The Duke and the Runaway Bride (DUCHESSES OF CONVENIENCE #2) by Maybel Bardot EPUB & PDF – eBook Details Online
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- Authors: Maybel Bardot
- Language: English
- Genre: Historical Romance
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The Baron Arrives
Pemberton Manor, London, 1793
“Beggars can’t be choosers, can they, Beatrice?” Phineas Bolton, the
Earl of Ramsbury, said.
Beatrice was shocked—not at what her father had said, but that he had said
anything at all. After months of the silent treatment, he had finally spoken
to her without using her mother as an intermediary.
“What?” she gasped.
“Beggars can’t be choosers,” Phineas repeated a little more forcefully.
Beatrice kept her composure. She wanted to break out into a large grin and
hug her father, but they were in public, and he might not appreciate it even
if they were at home. She was on her way to forgiveness but was not there
yet.
“Father, you need not worry,” she assured. “I shall not run from this. I will
abide by your decision.”
Phineas nodded. He looked around the large room for an acquaintance of
his. “You had better,” he warned.
“Oh, my dear,” Letitia interjected, “let her be. She is here, isn’t she? And
look how beautiful she is. You don’t talk to her for weeks, and the first time
you do, it is to scold her for something she has not done.”
“Do you remember what happened last time?” Phineas asked.
“Yes, I do, and so does she. Beatrice is obviously sorry for what she did, so
let’s enjoy the evening. We have our two beautiful daughters here, and the
Baron will be here soon, won’t he?”
“I hope,” Phineas replied.
“You hope?” Letitia furrowed her brow. “He is your friend, isn’t he?”
“Acquaintance,” Phineas emphasized. “I don’t know him all that well, but
he informed me he would be here, so he will.”
“And if he does not show up?” Letitia asked.
“He will,” Phineas assured. “I don’t know why you are looking at me like
that, my dear.”
While their parents argued in hushed tones at the ball so no one would hear
them, Beatrice and Hannah stepped to the side so they did not have to
listen. Their mother and father often bickered, and Beatrice was sure it was
the fuel that kept their love alive. Their parents’ marriage was an arranged
one, but they had fallen in love with each other. Beatrice noticed they often
bickered and seldom argued—perhaps there was a lesson to be learned there
somewhere.
“Isn’t this a splendid ball?” Hannah asked.
She had found every event she had ever attended to be splendid or
magnificent or wonderful. Although, on this occasion, she was right.
“It is,” Beatrice agreed. “The Earl of Pemberton certainly knows how to
host a ball. It shall be a very good night.”
“Aren’t you worried about the Baron?” Hannah asked. “You’ve not met him
yet. What if he is awful?”
Beatrice leaned in closer to her sisters and hissed, “Of course, I am worried
about the Baron. It is all I have been able to think about for the past week.
Don’t worry, I shan’t run this time. I’m here to do what is right and to make
Father proud. You are the only hope for us now, Hannah.”
“The only hope?” Hannah asked. “What do you mean?”
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