The Duke's Quandary (Entangled Scandalous)
Page 22
Drake had told her the strictures of propriety were just as compelling as in London, and in some ways even more so, since the waltz was not allowed here. It seemed country folk still deemed that dance scandalous. The girls were younger at this dance, as well, since parents used the country assemblies to introduce their daughters to social life several months before they made their formal come out.
“I’ll settle you in a seat by the window, and then I’ll fetch you a glass of lemonade.” Drake spoke to her above the noise of the crowd and herded them through, gripping her elbow and using his arm to ease a pathway between the packed bodies. She grinned at how solicitous he’d been since they’d discovered she was increasing.
Apparently word had spread throughout the county, also, since they were stopped and congratulated time and again until they finally made their way across the ballroom. Due to the dowager duchess’s lack of formality here in the country, the family was well-liked, in addition to being held in high regard. Most of Drake’s former childhood playmates greeted him with warmth and acceptance.
“I will sit with you a while. My sisters are already filling up their dance cards.” Marion smoothed her skirts out as she settled on the wooden bench next to Penelope. The dowager duchess had joined a group of women along another wall, happily chatting away. From the glances her mother-in-law threw her, there was no doubt the subject matter of her conversation had to do with her expected grandchild.
“Here is your drink, sweetheart.” Drake had returned and held out a glass of yellow liquid. “Can I get you something, Marion?”
“No thank you.”
Penelope took a sip of her lemonade and wrinkled her nose. “Warm.”
Drake took a seat next to her, and scanned the room. “I see Mary is already dancing.” He looked further afield and frowned. “Who is that gentleman speaking with Abigail? I don’t recognize him.”
“I don’t, either.” Marion moved her head to get a better look at them.
“He seems to be more than somewhat friendly with her.” He studied them for a minute, and then rose. “I will return shortly.” He circled a line of dancers and headed straight to his sister.
Marion and Penelope exchanged amused glances. Drake took his responsibilities toward his family very seriously.
“How are you feeling?” Marion asked.
“Fine. At least the sickness in the morning has stopped. And I’m not sure, but I think I felt the baby move the other day.”
“How exciting!”
“Yes, it is. I just wish your brother would stop following me around. I don’t mind so much when I’m doing my work in the garden area, but he watches me like a hawk everywhere I go.”
“He loves you.”
Penelope nodded, a sense of Drake’s love wrapping her in warmth. What a strange twist her life had taken. She had arrived in London a terrified and unsure young girl. One who had no intention of getting married, only looking forward to scooting back to the country to continue her science.
Instead, she was a married woman, loved by her husband, yet still back in the country and pursuing her love of botany. Soon there would be a child to add to their happiness.
Love. She glanced across the room to see Drake very much involved in a conversation with the young man standing alongside Abigail. The poor gentleman looked a bit uncomfortable. How she loved the man who had sworn he would never marry for love.
Yes, life does take some twists and turns.
Her hand flew to her stomach as a slight fluttering drew her attention and a smile broke out on her face.
Author’s Note
The Linnean Society of London is the world’s oldest active biological society. Founded in 1788, the Society takes its name from the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus (1707–1778) whose botanical, zoological, and library collections have been in its keeping since 1829. (1)
Author Beatrix Potter wrote a scientific paper in 1897, which was presented to the Linnean on her behalf by a man; as a woman, Beatrix herself was not allowed to present the paper, or even attend. (2)
Although women were not permitted membership during the time this novel takes place, in 1905 women were finally able to take their rightful place alongside the men. (3)
(1) http://www.linnean.org/The-Society
(2)http://www.linnean.org/The-Society/societynews/Beatrix_Potter
(3) http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F20B10FC3D5A12738DDDAB0994DA405B858CF1D3
Acknowledgements
A huge thank you to my editor, Erin McCormack Molta, who makes my books so much better than when they hit her desk.
Accolades to my awesome critique partner, Char Chaffin.
Lastly, I cannot thank the lovely ladies of the Beau Monde RWA group enough for answering my innumerable questions about the Regency era. And with lightning speed, also.
About the Author
Callie has been making up stories since elementary school, and writing gave her a way to turn off the voices in her head. She’s had a number of articles and interviews published, and three years ago, put her writing skills to the test and wrote her first novel.
Oklahoma is where she hangs her hat with her husband of thirty-six years, two young adult children, and three dogs.
You can catch her hanging out at Facebook, Twitter- @CallieHutton, and her home base, www.calliehutton.com.
Stop by sometime and say hello.
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