A Family Affair

by Jennifer Wenn

  “What I can’t understand is why she isn’t taken.”

  Sin ripped his gaze from the delicious Charmaine and looked down at his sister.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Most debutantes get married, or at least engaged, during their first season, even the ones who don’t look as good as Charmaine. So why is she back for a second season, and this time with Penelope in tow?”

  “All debutantes don’t marry their first season.”

  Fanny snorted, knowing her brother wasn’t the best source when it came to the unwritten rules of the ton. All debutantes wanted to land themselves a husband during their first year. It was harder for a young woman to find an interested eligible bachelor the second year and beyond, with new debutantes introduced every year.

  This year Penelope had joined her family for her first season, but unfortunately for her, Charmaine was too exquisite for anyone to notice the not-as-beautiful younger de Vere daughter.

  Penelope wasn’t ugly. In fact, she was prettier than most of the other unmarried young ladies in the ton, prettier than most of the married ladies, too. She was simply not as overwhelming as her older sister.

  “I think I have an idea of why she remains unmarried, though.” Sin caught his sister’s attention.

  “You do?”

  “It’s not so hard to figure out. She is of course aiming as high as she possibly can. With no unmarried royalty available, she wants to become a duchess. And the richest and most sought after unmarried duke is Devlin Ross, the new Duke of Hereford.”

  Fanny couldn’t stop the warmth of a blush that crept over her cheeks, and she cursed silently to herself. Why, after all these years, couldn’t she hear his name without turning red as a beet?

  Sin, bless his heart, didn’t notice his sister’s change of color; instead he continued to ponder the mystery of the unmarried Charmaine.

  “When Devlin returned from France at the end of last year’s social season, he quickly became the darling of the ton, with all the loving mamas fighting to have him at their little soirées, to introduce their daughters to him. Unfortunately for them, Devlin isn’t at all interested in marriage.”

  “How can you be so sure of his disinterest?” Fanny tried not to sound too interested.

  “He told Uncle Rake, who told me. Devlin is a true libertine. He prefers mistresses rather than a wife. He did notice Charmaine, though, as she is rather hard to miss, but anything more than an occasional flirt on the dance floor wasn’t in his mind.”

  “Of course, Charmaine thinks a little too much of herself to have any notion he might not want her for a wife.” Fanny giggled, and Sin chuckled along with her.

  As if she knew they were talking about her, Charmaine looked their way, and her eyes narrowed to vivid blue almonds. Fanny gave her archenemy a bright smile, which Charmaine answered with a sneer before she turned her back to them.

  “Devlin never plays with unmarried ladies,” Sin said as an afterthought. “And I have a feeling the poor fellow will be trapped into an engagement before the end of this season, one way or another. We all know Charmaine has no conscience, and I’m afraid she will probably make something up if he doesn’t propose to her. Many marriages have started with an innocent meeting on a balcony or in some other lonely place. All she has to do is make sure someone finds them alone, unchaperoned.”

  “I guess her parents gladly would volunteer,” Fanny mused, knowing most families in the ton would do even worse things if it meant they could have the Duke of Hereford as a son-in-law.

  It would put them on top of all lists, and put any creditors at ease, as the Ross family was one of the richest families in England and could cover any family’s debts with pocket money.

  Sin’s chuckle interrupted his sister’s thoughts. “You know, Uncle Rake told me Devlin didn’t find her attractive at all, when he met Charmaine for the first time last season. Apparently Devlin thought there was something cold and dead about her.”

  “Like a fish,” Fanny squealed, not able to hide how amusing she found Sin’s words. “We can call her Fishy!”

  “You should try to be more subtle,” Sin said.

  His sister ignored him, losing her mirth as she continued, “I feel bad for poor Penelope, though. Her awful parents have decided to spend all the money on Charmaine this year again, so Penelope has to wear her sister’s old gowns. One would think they should put their money on Penelope this year, since it’s her first season, but no, Charmaine must have all new dresses, because she can’t wear her old ones.”

