Athena

Chapter 11

"Now, remember, Daphne," Athena admonished as they were shown into a drawing room at the Wexford residence. "You are not happy with your betrothed because he has not been to see you. I do not want you to dissolve into tears and throw yourself into his arms the moment you see him. This is one time in your life, dear, you need to keep a very stiff upper lip." The door opened and Wexford walked in.

"Daphne!" he cried and came forward with his hands outstretched. Daphne glared and turned her back on him, her lips quivering.

Athena nodded to him curtly. "We've come on business, my lord."

Taken aback, the earl sighed and indicated they should all sit. "I've taken the liberty of ordering refreshments."

"Thank you." Athena patted Daphne's arm, but she pulled away and took a chair near the window, looking anywhere but at Wexford. Athena supposed it was for the best, for now. Despite the seriousness of the call, there was no way she was leaving until these two had a few moments alone to kiss, make up and set a wedding date. But first things first.

She watched Wexford as servants came in almost immediately with cakes and glasses of lemonade. He kept darting longing glances at Daphne. Athena had been perturbed by the handsome, blonde young man's recent attitude toward her sister, but was encouraged when he paid more attention to watching her sister than he did her.

"If it is about not visiting your sister, Miss Caldwell, I can explain..."

"You may do that in a moment," she crisply replied. "But not to me." She looked at Daphne, whose spine stiffened at her sister's words. Athena willed her to keep that stance just a while longer as she rummaged in her reticule and produced the packet of vowels.

"I've come to show you something, my lord." She handed over one of the slips of paper, but felt no satisfaction as his eyes widened. Her own parent was not known for avoiding embarrassment in his children and she could sympathize with his reaction.

"How many do you have?" he croaked.

"Enough."

"How much do I owe you?"

"Nothing. These are not for sale. They are merely insurance against the future. I'm going to say something now, Wexford, that I hope you never hear again." She leaned forward. "My sister does not deserve a spineless mama's boy who allows himself to be kept on leading strings to the point where he acts as if his betrothal never happened."

He started to speak, but she held up a hand.

"What Daphne needs is a man who will put her and her children first. I intend to see that she gets that, and if it won't be you, it will be someone else. Do I make myself clear?" He nodded. "Good. That is why you may have a third of these." She handed over a few more papers. "You may do with them what you wish. A third of these belong to Daphne and I shall keep the others. For now."

She thought, perhaps, if someone would have her - a special someone even now faking an injury at her aunt's house - she would give her stack to him. He was so capable of handling all her other problems, after all. But she wasn't going to have him keep them for her until she had it out with him. She had no intention of starting a new life with Swindon until everything was out on the table between them. And she needed to give Wexford and Daphne time to do the same.

"I think you know what you have to do now, my lord." She rose, and Wexford politely followed suit. But before she gave them a few private moments, she walked over to her sister and pressed a portion of the vowels into Daphne's hands.

"There's a kind, handsome man over there, dearest, who wishes to speak to you now. I think you should go to him."

Daphne began to cry, and was out of her chair and in Wexford's arms before Athena could filch a tea cake and quit the room. But the older sister wore a smile as she found a seat in the hall.

"I think they will be too involved with each other to think of anything as mundane as a cup of tea. Could you oblige me, please?" she asked the footman on duty outside the door. Daphne's sudden wailing was just as suddenly cut off without a sound, and the lady and the servant exchanged amused grins.

"Yes, Miss. Right away."

If Athena had not already had enough of gambling, she might have wagered with herself over who would appear first - the footman and her tea, the reuniting couple or Lady Wexford. Fortunately, the tea came before Lady Wexford stormed in through the front door.

"Where is she?" the countess shouted.

Athena waved merrily from her post by the drawing room door. "Lovely day, isn't it?" she called back.

"You!" Lady Wexford descended on her. "I can't believe what you have done!"

Athena paled. Surely Lady Wexford did not recognize her from the gaming hell? The countess' next words, however, put her mind to rest on that subject.

"I cannot believe you gave my son all of my gaming debts! More fool you! I'll only get them all back from him, you know," she said with a not-so-very-nice smile.

"You could, if he had them all," Athena replied in a saccharine voice. "I'm not so foolish as all that. My sister holds a third of them and I own another third. I think Wexford is the perfect husband for my sister, but he is going to need some incentive, isn't he, not to slip back into the role of being your dogsbody." Her eyes twinkled with mirth, as if this were hilarious. "My sister and your son will be very happy together, I'm sure, once they are allowed to live their own lives."

"He'll never set a wedding date, you know," Lady Wexford sneered. "I'll see to that!"

"My sister has strict instructions not to leave that drawing room until they have agreed on a date, so either way, they are getting married soon. On the date they set or the one my Papa decides upon once I tell him his daughter spent more than fifteen minutes alone with Wexford."

Lady Wexford blanched, recalling Thaddeus' gossip concerning Sir Edward and Mrs. Browne.

"Precisely," Athena said, watching the color drain from her ladyship's face. "Could you get the countess some tea?" she asked the helpful young footman, who had been hovering nearby. Footsteps were heard down the hall, as if the entire household had been listening in.

"Make it a brandy," Lady Wexford said weakly, placing herself in a chair across from Athena.

"If it is any consolation, my lady, Mrs. Browne has offered to assist with the preparations. She says your dining room is large enough for a proper wedding breakfast."

The countess thought of working with that lady and gave Athena a sour smile. She knew when she had been beaten. "That would be lovely."

A half hour later, a flushed and smiling couple emerged from the drawing room. By then, Athena had encouraged Lady Wexford to polish off the brandy, even going as far as to take a little splash of it in her own tea.

"Daphne and I are to be married at the end of the month, Mother."

"Yes, yes," she giddily replied. "Mrs. Browne will have breakfast here..."

Wexford looked to Athena for explanation, but she shrugged and pointed innocently at the decanter sitting next to the countess on a console table.

"Is she ... foxed?" Daphne whispered.

"She has been celebrating your upcoming wedding in advance, I think." Athena rose. "I would take care that she doesn't replace faro with brandy, my lord. Will you bring her to dine with us on Saturday? I am sure I shall you see you sooner." She smiled at the fatuous grins the couple exchanged and took Daphne's arm. "We shall look forward to your visit."

As they reached the front door, Lord Wexford escorting them, Lord Thaddeus came up the walk, dressed to perfection and carrying a large bouquet.

"Is the countess at home?" he asked the earl with a hopeful expression.

"Yes, she is. Won't you come with me, Lord Thaddeus?" Wexford replied without batting an eyelid.

"Thank you, Thaddy," Athena cooed in the older man's ear in passing. The two exchanged winks and continued on their way -- he to call on Lady Wexford and she to go home to face a few more people.

