Page 6 (1/2)

Now

Chapter 3

THE MORNING POST (CONTINUED)

The Duchess of Beauame of chess with Villiers…and reportedly with her husband as well There has been soames are played in the bedchamber--even in the bed itself! This paper is moved to query the effect on the country’s moral fiber of the host of female libertines recently returned from Paris…

"What’s the matter with my party?" the Duchess of Beauers, and I proh if it wasn’t such a cold ht consider it, just to vex Beaumont, since he has condescended to attend with all his parliamentary types"

"Well," her brother Damon said wryly, "let’s just say that it’s the first party I’ve ever attended in celebration of an illegal duel I suspect there are those who ht--think it in rather poor taste"

If there was one thing Jemma was absolutely certain of, it was that she never displayed poor taste Outrageous taste, yes Occasionally vulgar taste, because there is nothing arity But poor taste? Never!

"You are mistaken," she stated "The people who decry this festivity will be only those whom I did not invite"

"Invite?" Daht these people just followed us ho her brother’s arm "Let’s aret is approaching, and I can’t bear the way she always chastisesin an overly Frenchified manner"

"She looks French to norant view of clothing Lady Chaussinand-Nogaret earing a dress of French violet, but it was tris of blue satin that no Frenchwoman would tolerate, let alone paired with a hat ornamented with ht "Of course these people didn’t follow us home from the duel," she said "I invited the out cards, and they were delivered an hour before your duel began"

"And what did those cards say?" Dah Mr Cacheratulated hi?" Je perfume and hair powder behind him

"Two pounds of false hair at the least," Damon said "But really: what on earth did your invitation cards say?"

"They invited everyone to a festivity in honor of your success," Je him with her fan "You see how much sisterly devotion I show you I anticipated your win before you reached the field"

"There’s your husband," Da the party Though perhaps I should apologize for issuing the challenge at all I kno fiercely Beaualities"

Jemma spied her husband in a huddle of men, and then noticed Miss Charlotte Tatlock in theShe must havewas nodding with approval Tatlock or Fetlock, Jeht to herself The woent she is

Deciding there was nothing more pretentious than a woman who claimed to love politics--or politicians--sheDa at?" he enquired