Mistaken for a Rake - Rose Pearson Page 0,4
in conversation almost at once. She spoke about colors and gloves and ribbons, begging Lady Hayward to join her so that she might show her what she had been considering. Rebecca smiled to herself, thinking that it was very much like Anna to be so eager, whilst Selina, as she expected, stayed back just a little, watching carefully but having none of the enthusiasm of her twin sister.
“You have only just met Lady Hayward, then?” Lady Selina asked as Rebecca nodded. “And Father is quite contented to allow her to help us?”
“More than willing, I should say,” Rebecca replied with a sudden smile. “In fact, I do not think he was hesitant for barely a moment! The opportunity to return to the townhouse and to remove himself from supervising the choosing of gowns was one he could not simply ignore.” She chuckled, and, finally, Lady Selina smiled. “I think we may have found an ally in Lady Hayward, Selina.” A jolt of happiness ran through her frame, and Rebecca allowed herself to sigh with contentment. “Perhaps this Season will not be as difficult as I feared after all.”
Chapter Two
“I do hope there will be no tardiness this evening!”
Rebecca sat up straight in her chair as her father came striding into the room, only to stop dead as he caught sight of not one but three of his daughters sitting quietly together, waiting for him to join them. He cleared his throat and nodded at them, muttering something under his breath that Rebecca could not quite make out.
Rebecca felt delighted with his reaction, but, of course, hid it well. It would not do to have her father irritated just before they left the house for what would be their very first foray into society.
“Now that you have been presented,” the Duke said, coming to stand in front of the small fire that burned in the grate, keeping the evening’s chill away from the large room, “it is time to enter society. You are, however, to be on your guard.”
Rebecca frowned. “If you are to suggest, Father, that we do not know what is expected of us in terms of behavior, then—”
“That is not at all what I am suggesting, Rebecca, and kindly do not interrupt,” the duke said firmly, his eyes fixing to hers as she quelled her frustration. “I am well aware that my daughters know what is proper and what is improper. I fully expect this evening to go very well, indeed. What I am to say, however, is that you all must be careful of those you are introduced to. Some will be eager for your acquaintance, of course, which will be rather flattering.” His lips thinned, giving Rebecca the impression that he had been through an experience that had not pleased him. “It will be a matter of wisdom and consideration to know whether such people are eager for your acquaintance out of an eagerness to become known to you, or if they seek it out for their own gain.”
Rebecca’s heart began to grow heavy. She had been looking forward to this evening, especially with the promise of Lady Hayward being present also. The purchasing of their gowns had gone very well indeed and, whilst Rebecca did not know what Lady Hayward and her father had discussed thereafter, she felt quite certain that the duke would be very contented indeed with their acquaintance continuing. Now, however, she feared that her father would expect her to ensure that her sisters were acquainted only with those that were of excellent character and had no underlying motives—although quite how she was meant to decipher such a thing, Rebecca had very little idea.
“Therefore, you must be on your guard,” the duke said firmly. “If, for any reason, a gentleman is eager to further his acquaintance with you, you shall give his name to me, and I shall do some investigation into his situation before any further interaction takes place.”
“Yes, Father,” the three young ladies murmured together, with Rebecca’s heart sinking all the lower. She would never be able to find a suitable match, not when her father’s demands were so stringent. What if she found someone she considered appropriate, only for her father to refuse on some small matter? She knew that the duke expected his daughters to marry well, to gentlemen of excellent title, of good family, and of substantial wealth. Now, it seemed, she had to find such a gentleman but would also be required to ensure that his