Lady Wexford was still seated in the chair when her son escorted Lord Thaddeus into the hall.

"Oh, it's you." Her bleary eyes looked him up and down. "You clean up rather nicely."

"I say, Regina. Are you foxed?"

"Don't be silly, Thaddeus. I was just havin' a little..." She hiccuped and giggled. "...Celebratory drink with Miss Caldwell." She looked about owlishly. "Where did she go?"

Thaddeus chuckled lightly and thrust his flowers into the footman's arms. "Do something with these, my good man. I was going to ask you to go for a drive, Regina, but I don't think you are well enough. Liable to fall right out of my phaeton," he mused to no one in particular. "What?" he exclaimed as Wexford, the countess and the footman all stared at him with their mouths open.

The footman recovered first, mindful of his position, and scurried off to do as the older man had instructed.

"You've come to visit Mama?" Wexford asked.

"Ain't you never seen a gentleman call on your mother before?" When Wexford shook his head, Thaddeus laughed. "Well, don't just stand there, lad! Let's get your Mama into the parlor. And then you can go off to call on the Caldwell chit. That's what you want, isn't it, boy? You can leave me here to entertain Regina." They half walked, half carried the tipsy countess into a room and laid her out on the sofa.

"There you go," Thaddeus said tenderly. "I'll be here when you return," he told the earl. "I'm inviting myself to dinner, you know."

Lady Wexford groaned. "You are not staying for dinner. Besides, you aren't dressed for it."

"We can dine in here. Or upstairs," he added suggestively, "if your cub gets asked to dine with his lady love."

"Thaddeus!" Lady Wexford giggled. "Not in front of James!"

"Awww, lad ain't that green, is he?" He looked at Wexford. "Or maybe he is. I tell you what, Wex... I know a place where they'll make a man of you overnight..."

"Out!" Lady Wexford sat up and pointed toward the hall. "I want you... out." Her hand wavered and then dropped to her side. Wexford obediently headed for the door.

"It's a sad day for mankind," Thaddeus said, shaking his head, "when a man of twenty-five follows his mother's orders and needs a few facts explained to him."

Wexford stopped in his tracks and turned.

"I don't need anything explained, sir," he said softly. "But I thank you for the offer. I'm sure my mother will sleep easier tonight knowing I won't be out on the town furthering my education. However, in the future, I would thank you not to speak of such things in front of her."

Lady Wexford beamed at her son.

"I would thank you, though, for offering to keep Mama company. But the truth is, she needs to learn to entertain herself. I won't always be available to attend her every whim, and if you are offering yourself as a replacement, I suggest, sir, that you run now, whilst you can."

"James!" his mother exclaimed, and then flopped back down against the side of the sofa.

"It's true." He walked over, bent down and kissed her cheek. "You need a hobby that does not include strong drink or cards. Why don't you try learning to knit? Or better yet, take up the pianoforte again?"

"But ... but..."

"Good day to you, Lord Thaddeus. If I am invited to dine with the Caldwells, I shall send word. In the meantime, try not to corrupt my mother more than necessary, will you? She's quite prone to vice, you know."

Thaddeus laughed with delight. "Yes, sir! I'll do my best." He shot Lady Wexford a wicked grin. "But I make no promises, either way."

"Thaddeus! James! Come back!" the countess called to her son's retreating figure. "Don't leave me alone with this devil!"

Wexford waved, but kept going.

"Well!" Thaddeus said when the younger man was gone. "The pup has teeth! Glad to see it, glad to see it."

"I'm not! Knitting, indeed..." She yawned. "I have better things to do with my time."

"Not at the moment." He pulled a throw off a nearby chair and draped it over her. "You need to sleep off the rest of that brandy."

She nodded and closed her eyes, but she did not drift off right away. "Thaddy?"

"Hmm?" He had settled in the chair and propped his Hessians on the table in front of him.

"Will you be here when I wake up?"

"Do you wish me to be?"

"Yes."

"Then I will. Can I stay for dinner?"

"Yes."

"Upstairs?"

"No."

He sighed and picked up a newspaper to read. There would be time to work on wearing her down later, after she woke up.

Chapter 12

The Caldwells received the news of Daphne's imminent wedding with much rejoicing. Athena, feeling rather proud of herself, sat back and happily watched her sister be the center of attention. Aunt Florence sent a quick note off to Beatrice and Hayle, inviting them to a celebratory dinner, and Fran and Gabby began to plan their bridesmaids' gowns.

"I'm not sure what you did to bring this about, Athena," Mrs. Browne said softly as she sat down at her side. "And perhaps I don't want to know. But whatever it was, you did a good thing."

"How do you know it was me?"

"Who else? I've known all along who makes things happen in this family. Oh, I like your father very much and we are going to be very happy together in the near future, but I know he is not the sort to put events in motion. I didn't get my late husband ahead in his career by not knowing who was doing all the work. You are a credit to this family, my dear, and one day soon I shall be proud to call you daughter. As well as 'Your Grace,' perhaps?" she added with a wink.

Athena, not daring to comment on the second remark, could see now why Mr. Browne had been a force to be reckoned with in the political world - his wife didn't miss a trick. "I have thought recently that you would make an excellent baronet's lady and mother to this circus. Now I know you will," she said with a smile.

"Why do you think I counseled your father on letting us all stay in London? Everyone needed to be here. Oh, there are a few things to be ironed out yet..."

The butler announced that Sir Thomas Marlowe had called and awaited Miss Caldwell and Miss Eve in the little parlor.

"I knew something was not quite right with Eve and Sir Thomas last night," the widowed murmured. "But I think between the two of you, you will get it all set to rights. Let me know if I can help."

Athena nodded and went with Eve to the smaller parlor down the hall, where Sir Thomas was pacing up and down in front of an unlit hearth. Athena pulled her shawl about herself and curtsied to their visitor. Eve nodded and sat on the sofa with an injured air.

"I won't give in easily," she whispered and Athena flashed her an encouraging smile.

"You wished to see us, Sir Thomas?" Athena asked when it seemed Eve was not going to speak directly to the baronet.

"Er, yes. I suppose Miss Eve has told you what I foolishly implied during our conversation last night?"

Athena nodded and Eve gave an unladylike snort. Like Daphne, she would not look at the gentleman. Unlike her sister, she was not the type to fling herself into his arms. At least, Athena hoped not. They weren't betrothed like Daphne and Wexford, and she was not even sure Eve was up to pursuing this interest anymore.

