Page 105 of Pride: The Rogue
“I have bad news,” Billy said, without preamble.
“Splendid,” Livian muttered. “Just what I was hoping to hear.”
From the corner of her eye, she caught Billy’s smile. “The guests are still in breakfast, and the duchess wants you there now.”
“Now?” Livian echoed.
Billy nodded. “Now.”
Livian cast a dubious glance down at herself. “I’m sure she’ll allow me a brief reprieve so that I can change into my garments.” And not make her first appearance like the rumpled, low-class, woman, she still was, and would always be, regardless of the outcome of this house party.
“On the contrary.” Billy’s eyes hardened at the corners. “The lady is clear in what she wants and demands and doesn’t like being countered.”
Livian tensed.
“Has she been unkind to you?” she demanded, because favor needed of the powerful peeress or not, Livian wouldn’t keep the company of one who dared treat Billy or any member of her family as lesser.
“The duchess has been exactly what you’d expect a duchess to be,” Billy said.
They made their way up the stairs toward the painted pale blue double doors being held open by a pair of gold-clad, bewigged footmen.
“She hasn’t treated me any different than she has any of the other guests here,” Billy added just as they reached the entrance. “Fortunately, given the hour, many of the guests have already left the breakfast room.”
Perhaps another time Livian would have been entirely focused and fearful of the impending exchange. Instead, she found herself being rushed along by Billy, who was all too happy to fill the silence with details of the guests and anything and everything Livian had missed.
The absolute inanity of each revelation managed to slowly carve away the vicious anguish, and allowed Livian to focus on something other than Lachlan’s rejection.
As they walked arm in arm, Billy spoke quietly. “The duchess’ house party is a peculiar gathering.”
“Is it?”
From the corner of her eye, she caught her clever sister’s suspicious gaze. “Aye. There’s a strange mix of nobs and gents. Hardly any other ladies, that is aside from the mothers and sisters and daughters.”
Livian kept her features in a perfect mask. “Oh?”
Billy grunted, clearly not appeased. She continued anyway.
“Marquess of Culross, he’s got two hellcats for daughters. He’s a widower, but his troublesome scamps are the best part of the whole affair.” She hugged Livian’s arm. “That is, of course, until now.”
Livian returned that side embrace, welcoming that showing of love from her sister, and after the ease with which Lachlan walked out of her life, desperately needing it.
Billy proceeded with her rundown. “The Earl of Dunkirk seems like a good enough chap. Viscount Bridport gives me the collywobbs. Baron Linley leers at the dessert the same way he does the other guests’ female kin.”
They neared the breakfast room and Billy hurried through her cataloguing.
“Wakefield is here, sporting his usual grim, ‘my favorite mount died and keeled onto his favorite hunting dog’ look.”
Livian’s lips twitched.“Stop.”
“You’re smiling,” Billy pointed out.
Ah, so that’d been what her sister intended.
“I’m smiling at your wildly, colorful description,” Livian pointed out. “The gentleman does not deserve that unkindness.”
Before they entered, Billy placed a hand upon her arm.
Livian stared at her questioningly.
