Page 76 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

“Which she is not,” their mother cut them off again. “Which you will have to start getting used to.” Violet was with Roderick tonight, which Anthony had taken as a blessing as it was one less family member to deal with. “Your Grace...” Caroline’s mother curtsied deeply before extending a hand to Anthony. “Thank you so much for inviting us into your home. It is an honor, I assure you.”

Anthony took her hand and gave the back of it a kiss. “You are most welcome.”

“Sister.” Daniel came in behind their mother. His expression was cold, which had Anthony glaring because he did not appreciate a guest in his home behaving this way—and to his wife, no less. “And Your Grace,” he then greeted Anthony. “As my mother has said, thank you for your invitation this evening. It is most generous.”

“Of course,” Anthony said stiffly.

“Iris...” Caroline stepped around her brother and crouched down to get a better look at her youngest sister. “Look how big you are! You have grown at least a foot this past week.”

Iris blushed furiously and spoke into her chest. “I have not, Caroline. You are being silly.”

“Must be the accident,” Eveline chided. “How hard did you hit your head, sister?”

“Eveline!” her mother snapped. “And Aurelia...” She widened her eyes at Aurelia. “What did I tell you?”

This is going to be harder than I thought…

Anthony’s lip curled, and he did his best not to survey Caroline’s family with venomous frustration. Oh, how hard they made such a thing to do.

“So, Your Grace, a tour is in order, I expect,” Caroline’s mother began.

Anthony’s jaw tightened at the presumptuous tone. “We?—”

“Supper first, Mother,” Caroline spoke up. She took Anthony’s hand again and eyed him; telling him silently that she had this. Anthony frowned, not entirely certain he wanted such a thing. He appreciated her trying to ease the burden of her family, but this was his home and he was the one who should have been in control. “The food is ready, and I would hate for it to get cold.”

“Oh...” Her mother looked between them. “Your Grace, that sounds perfect. Which way is?—?”

“I will show you,” she spoke again, before Anthony needed to. She squeezed his hand again and smiled at him, which had Anthony frowning further, again not sure what to make of this shift in their power dynamic.

Caroline let go of Anthony’s hand and directed her family through the foyer and toward the dining room. There, she was sure to tell each where they were to be seated, starting with Anthony at the head of the table, her to his left, her mother to his right, Daniel next, Aurelia across from Daniel, and then Eveline and Iris at the end.

Seated, the staff poured them all a glass of wine, announcing that their meals would soon be plated and brought to them. This allowed for a few moments of idle chit chat before eating would begin and Caroline, seemingly determined to steer her family down a companionable path, took control of the conversation.

“So, Daniel,” she began. “How goes everything at home?”

Daniel seemed surprised by Caroline’s question. “Excuse me?”

“It must be quieter now, what with me and Violet no longer living there.” She smiled at her brother, likely hoping he would see that her question was not supposed to be antagonistic.

He scoffed. “Hardly. Violet was a voice of sanity, as I am sure you know well enough. And it is not as if you were ever the center of drama.” He looked pointedly at Eveline.

“What is that look?” Eveline cried out.

Aurelia snorted. “As if you do not know.”

“Girls!” their mother hissed down the table.

“I do not appreciate the implication,” Eveline continued, scowling at her brother. “As if he has been so easy to live with this past week.”

Aurelia laughed. “That is a fine point, Eveline. Daniel, have you stopped to think that perhaps you are the one who is the cause of mother’s headaches?”

“What headaches?” Iris asked, albeit quietly.

“It is fine, dear,” their mother assured Iris before glaring at her daughters. “And I will ask the two of you to not embarrass me.” Another scowl before smiling at Anthony. “I do apologize, Your Grace. The girls are a little pent up with energy, following the ride over.”

Anthony did his best to remain unfazed. “I?—”

“We are not children, Mother,” Eveline spoke over him. “There is no need to speak of us as such.”

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