Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

I did not allow my melancholy to interfere with my plans to call upon a new neighbor. As the carriage rumbled down the long lane from Bradford Hall to the main road, I studied the expansive gardens surrounding my new home. Could any place be more lovely?

What would Mrs. White think if she could see me now? Though I rarely bothered giving her, or my father, much thought since the day they had announced their pending marriage, I could hardly keep a self-satisfied smile from pulling at the corners of my mouth. Was not happiness the best revenge?

During the drive, I had time alone to consider all that had happened in my life in the last few weeks. Who would have ever expected such a turn of events? One thing that would make my life truly perfect would be a friend. I missed Cassie and wished I had gone along with Jeffrey so that I could have spent some time with my only friend in the entire country. Not just some lady who stopped by to gossip, but a real comrade who would love me despite my many flaws.

Perhaps my new neighbor would be such a person. When the carriage arrived at its destination, I exited, hopeful of finding a chum.

At the door, I handed the butler my card, though the Amherst family crest and livery announced my identity before my feet left the carriage.

A maid attended to my wrap while I waited for the butler to inform me if his mistress, Lady Hampshire, was available for visitors. I had never made a call on my own and hoped the lady of the house would be pleasant.

"Just fifteen minutes," I told myself. I only needed to stay for fifteen minutes. Mrs. White had drilled this into me.

"Pardon me, your grace?" The maid looked up expectantly.

I must have spoken aloud. "My apologies. I am a bit nervous." It was highly improper to confide in a housemaid, but loneliness trumped good judgment.

She smiled kindly. "I would be nervous, too. Everyone in the neighborhood is shocked the Duke married an American. It's all any of the ladies talk about when they visit."

Shocked? People were shocked Jeffrey married me? Admittedly, it was a surprise to me too, but these were strangers. What right did they have to judge me based solely on my nationality?

The whole neighborhood?

"Felicity!" The butler's voice filled the entryway. Felicity glanced at me apologetically then scurried off to other tasks.

"Her ladyship would be delighted to make your acquaintance." The butler bowed, his expression blank. "Please follow me."

Your actions reflect not only upon yourself, but upon me and the Amherst name.

Jeffrey's words from a few days before echoed in my mind. Although I wished to flee, or stay to give "her ladyship" something to be shocked about, I could not. My husband expected me to make him proud, and I would.

However, that did not mean I was happy about it. The long hall to the drawing room felt like a walk to the guillotine. What sort of viper's nest awaited me?

"The Duchess of Amherst," the butler announced. The two ladies in the room stared at me.

I thought of Jeffrey and how disappointed he would be if I did not make an effort to win these ladies over.

The butler left. Lady Hampshire and her guest, Lady Suffield, introduced themselves. I smiled then took the seat indicated by my hostess.

"We were just saying how eager we are to make your acquaintance, and now here you are. How fortunate. I was extremely sorry not to find you at home when I visited earlier in the week." Lady Hampshire leaned closer. "I hope you will tell us about yourself. We were all so surprised to hear that the Duke of Amherst had taken a wife, especially when we knew nothing about her."

"How kind you ah to welcome me he-ah." I reared back in surprise. Heaven help me. Had I been possessed by demons? It was as though I had channeled Professor Keating.

I risked a glimpse at the ladies seated across from me. They appeared as stunned as I felt.

"I, uh…we, um." Lady Hampshire's brow furrowed. "What I mean is, we were all told you were an American, but that cannot be. Your accent is clearly, um, British. Is that correct?"

"An American?" I covered my mouth with my gloved hand to show my dismay. "Oh, my. What a thing to say."

"I heard the same thing." Lady Suffield peered at me. "Are you sure you are not an American?"

"Well, here I am. You can judge for yourself."

"Yes, you are right here for us to see for ourselves." Lady Hampshire had the most peculiar sort of half-smile on her face. I wondered if something was wrong with me—besides my odd speaking voice. I checked to make sure I had not gotten dirt on my skirt, but it was pristine.

"We are delighted to have a new friend in the neighborhood." Lady Suffield turned to me. "Things around here can get so dull. Do you not agree, your grace?"

All I really wanted was to get out of there as quickly as possible while saying as little as possible. So far, I had not actually lied, which gave me small comfort. My heart thudded with desperation. I glanced at the clock on the mantel. Although it felt like an eternity in hell, I had only spent five minutes there. Ten long, deceit-filled minutes remained.

I cleared my throat, preparing to answer.

"Honestly, Lydia," Lady Hampshire intervened, "how can she say whether it is dull in this county or not? She only arrived a short time ago, while we have been here our whole lives."

Now I was quite confused indeed. I thought Lady Hampshire was new to the neighborhood, so I asked, in as few words as possible, for clarification.

"You are correct, in part," she said. "Perhaps I ought to explain. In case it is not obvious"—she shot Lady Suffield a perturbed glance—"Lydia and I are sisters. We grew up nearby. But, I am also recently married so have only lived here in this home for a few weeks."

"Oh," I said, hoping it was a sufficient answer.

"Where are you from, your grace? I do not believe we have ever crossed paths." Lady Suffield leaned forward as though eager for my reply.

My mind flashed to the map of England hanging in the drawing room of Bradford Hall. "I grew up in the Lake District." I prayed neither of them were familiar with the area.

"How delightful!" Lady Hampshire said. "I have always wanted to visit there. I hear it is the most beautiful area in England."

"Is it really as stunning as everyone says?" her sister asked.

"Oh, I am sure everything you have heard about it is true. Very true." My heart pounded while my palms grew damp inside my gloves. Desperate to change the conversation, I turned back to my companions. "I have always wanted a sister."

"I can assure you there were many days when we each wished we were only children," Lady Suffield said with a smirk at her sibling.

"You said you wished for a sister. Do you have any brothers, your grace?" Lady Hampshire ignored her sister's jibe.

"Sadly, I am an only child." I tried to keep my lies to a minimum, though what did it matter at that point? Even my British accent started to feel normal.

"Are your parents still in the Lake District?" Lady Hampshire asked.

"No. My parents are both dead." Or at least they were as far as I was concerned.

Lady Suffield shot her sister a condemning glance. "I am so sorry."

"Thank you. Are your parents still alive?"

"Oh yes." Lady Hampshire laughed. "They are very much alive. In fact, they will be hosting a lawn party at their home in a few days. I hope you and the Duke will attend."

"I do not believe we have been invited."

"Oh, I am sorry. We rarely send out invitations. It is always held the first Saturday in July. Most people know since it has been happening for years. But, I will bring an invitation to Bradford Hall tomorrow, so you will have all the details. That is, if you do not mind?" She smiled at me.

"N-no. A visit would be delightful." I stood. "Good-bye for now, but I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Lady Hampshire." I held my breath until safely ensconced in my carriage, waiting for someone to call out "Liar! Pretender!" But no one did. Had I actually fooled them?

What had caused me to speak with a British accent?

What would Jeffrey say if he knew?

Despite the angst caused by my impromptu charade, Lady Hampshire and Lady Suffield had been entertaining. They were hardly the genteel ladies I had expected.

Regardless, once they learned of my deceit neither they, nor anyone, would wish to be my friend. I could not even consider the horrible things that would be said about me once word got out. How could I ever show my face in society again?

And what would Jeffrey say? I have brought shame to the Amherst name.