Page 17 of Denying a Rakish Duke
Vanessa looked from Petunia to her cousin then to the ladies walking on the far side of the lake, their attention locked on the altercation despite being very far out of hearing range. “It was an accident, Mama, honestly.”
Dissatisfied with Vanessa’s remark, Petunia blustered. “Your Grace, please allow me to apologize on my daughter’s behalf. She can sometimes become carried away with herself … had I known that you were going to call today, I would have ensured that we were awaiting you at the Manor. Please, allow us to make this up to you.”
“That will not be necessary,” Joseph started, his hand lifting to refuse whatever Petunia was about to offer, but the matron would hear none of it. “I shall come to call on Lady Amanda another time. I was simply too excited to send word in advance; I shall not make that mistake a second time.”
“I shall throw a dinner party in your honor. You must allow me; I shall not be able to sleep tonight if you will not come. You and your lovely grandmother, the Dowager Duchess, must come. I insist. Do you like pheasant?” Petunia spoke too quickly, and Amanda slipped her arm through her mother’s, hoping to give the woman some sort of comfort.
“Yes, you must come to dinner. We have so much to celebrate with the sudden return of our beloved cousin as well as make up for any lost time this afternoon.” Amanda smiled sweetly. It was impossible to say no to anything Amanda said when she used her soft voice like that. Not even the Duke could refuse her when she looked up at the tall man through her eyelashes.
“Well, how could I refuse an invitation such as that?” he nodded. “Name the date, and I shall inquire as to my grandmother’s schedule. I am certain that she would be delighted to catch up with you as well as get to know your cousin, but only if it is not too much trouble.”
“Nonsense, it is no trouble at all. I shall arrange a menu with my cook when we arrive tonight. Perhaps tomorrow evening?”
“So soon, Lady Farbridge?”
“Yes, it will allow me to ensure that no illness has befallen you from the cold and exposure. We will make an evening of it!”
“I am looking forward to it, but I am afraid that I must excuse myself from your divine company in seek of drier trousers.” He bowed to Petunia, and Amanda boldly offered her hand to him, and he took it and lifted it between them formally, bowing to her as well.
Almost against his will, he turned to Vanessa next, who promptly looked away. Her hemline was wet, no doubt her riding boots were heavy with mud from attempting to assist him too, and he had refused her. Vanessa chewed on her bottom lip; her chin dimpled. He had the most shocking realization that perhaps she was attempting not to cry, but he could not fathom why that might be. A pale pink colored her cheeks, and despite her mother’s hissed instruction to bid him farewell, she did not budge.
* * *
“What is the matter with you, Child!” Petunia nearly shouted at Vanessa’s quickly retreating back. Vanessa had no word of explanation, nothing that she could say in her defense, she knew what it must look like to her mother, to her sister even, and she knew that nothing she could say was going to make it any better.
Vanessa did not wish to discuss it. She did not want to explain that she had merely been having fun, enjoying herself in the company of the Duke for once. They would not believe her even if she did, she feared. She wanted to go to her chamber and be alone with her thoughts if only for a short while.
“I am speaking to you!” Petunia shouted, following quickly after her daughter as Vanessa roughly yanked her gloves from her hands and started to angrily tug at the adornments pinned in her hair.
The front door to Evans Manor opened once more, Amanda and Thomas filing inside quickly. Tobias had declined to return home with the rest of them as he was presently out looking for the best veterinarian that he could possibly find so that he could have Apollo examined. Mainly this would be conversation fodder for his evening spent at the club, recanting the experience in a way that would make him appear to be a hero as he bragged about his son’s extensive travels.
Amanda passed Mimzy to the servant closest to the door, “Please see that she has water; she’s had a terribly harrowing afternoon … we all have,” Amanda smiled politely and moved into the room further, chasing after Petunia. “Mama, she could not have known that Mimzy was going to get loose! Really, it is my fault … I am the one that you should be cross with!”
“Do not involve yourself in this, Amanda; she had no business our riding this afternoon anyway! She directly disobeyed my wishes to remain here and wait for possible suitors! Above all of that, she wasracing aboutlike some … some—” Petunia fumbled for the right word.
Vanessa spun angrily. “Like somewhat; Mama, please finish your sentence and tell me what you would like to compare me to this time?”
“Do not take that tone with me, Child!” Petunia brandished a finger at Vanessa, who rolled her eyes.
“Right, well I shall be in my chamber until then, eagerly awaiting your punishment for theaccidentthat I in no way caused.”
“What were you doing gallivanting around with the Duke in the first place? What did you say to him?”
“There is the truth of the matter, is it not, Mama? You are worried that I have somehow corrupted your favorite daughter’s chances to marry a Duke? Three Duchess’ for daughters is not an accomplishment that many will be able to claim. I was not standing in your way; I would never do that to Amanda, no matter how much of a deplorablerakethe Duke might be! I was bringing him to you!”
“I do not know what has gotten into you that makes you believe that it is acceptable to speak to me this way! I have done nothing to deserve this!” Petunia fumed, and Vanessa could not help but think that things were being blown wildly out of proportion.
“And I have?”
“Do not think that I did not see youattackthe Duke the other night before your little disappearing act!” The vein in Petunia’s neck looked like it was nearly ready to burst forth out of her neck. “Just because you have committed yourself to a desolate life of spinsterhood does not mean that you should act like it!”
“Why ever not? Perhaps I should just give in to the inevitable!”
“Please,” Amanda interjected with her soft, patient voice. “Perhaps there is another solution? Perhaps Vanessa could assist me in preparing for the dinner party while Mama oversees the staff? That should give us ample time to come up with conversation topics?”
“What a wonderful idea,” Petunia sighed, pinching at the bridge of her nose. “There will be no more negative conversations from you, darling daughter, or I shall be forced to take more drastic measures that will hurt both of us.” Petunia’s expression softened. “Please, Vanessa, do not stand in your sister's way.”
ChapterEleven
