Sea of Secrets: A Novel of Victorian Romantic Suspense Read Online Free PDF Page A

even, for all her scolding, Miss Yates. “There’s nothing in the question to offend. I’m twenty-one.”
    “But you can’t be!” exclaimed Aminta, and I saw her eyes go to my hair. I wore it in a braid down my back—a schoolgirl style that, I was well aware, I should have abandoned years ago. But by the time I was old enough to put my hair up, Father had dismissed the last of my governesses—who never stayed long in any case—and I had never learned how to dress my hair in a fashion more appropriate to my age. Since I was never present when we had guests, and most certainly never visited others, I had never worried about my appearance. Now I thought about what an eccentric image I must present: my black gown was a necessity of mourning, but the severe, unadorned style and unfashionably narrow cut of the skirt and sleeves set me apart from the others as dramatically as if I wore a nun’s habit. Even the maid had worn a dress more fashionable than mine. I was long used to such plain clothes, since I made my own dresses with fabric grudgingly provided by Father, but I realized now how I must look to outsiders, and I felt my cheeks grow warm.
    The silence threatened to become awkward, and the duchess broke it. “But how remiss of me; I have not offered you anything. Aminta, dear, ring for Eliza and ask for tea. I am sure we would all be glad of something to warm us.”
    While we waited for the tea to arrive, she turned the subject to less personal matters. Grateful for her tact, I began to forget my self-consciousness, and the elegant array of cakes and savories brought by the maid provided a pleasant distraction. The duchess and her companions had been shopping that morning, and I listened hungrily to the details of the gowns they had ordered and the bonnets they had tried. Evidently the duchess had just come to London for a few days’ shopping, and was soon to rejoin her new husband.
    “We return to Ellsmere in a few days,” she explained, helping me to more bread and butter. “I had planned to stay in town for another week, but I find I’m impatient to return to my real home.”
    “And to Papa,” interjected Felicity, with a giggle that won a stern look from Miss Yates.
    The duchess dimpled. She looked as roguish, and as young, as her new stepdaughter. “Yes, I confess it. And of course I am eager to be with Herron again.”
    “The duke,” explained Aminta to me. “Our cousin, and yours. I don’t suppose you’ll ever have met him.”
    I shook my head.
    “But you must meet him,” exclaimed the duchess. “And your other cousin, Felicity and Aminta’s brother. How terrible that you have been unknown to us for so long! You must promise to visit us at Ellsmere. We should try to make up for all these years of separation.”
    I smiled politely. It was kindly meant, but why should they wish to court the acquaintance of an obscure relation like myself? The invitation could be for form’s sake only. “You’re very kind, ma’am.”
    “For Christmas, perhaps.” The duchess was undeterred by the coolness of my reply. “We shall be having a large party to stay with us, so it will be a very merry time. Do say you’ll come and stay for a few weeks.”
    “And there’ll be a ball,” put in Felicity.
    “And the house is always so lovely when it’s decorated for the holidays. Imagine, reunited with your dear mother’s family for Christmas! Do say you’ll come.”
    She gazed at me with eager expectant eyes, as if she were a child pleading for a treat instead of one of the most powerful aristocrats in the country. Evidently she was sincere. I swallowed a bite of cake and smiled; a bit sadly, for the invitation was tempting. “I wish I could, ma’am,” I said. “Unfortunately, I cannot make plans so far in advance. I have no idea where I shall be in December.”
    “Whyever not?” asked—of course—Felicity.
    “I am looking for a position,” I explained before the other ladies could rebuke her.