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Authors: Ella Quinn

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BOOK: A Kiss for Lady Mary
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The greyhound remained close to Clara, peeking out every once in a while from under her skirts. “Cousin Clara, when did you get a dog? I’ve never known you to have one before.”
Clara stroked the small animal. “We always had hunting dogs, but one of my nephews brought her back from the Peninsula and asked me if I wouldn’t mind keeping her until he found a new owner. They stayed with me for a few weeks while he sorted out his business. She and I just took to each other. I don’t know why I never had a house dog before. She’s an excellent companion.”
“I hope she likes cats. You know I’ve had my Gisila for years and cannot go anywhere without her.” Speaking of her cat, Vivian glanced around and found Gisila under the desk.
“I’m sure they’ll be fine. Perdita normally remains under my skirts. It’s amazing I don’t trip over her.” She turned her attention to Silvia. “Miss Corbet, as you will be residing with me, I believe I would prefer to address you as Silvia, and you may call me Cousin Clara.”
Silvia appeared slightly startled, not a state that happened often or easily. “Yes, ma’am.”
“You may think this is a strange start on my part.” Clara smiled gently. “But I knew your mother when she was a child and your grandmother was a close friend of mine.”
“I had no idea.”
While her cousin and Silvia chatted, Vivian strolled to the window seat. For the past few months, just the idea of going to Town again had occupied her mind. She had not attended a Season since her first one, and was both excited and frightened. It had been much too long since she’d been around the
haut ton
. At first, she thought merely to attend the smaller entertainments and the theater, now with Silvia coming out, Clara would insist on being present at the large balls. Perhaps Vivian would be better served by remaining with the chaperones and older matrons. That would be easier and less fearsome than worrying about dance partners.
The other business she must be about was finding a small estate. Her mother had offered to bring Vivian home after her husband died, but she’d a feeling then that she could not go back to her parents, and nothing had happened to change her mind. It was time to strike out on her own. To have a home where what she said was the law, and the sooner the better. After all, that was all she could expect from her life.
Departing on the morrow was easily done and for the best. She stepped into the corridor, and found one of the maids. “Please tell my maid and Miss Corbet’s maid that we shall require our trunks packed immediately. Also, have Lady Telford’s bags placed in the green room, and inform Cook we’ll have a guest for dinner.”
The maid bobbed a curtsey and hurried off.
Vivian slipped back into the morning room.
If only she was the type of widow who could take a lover, but what sane man would want a lady with a deformed body? Her husband’s cousin could not possibly know about her problem, otherwise he would never have suggested marriage. She supposed she should be glad Edgar had not discussed it. Thankfully, her clothing covered the worst defect. No, other than as dancing partners, gentlemen had no place in her life or rather they would not want her in theirs.
LYRICAL PRESS BOOKS are published by
 
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
 
Copyright © 2015 by Ella Quinn
 
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
 
 
Lyrical and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.
 
First Electronic Edition: May 2015
eISBN-13: 978-1-60183-456-0
eISBN-10: 1-60183-456-X
 
ISBN: 978-1-6018-3456-0
BOOK: A Kiss for Lady Mary
9.38Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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