Page 7 of Song of the Caged Duchess

“Packed and ready to go.” Amelia smiled, the first genuine smile Esther had seen from her this evening. “They truly are lovely. You’ll turn heads in them. You’re going to make quite an impression on the gentlemen of thetonthis Season. I believe you'll have your pick of them.”

“I hope that’s true,” Esther said. “It would certainly make my job easier.”

“I just hope you find happiness with whomever you choose,” Amelia said. “And I hope he treats you as well as you deserve.”

“Thank you, Amelia,” Esther said gratefully. “I’m very glad you’ll be coming to Harcourt Manor with me. It will be good to have someone I can trust at my side.”

Her maid bid her good evening and took her leave. Esther went to the window and gazed out, wondering again what it would be like to spend the next several months away from her parents.

I doubt I’ll find love. Amelia’s ideas are far too fanciful.

But she was sure that, if nothing else, she would find adventure.

The days ahead were sure to be unlike anything she had ever experienced before.

Chapter 3

“Amelia,” Esther’s mother said, “go upstairs, please, and make sure that Esther hasn’t left anything behind in her room. We wouldn’t want her to get all the way to Harcourt only to discover that she was missing something important.”

“Of course, My Lady.” Amelia hurried into the Manor, leaving Esther alone in front of the carriage with only her parents and her little sister.

For a moment, Esther felt anxious. Had her mother deliberately sent Amelia away so that she could talk to Esther without her maid being present? Was it possible that she knew what Amelia and Esther had discussed last night?

If she does, it’s possible she’ll dismiss Amelia here and now!

That would be terrible. Esther didn’t know how she would bear the next few months without her only confidant.

But she needn’t have worried. Her mother placed her hands on Esther’s shoulders and turned her about, looking her carefully up and down. “You look decent enough," she said. “Amelia did a good job with you today. Mind you don’t destroy her hard work before you arrive at Harcourt.”

“I’ll be sitting in a carriage the whole time,” Esther pointed out, annoyed. “I don’t see how I could possibly ruin my appearance doing that.”

“Well, good,” her mother said. “I’d hate to think of you arriving at your aunt’s home looking like a mess.”

“I don’t know why you’re worried about it,” Esther said. “You said yourself that Aunt Tabitha’s primary concern was that I might outshine her daughter. Wouldn’t she be relieved to see me arrive looking less than my best?”

“Yes,” Esther’s mother said. “And I’d sooner die than give her that satisfaction.”

“Oh, for goodness’ sake,” Esther’s father interrupted. “What matters is that Esther looks her best when she attends social functions.”

Her mother crossed her arms and said nothing.

“I wish I could go with you,” Caroline said.

Esther embraced her sister, smiling down at her. “I wish you could, too,” she said. “This would all be much more enjoyable if you were along.”

“Perhaps you’ll be able to have a Season of your own when you’re a bit older,” their father said. Esther heard what he wasn’t saying as clearly as if he had spoken the words aloud—If Esther does her job.

“Don’t worry, Caroline,” Esther said. “Someday, when we’re both grown up, you and I will attend balls together.”

“And we’ll both be on the arms of handsome gentlemen,” Caroline said rather giddily. “Right?”

“That’s right.”

“I can’twaitto fall in love and get married,” Caroline said enviously.

Has she been reading the same books Amelia has?

Esther couldn’t remember feeling the way Caroline described, even in her youth. She had never looked forward to falling in love. Where was Caroline getting that idea?