Read Online Madrigals And Mistletoe by Hayley A. Solomon - Free Book Online Page B

with a half smile and poured a cup of the chamomile.
    â€œI don’t doubt your thoughts are heading in exactly the same direction as mine!” The duchess burst out with this remark so fiercely that Ancilla nearly dropped her cup.
    â€œPray enlighten me, your grace! I do not know—”
    â€œFustian! Any mama awake to her suit would be casting her eye in Rhaz’s direction. What I say is—”
    â€œBeg pardon?” Ancilla still appeared bewildered.
    The thought dawned on the duchess that she had genuinely not thought of coupling her daughter with the duke. After the amazement came amusement. She chortled rather rudely and reached for her reticule, from which she extracted a large, hand-embossed handkerchief emblazoned with the crest of Carlisle.
    â€œYou really are such a widgeon, Ancilla! Any other mama would have grasped at the chance of catching my son but I do believe the thought simply has not crossed your mind!”
    â€œIndeed it has not! As a matter of fact I should tell your grace that Cordelia has just accepted a most eligible offer. She is to become Lady Winthrop, you know.” Her tone held an element of pride that was quite lost on the duchess.
    â€œTush! That is all very fine, but I do not speak of Cordelia! I speak of Seraphina of the auburn hair! I quite see why Rhaz was taken with her, for she is undoubtedly a beauty even if she is a little too flighty for my tastes!”
    Ordinarily Ancilla would have rushed to her daughter’s defence. She was too flabbergasted, however, to do more than set down her teacup and gaze at the duchess with wide, puzzled eyes. An attachment? You must be mistaken, your grace! I daresay they have not met above twice!”
    â€œThat may be so but their meeting certainly created a stir by all accounts!”
    Ancilla began to see the light. “I collect you refer to the disastrous soiree when my little fledgling was invited to sing? I may be an abominable parent but you yourself have seen I’ve done everything I can to rectify the situation. Captain Argyll has been retained for the quarter at least!”
    â€œAncilla, I do believe you have not two thoughts in your head! Forget about Seraphina’s deplorable skills! You should be more interested, by far, in the fact that my son paid her so huge an attention! It can only mean one thing, I assure you! He was attracted and I intend helping you to snare him!”
    If Mrs. Camfrey had been speechless before, she was struck dumb now. Fortunately, the duchess did not seem to notice, for she was caught up in a long-winded monologue by which Ancilla was given to understand that dowry was of no consequence, for Rhaz was “as rich as Croesus” and did not need an heiress to bolster up depleted fortunes. More salient to the duchess was whether Seraphina was wellborn—and she had satisfied herself on this score—and well-bred. This she seemed to be, though a “trifle high-spirited.” Still, as the duchess mourned, they did not make offspring the way they used to and beggars could not be choosers. By all accounts Seraphina was a dutiful daughter if not quite biddable. When the duchess stopped for air, Ancilla opened her mouth to speak but was again forestalled by a rush of words. It appeared that the duchess considered Rhaz’s commitment to the single state “reprehensible” and she intended rectifying the position. When she finally folded her arms and looked inquiringly at Ancilla, it was all Mrs. Camfrey could do not to stifle a laugh.
    â€œYour grace, I do not believe one duet can be considered an attachment!”
    The duchess eyed her fiercely. “No? You do not know Rhaz! He would not trifle with single ladies and set up their expectations unless he has intentions!”
    â€œBut he did not set up Seraphina’s expectations!”
    â€œNo? Then he should have!”
    All of a sudden Ancilla doubted. It was true Seraphina had been in high