Page 90 of The Best-Kept Secrets
He didn’t seem to know how to respond to that. Uncertain silence was not a terrible option when compared to the other ways he’d behaved during this house party.
“I believe it is your turn to begin the whispers, Mr. Greenberry,” Daria said.
“I predict he will whisper something to do with Parliament.” Mater’s teasing expression brought entertained smiles to the faces of her generation. Aside from Duke’s parents.
“Not for another few days,” Mr. Greenberry said. “Until we leave for London, I reserve the right to speak of any- and everything else.”
“A few days?” Eve repeated. “Are all of you leaving for London so soon?”
Mrs. Greenberry nodded. “A few days after Christmas. As a newly seated—reseated—MP, my husband needs to be in attendance at the official opening of Parliament.”
Eve looked at Duke. Was he leaving with them? Likely, since his path forward was entwined with his uncle’s. She wasn’t in a position to ask about that with so many people about. She didn’t know if he had yet informed his parents of his future plans.
“I do not know if Nia will be recovered enough to depart Fairfield so soon.”
“She will not need to leave,” Mrs. Greenberry said. “You and your sister are to remain as long as is necessary for her health.”
“Alone?” Duke’s mother’s shock could not have been more apparent.
“Lady Lampton will be staying with them,” Mrs. Greenberry said as calm as can be.
“But no member of the family?” Duke’s father clearly didn’t think the dowager countess’s presence would be sufficient. “You would relegate your duties as mistress of this estate and abandon your guests? One of whom is still too unwell to join us in the evenings?”
“Father.” Duke’s quiet voice echoed with a strong warning.
Mr. Seymour recognized the reminder. He snapped his mouth shut and folded his arms across his chest.
“I am remaining at Fairfield,” Colm said. “My parents need to depart at the end of the planned length of the house party. But I will stay behind.”
This was a new revelation to Eve. But neither Mater nor the Greenberrys seemed surprised by it.
“You will be denied a return to London?” Duke’s mother pressed a hand to her heart. “A young gentleman as well-liked as you must certainly wish to be in Town rather than kept in such isolation.”
For the first time in at least thirty minutes, the elder Mrs. Seymour spoke. “It is unfair of your parents to rob you of your opportunities, Colm. A hero such as yourself should have everything he wishes to have.”
“I am glad to hear it, Grandmother,” Colm said. “Because what I wish is to remain at Fairfield after the house party is over.”
Mrs. Seymour senior sniffed. Duke kept his expression neutral, but Eve saw the exasperation that flitted through his eyes.
“I have decided on a phrase for our next whisper around the room,” Mr. Greenberry said.
With an unpleasant twist of his mouth, Duke’s father said, “It is whisperdown the lane, Niles. The name is nearly as simple as the game.”
“And the players,” Duke’s grandmother muttered.
Even a terribly unobservant person would have been immediately aware of the discomfort in the room intensifying.
“‘The name is nearly as simple as the game’ was the phrase I was going to whisper,” Mr. Greenberry said as if thoroughly disappointed to have had his secret spilled.
Colm smiled broadly. Even Duke looked a little less on edge.
“I’m sorry, dear,” Mrs. Greenberry said, “but you will have to choose something else.”
“It’s a shame he didn’t ‘choose something else’ thirty-two years ago,” Duke’s father said dryly.
“From what I’ve been told,” his mother chimed in, “hedid, but she wouldn’t accept it.”
The small hint of light that had tiptoed into the room dissipated once more.
