Read Online Through a Glass Darkly: A Novel by Karleen Koen - Free Book Online

Magnificent! The Princess of Wales had worn them outlining the bodice of her coronation gown and set in hoops at the shoulders. They were everything rumor had said, but she had not yet seen the incredible necklace and drop earrings said to be part of the set. The coronation itself had been a disappointment; the Hanovers had no style, unlike the Stuarts.
       "It will be a dull court, that I prophesy," Diana sighed.
       "But then Queen Anne's was hardly lively."
       The fires in the two fireplaces snapped and crackled and filled the room with drowsy warmth. Cousin Henley rose and excused herself, taking her basket of mending with her. Diana yawned, raised her full, white arms overhead in a graceful stretch and rose from the stool she had been sitting on.
       "If you will forgive me, I am going off to bed. The country air tires me so. Good night, Mother…Barbara."
       The draperies lifted and drifted closed behind her. The log on the fire fell apart with flying, sizzling red–orange sparks. Barbara's needle jerked in and out. The Duchess lay almost dozing in the warmth…the peace.
       "You wrote to Mother of Harry and Jane!" Barbara accused, her voice low and furious. The Duchess sat up abruptly, startled, to focus her eyes on her granddaughter, hand poised above the embroidery frame, the firelight highlighting her red-gold hair, a seeming tableau of domestic contentment, now seething with anger.
       "I never believed you would betray them, Grandmama! What did it matter if they married? The Ashfords are a fine family! I have heard you say a hundred times that their kind makes up the backbone of England. They love each other!" Her needle had been flying in and out of the linen faster and faster with each word she spoke. Now it knotted, and she threw it down in disgust, staring coldly at her grandmother.
       "Do not take that tone with me, missy!" the Duchess snapped automatically, stalling to gain time, so surprised was she by Barbara's attack. How like the chit to burst out in such a way. Impetuous. She was never one to hide emotion. Dulcinea leapt down and stalked from the room, her fluffy white tail up in the air, a signal flag that said, I am bored with your petty human concerns.
    "I betrayed no one!" the Duchess said. "I did my duty! Do not clench that jaw at me, Bab Alderley! I will slap it off! I did my duty, pure and simple, and I care little whether you like it, or Harry, or Jane! I did what I had to!"
       Barbara's steady, contemptuous stare goaded her into more speech. "Harry must make a proper marriage. The circumstances demand it. And never forget he is the grandson of Richard Saylor, first Duke of Tamworth! The daughters of country knights are not for such as we! We do better!"
       Barbara tossed her head. The firelight glittered through it. Like Richard's.
       "Do you think I do not love Harry, child?" she continued in softer tones. "Do you think I want him hurt? Bloody hands of Jesus! You children are my heart. But duty comes before love. Harry will heal, as will Jane. First love seldom lasts, seldom endures. Only one thing does—"
       "If you parrot 'duty' once more, I shall scream!" Barbara flashed.
       "Do so!" her grandmother flashed back "And I will strike you with my cane!"
       "Impossible! You do not have it with you!"
       The Duchess glanced about her. The child was right. She looked back to Barbara. They glared at each other, both jaws set, both pairs of eyes hard.
       "Shall I fetch it for you, Grandmama?"
       She meant her words to be contemptuous, but the idea of fetching her grandmother's cane so that she might then be beaten with it made her bite her lip not to smile, which took a little of the edge off her anger. The Duchess saw it at once and pressed her advantage
       "Impudent chit! If I could move, Bab, I would beat you."
       She sighed. "As I cannot, take your punishment by coming here. Sit by me. Let us try to understand each other."