Debra Mullins Read Online Free PDF

what has happened to your locket?”
    “It broke last night.”
    “I thought you said you had not encountered any brigands when you got lost last night?” Concern sharpened her tone as she led her daughter to the chair at the vanity table and sat her in it. “You told me that when you got separated from our party at Vauxhall that no one had accosted you.”
    “That’s true.”
    “Anna.” Henrietta folded her arms and gave her daughter a stern look that had served her well being married to a naval officer these many years. “Were you assaulted or not? How did your locket get broken? Heaven knows you haven’t taken it off in years.”
    “I wasn’t assaulted, Mama. My locket brokewhen someone bumped into me.” Seduction didn’t count as assault, did it?
    “Hmph.” For a moment, it seemed as if her mother didn’t believe her. Then she sighed, and Anna knew the danger had passed. Her mother placed the locket on the vanity table. “Well, we shall have to get it repaired then. I know how you treasure it.”
    “Thank you, Mama.”
    “I shall see to it. In the meanwhile, you will stay at home today. We are going to Lord Haverford’s for dinner tonight, and I want you to look your best.”
    Guilt surged anew at the mention of the man she had been promised to—but not officially betrothed to—since birth. “Yes, Mama.”
    “Wear the yellow silk. It suits you.”
    Anna made another sound of assent as her mother prattled on about how she should wear her hair and what jewelry would best complement the ensemble. Having heard the lecture many times, she didn’t attend quite as well as she should have.
    “—and since we will be dining en famille with Lord Haverford this evening, I do not have to tell you to be your most charming, darling. You must make a good impression on his family. Your very future hangs in the balance.”
    “What? The earl’s family is attending the dinner?”
    “Yes.” Henrietta wandered over to the wardrobeand threw it open, regarding the dresses within. “His aunt and cousins will be joining us.”
    “Goodness.” Her stomach fluttered as if butterflies had been let loose in it, and she pressed her palm to her belly.
    Her mother caught sight of the motion and frowned. “You’re not ill, are you, Anna? You wouldn’t want his lordship to consider you sickly. Your father and I arranged this marriage so your future would be secure. But nothing is certain until Lord Haverford officially offers for you, and the papers are signed.”
    “I know, Mama. And I do appreciate the fact that you and Papa have managed to give me such a wonderful opportunity.”
    Henrietta sniffed in agreement. “Indeed, Lord Haverford is quite an eligible parti and would have been far above your reach had his father not been a childhood friend of your papa’s. You should be very grateful.”
    “I am, Mama. Lord Haverford will make a fine husband.”
    “And he’s young and attractive. You might have ended up married to someone much older and less agreeable.” Pursing her lips, Henrietta pushed aside one dress after another, mumbling to herself about hair and pearls.
    Anna seized on her mother’s distraction to get her own emotions under control. She had always known she would become Lady Haverford, but lately everything seemed to be moving alongrather quickly. The betrothal had always seemed something that would happen in the distant future. Suddenly that future had become the present, and she faced the reality of an engagement happening before the year was out. Perhaps even before the Season’s end.
    “You will be receiving callers with me this morning,” her mother said, pulling a pale blue morning dress from the wardrobe. “I must say, your idea to travel to London was an excellent one. How clever of you to consider how you would appear to Society when you become a countess when you’ve never even had a London Season! I won’t have it said my daughter is a country bumpkin. No, I certainly will