And there was another consideration here - one of age. Eve was eighteen and Sir Thomas was thirty-five, if he was a day. It was not uncommon for couples to have such a gap in ages, and Eve had always been mature for hers ... Athena would have to ask Mrs. Browne's opinion on this one, just in case.

"I hope you will accept my apology for mentioning such things, Miss Caldwell. I should never have said anything at all."

Eve snorted again, as if in agreement, and Athena gave her a nudge with her elbow. Even if her sister was upset, she should still be civil.

"I am not truly offended, sir," Athena admitted. "But while I am flattered by your interest, I must tell you that my heart belongs elsewhere."

Eve looked up then, her face wreathed with smiles. "Athena! It's the duke, isn't it? Of course it is! He's perfect for you! Oh, wait till I tell everyone else!"

"Calm down, dearest," Athena said with a laugh. She could not deny the joy she felt in making such a confession. "I shall tell everyone in my own time and my own way. After I speak with - oh, no!" She stood up and stared at her sister in horror. "I was supposed to see him when I..." She sat back down. "I shall sit here while you apologize to my sister," she told Sir Thomas rather primly. "And then I shall attend the duke."

If Sir Thomas felt any pain at her admission of loving another, he gave no outward sign and she could only hope he had not yet fully committed himself.

"I wish you happy, Miss Caldwell," he said politely. "And I applaud you on your decision to remain here for the moment. If His Grace is eager for your presence, your prolonged absence can only add to his ardor."

Athena blushed and Eve cleared her throat.

"Ah, yes," Sir Thomas continued hastily. "My apology. First, may I say that I am not accustomed to being questioned or contradicted. Even after I married, my late wife agreed with everything I said or decided. To find myself chastised on the dance floor at the assembly was, I'll admit, a novelty. I reacted rather rudely and rashly, Miss Eve, and I am sorry for my words."

"I'm glad to hear it." Eve rose and held out a hand to their guest. "Apology accepted. Good day, sir."

"But ... but..."

"There was more?" she asked archly.

"I ... er ... I am no good at this," he admitted. "I wished to ask if you would allow me to call tomorrow." He was looking at Eve when he spoke, so there could be no doubt as to whom he intended to visit.

"How nice of you to wish to bring Peter over to visit Harry."

He hesitated. "That is not exactly what I had in mind."

"Oh. Then you wish to take them on an outing and you will call here for Harry?" Eve asked innocently. Sir Thomas seemed to give up at that point because he sighed and mumbled something about cheeky mice.

Eve gave him a sweet smile and offered to see him to the door. Athena waited until they were down the hall before she gave in to her laughter. Evidently her little sister had decided confusion was the best state in which to keep Sir Thomas for a while.

"Where the devil have you been?" the duke demanded when Athena was admitted later to his room.

"I have been out doing great and important things," she loftily replied. "So stop acting like an infant."

"I didn't think you were coming back to see me," he said peevishly.

"As you reminded me earlier," she waspishly replied, "I had work to do."

"I know. I'm behaving beastly, aren't I? But confound it, Athena, I need to know what is going on!"

"You would know everything without my retelling if you would quit pretending your ankle was keeping you in bed. You still need to tell me why you are doing it."

"Did you like your first taste of a gaming hell?"

"So much so, it will probably be my last visit, as well," she said dryly. She could see she was not going to get a straight answer to her question. "Your uncle had a much better time of it, but I believe he enjoys baiting Lady Wexford. When he is not bringing her flowers, of course."

The duke sat up straighter and stared at her in disbelief. Athena was pleased to get back a little of her own.

"Flowers? That's rich! He despises her!"

"I wouldn't be too sure of that, but as I was leaving Wexford's just as he arrived, he could have dipped the thorns in poison for all I know."

"So you had enough to go to Wexford. I knew you would. Uncle Thaddy knows his faro. But you did not come to see me last night."

"I was waylaid by a distraught sister. Eve and Sir Thomas Marlowe disagreed on whether or not I make a good brood mare, and she was worried afterwards that she had ruined her chances with him." Athena was still standing, and at some distance, and he motioned for her to come closer. She moved to the side of the bed, but stayed just out of his reach.

"And has she?"

"Not a bit. He just called to apologize, she led him a merry dance and now she has him wriggling like a lure on a hook."

The duke crowed with laughter. "You Caldwell women are bloody amazing! Miss Eve sounds as if she is taking after her eldest sister."

"I don't leave men dangling, Your Grace," she stiffly replied.

"Dash it all if you don't!" he exclaimed. "And speaking of sisters, how did it go with Miss Daphne and Wexford?"

"I gave Daphne the information she needed to know before we went there and she played the injured party to the hilt..."

"As well she should have."

"And after I gave her beloved a piece of my mind, I split the vowels three ways and then left them alone to kiss and make up. They are to be married before the end of the month."

"Excellent. Clever of you to break up the debts that way, as well."

"Thank you. And now, Your Grace, I wish to know why you persist in perpetuating this charade." She looked down at where she supposed his ankles lay whole and healthy under the coverlet.

"I shall tell you soon enough. In the meantime..." He climbed out of bed fully dressed and she stepped back, rolling her eyes.

"Do you ever quit acting?"

"I'll let you know when I am serious." He called for his valet, who stood just outside the open door. "Miss Caldwell wishes me to join her family now, Dormer. Will you bring me that cane?" He winked at Athena, who was fuming silently. "Won't everyone be pleased to see that I have graduated to a cane? And won't they be sorry to see me go home? Won't you be sorry to see me leave?"

Athena was not above telling an untruth, but only because he refused to take her seriously.

"No," she lied. "I shall be very glad to see the back of you."

"I can arrange that," he replied, waggling his eyebrows at her.

Athena blushed, realizing in hindsight that her words could be construed in more than one way. "That's n-n-not what I meant..." she stammered. "And you know it!"

"A gentleman can dream, can't he?" Taking the cane, he offered his free arm. "Come now, Athena. Don't be angry with me in private. We've the game to play just a wee bit longer, and then we'll have that serious talk."

"But I wish to talk now!"

He put his cane in the other hand and placed a finger on her lips. "Your wishes have been duly noted, my darling. And with a bit more patience on your part, everything will work in your favor." He started limping toward the door, taking her with him.

"Your darling?" It was the only word she heard and it stopped her cold. She had been longing to hear something of this sort, but he seemed so matter-of-fact, as if her love was a given. "You aren't serious."

"I'm being completely serious now -- and aren't you?" He started walking again.

"I had hoped for a little more declaration than that," she said, not allowing herself to move. And a little more ... devotion?

"Well, you shan't get it. Not until there is time for hearts and flowers and all the other rigmarole that goes into a real courtship. But I can promise you this: There will be time for us, sweetheart. Just not yet." He gave her arm a tug and she found herself out of the room and at the end of the hall before she could find her tongue.

