Mercy laughed. “Even hateful Mary Yates calling us wallflowers after that first ball could not daunt us. We made it our own, embracing the title.” “Then tea here at West Lane each Tuesday sealed our little club’s title.”
Poppy loved each moment spent with her friends, and over the years they had become like sisters. Nothing would change that.
Faith took her hand. “No matter our marital status, we shall always be the Wallflowers of West Lane.”
It was true they could not be separated. Any one of them would fight to remain together. Poppy worried about Aurora all alone in her West Lane townhouse. “I realized Radcliff was not company, but will you be lonely here, Aurora?”
Looking around the room then down at her hands, Aurora sighed. “I had a mad thought that you three might like to move in here with me. We could hire more lady’s maids and until we do we can all share Gillian. Perhaps the upstairs maid, Jane, would also do. She’s been with me a long time.” Mercy’s eyes lit up. “I see nothing mad about it. It won’t take much convincing. My aunt will be happy to be rid of her aging ward. I will tell her my plans while we’re in the country and move in here directly
upon our return.”
Faith’s eyes were as wide as saucers. “My mother will not like the idea. I will tell her I am only staying here as a guest until you are feeling more yourself. Yes. That will work for a while anyway.”
It was a grand idea, and Poppy was not immune to the attraction of being away from Mother and Father on a daily basis. She had never been the daughter they dreamed of. In fact they had never failed to express their disappointment. Father wished for a son, and mother wished for a paragon. Poppy was neither. While Aurora was prattling on about the need for servants, Poppy was already planning what she would tell her parents. “I will speak to Father about an allowance and move in tomorrow if you are certain this is what you want, Aurora.”
Her smile was wide and filled with more joy than Poppy had seen in years. “If I’m certain? Of course, I’m certain. The four of us under one roof is all I have ever wanted. Now, with my new widowed status, I can serve as chaperone for the three of you.”
Giggling, Faith covered her mouth. “You as a chaperone is the funniest thing I’ve heard. As if you would ever censure any of us.”
“That sounds like the perfect chaperone to me.” Mercy’s sarcasm rang true with Poppy as well.
“It’s a pity you can’t go to balls and theater as you please yet,” Poppy complained. “I think it ridiculous you should have to wear black and stay home in mourning for a man who was not worth a halfpenny.”
“I agree,” Mercy said. “In fact, I think we must find ways of getting you out of this house. It would be nice to get out of the city together for a few weeks. I know we all can’t go now, as I have to accompany my aunt. But perhaps in a month or so, the Landons might invite us all for a fortnight?” Faith’s eyes grew wide. “That’s a marvelous idea. I must make Father and Mother believe it was their notion, but I’ll get to work on it. They
adore Aurora, and I’ll find a way to let them know they’d be helping her in her grief.”
It was impossible not to laugh. Poppy said, “Oh Faith, I do love you. Always so prim and proper until trickery and mischief is necessary. Maybe your mother would like to invite Nicholas Ellsworth to attend the house party as well?”
Frowning, she sighed. “It means I’ll have to pay him some attention, but at least it would give us a chance to find out if he’s a nice man.”
“That is the point, Faith,” Mercy said. “Unless you’ve already decided against him and you just want us to figure out a way for him to become unsuitable.”
“Let me decide after I meet him. Then perhaps we’ll need a secondary plan of attack.” Faith smoothed her skirt and fussed with a wrinkle, which wouldn’t release.
Aurora stood, went to the cabinet in the corner, and pulled out a decanter of wine. “Shall we toast our new covenant?”
“Oh yes,” Faith, said clapping and practically bouncing with excitement. Poppy went over to help with the glasses, and once poured, she brought one for Mercy and one for herself, which she sloshed several drops of on the table. When they each had a glass and stood in a circle, she said, “To the Wallflowers of West Lane. No harm shall ever come to any of
us every again.”
“Never again,” Mercy repeated. “No harm,” Faith said.
Aurora nodded, and they all touched glasses with a musical clink of crystal.
Keep Reading The Earl Not Taken
Also by A.S. Fenichel
HISTORICAL ROMANCE
* * *
The Wallflowers of West Lane Series
The Earl Not Taken
Misleading A Duke
Capturing the Earl
Not Even For A Duke
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The Everton Domestic Society Series
A Lady’s Honor
A Lady’s Escape
A Lady’s Virtue
A Lady’s Doubt
A Lady’s Past
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The Forever Brides Series
Tainted Bride
Foolish Bride
Desperate Bride
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Single Title Books
Wishing Game
Christmas Bliss
Christmas Chase
HISTORICAL PARANORMAL ROMANCE
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The Demon Hunters Series
Ascension
Deception
Betrayal
Defiance
CONTEMPORARY PARANORMAL EROTIC ROMANCE
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The Psychic Mates Series
Kane’s Bounty
Joshua’s Mistake
Training Rain
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The End of Days Series
Mayan Afterglow
Mayan Craving
Mayan Inferno
End of Days Trilogy
CONTEMPORARY EROTIC ROMANCE
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Single Title Books
Alaskan Exposure
Revving Up the Holidays
Visit A.S. Fenichel’s website for a complete and up-to-date list of all her books.
About the Author
A.S. Fenichel gave up a successful IT career in New York City to follow her husband to Texas and pursue her lifelong dream of being a professional writer. She's never looked back.
A.S. adores writing stories filled with love, passion, desire, magic and maybe a little mayhem tossed in for good measure. Books have always been her perfect escape and she still relishes diving into one and staying up all night to finish a good story.
Originally from New York, she grew up in New Jersey, and now lives in Missouri with her real-life hero, her wonderful husband. When not reading or writing she enjoys cooking, travel, history, and puttering in her garden. On the side, she is a master cat wrangler and her fur babies keep her very busy.
* * *
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ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Not Even For A Duke Copyright © 2021 A.S. Fenichel
Edited by Penny Barber
Cover by KaNaXa
First Electronic Book Publication September 2021
First Print Book Publication September 2021
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