Page 12 of Song of the Caged Duchess

Esther knew she had bested her aunt in their verbal sparring. But she also knew that Aunt Tabitha couldn’t possibly point to anything objectionable in Esther’s words. Would she really come out and say that she didn’t believe her daughter stood a good chance at a successful Season?

Perhaps I ought to consider myself lucky.

Her parents expected a lot of her, it was true, and Amelia often mentioned how unfair that was. But at least Esther knew that her parents believed her to be capable of success.

What must it be like to have a mother who thinks you’re unworthy of a gentleman’s attention? What must it be like to have a mother who, before the first ball of the Season, is already trying to prepare you for disappointment?

Well, she wouldn’t let her aunt’s words set the tone for the next few months. She would be by Eugenia’s side the whole time, and she would be able to make sure that her cousin had an amazing experience.

Eugenia has every right to enjoy herself. I’m not going to let Aunt Tabitha ruin this for her.

She picked up her tea and sipped it thoughtfully, already daydreaming about ways she might thwart her aunt’s expectations.

Chapter 5

Aknock at Esther’s door drew her from her bed. Surely her aunt wouldn’t have troubled to come to her room?

Then again, shehadseemed extremely put out over tea, and she had hardly spoken a word at dinner.

Perhaps I went too far.Perhaps I shouldn’t have been so forward with my thoughts.

She pulled on her dressing gown and opened the door, fully expecting to be confronted with Aunt Tabitha’s usual pinched expression.

But instead, Eugenia stood on the other side. “May I come in?” she whispered, looking back and forth as though fully expecting to be caught at any moment.

“Of course you can.” Esther stood back to let her cousin into the room. She shut the door behind her. “Is everything all right?”

Eugenia nodded. “Of course,” she said. “Everything’s fine. I just wanted to see you—away from my mother’s supervision.”

“Is she always that way?” Esther asked.

“Usually,” Eugenia said.

Esther shook her head. “I’m sorry,” she said. “That must be very difficult.”

Eugenia shrugged. “She isn’t wrong, really,” she said. “I know I’m not beautiful. Itwillbe hard for me to find a suitable gentleman.”

Esther put an arm around her cousin. “Who says you’re not beautiful?” she asked. “Different people see beauty in different things. Some like roses, and others like lilies. Is one flower more beautiful than the other?”

Eugenia laughed. “Youareclever,” she said. “Mother was right. But I’m not a rose or a lily. I’m more like a blade of grass.”

Esther took her cousin’s hand and led her to the window. “Look,” she said, pointing out at the lawn. “Look at how lovely the grass is. It has a beauty of its own. And you might find a gentleman who’s prepared to see just how lovely you are. Don’t allow your mother to make you believe it’s impossible.”

“I know whoshewould like me to marry,” Eugenia said.

“Who? The bald Lord Oxbridge?”

Eugenia giggled. “No,” she said. “I think she’s hopingyou’llset your sights on Lord Oxbridge, to tell you the truth. I think that’s the real reason she spoke so highly of him.”

“Perhaps I will,” Esther said. “But who is she hoping to see you marry?”

“The Duke of Hallowbinder,” Eugenia said. “The most eligible man this Season. Every young lady will be hoping to capture his notice, but I know my mother wants him for me.”

“The Duke?” Esther said. “I had no idea that a Duke would be present.”

“Oh, yes,” Eugenia said happily. She sat down on Esther’s bed and tucked her feet beneath her. “He’sextremelygood looking, too.”

“Wow.” Esther raised her eyebrows. “It sounds like he’s got everything a young lady could want.”