Page 22 of A Duke But No Gentleman
“I am astounded you even noticed what I ate since you were flirting with the Duke of Blackbern and Lord Norgrave,” her sister said, reminding her that revenge was swift and not entirely painless.
Her eyes glittered with anger.“Brat!”
“Coquette!”
Verity stuck her tongue out at Imogene and she returned the childish gesture.
“Girls!”Her mother put aside her embroidery and removed her spectacles with a deliberation that revealed the depth of her annoyance.“I have raised you to be ladies, and this petty squabbling is beyond the pale.It will not be tolerated, do you understand me?”
Her outburst drew a reluctant “Yes, Mama” from both of her daughters.
Before her mother could command her, Imogene said to her sister, “I should have not mentioned the pastries.Forgive me, Verity.”
The tendered apology only stiffened her sister’s spine.“As well you should, Imogene.It was very—”
“Verity!”
The duchess’s inflection was harsh enough to make a sinner repent.
Chastened, her sister bowed her head.“Yes, Mama.You are forgiven, Imogene, and I offer my apologies.”
“You are forgiven,” Imogene said quickly, hoping this was the end of the discussion.Something in her mother’s expression hinted that they were far from finished.
A few minutes later, she was proven correct.
“Verity, you have practiced that composition enough for the evening,” the duchess decreed.“Why do you not pay Cook a visit and perhaps she will make you a cup of hot chocolate.”
Her sister was cheered by their mother’s suggestion.“A brilliant idea, Mama.”She pushed away from the harpsichord and stood.“Perhaps a biscuit or two would complement the hot chocolate?”
Her mother did not roll her eyes, but she came close to it.“One biscuit.Not a crumb more.”
“Yes, Mama.”She curtsied and hurried to the door.Belatedly, she recalled that Imogene was being left behind with their mother.Sensing a lecture in her sister’s future, she asked, “Imogene, do you wish to join me?”
“Yes—” Imogene placed the book on the table and began to rise.
“Sit,” the duchess ordered her elder daughter.“Run along, Verity.Your sister and I have a few things to discuss.She will join you later.”
“Do not tarry or I shall eat your share of the biscuits,” Verity warned, and Imogene smiled, appreciating her tenacity for once.
“I said one biscuit, daughter,” the duchess said, giving her younger child a meaningful glare.
“Oh, very well,” her sister huffed, and then she was gone.
“What did you wish to discuss, Mama?”Imogene said, accepting that no amount of evasion would deter her mother.
The duchess studied her daughter before she spoke.“Specifically?The Duke of Blackbern and the Marquess of Norgrave.”
“Ah, yes, they were Lady Yaxley’s guests.Lady Charlotte was on hand to make formal introductions.”
“How convenient,” her mother muttered under her breath.“Do you recall our conversation about avoiding Blackbern?”
How could I forget?“Yes, Mama,” she said, lowering her gaze to her lap.“You were quite clear on the subject.”
“Excellent.The same advice applies to Norgrave.”She picked up her embroidery and retrieved her glasses.
“I do not wish to be disrespectful, but how do you propose that I avoid these gentlemen?”
“You might begin by not strolling with them in Lady Yaxley’s gardens.”
