The Wallflower's Duty [EBOOK]

Chapter 1<br>
Diana, Dorset, 1802.<br>
“Oh yes, a ball, my dear Jane. It will be soon, very soon indeed. I do not doubt your sister has taken note of the event already.” Lady Castleton smiled and looked toward Diana. “You always watch over your sister, do you not dear? I warrant you have her ballgown already made.”<br>

“Yes indeed, my Lady.” Diana managed a smile at last. This afternoon tea surrounded by ladies of society was claustrophobic for Diana, despite the large room. There were so many ladies, all dressed grandly in fine gowns, elegant headdresses, and with such jewels across their persons that everywhere she looked, she was blinded by the sunlight streaming through the window and reflecting in those jewels.<br>

“We can go, Diana?” Jane leaned toward her, bumping their shoulders together.<br>

“Of course, Sister,” Diana said, softening her tone so no other but Jane could hear her at the table. “I’ve ensured you have been invited to all the events this year in Dorset. You shall be quite the belle of each ball now you have had your debut, I do not doubt it.”<br>

“You are so kind to me.” Jane giggled and reached for another cake from the tea table, smiling at the other ladies around her. She was confident, a natural in this environment, unlike Diana.<br>

It is the way I raised her to be.<br>

Diana admired her sister’s countenance. She bore richly dark blonde hair that was curled exquisitely at the back of her head. Her features were petite to match the slim figure, and her cheeks were rosy with youth and happiness. As Jane was drawn into conversation around her with other ladies, Diana was content to sit back and watch her sister shine, as if she were one of those many jewels that blinded others in the sunlight.<br>

She has grown into a fine young woman indeed. I could not be prouder of her.<br>

“Oh, yes, we must see you wed soon,” Lady Castleton’s sister, Lady Warrington, said and leaned toward Jane, patting her cheek sweetly. “Such beauty will no doubt catch the eye of a man soon enough.”<br>

“Yes, one must move fast these days. There are so little suitors about,” Lady Castleton sighed dramatically. “Come dears, have more tea.” She topped up Diana’s and Jane’s teacups.<br>

“Yes, indeed, and one would not wish to risk becoming a spinster, would they?” Lady Warrington asked, chuckling and making her large cheeks wobble. Her sister elbowed her sharply, and the two looked straight at Diana.<br>

How awkward.<br>

Diana forced a smile to show she was completely comfortable with the situation, despite the fact the words had grated deep in her gut. She hurried to take a sip from her tea. At the age of twenty-six, she was the spinster in town, sometimes much talked of for being such a spinster, and other times ignored like a flower in a vase that had been pushed to the corner of the room.<br>

I am happy to be so removed. I am here for Jane, and no other reason.<br>

Diana looked at Jane and felt warmth once again. She had raised her sister ever since their mother had passed ten years ago. Jane had just been eight at the time. Their father had provided for them, loved them, yes, but for guidance, softness, and a demonstration of how to be a lady, it was Diana’s duty to show that for her sister. Since their father had also passed, their guardianship had passed into the hands of their uncle, the new Baron Cobham. <br>

“Well, let us talk of what gentlemen you may meet, Miss Jane,” Lady Castleton continued on quickly, trying to cover up the awkwardness in conversation.<br>

“Do not tell her of that, tell her of what help she can find,” another lady called from somewhere across the table. With wildly curly red hair, she was a grand presence at the table. “What you need to know, Miss Jane, is that when you are tossed in love, as regrettably every lady is, someone can help you.”<br>

“I have my sister for that,” Jane said with confidence and reached toward Diana, laying a hand over hers. Diana smiled, showing she would always be there for her sister.<br>

“Yes, but there is other help too,” the red-haired lady, Mrs. Frogmore, continued on. “Have you not heard of Bona Dea?”<br>

“Who is that?” Diana asked, wrinkling her nose, certain she had heard the name somewhere before, though she could not sure. <br>

