Page 64
Story: Duke of Gluttony
Mine to guide. Mine to protect.
Tea awaited them in the garden, where the day had warmed enough to chase shadows from the stone paths. The girls sprawled across a blanket with their treasures while Abigail and Ms. Norwood took chairs beneath a flowering plum tree.
“Did you know that silk comes from worms?” Mary Ann asked as she arranged her new books in a precise little row.
“That’s disgusting but wonderful,” Heather added, already halfway through a jam tart.
Ms. Norwood regarded the girls over the rim of her teacup. “The world is full of small creatures performing miracles right under our noses,” she observed.
Abigail sipped her tea, content to let the conversation flow around her. Every passing carriage set her nerves humming as she strained to hear if this might be the one that turned into their drive.
She caught herself and firmly returned her attention to the girls, silently chiding herself. Graham would return when he was able.She must have patience and it wouldn’t do to dwell on it and allow it to steal the afternoon’s simple pleasures.
“You seem revived,” Ms. Norwood observed quietly, while the girls debated the merits of their new books.
“Fresh air works wonders,” Abigail replied.
“As does purpose.” The governess stirred her tea. “The girls needed this. Joy has been a rare visitor these past months.”
Abigail glanced at the twins. “I want them to be happy here.”
“They already are,” Ms. Norwood assured her. “Children are remarkably resilient, provided they feel secure.” She paused. “As are most people, given time and patience.”
The footman approached bearing the afternoon post on a silver tray, saving Abigail the need to respond, though she heard the message well enough.
“The day’s papers, Your Grace, and a letter from Beacon House.”
“Thank you, James.” Abigail took the letter eagerly, recognizing Mrs. Welling’s precise handwriting.
The girls, however, had spotted the newspaper.
“Is there a picture of the wedding?” Mary Ann asked, abandoning her book to peer at the folded paper. “Lady Ponsby said we would be in all the papers.”
“Oh I doubt it,” Abigail hedged, reluctant to open it.
“Please look,” Heather begged. “I want to see if they drew my dress right.”
With a sigh, Abigail unfolded theMorning Post. The front page featured a headline more subdued than she had expected: “Duke of Eyron Weds at St. George’s.”
“Look! It’s us!” She pointed to the caricature on the front page. “That’s me throwing flowers. Mary Ann looks cross.”
Mary Ann joined her sister, peering at the illustration. “I do not look cross. I look dignified.”
Abigail leaned forward to examine the drawing.The caricature showed the wedding party emerging from St. George’s. The girls were rendered with affectionate humor—Heather flung petals while Mary Ann clutched her basket. Graham looked grim while her smile looked more calculating than joyful.
She scanned the article, skimming through flowery descriptions of the ceremony and notable guests until a particular passage caught her eye.
“The bride, whose previous engagement ended in circumstances that need not be revisited, appeared suitably demure in ivory silk. One trusts this time she will find more lasting success.”
“What does it say about us?” Mary Ann asked, trying to read over Abigail’s arm.
“It says you both looked very pretty and conducted yourselves with perfect decorum.” She folded the paper, tucking away the sting of those words behind a composed smile. “Now, why don’t you go with Miss Norwood to set up your new globe?”
The girls needed no further encouragement. They raced inside, Miss Norwood following at a more sedate pace. At the door, she paused and glanced back at Abigail.
“The papers rarely get anything of substance right,” she said quietly. “Best not to dwell on them.”
Abigail nodded. “I’ll be in to see the new globe shortly.”
Table of Contents
- Page 1
- Page 2
- Page 3
- Page 4
- Page 5
- Page 6
- Page 7
- Page 8
- Page 9
- Page 10
- Page 11
- Page 12
- Page 13
- Page 14
- Page 15
- Page 16
- Page 17
- Page 18
- Page 19
- Page 20
- Page 21
- Page 22
- Page 23
- Page 24
- Page 25
- Page 26
- Page 27
- Page 28
- Page 29
- Page 30
- Page 31
- Page 32
- Page 33
- Page 34
- Page 35
- Page 36
- Page 37
- Page 38
- Page 39
- Page 40
- Page 41
- Page 42
- Page 43
- Page 44
- Page 45
- Page 46
- Page 47
- Page 48
- Page 49
- Page 50
- Page 51
- Page 52
- Page 53
- Page 54
- Page 55
- Page 56
- Page 57
- Page 58
- Page 59
- Page 60
- Page 61
- Page 62
- Page 63
- Page 64 (Reading here)
- Page 65
- Page 66
- Page 67
- Page 68
- Page 69
- Page 70
- Page 71
- Page 72
- Page 73
- Page 74
- Page 75
- Page 76
- Page 77
- Page 78
- Page 79
- Page 80
- Page 81
- Page 82
- Page 83
- Page 84
- Page 85
- Page 86
- Page 87
- Page 88
- Page 89
- Page 90
- Page 91
- Page 92
- Page 93
- Page 94
- Page 95
- Page 96
- Page 97
- Page 98
- Page 99
- Page 100
- Page 101
- Page 102
- Page 103
- Page 104
- Page 105
- Page 106
- Page 107
- Page 108
- Page 109
- Page 110
- Page 111
- Page 112
- Page 113
- Page 114