Read Miss Quinn's Quandary for Free Online

was decorated in blue and white. The blue
flower-patterned drapes were tied back on the sides of a bow window. Tall
windows on the adjacent wall gave an unobstructed view of the lush garden that
lay beyond.
    Ivy pulled Larissa onto the blue sofa next to her. “We have so
much to talk about. So much to learn about one another.”
    “My lady—” Larissa began, addressing her new found relative as
the butler had.
    “No, no, not my lady to you. Aunt. No, Aunt Ivy.” The aunt
pressed one of Larissa’s gloved hands to her cheek. “I think that sounds
wonderful don’t you, dear?”
    Aunt Ivy was perhaps a bit odd, but Larissa found her more and
more to her liking.
    “All right, Aunt Ivy it is.” She smiled, feeling a bit shy. “Aunt
Ivy, I wish to thank you for your generosity.”
    “Generosity? My dear girl, I would not—could not have it any
other way. The only daughter of my brother. Alfred.” Her voice cracked with
emotion. She blotted the corner of her eyes with a fine handkerchief which
appeared from nowhere. “Poor dear, such a brave soldier. I cannot abandon you.
You are my only flesh and blood relative.” The handkerchief disappeared, and
her mood lightened. “And now, I have simply the best news for you, dear. We are
about to embark on a most exciting adventure. I’m nearly all packed and ready
to go.”
    “Go? Go where?” Could any new adventure prove more exciting than
her trip here? Larissa found the notion hard to imagine.
    “Now that you’re out of the schoolroom and all grown up, I have
planned to give you a Season.”
    “A Season? You don’t mean we’re going to London?”
    “Exactly!”
    “How? I mean, I thought … what about the money?”
    “Dear, don’t worry about finances. Although I am not rich, I’ve
managed to tuck away a bit, and with some of what your father has left you
we’ve a most comfortable sum. Do remove your bonnet and gloves, my dear. Our
tea will arrive momentarily.”
    Larissa untied the ribbons under her chin and took her time
removing her bonnet. She hadn’t thought her family had any money to speak of,
let alone money for her. Then again, she knew so little about her father. He
was a military man. After her mother died, he had her placed in the Miss
Simmons’ Seminary for Young Ladies. It had been years since she had seen him
last. Moreover, she could count all the times she had seen him in her whole
life on her fingers.
    Moments later, a maid entered and set a tea tray on the low table
in front of them. “You see, here is our tea now.” Ivy took up the pot and
filled their cups. “Now where were we? Oh yes, London.
    “I’ve convinced that dreadful nephew of mine to open his
townhouse on Curzon Street for us.” She leaned closer to whisper in confidence.
“I’m glad none of my blood runs in his veins. A simple ghastly sort, he is.
Enough about him.” With the wave of her hand she dismissed the subject. “Having
no daughters of my own deprived me of sharing such activities as come-outs, and
such. But I can spoil you to my heart’s content, my dear. Now, about our trip.”
She gazed wide-eyed at Larissa. “I can’t tell you how terribly excited I am. I
simply cannot wait to leave.”
    “But I have only just arrived,” Larissa interrupted while Aunt
Ivy drained her cup.
    “Of course, we’ll wait for a few days. Give you time to rest up.
Katherine, she’s my maid, is still busy packing.”
    “You’ve three trunks standing already.”
    “I know, dear. Katherine will see to it I do not forget anything.
She has been with me forever. I’m sure I couldn’t manage without her. She is
very talented with a needle, and can make the plainest frock a modiste’s
delight.” Ivy took up the pot and refilled her cup. She regarded Larissa’s drab
brown serge with an alarmingly critical eye. “We will need new gowns and
dresses made for you, my dear. An entirely new wardrobe might suit you, along
with the new ball gowns we shall require for your