'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.
'Certainly as pale as yours,' Lady Abbott replied sharply. 'I think a duke and a duchess for grandparents certainly equals an earl and a countess for parents.' She arose before her red-faced daughter-in-law could respond, saying, 'Sirena dearest, come. We must begin to pack, although you shall certainly need little. Just enough to tide you over until Madame Paul has your new wardrobe ready.' She swept from the room, her young daughter in her wake.
'Why does your mama hate me so?' Charlotte wailed to her husband when they had gone.
Augustus put a comforting arm about his wife. 'Perhaps, m'dear, if you did not try to be so superior with her it might be better for you. You are surely no match for Mama. She is older, wiser, and a duke's daughter. She is also most fond of Lord Morgan and Allegra. When you denigrate them, she feels bound to defend them. I hope that in the future you will learn to keep your own counsel, for you see, I, too, have a fondness for my uncle and my cousin. My inheritance was not a great one monetarily, but Uncle Septimius took it, and in the few years since my father died, has tripled it with his cleverness. Many of the furbelows and geegaws so dear to your heart, that I so generously bestow upon you, are provided thanks to my uncle. We are debt free, and will have the school fees for our sons when we need them one day.' He kissed her cheek tenderly.
'I do dislike it when you scold me, Gussie,' Charlotte pouted.
'Then amend your behavior, my darling, and I shall not have to do so,' her wise spouse replied, and gave her another kiss.
'I shall be glad when we are
The marquess laughed. Had he not found the sparring between his mother and his wife so damned amusing, he might have been annoyed. They were, however, quite entertaining; his mother trying to adjust to being a dowager; his wife so eager to be lady of the manor. He was concerned that Charlotte had not conceived yet, but the Duchess of Devonshire had been a slow breeder, too. Only the presence of a son and a daughter among his cottagers reassured him that he, himself, was capable of siring children. When his wife was more secure she would certainly give him children.
Lord Morgan's coach appeared at Rowley Hall exactly one week later, just after first light. It was a magnificent vehicle, shiny black with silver fittings, and Lord Morgan's coat of arms-a gold sailing ship upon an azure background, three gold stars and a silver crescent moon above it-painted upon each of the carriage doors. Inside, the seats were fashioned of fawn-colored leather and pale blue velvet. There were crystal and gold oil lamps set on either side of the comfortably padded benches, and small silver floral vases filled with daffodils, fern, and white heather. The coachmen and two grooms wore elegant black and silver livery. Even Charlotte was impressed, if not just a trifle envious.
The luggage was carefully loaded by the grooms. The coachman remained in his place atop the box controlling the four dappled gray horses with the black manes who danced and snorted, obviously impatient to get going again. Lady Abbott and Sirena exited the house, accompanied by their personal maids. Both were garbed in fine fur-collared wool mantles over their gowns.
'Good-bye, my dear,' Lady Abbott said to her son, kissing him.
'I shall look forward to seeing you in London, Mama,' the young marquess said with a twinkle.
'Do some serious ploughing with Charlotte while you are alone, and have the time,' she advised him pithily. 'It is past time the wench did her duty by Rowley, Gussie.' She kissed him again, and then allowed one of the grooms to help her into the vehicle.
Actually blushing, the marquess quickly turned to his sister, who having heard their mother's remark was hard-pressed not to giggle. 'Good-bye, little one,' he told her. 'Good hunting!'
'Oh, Gussie, you make it sound so… so… so common!' she replied.
'It will be fun, I promise, but take Charlotte's advice and trust no other maiden except Allegra. The husband hunt is not for the faint of heart, sister.' He kissed her on both cheeks, then helped her into the carriage where her mother and the two maids were already seated. 'Good-bye! Good-bye!' the Marquess of Rowley called to his female relations as the vehicle pulled away, and the horses trotted quite smartly down the drive.
'Good-bye! Good-bye!' Sirena called, leaning out the window until her outraged mother yanked her back inside.
'Behave yourself, girl!' the dowager said sharply. 'Your hoyden-ish days are over now, and you must grow up.'
'Yes, Mama,' Sirena replied, just slightly chastened.
They traveled the twenty miles separating Rowley Hall and Morgan Court, arriving by midday. As their carriage drew to a stop the two grooms jumped down from their outside seat behind the coach, and hurried to open the door and lower the step, allowing the passengers to descend. Charles Trent, Lord Morgan's steward, hurried from the house to welcome them. He was a distinguished gentleman of indeterminate years with a serious demeanor and quietly graying brown hair. He kissed Lady Abbott's hand as he bowed, and then Lady Sirena's.
'Welcome to Morgan Court. His lordship has already returned to London, but he left me behind to see to your comfort. Let us go into the house. I know that Miss Allegra is eagerly awaiting her cousin.'
They had no sooner entered the building when Allegra Morgan appeared and threw herself into her cousin's arms with a shriek of delight. 'Wait until I tell you!' she said excitedly. 'Madame Paul has sent down her chief assistant, Mademoiselle Francine, to take our measurements and show us fabric samples!' Then remembering her manners she detached herself from Sirena's embrace, and curtsied to Lady Abbott. 'Good day, Aunt,' she said. 'I am most pleased to see you have arrived. Papa has asked me to tender his
