Page 20 of An Unwanted Widow for the Duke
“I am right here, Welles,” Daniel said firmly, though a faint smile tugged at his lips. “And yes, her tongue is as honed as her mind. A lady must possess the means to protect herself from those who think themselves superior.”
Lord Welles chuckled softly, the sound smooth but almost oily. “A novel perspective, Grisham. One might think your Grand Tour has altered your judgment on certain… delicate matters concerning the fairer sex.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened. Wilhelmina caught the tension and knew she had to intervene before the conversation slid further into uncomfortable territory.
“Well,” Daphne said nervously, glancing around the group. “I believe the quartet is about to begin. Perhaps we should all take our seats?”
Lady Grisham gave her a tight, approving smile.
And that was how Wilhelmina knew that Daphne would be Lady Grisham’s favorite this Season.
“Excellent suggestion,” Daniel agreed, inclining his head to his business associates, who nodded politely.
Then, he looped Wilhelmina’s arm through his—a quiet reassurance. She exhaled softly, relieved that she would not have to rely on the other men.
“Thank you,” she whispered, leaning slightly against him. “Saved by the strings, it seems.”
Daniel raised a playful eyebrow.
As they moved toward their seats, Wilhelmina met her mother’s glare head-on. Lady Grisham’s eyes, sharp as a hawk’s, flicked between them, but Wilhelmina returned the look, maintaining her calm.
“I had thought, after Lizzie and I married, that Mother would stop scheming,” she muttered under her breath. “Yet here she is, parading us about like prized broodmares. If I’m being honest, I am grateful that her attention has shifted toward me and not the twins. They are still too young to be drawn into this.”
Daniel gave a low chuckle. “One of those nights when I am grateful she is not my mother. No offense, Mina.”
“None taken,” Wilhelmina assured. “But don’t be surprised when she turns her sights on you once she realizes you have yet to marry.”
“For what reason? Surely she does not wish me to produce heirs before the rest of you are well settled.”
Wilhelmina had not considered matters in that way. She had only worried about her own Season, the discomfort of marrying someone she did not respect or care for.
Her thoughts drifted briefly to Robert, her late husband. Her best friend. She had believed, once, that she had everything with him: friendship, laughter, shared ambitions.
Well, not everything. Not a real marriage. Not one born of romantic love. But she’d given up on that notion for a while now, and Robert was her dearest friend.
“Ha! You will fare well when it is your turn to find a wife. You are tolerable among men,” she said with a teasing grin.
“High praise from my dowager sister,” Daniel replied with mock solemnity.
“Ugh,” Wilhelmina groaned. “I feel ancient whenever my full title is mentioned. Perhaps we should omit it entirely?”
They chose the velvet-backed chairs near the front, conceding silently to Lady Grisham’s subtle manipulations, though Wilhelmina would have preferred the anonymity of the rear.
As for the twins, Lady Grisham had placed Daphne beside Lord Alcott and Victoria beside Lord Bertram—a move Wilhelminasuspected was strategic. Seated behind her mother, she had a clear view of the entire performance and could monitor her mother’s moves.
“Mina, what do you make of Bertram?” Daniel whispered, though his gaze was fixed on the quartet.
“He seems the type to smile while murdering kittens,” Wilhelmina muttered dryly. “Or perhaps he enjoys chasing widows because he believes they are more pliable.”
Daniel chuckled softly. “And Lord Alcott?”
“He counts his coins in his sleep,” she said bluntly. “He surveys every bauble in the room. Conversation is likely a burden for him.”
His eyes widened in mock alarm.
“Did I get that one right?” she asked.
“So far, yes. Though I am less confident about the kitten-murdering accusation,” he said with a faint smirk. “And Welles?”
