Page 19 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
He wants me to leave. To give up. To abandon our arraignment so that he does not have to go through with it. That is all this can be!
It was as she ate breakfast on the fourth morning that this thought settled on her, and was it three years ago, Penelopemight have succumbed to misery and done as her husband wished. Packed up. Gone home. Resigned herself to a life lived alone. But this wasn’t three years ago.
Dorian might not have wanted her help, but that did not mean he wasn’t going to get it. She had come here for a reason, and she was not going to leave without a fight!
“Reginald!” she called out. He was standing across the room, waiting on her, as he often did. She wondered if that was at Dorian’s request, a spy to make sure she wasn’t doing anything he did not approve of.
“Yes, Your Grace,” he said as he hurried toward her.
“I would like to speak with the kitchen staff once I have finished eating.”
“Oh.” He blinked. “Is something the matter? Whatever it is, I can –”
“No, no,” she cut him off with laughter. “I am to assume that they will be the ones providing food for the party. Dorian has not confirmed, but I assume too it will be a full weekend affair? This far out from the city, and it will have to be.”
Reginald frowned. “I… he has not said –”
“Let’s assume it is.” She nodded her head once, feeling a fire now burning within her. “Which means that we will need to arrangeseveral meals across the weekend, and snacks for the day. Best that we start to brainstorm.”
“Ah…” He licked his lips. “As you say, Your Grace.”
“I would also appreciate a list of His Grace’s closest friends, family members, and anyone else he is known to be in contact with. Surely, you can provide such a list?” She raised an eyebrow at him that warranted no argument.
“I… I can have one written up, Your Grace.”
“Perfect, for a guest list will be needed, so we might as we start with everyone and go from there. As well as that…” A smile reached her lips. “When was the last time His Grace had this home refurbished.”
Reginald leaned back. “Ah… I am not –”
“It is my thinking that the ballroom might need to be remodeled. Even this room…” She looked about the breakfast room and curled her lips as if in distaste. “New carpet, I think. And new curtains. It will not do to host a party in a home that looks on the verge of falling apart. So, if you do not mind, I will require the contacts used the last time His Grace had curtains and carpet replaced, floors waxed, walls painted. I have a feeling we will be needing them again.”
Reginald looked to be sweating. “I… shall I ask His Grace if –”
“No need,” she cut him off with a smile. “He asked for my help, and I intend to give it. Now, if you do not mind…” She cocked her eyebrow at him again. “I wish to start as soon as I finish eating.”
“Of course, Your Grace.” The butler bowed deeply and hurried from the room,
And Penelope held her smile, the first one she had worn in days.
In truth, this was for the best, she decided, as three years of living alone and she had become accustomed to doing things as they needed doing without asking for help. Such was the life of an independent woman whose husband abandoned her.
And if His Grace did not like it?Well, he can tell me so himself. That was a thought which saw her smile grow. On the one hand, she was either going to arrange this party on her own or the duke was going to be forced to come and speak to her finally.
Whatever the result, it was a step in the right direction which meant one step closer to her finally getting what she was owed.
CHAPTER SIX
“Say that again.” Dorian stared blankly at Reginald, certain that he had misheard. Hoping that he had, anyhow.
“She is there right now, Your Grace,” Reginald explained. “She has set herself up in the spare office in the western wing on the first level. I just left her.”
“With a list of my known associates? Family. Friends. Everyone I have ever been in contact with?”
“More or less,” Reginald said. “As well as a list of people who might help her rearrange and redecorate the rooms. She even asked after who designed the front garden…” A chuckle escaped his lips. “She was quite insistent on it.”
“Oh, I like her,” Barbara laughed.
“And you gave her these things?” Dorian snapped. “Without coming to see me first?”
