Page 109 of Ironvine

“Ah..a compliment from you at last.”

“Tell me, Lord Ryvves, were you bothered that I had your brother in my bed?”

“In faith, I was only bothered for Hugh because he had no idea the kind of manipulative beast you are. Now he’s dead, and here you are looking for your next victim.”

Her eyes blazed, and her jaw tightened. “I was the victim. He was the liar.”

“What did he lie to you about?”

“I expected more from him. Much more.” She averted her gaze.

“And what in God’s name was that?”

She gave her empty glass to a passing servant. “You are boring me, Charles. Go find your new wife and bore her instead.”

“I gladly take my leave of you, Mrs. Treharne.” He stalked away from her and took in a deep breath to relieve himself of the stench.

ChapterForty-Eight

Georgina

Georgina was seatedat the right hand of the Duchess, a great honour that neither she nor Charles had expected as he left her to sit at the opposite end of the grand table by the Duke. They had just finished their soup course, and the roast meats had arrived at the table.

“How are you finding married life, Lady Ryvves?”

“I am liking it very much, Your Grace.”

“He’s a good husband to you?”

“He is. I’ve known Charles all my life, so we are not complete strangers to one another.”

“Ah, so you were friends before you married? As were the Duke and I. I believe those sorts of marriages to be the hardiest.”

“My good friend Lady Graven and her husband were also friends from childhood before they wed. And their marriage is the strongest and the happiest that I have ever known.”

“When two people are betrothed and have not even met yet, those marriages are like games of chance.”

“Oh, I quite agree.”

“It must have been a great shock to your husband to claim the title after his brother’s untimely death?”

“It was indeed. He had just lost his father and now to lose his brother was quite difficult.”

“Duelling is a dirty business, but one must stand up for one’s honour.” The Duchess cut into her fillet.

“Yes, one must.”

“Shocking that they both died, don’t you think?”

Georgina pushed the small forkful of carrots down the throat quickly, her back straightening even more than it already was. The Duchess was asking her probing questions in a very casual manner about Hugh’s death. Charles’s warning to be careful with Her Grace flashed in her memory.

“Most unusual, yes. One fell immediately and the other, unfortunately, suffered his wound.”

“No one truly triumphs in these situations.”

“No, indeed.” Georgina’s fingers slid around her wine glass.

Several more courses came and went. The precision of the servants in the dining room kept the spectacle and the serving rolling along smoothly.

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