Page 18 of The Duke's Wicked Widow
“I am sorry my lady, my lord, but as you can very plainly see from the bunting, this is a household in mourning, and you are not—”
“Yes, yes,” a familiar voice interrupted. “But I’m quite certain your mistress would welcome a distraction.”
“The new Viscountess Cumnock is not yet in residence—” The snooty butler began as a flustered footman stood by, but another voice cut in.
“We’re talking about the Lady Danielle, ye great bufflehead. Ye lot havenae thrown her to the streets yet, have ye?”
“My lord, my lady,” the butler announced stiffly, “this residence is closed for visitors. We are in mourning.”
“Och, we’ll only be a moment. Out of the way.”
Ellie realized she was smiling as the couple pushed their way inside. Well, notcouple, exactly, because Thorne—Viscount Thornebury, the normally charming rake who was one of the closest friends to Ellie’s brother-in-law—wasn’t married to the woman on his arm.
“Danielle!” Olivia cried, meeting her in the middle of the foyer and pulling her into a hug. “We’ve come to cheer you up.”
“It is working.” Indeed, Ellie’s heartdidfeel lighter.
Last summer, Olivia had married the Duke of Effinghell, and entered—albeit reluctantly—into Society. More importantly, she had been thrown into a world of intrigue and subterfuge when she’d discovered her deceased brother had been part of the not-quite-spy network which had cheated Thorne, Georgia’s husband Demon, and so many others out of their pasts.
That group was determined to seek revenge on the man who had ruined their lives…Ellie’s uncle, Edward Stoughton, known as Blackrose.
The new Earl of Bonkinbone.
What a tangle.
“Our condolences,” Thorne murmured, bowing over Ellie’s hand. “Allof us. From what I kenned of him, yer husband was a good man. A bit boring, perhaps, but—”
Olivia nudged him with a roll of her eyes. “We’re so sorry, Danielle.”
Neither of the visitors offered condolences over the death of her father, although she couldn’t be surprised by that. Ellie accepted Thorne’s kindness with a soft smile. “Thank you. It was a very long time coming, and at least he is free of pain now.”
Rufus had become ill within a month of their marriage, which had been the well-attended social event of the season. His decline had been rapid, his death a relief for all of them. Ellie had spent most of the last year tending to his deteriorating body, praying for a relief to his pain, and worrying what would become of her and Merida upon his inevitable death.
“Would—” She shook her head, trying to focus on her friends. “Would you care for some tea? I know it is early…”
Standing stiffly at attention beside the front door, the butler cleared his throat. When Ellie glanced at him, he frowned fiercely. “It is far too early for visiting. The footmen are standing by to escort unwanted visitors away, my lady.”
Just as Ellie opened her mouth to tell him shewantedthese visitors, and was tired of hiding in the house, Olivia hooked her arm through Ellie’s and tugged them both across the foyer. Thorne followed, a bundle now noticeable under one arm.
“We shouldn’t have come at all,” Olivia announced in a low voice, “and Alistair did his best to try to convince me of the impropriety of calling on you—”
“And he hasnae figured out he cannae convince his wife when she sets her mind to something,” Thorne announced cheerfully, rocking back on his heels. “Since Alistair would rather eat nails than make a social call, I volunteered.”
Ellie glanced over her shoulder at the frowning butler. “Never think I am not grateful for your presence, my friends, but we might not be allowed a full visit. My position in this household is…tenuous.”
Olivia clucked her tongue. “I’m guessing you don’t want to go to Scotland to be with your sister, with her time so near, but if the worst happenspleaseknow you’ll always have a place at Effinghell. Alistair won’t notice a few more people floating about, I promise.”
It was a kind offer, but one Ellie didn’t want to have to take. She wanted to be the mistress of her own home.
She’d thought she had that, when she’d married Rufus and become a viscountess.
Little had she known that the staff was loyal to her in-laws.
“Thank you.” She managed a soft smile. “But Merida and I—”
“Howisthe mite taking the changes?” Thorne interrupted, then winced. “Sorry. We’ve just been worried for her.”
The knowledge that her friends cared for Rufus’s daughter made Ellie’s smile more genuine, although as always she lifted her fingers to cover her imperfect teeth. “Honestly, I think she is a bit relieved.”We all are. “For all intents and purposes, she lost her father months ago, and now she can get on with the healing.”
