Page 103 of Ironvine

“You’re joking!” Georgina burst out.

“I am not.” Charles’s somber gaze remained fixed on the invitation.

The servant had brought them their mail as they’d finished breakfast, and the Oakley seal had, of course, been the most prominent in the pile.

“They’re here? At their house? At Tidesfar?”

“They are indeed.”

“Are we going? We are still in mourning.”

He let out a ragged breath. “It’s not a ball or a dance, at least. We can’t not attend. In recent years, the Duke and Duchess have only taken residency here at their country estate but once a year and then for barely a month’s time. The first week they always have a dinner party for the local nobility.” His features remained shuttered.

She put down her tea cup. “You do not wish to go?”

“We must go. Our families share a history, other than Hugh. My grandfather hunted with the Duke’s grandfather, my father hunted with the Duke’s father—both here at Ironvine and at their estate—and later, Father hunted and kept company with His Grace when he first inherited his title.”

“Did that continue even when Hugh and the Duchess …”

“It stopped then, much to my father’s great displeasure.” He let out a short laugh as he handed her the invitation. “Of course, Father was proud of Hugh for taking up with her, only he didn’t expect it to go on for as long as it did.”

Georgina read the beautifully written invitation. “We shall attend and show them and everyone that there is no ill will between our houses. It shall also be an opportunity to get to know them better now that you are Earl, and judge their behaviour toward us, for if they did have something to do with Hugh’s death…”

Charles folded his hands on the table. “I will tell you once more, tread carefully with them. Theirs is no ordinary playground.”

There’s an intriguing turn of phrase,she thought. “Of course.” Georgina knew this would be a perfect opportunity for her to get closer to the Duchess. To offer her the gift she’d made. Another thought occurred to her. Would the Duchess wear the Graven necklace to the dinner where Justine and Brandon would surely be present?

She gave the invitation back to Charles. “As it shall be our first social event as the Earl and Countess of Ryvves, I want to look my very best. I shall certainly need an exceedingly fine dress in black, of course, and shoes and…”

“Do what you will, Georgie. You have access to your own money, you don’t need to ask me for it.” Charles went through the other letters.

She let out a small breath.Of course. Charles had done that for her, hadn’t he?

Very much unlike her sister who had to ask her husband for every little thing she wished to shop for. She’d even refined different tones of voice depending on the cost of each article she hoped to purchase. Philippa would then judge the best time to make such requests so her husband would be agreeable.

Her lips tipped up into a smile. Not Georgina. No.

“And I have you to thank for that.” She squeezed his arm. “I’d best go to Mrs. Thompson’s in the village without delay and put in my order.” She dashed off.

In the hall, she stopped herself, dashed back into the room, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

ChapterForty-Six

Charles

“The Earl of Ryvves,the Countess of Ryvves,” the herald announced their arrival at the Duke of Oakley’s dinner.

They were greeted by the Duke and Duchess. Georgina was relieved to see that Her Grace was not wearing the Wolfsgate necklace this evening, but another no less impressive piece, this one dripping with diamonds and sapphires which made her even more striking than she already was.

“Ryvves, a pleasure,” the Duke greeted Charles. His Grace’s gleaming, aqua blue gaze hit Georgina like the summer sun, rendering one helpless in its glare. “My dear, how lovely to see you again. Marriage certainly has made you even more beautiful than you already were in London.” He took her hand in his and kissed it. Charles’s jaw clenched.

“Thank you, Your Grace.”

“My lord,” said the Duchess on a smile in a perfectly gracious and pleasant tone. “Congratulations on your marriage.”

“I thank you, Your Grace,” replied Charles.

Her Grace took Georgina’s hand in hers. “Countess, I longed to see you again since we met at the ball in London. I so enjoyed our brief time together there.”

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