Georgianna: The Last Real Duchess (The Real Duchesses of London) by Lavinia Kent Read Free Book Online Page B

– your grace. I did not have time to finish yesterday with – with all that happened."
    "But surely you realize I will not be going. There is so much to do here. I am sure Lord Tennant will need me here."
    Constance looked down, and then turned her head toward the window.
    "What is it?" Annie asked.
    Constance did not answer. She continued to pack.
    "I don't need you to pack. I am staying here."
    "His grace told us to finish up. He's having the carriage readied at noon."
    "Well, I don't intend . . ." Annie let the words trail off. Richard wanted her to leave. In telling her maid to pack he was almost commanding her to. She could fight. She could insist on staying. There was so much to do – and yet, did she want to be here if he did not want her?
    Every maid in the room had stilled. All eyes were on her.
    Richard had enough troubles right now. He did not need a shrewish wife.
    Where was the line between being brave and being a shrew?
    "Carry on, but do not worry about the new delivery of evening gowns. I cannot imagine I will need them soon.” Annie walked over to the washbasin and splashed cool water on her face. She could still feel the gaze of the maids.
    It was clear that she had come from Richard's room, clear that she was attired only in her chemise, her hair a cloud about her shoulders. Every woman in the room knew what had happened the night before.
    And every woman knew that now she was being sent away – that she had been found an unsatisfactory wife.
    Again.
    Her chin went up, her shoulders back, her eyes narrowed.
    She would not let him know that she cared, not let anyone know.
    She had pasted her shattered heart together once before. This time she would lock it away and not allow anyone save her precious son near it again.
    Her life would pass second by second and then minute by minute.
    Anybody could survive for a second.
    Anybody could find happiness for a minute.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    The Duchesses
     
    "Have you heard from Annie?" Elizabeth marched into Kathryn's dining room interrupting breakfast. "It's been almost a month since I've had a letter."
    "No, I haven't. And I must admit I've begun to worry, but I am sure she would have written if there was a problem."
    "Are you?"
    Kathryn dropped her toast to her plate. "No, I am not – and you know it. Annie never says if there is a problem. I used to know she was troubled because she'd chatter endlessly, but now it's the opposite. She just withdraws completely if there is trouble. But, why do you ask now? Has something important happened? What would cause you to leave your own breakfast to interrupt mine?"
    Sinking into a seat across from Kathryn, Elizabeth picked up a piece of toast and began to nibble. "Nothing really – but Westhaven ran into Hargrove at his club last night and they got to talking. It doesn't seem that Hargrove is any happier than Annie. Even Westhaven could tell – and he is not the most perceptive when it comes to emotions."
    "Hmmm.” Kathryn began to pick at her own toast again. "What did he say?"
    "Hargrove? Not much, but enough to cause my husband concern. Hargrove, is planning to head back to the country. He wants to spend time with Annie and his son."
    "That doesn't sound bad."
    "Do you really think Annie wishes to see him?"
    "Perhaps she does. Perhaps that is why she has been unhappy."
    And do you trust him to not make everything worse than it is now? He's never been able to make her happy before."
    Kathryn raised her hand and waved for more coffee. Elizabeth was correct. Men seldom managed to make things better – at least not on their own. "I have an idea she said. Let me finish and we can collect Linnette and Annabelle. And we should probably contact Isabella as well. If anybody knows anything, it will be her. I think we must form a plan and then one of us must implement it."
    "Oh, I do volunteer," said Elizabeth. "Westhampton is about to leave again and I could use a bit of