The duke once more folded his arms across his chest, which looked quite massive as he stood there puffed up and glaring at his mother. “You are telling me what to say and do?”
“Yes, Ramsdale. I am. There. Done. Miss Temple is safely out.” She tipped her chin into the air. “No need to thank me. I do it freely, and with a mother’s loving heart.”
“First of all,” the duke said, his expression only a little less fierce than before, “stop referring to me as Ramsdale. You know I hate it.”
“But you are the duke, no matter how much you refuse to acknowledge the fact. You have a duty to the Crown and to your family to maintain our good name.”
“Second of all, I have no intention of putting on a show for the amusement of our guests.”
“But you will do it for the sake of protecting Miss Temple’s reputation,” his mother retorted, matching his glower with one of her own.
Ailis liked that his mother appeared to be just as implacable as he was. The pair looked so much alike as they stubbornly stared at each other.
Edward noticed it, too, and grinned.
“Theshow, as you call it,” their mother insisted, “is for the sake of Miss Temple. Everyone has to believe she has just arrived, that it is strictly business, that you have efficiently addressed it, and you are now sending her on her way.”
She took a moment to study Ailis. “My dear, you are too pretty.”
Ailis did not know how to respond to the remark, for it did not sound like a compliment.
Both sons snorted.
Ailis did not quite understand what their snorts meant, either. But Lord Langford was once again grinning, and the duke’s lips were twitching as though he were struggling to squelch a smile.
“We’ll have to dig up a silly hat for you to wear. Something hideous that hides much of your face. Edward, have Mrs. Fitch find something appropriate. A black hat, since black matches with everything. It is quite a useful color.”
The dowager gave another pointed look at her sons, then slapped her hands to her thighs and rose. “There, all solved. I shall enjoy pretending to make your acquaintance, should Ramsdale choose to introduce you to his guests. However, I advise against your making too much of a show of it, son. Better to treat Miss Temple as one of the many tradesmen who call at your door.”
Ailis readily agreed. She had no desire to be introduced to any of the Upper Crust currently populating his parlor.
The duke did not look pleased, but he nodded.
“And I further suggest you return downstairs now,” his mother added. “I shall take over from here.”
He growled.
She ignored him. “And do be witty and charming, Ramsdale. At least keep up the pretense of enjoying your guests until such time as Grimes draws you aside.”
He growled again.
Ailis coughed to smother her laughter. He was a man, fully grown and powerful, and yet was having his ears boxed by his mother.
He turned to Ailis. “Give me the donations.”
“Oh, yes.” She rose and scurried to her reticule, finding it difficult to draw them out with just one available hand.
“Here, let me do it,” the duke said, coming to her side and making her insides melt again because he was being gentle andprotective as he set aside her hand and dug the bank drafts out himself. “I’m sorry about this, Ailis.”
“Not at all your fault, Your Grace. I am immeasurably grateful for all you have done for me.”
He tucked the bank drafts in an interior pocket of his jacket. “I may not have time for a private word with you later, not if this farce of a donation exchange is witnessed by one and all. Take care of yourself. Will you promise me?”
She nodded. “I will.”
“Do not overdo it, for your shoulder is not yet healed.”
She smiled at him. “I will be very careful not to strain it.”