  “I can’t imagine any lady doing something so dreadful as to wear the same dress twice.” Sin winked, but his sister didn’t take his bait this time. She was too occupied with thinking about her best friend’s situation.

  “How can you give one child everything and the other child nothing? It’s so unfair. Penelope is just as beautiful. And more importantly, she is a wonderfully nice person.”

  “I really don’t know,” Sin replied thoughtfully. “There is certainly nothing wrong with Penelope.”

  Just then Sebastian, the younger of Fanny’s two brothers, brought his little sister a refreshing glass of lemonade. He patted her shoulder in a brotherly way, to show affection, and succeeded in jostling her enough to spill some of the drink on the front of her dress.

  The look she gave him was nearly as sour as the lemonade.

  Almost.

  “Don’t you worry, my dear,” Sebastian announced cheerfully. “When Charmaine gets older, all her sins, selfishness, and evil thoughts will turn her hair gray and her face all wrinkly and spotty.”

  “Spotty?” Sin said, arching an eyebrow in a very Darling way.

  Sebastian gave his older brother a smile worthy of a saint. Not an easy task for him.

  “Why, yes!”

  “Spotty?” Fanny had a hard time staying angry at her silly brother, even though he’d just ruined her white debutante dress. She could never stay angry with Sebastian; he was such a happy, loveable clown. And now, thanks to him, she wouldn’t have to wear this horrid dress again.

  “It is common knowledge among those who know things; old age catches everybody, and no one can escape, not even celebrated young ladies. Especially the mean-hearted ones.”

  “Like Charmaine,” Fanny laughed.

  “That’s right, sweet pea. Especially ogres like Charmaine.”

  The three siblings smiled wickedly at each other, unaware of their parents’ approach until their father’s voice cut through their snickering.

  “What on earth are you three up to now?”

  “Papa.” Fanny threw herself into her father’s waiting arms, ignoring outraged gasps from bystanders. With her father, Fanny was always a little girl. She loved the way he made her feel secure and cherished.

  “Fanny, for goodness’ sake,” Caroline Sinclair Darling, Marchioness of Newbury, murmured between her teeth, and Fanny reluctantly brought her arms down from around her father’s neck. Her father gave her a little peck on her faintly freckled nose before he put his wife’s hand in the crook of his arm again.

  “Are you enjoying yourself, my dear?” Caroline inquired, and Fanny nodded with a delighted smile.

  “I love it,” she declared passionately. “It is more than I ever could have imagined. The people are so fashionable, and everyone looks quite elegant. Thank you so much for bringing me to London.”

  “It’s all your grandmother’s doing,” the marquess told his daughter. “I still can hardly believe your Grand-Papa let you leave Chester Park, especially since he kept ranting about the loss of common sense among the ton. My father has a somewhat hostile opinion of the Season.”

  “If it weren’t for Francesca being the first girl to be born in the Berkeley family for centuries and he’s unable to say no to her, Hannibal probably would have locked her in one of the towers and thrown away the key.”

  “True, true,” George agreed with his wife. “But he is too proud of her not to let her attend.”

 
They were the best parents imaginable, Fanny thought as she watched them chat away. The love and respect they bestowed on her was endless, lifting her high. They were the solid foundation of her life.

  She had not been an easy child, all curiosity and adventurousness and with no common sense at all. But her parents had managed to find a wobbly path for leading her, one that in the end had worked. Their patience and undeniable love for her and for each other had formed her, until she had become the much calmer person she was today. She liked to think she had gained a little common sense, too, even though her brothers kept telling her she hadn’t.

  “Fanny.” Caroline interrupted her thoughts. “Do you want me to go with you and see if we could remove some of that lemonade your brother so nicely poured over your dress?”

  “It was an accident…” A glare from his mother silenced Sebastian.

  Fanny bit back a smile as her brother gave their mother a sad look worthy of a puppy. But their mother had a heart of stone when it came to her children and puppy-faces. She had seen too many to even consider changing her mind.

