Page 37 of The Duchess' Ultimatum
Nonetheless, they moved to the back garden and soon found themselves set up on a garden table under a large awning for shade. The mood was pleasant and Penelope could not believe how different Dorian was acting. He was smiling, laughing, appearing comfortable and glad to have his friend here with him.
The only cause for worry was Albina and the way she continued to glare at the duke from across the table.
“Where is your sister?” Joseph asked once tea was served and they were all seated and relaxed. He looked about the garden as if expecting her to appear.
“Oh…” Dorian hesitated.
“She is feeling unwell,” Penelope answered quickly, saving Dorian from having to lie. “But she promises to join us for supper.”
“Oh no,” Joseph said. “Nothing we need to be concerned about, I hope?”
“Just a small head cold,” Penelope assured him. “But she sends her regards.” She caught Dorian’s eyes then, and he nodded his head in thanks.
In truth, there was nothing wrong with Barbara. As was to be expected, she simply did not want to come down and meet with the guests – and she certainly did not want to spend time with them. She did promise to attend supper, however, but Penelope wondered if such a promise would be kept when the time came.
It was such a strange thing. Penelope had spent all morning with Barbara and when it was just the two of them, the young woman was friendly and personable and fun. Nothing at all to suggest that she reviled company and was terrified to meet new people. Or even old ones.
Penelope often wondered what the cause of all this was. Clearly, something had happened to her, and just as clearly she did not wish to speak about it. She even wondered if Dorian knew the true reason, but found herself touched by how much he cared about her sister and how desperate he was to help.
“And how is she doing?” Joseph asked, his meaning obvious.
“She is… doing well,” Dorian said with a grimace. “I pray that this weekend won’t be too much on her.”
“You are a good brother,” Joseph added. “I am sure she knows it for fact.”
Albina snorted loudly.
Penelope frowned at her, again wondering what was going on with her cousin. But she said nothing, mostly because she noticed the way that Dorian was now eyeing her and she did not wish to open the way toward a fight.
“Do you know her well?” Penelope asked, needing to direct the conversation
“A little,” Joseph said. “When she was younger, I saw her often. Now, however…” He laughed softly. “I daresay she might not even recognize me.”
“Perhaps if she were not kept here as a prisoner,” Albina muttered under her breath.
Joseph heard her that time and he turned sharply and widened his eyes in warning.
Thankfully, Dorian said nothing. He did, however, fix Albina in a warning glare and Penelope could see how hard he was working to maintain his composure.
Strangely enough, Albina’s comments angered Penelope almost as much as they must have Dorian – perhaps even more so. Her cousin spoke about what she did not know, and Dorian did not deserve such a level of disrespect. Penelope scowled at Albina in warning, hoping that she was smart enough to keep her tongue to herself.
“So!” Joseph spoke up, determined it seemed to distract from his wife. “Tell us what you have in store for this visit.”
“And where is the fun in that?” Dorian said, easing slightly and pulling his gaze from Albina. “Won’t it be more fun if you find out for yourself.”
“And when have you ever been fun?” Joseph chided.
“I am!” Dorian protested.
“He isn’t,” Penelope added. “I can attest to it.”
Dorian rolled his eyes. “All I will say is that I have put a lot of work into this party,” he said rightly. “And all I want from you, Joseph, is praise and encouraging words of how wonderful a time you are having.”
“And I suppose your wife had nothing to do with it,” Albina muttered, not so under her breath that it couldn’t be heard by all. “But why would you waste your time mentioning her contributions…”
Joseph stiffened and winced but said nothing.
Dorian, clearly having enough of being so disrespected, clenched his jaw and fixed himself on Albina. His eyes widened in fury and Penelope saw him trying to find calm because he likely did not wish to admonish Albina in front of his closest friend.
