Free The Duchess by Bertrice Small Page B

gentleman, who bowed politely to the older lady; and if interested, or encouraged, remained to chat.
    After her first disastrous ball Allegra found herself most popular, to her amusement. She knew it was her fortune that attracted the gentlemen to her like flies to a honeypot. Some were genuinely pleasant young men, and several she grew to like for their clever repartee and quick wit. Others were outright fortune hunters, and not at all subtle about it. After all, a girl with a rich father and a barely new title should be delighted that men of family and background were paying attention to her. Allegra was not. Her suitors were at first confused, then horrified, and at last insulted when Allegra, who had little patience with pretensions, cheerfully sent them packing.
    They arrived at the King Street assembly rooms and were admitted by the concierge, who greeted them by name, bowing as he did so. Once inside they found seats, and sat waiting for the ball to begin. Lord Morgan hurried off to find the gambling. The Marquess of Rowley and his wife arrived, and approached Lady Abbott.
    “Sirena, darling! Such wonderful news!” Charlotte gushed. “Have you decided upon a date?”
    “Lower your voice, Charlotte,” Lady Abbott said angrily. “There has not yet been a formal announcement. You will embarrass us all.”
    “I have not yet thought about a wedding date,” Sirena said softly. “I suppose Ocky and I should discuss it as we have his father's approval.”
    “June!” Charlotte enthused. “You will make the mostdivine June bride, Sirena. At St. George's in Hanover Square, of course. Gussie and I will host a wedding breakfast at the house for you afterward.”
    “If Sirena decides upon June,” Lady Abbott said, “I am certain Septimius will have the wedding breakfast. After all, dear, his home is better suited to such an affair than your tiny house.”
    The smile disappeared from Charlotte's face. She turned to Allegra. “Still no luck, Miss Morgan?” she murmured with false sympathy. “Well, they do say that money cannot buy everything.”
    Allegra laughed. “Do not be ridiculous, Lady Charlotte. Of course it can. By season's end I quite expect to be betrothed.” She smiled sweetly at her cousin's wife.
    “I cannot imagine to whom,” Charlotte said softly.
    “Good evening, Lady Abbott, Lady Sirena, Miss Morgan,” the Duke of Sedgwick said. “Gussie, Lady Charlotte.” He bowed elegantly.
    “Good evening, Your Grace,” they all chorused but Allegra. She was far too busy really looking for the first time at the man she was to marry. Impressive, she decided silently, but a snob.
    “I understand from my friend, Viscount Pickford, that congratulations are in order, Lady Sirena.”
    Sirena blushed becomingly and half whispered, “Yes, Your Grace.” She looked about. “Is not Ocky with you?”
    “But a few steps behind, Lady Sirena,” the duke assured her. Then he turned to Allegra. “Miss Morgan, if you will allow me.” He took her dance card from her, and wrote his name in the first and last slots with the tiny quill provided. “And you will, of course, allow me to escort you into supper afterward.”
    “Of course, Your Grace,” Allegra replied meekly, and she curtsied.
    He looked sharply at her, and seeing the deviltry inher violet eyes, laughed. Taking her hand up he kissed it, then bowed, and walked away.
    “Well,” Charlotte said meanly, “I'm not surprised that a man like that would be paying Miss Morgan attention.” She sniffed audibly.
    “Like what, madame?” Allegra responded in icy tones.
    “Well, my dear Miss Morgan, the man hasn't a ha'penny to his name. Everyone knows that. He only pays you court because of your father's wealth. Surely you harbor no girlish illusions about him. For all his pretensions I think him rather rough looking. Not at all handsome or refined. They say he lives in one room, for the rest of his house is falling down about him.”
    “But a rich wife would