title: The Art of the Social Graces: Includes Section on Victorian Afternoon Tea (Volume 1)
author: Bernadette Michelle Petrotta
description: Ms. Bernadette Michelle Petrotta is an author and small business owner, married, and has a son. After receiving her degree, she spent 32 years in public service with the City of Los Angeles in an administrative capacity. In her spare time, she researched the world of etiquette and eventually amassed a library of materials, including a collection of rare silver flatware and antique porcelain serving pieces. In 1996 she founded the Polite Society School of Etiquette which offers a variety of courses, speaking engagements, seminars, individual training, and instruction at private dinners and tea events. As founder and director, her mission is to educate people of all ages in customary codes of conduct, dining principles, useful etiquette techniques, formalities in the home and in public, and social skills to enhance everyday living. Her entrepreneurial spirit, continuing education, and high quality teaching principles qualify her to be a leading source in this rapidly expanding industry. Ms. Petrotta has been a featured speaker at the Annual Northwest Tea Festival, Annual Victoria Tea Festival, Annual Northwest Women's Show, and Designs for Dining Fund Raiser.
zlib_text: **Contents**
  
    
  
  Princess of Athelia
  
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  Dear reader,
  
  Books by Aya
  
  About the author
  
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  **Princess of Athelia**
  
    
    
  
  Copyright © 2015 by Aya Ling
  
  No part of this document may be reproduced without written consent of Aya Ling
  
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  **1**
  
    
  
  “I simply fail to comprehend what Edward sees in you.”
  
  I try to make my smile appear as sincere as I can manage. Lady Petunia, aka
  Her Most Honorable Duchess of Somerset, has called upon me for afternoon tea,
  and there’s no way I can refuse. We sit in a small pavilion in the palace
  gardens, sipping sweetened ice tea, while a gentle breeze wafts in the air. It
  should be peaceful, it should be delightful, but the atmosphere couldn’t be
  more unbearable.
  
   _She’s Edward’s aunt_ , I tell myself. _And Henry’s mother. And Elle’s future
  mother-in-law. So don’t antagonize her, no matter how much you feel like
  pelting her with macaroons._
  
  “Perhaps you can ask him,” I offer in the sweete