Page 39 of Duke of Silver
Summoning Mrs. Ryton, he folded his arms, his expression more serious now. “Where is the Duchess today, Mrs. Ryton?”
The housekeeper’s lips pressed into a tight line before she responded. “Her Grace received an invitation to tea this morning from the Viscountess of Compton. She left after breakfast, quite pleased, I might add.”
Alexander felt his frown deepen. “The Viscountess of Compton?”
“She did, Your Grace,” Mrs. Ryton confirmed, her tone polite but pointed. “Had you joined Her Grace for breakfast, you would have known of her plans.”
Her words stung, though she had said them carefully. There was a quiet reproach in her tone, one that he could hardly ignore. He had kept himself distant from Elizabeth, maintaining that their lives should remain separate. But in doing so, he realized, he was missing more than just the details of her day.
Silence hung between them for a moment before Alexander dismissed her with a nod, though the unease lingered long after she’d gone.
CHAPTER 17
“Ithought it would be most dull to wait until the assembly for our second meeting, Your Grace,” Lady Compton gushed as soon as Elizabeth was settled in the drawing room. “So, I thought to invite you for tea. After all, what better way for you to sample Cook’s biscuits?”
“We kill two birds with one stone, then,” Elizabeth agreed with a smile, delighted by Lady Compton’s easy manner.
They both reached for the plate of biscuits, and as soon as Elizabeth took a bite, she couldn’t help but express her admiration. “I must say, your cook rivals Sterlin’s. These biscuits are delightful, but this sandwich—with the cheese—is impeccable.”
Lady Compton clapped her hands, her face lighting up with joy. “I knew you’d love it! I’ll send the recipe straight to your cook. Oh, how wonderful that you want to replicate it!”
Elizabeth smiled again, feeling more at ease than she had in weeks. The company was pleasant, the food was wonderful, and for a moment, she allowed herself to bask in the light-heartedness of it all.
Just then, the butler entered the room, announcing the arrival of a second guest. Lady Compton gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. “Oh dear, I do apologize, Your Grace! I entirely forgot to mention that we were expecting another guest for tea.”
Elizabeth’s brow lifted in polite curiosity, but her heart sank as the butler stepped aside to reveal the very last person she wanted to see.
“Good afternoon, Your Grace,” came the smooth, measured voice of the Countess of Winston.
Elizabeth’s smile wavered, but she quickly recovered, keeping her expression as serene as ever.Georgianna.She could hardly believe her ill luck.
“Oh, how splendid! I wanted you to meet before the assembly, as the Countess is one of the most influential people in the county,” Lady Compton chimed in, her usual enthusiasm bubbling over. “But it seems you already know one another?”
“Indeed,” Georgianna said with a thin smile. “It’s lovely to see you here again, Duchess.”
“Yes, we’ve met,” Elizabeth replied, her tone pleasant, though her stomach knotted at the Countess’s presence.
“Well, that should make for a less awkward introduction, then,” Lady Compton said cheerfully, beaming at them both. “No long silences or stilted conversation.”
Not that there’s ever a chance of silence with you around,Elizabeth thought wryly, a touch of humor softening the tension that had settled over her the moment Georgianna entered the room.
They continued with tea, but it didn’t take long for Georgianna to strike the first blow, her words as delicate as the porcelain teacup she held, yet sharp enough to sting.
“I see you’ve settled quite well into your role as Duchess. I’m sure it must be an adjustment, especially with the demands of a title so grand,” Georgianna said, her tone dripping with false sweetness. “It takes time, of course, to understand all the expectations.”
Elizabeth kept her smile in place, refusing to let the barb hit its mark. “Oh, I’ve always been quick to adapt,” she replied evenly, holding Georgianna’s gaze. “And with such guidance from people like yourself, I’m certain I shall manage splendidly.”
Before the tension could build further, Lady Compton burst in, oblivious to the sparring beneath the surface. “Oh, my, I nearly forgot! You must try the lemon tarts next! They’re Cook’s specialty. I simply cannot resist them.”
The tension in the room momentarily dissipated as Lady Compton, in her usual manner, steered the conversation toward safer shores. Elizabeth took a steadying breath, grateful for the reprieve.
But it wasn’t long before Georgianna struck again.
“And how lovely it is to be surrounded by so much admiration so early in your marriage,” the Countess said smoothly. “I daresay there are already whispers about how devoted the Duke is to his new bride.”
Elizabeth’s fingers tightened imperceptibly around her teacup, but she refused to let her smile falter. “Indeed,” she replied, her voice light but firm. “Devotion is something I treasure deeply.”
“Oh, have you heard about the new shops they’re constructing in the village?” Lady Compton exclaimed, her eyes alight with excitement as she set her teacup down. “I’ve been watching the progress closely—there’s talk of a haberdasher, a new grocer, and even a milliner. Quite the improvement for our little corner of the county!”
