Page 78 of Wicked Is the Duke
She rose and hurried out of the room, followed by her younger sister. She never looked back.
Anna nervously watched as Jane poured them both another cup of tea. In all her wildest dreams, she never believed someone could dislike her as much as those two apparently did.
"Don't let them get to you, Anna. They've been through a lot, which is no excuse, but I'm afraid Henry is partially to blame."
"How's that?"
"Henry caters to their every want. He never paid much attention to any of us until our parents died, but that's to be expected. He was being brought up to assume the role of duke."
"That is understandable. Then I marry him, and they feel threatened, that I'll take him away."
Jane nodded and picked up her cup of tea. "Yes."
"What can I do? It seems whatever I do is not good enough."
"Don't change a thing. We'll have a talk with Henry and discuss it with him."
Anna smiled gratefully at her sister-in-law. "Don't you think that might add insult to injury?"
"Nonsense. They don't have to know, although I suspect they're aware they've gone too far, and Henry will be involved."
"Very well, we'll discuss the matter with Henry. Anything else?"
"Don't give up on them. They'll come around. Sooner rather than later if Henry voices his displeasure with them."
"They're not afraid of him, are they?"
Jane laughed and took a sip of tea before answering. "Not really, but they know when they've pushed him too far. And they also know his soft spots."
Indeed. Anna could see how the sisters had her husband wrapped around their little fingers, especially Alice. She would need to stay two steps ahead of her if they were to cohabitate in the same house.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Henry was never soglad to see Blackmont Crest as he was this time. The house in London had been tense with Alice and Daisy doing their best to not like Anna. His wife, on the other hand, had yet to complain to him about their snubs and rude behavior. He hoped the three could work things out among themselves without him having to get involved.
That might not be possible for much longer, especially when it came to Alice. Though his sister was the model of good behavior when he was around, he could feel the tension and his sister's lack of sincerity.