"You seem so sure of yourself," she complained as they went slowly down the stairs. She was speaking of his confidence, not his stair-taking abilities.

"No. I am sure of us. However, we have the rest of your family to settle first. We can't run off and leave them in the lurch, can we, love?

Athena, wary of his promises and endearments, was amused in spite of herself. "You would run away with me afterwards, then?" she teased.

"Miss Caldwell! You're talking scandal! No, when we are ready, this is all going to be done right and tight, in a church in front of hundreds. I don't care for such chaos myself, but a duke has to do his duty... But you make me get ahead of myself and that's all the proposal you shall get for the moment."

"I suppose I shall have to take any crumb offered," Athena said with a frown. She smoothed out the front of her gown and completely missed the tender expression on his face.

"Good. Now, keep that Friday face and pretend you are vexed with me because I continue to be a nuisance."

"I am still somewhat vexed and you are a nuisance," she declared. They stopped just outside the parlor door. "Miles?"

"Yes, dearest?"

"Why do we have to put up a front again?"

"Do you think Miss Charlotte and Lord Adrian will see as much of each other if they are not in the same household? Woodley really does work, you know, and would be too busy to call if I were not here."

Athena could only agree with that.

"And Miss Eve might not be so bold with poor Sir Thomas if you were not here for support."

"True."

"Do you think your father would offer for Mrs. Browne if we were not about, planting such ideas in his head?"

Athena laughed. "I think Mrs. Browne is doing an admirable job in that department already, but a little push cannot hurt."

"Precisely. Besides, you and I work more effectively as a pair. Now scowl at me, darling, while we enter center stage."

"But I don't understand why we must continue this animosity when we both..."

There was no time to finish, because he had opened the door with his cane and began to call greetings to her family. She doubted she would get a good answer anyway. He was being particularly enigmatic and she wished to know why. No one in this household could possibly object to a union between them. With a frown that was not acting at all, she glared at him and flounced off to sit with her aunt.

Chapter 13

Athena was now bound and determined to get that declaration, especially since Swindon seemed equally determined to avoid any talk of that sort. She toyed briefly with the idea of seducing him and forcing his hand that way. After all, he was still under the same roof ... But in the end she couldn't do it, if only to avoid rejection. If he truly wanted her, wouldn't he have already done something about it?

The next day she tried always being in his room, bringing him his meals, fluffing his pillows and sitting in a corner reading a book and sketching his face. She occasionally asked if he needed anything. He spent the entire day either ignoring her to deal with a suddenly heavy load of work with his secretary, or airily informing her that he wanted for nothing.

In the meantime, Gabby decided she would sleep with Charlotte, and Eve happily moved in with Athena. Both Eve and Daphne seemed in awe of her for some reason, and Athena asked her sister about it that night as they were climbing into bed.

"We've always known who runs everything at home," Eve explained, "but you handled it all from behind the scenes. Here, we get to watch you settle everyone's business and we are quite amazed. Daphne told me what you said to Wexford."

"Was she terribly upset about it?"

"Oh, no! She thinks you are Athena incarnate! We could never be half as clever or as wise as you."

"You are off to a good start with Sir Thomas," Athena complimented her. The baronet had called that day with his son, and Harry had chattered afterward about nothing but the games they had played in the parlor before tea. "Are you still seriously interested?"

"Perhaps," Eve said with an enigmatic little smile. "It was fun today, and I do like spending time with the boys. But what about your day with His Grace?" she teased. "We hardly saw you all day. Has he declared himself yet?"

Athena shrugged, blew out the candles and snuggled down into the warm of the bed.

"We hardly spoke. He was much too busy to pay me any attention and if I hear the words ‘charitable contribution' one more time, I shall scream. Tomorrow I am going to stay out of his way."

"He won't like that," Eve warned. Attention or not, Eve knew her sister's feelings and she had seen the duke watch Athena's every move.

"That is unfortunate. I won't be at his beck and call! He's playing a deep game that I don't wish to be a part of." She knew, however, that it was too late. She had already played several roles in his little dramas and would, no doubt, do so again. All she wanted was to be the main act in his private play. It seemed she was doomed for the moment to be a supporting actress.

"That might work," Eve said in a dubious tone. "And if we hear him squawking for you, we will know it did."

Athena laughed along with her sister and they bid each other good night.

Athena's plans all seemed destined to fail. If she sat with the duke, he ignored her. If she ignored him, he bellowed her name until she came running, only to neglect her once again. On the fourth day, after watching Charlotte help Lord Adrian with his bookkeeping, seeing Daphne and Wexford living in each others' pockets and having Eve and Harry abandon her for tea with the Marlowes, she determined that she, Mrs. Browne, Francesca and Gabrielle would spend the day together.

"I don't want to do anything with Mrs. Browne," Gabby insisted when Athena suggested they all go to the modiste to order their gowns for the wedding.

"I hate to remind you of your manners, Gabby, dear, but you must be civil to her. And truly, she is a very nice lady. Come on... I shall help you and we will leave Mrs. Browne to Francesca." That would not be a problem. Fran adored the widow and would most happily, when the time came, be as close as any blood relation to the lady. With just the right provocation, Athena was sure Gabby could find something about Mrs. Browne she could like.

"If you are a widow, Mrs. Browne," Francesca wondered as they rode to Bond Street, "how is it you do not have any children?"

Mrs. Browne lifted one eyebrow at this pertinent question and looked from Athena to Gabby, as if she should even speak of such things in front of one so young. Athena gave her leave. Gabby was no stranger to such facts of life, not after living with several frank-speaking sisters (Beatrice, Charlotte and Francesca, to be exact.) And she had raised any number of litters of her own cats and dogs.

"It was not for a lack of trying, I assure you," Mrs. Browne finally replied. "You've seen the miniatures I keep of Mr. Browne, Francesca. Did you think it would be otherwise?"

"He was very handsome," Fran told her sisters. Gabby sniffed, but she did not turn away.

"I also lost a couple of babes before they could be born," the widow said quietly.

"Oh..." Gabby said with a little sob. "How sad."

"Yes, it was. Everett and I had so hoped to have at least one child, but it was not to be."

"You must have been very alone when you came to the cottage," Gabby said.

"At first, yes. But I had been recommended to take it from someone who knew there were plenty of people about to keep me from being isolated too long."

"Who encouraged you to take our cottage?" Athena wondered. She had never heard this story before.

"Lord Hayle, actually. He had sent a letter of sympathy, having known my husband, and must have heard that I had no place to go."

"You are penniless?" Fran asked.

