Sirena was beside herself with excitement. "Just imagine, Charlotte! Uncle has said no expense is to be spared, and we will have jewelry to wear from the family safe! Madame Paul is to make our gowns! We will even be presented to His Majesty and the queen."
"All young ladies of good blood are presented," Charlotte replied sourly. "I was, but I am certainly surprised that Miss Morgan is to be. After all, her blood is hardly blue. Well, perhaps a pale, pale shade," she amended.
"Certainly as pale as yours," Lady Abbott replied sharply. "I think a duke and a duchess for grandparents certainly equals an earl and a countess for parents." She arose before her red-faced daughter-in-law could respond, saying, "Sirena dearest, come. We must begin to pack, although you shall certainly need little. Just enough to tide you over until Madame Paul has your new wardrobe ready." She swept from the room, her young daughter in her wake.
"Why does your mama hate me so?" Charlotte wailed to her husband when they had gone.
Augustus put a comforting arm about his wife. "Perhaps, m'dear, if you did not try to be so superior with her it might be better for you. You are surely no match for Mama. She is older, wiser, and a duke's daughter. She is also most fond of Lord Morgan and Allegra. When you denigrate them, she feels bound to defend them. I hope that in the future you will learn to keep your own counsel, for you see, I, too, have a fondness for my uncle and my cousin. My inheritance was not a great one monetarily, but Uncle Septimius took it, and in the few years since my father died, has tripled it with his cleverness. Many of the furbelows and geegaws so dear to your heart, that I so generously bestow upon you, are provided thanks to my uncle. We are debt free, and will have the school fees for our sons when we need them one day." He kissed her cheek tenderly.