“Some say she is a witch,” Lady Warrington lowered her voice and whispered, as if it were a great scandal.<br>

“Nonsense,” her sister declared. Lady Castleton tapped her sister round the arm in reprimand, pushed her dark hair black behind her ear, and gave her full attention to Diana and Jane. “Bona Dea is a local healer, and has been much talked of recently as a lady who can help one who carries a wounded heart.”<br>

“Her help does not just come in tonics,” Mrs. Frogmore agreed with a firm nod.<br>

“You mean her potions?” Lady Warrington said from behind her teacup. Lady Castleton elbowed her so sharply that tea sloshed out the rim of her cup. “Careful, dear.”<br>

Diana and Jane struggled to hold back their laughter as they shared an amused look.<br>

“She is no witch, but a helper,” Lady Castleton said firmly. “Remember her name, Miss Jane, in case you are so unlucky as to be hurt by a suitor. Though I pray it will never happen. Here, have some more cake.” She offered Jane more cake, then suddenly remembered Diana was sat beside her and offered her cake too. Diana hid her amused smile behind her teacup.<br>

“Thank you, I will,” Jane said firmly. “How does one talk to this Bona Dea?”<br>

“Jane,” Diana murmured in surprise. “I am sure you will not need her.”<br>

“There is no harm in asking, I am sure.” Jane returned her focus to the other ladies. “How does one talk to her?”<br>

“There’s an old oak tree at the edge of the village, on the river where it bends around a copse after the bridge,” Mrs. Frogmore explained, waving her cake fork in the air as she described her directions. “There’s a space in the tree where girls in the village leave her letters. You can leave one for her too.”<br>

“How curious,” Diana whispered, “one places a lot of faith in that no other will go and pick up the letters, beyond Bona Dea.” She cast a glance at her sister, seeing that Jane was chewing her lip. “Surely you do not need her services, Sister?”<br>

“No, of course not.” Jane smiled instantly, making her bright blue eyes light up. “I was just wondering what sort of things this lady helps with.” She stared so intently, that Diana began to shift in her seat, self-consciously sipping more of her tea.<br>

Is Jane up to something? I can always tell when she is hard at thought…<br>

Jane chewed on her lip, telling Diana that something was indeed afoot.<br>

“Anyway, tell us more of this ball, Lady Castleton,” Diana said, eager to move the subject on. “Will there be many suitors for my sister?”<br>

“Oh, I am sure there will be. Fear not, I will make it my endeavor to introduce you to every suitable gentleman I know.” Lady Castleton laid a hand to her chest, sitting taller. “I will see you dancing with every fair faced man that comes.”<br>

“What of my sister?” Jane asked. “Do you know of any suitable suitors for her?”<br>

Diana nearly choked on her tea and managed to cough into her teacup. Under the cover of the table, she stepped on her sister’s toe, trying to stop her from talking.<br>

I am a spinster. She knows that.<br>

Diana had learned long ago not to think of her own heart. For so long her focus had been Jane, and it still was, that it was the way she lived her life. Every morning she rose from bed and thought of Jane, how to make her happy and give her a good day. When she thought of suitors, she only ever thought of what man would suit Jane.<br>

The ladies around the table looked at Diana, a strange quietness descending between them.<br>

“Well…” Lady Warrington struggled and pulled at the string of pearls around her throat. “I am sure we could find a gentleman.”<br>

“Fear not,” Diana spoke quickly, recognizing the worried expression in all the ladies’ faces. Diana was no beauty, like her sister was, and the great dowry was also being saved for Jane. Diana was a poor prospect for any man, especially as she had been declared a spinster for so long. It made her gut tighten to speak in such a way, but she knew it was the truth. “I am not intending to dance that night. I only wish for my sister to enjoy herself at the ball. Pray, devote your attention to her dance partners.”<br>

“As you wish, Miss Schaub. What a loving sister you are,” Lady Castleton said and tapped Diana’s hand that rested on the table, in a comforting touch.<br>