"Oh, no! Mr. Browne left me in funds, to be sure, but we had always let our house in London and I did not wish to renew the lease. I could have gone to live with a relative on either side of the family. I had several offers, but I did not wish to be an object of pity or be forced into servitude to anyone."

"So you moved to Sussex," Fran said happily.

"I did. Hayle had given me the name of your father's estate manager and we quickly agreed upon terms." She laughed. "And you know the rest."

The carriage pulled up in front of the dressmaker's shop. A footman opened the door and helped out Mrs. Browne, but when Athena moved to follow, Gabby jumped out and took Mrs. Browne's hand.

"I'm sorry you do not have any children of your own, ma'am. If you'd like, I could help fill in. I think Fran would like that, as well."

Athena, right behind them, had tears in her eyes. Fran sniffled in her ear and went to take Mrs. Browne's other hand. "Of course we will!" the girl said jovially. "What color gowns should we have..."

Mrs. Browne did not shed a tear as she went hand in hand with the two girls into the shop, but her eyes were unnaturally bright.

It did not take long for them all to agree on varying shades of blue, with swatches of different hues for Aunt Florence, Beatrice, Charlotte and Eve to fill in the spectrum, but the girls were reluctant to leave. They wandered about discussing a new wardrobe for Francesca and a few new gowns for Gabrielle.

"This is famous!" Fran exclaimed at one point, fingering a bolt of brown velvet. "I could have a habit made from this! With gold frogging and a shoulder braid. Swindon told me I would look smashing in a military cut."

"When did he tell you that?" Athena wondered. He who had barely said three words to her in as many days.

"This morning, when someone else refused to take up his breakfast tray."

A tall, proud-looking woman with white hair, dressed in black, came around the corner, examining the laces and fancy trims on display.

"I could not help but overhear..." she began, looking the young ladies up and down with a decided wrinkle to her nose. She then caught sight of the widow.

"My dear Mrs. Browne! I had no idea you were back in town. You've been in Sussex, I believe." Ignoring the girls, she led Mrs. Browne off a ways.

"You know where Swindon is?" she demanded when they were out of earshot.

"Yes, my lady. How is it you do not?"

"No one tells me anything," she replied with a frown. "Else I should already have called on him. All I have heard is that he has been injured and fell into a house of females. I do not have time to check every bordello in town to find him!"

Mrs. Browne chuckled, not surprised in the slightest that the dowager had somehow received a wrong version of the tale. No doubt Swindon's last petit amour had enjoyed spreading such a story. The widow, however, had no intention of enlightening the lady. If the dowager could not keep track of her own grandson, who was she to steer her right? Besides, Swindon would be found when he was good and ready.

"Would you like to meet..." She indicated the Caldwell ladies.

The dowager looked down her nose at them, convinced now that the girls were her grandson's keepers, and wondered how Mrs. Browne had become entangled with such low-class strumpets. She knew now where to get the information she sought.

"No, no, no time for that now," she exclaimed. "I have a call to make that is long overdue. Good day, madam." She left in a blur of black, leaving the widow to give an explanation to the girls. No need to tell them yet, though, who the old martinet was.

"A confused, elderly friend of mine," she said vaguely when she returned to their side. It was the best she could do until she could warn the duke that his grandmother was abroad. She did not have long to wait. They all returned to the waiting carriage to find His Grace seated casually in it, his cane at his side.

"What are you doing here?" Athena exclaimed. Couldn't she have some time away from this aggravating man?

"I'm come to escort you home," he said, as if he had just been down the street at his tailor for the duration of their shopping expedition. "Did you ladies have a good time?"

"Very much so!" Fran said. "I even found some velvet for a habit. We shall all be dressed in blue for the wedding, and Gabby and I are to get some new gowns." She turned to Mrs. Browne and began talking about their clothes, giving the duke a chance to lean across to Athena and smile.

"I missed you. You were gone too long."

"You did no such thing, and I was no such thing." She turned away to pout. This was not going at all the way she had planned it.

"I have news for you, Your Grace," Mrs. Browne said softly when Francesca had taken her conversation back to Gabby. "Your grandmother was in the shop today and she asked me where to find you."

The duke paled. "Grandmother? Did you introduce her, then, to the ladies?"

Mrs. Browne shook her head. "I fear there is worse. She has heard you are staying in a..." She looked at the girls, but Athena was huddled silently in a corner and the other two were still chattering together. "A house of ill repute, Your Grace. She refused to be introduced to the Caldwells."

"Oh, dear. Her next step will be to corner Thaddy and I know she will be on the Caldwell doorstep almost immediately afterwards."

"When she gets there, she will see there is no cause for alarm, that the girls are well chaperoned and not at all what she thinks them to be."

"No cause for alarm," he echoed uncertainly. There was always cause for alarm when his grandmother was about, and this sort of confrontation was something he had been trying to avoid all along. He did not want Athena subjected to the old lady until he was ready.

Chapter 14

"Get up, Thaddeus!" the dowager barked in her son's ear. It had taken her all of about twenty minutes to get from the modiste's to her son's rooms.

"Wha?" He had gone to White's the evening before after an agreeable dinner with Regina, and had broached about four bottles of port. Or had it been five?

"Drunken wastrel!" she said with a snort. "At least there isn't a woman in here."

"Bloody well could be," he mumbled insolently. Climbing out of bed in scant clothing, he hoped to shock his parent, but she was immune to his antics.

"Get dressed -- I want to speak to you about your nephew."

"Which one? Percy? Sylvester?"

"Miles, you idiot!" She whacked him in the head with her reticule. "Where is he?"

"Dashed if I know. Where do you think he is?" He was grinning now as he nonchalantly reached for his dressing gown, his valet hovering like a mother hen in the background. He knew what was being said of Swindon's accommodations, and he found it amusing. Ever loyal, Swindon's servants were completely mum on the subject, and he wondered what Dormer had said to the Caldwells, because nothing seemed to have leaked there, either. Except for the wild tales being spread by Angelique and her newest lover, Miles might as well been in the Hebrides for all anyone knew.

He doubted anyone would be called out for the rumors. His nevvy seemed to be rather pleased to have gotten rid of the beauteous Angelique, and he knew why. The even lovelier Miss Caldwell.

Miss Caldwell! That's why Miles was in hiding! If the dowager got a hold of the girl without a warning... Besting Regina was one thing, but he doubted Miss Caldwell would come out on top with his mother.

"I'm waiting, Thaddeus," the dowager countess called from the front room, where she had gone when it looked as if her son truly meant to get dressed. "And you're dragging your heels while Swindon is in a bawdy house of some sort!"