  “I can go by myself, if it’s all right with you. I do need to sit down for a little while, as I am feeling quite warm. As I understand, the dancing is about to begin, and I need to cool down a little first.”

  “You go ahead, my dear.” Caroline patted her daughter’s curly hair, and with a last loving look Fanny went eagerly away.

  She tried to walk in a ladylike manner through the ballroom and not skip or run as the hellion her mother accused her of being, but her heart sang with joy. Finally she was here, taking part in the social life her family had attended without her every year during her childhood.

  Her grandparents had always made sure she had a wonderful time during those short months of the Season while the rest of the family danced in London, but she had still missed them immensely.

  Listening to her family’s colorful stories about life among the ton, she had been desperate to see it for herself, and now she finally was here.

  And even though she didn’t want to admit it, not even to herself, she couldn’t help feeling a little extra excited over Devlin being in town during her first season. She knew his promise to her thirteen years ago wasn’t something he was about to keep, as it had been made to a small child out of kindness.

  But still.

  He was in town. She was eighteen. Something was bound to happen. And even if it didn’t, she was just the person to stir the pot a little.

  Chapter 2

  She could hardly believe such rotten luck.

  When Fanny arrived at the plush ladies’ restroom, she had to her relief found it empty. With a deep sigh, she sank down into one of the red chairs and rescued her aching feet from their temporary prisons.

  But the chatter of voices approaching disrupted her solitude, and Fanny groaned aloud as she realized she knew one of those voices too well.

  Just the thought of having to spend time listening to Charmaine and her evil drivel seemed a fate worse than death to Fanny, and without hesitation she grabbed her shoes and dashed out through the open balcony door. Hidden behind one of the Roman pillars gracing the terrace, she watched as Charmaine floated into the restroom, closely followed by her two worshipers, Lady Victoria Knightley and Miss Emma Archer.

  The two friends fussed about Charmaine, helping her with her hair, giving her cool wet towels, and acting more as maids than as best friends.

  Fanny cursed as she stood there in the darkness of the terrace. What stroke of bad luck had hit her? The threesome in the restroom showed no need of hurrying with their business. Instead they sat down and sipped the lemonade they’d brought with them.

  She didn’t know what to do. She was in a really awkward position. Young ladies didn’t go out on the terrace alone; it was against all good etiquette. She knew her mother would be vexed if she ever heard of her daughter’s outrageous behavior.

  But the other scenario was even worse: joining the threesome in the restroom.

  To face Charmaine and her worshipers, to be forced to answer their questions about what she had been doing out on the terrace, of all places, wasn’t the best idea. Fanny knew the threesome wouldn’t rest until they had dragged the truth out of her, and although she knew she hadn’t done anything wrong, it would be too easy for Charmaine to sow a little seed of doubt about Fanny’s actions in any conversation thereafter.

  In the end, her choice wasn’t too difficult. She decided to stay put behind the pillar, trying not to breathe too loudly.

  There were others strolling slowly on the terrace, and some even went down into the darkness of the lawn. But they were all outside the ballroom, where lights were lit. No one seemed to notice her standing in the shadows farther along, and she could only hope she would be safe.

  At first, being occupied with her thoughts, she didn’t listen to the conversation inside the restroom. It wasn’t until she heard her own name mentioned that her interest was caught.

  “Lady Francesca’s dress was so beautiful,” Emma said with honest awe in her voice. “I never would have come up with such a lovely idea as putting lilies in my hair as she did, but it was surprisingly fetching.”

  Victoria agreed. “It was pretty, indeed. I wonder if I should go to our orangery and steal some of Mama’s prize-winning roses. I think they would look really good against my complexion.”

  Emma started to agree with Victoria but was rudely interrupted by Charmaine.

  “I found it vulgar,” she snapped, and Fanny had to bite her lip hard so she wouldn’t propel herself onto the minx and rearrange her.

