Enchanting the Duke - Lana Williams Page 0,47

in her eye made Caroline smile.

Annabelle loved to write and her vivid imagination never failed to amaze the family. When Caroline had suggested she attempt to sell a story to the local news sheet, their mother had been appalled, but Annabelle was thrilled. After reassuring their mother that Annabelle could write under a pen name and her identity would be kept a secret, she relented.

Each week, Annabelle wrote a chapter in her ongoing mystery under the name A. Golden. The series had become quite popular. She earned enough that they’d re-hired one of the maids who’d been previously let go.

“I look forward to reading the next installment,” Caroline said. “And you, Margaret?” she asked her youngest sister. “How is your latest creation coming along?”

At age eighteen, Margaret’s cleverness was with needle and thread. Even before the need had arisen, she’d designed several gowns for their mother, creating drawings for the seamstress to follow. Now that their financial circumstances had changed significantly, she did the sewing as well and was brilliant at it.

“I’ve found a way to reuse the seed pearls from Mother’s old pink gown to decorate the bodice of her blue gown. It’s coming along very well.” She poured their mother more tea before adding some to her own cup.

Caroline beamed at her. “Your skills never fail to astonish me, Margaret.”

Caroline pushed aside the wish that she had the ability to earn funds. Her sisters had inherited their mother’s creativity while Caroline had her father’s organizational skills but none of his business knowledge. Planning a ball wasn’t the same as running a business. She briefly closed her eyes, wishing she could return those skills to him. They were of far better use to him.

“And how is the duke coming along?” Her mother’s gentle question had Caroline shifting in her chair.

A proposal from the wealthy Duke of Wayfair, whose eye she’d caught at the end of last Season when she’d unknowingly befriended his shy sister, would certainly save her family, but nothing could be done to force it from him.

If they weren’t so desperate for funds, his pursuit of her would be flattering, especially considering they held a bestowed title rather than an inherited one. But when everything they did revolved around putting food on the table and paying their account with the doctor, her feelings on the situation had changed.

The pressure to think of a way to make certain she appeared charming and friendly with the hope he’d propose was wearing on her. She had no idea what more she could do to convince him to ask for her hand.

The strain made her feel as if she were being squeezed in a vise. Impossible and uncomfortable, regardless of which way she moved.

With a mental shake of her head, she reminded herself none of that mattered. Only the well-being of her family was important. The duke would never be the love of her life, but she no longer believed such a thing was in her future. If she could say she liked the duke and enjoyed his company, that would be more than most members of the ton could claim. Surely, companionship and mutual respect would be enough.

Her previous engagement to David Stouffer, the son of a local country squire near their country home, had ended well over a year ago at his behest, when Caroline had advised him of the drastic change in their financial situation. David had no funds of his own, and he’d told her that while he cared for her, it was impractical for them to marry with her dowry gone.

She’d been shocked at his coldness and disappointed that he could so easily turn away. She thought he’d cared for her in the same manner she’d cared for him. The realization she wasn’t worth fighting for hurt more than she cared to admit.

Caroline lifted her chin, reminding herself that as the eldest, the welfare of her family rested on her shoulders, and she gladly accepted the responsibility. Everyone was doing their part, but their best hope was for her to make a good match. God had blessed her with her mother’s fine bone structure, blonde hair, and alabaster skin along with her father’s jade green eyes.

Using those gifts to attract a wealthy husband was something done by ladies every day. Never mind that doing so made her feel like a pretty shell waiting to be found on the beach, easily tossed aside once the beauty faded.

“I am hopeful the Southby ball tomorrow evening might be when