Page 107 of Ironvine

“Alice is here with you this evening, is she not?” asked Georgina.

“She is. She went for a turn about the room with a very handsome young gentleman.”

“Did she?” Charles smiled at his aunt.

“One would need a companion to take a turn in such a house, for it would be too easy to get lost in this grandpalais,” Aunt Vivian remarked.

Matthew drew up next to Aunt Vivian with Alice on his arm, and Georgina visibly stiffened.

“Georgina, how good it is to see you again.” Alice bowed to Georgina in greeting. “Charles. How wonderful that the two of you are married. So very romantic of you.”

“Oh indeed. Very romantic,” Matthew’s voice jeered at them. “Countess.” Matthew inclined his head. “Ryvves.”

“Mr. Penry took us on a turn around the room. This house is quite extraordinary. More like a royal palace,” said Alice, a nervous giggle curling under her words.

“We were just saying the very thing. It is indeed a spectacular house,” said Georgina.

“In truth, the Oakleys have, for centuries, been close to the royal family,” remarked Charles.

“Really?” said Alice.

Aunt Vivian recounted an occasion from her youth when the Prince of Wales had visited the present Duke’s parents.

“How wonderful,” murmured Alice.

Matthew turned toward Charles and Georgina, a twist to his lips. “Congratulations are indeed in order. Married hot on the heels of Hugh’s untimely death. Last time we saw each other, Ryvves—” his voice jeered emphatically on Charles’s title— “your brother and your wife were kissing, eh, Georgina? Stealing your brother’s bride is certainly romantic.”

“I was never Hugh’s bride,” said Georgina cooly.

Charles leaned into Matthew, his face stony, lips snarling, voice stinging. “My wife’s name shall never again pass from your foul lips. Do you understand, Mr. Penry? My wife is the Countess of Ryvves to you.”

“Yes, indeed, she is.” Matthew swallowed hard, his face paled.

“Never speak to either of us ever again or speak of us for you shall suffer the cut from me, and what fun that shall be.”

Matthew’s eyes widened, his lips fell open. “I was only—”

“Leave us.”

Matthew’s shoulders stiffened and he bowed curtly. Turning to Alice and Aunt Vivian, he bowed and took his leave.

Charles put his hand on his wife’s back and her gaze met his. He was relieved to see that she did not seem distressed.

“How wonderful that the possibility of suffering social exile from the Earl of Ryvves is a dire penalty Mr. Penry can ill afford at present.”

“How so?”

“That night at Vauxhall Thomas told me that Matthew’s family is very much in debt.”

“Are they?”

“Last month his family’s circumstances drastically changed with a bad investment he and his father had made, but their love of spending did not alter.”

“Thus he is in wont of a wealthy wife.”

“Which is why my brother was so irritated with me and Matthew at Vauxhall that night. Even though he considers Matthew a friend, he wanted me to stay clear of him.”

“Even your brother did not trust his own friend’s intentions with his very wealthy sister.” Charles’s eyes narrowed at Matthew taking Alice on his arm once again.

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