"Coming, Mother!" He took his time, however. The dowager was a stickler for the proprieties, and that included proper clothing. Besides, the extra attention lavished on him by his manservant gave him time to think. He was going to have to throw her off the scent, obviously, but she was going to discover the ruse eventually. Then she would be crabbed. Well, he could take her wrath. It was for Miles, after all.

"I think you heard wrong, Mama. I don't believe Miles is in a brothel. He is most likely at Hayle's. You know what great friends they are." The dowager did not like Lady Hayle and so was not likely to make a direct call. And if she accosted Hayle himself, which she was perfect capable of doing, the man would know in a thrice how to rout the old besom.

"What did you call me?" she demanded as he joined her in the other room. He had not realized he was speaking aloud.

"I said... gold becomes you, Mama. You should wear it sometime, instead of black." That would never happen. She had been wearing the willow for more than ten years for a man she had barely tolerated in life.

"Why, Thaddy!" The old lady let him butter her up for a few moments before she slyly went for the jugular. "I saw an old acquaintance today," she interjected smoothly into the conversation. "Mrs. Browne."

Thaddeus, wracking his brain for more compliments, was only partially aware of her words. "Oh?"

"Yes! And I should so like to call on her. Where is she residing?"

"Lady Middleton's, of course. With Sir Edward Caldwell and his family."

"Hmmm ... Now, what do you think of puce?"

"Oh, no, Mama! Never say you are thinking of wearing puce? Better to stay in black!"

The dowager sat back with a smile and kept the subject on fashion before she made a segue into gossip. Lord Thaddeus never realized what had just happened.

"I wish to see my grandson," an old lady in black was saying to the butler when Gabby came bounding down the stairs. "The Duke of Swindon."

"I'll take care of her," Gabby promised, skidding to a halt right behind Pritchard.

"Very good, Miss Gabrielle." He bowed and left the visitor to the young lady.

"Come here, child," the countess cooed. "You're a Caldwell?"

"Yes, ma'am. Gabrielle." She dropped the lady a clumsy curtsy even as she recalled seeing this old crow the day before on Bond Street. Her young mind had not taken in the snub at the time, so she was not disposed to dislike this guest.

"Well, Miss Gabrielle, do you know how to get to my grandson's room?"

"Oh, yes, ma'am! I go there all the time!"

"Indeed..." The dowager whipped out her lorgnette and stared down her aristocratic nose at this boisterous child.

"We all come and go as we please, when he is not working." She led the lady to the stairs and they climbed them together, Gabby slowing her gait to the same measured steps the older woman was using.

"How long has the duke been here?"

"Oh, ages! Ever since he fell over Harry's valise. He hurt his ankle, you see, but I think it's all better now," she added innocently. "I've seen him walk as well as you and me, but he uses a cane in public. I think he stays because Lord Adrian likes my sister, Charlotte, and..."

Francesca appeared at the top of the stairs.

"This lady says His Grace is her grandson!" Gabby told her sister with delight.

"Truly?" Francesca dipped her a curtsy that was much more proper than her sister's, and then ruined it by flouncing ahead to the duke's bedroom door.

The dowager gave a great sniff over the lack of decorum she had seen since her arrival, but was pleased when she noticed the older hoyden had not alerted Swindon to her presence, but stood just before the open door.

The countess did so love to make an entrance.

Athena had brought up Swindon's tea and discovered, to her surprise, that he was alone. Leaving the door open, she came in with the tray and stood by the side of the bed. He was fully dressed, propped up with pillows behind his back and under his ankle, and was smiling.

"You stayed home today."

"I'm too embarrassed seeing you chase after me," she retorted. But her features were not harsh. Indeed, she had just hit on a way to gain back some of her own. It was a bold idea, and she was not usually this forward, but she was getting desperate. She needed something to keep her from thinking he had not been serious when he asked her to wait.

"Are you going to stand there all day or do I get my tea?" he asked when she did not move.

"You'll get your tea. For a price, Your Grace." The words sounded foreign to her ears, but his eyes lit up with interest, so she ploughed ahead.

"A price? Whatever happened to Caldwell hospitality?"

"I'll show it to you if you give me something in return," she teased. Where had this wanton flirt come from?

"Oh?" He was intrigued, in spite of his good intentions at keeping his hands off her the last couple of days. He'd had to ignore her to do so, but one little reward would go a long way to restoring both their good humors. He was also delighted at her forwardness, not having seen that side of her before. "Is it what I think it is?"

"It could be." She set the tray down on a side table and leaned over to give him a chaste kiss. But he pulled a move his uncle would have been proud of and brought Athena into his arms and across his chest so that he could kiss her properly.

"Much better," he murmured.

"I ... I didn't mean this," she insisted, her cheeks aflame.

"Didn't you, minx?" he asked, pulling her closer. "I am not complaining."

"You should be. What if someone walked in on us?"

"No one is going to walk in..." he said softly right before he closed the gap between their lips.

"What is the meaning of this?" the dowager suddenly demanded from the doorway. Athena gasped and flew off the bed, unable to look at either of them.

"Grandmama!" the duke exclaimed. "I was ... We were just..." He knew she would eventually show, but he had hoped it would be later than had happened. He was not quite prepared. The fact that Athena had not run off was a good sign. That she was looking at neither of them was not.

"Disgraceful!" the countess cried. "Leave us!" she commanded to Athena.

"No!" Athena and the duke spoke as one.

Gabby and Fran were still in the doorway, gawking, however, so he signaled for them to leave. They pouted, but curtsied and scampered off without a fuss.

"You will explain yourself now," he was ordered.

"Why?" Swindon stretched his arms out behind his head. He had not become a force to be reckoned with overnight. He had recovered quickly from his initial surprise, concerned more for Athena than himself, and settled in to do battle.

"You are a duke! You should not be dallying with a mere baronet's daughter -- you, who could have an earl's daughter at the very least!"

"I don't want an earl's daughter. I don't want a king's daughter. I want..."

"Athena!" Daphne said excitedly, ignoring the countess as she ran into the room. "Look what Wexford gave me!" She held out a hand on which sparkled a new diamond ring. Athena smiled gently and even Swindon grinned. Daphne's previous betrothal ring had been an heirloom that Lady Wexford had reluctantly given up, most likely because it was so ugly. This was much more attractive.

"It's lovely," Athena told her sister.

"Hello," Daphne said politely, spying the countess. "I'm Daphne Caldwell." She held out a hand, but the lady ignored it. Cut to the quick, Daphne looked back at Athena in some confusion.

"Lady Chilchester was just leaving," Swindon announced, trying to offer some lame explanation for the snub.

