Page 26 of Masquerading with the Duke
‘I have enjoyed it too,’ she replied and he could see that the admission surprised her. ‘And thank you on behalf of Leo for catching him such fine specimens. Balance in the nursery will be restored, thanks to you.’
Jared chuckled. ‘It was entirely my pleasure.’ He handed the jar to her. ‘I had best collect my horse and return home before I outstay my welcome. Good afternoon to you.’
She smiled, bobbed a curtsey and walked away from him without looking back.
Chapter Seven
‘You don’t appear to have overlooked anything, Sara,’ Frankie said to Max’s wife the following afternoon as to the two ladies poured over the arrangements for the masquerade. ‘But then I should be surprised if you had. You really are remarkably good at organising, and no detail is too small to warrant your attention.’
‘Well, I ought to be proficient at it by now. I had enough trouble juggling things when I was a glorified dogsbody at the orphanage, attempting to make sure that the children got the care they deserved when there was precious little money to make it possible. This is vastly different. Everyone who is anyone within a fifty-mile radius of Winchester has heard of the masquerade and is desperate to receive an invitation from the influential Duchess of Winchester.’ Sara chuckled. ‘You would be astonished if you knew of some of the devious methods ladies have employed in an attempt to have their names included on the guestlist. Never has the orphanage received so many unsolicited donations.’
‘Well then, we have achieved our aim. It doesn’t matter to me why people give their money, only that they should.’
‘Quite, and you can be sure that those who are invited will dig deep into their pockets, making sure you are aware of the extent of their generosity.’
‘Goodness. I had no idea that our little dance would prove quite such a draw.’
Sara’s smile widened. ‘Then you are being very naïve, Frankie, but that’s typical of your modesty. Be assured that your seal of approval is in great demand. Hostesses who can lay claim to having entertained you and Zach are assured of being invited everywhere.’
‘I realise that social acceptability is important to a lot of people, but I can’t help thinking of the days before Zach and I married, when I lived in the district as a widow with a questionable reputation. I had no desire to embrace society, nor it me. Now I’m a duchess and everyone wants to know me.’
‘So make the most of it. Exploit your situation for the good of the orphanage.’
Both ladies laughed.
‘We go up to London so seldom, and don’t accept many invitations even when we do,’ Frankie said in a reflective tone. ‘We’ve made ourselves desirable by being so exclusive, I suppose, but it isn’t deliberate.’
‘I know that very well.’ Sara sipped at her tea. ‘I much prefer to remain here in Hampshire. Fortunately, so does Max, so I don’t feel as though I am depriving him of…well, whatever it is about elitetonnishcompany that many find so desirable.’
‘Living for so long in Boston, the questionable delights of London’s society at play will have passed Max by.’
‘That is one aspect of his enforced absence from English shores that I know he doesn’t regret,’ Sara said, smiling.
‘I’m sorry I couldn’t invite more than two hundred guests,’ Frankie said, returning her attention to their lists. ‘Keeping the numbers down means less income for the orphanage, but two hundred in our ballroom will be quite enough of a squeeze. We cannot accommodate more.’
‘I assume everyone has accepted,’ Sara said with a wry smile.
‘There are still a few more replies to come but yes, so far they are all delighted to commit to the event.’ Frankie paused. ‘I have one more name for the list. I intend to invite Mr Braden.’
‘Ah yes, our new neighbour. Have you met him? He’s been to see Max about his personal affairs, and Max liked him.’
‘Yes, I have made his acquaintance and you will this evening too, when you dine here. I have invited him as well. He’s very personable.’ Frankie chuckled. ‘Zach accuses me of scheming to marry him off, but he’s quite wrong. I have absolutely no one in mind for him. Besides, I understand he has just escaped from Clarence’s far-reaching tentacles, so the poor man deserves to be left to settle into his life as a country gentleman without interference from those of us who are not well acquainted with him.’
Sara grinned, the gesture highlighting her lovely features. ‘I hear he is very handsome, and well situated, so you can be sure that the local matrons with daughters to marry off will not be so circumspect.’
‘Very likely not.’ Frankie reapplied herself to their lists. ‘Anyway, Sara, what do you think of this menu I have drawn up for the supper buffet?’
The ladies pored over the menu in question but were interrupted by the arrival of Nia.
‘Vince has gone in search of Zach and Amos,’ she said, kissing Frankie and Sara. ‘He said he would only be in the way in here with us. I believe he said something about helping to move the cattle down from the top acres. Apparently, the hot spell has dried up their water supply.’
Frankie smiled. ‘Zach and his brothers don’t need to involve themselves, but naturally they will. The three of them will enjoy charging about on horseback, even in all this heat, pretending to be adolescents again.’
‘Given the responsibilities that Zach has to discharge on a daily basis,’ Nia mused, ‘I suppose one cannot deny him an hour or two’s puerile pleasure.’
‘I would be the last to do so,’ Frankie replied, ‘but it will not prevent me from teasing him about it.’
Absolutely,’ Nia agreed, thanking Frankie when she poured tea and passed her a cup. ‘What can I do to help?’