  Unaware of the indignant audience on the balcony, Charmaine continued, “Fanny should think about how easily she looks cheap before she goes out and ransacks her family’s greenhouse. One would think a family known for their vast fortune would be able to spend quite a large sum to make sure she looks as good as possible. It all makes one wonder why they don’t. They are practically forcing poor Fanny to go clad in greenery. In my opinion, they probably think of her as a lost cause.”

  Emma and Victoria glanced insecurely at each other, but obviously neither had the spine to contradict the envious words. They had both found her outfit fresh and stylish, apparently, yet neither dared to contradict Charmaine.

  “Vulgar, indeed,” Victoria echoed lamely, in an effort to break the uncomfortable silence.

  “Money can’t buy beauty, and Lady Francesca Darling is a perfect example of that adage.”

  And yet I’ve gotten plenty of suitors on my dance card this evening, Fanny wanted to holler, but she managed to stay quiet. The mendacious minx! she thought, full of resentment over Charmaine’s harsh words.

  So what if she wasn’t a beauty of the first or even the second water? It didn’t mean she wasn’t attractive at all. She knew she was somewhat pleasing to look upon, even pretty, in the right light.

  She would never stun a man with her beauty alone, but she wouldn’t want a husband who was that shallow anyway. She much preferred a man who wanted her for her wit and her heart than for her beauty or her dowry.

  Charmaine must have shared the same thought. “It must be so hard for her, being the richest heiress of all time and still outdone by the sheer beauty of others.”

  The two worshippers looked like two parrots, as they bobbed their heads in agreement.

  “I even saw freckles on the bridge of her nose.” Victoria shared her piece of horrid gossip with malicious pleasure.

  “Oh, my,” Emma breathed with horror. “How awful for her poor mama.”

  “I heard Fanny galloped down Rotten Row the other day, in competition with her brothers, and she actually won!”

  Emma nodded. She too was aware of Fanny’s outrageous behavior. “Mama almost fainted when she heard about it. She immediately made me promise I would never do something so unladylike as competing with horses.”

  Charmaine, who never could hold a grudge against anyone who told her exactly what she wanted to hear, shook her head.

>   “It is common knowledge how unhealthy it is for a lady to ride a horse,” she pontificated. “Everyone knows a well-bred lady travels only by carriage, not on horseback, and certainly not without an umbrella protecting her from the sun.”

  Fanny, outside on the terrace, was outraged; she could hardly believe her ears. Was this how the talk went regarding her?

  What was wrong with riding horses, or having freckles, for goodness’ sake? She happened to like her freckles, and so did her mother. Again, she couldn’t help but feel sorry for these small-minded people who lived only for what others would say about them.

  But mostly she pitied Charmaine. What a sad life she must lead, when she can’t find satisfaction in her own good looks without slandering others.

  Fanny had never been envious of Charmaine. She couldn’t stand her, but that was because of the way Charmaine treated everyone, especially her younger sister. She really couldn’t see anything beautiful about Charmaine; all she saw was the ugliness beneath the shiny exterior.

  “Did you see Hereford, by any chance?” Charmaine asked her worshipers. Her voice sounded a little too carefully uncaring.

  “Why, now you mention it, I didn’t.” Victoria clapped her hands excitedly. “Where on earth could he be? He should be here, making sure everyone knows you are taken.”

  Emma giggled happily. “Oh, it’s so exciting; I can’t believe you are being courted by the bachelor. It’s like a fairytale come true. The most beautiful maiden meets the most handsome knight.”

  “I have to agree with you; we would be a match made in heaven,” Charmaine admitted. “But then, I am born to be society’s leading lady, and so it’s not a surprise he wants to court me.”

  “I do hope you have saved a couple of dances for him?”

  “Of course not.” Charmaine laughed as if Victoria had said something highly amusing. “As long as I don’t have his ring on my finger, I am not holding a dance for him.” She stood up and walked over to the large mirror beside the door and looked at her image with a satisfied smile. She gently tugged at the edge of her décolletage, forcing her dress down to reveal more of her breasts.