Entangled (The Duel Book 1) by Mary Lancaster

Author:Mary Lancaster [Lancaster, Mary]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Historical
Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing, Inc.
Published: 2023-03-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Eleven

Rosamund was surprised to see that for the second day running, all the family present at Cuttyngs gathered in the drawing room before dinner. Even Victor had abandoned his books again, almost as though he planned to take his position of duke and head of the family seriously.

As Rosamund entered with Sophia behind her, she heard Lady Hadleigh saying waspishly, “She has countermanded several of my orders concerning tea after the burial and my allotment of bedchambers for—”

She broke off as she caught sight of Rosamund and sniffed. Rosamund didn’t break her stride. “For Lord Frostbrook and Lord Nimmot,” she said smoothly. “You had assigned Nimmot to the room that is now Miss Wallace’s. Nor do I wish any stranger so close to my apartments. I wasn’t even aware these gentlemen were staying until Mrs. Irwin informed me.”

Rosamund and Sophia accepted the glasses of sherry offered by the footman, who then departed.

“I invited them,” Anthony said apologetically. “I’m sorry if it displeases you, but old Dorrick told me they were mentioned in His Grace’s will.”

Lady Hadleigh smiled, as though that was Rosamund’s guns spiked. “And the catering matter—”

“Will remain as I ordered,” Rosamund said pleasantly.

Lady Hadleigh’s eyes spat venom, though she swung hastily on her nephew. “Victor—”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Aunt, let it be!” Victor snapped. “Her Grace is undoubted mistress of Cuttyngs and will order things as she sees fit.”

“Though it was kind of you to try to help,” Hera soothed, causing Rosamund to glance at her shrewdly. Try to help. It seemed to Rosamund that there was more malice than comfort in Hera’s words, and the tiniest flicker of the girl’s gleaming gaze in Rosamund’s direction confirmed it.

Once, such support from her stepchildren would have meant the world to Rosamund. Now, it still warmed the edges of her heart, for her brief conversation with Victor had given her an understanding of their cold, lonely lives that she had never truly grasped before. Beneath it, they were struggling to be good people, as though their father’s death had finally granted them permission.

It began to seem that she could actually be comfortable here. Now that mere comfort was no longer enough. The image of Giles Butler, never far away, swam in front of her eyes and she had to banish it.

But there was one more matter to make clear, so she accepted Anthony’s arm to lead her into the dining room. Forcing him to walk a little faster than those behind, she said, “You invited Lord Nimmot to stay. Did you also invite him to escort me back to Cuttyngs?”

“He was happy to help. In fact, I believe he was hurt by your brusque rejection of his escort.”

“Is that what you believe?” Rosamund said, making no effort to hide her sarcasm. “Then please note my instruction. You will never invite him anywhere near my presence again. I will tolerate his staying tomorrow night, but unless Victor bids it, he will never stay under this roof again.”

Surprise widened his eyes. “Your Grace, I don’t think you quite understand—”

“I understand perfectly.

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