Read Online How to Pursue a Princess by Karen Hawkins - Free Book Online

much older than I.” The duchess’s face softened. “They were great men, all of them, although I believe Roxburghe to be my true love. At least thus far.”
    Lily wasn’t quite sure how to answer this, so she merely nodded.
    “My point is this: you can indeed have a very passionate relationship with a wealthy man. All you have to do is give yourself the opportunity to fall in love with the right man.”
    “It’s a shame there aren’t other opportunities available to women,” Lady Charlotte said, her round face folded in thought. “I do think I would have made an excellent butcher.”
    Her grace turned a surprised look on her friend. “A butcher?”
    “Oh yes. I saw pigs being butchered many times when I was a child.”
    “But you were raised at Highclere Castle. I can scarcely believe they’d allow the daughter of the house to witness such a thing.”
    Lady Charlotte knitted on serenely. “My father believed in the old ways. We cured our own ham, bacon—we were quite self-sufficient.”
    “We do the same here, but not in full view of thedaughter of the castle. Surely you weren’t encouraged to attend such bloody events?”
    “Oh no, but I went anyway. It was quite interesting. First, they— Here, let me show you.” Lady Charlotte set her knitting aside and bent over to scoop up a pug. She settled it into her lap, then took a loop of yarn in one hand. “First, they’d throw a heavy rope about the pig’s back feet like so. And then they’d bash him in the head with a large wooden mallet right here.” She placed her finger between the pug’s eyes. “And then, once they were certain he was dead, they’d slash his throat right here—”
    “Goodness!” The duchess snatched the pug from Lady Charlotte’s lap. “Meenie doesn’t like to hear about pigs and their slaughter.” The duchess hugged the dog, who yawned and then closed its eyes once again. “As I was saying, Miss Balfour, Lady Charlotte and I fully intend on helping you reach a satisfactory arrangement as soon as possible.” With that, the duchess began expounding upon the benefits of marriage in a way that made Lily almost ill to her stomach.
    A lump of panic grew in Lily’s throat. Surely I won’t need to marry that quickly. I really only need to get engaged. Once I accept an offer, I will just inform my newly intended of Papa’s dilemma, and once that obligation to Lord Kirk is paid, we can take our time getting to know each other before actually marching down the aisle. Yes. That’s what we’ll do.
    Lily suddenly realized that both the duchess andLady Charlotte were looking at her as if awaiting an answer. Not sure what they’d been saying, she nodded and murmured, “Of course.”
    The duchess beamed. “I think you’ll find we’re right. Huntley is an excellent choice.”
    They are very determined that I like this earl. I hope I do. She managed a smile.
    “ If , of course, he appeals to you,” Lady Charlotte said kindly.
    “And if I appeal to him, too,” Lily said.
    “Oh, we’ve no fear on that score.” The duchess patted the pugs in her lap while she beamed at Lily. “Your biddable nature alone will recommend you to him.”
    “Biddable nature”? Good God.
    Lady Charlotte smiled. “If only we can get him to come to the point before the Butterfly Ball. Then he could announce it right then. Oh, it would make the event so memorable.”
    “Charlotte, what a delightful thought!” The duchess couldn’t have looked happier. “That settles it: Lily, Huntley will make you an offer and he will do it before the ball.”
    The duchess spoke with such firmness that Lily began to feel sorry for the unknown earl. This is getting out of hand. “Your grace, I can’t—”
    Mrs. Cairness entered carrying a tea tray.
    “Ah, tea!” The duchess peered at the tray. “I’m famished.”
    Lily was left to wait as the housekeeper filled the teacups and handed out tea cakes. Finally, she left.
    As soon as the housekeeper was gone,