"No, I am not!" The countess stamped her foot. "And don't think I shall confirm the mauling this... this creature was giving you, Swindon. You won't be trapped by her if I can help it!"

Daphne gasped, her mouth working open and shut like a codfish as the old lady insulted her sister. "Excuse me, please," she said sweetly and ran out. No one stopped her.

Fortunately, the first people Daphne met were Harry and Eve, just coming home from an outing with the Marlowes. "Come with me!" she commanded and they followed her into the drawing room without question. Wexford was there, ready to take his beloved to the park.

"No time for that now," General Daphne said. "This is a family emergency. There's an old crow upstairs being unpleasant to the duke and insulting Athena!"

"The devil you say!" Harry swore.

"I do! We need to do something about this. I'm just not sure what," Daphne added with a frown, sinking down onto a settee.

"Do about what?" Francesca asked, coming into the room. "Did you know there's an old lady upstairs who caught the duke kissing Athena?"

"Did she like it?" Eve asked eagerly.

"The old lady didn't," Gabby said with a giggle. "But I think Athena did!"

The young ladies all laughed. Harry and Wexford exchanged looks.

"I think we should approach His Grace after the old lady leaves and hear what he has to say about all this," Eve advised. Everyone agreed and Fran insisted on keeping vigil in the hall, ready to pounce on the duke as soon as possible.

She did not have long to wait and as soon as the old bat had left the house, Fran back to report to her sisters, the party of which now included Charlotte.

"I cannot stay here now," the duke said sorrowfully to Athena as soon as he had gotten rid of his grandmother.

"What?" She, who had been so eager to get rid of him in the beginning, was now reluctant to see him go. "What will you say to my family?"

"I'll say all this marvelous attention and care has worked wonders, allowing me to continue my convalescence at home. But I cannot stay and allow my grandmother to insult you in such a fashion. I cannot imagine why she has any objections to you."

"She was the one who discovered us in a compromising position..."

"True." He hopped up from the bed and rang for his manservant. "But consider yourself compromised, my fair Athena." He stopped and kissed the tip of her nose. "I'll call on your father in a couple of days, when I can be ‘back on my feet'," he said with a laugh.

"But..." This was all going to quickly for her. First he kissed her, then his grandmother walked in and now this.

"But what?"

"What about our plans? Mrs. Browne and Papa? Wexford and Daphne?"

"Not to worry." He had opened a drawer and was throwing handkerchiefs and such onto the bed but now he came over and kissed her cheek. "Our plans have changed only slightly and the mission is still the same -- to get your family independent of you." He turned back to the desecration of his linen drawer.

Athena knew when she had been dismissed and she went slowly and without a backward glance up to her garret to paint. And think. And worry. And cry just a little. It made her feel better. Just a little.

Chapter 15

The duke and his valet did not pack straight away. Instead, Swindon sent for Athena's siblings. He was not surprised when he learned they were all gathered downstairs. Probably a council of war. The countess tended to bring out such things in people, even complete strangers.

"We need some assistance, Your Grace," Charlotte said as they answered his summons. "We are not the sort to sit idly by while someone -- anyone -- insults our sister."

"Quite commendable," he replied.

"But what can we do?" Daphne wailed. "The countess is influential and we would not wish to hurt our social standing with some wicked prank."

Fran and Harry looked at each other in dismay. A humiliating scene of some sort was exactly what they had in mind.

"No," Swindon agreed with Daphne. "With my grandmother, the only way to win is to killer her with kindness."

"Kill?" Harry and Fran lit up like a chandelier.

"It is an figure of speech," Eve said, effectively bursting their bubbles. "It means we have to be polite and mind our manners."

"Miss Eve is correct," the duke said with approval. "Do you attend Lady Fitzhugh's card party tonight?"

They all looked at each other and grimaced. Aunt Florence was to go, but they had all cried off, even Mrs. Browne, not wishing to waste an evening with stuffy old people playing sedate games of whist.

"We are now," Daphne said with a sigh. "Even Lady Wexford plans to go."

Swindon raised his head from where he had been contemplating his hands. "With Uncle Thaddeus?"

Daphne nodded and giggled. "Those two are as thick as thieves."

"Under no circumstances is Uncle Thaddeus to show up there tonight." The old fool was bound to make a cake of himself and the countess would not hesitate to denounce her own reprobate son to the company, which would lead Thaddeus to retaliate in some juvenile manner. It could only go downhill from there.

"Why?" Charlotte was curious.

"Because Grandmother doesn't know about them yet, and because I want to keep this party sedate."

"I shall keep Lady Wexford and Lord Thaddeus away from there," Daphne announced. "You shall invite me to dine with you," she commanded Wexford, "and I shall bring Fran and Gabby with me."

"How will that help?" Wexford wondered.

"I have an idea, but I need to work on it," she sweetly replied.

Wexford shrugged. Daphne would tell him all in due time, or if she required his assistance.

While they were still discussing the card party, the duke's valet came in with a valise and returned to his work.

"Are you going somewhere?" Eve asked.

"I am going back to my own home," the duke confessed and was rewarded with a barrage of hostile glares. Even Wexford seemed put out. Daphne was on the verge of tears.

"Does this mean you will be at the card party, then?" Francesca demanded.

"Unfortunately, no."

"But..." Charlotte began to protest. Eve cut her short.

"It will be all right. Athena will have the support of those who truly love her. It will be enough," she assured her siblings. She stood abruptly, indicating to her family that it was time to leave. They all filed out ahead of her, no one saying a word to the duke.

He, in return, refused to be intimidated, even when Eve paused at the door.

"You have performed a number of services to my family and for that I am grateful. But I cannot like it that you turn tail and run the moment you are adversely affected."

"You don't understand."

"I don't. And you can bet that if I don't understand, neither will Athena. Have you told her you are leaving?"

"Yes."

Eve frowned. "That's it then. Run along home, Your Grace, and desert the lady you profess to love. As I said, she still has her family to support her. We shouldn't even bother, of course. It seems a moot point to put up a good front to someone whose opinion no longer matters now that you are leaving."

"But..."

"Perhaps you should go home," she suggested. "It will be interesting to see how long it takes you to come crawling back." She left the room quietly.

The duke growled with frustration as he began to throw his clothes willy-nilly into a bag.

"Are we in a hurry, Your Grace?" the valet asked.

"Yes, dammit! I have a card party to attend this evening!"

His manservant gave him an odd look, but he did not question his employer. Not after the young lady had just told him off. And rightly so.

Eve found Mrs. Browne in the drawing room and the two came up with a plan of their own. If they could not count on the duke, there were still others to lend their support.

