Page 36 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
“I dare say if it was my funeral, I’d be having a better time of it,” Dorian joked as he greeted his friend.
“As we would be,” Joseph agreed with humor.
“Lady Everdon…” Dorian pulled back from his friend and smiled broadly for Joseph’s wife. “It is a pleasure to see you again.”
Lady Albina Everdon was not just Joseph’s wife, but also Penelope’s cousin and one of her closest friends. They were of a similar age and had come up in thetontogether, almost sisters in that way. And seeing as Albina was four years older than Penelope, she liked to take on the mantle of older sister. Notrequired, as Penelope had enough of those to go around, but that never stopped Albina.
In response to Dorian’s greeting, Albina offered a curt smile but said nothing.
“Lord Everdon.” Standing beside Dorian, Penelope stepped forward and offered her hand to Joseph. “Always a pleasure to see you.”
“As it is you, Your Grace.” He kissed the back of her hand. “And thank you again, for allowing Albina and I to arrive early.” He winked at his wife. “She was desperate to see you.”
“Oh, I would not say desperate,” Albina laughed as she slapped her husband’s arm. Then she grinned at Penelope and held her arms wide open for a hug. “But it has been too long, Penelope. I can’t remember the last time you invited me to your home.”
“Maybe you should take the hint,” Penelope joked as she hugged Albina.
“Mean.”
“Joking,” she assured her, laughing as she pulled away. “Let us call this good timing, then. And with my sisters arriving on the morrow, it will be a family reunion, of sorts.”
“Urgh, I have a headache just thinking about it,” Joseph chuckled. “All you women clucking…” A shake of the head, and an apologetic grimace when Albina widened her eyes at him.
“Oh, it won’t be so bad,” Dorian joined in as he slapped his friend on the back in solidarity. “Although I dare say a drink or two might be required.”
“You plan on being there, do you?” Albina asked the duke, an eyebrow raised as if it was a serious question.
Dorian frowned. “I… of course.”
“Hmm…” She shrugged and looked away. “I thought you might have chosen to run off again.”
The comment came from nowhere, no humor found in her tone, entirely meant to cut and draw blood. Dorian blinked in confusion, unsure if she was being serious or not. Joseph’s eyes widened, seeing clearly that his wife had meant to be as rude as she was being. And Penelope, thinking quickly, intervened because she had no idea what her cousin was thinking, and did not wish to find out.
“You must be thirsty from the trip.” She took Albina’s arm and pulled her toward her, away from Dorian. “I believe His Grace has already instructed refreshments to be served.”
“I have,” Dorian said, shaking himself from the surprise of Albina’s comment. “Set up in the back garden, along with some sweetmeats.”
“Wicked of you,” Joseph laughed and touch his belly. “You know how weak I am in the face of treats, Dorian. What are you playing at?”
“I assure you my intentions are not malevolent,” Dorian joked.
“Doubtful,” Albina said under her breath, which Penelope heard as she was right beside the woman.
That had Penelope frowning at her cousin, again unsure what she had heard and what the purpose of it was. If she did not know any better, she would have said that Albina was angry with the duke – and that she was happy to let him know. But why she would be, and why she was choosing now to air such grievances was beyond her.
“Tell me of your trip,” Penelope asked her cousin, raising her voice and leading her along the drive and toward the front of the house. “How was it?”
“Oh, nothing exciting.”
“And yet I am all ears.”
Albina laughed and then launched into a tale of their trip north from London. Indeed, it was not exciting, but it kept her talkingand distracted her from her tirade against the duke, who by that point had fallen in behind them to walk with Joseph.
A most auspicious start to the weekend… and not at all what I was expecting. And from the way my cousin continues to glance over her shoulder and scowl at the duke, I dare say things are only going to get worse from here.
As promised, Albina and Joseph had arrived the day before the weekend house party was set to begin. They came via carriage, and just now Penelope and Dorian had met them on the front drive. It was a visit that Penelope was looking forward to, because she loved her cousin and rather liked the idea of having someone she was so close with here to speak with so she might get some much needed advice.
Now, she was wondering if this early visit might only make things worse.
