The Duchess in the Dorm [Published - Sample Only]

Chapter 6 - The Engagement Party

Two nights before Christmas, everything was in its place. Annie had come over early and she and Lizzie were getting ready together for the lavish holiday party. Lady Jane had spent months planning everything to the last detail. She had hired chefs, caterers, waiters, bartenders, hostesses, musicians, and drivers. The guest list was long and distinguished. A photographer from the society pages was also present to document the worthies in all of their finery.

Upstairs in Lizzie's suite, Annie made one final adjustment to Lizzie's bright red dress. It was an elegantly modern ensemble from a top fashion house in Paris. It had set the lady Jane back over €1,000. Lizzie looked down at her breasts, tugged up at the dress, and rolled her eyes at her friend. "A, that's an awful lot of cleavage, one wrong move and I'm sure that they'll flop right out."

Annie laughed and looked down at her own even more ample chest. "Oh, just don't bend over too far and you'll be fine."

Annie then handed Lizzie a mirror. "Elizabeth, we're best friends so I can be honest with you right?"

Lizzie looked concerned for a moment. "Yes, of course. Is something wrong?"

Annie laughed at the question. "No silly girl. I just wanted to say that right now, you are one of the most beautiful and elegant women I have ever seen."

Lizzie blushed and stammered. "Anne, I..."

"Elizabeth, stand up straight, smile, and play the part. You are gorgeous and will be the center of attention so act it."

Elizabeth saluted sharply. "Yes, ma'am. Okay, then this is it. We're a go. I'll call Edward and have him meet us in the upstairs library. He is expecting my call, I suspect that he thinks that this is to make a formal commitment of some kind."

Annie gave her friend a sad smile. "Do let the young man down gently; he's as much a pawn in this game of thrones as you are."

A few minutes later, Sir Edward arrived at the small private library. He was a tall thin man with a narrow face and the already thinning light brown hair which ran in his family. He greeted the two women warmly. "Miss Anne, Lady Elizabeth, I'm honored."

Lizzie gestured to the door. "Annie, as we discussed."

Annie bowed slightly. "Right then, I'll make sure that you are not disturbed, my lady."

With that, Annie left the elegant library and closed the padded leather door behind her. Edward nervously tugged at the colored sash over the shoulder of his tuxedo. "Lady Elizabeth, at this time I would like to."

Lizzie shook her head and cut him off midsentence. "Sir Edward, I'm afraid that you have been misled."

"I don't understand. I was told that you and your mother and my family had agreed to..."

Lizzie shook her head sadly. "I'm sorry Edward, I don't know exactly what my mother has arranged or agreed to, but I am not marrying you or anyone else."

Edward managed to stammer. "But Lady Jane was adamant that you needed a spouse of rank and an heir, and I need the same, so it made perfect sense as a very reasonable arrangement."

Lizzie shook her head again. "Edward, it is the 21st century. I hold my lands and title in my own name and do not need an arrangement of any sort. What I do need to do is to finish my University degree and return here to make the estate profitable again and keep it out of the National Trust."