daughter shall have her season!'
'And where will you reside?' the foolish Charlotte demanded.
'I am sponsoring my niece, Allegra Morgan. Lord Morgan has invited us to live in his house on Berkley Square,' Lady Abbott replied silkily. 'Everything is already arranged, and we shall leave for London on the first of March.'
'You could stay at Abbott House, Mama,' her son said generously, to his wife's pique.
'Good heavens, Gussie, I should hope not!' Lady Abbott said loftily. 'It is much too small, and not on the most fashionable of streets, I fear. We do want Sirena to make a good impression, don't we? Besides, I expect you and Charlotte will be filling the house with all your friends. It will hardly be the place for a young girl.' She smiled at the couple.
'The house my father gave us as a wedding gift is on a perfectly good street!' Charlotte burst out, stung.
'Perhaps, my dear,' her mother-in-law purred, 'but it is not Berkley Square now, is it?' She smiled again, pleased to have put the aggravating chit back in her place. 'I'm certain Septimius will invite you to all the parties he is giving for Allegra. After all, she is Gussie's cousin, isn't she?'
'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
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.
