let the maid the countess hired give us her opinion. She has served the ton for years and I’m sure we can depend on her.”
Ceci’s long silence gave Beatrice hope.
“Yes, that’s a very good idea.”
It was as much enthusiasm as her sister had shown all day.
Beatrice kept her expression solemn but mentally clapped her hands and wished she could jump up and down. If Cecilia kept on being this reasonable and listening to her suggestions, this house party would be as much fun as she insisted it could be. Beatrice relaxed for the first time since their arrival.
There was a tap at the sitting room door and a footman came in at her “Enter.”
“I beg your pardon, miss, but Mr. Brent would like to see you and your sister before he leaves. He is in the front hall salon if you would like me to escort you there.”
The twins exchanged a look and then Cecilia stopped at the looking glass to check her appearance, and Beatrice gathered her spectacles. She could only hope that whatever Papa had to say would not ruin all her efforts at cheering Ceci.
Chapter Two
“I’VE SENT FOR Beatrice and Cecilia so I can give them the written guest list as you asked, but before they arrive I want to know why in the world Lord Jessup Pennistan has been added to the list.” Abel Brent set the paper down. Still standing, he folded his arms and waited for the countess’s answer.
“Because it is impossible to say no to him.” The dowager Countess of Haven folded her arms, imitating him, ready for an argument. When Abel stayed silent, a shocked look on his face, the countess laughed instead.
“Not in that way, dearest. At least not for me. I am almost old enough to be his mother.” An outright lie. Her own son was two years older than Lord Jessup. “Jess is a charming rogue whom I’ve known since he was in swaddling clothes.”
“But his reputation, Jasmine. He was involved in a divorce.”
“Yes, he was, and Jess is so charming that the man who brought the suit still sees him socially. And as you well know, the baron will be a guest at this very house party.”
“I don’t know.” His hesitation was all she needed.
“But I do, Abel, and I would never do anything that would endanger Beatrice and Cecilia. I think having Lord Jess to flirt with will be excellent practice for the Season.”
“Then you think they will have a Season? That the guests here will approve? I am not worried about Lord Crenshaw. I do believe he has a slight tendre for Beatrice. There is Mrs. Wilson and the Earl of Belmont, and even Nora Kendrick has some influence.” Brent shook his head, looking even more uncertain.
“What is there not to love about your girls? The two are bound to be welcome wherever they go.”
“We are prejudiced, Jasmine. Their father and their godmother can hardly be expected to harbor any objectivity.”
“You do know that I have enough cachet, even as a dowager, to present them? I am only hoping for them to know a few people before we arrive in town. It will make the girls so much more comfortable from the start.”
“It could happen.” Which was what Abel said when he knew he was being stubborn, but did not want to say so aloud.
“Which brings me back to Lord Jess.” She had best clear that up now. “There will be rogues aplenty dangling after them in London and a small flirtation with someone like Jess will teach them how to handle it.”
“But what if he seduces one of them?”
“Have some faith in your daughters.” Jasmine could not quite control the edge in her voice. “Besides, I have warned Jess to be on his best behavior.”
“His brother the duke must be disgusted with him.”
“I have no idea,” Jasmine lied again. “His sister and her husband will be joining us. Perhaps you can ask them when you return.”
Brent laughed, as the countess had intended. “I wonder how Mrs. Wilson will handle Lord Jessup’s presence with a chick of her own to launch.”
“They seemed to be on the best of terms when they arrived. He came in the coach with them since her husband was unable to come and Jane dislikes traveling alone.”
“He came with them?” Brent’s expression was incredulous.
“I told you he was charming.”
“Now you see, that is what makes me nervous. My girls have no experience with men like that.”
“Well, they will after this next fortnight,