It was decided that Mrs. Browne and Sir Edward would stay home and keep Athena and Harry with them. Daphne would take Fran and Gabby with her to the Wexfords and everyone else would appear at the card party.

Mrs. Browne sent notes to Sir Thomas, Lord and Lady Hayle and Lord Adrian, asking for their assistance.

"Athena has sent word that she won't be coming down to dinner," Charlotte announced as she joined them.

"That will be good," Eve said sympathetically. "I would not want her to show up at the card party and the duke be absent.

"Your family has come with you!" Lady Fitzhugh was quite pleased. She loved the addition of young people at her parties, and the Caldwell sisters were pretty enough to turn heads even among the older people in her set of friends.

"A few had prior engagements," Aunt Florence confessed, "but Charlotte and Eve insisted on coming with me."

"And I," Beatrice said from behind her aunt. "I realized I had not called on your this age, Aunt Gertrude," she added, using their childhood name for Lady Fitzhugh, one of their aunt's bosom friends.

"Aren't you a dear?" the lady exclaimed. "And you have brought Hayle!" If she noticed the marquis with a less-than-happy mien, she chalked it up to his lordship being dragged to a quiet card party, not knowing he was more put out at his friend Swindon than his wife. The note from Mrs. Browne had been quite specific in regards to the situation and his friend's behavior. Hayle had insisted on adding his support.

"Shall we introduce our sisters around for you?" Beatrice offered, aware of other guests waiting to enter the room. Lady Fitzhugh agreed and Beatrice took Charlotte and Eve about the room. It was full of the elderly, all of them falling easily under the charm of Bea's artlessness, Charlotte's frankness and Eve's sudden shyness.

An older gentleman, Lord Arbuthnot, insisted Eve play at his table, and she accepted, finding the white-haired man had kind blue eyes.

"And if I might be so bold, Uncle," Sir Thomas said, appearing at Eve's elbow. "I would be more than happy to be Miss Caldwell's partner. He's my godfather," he added in an aside to Eve. "And he always plays with Lady Chichester."

Eve accepted, and they were no sooner seated at a table, making light conversation, when the countess arrived. She made a beeline for Lord Arbuthnot.

"Arbuthnot. Sir Thomas," she acknowledged. "And a young lady at our table. How refreshing." The way she spoke left no one in doubt she felt the opposite, but Eve did not let her annoyance show.

A hovering servant served them wine and then the countess picked up a deck of pasteboards and dealt the first hand. Lord Arbuthnot and Lady Chichester were veteran whist players, but Eve was not without skill, and she and Sir Thomas made a formidable team. She was also a quiet player and did not indulge in distracting conversation while a hand was in progress. She quickly earned the approval of her tablemates.

"Who did you say you were again?" the countess asked after Eve and Sir Thomas won a closely played round.

"I did not, my lady, but I shall, if you wish it. I am Miss Eve Caldwell."

"Caldwell ... I thought I saw your aunt here tonight. Are any of your sisters with you?"

Eve indicated Charlotte's table, where her sister also played with quiet grace.

"You will introduce us at supper," her ladyship commanded and went back to the game. Sir Thomas, however, gave Eve a warm smile.

At the Wexford townhouse, the evening was in high gear. After a dinner of leek soup, capons and whitefish with winter vegetables, and a sherry trifle, Lady Wexford and Lord Thaddeus were kept from attending the card party by the antics of the two youngest Caldwell ladies, and having to provide chaperonage to the betrothed couple.

Fran and Gabby did their part and soon had their elders busy, embroiled in a lively game of Charades. This left them no time to think about cards. Daphne was particularly pleased with her sisters' inventiveness, as it gave her time to sit with Wexford and engage him in light conversation.

At one point, Lady Wexford acted out the title "Merchant of Venice," and she had the girls in stitches as she tried to get them to rhyme Mer with fur.

"Your sisters are charming," the countess told Daphne later when the tea tray had appeared. "You must invite them to the Manor this summer, and I will keep them in the dower house with me."

Wexford almost spit out a mouthful of tea. "The dower house?"

"Of course. I know the manor can accommodate all of us, but you newlyweds will want your privacy, and Daphne will need to learn to get along with the servants without any interference."

Wexford eyed his mother with suspicion. After all, the housekeeper was the sort who would not hesitate to report every little thing to her, making her an effective spy.

"And I am taking Mrs. Metcalf with me," she assured her son. "The housekeeper," she said to Daphne. "I suggest you find another before you leave London," she advised.

Fran and Gabby were being regaled with stories of Lord Thaddeus' exploits at Cambridge and were paying no mind to their sister, which was just as well. After all her moaning about Lady Wexford, they would never have believed this conversation.

"I am grateful to your ladyship for the interest you have shown in my sisters," Daphne quietly replied.

"Nonsense. They are sweet girls and I quite delight in their company. I shall call on Mrs. Browne tomorrow - I wish to see what you have chosen for them to wear to the wedding."

"Yes, ma'am." Like Wexford, Daphne could not quite trust his mother, but neither was she going to alienate the woman. Especially after she had announced her intention to retire to the dower house.

The card party was in full swing when the duke arrived, and when he first appeared in the drawing room, no one paid him any mind at all. Rather miffed at his reception - he was a young, handsome and wealthy duke, after all - he stumped over to the table where his secretary was partnered with Miss Charlotte Caldwell.

"Woodley!"

"Your Grace?"

"Did I give you the night off?" he asked, earning a scowl from Charlotte.

"Yes, Your Grace."

"Oh. Well, carry on, then. Hayle!" he exclaimed, moving on to where his friend sat with Beatrice.

"Swindon!" His reception was rather chilly, and the duke was beginning to think this had been a mistake when Eve excused herself from her table and came forward to greet him.

"So, you came after all."

"For all the good it has done me so far."

"Give them a few minutes to adjust," she advised.

He nodded and looked about. "Brave girl," he said, indicating his grandmother.

"Caldwell ladies are not cowards. Some of us may be rather shy, but we never back down."

"So I see. But tell me, where is Miss Caldwell? Why isn't she here defending her own honor?"

"Why should she? I thought that was your job." With a little flip of her skirts, Eve twirled about and returned to her table.

The duke did not follow. Instead, he took a glass of wine and settled in a corner, away from the crowd but watching the Caldwells and their family and friends. He had not understood their loyalty earlier. After all, they had put Athena through more hoops than he ever thought of doing. Neither had he ever had the advantage of a pack of siblings, though, who would defend one of their own to their last breath. He wanted that. He could have it if he made all this right, and he knew it had to begin with a few words to his grandparent.

The countess either had not seen her grandson, or she chose not to acknowledge him until later. She did not speak to him at all until it was time to go leave, and then she told him he was escorting her home.

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