Page 52 of Duke of Gold
She entered the drawing room to find Lady Aleshire already seated near the fire, her usual commanding presence softened with an air of relief. Rising to greet her, Peggy approached with warmth. “Lady Aleshire, how wonderful to see you returned,” she said, her voice carrying genuine pleasure. “How is your grandchild?”
“Oh, he is a strong little lad,” Lady Aleshire replied, her shoulders easing as a smile broke across her face. “He will be fine, getting better every day. The doctors assure us he is out of danger now, and we need not worry any longer.”
Peggy’s own relief was immediate, and she clasped her hands together. “That is marvelous news. I am so very glad to hear it.”
She rang for tea, and as the maid hurried away, Peggy turned her attention fully to her guest. She noted, with some concern, thatLady Aleshire’s expression had grown somber, the brightness of moments ago dimmed.
“I heard what happened with Mrs. Pattons,” Lady Aleshire said, her tone measured. “The women told me everything.”
Peggy inclined her head, her calm demeanor belying the simmer of irritation beneath the surface.
“I came to express my deepest apologies first,” Lady Aleshire continued, meeting her gaze directly, “before I bring Mrs. Pattons over to do the same.”
Peggy blinked, momentarily surprised by the directness of her guest’s declaration. She gathered herself quickly.
“Oh, it isn’t your doing, Lady Aleshire,” Peggy said with a graceful wave of her hand, her tone light but firm. “And while I appreciate the gesture, I would prefer to keep the likes of Mrs. Pattons out of my house and life. I shan’t want any further associations with her.”
Lady Aleshire frowned slightly, though her expression remained kind. “Oh, but it is only proper that she apologizes,” she insisted, leaning forward slightly, her eyes searching Peggy’s face. “And you were not at today’s meeting. Oh, do return to the club, my dear. Your presence and participation cannot compare to anything,” she added earnestly.
Peggy smiled faintly at the compliment, though she detected the hint of pleading beneath Lady Aleshire’s words. “I have no intentions of quitting the charity club, I assure you,” she said, meeting the woman’s gaze with quiet resolve. “Certainly not because of someone as petty as Mrs. Pattons. I simply took today off to tend to some household matters that required my attention.”
Lady Aleshire exhaled audibly, her relief palpable. “Oh, that is a comfort to hear,” she said, her shoulders relaxing as her smile brightened. “I should hate for us to lose you over such foolishness.”
Peggy inclined her head graciously, but before she could respond, Lady Aleshire continued with sudden enthusiasm. “Since you would prefer not to have Mrs. Pattons brought to your house, I shall call an emergency meeting on Wednesday and have her apologize to you there.”
Peggy’s brow furrowed in concern. “Oh, you needn’t do that just for me. I shan’t want to inconvenience the other ladies. They may very well have prior plans for their Wednesdays.”
Lady Aleshire waved away her protest with a practiced air. “It is no trouble at all. We set aside our Wednesdays for such contingencies, you see. We’ve had numerous impromptu meetings in the past. It would hardly come as a surprise to the women—nothing they are not already accustomed to.”
Peggy hesitated, still unsure, but Lady Aleshire pressed on. “Besides,” she added with a meaningful look, “there is still muchto discuss and plan after the ball. We cannot afford to fall behind in our preparations.”
At last, Peggy inclined her head with a small, measured smile. “Very well, Lady Aleshire. If you are quite certain, then I shall attend.”
“Splendid,” Lady Aleshire said, clapping her hands together softly. “It is settled, then. You shall see Mrs. Pattons humbled, and we shall press forward with our plans.”
As tea was served and the conversation turned to lighter topics, Peggy couldn’t help but feel a flicker of satisfaction at Lady Aleshire’s resolve. She had allies in this club, and for all of Mrs. Pattons’s barbs, Peggy realized she was not nearly as isolated as she might have feared.
Wednesday arrived swiftly, and Peggy entered the charity club meeting with her head held high. The room was abuzz with its usual chatter, though there was a distinct air of anticipation surrounding the proceedings. True to her word, Lady Aleshire had orchestrated the moment Peggy had been promised.
Mrs. Pattons stood before her, her expression tight and her lips pressed into a thin line. “I... I must apologize, Your Grace,” she began, though her tone lacked any true contrition. “It seems I may have spoken out of turn the other day.”
Peggy inclined her head slightly, her hands clasped neatly before her. “Indeed,” she said, her tone calm but firm. She waited,allowing the silence to stretch just long enough for Mrs. Pattons to shift uncomfortably.
After enduring a few more half-hearted mutterings of regret, Peggy raised a brow and said, “Do you know why we have to mine for gemstones, Mrs. Pattons?”
The unexpected question drew a ripple of murmurs through the room. Mrs. Pattons blinked, clearly taken aback. “I—” she began, but faltered.
Peggy offered a small, serene smile and continued, “Because efforts must be made for the best. It is not always the loudest or most prominent stones that are the most valuable. No, the treasures among them, the very best, are often the most unassuming. The most reserved.”
A hush fell over the room, save for the soft rustle of skirts as several ladies shifted in their seats. A few stifled snickers broke the silence, and Peggy’s gaze briefly met Lady Aleshire’s across the room. There was no mistaking the satisfaction in the older woman’s eyes, her lips twitching as though she fought to maintain decorum.
Mrs. Pattons’s face turned a brilliant shade of crimson, her mortification as palpable as the smug amusement radiating from several of the other ladies. Her hands twisted the lace handkerchief in her grasp, though she managed to stammer out, “A... a thoughtful sentiment, Your Grace.”
“Indeed,” Peggy said again, her smile unwavering as she inclined her head graciously. Her point had been made, and she had no intention of belaboring it. “Now, shall we return to the agenda for the day? I believe there is much to be done following the ball.”
As the meeting continued, Peggy noticed the whispers of approval shared between her allies, and the satisfaction in her chest only grew. By the time the gathering concluded and she returned home, her spirits were considerably lighter.
As she stepped into the entryway, Barrow approached with a slight bow. “Your Grace,” he said, holding out a folded missive. “This was delivered for you.”
