Page 78 of Duchess Material

“But you came. I didn’t expect it.”

“I know the answer,” Vanna said, locking eyes with Rita. The two descended into a fit of laughter like schoolgirls.

Nina rolled her eyes and pointed to the tea set. “Did you put booze in this?”

“Apologies,” Rita snickered.

“Lucy is on the road with Natalie in France,” Vanna said. “That was all I meant.”

“Ah, I see. Well, that explains it,” Bruno chuckled.

“It’s not like I only come around when she is gone—”

Rita took a long sip of her tea, looked doubtful, and declared, “But you do.”

Winston rolled his eyes. He changed the subject. “So, what is the announcement?”

“George’s engagement. We’ve told them we’re doing an announcement. Didn’t say what.”

It explained Lucy’s general meltdown this morning over a pair of shoes being scuffed. Lucy was a capable woman. Winston was certain she could fix nearly anything. He knew something was up but wasn’t about to pry on their way to the airfield.

“Are they doing an interview or anything?” George asked.

“No. Not here at least. We’re not sure how it will go. Robbie and I are over-the-moon as you well know. But the boys… we shall see how people accept it.”

“Well, I hope it’s for the best,” Winston said.

The Queen stood. “Well, darling, I should go. Robbie and I have an engagement this evening and you know how it goes.”

Rita stood with her. “I am aware.”

The women gave one another a kiss on the cheek and Vanora departed. Winston was relieved. Queen Vanna was a lovely, but the situation with George complicated things. Winston didn’t want to offend his godmother.

Rita picked up on her son’s apprehension. “You’re fine. She’s not upset. You can calm down, Winston.”

“I am not saying she’s anything less than diplomatic—”

“She adores you. She loves Lucy. Calm down. The thing with George and Patrick is separate. How is Lucy? Is this affecting her?”

“She called her shoe a ‘needlessly frustrating cunt’ this morning before tossing it across the room,” Winston answered.

“Lucy is even capable of saying ‘cunt’?” his sister scoffed.

Bruno groaned. “Don’t repeat that, mija.”

Nina shook her head, annoyed.

“She was having a meltdown over something. I talked her off the ledge. I knew there was something else going on. She was so flustered. It was silly. She never breaks down over the big things.”

His mother agreed. “She holds it together so tight. I suspect she’s nervous about the press. They didn’t dig deep last time because they were focused on bothering Patrick and such. However, they’ve linked the two of you. It would sell papers like hotcakes, as the Americans say.”

“Should I be concerned?” Winston asked.

“I think you should be cautious. Lucy will be okay while she’s abroad. But prepare yourselves.”

“Do they know we are together?”

Nina said, “The two of you were photographed together leaving the party at New Year’s. You looked cosy, Winston.”

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