Free Scandal of Love by Janelle Daniels Page B

eyes caused moisture to prick Sera’s. Taking her hand to reassure her, she said, “You need not be sorry. And you shouldn’t worry either. I’m sure you’ll find love. You are wonderful and the right man will come along. As for myself…” she trailed off. What could she really say? There wasn’t any hope. All hope of her falling in love was now gone. “I will be fine. It may not have turned out the way I wanted it to, but I am content.”
    Aubrey nodded her agreement, but Sera saw the knowledge, the doubt in her eyes. “Come, let us fill up on chocolate.”
    They walked through the doors of the confectionary, the sweet, rich scents wafting over them as they ordered their desired pieces.
    “Shall we head back to my house for tea?” Sera offered, not wanting to let go of Aubrey’s companionship and return to an empty home.
    Aubrey nodded. “Tea and chocolate. You know I won’t ever turn that offer down.”
    “I’ll have to remember that.”
    With their chocolate packages wrapped up tightly, they sent off Aubrey’s carriage with a note to her family.
    They rode home in short time, quickly dispensing of their bonnets and gloves.
    “Mrs. Buttersly, would you mind bringing us a tea service when you get a moment,” Sera asked the housekeeper.
    “Right away, my lady. The cook is already boiling the water.”
    “Excellent. Thank you.”
    With a curtsy, Mrs. Buttersly left to ready the tea tray.
    They wandered down the hallway to Sera’s receiving room and flopped down into the chairs.
    “I’m exhausted,” Aubrey proclaimed, puffing a piece of hair out of her face.
    Sera laughed. “Me too. Remember in our first season when we could shop for hours? What’s happened to us over the last two years?”
    “I haven’t a clue.”
    They were still laughing when the tea tray was brought in, and discreetly placed on the table in front of them.
    “Thank you, Mrs. Buttersly.”
    With a smile and quick nod, she accepted Sera’s gratitude. She walked toward the door before snapping her fingers and turning back toward them. “Oh, I almost forgot. A package arrived for you while you were out, my lady. Would you like it brought here?”
    “Yes. Do you know who it is from?”
    “I can’t say. It did come with a note though.”
    Sera nodded before the housekeeper went to fetch the package. Who would have sent her something?
    “I wonder who it is from.” Aubrey reached for the teapot before her eyes lit up. “Perhaps Lord Bromley went back and purchased another copy of Vivian Black’s book for you.”
    They both chuckled at that. “I doubt it. He seemed in a hurry.”
    Aubrey leaned toward the tray, fixing herself a cup of tea. “Well I do hope he did. I would love to start reading it now.”
    Sera grinned. “Me too.”
    Mrs. Buttersly entered the room; the white paper wrapped box in her hand was topped with a red ribbon. “Here we are, my lady.” She set the package on the table before giving a curtsy.
    With a nod of gratitude, Sera dismissed her.
    “I think we can safely discount it being a book,” Sera said, eyeing the dimensions of the package.
    “Agreed. A book couldn’t fit in there.” Aubrey paused. “Aren’t you going to open it?”
    “Of course.” She didn’t know why she hesitated. She had received gifts before, but none since she had been engaged. Who could it be from? She reached for the glossy cream note.
    “It’s from Quinton,” Sera said in surprise. “He says, ‘For many more visits to the opera.’ How interesting. What could it be?”
    Aubrey leaned forward. “Well, let’s open it and see.”
    Sera untied the silky ribbon. “I don’t know what it could be. I know he doesn’t have much money to spend on gifts.”
    “Well, that just makes it more special doesn’t it? He knows you wouldn’t expect anything because of his lack of funds.”
    Sera nodded in agreement. “True.”
    Tearing the creamy outer paper, she lifted a layer of stiff paper and gasped. Gold opera glasses,