Free The Orphan and the Duke by Jillian Chantal Page A

girls, I’m not setting an amount other than to say that you seem like a sensible young woman and I trust you to keep my sisters the same.” He laughed. “Maybe I should say that differently—keep my sisters from getting me too far into debt.”
    “I will make sure they do the family name justice. They will be well turned out. I promise you.”
    “Of that I have no doubt. One of the other things that concerns me is choosing the proper sponsor. I have approached my sisters with our aunt as a possible candidate, but they quickly said no.” Basil wasn’t going to discuss that particular situation with Amelia but wanted to be sure she would be contemplating a suitable replacement.
    Swinton entered the room and silently set the refreshments on the desktop. He served each of them a cup of tea and set a plate in front of Amelia so she could choose a cake. Once his task was complete, he slipped out as quietly as he came.
    “I’m afraid I don’t know anyone but my aunt, and I wouldn’t recommend her.” When Basil opened his mouth to speak, Amelia held up her right hand to stop him as she added, “Not that she hasn’t been presented herself, but because she wouldn’t do a proper job of it. And not to denigrate her, but she would make the whole presentation an event for herself and try to shine brighter than the two young ladies to be honored.”
    “That sounds like the voice of experience,” Basil said.
    “Yes, it is. Sadly, my aunt almost ruined my cousin Jane’s coming out. She had a dress made to wear that was almost the same as Jane’s. They were dressed as if they were twins. Jane couldn’t complain, but I knew she was upset about it.”
    “And will she do the same for Miss Susan Mandeville?” Basil took a fork and placed it on his plate.
    “I think she probably will.”
    “Not to interfere in your family’s business, but why did your aunt allow you to help prepare Miss Jane Mandeville and now Miss Susan? Why not do so herself?”
    “She’s much too busy with her own endeavors. My aunt will attend the balls and parties as well as the court presentation, but she’s much too involved in other pursuits to take care of the day-to-day issues. That falls straight on me.”
    “I hope adding my sisters doesn’t become too much for you.”
    “It won’t. If Susan and I were going to be at the dressmaker’s shop anyway, there’s no issue in bringing along Lady Saffron and Lady Jonquil as well. All the things she needs will be the same as theirs.”
    “There are a few other things I’m not sure Saffron and Jonquil know.” Basil picked up his cup and took a sip of his tea.
    “What’s that?”
    “Dancing, for one. I know they had a dancing master who used to come to the house, but I’m not sure how much he taught them. They were still rather young when that occurred, and I believe they spent more time hiding from him than learning.”
    Amelia laughed. “I’m surprised by that. Most young girls are more apt to flirt with a dance master than run from him. It’s usually their first introduction to the opposite sex, and they are likely to get the giggles around him. Or at least my cousins did.”
    “Sadly, the one my mother hired had chronic flatulence and a huge mole on his cheek that made Jonquil nervous. She never explained why, but she was quite frightened of the mark on his face. Almost as if it had a life of its own.”
    “I imagine the flatulence was bad enough to put them off dancing.” She took a sip of her tea.
    “And did you receive dancing lessons as well?” Basil rather hoped she did and that she’d flirted with the master too. He wanted for her to have at least some happy childhood memories. Why do I care so much that she is happy?
    “I was the other partner, so you see? I actually am better with the male part. While Jane danced with the master, I took the same position as he and danced with Susan. We would trade partners periodically. Especially when Susan complained too